LOCAL PRESS

Dacic: ICJ should not take consider initiative to launch revision of its verdict (RTS)

Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic has stated that the revision is a private lawsuit by Bosniak member of B&H Presidency Bakir Izetbegovic, and that the International Court of Justice (ICJ) should not even consider it. Dacic explained that the revision of the lawsuit will harm relations among peoples in B&H, as well as among countries of the region. “This will seriously harm relations between Serbia and B&H,” he said, and added that it will also harm functioning of B&H, since representatives of Serbs and Croats are against the revision. Dacic concluded by saying that he expects the ICJ to reject the motion for the revision, noting that the court should not even consider it given that it was submitted by a person without legitimacy.

Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic stated that the news that B&H is launching revision of lawsuit against Serbia was difficult and bad for relations between the two countries. He noted that Serbia did not provoke such decision in any way. “Regardless of everything, I am sure that we will know how to save our state and national interests, but despite of all, we will continue to talk to leadership in B&H in our desire to permanently preserve peace in the Balkans,” said Vucic.

Kuburovic: Serbia to use all legal means (Beta/Blic)

Serbian Minister of Justice Nela Kuburovic stated that Serbia would fight the revision using all legal means, while respecting its Constitution and laws, as well as international law and international principles, and that it would not accept humiliation. Kuburovic said that such moves would not discourage Serbia from giving up the policy of stability and reconciliation in the region, and continuing to firmly advocate the development of good neighborly relations with all the states in the region.

Drecun: Big step backwards for the region (RTS)

“This is a big step backwards for the entire region and in general for the EU perspective and region’s progress,” the Chairman of the Serbian parliamentary Committee for Kosovo and Metohija Milovan Drecun told the morning broadcast of RTS. He stresses that Izetbegovic is following the continuity of the policy led by his father, according to the Islamic Declaration, where there was no place for the Serbs. “For years, Izetbegovic has been trying to destroy the RS and to take away competencies from it,” says Drecun. According to him, Izetbegovic’s behavior doesn’t lead to regional stabilization and good-neighborly policy. “On the contrary, it seems he needs an incident situation like this one, in order to try to destroy the RS, and then to realize his ideas. He didn’t free himself from greater-Bosniak ideas,” said Drecun.

Vulin: Revision is act of hostility towards Serbia (RTS)

Serbian Labor Minister Aleksandar Vulin stated that Bakir Izetbegovic has undermined constitutional order in B&H and the Dayton Peace Agreement and tried to cause deep and permanent conflicts among Serbs, Bosniaks and Croats. “This is an act of hostility of one man, this is an act of hostility of one political structure which has been working for years on destabilization of B&H and on attempts to cause conflicts in B&H,” Vulin explained. “I hope that the international community will react to this, use its authority and clearly say who undermines stability in the Balkans and endangers B&H’s existence. Despite this, Serbia will continue to conduct the policy of peace,” Vulin stated.

Nikolic to Kern: Talks with Pristina conducted under almost impossible conditions (Beta/B92)

Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic says the talks with Pristina are being conducted under almost impossible conditions. According to him, Belgrade is fulfilling everything asked of it in these talks, while the other side is allowed not to implement agreements. “We expect and hope for fair and equal terms in further talks with Albanians,” Nikolic said during his meeting in Belgrade on Friday with Austrian Chancellor Christian Kern.

Speaking about the migrant crisis, he said that Serbia is doing all it can to provide migrants with decent living conditions. However, he cited as a problem the fact that migrants do not want to be registered and accommodated in reception centers, because they fear of being sent back to Serbia later – which is not their ultimate goal.

Pak: Nikolic not founding party (Beta)

Media advisor to the president of Serbia Stanislava Pak denied on Satudaythat Tomislav

Nikolic was founding a new party. She told Beta that the report published in Danas that President Nikolic, who has decided to run for a second term, was working on founding his own party, to be called the Original Progressive Party of Serbia. “Obviously, someone wants the agreement between Nikolic and Vucic not to happen, so they are releasing disinformation,” Pak said.

Jevtic: Without any dilemma we support Vucic’s candidacy (RTS)

Minister for Returns and Communities in the Kosovo government Dalibor Jevtic told RTS that, at the meetings of SNS municipal boards in Kosovo and Metohija support was given without any dilemma to Vucic’s candidacy. He says that peace is the most important thing for the Kosovo Serbs, and Vucic was advocating precisely that.

Gojkovic: Decision on what elections will be called due next week (RTS/Tanjug)

A decision on whether elections at other levels will be held along with the upcoming presidential polls will be made next week, Serbian parliament speaker Maja Gojkovic said. She could not reply to the question why extraordinary elections would be necessary when the leadership of SNS claimed that there was no division in the party and that they had a stable majority in the parliament.

Cupic: A rift occurred within SNS (Beta)

Political Science professor Cedomir Cupic assessed that a split has occurred with the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS). He points out that this is testified by the fact that none of the ministers attended the celebration of the Statehood Day organized by Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic. “This is something one cannot understand. Not even the ministers from other parties as coalition partners attended the celebration. This is a state holiday, regardless of who is the president, this is where one pays tribute to the state because this is the Statehood Day, and this is something that speaks of an emerging rift and big disagreements when the state holiday is boycotted in this manner,” Cupic told Beta. He says there is probably some sort of rift and that some promises had been broken, while Nikolic hinted at the celebration that during his mandate he was “humiliated, attacked and that he had no protection from his party”. Cupic assesses that if Tomislav Nikolic would decide to run again for president this would mean that he counts on the support of the voters. “The question is what party support means, whether this is the support of the Main Board, whether this is the support of so-called presidencies and leading people within municipal boards. This remains a question mark. We don’t know what their membership and sympathizers think. If he enters elections, he is counting on something that would bring him some votes, and these are voters and sympathizers,” said Cupic.

REGIONAL PRESS

Izetbegovic prevents Crnadak’s letter to reach ICJ (BN TV)

Bosniak member of the B&H Presidency Bakir Izetbegovic stated on Sunday that Chairman and Serb member of the Presidency of B&H Mladen Ivanic and Minister of Foreign Affairs of B&H Igor Crnadak are not authorized to communicate verbally or in a written form with the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague without an approval of the Presidency of B&H. Commenting on the fact that Minister Crnadak criticized the fact that B&H Ambassador in The Hague Mirsada Colakovic failed to forward his letter on revision to the ICJ, Izetbegovic explained that the Embassy cannot deliver a letter without authorization by the Presidency of B&H. Presenter reminded that Minister Crnadak sent a letter to the ICJ, noting that the decision on launching of a revision of B&H’s lawsuit against Serbia for aggression and genocide was not reached by consensus within B&H. Furthermore, Izetbegovic pointed out that, if he really sent the letter as he claims, Crnadak’s move was unconstitutional and extra-institutional, i.e. it represents violation of the Constitution of B&H and abuse of official authority.

Ivanic and Crnadak hold meeting, discuss revision of lawsuit (BN TV)

Chairman and Serb member of the B&H Presidency Mladen Ivanic and Minister of Foreign Affairs of B&H Igor Crnadak held a meeting in Banja Luka on Sunday. The two officials discussed the announcement of Bosniak member of the Presidency of B&H and leader of SDA Bakir Izetbegovic that B&H will launch a revision of its lawsuit against Serbia for aggression and genocide before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague. Following the meeting, Crnadak addressed reporters at a press conference and commented on the fact that Izetbegovic stressed that he and Ivanic are not authorized to communicate verbally or in a written form with the ICJ without approval of the Presidency of B&H. In this regard, Crnadak announced that he will comment on the matter on Monday, February 20. He explained that he put his stances on the situation and the specific facts in a letter to the ICJ in The Hague and argued that he did not claim that B&H’s position is something that is not agreed in the Presidency of B&H. Minister Crnadak also underscored that Bosniaks’ announcement on submitting the motion for a revision of B&H’s lawsuit against Serbia represents a direct attack on the institutions of B&H and the Dayton Peace Accords (DPA), adding that if B&H Ambassador in The Hague Mirsada Colakovic fails to send his letter, he will seek through diplomatic channels her responsibility and the discussion about it in the Presidency of B&H. Crnadak reminded that, according to the law, he is entitled to send such a letter. “These conflicting directives sent to the ambassadors by individual members of B&H Presidency can lead to complete paralysis of the diplomatic-consular network of B&H. Such principle is promoted by Izetbegovic,” said Crnadak. He also noted that long-term stability and development of the country will happen only when those in Sarajevo understand that B&H institutions belong to the Serb people as much as to the Bosniaks. Furthermore, the B&H Minister of Foreign Affairs stressed that, if B&H files the motion for revision, he will travel to The Hague, in order to challenge the motion for revision of the ruling in the case of B&H’s lawsuit against Serbia.

SNSD-DNS-SP leaders discuss revision of lawsuit (RTRS)

Leaders of the ruling coalition composed of SNSD, DNS and SP Republika Srpska (RS) held a meeting in Banja Luka on Sunday. Namely, party leaders Milorad Dodik, Marko Pavic and Petar Djokic respectively, met to discuss the situation related to the announced request for revision of B&H’s lawsuit against Serbia before the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Dodik, Pavic, and Djokic concluded that the decision to launch revision of the lawsuit against Serbia is “one in a series” of anti-Serb measures. Specifically, Dodik, Pavic, and Djokic concluded that “Bosniak-Muslim revision of the lawsuit against Serbia on behalf of B&H” was directed by Bosniak member of B&H Presidency and SDA leader Bakir Izetbegovic and that it clearly proves that Bosniak political, intellectual and religious elite are oriented against Serbs. Coalition partners assessed that a criminal procedure should be initiated against Izetbegovic for undermining the Constitution of B&H stemming from the Dayton Peace Agreement, before judiciary of the RS or the Federation of B&H. In this regard, coalition partners warned that Izetbegovic’s initiative for launching revision on behalf of B&H is direct violation of the Dayton Peace Agreement while “Bosniak Sarajevo” is a generator of a crisis in B&H.

On behalf of the RS ruling coalition, Dodik, Pavic, and Djokic called on B&H Presidency to remove B&H Ambassador in The Hague Mirsada Colakovic because she did not forward B&H Minister of Foreign Affairs Igor Crnadak’s letter on revision to the ICJ. They also criticized the fact that the Office of the High Representative (OHR) did not condemn Izetbegovic’s behavior, referring to it as “shameful” and accusing the OHR of not wanting to prevent unilateral Bosniak moves. As for further actions of Serb officials, they agreed on the need to convene a meeting of all political parties from the RS as early as on Monday, while the RS National Assembly (RSNA) should hold a special session on Tuesday in order to define further performance of RS officials in B&H institutions.

Another conclusion was that representatives of authorities of the RS and Serbia should meet to discuss the issue of revision. Dodik reiterated his stance that unity of all Serb parties in B&H is important in the newly-emerged situation, for the sake of protecting the RS’ interests. Dodik finds that the RSNA’s special session should result in decisions related to all issues “of disputing the RS” including revision in this case, presence of foreign judges in B&H Constitutional Court (CC), and issue of reform of judiciary at state level. According to Dodik, Serbs do not want to boycott B&H authorities but rather to show that decision-making at the state level cannot take place without the RS. Both Pavic and Djokic wondered why the international community (IC) remains silent with regard to this matter. Pavic said that peace “is again being sacrificed” in B&H.

Dzaferovic: Motion for revision of ICJ’s verdict will be filed by February 26 (TV1)

Speaker of B&H House of Representatives (HoR) Sefik Dzaferovic (SDA), spoke about the announced revision of the verdict of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), in case of the lawsuit of B&H against Serbia for genocide. Dzaferovic said that he expects from the agent of B&H before the ICJ Sakib Softic to file the motion for revision of the verdict, by February 26. Dzaferovic underlined: “The motion will be filed by February 26”. He underlined that Softic is the only person authorized to file the motion, bearing in mind that he is a representative of B&H and that he has the valid power of an attorney based on a decision of B&H Presidency, dating from 2002. Dzaferovic added that Softic already decided to file the motion before the ICJ and that Bosniaks who gathered in Sarajevo’s City Hall on Friday, expressed their support to Softic. Furthermore, Dzaferovic said that he cannot talk about evidence necessary to launch the revision, adding that he was informed at the meeting on Friday that the motion is credible and in his opinion, the ICJ will accept it.

Speaking about strong reactions of politicians in the RS to the announced revision, Dzaferovic said that this will certainly cause political tensions in B&H and in the region. However, he added that the revision will not create any serious crisis and that the situation will eventually calm down.

Moore: There is doubt whether all conditions for successful revision of lawsuit against Serbia have been fulfilled (Glas Srpske)

Head of OSCE Mission to B&H Jonathan Moore stated that there is reasonable doubt whether all conditions for revision of B&H’s lawsuit against Serbia have been fulfilled. “Who has the competency, who is authorized? I am speaking about tone member of B&H Presidency and Mr. Sakib Softic. There is also the role of B&H Presidency according to the Dayton Constitution of B&H. There is doubt whether conditions have been fulfilled for a successful revision,” said Moore.

HDZ B&H’s Boskovic wins repeated elections in Stolac according to first preliminary results (FTV)

The B&H Central Election Commission published the first preliminary results of the repeated local elections in Stolac, according to which HDZ B&H candidate for the post of Head of Stolac Municipality Stjepan Boskovic won 4,276 votes or 59.55%. Independent candidate for the post of Head of Stolac Municipality Mato Komsic won 2,904 votes or 40.45%. Invalid ballots account for some five percent.

Vojvodina institutions hold conference on Bunjevci’s non-Croat ethnic background (Hina)

A symposium on the identity of the Vojvodina Bunjevci, which advocates the non-Croat ethnic background of that group, was held in that northern Serbian province under the auspices of the provincial authorities, which leaders of the local Croat ethnic minority described as Serbia’s interference in the identity dispute within the community of the Vojvodina Bunjevci Croats and which prompted two Croatian researchers to refuse to attend the event. There are around 16,000 members of the Bunjevci community in Vojvodina who deny their Croat ethnic background. They are represented by the Bunjevci National Council which enjoys the support of state authorities, and, since the change of government in Vojvodina, of the provincial authorities as well. The symposium “The Culture and Identity of the Bunjevci” was organised by the Museum of Vojvodina and the Vojvodina Culture Institute and held under the auspices of the provincial department for culture, public information and relations with religious communities.

Croatian researchers Robert Skenderovic and Mario Bara refused to attend the event, saying in a letter to its organizers that with their participation they would give legitimacy to policies that systematically denied the Croat ethnic background of the Bunjevci identity. The leader of the Democratic Alliance of the Vojvodina Croats (DSHV) party, Tomislav Zigman, said the event was a consequence of activities by different state institutions which had intensified over the last few years and were aimed at “building the so-called Bunjevci ethnicity”.

“Members of the Croat community whose scientific practices are much more advanced have never enjoyed such support in Vojvodina,” Zigmanov told the local Croat media, describing this as the state’s direct and increasing interference in the identity dispute in the Vojvodina Croat community.

Grabar-Kitarovic: Montenegro was exposed to a coup (CDM)

Montenegro has been exposed to attempts to change its direction and overthrow its government, said the president of Croatia Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic on the eve of the Munich Security Conference opening. “Euro-Atlantic integration is being targeted by some countries that illegitimately interfere in that. Croatia strongly supports the enlargement of the European Union and NATO, but also the sovereign will of other countries to choose their own allies. What we do not tolerate is the interference of other countries in decision-making, which is happening in some neighboring countries,” said the Croatian president, citing Montenegro as an example.

Grabar-Kitarovic said that at the panel The Future of the Euro-Atlantic Security – a new role for the Balkans? She was invited by Federal Minister for Food and Agriculture and the president of the German Atlantic Society of Christian Schmidt and the director of the Bavarian State Chancellery and the Bavarian State Minister Marcel Huber. She urged the EU not to “turn blind eye” to the emerging democracies and to help Macedonia, which otherwise would not be able to be the “guardian” against illegal migration.

Katnic: We were on the brink of civil war (CDM)

Special State Prosecutor Milivoje Katnic said that the Supreme State Prosecutor Ivica Stankovic decided not to remand DF leaders Andrija Mandic and Milan Knezevic with the best intentions because “Montenegro was on the brink of civil war”. “The SSP informed me that I do not need to propose custody Mandic and Knezevic when they called for a civil war and bloodshed. The SSP decided that with the best intentions. It is a move made in special circumstances,” Katnic said appearing on the Atlas TV’s sociopolitical interview show, Ziva Istina.

Asked what caused the decision to postpone Mandic and Knezevic’s arrest, Katnic said: “These were some exceptional circumstances when the sociological situation was on the brink of civil war,” said Katnic. He pointed out that he believed the prosecutor’s office would obtain enough evidence to file charges in the attempted coup case. As Katnic said, the indictment for the coup case will be raised in two months. He added he understood Stankovic’s decision to veto Mandic and Knezevic’s arrest. Commenting on the claims that the Special Prosecutor’s Office’s moves helped DPS before the local elections in Niksic, Katnic called them “skillful manipulation”. He added that the spinning that came from DF leadership and certain media was used to indicate that one of the suspects for the attempted coup, Eduard Shirokov, from a European country.

“He is not Shirokov, but Eduard Shishmakov who served as Russian deputy military attaché in Poland in 2014. However, he was expelled for espionage in Russia, as persona non grata. This passport was granted to him by Russian authorities and a member of the Russian security services,” Katnic said. He added that Sindjelic, currently cooperative witness in the case, was in Moscow, where he underwent interrogation in order to be able to participate in the entire campaign. “Russian nationalist structures are behind these developments, but now we know that the Russian state authorities were also involved. The Russian state authorities should investigate how this happened and I expect it will do that,” said Katnic. He announced that the Special State Prosecutor’s Office would complete the indictment for the attempted coup on 16 October 2016 by 15 April. “Special State Prosecutor’s Office issued the order to conduct the case against 23 persons. As you know, after the immunity of two more people was lifted, the case includes 25 suspects,” he said.

Katnic added that he could not specify whether some other persons would be covered by this indictment and that he informed the Supreme State Prosecutor Ivica Stankovic about everything, including lifting Andrija Mandic and Milan Knezevic’s immunity. “The SSP was informed of Knezevic and Mandic’s immunity, because it is impossible to conduct criminal proceedings without that In addition, custody cannot be required if it is not approved by MPs. I understand that Stankovic worked under changed circumstances. One very important power branch, approximately 30 percent of the legislative power, ie Democratic Front (DF), does not recognize the Parliament, the President of the state, the prosecutor’s office and the judiciary. DF’s rhetoric has been unacceptable for a long time. But this was a different situation because the psychological state of the society was in a completely extraordinary level, since there were civil war threats,” Katnic said. He added that all conditions were met for remanding Mandic’s driver Mihailo Cadjenovic in prison and that “the competent court found grounds to extend his custody to 30 days”.  “The Special Prosecutor’s Office has only six months to file an indictment in this case. Let’s look back, whether there was a single similar case, or one with fewer suspects, was completed more quickly? The prosecutor’s office does not have the legal capacity to act beyond the Constitution and the law,” said Katnic. When it comes to personal insults, Katnic said that DF members did not insult him, but his late ancestors.

The meeting between Albanian political parties without Besa’s party leader (META)

The leaders of the Albanian parties held a joint meeting on18 February. Present at the meeting were the leaders from the parties such as the Albanian Alliance the coalition, Zijadin Sela and DUI’s leader Ali Ahmeti who arrived along with Artan Grubi. Besa leader, Bilal Kasami did not show up at the meeting. Besa said that they had not received an official invitation and several times stressed that they will not sit at the same table with Ahmeti. At the meeting, the parties analyzed all options concerning the possibility of forming a new government as well as the offer from SDSM’s party leader, Zoran Zaev’. The Albanian political parties came to these two conclusions, at the meeting, said the leader of the Movement for Reform of the DPA, Zijadin Sela. “They debated and discussed the joint declaration signed by the Albanian parliamentary political parties. All parties were meant to be present and I urge them to call the next meeting. From the meeting, we came to two conclusions. The first, is that within three days the Albanian parliamentary parties will propose two representatives to make a rule book for the Albanian political parties to function as a body. The second, we will synchronize our views on the draft Law on the Use of Languages, which will be proposed by this body and that will meet the needs of the Albanians”, said Sela. He repeated that the signatures of the MPs from the Albanian Alliance for getting the mandate will be given to SDSM, but that does not mean they will be signatures to form a government.

At the meeting, apart from Sela, others who attended were Gzim Ostreni, President of Uniteti, Vesel Memedi from the National Democratic Revival, DUI leader Ali Ahmeti and the head of his cabinet, Artan Grubi.

Zaev says SDSM will accept everything that is in line with the Constitution (MIA)

Everything that is in line with the Constitution and the practical needs of the Albanian community, all the while taking into consideration the needs of all other minority communities, is acceptable, Zoran Zaev said commenting on the documents sent to SDSM by DUI as the opposition party continues to discuss forming a government with Albanian parties. Asked whether SDSM from DUI had received a new draft-law on the use of languages or remarks about the law, the SDSM leader said the party’s working groups were reviewing the materials and were expected to come up with a response as soon as possible. “We will accept everything that is in line with the Constitution and everything that covers the practical need of the citizens of the Albanian community, all the while taking into consideration the needs of other minority communities. Everything should have its foundations in the Constitution while being also sustainable. I believe we will manage to find a solution,” Zaev told reporters adding he hadn’t had the chance to read the documents because they had been sent late on Thursday.

The opposition leader said he believed a solution would be found with ‘such frameworks set up so broadly and strengthened with the concept of One Society for All.’ “The first thing that is analyzed in this kind of negotiations is the Constitution – whether everything is in accordance with the Constitution. And the second thing is to determine whether the need of the citizens is practical or whether it is only a whim, something to stir up things with,” SDSM president Zaev said urging a solution to be found so the country could move forward. According to Zaev, it is possible a swift solution to be found as soon as possible to secure the signatures required to form a government. “Since local elections are scheduled to be held in the spring is all the more reason for the political officials that are negotiating to reach a decision as soon as possible.”

Congressman Franks joins call for probing US funding of Soros groups, left-wing causes in Macedonia (MIA)

US Congressman Trent Franks, Republican representative from Arizona, has joined the calls of his colleagues for investigating the role of the US Embassy in Macedonia regarding the allegations about using the US tax dollars for funding NGOs close to George Soros. It’s a suspicious financing of NGOs, something the US Embassy has failed to explain and justify thus far, Franks told the Macedonian Television.

‘We make efforts to promote human rights and freedom, something we believe in. We are grateful for the critical reports coming from your country as we wish to keep nourishing the good relations with Macedonia. We are facing suspicious US Mission’s financing of Soros-linked organizations, whose standards are counter to everything America believes in’ Franks said. He pointed out that Macedonia could rely on US support for preserving own freedom and democracy, Earlier, Republican lawmakers in Washington started asking questions about whether US tax-payers money also was being used to fund Soros projects in Macedonia. “I have received credible reports that, over the past few years, the US Mission to Macedonia has actively intervened in the party politics of Macedonia, as well as the shaping of its media environment and civil society, often favoring groups of one political persuasion over another,” Lee said in his letter.

US Congressman Rohrabacher offers apology for his recent remarks on Macedonia (MIA)

The US Congressmen and Chairman of the Subcommittee on Europe, Eurasia and Emerging Threats, Dana Rohrabacher, offered an apology for his recent controversial remarks about Macedonia. He released Friday the following statement concerning widely quoted comments made recently about Macedonia: “At the end of a recent interview, I made a number of informal statements regarding the Republic of Macedonia. Upon reflection, I see that some of those statements did not accurately convey my intent. This release clarifies my position. Macedonia is a legitimate country with the right of self-determination and sanctity of borders. My comment alluded, perhaps inartfully, to my concern with internal governing challenges that Macedonia faces concerning ethnic minorities. I am in no way suggesting that anyone except Macedonians determine the sovereign status or borders of their country. If my words were taken to mean anything else, I apologize. I want to recognize and applaud the positive relationship we have had with Macedonia. They are indeed a friend. This is especially evident in the meaningful support that the Macedonian military has provided over the past 20 years to the United States, to NATO, and to associated multilateral defense organizations, in peacekeeping and related refugee operations in Afghanistan, Iraq, Bosnia, and Kosovo. I have had the opportunity to meet many Americans (and Macedonians) who have provided me with very useful input on the region’s history and current dynamics. I look forward to working together with them in the future and, most importantly, to continuing to do my part to help shape U.S. foreign policy so that it encourages a peaceful, prosperous and free Balkans,’ Rohrabacher says.

DP condition: Parliamentary elections only with a caretaker government (ADN)

Democratic Party is determined to continue protests demanding government resignation and hand over to a caretaker cabinet to take the country to free and fair elections in 18 June. The head of DP Parliamentary Group, Edi Paloka confirmed on Saturday evening that the opposition will not participate in the parliamentary elections if Edi Rama is still Prime Minister. “Free and fair elections could not be realized with this Government. Free and fair elections can be realized only if this government resigns,” said Paloka. The leader of the opposition, Lulzim Basha invited all the opposition’s supporters to stay together to achieve holding of free and fair elections that will come only after the replacement of this government of crime with a caretaker government to the free polls. The Democratic Party decided to boycott the parliament until the establishment of a caretaker cabinet which will lead the country to free and fair elections on 18 June. The decision was taken late on Sunday during the meeting of the DP parliamentary group. At the second day of the protest, all the MPs were determined to continue the protests in front of the Prime Ministry.

Prime Minister Edi Rama considered ridiculous the opposition’s protest. In his weekly speech with the public, he said that the reason of the protest is ridiculous because the next parliamentary elections will be free and fair despite the fact that the opposition blocked the electoral reform. “They protest for free and fair elections. Does anyone from the partners have problems with the elections. Absolutely not,” said Rama. He accused that those who protest are those who do not want the Judicial Reform and the Vetting Law.

INTERNATIONAL PRESS

Russia Stirs Friction in Balkans, as NATO Keeps an Uneasy Peace (The New York Times, by Barbara Surk, 19 February 2017)

ZVECAN, Kosovo — In the densely forested mountains along the contested frontier between Serbia and Kosovo, a patrol of American soldiers under NATO command trudged through snow and mud, keeping an eye out for smugglers or anyone else trying to cross the border. Given the bloody legacy of this area, the situation is quiet now, at least up here.

It is down below, in Serbia and Kosovo, where old angers are resurfacing as the Balkan region that spawned so much suffering over the last century is again becoming dangerously restive. And once again, Russia is stoking tensions, as it seeks to exploit political fissures in an area that was once viewed as a triumph of muscular American diplomacy — but that now underscores the growing challenges facing NATO and the European Union. “Russia sees the West meddling in its backyard, and President Vladimir V. Putin wants to show he can reciprocate,” said Dimitar Bechev, an expert on Russia and the Balkans and head of the European Policy Institute in Sofia, Bulgaria. “They see the Balkans as the West’s underbelly, and they use it to throw their weight around and project power on the cheap.”

Nearly 18 years after a United States-led intervention ended Serb domination of Kosovo, the border patrols are part of the longest-running mission in NATO history. Even as the European Union has made limited progress in brokering a political settlement between Kosovo and Serbia, the presence of NATO forces has maintained an uneasy peace, with animosity between the minority Serbs and majority Albanian inhabitants of Kosovo still palpable.

Yet NATO is now confronting its own challenges, whether it is the seeming ambivalence of President Trump toward the alliance or an increasingly provocative Russia. The alliance has sent reinforcements to Poland and the Baltic States to counter Russian actions, but Russian involvement in the Balkans has gotten less attention.

Russia has deep historical ties with Serbia and vehemently opposed NATO’s war over Kosovo in 1999. After an American-led bombing campaign, Serbia lost control over the region but continues to support Serbs there, vowing never to recognize the sovereignty of Kosovo, which it considers the cradle of the Serbian nation and of its Christian Orthodox faith. Mr. Putin has continued to back Serbia, as well as Serbs living in Bosnia and Herzegovina — and continued to dabble in the complex swirl of Balkan politics.

For starters, Moscow supported Bosnian Serbs when they held a controversial referendum in November that could lead to more — or even full — independence from Sarajevo. A month later, Russia backed fringe opposition parties in delicate national elections in Macedonia, another former Yugoslav republic. The European Union had organized the election to help bring the country back from the brink of collapse.

In Montenegro, Serbia’s tiny neighbor and a former Russian ally now set to join NATO, the authorities said they had foiled an October coup attempt that had been orchestrated by the Russians.

Then in January, Moscow moved to help Serbia undermine Kosovo’s independence by supporting a series of provocations that have damaged diplomatic normalization efforts, known as the Brussels dialogue, that are sponsored by the European Union. That process had recently produced a small breakthrough, as Kosovo was about to get its own +383 calling code.

Since Kosovo declared independence in 2008, however, the ethnic Albanian-dominated government in the capital, Pristina, has failed to bring the predominantly Serb parts of the country north of the Ibar River under its control, including Mitrovica, Kosovo’s second-largest city.

But as Kosovars were celebrating this breakthrough, the Serbs erected a concrete wall separating the northern, predominantly Serb part of Mitrovica from the ethnic Albanians in the southern part. It was built on the Serbian side of the bridge that crosses the Ibar, a project that the European Union funded in hopes of linking the divided communities.

European Union officials furiously demanded that the wall come down, but the Serbs remained defiant, forcing the official inauguration of the bridge to be postponed. This month, concrete blocks of the wall were bulldozed, but a metal barrier is still standing, blocking traffic and pedestrians.

Most inflammatory, the Serbian government sent a Russian-made train from Belgrade to Mitrovica, adorning its coaches with signs declaring that “Kosovo is Serbia” in more than 20 languages. Kosovo stopped the train at the border, accusing Serbia of wanting to stage an invasion of northern Kosovo, modeled on Russia’s annexation of Crimea. Serbia, in turn, accused ethnic Albanians of laying mines along the railway tracks and planning a bombing campaign of Serbs and their holy sites. “If Serbs are killed, we’ll send the army to Kosovo,” Mr. Nikolic said after the train episode, which was ostensibly intended to restore a line that had been disconnected since the 1999 NATO bombing of the area. He warned officials in Pristina against attempting to provoke a conflict, saying it would “end badly.”

Russia’s ambassador to Serbia, Aleksandr Chepurin, wrote in a recent editorial in Serbia’s daily Politika that Moscow would support “Serbia in preventing attempts to create an artificial pseudo-state of Kosovo.”

Milan Nic, a Balkan analyst at the GlobSec Policy Institute, a think tank in Bratislava, Slovakia, said that tough statements on Kosovo were common during Serbian elections but that Serbia could never improve relations with the European Union, let alone join it, by clinging to its former southern province. “If they truly want to improve lives of Serbs in Serbia,” Mr. Nic said, “they do need to give up on this illusion.”

Col. Corwin Lusk, the American commander of NATO’s multinational battle group in eastern Kosovo, agreed that the Serbian elections were fueling the angrier statements and that Russia was playing games, though he was skeptical that Moscow wanted a direct confrontation in the Balkans. “It would be very irrational behavior because it’s a fight they could not win,” he said. “It’s a fight nobody would walk away from without scars and bruises.”

Many ethnic Albanians and Serbs living in Kosovo fear another round of war. Roughly 120,000 Serbs live in northern Kosovo, near the Serbian border, and mostly embrace the nationalistic fervor of Belgrade. But there are 70,000 other Serbs scattered in southern Kosovo who feel more exposed to retaliation.

In the town of Decani, in southwest Kosovo, 20 Serbian monks are holed up a 14th-century Serbian Orthodox monastery, which is recognized as a Unesco world heritage site and is being protected by NATO troops to prevent assaults from non-Serbs. The abbot of the monastery, Father Sava Janjic, said the nationalistic talk from Serbia “often comes back to us like a boomerang.” “Every time they call me from Serbia, they ask: ‘Is there war? Are they trying to kill you?’’’ said Father Janjic, 52. “I tell them, ‘No, they are not.’ There is no war. I can’t lie. But the situation is far from rosy.” NATO’s task in the region is deeply complex. Troop levels have dropped to about 5,000 over the past decade, including 650 American soldiers, and their job includes border patrols as well as navigating the sensitivities of an ethnically divided region.

In the absence of an army of their own, most ethnic Albanians see NATO troops as protectors of their state in Kosovo. “They are here to defend us from the Serbs when they want to storm back,” said Belkiza Sahatqiu, 46, a mother of three, who works in a shoe store in the Serbian-part of Mitrovica.

Many Serbs living in Kosovo, however, describe the alliance’s forces as occupiers more than protectors, said Lilijana Milic, who owns a farm along the highway between Mitrovica and Pristina. “They are not protecting anybody, certainly not us,” she said. “They came to occupy this land, and now they sit in their bases. Where were they when people were chased out of their homes in broad daylight?” At the same time, Ms. Milic blamed Serbian politicians in Belgrade for the misfortune of Kosovo’s Serbs. “They just talk, talk, talk, talk about defending us,” she said, “but all they ever do is take care of their own interests.”

Macedonia Govt Talks Stuck Over Albanian Language Demands (BIRN, by Sinisa Jakov Marusic, 20 February 2017)

Talks on forming a new government in Macedonia remain stuck over the issue of Albanian language demands – but both parties involved are keeping the contents of their discussions a secret.

More than two months after the December election, the issue of Albanian language demands remains the main stumbling block between the opposition Social Democrats, SDSM, and the ethnic Albanian Democratic Union for Integration, DUI, in their talks on forming a new government. The SDSM on Sunday confirmed that it had replied to the DUI’s proposal for a new law that would widen the official use of Albanian in the country. While the party hinted that the main differences between it and DUI on the language issue had been overcome, it did not give any details about the exact content of the proposal. Previously, SDSM leader Zoran Zaev said he was optimistic about an agreement with the DUI and added: “Everything that is within the framework of the constitution, which represents the real practical needs of the people… is acceptable”. But the DUI, on which SDSM depends if it is to muster a parliamentary majority, suggested that it was sticking to all or nothing regarding the extended use of the Albanian language. Albanian is currently an official language only in those areas where Albanians make at least 20 per cent of the population. Albanians make up about a quarter of the population of Macedonia. “There can be no talks on changes to the text [on the DUI’s proposed language law]. It can be qualitatively improved but it cannot, under any circumstances, be narrowed in any form,” DUI spokesperson Bujar Osmani said on Sunday. Osmani denied reports that the DUI’s proposal stretches the current frame of Macedonia’s constitution but also did not disclose details about what they had proposed.

The DUI over the weekend consulted other ethnic Albanian parties on the language issue, announcing the imminent formation of a joint body that would coordinate their final proposals about a new law. The SDSM, which won 49 of the 120 seats in parliament needs the support of the DUI, which won 10 seats and of at least one other ethnic Albanian party if it is to assemble a majority of at least 61 MPs. Since the former ruling VMRO DOMNE party failed to form a government with its long-standing former coalition ally, the DUI, it has called for fresh elections, probably in May, to be held alongside the regular local elections.

But a recent opinion poll carried out by M Prospect agency suggested new elections would not end the political stalemate in Macedonia. Fresh elections would again result in a near-tie between the ruling and opposition parties, the poll indicated, leaving the political crisis unresolved.

It had been hoped that the December 11 elections would solve the crisis in Macedonia that revolves around opposition claims that the VMRO DPMNE government headed by Nikola Gruevski masterminded a massive illegal surveillance scheme. Gruevski denies the allegations.

In 2015, the SDSM released batches of covertly recorded conversations between top government officials that it said contained evidence of many crimes and corrupt acts. The former ruling party insists the tapes were given to the opposition by unnamed “foreign services” in order to destabilize Macedonia.

Albanian opposition protesters demand PM Rama’s resignation (Intellinews, by Valentina Dimitrievska, 19 February 2017)

Supporters of Albania’s opposition Democratic Party (DP) staged a mass protest in Tirana on February 18, demanding the resignation of Socialist Prime Minister Edi Rama. They want a caretaker government to be installed to organise a free and fair general election.

Albania is due to hold parliamentary elections on June 18. Together with the key judicial reforms currently in progress, this could pave the way for the country, an EU candidate since June 2014, to launch long-awaited EU accession negotiations.

The Socialist-led coalition has a majority in parliament after defeating the Democrats in 2013, and Rama is expected to remain in his position at least until the election. However, threats from the opposition Democrats not to participate in the election if he continues as prime minister could undermine the legitimacy of the election at a critical time for Albania. Over 10,000 people participated in the protest, which started at midday local time. The opposition party accused the government of corruption, failure to bring cannabis kingpins to justice, increasing poverty and fraud in previous local elections. Some of the protesters pitched a tent in front of the prime minister’s office, and warned they will stay there until the government resigns. Sources within the Democratic Party said they did not exclude the possibility of launching a hunger strike.

The protests “will last as long as the people decide,” DP leader Lulzim Basha said. “Today, we begin the journey towards a new beginning,” Basha told the protestors in a speech published on the DP website. Basha also said that his party wants a decent future for Albanian citizens and for the interests of ordinary people to be made a priority.

Interior Minister Saimir Tahiri said that protestors can stay in tents as long as they want if they do not cause any incidents, according to news provider Albanian Daily News.

The head of the DP parliamentary group Edi Paloka confirmed that the opposition will not participate in the election if Rama is not removed from the prime minister position, Albanian Daily News reported on February 18. “A free and fair election can be realised only if this government resigns,” Paloka was cited. However, Rama dismissed the opposition protests in Tirana as ridiculous, saying that the next parliamentary election will be free and fair “despite the fact that the opposition is obstructing the electoral reforms”. Rama accused the protestors of not wanting the judicial reforms or the vetting law for judges and prosecutors to be implemented.

On February 15, MEPs adopted a resolution on Albania in which they said that credible implementation of justice reform, good progress in fighting organised crime and corruption, and holding free and fair elections in June 2017 could be the key to advancing the EU accession process and starting negotiations. On the other hand, a deterioration the political situation could affect Albania’s economic growth this year. The European Commission recently kept its forecast for Albania’s economic growth in 2017 unchanged at 3.5% but said that increased political uncertainty related to the parliamentary election in June 2017 might dampen consumption and investment. Albania also needs to amend its electoral code before the June election. The opposition is insisting on introducing electronic voting and counting, an option which is not likely to be realised as the time to prepare for the election is short. The election commission in Tirana plans to spend €5.4mn to prepare for the elections.