LOCAL PRESS

Vucic: The faster Serbia grows the more pressure it will face (Beta)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said during a visit to Kraljevo, on Sept. 12, that Serbia was the target of many attacks from the region, because it was ahead of the rest in terms of economic growth, promising, however, that the country would work even harder to “increase this distance.”  

“Serbia is facing growing pressures and increasingly stronger attacks, and the faster it grows, the stronger these attacks will be. There will be more pressure over Kosovo and Metohija, but a lot of pressure comes from the fact that Serbia is stronger today” Vucic said. 

During a visit to a revamped athletic stadium where scores of citizens greeted him with flags and a large banner reading “Kraljevo Stands by Vucic,” the president said that “Zagreb attacks Serbia every day, and we didn’t say anything to them.” “It is not only Vecernji list, all media in Croatia have started a campaign. It is formally titled against me, but essentially against all the interests of Serbia” Vucic said. 

Vucic: Djukanovic wants Montenegro without Serbs (B92)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic commented the Montenegrin President Milo Djukanovic statement that “Vucic would like Kosovo without Albanians and Montenegro without Montenegrins” and said that “although I was invited to Cetinje and Podgorica, I did not interfere in anything, but of course Serbia must always be the main culprit” said Vucic. “I neither want nor am able to imagine Kosovo without ethnic Albanians, or Montenegro without those who declare themselves Montenegrin. That is impossible and has never been my goal. That is his subconscious, his desires talking – he has always wanted a Montenegro without Serbs” Vucic said. I want Montenegro in which everyone will live, not for the Serbs to disappear, to invent an Orthodox church in Montenegro, just not to have a Serbian church. It was his wish, not mine, and it was with autoprojection that he showed us so. You think that I should be afraid, and not answer with the truth and facts” said Vucic. 

Jan Braathu: Tensions, conflicts in the region of no use to anyone (Beta)

Head of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Mission to Serbia, Jan Braathu, said that tensions and conflicts in the region would help no one and would only create new problems. Underlining the importance of dialogue for the region to move forward, Braathu said in a Sept. 11 interview with the Sto Plus radio station in Novi Pazar and Beta that the events surrounding the inauguration of Metropolitan Joanikije in Cetinje had raised serious concerns in the region and beyond it. 

“It is important that the freedom of religion is respected, and that tensions and conflicts are 

avoided, and the way to solve all of this is through dialogue. The states of the region share the same past, heritage and perspectives, but problems as well, which is why they need to work together to reduce tensions, and talk, Braathu said, adding that the freedom of assembly is “a fundamental human right,” but that any assembly or rally had to be peaceful. Braathu underlined that “the entire international community supports the EU-mediated dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina,” and that the OSCE Mission to Serbia encouraged both sides to talk, in order to reach constructive solutions. Speaking of the government-opposition dialogue in Serbia, Braathu said that he did not favor an election boycott, even though he could understand the arguments of the opposition parties that were not represented in Parliament. 

Vucic: It is a great honor that I will have more meetings with Angela Merkel (RTS)

The President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic, reiterated that it is a huge thing that German Chancellor Angela Merkel is coming to Belgrade and staying here the longest, and that he will have more meetings and a working dinner with her. Vucic said that Angela Merkel will spend the night in Serbia, which is an additional honor. 

“I am always open with her and she with me. I will never forget the support she gave us in 2015, as well as when Croats imposed sanctions on migrants and encouraged investments. Her ministers are working to bring in investors, and that would not be the case if it wasn’t for her” said Vucic and added that he was grateful to Merkel for providing support to the Berlin process. He pointed out that he was happy about the visit, regardless of what he would hear from Merkel just before the end of her mandate. 

Vucic reiterated that the President of the European Commission, Ursula Von der Layen, will soon come to Belgrade. Answering the question about the visit of the EU special envoy for dialogue Miroslav Lajcak, Vucic said that he did not know the exact date of that visit, but that Lajcak would have many topics to discuss, primarily energy, the upcoming elections, which he said would be used by many to try to put additional pressure against Serbs. He also announced that he would soon travel on an official visit to Turkey, where he would discuss bilateral relations with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. 

Merkel should arrive at the airport around 4 p.m. The formal reception is planned in front of the Palace of Serbia, followed by tête-à-tête meeting of Serbian President and Chancellor Merkel. 

Serbian opposition party leader: Free and fair elections nowhere in sight (FoNet)

Serbian opposition People’s Party leader Vuk Jeremic said on Friday that free and fair elections are nowhere in sight. He told reporters in the central Serbia city of Kragujevac that the time is not right for radical steps. “We need to stay patient and try to get to improve election conditions through peaceful means, however improbable that seems today” he said. 

He couldn’t exclude radical steps, adding that his party has not decided if it will stand in the coming elections but if it does the strongest message for the public, who have had enough, is for the opposition to stand united,” he said, adding that he hopes somewhat decent election conditions will be in place. Jeremic said that he is not disappointed with the document drafted by European Parliament mediators for the inter-party dialogue, saying that he had no expectations because of his diplomatic experience. 

Belgrade and Washington agree: Fighting terrorism successful only in partnership (Beta, N1)  

Ivica Dacic, Serbia’s Parliament Speaker, and Antony Godfrey, the US ambassador to Belgrade, agreed on Friday that the successful fight against terrorism was possible only in cooperation and partnership among countries. The conference, organized by the Serb-American Friendship Congress and East-West Bridge, under Serbia’s Parliament auspices, started with Pastor Nenad Savic saying a prayer for all September 11 terrorist attacks’ victims. Godfrey thanked Serbia for its cooperation with the US and other countries in fighting terrorism during the conference ‘We Remember and Stand by US’ ahead of the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on New York and Washington, “We confront terrorism by building partnerships and friendships. Our partnership with Serbia lies in our past and the common vision of the future” Godfrey said. He added that „we appreciate the honest gesture by Dacic, Congress and East-West Bridge as a solidarity of our friends and hosts today when we remember almost 3,000 victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks”. 

Dacic said that those attacks showed the world’s countries should be persistent in fighting terrorism, adding Serbia was a part of the global community against extremism. He also said “it is known the Balkans is one of the regions where the extremists are recruited from” for fights in different parts of the world. 

Serbia & RS to build Jasenovac memorial center (FoNet)

Aleksandar Vucic, Serbia’s President, and the Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC) Patriarch Porfirije agreed to build a memorial center to save memories of the victims of the Jasenovac concentration camps’ system from WW II. The agreement was reached to mark the 80th anniversary of establishing the Jasenovac concentration camps during the rule of the Ustasha’s Independent State of Croatia (NDH), a Nazi puppet state from 1941-1945. 

Nikola Selakovic, Serbia’s Foreign Minister, called on Friday the country’s MPs to support three international agreements among which was a deal on war memorials with Germany. 

“Serbia and Germany fulfil the civilizational obligations to the descendants of those who disappeared in the wars’ whirlwinds”. 

The center will be built in Donja Gradiska, a village in the northernmost part of Republika Srpska (RS). Vucic said Milorad Dodik, the Serb member of Bosnia’s tripartite Presidency, agreed as well. “Serbia will invest 80 percent of the money and RS the remaining 20 percent in building the center” Vucic said. He added that Serbia would try to open pavilions at the Belgrade location known as Staro Sajmiste, as the best place for the Museum of Genocide Victims and that the left bank of the Sava River would be named ‘The Bank of Jasenovac Victims. Serbia remembers, Serb people remember their victims” Vucic said. 

Bosnia and Herzegovina 

Dodik, Vucic discuss construction of Donja Gradina memorial complex, current situation in B&H, Merkel’s visit to Serbia; Dodik and reiterates his stance that Schmidt is not legitimate HR in B&H (RTRS)

Serb member of the Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) Presidency Milorad Dodik met with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic in Belgrade on Sunday. The two officials agreed on making a conceptual design for construction of a memorial complex in Donja Gradina. Dodik and Vucic also spoke about a joint holiday of Republika Srpska (RS) and Serbia – the Day of Serb Unity, Freedom and National Flag – which will be marked on September 15. Central celebration will be held in Belgrade and both Dodik and Vucic will address the gathered ones. The central topic of the conversation between Dodik and Vucic was the construction of the memorial in Donja Gradina, as well as the way to ensure that it is a place for all Serbs, wherever they live, to come and get acquainted with the tragedy of their people. Some operational issues have been agreed upon – how to come up with a general tender procedure for the development of a conceptual design and to start implementation on that basis.  

Vucic informed Dodik about his recent conversation with Christian Schmidt and Dodik reiterated that Schmidt is an illegal High Representative and he does not plan to meet with him. “President Vucic knows that I think that he (Schmidt) is not legitimate and that, in that respect, I would have preferred if that meeting did not take place, because after that there was some speculation in Sarajevo and with some of our people” Dodik stated. Dodik said that a possible new foreign judge from Albania in the Constitutional Court (CC) of B&H is the product of “lobbying by the Muslim side from Sarajevo” and that the RS has no reason to believe in his objectivity. He added that judges to the BiH CC were always appointed in a manner that foreign judges would favor the Bosniak side, and along with the two judges from the ranks of Bosniaks, they would always make decisions that were detrimental for the RS.  

Commenting on B&H Presidency Chairman Zeljko Komsic‘s statement that everything the Serbian Orthodox Church (SOC) in Montenegro does has a political connotation and that Dodik is working to destabilize the region and redraw the borders, the Serb member of the B&H Presidency said he was against the region Komsic imagines. He says that it is very clear that neither Serbia nor the RS interfere in the internal affairs of Montenegro, but that they will not look favorably on cases of harassing the Serb people, that Serbs are not allowed to preserve their identity and that Serb identity is the number one problem for Montenegrin President Milo Djukanovic and his political associates. Dodik added that Komsic and SDA leader Bakir Izetbegovic have been recently quite prone to attacking the Serbian Orthodox Church and he does not accept anything that they say or advocate. Dodik also said Komsic’s attacks on the Serbian Orthodox Church can only be understood in a way that Komsic has not yet recovered from the collapse of Djukanovic’s regime. Dodik also added it is indicative that within seven days only there were attacks on the Serbian Orthodox Church by Komsic and Izetbegovic. Commenting on Komsic’s statement that Dodik plays an active role in the destabilization of the region and retailoring of the borders Dodik said: “That type of vassalage he accepted to implement certainly tells about himself and his political ambition. Finally, we have seen recently that they do everything, or rejoice over everything that is against Serbs and the RS. It is not a policy that can succeed in B&H. I am still of the view that the only way is peaceful dissolution of B&H and that we build good, friendly relations as independent states”. 

Minister Turkovic says building memorial center in B&H without approval of B&H institutions is unacceptable (RTRS)

Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) Minister of Foreign Affairs Bisera Turkovic was annoyed that a memorial complex would be built on the site of the former Jasenovac concentration camp, in which 700,000 people died, including 500,000 Serbs, commented the presenter. Turkovic was quoted as saying: “It is unacceptable to build and work on the territory of B&H without a decision and approval of its institutions and citizens”. 

Dodik reacts to Turkovic’s statement on construction of Jasenovac memorial center (ATV)

Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) Minister of Foreign Affairs Bisera Turkovic‘s statement provoked numerous reactions, after Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, Serbian Orthodox Church Patriarch Porfirije and Serb member of the B&H Presidency Milorad Dodik agreed that Serbia and Republika Srpska (RS) would build a memorial center in Donja Gradina that would be an all-Serb shrine. Turkovic believes that it is unacceptable to build and work on the territory of B&H without a decision and approval of B&H institutions and its citizens. Dodik stated that Turkovic had nothing to do with the construction of the memorial center in Donja Gradina, and that this was an agreement that the RS and Serbia have had for a long time. Dodik stated: “Who is asking her? What has she got to do with it? Her ancestors slaughtered there, killed Serbs, and now we should ask her something? We are building it on the territory of the RS in Gradina. This is an agreement that the RS and Serbia have had for a long time. An extensive project is underway that should unite all the places of suffering in Gradina, those that remained outside the Serb states such as Pag, Jadovno, Garavice near Bihac, where 14,000 Serbs were killed in seven days”. 

Dodik’s Legal Adviser and former President of the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council (HJPC) Milan Tegeltija said to Turkovic that she will not be able to prevent the construction of a memorial center for the Jasenovac victims in Gradina. Tegeltija was quoted as saying for the Srna news agency: “Come to Gradina, then tear it down if you think you can or try to stop it from being built. We should live in the same country with someone like this?” 

Politicians from the RS have also condemned the statement of Turkovic. Politicians from the RS agreed that this is another indicator of the intolerance of Turkovic and SDA towards Serbs. SNSD representative in the B&H House of Representatives (HoR) Sanja Vulic said that the RS will build what it wants and that, together with mother Serbia, the RS will teach its generations the truth and nurture a culture of remembrance of the suffering of its ancestors. Vulic underlined that with such a statement, Turkovic showed that there is not a shred of political or human morality in her. “She is an irrelevant, marginal person for us,” Vulic stressed.  

Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of B&H Stasa Kosarac (SNSD) said that Turkovic’s statement is the proof that “Fascism and radical Islamic extremism have not been defeated because outstanding representatives of those ideologies are still at the top of SDA”.  

Member of SDS Aleksandra Pandurevic said that no decent and normal person would ever allow themselves to “fire poisonous darts over a suffering site”. DNS leader Nenad Nesic assessed that Turkovic once again showed that she cannot hide her hate for Serb people and he wondered “how twisted a person has to be not to show any respect for 3,336 children who were in the camp”. Nesic concluded by saying that the memorial center will be constructed no matter how hard Turkovic opposes it. 

SDS representatives sent a message to Turkovic that she should be well informed before making such statements, because the B&H institutions have nothing to do with issuing construction permits. PDP representatives pointed out that Turkovic will not decide where a memorial center for Serb victims will be built. “Unfortunately for her, she will not decide on the construction of the Memorial Center, and she could have seen that Serbs respect all the victims if she came to Donja Gradina once. However, we do not need such persons in that sad and holy place,” PDP leader Branislav Borenovic was quoted as saying. DNS representatives believe that Turkovic’s words are the best proof that the RS is the only guarantor of the survival of Serbs. 

Serb delegate in the Federation of B&H House of Peoples (HoP) Goran Broceta stated that Turkovic would want to destroy any proof on Serb sufferings in this area and added that Turkovic and those who share her views “should better deal with those in B&H who still carry flags of the Islamic State”. 

Dodik meets with Metropolitan of Montenegro and Littoral Joanikije, says Serb people and SOC are one and they must survive as such (N1)

Serb member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) Milorad Dodik held a meeting with newly inaugurated Metropolitan of Montenegro and the Littoral Joanikije at the Zdrebaonik Monastery near Danilovgrad on Saturday. Dodik said that “the Serb people and the Serbian Orthodox Church (SOC) are one and that they must survive as such.” Dodik stressed that the people in the RS and Serbia are always ready to discuss everything that is needed to help the people in Montenegro and to solve problems. “It is important to me as a man and a statesman that the Serbian Orthodox Church achieves its unwavering mission. It is peaceful, it is a mission of love and faith in God, gathering of the people and everything which no one should have anything against” Dodik underlined. Metropolitan Joanikije pointed out that the Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral, as an inseparable part of the SOC since its founding, has been testifying to the faith and preserving the identity of the people, stressing that it is not taking anything from anyone, nor it is endangering anyone’s right. 

Dodik: I believe that on January 9 RS should be independent state, accuses opposition of working for Western intelligence (Dnevni list)

Member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) and SNSD leader Milorad Dodik stated that the opposition in Republika Srpska (RS) is trying to curry favor with the foreigners because the opposition cannot enter the political fight without the foreigners. Dodik added by saying that it is logical that the opposition advocates B&H and that he is against that B&H. “I admit that peaceful dissolution is the best thing that could happen here” said the SNSD leader. He further stated he has been getting information that officials of the opposition parties are not just subjected to the intelligence work of the agencies from the West, but they are also their operatives in certain segments. Stressing that he does not know if it is true, Dodik said that PDP President Branislav Borenovic is standing with somebody who financed all intelligence communities in the RS, which is something they are trying to hide. According to the SNSD leader’s words, most citizens want independent RS, arguing that the decision from January 9” which we adopted and which I participated in, was a decision about independence of the RS and I never abandoned the independence”. “I believe that on January 9 the RS should be an independent state. If somebody could recognize B&H, why not recognize the RS?” stated Dodik. SDS leader Mirko Sarovic, who said that Dodik’s imprecise accusations is aimed at putting the target on the opposition and the opposition leaders in the RS. According to Sarovic, Dodik’s dangerous and vicious insinuations are aimed at additionally poisoning political and every other atmosphere. Borenovic stated that Dodik is a ‘paranoid liar’, arguing that Dodik lives in conspiracy theories, stressing that Dodik used to say he is wiretapping the opposition, which is why Dodik should come out and say what he knows.  

IFIMES Director Becirovic says HR Schmidt is introducing new practice, i.e. official meetings and meetings in institutions of B&H (FTV)

FTV notes that ‘Dodik-Schmidt’ is the topic dominating for days in the Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) public, because Serb member of the B&H Presidency Milorad Dodik is the only high-ranking official from B&H who has not met with new High Representative (HR) Christian Schmidt, and comments that, not only Dodik has not met with Schmidt, instead Dodik uses every opportunity to remind he does not recognize the Office of High Representative (OHR) in B&H, nor Schmidt. The reporter goes on to say that the OHR has not yet reacted to that, and it is not known if it will, noting that someone will have to make the first move.  

In an interview for RTRS, Dodik said it is normal some people have talks with Schmidt, “but I will not do that’’. Commenting on Schmidt’s meeting with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic in Belgrade, Dodik said in an interview for RTRS: “This meeting in Belgrade, I will not justify it. I would rather it had not happened, because it will cause speculations. On the other hand, I think that Vucic clearly said what I already talked about and what is clearly coming to light. Thirdly, Schmidt will use it for speculations. Fourthly, Mr. Schmidt, you are not the High Representative”. Commenting on this, Director of the International Institute for Middle-East and Balkan studies (IFIMES) Zijad Becirovic said “The activities of the High Representative are just starting, due to which Milorad Dodik is nervous so much, because, simply, he needs to leave and he is finding different ways to cause as much damage as possible. He is certainly leaving, but the question is with what consequences. I fear that with such actions, him leaving will be with great consequences”. Becirovic also said that Dodik not recognizing Schmidt is “empty story”, because Dodik was the one to invite Schmidt for talks. “Milorad Dodik frequently says untruths. He himself requested on several occasions, which I have reliable information on, a meeting with Christian Schmidt before he took office. However, the HR refused it because he is introducing new practice, i.e. official meetings and meetings in the institutions of B&H, or in the OHR” said Becirovic. The reporter concludes by saying that, according to those familiar with the issue, the meeting will be held soon, exactly in the official institutions, whether Dodik recognizes them or not. 

RS and Serbia launch campaign with aim to inform interested Serbs in FB&H how they can protect their rights (RTRS)

About 400,000 Serbs lay claim to property in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FB&H), but that there is risk that they could lose their property during the process of harmonization of cadastral and land registry data which, according to RTRS, is conducted in a non-transparent manner in the FB&H.  

As part of the joint action of Republika Srpska (RS) and Serbia, a campaign is being launched with the aim of informing interested Serbs in the FB&H how they can protect their rights. RTRS deemed as worrying the fact that Serbs from the FB&H are being deprived of their property during data harmonization, without being informed about it, because the public call is published only in the Official Gazette of the FB&H and local daily newspapers, which are not available to Serbs living around the world.  

Director of the Serbian Directorate for Cooperation with the Diaspora and Serbs in the Region Arnaud Gouillon said that he expects cooperation and support from the Serb media in the Diaspora so that as many Serbs from the FB&H as possible would learn about their property rights, assessing that the RS and Serbia reacted on time. “In the 21st century, the right to private property is a basic human right. With this campaign we are defending the human rights of Serbs from the FB&H and we expect support, wider support of the entire society in that intention” Gouillon underlined.  

RTRS stressed that the aim of the campaign is to inform every property owner or his/her descendant that they can exercise their rights by contacting professional legal aid offices. Such offices exist in several cities in the RS, and information on property rights is available to all people originating from the FB&H. Director of the Representative Office of the RS in Serbia Mladjen Cicovic stressed that these offices have so far solved 4,447 requests. Gouillon and Cicovic stressed that one can and must fight against injustice. 

Comments from RS politicians on upcoming session of B&H House of Representatives (ATV)

A session of the Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) House of Representatives (HoR) has been scheduled, but the question is whether Serb representatives will also show up on September 20, commented the reporter. That decision should be made jointly by representatives of all parliamentary parties.  

Head of the SNSD Caucus in the B&H HoR Snjezana Novakovic Bursac said: “I hope we will agree with all other representatives of caucuses and parties represented at the parliamentary level. That is our big priority”.  

SDS did not mention a joint agreement, added the reporter. Items on the agenda will decide whether SDS will go to the session. Leader of SDS and Head of the SDS Caucus in the B&H HoR Mirko Sarovic stated: “It depends on whether the topics are the ones that will require us to come. This is our house. We are down there and working in caucuses and in parliament and in some other bodies”.  

ATV reminded that Bosniak representatives count on Republika Srpska (RS) opposition because Speaker of the B&H HoR Denis Zvizdic stated earlier: “If the representatives of the (RS) opposition parties showed a higher level of responsibility and wanted to work in the B&H legislature, it would be possible to have a completely normal, regular work”. The state budget, amendments to the law on excise duties and numerous reports are on the agenda, added the reporter. Without representatives from the RS, it is possible to adopt certain decisions, but only in the B&H HoR, because the final decision is made by the B&H House of Peoples (HoP), pointed out the reporter.  

SNSD delegate in the B&H HoP Dusanka Majkic commented: “That decision must go to the B&H House of Peoples, where four of the five Serb delegates are SNSD delegates who are a barrier to any wrong and harmful decision to the interests of the RS”. Asked whether she would attend the next session of the B&H HoP, Majkic replied: “We will not participate anywhere where we could question the decision made by the RS institutions”. SNSD representative in B&H HoR Sanja Vulic pointed out: “The conditions have not been met. The disputed law has not been repealed. Serbs are not genocide doers and we have nothing to talk about or look at with people who label us as genocide doers, and that is exactly what our colleagues from the Bosniak Sarajevo are doing”.  

Conclusions of the RS National Assembly (RSNA) on non-decision-making in B&H institutions are still respected by all those who have signed them, commented the reporter. While the Federation of B&H is calling on the international community for help, the RS is calling for dialogue, concluded the reporter. 

Vranj arrested upon entering Serbia on suspicion of committing war crimes (N1)

Serbian police arrested former high-ranking official of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FB&H) Police Administration (FUP), Edin Vranj, as he crossed the Serbian border on Sunday afternoon. Vranj managed to send a text message to a journalist from the Istraga.ba news portal before his mobile phone was taken away. “I was just arrested in Priboj at the Uvac border crossing and they are taking me to Belgrade over war crimes” he wrote. Journalists also managed to get a short statement from Vranj. “I am currently at the police station in Priboj. I went privately to Serbia, to Sandzak, when I came to the border crossing Uvac – I was arrested. I expect my phone to be taken away at any moment. Try to alert the Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) Embassy” Vranj told the journalists.  

In March 2014, Glas Srpske daily reported that the State Investigation and Protection Agency (SIPA) had submitted a report to the Prosecutor’s Office of B&H against Vranj, who served as head of the FB&H Criminal Police Sector for years, as well as the former director of the Directorate for Coordination of Police Bodies of B&H, Himza Selimovic, and 112 people suspected of war crimes allegedly committed in Gorazde. Glas Srpske said at the time that Vranj was reported on suspicion of having committed war crimes in the towns of Strmica and Medjedja. B&H prosecutors never filed an indictment. However, after that, the Prosecutor’s Office in Serbia issued an arrest warrant for Vranj. Vasvija Vidovic, a lawyer from Sarajevo, commented for N1 Vranj’s arrest. Vidovic notes that any state can initiate and conduct an investigation into a person suspected of having committed war crimes anywhere in the world. “It is very strange that this investigation was conducted in Serbia, considering that an indictment was filed for these crimes in the area of Srnica, Medjedja and Gorazde two or three years ago. People have been indicted and the trial for these events is at an advanced stage”, she added. How it happened that this investigation is conducted in parallel in Serbia, that is, that a warrant was issued in Serbia, makes no sense, Vidovic concluded.  

Former FUP director, Zlatko Miletic also commented this arrest. Miletic said vetting procedures have been conducted for FUP employees several times in the past and Vranj was never flagged as someone that had a criminal past or that he could be connected to some war crimes. He believes that this action of the authorities of the Republic of Serbia is not good and that it is not in accordance with various regulations prescribed in that field. Miletic pointed out that even if there were some indications on crimes committed in B&H, then those people would be tried before the courts of B&H, and not in other countries. 

Serbian Ambassador rejects a meeting with B&H Presidency after being summoned (N1)

Serbian Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) Aleksandar Djordjevic refused to attend the meeting in the Presidency, to which he was invited by Chairman Zeljko Komsic. The Ambassador’s secretary informed Komsic’s cabinet that he did not want to come, Zeljko Komsic’s cabinet told N1 Monday. The topic of the “emergency” meeting was to be the arrest of Edin Vranj, a B&H citizen arrested in Priboj on Sunday whom the Serbian judiciary suspects of war crimes in Gorazde. This is the first time since the war that an ambassador of a state in B&H refused to come to the meeting in the Presidency of B&H, N1 learned. 

The Cabinet also confirmed that the departure of Zeljko Komsic, as well as Sefik Dzaferovic to the Non-Aligned Summit on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the first conference of this Movement, hosted by the President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic, was cancelled due to all of the above. 

Croatia 

Croatia’s FM: Amended election law would ensure B&H’s stability and prosperity (Hina)

Amending Bosnia and Herzegovina’s (B&H) electoral legislation is necessary to ensure the legitimate representation of Croats in the state presidency and upper house of parliament, as well as the functioning, stability and prosperity of the country, Croatian foreign minister Gordan Grlic Radman said on Saturday. He said that Croats do not have a legitimate representative in the tripartite presidency, adding that “the fact that someone identifies himself as the Croat member of the presidency is not true” referring to Zeljko Komsic who he argued was elected primarily thanks to Bosniak votes. “That’s why it is necessary to change the election law to ensure the functioning, stability and prosperity of B&H” Grlic Radman said. 

He said that in the early 2000s high representatives and other international stakeholders had used gradual reforms to change the substance and nature of the election law. Because of those changes, the Croats do not have “what is guaranteed to them by the Dayton peace agreement, and that is legitimate representation on the three-member presidency and the House of Peoples, which are fundamental levels of government” Grlic Radman said. 

Montenegro 

Djukanovic: Vucic would like Kosovo without Albanians and Montenegro without Montenegrins (Jutarnji list)

Montenegrin President Milo Djukanovic’s interview for Jutarnji List 

Is a “helicopter” enthronement of Metropolitan Joanikije in Cetinje actually, as some believe, the beginning of the final ‘showdown” between the forces that want to dethrone Montenegro and include it in the so-called Serbian World, and those who want to preserve its statehood and national identity? 

Djukanovic: The enthronement of Joanikije, the landing-in-a-helicopter Metropolitan of the Serbian Church, is one in a long series of episodes of the renewed offensives of Greater Serbian nationalism on Montenegro. And all aligned with the unquenchable strategy of Garasanin’s Nacertanije from the mid-19th century. Although this phase of anti-Montenegrin aggression is based on the same fake premises of denying Montenegrin national, cultural and religious identity, and thus logically the need for an independent Montenegro, the key target is actually the civic and secular character of our country and its European and Euro-Atlantic orientation. 

Violent Greater Serbia nationalism, at the very seat of Serbia’s state policy, brazenly tries to impose the image of Montenegro as another Serbian state which gained independence by mistake and carelessness of the former Belgrade state leadership. And now this “mistake” is being corrected by militant-political action of the remaining cross-border infrastructure of Greater Serbia – the Church of Serbia, a quasi-religious community responsible for most of the crimes committed by this nationalist project from the 1990s until today. 

The initial successes gave wings to this retrograde clerical-fascist machinery: political processions managed to present themselves as an act of defense of endangered shrines and religious rights with the thunderous support of official Belgrade; the theocratic government of Montenegro, anti-Montenegrin and Quisling, is in the service of Serbianization of its state, which by conquering Cetinje they want to symbolically bring to its knees and humiliate, to prepare it for a life in the projected “Serbian World” as a province, which is a euphemism for Greater Serbia. 

It will turn out, I believe, that it’s the beginning of the end of that dirty fraud which, by falsely arguing about the allegedly endangered rights of Serbs in the region, just like in the early 1990s, managed to paralyze the attention of European, Western politics, since Russia is implementing hybrid war platform against Europe and NATO in the Western Balkans. 

Did the events in Cetinje show that Montenegro is on the brink of possible conflicts, or even a civil war, as some think, and you once said that Montenegrins will, if necessary, go “into the forest”? 

Djukanovic: I’m afraid you’re right. Not a small number of people would like to push Montenegro into civil conflicts. But we have preserved peace and strengthened multiethnic harmony in much more challenging times: during the bloody breakup of Yugoslavia, in the NATO campaign against the FRY in 1999, in the preparation and holding of the 2006 referendum, in the 2016 coup attempt. We will succeed again. I once figuratively said that we would defend Montenegro if necessary by going to the forest. Following the latest events in Cetinje, I stand even more firmly behind those words. 

Is what happened in Cetinje a Pyrrhic victory of pro-Serbian forces, as some say, or a confirmation of their strength and power? 

Djukanovic: I called the government’s action in Cetinje a Pyrrhic victory in the first reaction after the shameful attack and chemical war, hitherto unseen in this territory, against bare-handed citizens gathered at peaceful Cetinje protests. The unfortunate government, in fact an ordinary toy in the hands of Belgrade’s state, church and parastate structures, as they, again, are toys of Moscow, was ready to shed blood that day in Cetinje only to accuse Montenegrin patriots, and ultimately me, of their atrocities. The Cetinje events over the past few days have shown all the weakness, dilettantism and arrogance of the current government. I’m sure this is the beginning of their steep decline. 

Why do you think the Montenegrin government and the Serbian Orthodox Church insisted that, despite tensions and even the possible escalation of the conflict, the enthronement should take place in Cetinje? 

Djukanovic: The line of command over the attack on Cetinje and Montenegro is, at least today, apparently obvious. The Government of Montenegro is a service of the Church of Serbia, which represents an instrument for the realization of the Greater Serbia project, which is the official state policy of Belgrade. And Serbia is a political-security and information base for the realization of Russian geopolitical interests in the Balkans. It’s good that the wit is not one of their virtues, so they couldn’t refrain from bragging about their role in that rather stupid operation in Cetinje. 

It was as if we were teaching them how to get involved. After all, you could see how President Vucic and Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Zaharova ran to promote themselves. Why did they do that? Always for the same reason: to put Montenegro under their control at any cost, including the war. Serbia because it believes it’s time for a new attempt to redraw the borders in the Balkans, and Russia to send a message to NATO, the EU and countries in the region. 

They believed it would end after last year’s election and the installation of their government in our state. They failed despite a tremendous effort. Just remember the political-media madness – the battle for Niksic, made official in the regime media of Belgrade on the occasion of the local elections in that city. It won’t work now either. 

On the contrary, they acted against the clerical-nationalist Serbian metropolitanate in Cetinje. The witty people of Cetinje immediately said about Joanikije that he, although as the second traitor in our history with that name, was the first “delivered” metropolitan. And the Government was only in the role of the service company Glovo. Not only was he a delivered metropolitan, but the bloody as well. Porfirije, the first man of the Church of Serbia, also took part in that dishonorable act, is now marked with it and will never be able to wash until he apologizes to Montenegro and the Montenegrins. 

At this moment, how endangered is the existence of the Montenegrin state and nation, whose separate ethnic and church identity is being called into question, and what are the reasons for that? 

Djukanovic: The civic and secular character of the state of Montenegro and its European perspective, and thus the very survival of the state, were seriously attacked. Because Montenegro cannot survive except as a civil state. As expected, the Montenegrin national identity is first problematized. Because, if there are no Montenegrins, there is no need for an independent Montenegro. And, as you know, according to that mindless theory, Muslims are a fictional people. And the Albanians will probably somehow cope with the redistribution among enlarged, ethnically and religiously homogeneous states. The reason is simple: without Montenegro in the “Serbian World”, the project of a Greater Serbia is forever dead. We will make sure that happens. 

It’s often mentioned that Russia is behind this policy of destabilizing Montenegro, that is, that everything is happening in the quadrangle including the Serbian Orthodox Church-Vucic-Kremlin-Montenegrin government. What do you think about it? 

Djukanovic: I’ve already said that. This is not a church issue but a state political issue. That is why the Church of Serbia is not a subject but an instrument. And the Montenegrin government is not a state body but the administration of a quasi-religious community. That is why this is a Serbian-Russian project. We are currently experiencing the most aggressive attack of Greater Serbian nationalism on the Montenegrin state and Montenegrin identity in our recent history. This wasn’t the case during Milosevic’s regime. 

At that time, we had significant support from the democratic opposition in Serbia for our democratic project. And today, the government and the opposition in Belgrade, their media, cultural, scientific and business circles are unanimously against Montenegro. All of them, except for honorable individuals who bravely point out the perniciousness of the official policy of Serbia for the Serbian society, but also for the region as a whole. With such a policy, Serbia deepened its enmity with Croats, Bosniaks and Albanians. It was the Montenegrins’ turn. 

Pro-Kremlin media compared the rallies in Cetinje to the Ukrainian Maidan and even talked about a “coup”. 

Djukanovic: I’m sure that they know best all the areas in which Moscow is being involved. 

Of course, there’s also the question of the role and behavior of the Serbian Orthodox Church, particularly Montenegrin and the Littoral, in the policy of the “Serbian World”. Is the Serbian Orthodox Church an instrument or initiator of that policy? Many in Podgorica claim that the Serbian Orthodox Church is the ideological and political mentor of the current Montenegrin government and Prime Minister Zdravko Krivokapic. 

Djukanovic: I have already said a lot about the role of the Church of Serbia. And the thing about the government and PM Krivokapic – even the sparrow knows. Unfortunately, he doesn’t even act as a prime minister. It’s most accurate to say that he does nothing but serve, incense and burn incense with the priests when they allow him to. 

I’m particularly interested in whether you have heard from Aleksandar Vucic these days and what is your opinion about his behavior, considering rumors that you have good personal relationships. 

Djukanovic: No, why would I hear from him. We had constructive relations at one point of time, and that was in the interest of both Serbia and Montenegro. 

Of course, I don’t take seriously his insincere messages when he tells he recognizes the independence of Montenegro and that he wants fraternal and friendly relations, while his ministers openly say why the “Serbian World”, that is, Greater Serbia, is a necessity of the Serbian people in the region whose self-proclaimed protector is the state of Serbia. The seriousness of Vucic’s statements is best proved by the claim that Montenegro has conquered Serbia for the last 30 years and that it won’t succeed in that. It’s the same as if Hitler declared in 1939 that he would not allow Czechoslovakia to conquer Germany. Not to mention the claim that we secretly want to renew the CPC. 

Well, could it have been more open and direct than we announced. And, of course, we will renew it as our historically unquestionable right. In a much more civilized way than it was abolished by Belgrade, just like the independent Montenegro was at the end of the second decade of the last century. The fact that Vucic talks about the cleansing of Belgrade from Montenegrins is nothing new in the history of our relations. At the end of the 19th century, during the rule of Vladan Djordjevic, Montenegrins and Roma were banned from entering Serbia. 

Does all this mean that Vucic “returned” to Slobodan Milosevic’s memorandum policy through which he wants to “annex” Montenegro? How dangerous is it for our entire region and what geostrategic games are involved? 

Djukanovic: Yes, but he believes that he’s better than Milosevic and that he’s able to achieve everything that Milosevic did not succeed in doing. That is why I believe that peace and stability of the region are in danger, as they were in the 1990s. Because the same idea is in place. And the same stupidly false alibi – protection of endangered rights of Serbs in the region. I think it’s high time to awaken all the healthy forces in the region, but also the international community, the EU and the US above all. Until it’s too late. 

Some Montenegrin analysts say that you are personally the “target” of the new authorities in Montenegro, and the possible arrest was mentioned. 

Djukanovic: Well, that’s more than clear, you don’t have to be an analyst to see it. The government “formed” in Ostrog monastery has no other policy than to obsess over denying and dismantling everything that Montenegro achieved over the previous decades. Under the cloak of a resounding fight against crime and corruption, in which, according to their own public confessions, arrest warrants are written by the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, instead of prosecutors, they’re actually trying to break and end all economic, cultural and institutional strongholds of Montenegrin sovereignty. 

Because that’s their mission. Logically, all this was accompanied by a complex revanchism towards all people, both staff in state bodies and businessmen and foreign investors who contributed to the significant successes of Montenegro in the period after 1996. 

Vucic is under pressure to recognize Kosovo’s independence, so do you think that Montenegro can represent “compensation” to Serbia for Kosovo? 

Djukanovic: I wouldn’t say he’s being pressured. Pressured by whom? It’s a spin of the Belgrade media aiming to make political gains on the domestic field so that Vucic can show how strongly he resists strong international centers. It’s an exaggeration. They are allegedly fighting to get Kosovo back. And there would be no greater punishment for Serbia than for someone to return it to them. They would like to have Kosovo, but without Albanians. As they’d like to have Montenegro, but without Montenegrins. 

It’s obvious that for Belgrade, Montenegro would be the only real compensation for Kosovo. Vucic often criticizes the former government in Serbia for “letting Montenegro go” back in 2006. As if MNE was a part of Serbia. Remember what Darko Hudelist writes about Vucic and his suffering the day after the Montenegrin referendum, in what condition he found him in his house. “It was an event the declared Serbian nationalist Vucic could not come to terms with,” he concludes. 

I mentioned Brussels’ mild reaction, even NATO’s, to the events in Montenegro. What do you think, why’s that and how satisfied are you with the reaction of neighboring countries, especially Croatia, which has also, as far as I think, been restrained in its reactions so far? 

Djukanovic: It only shows the state of play in Europe and the world. The Western Balkans is also out of their attention, not just Montenegro. They have a lot of their own problems. I would say that the situation in the international community is much worse than in the 90s. As far as Croatia is concerned, we are encouraged by the proactive attitude of the President, other officials and many prominent individuals from the Croatian political and public life, which we hope will influence international partners to pay more serious attention to the reflections of the situation in Montenegro on the region and Europe. In the near future, I will pay a return visit to Croatia, which will be an opportunity to exchange views with the state leadership in Zagreb on all important topics, including this one. 

It’s tense in Montenegro and it’s said that it could spill over to other countries in the region, primarily to Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H), which is also part of the plans of the “Serbian World”. Is it possible to repeat, at least in some part, the already seen scenarios from the 90s? 

Djukanovic: Not only is it possible, but it’s realistic to expect. How did it all start in the 90s? Wasn’t B&H divided and planned for liquidation on the napkin from Karadjordjevo? How could any large-scale project in our region be realized without B&H surviving? And how could this happen without war and bloodshed? 

Are the new elections likely to happen in Montenegro? 

Djukanovic: Yes, it’s a very realistic option. Montenegro must get a nationally responsible government as soon as possible. Which party and what people will be in it – the citizens will decide in the election. As painful as this one-year experience may seem, it’s useful in some ways. People in Montenegro now have a clearer idea about the offer on the political stage of our country. Even when they are rightly angry at the former government, they will now more realistically assess the capacities of the alternative. And, I believe, reject pathological hatred forever as a catalyst for changes. 

Hate and complexes lead nowhere. Nothing good stems from it, neither for the state, nor for the citizens. Voters will punish the politically insane ideas of denying Montenegrin anti-fascism as the strongest link in Montenegrin millennial history. As well as serving others instead of their own national interests. 

What can be expected next, because it’s obvious that neither side intends to give in, and to what limitations or repercussions can this go? In your opinion, how far is Vucic and those who back or encourage him ready to go, especially if he feels he cannot implement his plans, that is, is Vucic ready to destabilize the entire region? 

Djukanovic: He is if Europe and the US allow him to do it. If numerous lobbyists he’s paying continue to impact the policy of the most important Western centers as much as before. 

Volker: West must understand that Serbian Church pursues policy of Belgrade and Moscow (Pobjeda)

“Belgrade deliberately organized such an enthronement in Cetinje to promote Serbia’s regional agenda and to question Montenegrin independence”, US diplomat and former ambassador to NATO Kurt Volker says in an interview for Pobjeda. He emphasizes that Washington must change the policy it pursues in Montenegro. 

“I am very sorry that everything happened in such a way, and the Serbian Church should not have forced this enthronement in Cetinje. It should have functioned differently in Montenegro, not only now in Cetinje, but also earlier – to register as a religious community and to respect the laws of an independent state. That lawlessness lasted too long. Of course, when analyzing these things, a foreign factor cannot be denied. The Serbian and Russian churches are very close and there is a direct influence of the Kremlin, which has an interest in destabilizing this area. Especially Montenegro, which is a member of the Alliance and a leader in EU integration. I will say what the problem is with the West, although I have not yet told anyone from the American administration about this issue, they simply do not know how to get involved because it is also a religious issue, and not just a foreign policy one. But I am sure that it is clear to Washington that Serbia and Russia see this issue as a foreign policy one. We must strengthen our support for Montenegrin independence, strengthen democracy, and the dialogue on the religious problem that exists must be opened and closed in Montenegro” Volker says. 

Asked why NATO didn’t react to the fact that the army of one of its members carried out such an action in Cetinje, he explains that “the Alliance does not issue orders to the armies of its members what to do, but such an act should have been avoided because conflicts in society were further heated. This way of consecration with long pipes is sufficient proof of how much controversy there is. That was not a good decision of the Montenegrin army”. 

“The US and the EU must be more active in the Balkans. There are many open issues that need to be worked on together. The United States has an interest in keeping Montenegro successful and stable, not only because it is a member of NATO, but also because it is a model for other countries in the region. A multi-confessional and multinational state must remain stable” he points out. 

Weak and quarreling Montenegro easier prey for Serbian World (Pobjeda)

 “The weaker and more quarrelsome Montenegro will be the easier ‘prey’ and it will better serve the imperial interests of the Serbian World. The destruction of the civil being of Montenegro is no longer even hidden, but it is an open agenda of most of the government”, says SDP leader and MP Rasko Konjevic in an interview for Pobjeda. 

Konjevic says that he considers DPM Dritan Abazovic exclusively responsible for the events in Cetinje. “The events in Cetinje showed, above all, the striking irresponsibility of the PM Zdravko Krivokapic-Abazovic duo to make a political decision on enthronement in Cetinje, despite the negative security assessments of the competent agencies and the proposal of the relevant minister and police director based on that, to ban all rallies”, he points out. 

“This tells us that Abazovic and Krivokapic did not care much whether someone might be killed that day, since, as Minister Sekulovic stated there were extremes on both sides, but it was only important that the demands of the Church of Serbia be met”, Konjevic stresses. 

“There is no doubt that (Serbian President Aleksandar) Vucic was deeply involved in the whole enthronement story. In the end, he admitted that on Sunday morning, explaining that the government, of another country, changed its decisions. And how could he know that unless he was directly involved?” Konjevic says. 

“Abazovic has a special responsibility because at the session of the National Security Council, he did not support the Minister of Internal Affairs and the Director of Police, who, based on security assessments, demanded a ban on all gatherings in Cetinje, which was a rational proposal. Therefore, Abazovic, as the Deputy Prime Minister for the Security Sector, did not stand behind the attitude of the people he elected, he did not stand behind the negative security assessment given by the competent services. In addition, he did not stand behind the position of his own party on this issue” he adds. 

“You have the biggest paradox – a government that promised to reduce divisions and famous reconciliation produced the largest possible divisions. Divisions and a bad atmosphere in society have almost never been at this level – I would dare say, almost not even in the war of the ‘90s or ahead of the referendum on independence” Konjevic points out. 

“Those who are essentially pulling the strings are not interested in a stable Montenegro that will work on overcoming divisions. They have their own course, which is completely opposed to the civil, European and ultimately independent Montenegro. That is why they impose topics that further divide the citizens and distance Montenegro from its European path” Konjevic says. 

Abuse of religious events doesn’t befit serious EU candidates (Pobjeda)

The current Serbian government is trying to transfer its internal political dubiousness and unimplemented large-scale projects outside its borders, i.e. to those parts of its neighborhood where there is already an adequate political infrastructure, says the European Parliament’s rapporteur for Montenegro Tonino Picula in an interview for Pobjeda. 

He explains that even without a deeper knowledge of the situation, it is clear that Belgrade’s policy towards Podgorica is one of the home points that generate instability in Montenegro. 

After the enthronement of Metropolitan Joanikije, Picula strongly condemned the violence that took place. Seven days after these events, he says that it deserved harsh condemnation, stating that this type of political instrumentalization or, better said, abuse of religious manifestations that turn into violence does not suit a country that has already achieved some important and relevant ambitions at the previous stages of membership in the EU. 

He points out that everything that happened in Cetinje makes it difficult to prove the capacity of Montenegro in the accession process. 

“Today, the ruling majority certainly has the greatest responsibility for mitigating endemic divisions in Montenegrin society. Polarization and advocacy of revisionist ideas should be avoided in practical moves and public appearances”, he adds. 

“All those who have not yet understood that the development and prosperity of the state require transparent and democratic processes instead of noise, anger, provocations and unconstructive arguments are also responsible. 

In that sense, I sincerely hope that the responsible people on the political and public scene will recognize the values of a modern democratic society and justify the expectations of the citizens, but also the friends of Montenegro in the EU” Picula stresses. 

North Macedonia 

Census safe in terms of both health and data (Republika)

The Census of Population, Households and Dwellings, which started on September 5 and will last until September 30, is being conducted in 50 census regions in Macedonia. The diaspora has been able to register online since March 1. The authorities emphasize that the operation will be safe in terms of both health and data. The census is as safe for the personal data of the counted population as it is safe for health. By respecting the health protocols, it is guaranteed that it will not become a source of infection, and by providing domestic companies and hosting in Macedonia, the data security of the citizens of the country is guaranteed. 

The director of the State Statistical Office Apostol Simovski told Republika that the application is developed by domestic companies and all data are stored in Macedonia. 

“The hosting… I’m not a technician, I’m an economist. We cooperate with domestic companies and all information is stored in Macedonia” said Simovski, answering our question whether the hosting is in Macedonia or abroad in another country. 

Commenting on the census and the technical issues that occur, President Stevo Pendarovski said that if 25 days are not enough, an additional five days will be added. In the past, the census lasted for 15 days. It now lasts 25 days. I have heard about some technical issues, but we must not stop the process for those reasons. If necessary, we will pass a law to extend the census for another five days, but we must participate in the census, said Pendarovski. 

Albania 

President Meta decrees Edi Rama as Prime Minister of Albania (ADN)

President of the Republic, Ilir Meta has decreed the appointment of Prime Minister Edi Rama as the head of the Albanian government for the third term in a row. This decision of the President of the Republic was made after the new Parliament held the first session, where the new Speaker of Parliament was elected. President even greeted one day ago the election of Lindita Nikolla as new Parliament Speaker, emphasizing that finally, Albania closed two darkest years of the history of parliamentarism in the last 30 years. In this way, President Meta clears the way for Prime Minister Edi Rama to go to the office of the President of the Republic and swear-in, which marks the official appointment of Prime Minister Edi Rama as the head of the Albanian government.  

Assembly to be gathered today. Rama expected to present the governing program and the new cabinet! The new structures of the Parliament to be approved (Radio Tirana)

The Assembly will meet again at 17:00 today, where Prime Minister Edi Rama is expected to present to the parliament the governing program as well as the names of the new government cabinet, although it is not included in the agenda. After the approval in the Parliament, the Prime Minister sends the ministers to President Ilir Meta for decree, the latter must be expressed within 7 days after getting information from the Prosecution. 

The head of the state must decree the government which passes the approved decrees again in the Assembly within a period of 10 days. Prior to taking office, the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and ministers will be sworn in before the President. This is the procedure until the new government starts working with the objectives set for the third governing term. 

Deputies will also gather to set up all the new structures of parliament. The approval of the composition of 8 standing committees is foreseen in the agenda; 5 of which are led by the majority and 3 by the Democratic Party, as well as the Assembly bureau and secretariats.