LOCAL PRESS

Kosovo to be on Executive Council agenda (Tanjug)

The UNESCO Executive Council decided on Monday to put a draft recommendation for Kosovo’s admission to that organization on the agenda, UNESCO spokesperson George Papagiannis told Tanjug. Asked whether the Executive Council has adopted the agenda and whether it includes Kosovo’s request, he said that the agenda is adopted, and added the issue will be discussed at the meeting of the UNESCO Executive Council on October 21. The final decision on Kosovo’s admission is rendered by the UNESCO General Conference, which will hold a meeting November 3-18.

Vucic sends letter to UNESCO members (Tanjug)

Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic sent a letter to all UNESCO members on Sunday, in which he expressed concern over the requests for Kosovo to be granted membership in the organization, and noted that such an appeal is unfounded from the standpoint of international law. In keeping with the legally binding Resolution 1244 which the UN Security Council adopted in 1999 and the Constitutional Framework for Provisional Self-Government, Kosovo-Metohija is a territory under UN administration within Serbia’s borders, Vucic said. The issue of Kosovo-Metohija is still on the UN Security Council’s agenda, as confirmed by regular quarterly sessions concerning the matter, Vucic said and added that the UN Interim Administration Mission (UNMIK) headed by the special representative of the UN secretary general is still deployed in Kosovo-Metohija. Vucic noted that a review of the request for Kosovo’s UNESCO membership would constitute gross violation of regulations adopted under UN auspices in view of preserving international peace and security. In a letter addressed to all UNSECO members, Vucic stated that Kosovo’s admission into UNESCO would create a dangerous precedent because it would be contrary to UN Charter Article 25 which notes that UN members agree to take on and execute Security Council decisions in keeping with the Charter. Serbia has demonstrated full commitment to the search for a solution to all open issues with Pristina by peaceful means and dialogue, and it is against any politicization of UNESCO as its mission should be aimed at promotion of cooperation between countries through education, science and culture, states the letter. Vucic warned that unilateral attempts such as the request for UNESCO membership of the so-called Kosovo are violating the atmosphere conducive to the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue which is currently in a very delicate stage. Vucic stated that the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue under EU auspices in Brussels has not so far covered protection of monuments of culture and property of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Kosovo-Metohija. Serbia is still firmly committed to the dialogue with Kosovo Albanians and the search for a solution that would stabilize and normalize mutual relations, he noted. Nevertheless, review of the request in UNSECO would practically prevent achievement of a mutually acceptable solution concerning the matter, Vucic said. He warned that Pristina has unambiguously demonstrated that it does not have either the abilities or the will to fulfil the obligations deriving from membership in the organization. Intentional and systematic vandalism and destruction of cultural and historical monuments are incompatible with UNESCO goals, and UNESCO itself has included four pearls of world heritage, comprising monasteries Decani, Patriarchy of Pec, Gracanica and Cathedral Church of the Most Holy Mother of God of Ljevis, in the List of World Heritage in Danger, Vucic said in his letter to UNESCO members. Destruction of Christian and cultural Serb heritage was never thoroughly investigated, nor has anyone been brought to justice to account for the crimes, the letter states.

Nikolic: Time for national consensus in regard to Pristina (Tanjug/RTS)

Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic has stated that he thinks it is time for a national consensus in regard to Pristina considering the increasing atmosphere in the EU concerning the admission of the Pristina administration in many international organizations. “I think it is time for a national consensus especially as it looks like the West is not willing for the name Pristina to circulate in official documents,” Nikolic told journalists at the Serbian Academy of Arts and Sciences in Belgrade, where the international conference was opened. The President said that the state has been doing a great deal for Kosovo not to become an UNESCO member, that he had sent many letters and saw the footage of the March 2004 events that testify how the Albanians “protected” the Serbian heritage. He announced he would talk again on Friday with the heads of states and ambassadors and point to them why this should not happen. “There are events that you cannot influence. I am only noticing that a dirty game is being played towards Serbia and that along with the negotiations in Brussels, which should completely define our relations, a great part of Western civilization and the EU are organizing direct inclusion of the Pristina administration into many international organizations without consultations with Serbia, with direct outvoting in these organizations, which is indecent,” said Nikolic. He thinks that this leads us to wonder “what is the purpose of the negotiations in Brussels”. “If they can get everything without the negotiations in Brussels, are we only serving in Brussels to receive new demands whereby they are slowly moving us away from the EU,” wondered Nikolic. Asked about Chapter 35, Nikolic told journalists they should address the Serbian government that conducts the foreign and domestic policy. “I am here only to advise and suggest,” said Nikolic. He said he could not influence the holding of early parliamentary elections but that he thinks the Serbian government is stable.

Odalovic: Expectation for reason to prevail politics (RTS)

The UNESCO Executive Council will decide in Paris today whether it will include on the agenda the proposal for the recommendation for Kosovo’s membership. The State Secretary in the Serbian Foreign Ministry Veljko Odalovic has told the morning news of Radio and Television of Serbia (RTS) that he expects reason to prevail politics and for the Kosovo issue not to be included on the agenda. Odalovic says that a difficult day and decision awaits Serbia. He recalls that Kosovo is not a state, but that, as he put it, sponsors wish Kosovo to gain many memberships through the small door. He points out that Serbia’s intentions, wishes and messages sent to powerful states are obvious and thinks that the issue of Kosovo’s UNESCO membership should be a topic of the Brussels dialogue. Asked what if the topic of Kosovo’s membership is included on the agenda, Odalovic says the Serbian campaign will continue and that Serbia will try to reach all countries and explain the harmfulness of such decision. Odalovic recalls the year 2004 when the large destruction of Serbian sanctities occurred, and adds that UNSCR 1244 envisaged the possibility for the Serbian Army and police to return to Kosovo to protect Serbian monasteries and churches. UNSCR 1244 also recognized the vulnerability of Serbian sanctities, notes Odalovic and adds that it would be a catastrophic damage to give monasteries to Pristina that doesn’t know what to do with them. Odalovic hopes that politics will be in the background, adding that UNESCO decided to place the Serbian sanctities under its protection because they were endangered.

Davenport: Fulfilment of obligations, not recognition (Tanjug)

Commenting on the draft negotiating platform for Chapter 35 concerning Kosovo, the Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia Michael Davenport stated on Monday that the document does not constitute a request for recognition of independence of Kosovo and that it instead covers the implementation of obligations settled in the agreements reached so far. This is not about pressure, it is about the continuation of the dialogue and implementation of obligations deriving from the agreement from April 19, 2013 and other agreement achieved within the dialogue, all in view of ensuring comprehensive normalization of the Belgrade-Pristina relations and it has always been so, Davenport told reporters. He noted that the chances of opening of Chapter 35 have now become serious.

Divisions among Kosovo Serbs also endanger formation of ZSO (Politika, by Dejan Spalovic)

There is no greater harmony in the government than the harmony between Aleksandar Vucic and Aleksandar Vulin, but neither greater division than the divisions among Vucic’s and Vulin’s officials on the Serbian (Srpska) List in the Kosovo Assembly, which could also endanger the formation of the Community of Serb Municipalities (ZSO). One could see how serious are the divisions in the Serb List at the end of last week when Kosovo Prime Minister Isa Mustafa was supposed to present four Brussels agreements. The deputies of Vulin’s Movement of Socialists (PS) led by Aleksandar Jablanovic, who was dismissed by the Serbian government, boycotted this session. The new coordinator of the Serb List and official of the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) Branimir Stojanovic says that the boycott of the PS deputies at a session where the ZSO was supposed to be debated is a blow to Serbia’s state policy. The announcement of PS officials on holding today a session of the Serb List caucus where they will decide who of the three Serb ministers in the Kosovo government (all members of the SNS) will be replaced, speaks of the fact that this is not an end to divisions among the Kosovo Serbs. The reason for their dismissal, assures Jablanovic, will not be party affiliation, but discontent with their work in the Kosovo government. He concretely asks what Branimir Stojanovic and Dalibor Jevtic have done to prevent the arrest of 15 Serbs on Mt. Brezovica and to protect Serbian property. Who has led to political divisions among the Serbs? Analysts claim that the division occurred over the domination of the people appointed by Aleksandar Vulin, which was opposed by the Serbs from central Kosovo and excluded Aleksandar Jablanovic from all events. These divisions were not visible from Belgrade but on the ground the Serbs knew who was Vulin’s man and who was Vucic’s man. Changes occurred when Marko Djuric (SNS), Vucic’s man of confidence, arrived at the helm of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija. Leposavic Mayor Dragan Jabalnovic also agrees with this. “Djuric brought his people and started a campaign against my son. Several months ago, at a meeting in Belgrade, he said in front of 70 witnesses that he will not allow for one minor party, the PS, that is in coalition with the SNS, to be the main party in Kosovo,” says Jablanovic. The leader of the Serbian Resistance Movement Randjel Nojkic opines that Belgrade must resolve all disagreements as soon as possible and that it is not enough for the Serbian government to dismiss Dragan Jablanovic. “There are big differences inside the Serb community and that is why I expect this conflict to last a very long time. This is also a reflection of what is happening in the Serbian government, because Vulin tried to conduct the entire operation in Kosovo from the very beginning and didn’t want to hand this over to Marko Djuric who is trying to transfer primacy to SNS staff. Someone from Belgrade will have to sit with the warring sides and try to find a compromise. If this doesn’t happen, it is a big question mark whether the ZSO will be formed, which is of greatest importance for the Serbs,” said Nojkic.

Secret talks on Kosovo army

Jablanovic showed the press in Belgrade yesterday a document, dated 10 August 2015, which he claims is evidence that Branimir Stojanovic and Ljubomir Maric discussed in secret the formation of the Kosovo army. “They started talks without my knowledge, at one moment these talks reached a point from which it is hard to go backwards, so they decided to accuse me, but I didn’t take part in these talks. They wish to depict us as traitors and renegades and want us to be in a fight with the Serbian government,” said Jablanovic.

REGIONAL PRESS

SBB authorized Radoncic to continue talks with Izetbegovic (Radio Sarajevo)

“The Main Board of the Alliance for a Better Future (SBB) of B&H is highly appreciating the offer of the Party of Democratic Action (SDA) and its president Bakir Izetbegovic to SBB to form a government together at all levels,” said the president of the Main Board of SBB B&H, Fehim Skaljic. According to him, the president of SBB Fahrudin Radoncic informed members of the Main Board at yesterday’s session in Sarajevo about the details of conversations that he had with the president of the SDA, Bakir Izetbegovic. “Members of the Main Board completely accepted the content, method and time of these conversations. These conversations, which referred two responsible political structures to search for solutions in order to overcome the crisis and allow a parliamentary majority, which would have the credibility to effectively address many questions that are standing in front of the authorities in B&H,” said Skaljic. The Main Board decided to authorize the president of the party Fahrudin Radoncic to continue the dialogue with Izetbegovic, “in terms of searching for solutions for the formation of those authorities that will have the efficiency and capacity to work quickly, which includes a strong parliamentary majority.” “This means the realization of the aims that will ensure stability, economic prosperity, security and justice for all without political interference and the government which would be controlled by us that are forming it and would be the first filter of responsibility,” said Skaljic.

Komsic: We don’t want Dodik in B&H government (Nezavisne)

The Democratic Front (DF) will not leave the government at the B&H level. The key is in the hands of the SDA that has most votes in the B&H parliament. It is not even important whether we will be in the B&H Council of Ministers, but it is essentially important for the SDA and Alliance for Changes to stay and for the SNSD not to enter, this is the stand of the DF leader Zeljko Komsic in regard to the negotiations between SDA leader Bakir Izetbegovic and SBB leader Fahrudin Radoncic on SBB joining the government at the B&H level. Insiders say that this is more certain and that the SBB is supposed to replace the DF in the government. Many see in this option the possibility for the SNSD to join the B&H Council of Ministers. However, Komsic claims things are not finished yet. Komsic says they will not leave the government on their own and that this can occur only in a situation where the B&H Council of Ministers passes a decision that is harmful for B&H interests. “We are ready to defend this composition of the B&H Council of Ministers as long as we can. I told both Izetbegovic and Bosic that it is essentially important for the SDA and Alliance for Changes to stay together. I also told them that the DF has achieved its main goal the moment when it managed to kick out Dodik from the government and to connect the SDA and Alliance for Changes. The SDA can count on the DF in the government only if there is no SNSD and if this will be the Alliance for Change,” says Komsic. “Covic opposed this, but had to accept. He never gave up from his initial plan to have Dodik in the B&H Council of Ministers and to throw out the Alliance for Change. In order for this to happen he needs to first eliminate the DF,” said Komsic.

INTERNATIONAL PRESS

Kosovo Steps Closer To UNESCO Membership (BIRN, by Marija Ristic, 12 October 2015)

Kosovo’s bid to join the UN’s cultural wing was put on the agenda of UNESCO’s upcoming executive board meeting despite opposition from Serbia and its international allies.

The executive board of UNESCO decided on Monday to put Kosovo’s bid on its agenda, with the next vote on potential membership for Pristina due to be held by October 22 – a move likely to anger Serbia, which opposes any kind of international recognition of the independence of its former province. Kosovo’s Foreign Minister Hashim Thaci, whose ministry was the main initiator of Pristina’s application, said that the move was a “small, important procedural victory for the membership bid”. For Kosovo to move closer to membership, the majority of the 58 UNESCO executive board members need to vote in favour. The membership bid will then be put to a final vote at UNESCO’s general conference in November, when two-thirds of its 195 members need to vote in favour in order for Kosovo to be allowed to join. At Monday’s executive board session, Russia, China, Argentina and Cuba came out against Kosovo’s attempt to join the UN body. All four are considered allies of Belgrade, which strongly opposes recognition of Kosovo’s independence and argues that Pristina has failed to protect Serbian cultural and religious heritage in the former province since the war ended in 1999. Belgrade sees Kosovo as the cradle of the medieval Serbian state. Many of the most significant Serbian Orthodox monasteries and churches lie there, including the monastery churches of Gracanica and Decani and the patriarchal complex in Pec/Peje, which are already on the list of UNESCO world heritage sites. Belgrade accuses Pristina of not looking after them properly and of colluding in the destruction of some sites. Ahead of the executive board meeting, Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic sent a letter to all UNESCO members asking them not to vote in favour because it would contravene international law. “Kosovo cannot be considered a state as prescribed in international law, therefore it is clear that it didn’t fulfil the basic requirements to be part of UNESCO,” Vucic said in the letter on Sunday. He added that since 1999, “141 Serbian Orthodox buildings were destroyed or damaged”, saying this showed that and Kosovo doesn’t respect the values and goals of UNESCO. Serbia has no right to veto Pristina’s UNESCO membership bid, and Kosovo will be able to join even though it is not a UN member state.

Serbian Inflation Slows in September, Supporting Policy Easing (Bloomberg, by Gordana Filipovic, 12 October 2015)

Serbian consumer prices rose less than economists predicted in September, adding to chances that the central bank will reduce its benchmark interest rate at a meeting on Wednesday.

Inflation decelerated to 1.4 percent from 2.1 percent in August, the national Statistics Office said on its website on Monday. Price growth fell short of the 1.6 percent median forecast in a Bloomberg survey. The prices of goods rose 1 percent from a year earlier, while services rose 2.9 percent. Compared with August, prices were unchanged after a 0.9 percent increase in August, the data showed. That “obviously reflected very weak demand,” Ljiljana Grubic, an analyst with Raiffeisenbank AD in Belgrade, said in a note to investors. “Today’s CPI data might be supportive for the NBS to chop the key rate by another 50 basis points to 4.5% at the key rate-setting meeting,” she said. The National Bank of Serbia, which has lowered its benchmark interest rate six times this year by a cumulative 300 basis points, sees inflation re-entering its target range of 2.5 percent to 5.5 percent by early 2016 at the latest. Price growth has remained below the target since February 2014. The central bank holds its next rate-setting meeting on Oct. 14.

EU Foreign Ministers Condemn Bosnian Serb Referendum (BIRN, by Denis Dzidic, 12 October 2015)

The European Union’s Foreign Council warned that a planned Bosnian Serb referendum challenging the authority of the state-level judiciary could damage the country’s cohesion and territorial integrity. The EU Foreign Council, which is made up of all 28 EU states’ foreign ministers, expressed “serious concern” on Monday about preparations for holding the referendum in Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Serb-dominated entity, Republika Srpska. “The holding of such a referendum would challenge the cohesion, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina,” the EU foreign ministers said in a statement. “It would also risk undermining the efforts to improve the socio-economic situation of all Bosnia and Herzegovina citizens and to make further progress in EU integration,” they added. The initiative to hold the referendum was launched by the president of Republika Srpska, Milorad Dodik, in July this year, because of alleged bias in war crimes cases against Serb victims. Voters will be asked whether they support the “anti-constitutional and unauthorised laws imposed by the High Representative of the international community, especially the laws imposed relating to the [state] court and the prosecutor’s office of Bosnia and Herzegovina”. The referendum was scheduled to take place on November 15, but Bosniak delegates in the Republika Srpska parliament have caused a potential delay by asking the entity’s constitutional court to rule on whether their rights are being violated by the fact that no non-Serbs were in the parliamentary working group for the referendum. The planned referendum has also drawn strong criticism from international officials in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as Bosniak and judicial officials, who have claimed that it could destabilise the country and the region in general. But Dodik responded to these allegations on Sunday by saying that the referendum only concerns the judiciary and would not touch the territorial integrity of the country. “I am forced to keep explaining that some [people] have bad intentions and they are intentionally putting negative qualifications on this referendum,” Dodik told media. The Bosnian Serb opposition has also expressed concern about the planned referendum. Bosnian Serb presidency member Mladen Ivanic, from the Party of Democratic Progress, said that Republika Srpska “has a right to hold a referendum”. But he added that it was “not the happiest solution” to problems with the state-level judiciary. The European foreign ministers meanwhile insisted that “the outstanding shortcomings of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s judiciary” should be addressed within the Brussels-backed ‘structured dialogue’ aimed at overhauling the judicial system in the country.

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Media summaries are produced for the internal use of the United Nations Office in Belgrade, UNMIK and UNHQ. The contents do not represent anything other than a selection of articles likely to be of interest to a United Nations readership.