LOCAL PRESS

Dacic submits report on work to parliamentary committee (RTS/Tanjug)

Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic presented yesterday the report on the work of his Ministry from 1 January to 30 September before the Serbian parliamentary Committee for Foreign Affairs. Dacic notes as special achievements in the international arena the opening of Chapters 32 and 35, successful OSCE chairmanship in complex international circumstances and preventing Kosovo’s UNESCO membership. During the period under consideration, the Ministry worked to further Serbia’s EU integration, development and improvement of relations and cooperation with the countries in the region, most influential powers and other partners in the international community, and the preservation of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Serbia. During the given period, Serbia also officially assumed the 2015 OSCE chairmanship.

The committee unanimously adopted the report.

Prime Minister to meet with SPS and PS leaders (Novosti)

Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic will talk with coalition partners Ivica Dacic and Aleksandar Vulin about past results of the government and continuation of cooperation. The meeting will be held by the end of the week at the initiative of the leader of the Socialist Party of Serbia (SPS) Ivica Dacic and the leader of the Movement of Socialists (PS) Aleksandar Vulin, and they are expected to open the topic of the upcoming election cycle that awaits Serbia. The coalition partners should also debate Serbia’s position following the opening of first negotiating chapters with the EU in view of the Kosovo challenges that await the state. Dacic told Novosti that he expects to discuss past results, the year behind us and the continuation of cooperation in the future: “I don’t expect us to discuss coalitions, since there was no mention of parliamentary elections. This has not been the topic of our meetings so far. The point is to establish cooperation that is in the interest of Serbian citizens.”

Brussels dialogue to continue (Novosti)

The Constitutional Court in Pristina has determined that the Community of Serb Municipalities (ZSO) with a Serb majority will be established, but at the same time determined that certain principles and main elements of the ZSO “are not completely harmonized with the spirit of the Constitution”. Elaborating the parts of the Constitution that are violated by the ZSO elements, the Court especially singled out articles that refer to equality before the law, as well as rights of communities and their members. It was determined that a government law and statute that implement the ZSO principles need to fulfill the constitutional standards in order to be “in accordance with the spirit of the Constitution”. According to announcements, the Belgrade-Pristina negotiations will resume in the second half of January first with talks between expert teams, and then a premier-level meeting between Aleksandar Vucic and Isa Mustafa is expected on 27 January.

Maric: We are continuing activities towards establishing ZSO (Tanjug)

The Management Team for the establishment of the Community of Serb Municipalities (ZSO) is continuing its activities following the Kosovo Constitutional Court’s decision on the ZSO, says the team Coordinator and Minister in the Kosovo government Ljubomir Maric. He told Tanjug that the team is continuing activities that had been temporarily suspended by the Constitutional Court. “The Serbs expect agreements to be implemented and any substantial change opens up room for potential disagreements that can get us into new conflict situations. That is why I believe that we will implement the agreement on the ZSO,” Maric said. The Court has announced that the ZSO will be established in accordance with the first Belgrade-Pristina agreement signed on 25 August, but ascertained that some principles of the agreement are not in full compliance with the constitution.

Janjic: Kosovo Constitutional Court decision accelerates formation of ZSO (Beta)

“With its decision, the Kosovo Constitutional Court has supported and accelerated the process of the formation of the ZSO. If the government had not addressed the Court, it would have to do so after passing the law and this way the Constitutional Court resolved the dilemma that could not have been resolved at the negotiating table,” analyst Dusan Janjic told Beta. He says that the Court’s decision resolves that the government can implement the ZSO with a decree instead with a law, which alleviates the entire process in the political sense as well. Otherwise a two-third majority in the Assembly would have to vote and this would mean that the opposition would have a new chance to dispute and create political obstructions. “This maneuver with the Constitutional Court was well conceived both by the government and international community and it was aimed at implementing the Brussels agreement, at stopping the collapse process of the Assembly and government destabilization over the agreement,” says Janjic. He assesses that in case of Kosovo government’s collapse, this would be a serious blow to Brussels’ idea and Kosovo’s EU path. “The decision on suspending the agreement had impact on changing the opposition’s performance and now we have something that is common, we have protests over government decisions, but not over the agreement with Serbia and Montenegro,” said Janjic.

SNP: Suspend Brussels negotiations following Court decision (Tanjug)

The Serbian People’s Party (SNP) has announced that Serbia should suspend participation in the Brussels negotiations after the Kosovo Constitutional Court decided that the part of the agreement that concerns the ZSO is non-constitutional. “The Brussels negotiations are increasingly marginalizing the role and presence of Serbia in Kosovo and Metohija,” the SNP states in the release. This party notes that it has been warning about such development when it pointed that the only goal of the Brussels agreement is the abolishment of Serbia’s legal system and institutions in the southern province, and not protection of Serbs and Serbia’s interests. “One should have no doubts that this decision had the support of the EU that has once again demonstrated to be a loyal partner, just as in the case of the violent and illegal attempt of Kosovo’s UNESCO membership, to the false state of Kosovo,” reads the statement. The SNP called the government to show respect of the Serbian Constitution since only this way it can preserve the remaining state and national dignity and sovereignty, as otherwise it will turn out that “the constitution of a quasi-state on the occupied part of our territory is more important than the highest legal document of Serbia”.

REGIONAL PRESS

Inzko: B&H obliged to implement Sejdic-Finci (Oslobodjenje)

Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H), as a member of the Council of Europe, is obliged to resolve the implementation of the ruling of the European Court of Human Rights in the Sejdic-Finci case, stressed the Office of the High Representative. December 22, marks six years since B&H has failed to implement the ruling in the European Court of Human Rights case of Sejdic-Finci vs. B&H. “Implementation of the ruling in the Sejdic-Finci case would benefit everyone in B&H. This ruling represents a clear basis on which it is possible to protect and nurture the diversity that enriches and strengthens the structure of B&H society,” said High Representative Valentin Inzko. The OHR states that the anniversary is a good opportunity to once again remind B&H bodies that they should harmonize the constitution of the country and its electoral system with the ECHR and European Convention on Human Rights. “The substance of the Sejdic-Finci ruling is to ensure that every citizen of B&H enjoys the same rights when it comes to participating in public life. This is about eliminating discrimination in society. The implementation of the ruling would be an indicator of the maturity of institutions in B&H and proof of their commitment to tolerance and openness. In addition, it would help to reestablish the traditional way of life and values of B&H society, where every culture was accepted and treated equally and where everyone had equal right to elect and be elected,” said the High Representative.

B&H Presidency supports anti-terrorist coalition led by Saudi Arabia (Klix)

The B&H Presidency greeted the forming of coalition under the leadership of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which gathers 34 countries with the joint aim of fighting against terrorism. This was a statement of the Presidency of B&H delivered by the Chairman of the B&H Presidency Dragan Covic to the King of Saudi Arabia Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud and the crown Prince of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Minister of Defense, Prince Mohammad bin Salman Al Saud, on the occasion of the forming of coalition for fight against terrorism. Presidency of B&H believes that an effective regional alliance has been formed, which will play an exceptionally significant role not only when it comes to organization, implementation and supervision of military operations against terrorism, but also in the sense of suppression of ideology advocated by its devotees, and which is directed against global civilizational achievements and relations. “We are convinced that this coalition, with powerful leadership of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, will effectively fight against terrorism and be a credible partner in global fight against this scourge. As a member of Global Coalition for Fight against IDIL, B&H strongly supports this decisive act of self-organization with the aim of protecting and saving lives of people in the areas of terrorist activities, as well as defending civilizational and socially-cultural values and achievements we advocate for,” it was stated by the B&H Presidency.

Russian Ambassador: RS has the right to hold referendum (Bosna danas)

The initiative for holding a referendum in the RS is a natural, democratic reaction of the people in this entity on the situation in judiciary at the state level, said Russian Ambassador to B&H Pyotr Ivantsov. He said that the Peace Implementation Council Steering Board statement only stated certain things, but did not propose solutions for problems in judiciary. “That problem is very serious and everyone, in country and abroad, acknowledges that”, Ivantsov said. He added that no one has right to reject decisions of legally elected representatives of RS citizens. Ivantsov said it is easy to ban the referendum, but that will not solve the problems which prompted idea on referendum.

Grabar-Kitarovic gives Tihomir Oreskovic mandate (Hina)

Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic gave on Wednesday evening the mandate to form a government to Tihomir Oreskovic, who was nominated by the HDZ’s Patriotic coalition and Most (Bridge), which proved that it has the support of 78 elected Sabor delegates, and scheduled a constitutive session of the Sabor for 28 December, Hina reports. “Madam President, I freely present to you and now before the media the 78 signatures of elected representatives in the Croatian Sabor whose confidence I enjoy,” Oreskovic said, presenting the signatures to President Grabar-Kitarovic. Confirming that Oreskovic enjoys the confidence of a majority of Sabor delegates, President Grabar-Kitarovic, in accordance with her constitutional powers, presented him with a mandate for the forming of the 13th government of Croatia. “In addition, I am calling a constitutive session of Croatia’s Sabor for Monday, 28 December at 12 noon,” the Croatian President said. Mandate-holder Oreskovic then thanked the president for the mandate, and the HDZ’s Patriotic coalition and Most for their expressed confidence. “I shall put all my knowledge and efforts toward forming a quality government and we will start to resolve the accumulated problems,” stressed Oreskovic. “We are all here to serve Croatia’s citizens, for it to be better for us,” he added, inviting the parliamentary majority and the opposition to support him in this. “I know that the Croatian mandate-holder doesn’t have 100 days today, and I am not seeking that. We are all here to serve Croatia’s citizens, and our only goal is to work together to make tomorrow better than today,” said Oreskovic. The new mandate-holder came to Pantovcak accompanied by leading members of the Patriot coalition and Most, whose elected delegates with their signatures confirmed that they gave him support to form a government. Oreskovic received a mandate to form a government 46 days after the parliamentary elections of 8 November.

INTERNATIONAL PRESS

Kosovo top court finds parts of EU-sponsored deal with Serbia unconstitutional (AFP/AP/ Reuters, 24 December 2015)

Kosovo’s Constitutional Court has found parts of a deal between Serbia and its former province illegal. The deal has sparked a political crisis in Kosovo. The court ruled on Wednesday Kosovo’s minority Serbs would be able to run an association of municipalities as agreed to in the 2013 EU-brokered deal, but that the associations could not have executive rights reserved exclusively for the central government. The court said the associations “are not entirely in compliance with the spirit of the constitution” and should meet constitutional standards, but that the association of municipalities “is to be established.” In a key ruling, the court also suspended a decision last month to stop implementation of the deal. The deal between Serbia and Kosovo is designed to grant greater autonomy to Serb-minority areas largely in the north of the ethnic Albanian-majority Balkan country. The EU-brokered deal has triggered a political crisis in Kosovo, with opposition lawmakers disrupting parliament with tear gas and whistles in an effort to block the deal. Faced with a paralyzed parliament and street protests, President Atifete Jahjaga referred the deal to the Constitutional Court. The opposition has also protested a separate deal with Montenegro that cedes a small sliver of territory to its neighbor. Kosovo separated from Serbia in 1999 after NATO intervened to stop the expulsion of ethnic Albanians by Serbian forces fighting a rebel insurgency. The country declared independence in 2008 and has been recognized by more than 100 states, but not Serbia. An agreement between Serbia and Kosovo is viewed as a key step in normalizing relations between the Balkan neighbors as well as advancing their integration with the EU.

Montenegro Protesters Denounce ‘Fake’ Opposition (BIRN, by Dusica Tomovic, 24 December 2015)

Anti-government protesters took to the streets of the capital again on Wednesday, attacking the Prime Minister, the public broadcaster – and ‘fake’ opposition parties that are not joining their demonstrations. Opposition supporters in Montenegro rallied on Wednesday as leaders pledged fresh protests until their demands are met for the resignation of Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic and the formation of an interim government. Hundreds of opposition protesters gathered in front of parliament to denounce Djukanovic’s administration, the public broadcaster RTCG and what they called “the fake opposition.” One of the 0pposition leaders, Andrija Mandic, told the crowd that there would be no negotiations with Djukanovic except on the formation of a transitional government. “We shall continue because thousands of people are following the politics of protest and we have to go all the way,” he said. Speakers at the rally attacked three other opposition parties for not joining the protests in Podgorica. Last week, the Democratic Front called on all other opposition parties to join the protest against Djukanovic who they accuse of corruption, undemocratic practices and perpetuating election fraud. The other opposition parties, excluding the Front, in November agreed to hold crisis talks with the speaker of parliament, Ranko Krivokapic, on condition that elections are held under new electoral laws by next autumn. “We will keep protesting against the dictator, seeking his downfall and the transitional government, but also against the false opposition,” one of the Front’s leaders, Nebojsa Medojevic, said on Wednesday, referring to the opposition parties taking part in talks with the government. Demonstrators also accused the public broadcaster of acting as the mouthpiece of Djukanovic’s government and of biased reporting. “RTCG is a miracle of the 20th century. It receives 10 million euro from the budget while ignoring half of Montenegro, sowing ethnic and religious hatred,” a Front official, Budimir Aleksic, said. Joined by several students and human rights organizations, the Front began 24-hour demonstrations in September, demanding the creation of an interim government and resignation of Djukanovic, who has held power since the early 1990s. The protest first turned violent on October 17, when police fired tear gas to disband the crowds. More violence broke out on Saturday 24, after opposition MPs attempted to enter the parliament but were prevented from doing so by police. During the clashes between protesters and police, three opposition MPs we arrested. Two have been accused of a coup attempt.

Bosnia court indicts wartime commander for crimes by Islamic fighters (Reuters, 23 December 2015)

SARAJEVO – A Bosnian war crimes prosecutor on Wednesday indicted a wartime Muslim army commander on charges of failing to prevent crimes committed by foreign Islamic fighters against captive Bosnian Serb soldiers during a 1992-1995 war. The 63-year-old retiree Sakib Mahmuljin was arrested on Dec. 8 on charges of acting in contravention of international humanitarian law and the Geneva Conventions while serving as a commander of the 3rd Corps of the Army of BiH. Prosecutor said the alleged crimes dated to July-October 1995 toward the end of the war, when the 3rd Corps and a detachment of foreign fighters known as El-Mujahid carried out offensives in central Bosnia. Many Islamic fighters, or “mujahideen,” came from North Africa and the Middle East to help fellow Muslims fight against Orthodox Serbs and Catholic Croats during the Bosnian war, in which 100,000 people died. The El-Mujahid detachment was under the official jurisdiction of the Bosnian Army during the war, though it operated autonomously. During the operation, members of the El-Mujahid abducted and killed 50 Bosnian Serb prisoners of war who had been previously captured by other units of the 3rd Corps. “Some prisoners were killed by ritual beheading and their heads were displayed to others as an example,” the statement from the prosecutor’s office said. It said that El-Mujahid members used extremely brutal forms of torture of the prisoners. “They chopped off their ears, stubbed them, tied their hands up and beat them,” the statement said. “Some victims were bound securely by neck ropes into contorted positions that could choke them if they made any move and were left in that way for many hours.” After the Bosnian war remains of ten victims have been exhumed, while the remainder remain unaccounted for, the office said. Mahmuljin failed to prevent or punish the crimes committed by the members of the El-Mujahid Detachment despite being aware that crimes would be committed, the office said, adding it would invite more than 70 witnesses and present 900 pieces of evidence during the trial. In 2008, the UN war crimes court jailed the former chief of Bosnia’s army, Rasim Delic, for three years for allowing the torture of Bosnian Serb soldiers by Islamic foreign fighters. At the time, Mahmuljin denied in local media any wrongdoing and said he did not have an effective control of the El-Mujahid. The investigation against Mahmuljin was started by the Hague-based court which later transferred the lower-ranking cases to the Bosnian court.