LOCAL PRESS

 

Biden and Thaci in Pristina: ZSO, or isolation (Beta)

Joseph Biden has told leaders in Pristina to enable the formation of the Community of Serb Municipalities (ZSO) or risk losing his country's support. In addition, the U.S. Vice president urged Pristina officials to ratify an agreement on demarcation with Montenegro.

Biden told a joint news conference on Wednesday after his meeting with Kosovo President Hashim Thaci that the agreement and the establishment of the ZSO "will have a positive impact on the region." Thaci said that without the ZSO, "Kosovo would remain isolated from the EU and the United States." Biden also said that Pristina must have close cooperation with what he referred to as "its neighbors." He said that both Prime Minister Isa Mustafa and Thaci expressed themselves "positively" on the issue of continuing the talks with Belgrade, with the mediation of the EU. "It will be difficult, but necessary. I also spoke with (Aleksandar) Vucic about this issue," said Biden, and warned that Kosovo Albanian politicians "have an obligation and responsibility to adhere to the obligations set out in Brussels" - i.e., during the EU-sponsored Belgrade-Pristina talks. Noting that this is an issue of crucial importance for Kosovo's progress in Europe, Biden promised that the U.S. will continue to help Kosovo. The U.S., he said, has secured more than two billion dollars in aid to Pristina. "We want to have a strong Kosovo that will be a full member of the EU," said Biden. He also remarked that he was honored to name the Urosevac-Gjilane highway after his son Beau Biden, but noted that all the things mentioned previously were more important for Kosovo than the ceremony to name the highway. Thaci told reporters that the dialogue with Belgrade would be "on the agenda" quickly. As for the demarcation agreement with Montenegro, Thaci "confirmed that it is a fair agreement."

He also once reiterated that it was "a great honor" for Pristina to be visited by the U.S. Vice President.

 

Telekom Srbija assets in Kosovo as bone of contention (Vecernje Novosti)

Vecernje Novosti on Wednesday writes that the main reason for the failure of the new round of negotiations in Brussels is that Pristina had attempted to “turn around” the agreement of August last year, concerning the assets of Telekom Srbija in Kosovo. According to the August agreement, Telekom Srbija would found a daughter-company in Kosovo which would receive the assets of Telekom in Kosovo, while the Pristina delegation is now proposing that the company which would be founded by Telekom be given the use of the “property of Kosovo” for a symbolical compensation. Giving way to this matter could, as is interpreted, later serve Pristina to, for every problem concerning property act according to the same model, because of which Belgrade is insisting that the matter of ownership be treated separately in the dialogue, writes the daily.

 

Mother of killed Serb teenager removes wreath placed by Thaci (Politika)

The mother of the murdered Serbian teenager, on Tuesday, removed the wreath placed at the monument in the village of Gorazdevac a day earlier by Kosovo President Hashim Thaci, Politika on Wednesday writes. Senka Jovovic, whose son Ivan (19) was killed in 2003 with another 13-year-old when they were shot down by attackers who have not been discovered to this day, took the wreath to the police station. “Why hasn’t (Thaci) found the killers of our children”, said Jovovic, adding that, had she known in advance that the Kosovo President would lay a wreath, that could only have happened “over her dead body”.

 

U.S. VP Biden visits Belgrade (B92, Tanjug)

U.S. Vice President Joseph Biden said Tuesday Serbia was the political and economic cornerstone in the region. At a press conference with Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic, Biden said a united and peaceful Western Balkan region was crucial for all of Europe, and that during the past three decades he observed "all of Serbia's neighbors," and mentioned "Croatia, Kosovo, and others" in this context. Biden said he and Vucic discussed above all the negotiations between "Kosovo and Serbia," and stressed that many things from history need to be overcome. He commended Vucic for his visit to Srebrenica, the signing of a declaration with Croatia, and the opening of EU accession talks chapters. According to him, U.S. and Serbian militaries are "fighting Islamic State together" and participating in global peacekeeping operations. Biden also said that they spoke about an extradition agreement that would enable better police cooperation between the two countries. Biden thanked his hosts today for the welcome, and noted that he traveled to Serbia the first time in 2009, only months after Barack Obama took office as the U.S. president, and that his trip at the time came out of the desire to show "the importance of the region." Biden also said his country supports Serbia's bid to join the EU, saying it would be "in the interest of the United States." Biden said he and U.S. President Barack Obama appreciated the leadership demonstrated by Vucic on many occasions, in particular in the relations with Croatia. "I commended the prime minister's efforts towards broader reconciliation in the region - the visit to Srebrenica and the signing of the declaration with Croatia," Biden said.

Serbia must be a part of a democratic Europe, he said. Some moments in our common history were very painful, Biden said, adding that he was pleased a new chapter had been opened in Serbia-U.S. relations. "The United States and Serbia do not agree on every issue, there are a lot of scars and wounds that are alive from the 1990s, but I hope that we will take steps forward, and that the entire region will be marked by economic growth," said Biden.

He extended his condolences "to the families of those whose lives were lost during the wars of the 1990s, including as a result of the NATO (1999) air campaign."

Biden said he discussed with Vucic ways to improve the partnership between the two countries and the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue in Brussels. In the U.S., there is interest in direct investments in Serbia, he also said. U.S.-Serbia bilateral relations are on an upward trajectory, Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic said at a press conference with U.S. Vice President Joseph Biden on Tuesday. Vucic said he had discussed three significant topics with Biden - the U.S.-Serbia bilateral relations, the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue and potential future progress in it, as well as regional relations and Serbia's European path. Vucic added he and Biden had discussed the relations between Serbs and Albanians, informing the U.S. vice president that, in a month's time, Serbia would welcome Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama and ethnic Albanian representatives and businesspeople from Kosovo. Through business forums and meetings, Serbia wants to develop as a country and ensure higher economic growth while protecting its state and national interests, he said.

"We spoke about all that has happened over the past 30 years and, I would say that, in these relations between Serbs and Albanians, many people committed numerous mistakes. For us as a nation, for the government of Serbia and for me personally, taking that kind of responsibility for mistakes committed by our compatriots has never been a problem," Vucic said. He said he believed others would do the same as many Serbs and Albanians had lost their lives, which he said would not happen again in the future. "I believe a different future - and something we can try to reach an agreement on, rather than watch each other through the crosshairs - is ahead for us" Vucic said. There is a growing number of U.S. investors in Serbia, even though that is not mentioned often enough, Vucic said. Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic said Tuesday he expected significant U.S. support for preserving regional peace and stability, without which he said there would be no better life for citizens or economic progress. "We must devote more energy to preserving peace and to stabilization," Vucic said, thanking Biden for his support. Vucic said he was certain the U.S. wanted a stable and peaceful Western Balkans, adding that Serbia would do all it could to contribute to that.

Regional stability was the main topic of the discussions with Biden, Vucic said. He also thanked the U.S. for its support for Serbia's European path, noting Serbia would strive to meet all its obligations.

 

Nikolic tells Biden Serbia cannot impose sanctions on Russia (Beta)

Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic said on Aug. 16 in a meeting with U.S. Vice President Joseph Biden that as the president he could not participate in signing agreements with Kosovo which implied an interstate aspect, and that Serbia could not introduce sanctions against Russia. Nikolic added that Serbia was tied to Russia, but also the U.S., where a sizable Serb community lives, a statement from the president's office after the meeting with Biden said.

"Our bilateral relations are developing extraordinarily and we share the same values, Vice President Biden," the Serbian president said. The president of Serbia stressed his devotion to full membership in the EU and to implementing reforms. He underscored that the question of opening Chapters 35 and 31, Kosovo and harmonizing foreign policy with the EU, was being raised. Biden said that the U.S. had a firm interest in seeing Serbia achieve political and economic success, and that the U.S. did not expect Serbia to choose between Russia and that country.

 

Nikolic: "Good relations with Sweden; no recognition of Kosovo" (Tanjug)

Serbia and Sweden maintain exceptional bilateral relations and a continuing friendship, Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic said on Monday in Belgrade. Nikolic made the comments during a meeting with Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven, who earlier in the day met with PM Aleksandar Vucic. "There is significant room to improve economic ties and there really are no obstacles to that," Nikolic noted. "Serbs who live in Sweden, of whom we estimate there are around 100,000, are the bridge of our friendship," a statement from the presidential press office quoted Nikolic as saying.

Sweden is strongly supportive of Serbia on its path towards full EU membership and we are very appreciative of that, Nikolic said. Chapter 35 in the EU accession talks is an obstacle if it implies recognizing Kosovo, Nikolic said, noting that, above all, Belgrade was holding discussions with Pristina on ways to enable the citizens to live better, but that it would never recognize Kosovo's self-proclaimed independence.

"I initiated the discussions with Pristina at the highest level, but Kosovo does not want to implement what has been agreed - in particular, the establishment of the Community of Serb Municipalities. It obviously has Western support for that," Nikolic said.

Speaking about the situation in the region, he highlighted Serbia's commitment to peace and stability despite constant provocations, mostly from Croatia.

Imposing sanctions on Russia is unacceptable to Serbia, not only due to the historical friendship and alliance in the two world wars, but also due to a compatibility of the two economies and the huge Russian market that is available to Serbia, Nikolic said.

Lofven agreed Serbia and Sweden had very good bilateral relations, underscoring that there was a potential to improve them further, particularly in the economy. Serbia has made visible progress in modernizing its economy, Lofven said. He also noted the significance of regional peace and stability and joint efforts to overcome potential disagreements.

 

REGIONAL PRESS

 

Dodik: Referendum in RS will be held, Vucic is a man who presents his arguments and it is up to me what I will do (TV1)

Guest of TV1 news was Republika Srpska (RS) President and SNSD leader Milorad Dodik live via video link from Banja Luka. Asked what he will do if the Office of the High Representative (OHR) annuls the decision to call the referendum on the Day of the RS, Dodik said that the OHR can no longer intervene in that area. "This does not fall under the jurisdiction of the High Representative. Referendum is a legitimate decision of the RS National Assembly (RSNA). If the OHR did something in this situation, then it would show that it is taking one side and that it is carrying out rough political force. Even if it did something, we would not respect that and we would hold the referendum," Dodik stressed. The RSNA reached the decision on referendum and the Constitutional Court of the RS gave full legitimacy to such an activity. In that respect, I absolutely see no reason for an intervention," Dodik underlined, adding that regardless of what international officials are saying, the RS has the right to hold the referendum. Dodik underlined that referendum in the RS will be held regardless of anyone's reaction. "This exclusively falls under the jurisdiction of the RS," Dodik said, adding that no one should be afraid. "Our policy and policy of the referendum is policy of peace," Dodik underlined. The RS President stressed that peace and security are not being jeopardized. Asked whether he fears possible consequences, given that SDA leader Bakir Izetbegovic called on the Constitutional Court (CC) of B&H, the Prosecutor's Office of B&H and the State Investigation and Protection Agency (SIPA) of B&H to do their jobs when it comes to the referendum, and given that leader of the Civil Alliance Reuf Bajrovic filed a criminal report against him and asked SIPA to arrest him, Dodik said that he cannot wait for that, stressing that he does not even know who "this Bajrovic is." "This is the first time I am hearing about that man. As far as SDA is concerned, the B&H CC and SIPA are institutions under SDA's influence. I see that they are having problems with the Prosecutor's Office of B&H. SIPA, the Prosecutor's Office of B&H and the Court of B&H are illegitimate institutions which were violently imposed by the High Representative who did not have the authority to adopt those laws. Some are saying now that we have accepted that, but decisions were made by the High Representative, while later on, various RS officials were pressured and forced by the United States and the European Union to accept that, in the false belief that they can change something," Dodik said. Asked whether he will implement the referendum on the secession of the RS from B&H in 2018, as well as to comment on Izetbegovic's statement that there can be no peaceful or any other kind of dissolution in B&H,  Dodik said that people were saying the exact same thing on the eve of the dissolution of Yugoslavia. "Regardless of that, many things happened. Speaking about the initiative to hold the referendum on the secession of Srebrenica from the RS, Dodik recalled that the Annex 2 of the Dayton Peace Agreement (DPA) determines the inter-entity boundary line. "Certain changes can only be made with an agreement reached by the two entities. Therefore, they should address me if they want to talk about that," Dodik underlined. Asked to comment on information that US Vice-President Joe Biden will ask Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic to exert pressure on him to give up the referendum in the RS, Dodik said that Vucic is his good friend, with whom he discusses many topics. "Vucic is a man who presents his arguments and it is up to me what I will do, at least that is what it was like in the past. No Biden can change anything here. These are only misconceptions of Bosniak journalists who imposed that topic. If Biden was concerned about B&H, he would have visited Sarajevo. It is possible that the US Ambassador to B&H asked Biden to intervene in such a way, but I can say that referendum on the Day of the RS will be held on September 25 and you will only be able to congratulate me that evening. There is nothing else that you can do," Dodik stressed.

 

Who forces Ferguson to change his mind? (Srna)

Milorad Dodik, the President of Republika Srpska, sent a letter to the British Ambassador in Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) Edward Ferguson asking the diplomat under who forced him to change his mind about a referendum in Srpska and how could it be that the people of his own country could use referendum as the main democratic instrument and the people of Republika Srpska (RS) could not. “Your reaction to our announcement of a referendum on the Day of RS has surprised me very much. Not so long ago, when you spoke with me, your opinion was different. You then neither though that our right to referendum, or the question that will be asked was unconstitutional or anti-Dayton, neither did you consider it an unimportant political issue,” the RS president says in the letter to Ferguson. Dodik notes that, on the other hand, Ferguson is an ambassador of the state that has not so long ago promoted the citizens’ right to declare their opinion on important national issues in a referendum.

“Your Excellency, I have to ask – who made you change your mind and how can it be that the people in your homeland may use the referendum as the main instrument of democracy and the people in RS may not. I respect the size, significance and power of your country but you should acknowledge our constitutionally guaranteed rights. Brexit shook the world but our referendum has no such intentions or ambitions,” reads the letter.

President Dodik underlines that RS only wants to send a message by democratic means that the Constitutional Court of B&H cannot be the place that makes decisions about the origins of RS.

“I hope you are aware that the B&H Constitutional Court was formed after RS and that it cannot rule about the events or things that happened before its establishment. You should know about these things, because you come from the state whose legislation rests on such principles,” Dodik wrote in the letter to Ambassador Ferguson. British Ambassador Edward Ferguson has expressed concern over the RS authorities’ decision to stage a referendum on the Day of RS, saying that the B&H Constitutional Court had given a clear ruling on the matter. “I am frustrated that once again, the time and energy are wasted on unnecessary legal and political disagreements instead of solving important social and economic challenges, such as the lack of jobs, a daily life struggle for many in B&H,” Ferguson recently told Dnevni Avaz.

 

UK Ambassador Ferguson replies to Dodik: UK supports right to referendum within RS competences (Nezavisne novine)

In a response to an open letter sent by Republika Srpska (RS) President Milorad Dodik asking him why he changed his opinion on referendum on the Day of the RS, UK Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) Edward Ferguson stated on Tuesday that he always accepted the fact that the RS has a legal right to hold referendums on the issues within its competences as an entity within B&H and in accordance with the Constitution of B&H. “However, an explanation that followed a decision of the RS National Assembly clearly shows that the proposed referendum on the Day of the RS represents a challenge to legal authority of the decisions of the Constitutional Court of B&H. According to the Dayton Agreement, these decisions are final and binding. That is the basis on which the UK expressed its concern over referendum, together with the High Representative and other international partners. Political rhetoric that can be heard from all sides in the previous days does not contribute to anything. We hope these concerns will be removed through peaceful and constructive dialogue,” stated Ferguson.

 

HR Inzko: I would want PIC SB to pass conclusion re RS Day referendum as soon as possible (N1)

Guest of N1 late news was High Representative Valentin Inzko, who talked about issues related to the announced referendum on the Republika Srpska (RS) Day. Asked why he does not use the Bonn powers to prevent holding of this referendum, Inzko said that the first step is conducting an analysis in order to establish the situation and he explained that the Office of the High Representative (OHR) could not have reacted earlier given that “the law on referendum was published just last Saturday”. Inzko confirmed that analysis has been carried out. “I am ready. All options are open. There are various options. It can come to suspension, it can come to ban. We do not know what precisely happened today in Belgrade. Vice President of (US) President (Barack) Obama, Joseph Biden, was there. He spoke with (Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar) Vucic, on the regional situation. Perhaps they discussed that topic. I do not have that information”, Inzko added. Inzko was further asked if he is ready to use the Bonn powers and whether it is necessary for Peace Implementation Council (PIC) members to agree on that. In this regard, Inzko explained that he himself is ready, but the OHR has PIC Steering Board (SB) and its member states above itself, and that it is possible to come to a conclusion through consultations with them, given that they are there to give guidelines to the OHR. Inzko pointed out that these consultations are underway. According to Inzko, the PIC SB should come to a conclusion before September 25, when the referendum is scheduled to take place. Inzko emphasized that he would want for the conclusion to be passed as soon as possible but that this does not depend solely on him. “It is not always easy to come to a compromise”, Inzko explained. Speaking about his expectations when it comes to Russia’s stance on this issue, Inzko said that, despite convincing Russia into supporting the PIC SB’s stance, Russia has its stances, policies and interests. “We will see what the reaction is going to be”, Inzko added. Inzko reminded that Russia deems that B&H can solve its problems on its own which is why it is rejecting the use of Bonn powers. “However, it is better to ask the Russian Ambassador this question”. Inzko reiterated that decisions of B&H CC are final and binding so it makes no sense that it is subjected to commenting, let alone to organizing a referendum on it. Inzko said that Bosniaks also accepted some decisions, just because they were passed by the CC, and they did not organize referendums. Inzko stated that, although he is ready to react to the announcements of referendum – where there are several options open – it would be nice to find a solution before. In addition, Inzko explained that there is a possibility that the CC provides explanation of the situation, although the CC cannot resolve one issue twice. “The CC has already passed its decision. The referendum cannot yield another decision. There is nothing disputable about the RS having its official Day of the RS. Only January 9 is what is disputable according to the CC’s opinion”, Inzko clarified.

 

Bajrovic files a criminal report against Dodik and members of Referendum Commission (TV1)

Leader of the Civil Alliance Reuf Bajrovic on Tuesday filed a criminal report to the Prosecutor's Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) against SNSD leader and Republika Srpska (RS) President Milorad Dodik and all members of the Commission for the Implementation of the Referendum in the RS for violation of the constitutional order of B&H. According to Bajrovic, Dodik and members of the Referendum Commission are responsible for calling an illegal referendum and they are accomplices in the destruction of the constitutional order of B&H. "We are asking for the Prosecutor's Office of B&H to get involved in this entire situation and for the apprehension of the aforementioned persons, given that they are accomplices in the attempt to destroy the country's constitutional order. The Prosecutor's Office of B&H is absolutely obligated to order the State Investigation and Protection Agency (SIPA) of B&H to apprehend the aforementioned persons," Bajrovic told the media. The leader of the Civil Alliance further said that he is disappointed because of the fact that representatives of political parties that are in power failed to address the Prosecutor's Office of B&H.

 

B&H prosecution: Gotovina not suspected nor under investigation (Hina)

Information that Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) is preparing to prosecute retired Croatian general Ante Gotovina is false, the B&H State Prosecutor's Office reported on Tuesday. After some media in Serbia reported that based on evidence obtained by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia prosecution against general Gotovina, an investigation would be launched against him in B&H, prosecutorial authorities in that country reacted in a brief statement noting that this was not true. The statement went on to say that a more detailed explanation would be released during the day in "reference to information that has raised tensions in the region."

 

"We planned Macedonian scenario” (Antena M)

President of the New Serbian Democracy, Andrija Mandic, says that "betrayal of the opposition interests and voters' prevented the Democratic Front (DF) to dismiss Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic under the Macedonian scenario. Mandic said that in the field he does not "run against" the activists of the Demos, because they are not there. The performance of the "Troika" was of use only to Djukanovic, and the DF waits for their apology. "On 13 July 2015, the DF defined the model of the fight against the regime of Milo Djukanovic and we utterly respected every decision we made in the historic gathering in Berane.

I do not think we ran the electoral race but that in fall of 2015, the DF stood in defense of the entire Montenegro. The step from the finish, when the final blow to dictatorship was to happen, the same ones that identify themselves as opposition made an unprecedented betrayal of the interests of the opposition and voters. Rather than to support the DF, which broke last lines of defense of the rotten regime, they decided to lend a hand to Milo Djukanovic and enter into his government. The SDP’s president Ranko Krivokapic has even explained that the main reason for the move was intended to prevent the so-called Macedonian scenario. Yes, I admit that our intention was to dismiss Prime Minister Djukanovic with similar methods which Macedonian opposition used to remove their Gruevski," Mandic said in an interview with the portal Antena M.

 

Vujovic: I believe that ministers from URA will remain in the government despite the party’s decision (Dnevne novine)

Political analyst and director of CEMI Zlatko Vujovic believes that it is best for the Social Democratic Party (SDP) to stay in the government as soon as possible, but not to be alone in it. SDP is expected to follow the Demos’s decision not to leave the government of electoral trust.

“By staying in the government, SDP protects jobs of its members who still hold positions in state bodies. URA’s leaving also raises the question of filling up their positions. It is very important to do that urgently, particularly in the areas of employment and education, which are traditionally misused in the election campaign. I believe that the members of the government representing URA will continue to work regardless the fact that the party nominated them”, Vujovic told Dnevne Novine newspaper.

He believes that Demos’s responsibility in the government was higher than the one of the two other opposition entities. According to Vujovic, large discretionary powers vested in the minister of interior are the reason for this. “As long as the DEMOS believe it can contribute to the regularity of the electoral process, it should be a part of the government. The interior minister has broad discretionary powers, which gives him real power to remove all illegally registered voters from the electoral roll... If unquestionably clean electoral roll is the result of the government of electoral trust, it will be more than enough success to justify the entry of the opposition parties in the government”, Vujovic said.

Asked whether different positions on the participation in the government could compromise the idea of ​​the coalition, Vujovic said that the three entities would try not to have mutual conflicts during the election campaign despite different approaches.

“URA will come in the focus of DPS’s media attacks and it will also mobilize its resources, which are not large, to conduct election campaign”, Vujovic said.

He believes that success in Demos’s control over electoral rolls can be an incentive for the success of this party’s campaign, but also to justify their stay in the government. “However, if the situation over control of electoral roll escalates, or if the DPS manages to stop this process through other institutions, then it will be a strong justification for leaving the government before the elections, but also a powerful mobilizing factor for homogenization, as well as for attracting voters of other parties to support Demos”, Vujovic concluded.

 

INTERNATIONAL PRESS

 

Serbian PM calls top advocate of Yugoslavia NATO bombing Biden a “friend of country’” (RT)

Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic has hailed Joe Biden, who is visiting Belgrade, as friend of his country. The US vice-president was one of the most vocal supporters of the NATO bombing of Belgrade back in 1999.  “I consider Biden a friend of Serbia and my personal friend,” Vucic said during a joint press conference with the outgoing US vice president, who arrived in Belgrade as part of his farewell Balkan tour. “We’re confident that the US wants a stable and peaceful Western Balkans. We thank our American colleagues for their support on our European journey,” Vucic added.

Biden, on his part, expressed his condolences to the families who lost their loved ones in the bombings of Yugoslavia. Serbian sources cite around 2,000 civilians killed in the 78-day campaign, while the pro-Western Human Rights Watch put the number of civilian deaths at “about 500.”  Biden refrained from apologizing for the actual war, waged largely from the air by the US and its NATO allies. The vice-president also termed Vucic his friend, and said that they “accomplished a great deal” during the Tuesday talks.

He went to compliment the head of the Serbian government, but in an accidental slip of the tongue called his country Croatia, which is another former Yugoslav republic. “I along with President Obama respect the leadership you've shown in some very tough challenging moments, Mr Prime Minister, and your positive vision for the future of Croatia," Biden said. He praised the new agreement on extradition between Washington and Belgrade, also saying the US is ready to invest in the Serbian economy.

Meanwhile, hundreds protested the visit near government headquarters. Participants said that the American guest had “desecrated” the country by his arrival. "Serbia will never forget that Joe Biden was one of the biggest supporters of the bombing of the Serbian people, the killing of our children, destruction, capture of Serbian lands,” Vojislav Seselj, the leader of Serb Radical Party (SRS), which staged the rally, said as cited by RIA-Novosti. It’s unacceptable that “such a villain and evildoer take honors here and that the Serbian Guard is lined up to greet him,” Seselj added. In the US, Biden is considered a major driving force behind the decision to intervene in the 1990s Balkans wars, but has been accused of “Serbophobia” for his hardline positions. The outgoing vice president pushed hard for the NATO bombing of Yugoslavia in 1999, which the alliance justified by claims that Serbian security forces were committing genocide against the ethnic Albanians in Kosovo. Evidence of such claims never materialized. Belgrade agreed to a NATO-led peacekeeping force in Kosovo in 1999, but by 2008 the ethnic Albanian provisional government in the province declared independence from Serbia with the full backing of Washington and its allies.

Biden also urged the destruction of strategic bridges and oil reserves in Serbia, reminding an Albanian activist during a Senate hearing in 1998 that he was “suggesting we bomb Belgrade.”

Addressing the Albanian-American Civic League in 2002, Biden compared Serbia to Nazi Germany as he spoke of his desire “to see exposed those who perpetrated what I consider to be war crimes” against the Albanians.

The vice president suggested that the Serbian people must “shed this notion of victimization” and accept their responsibility for the alleged atrocities in Kosovo, just like the Germans did with Hitler and the Nazis. Until this happens no aid should provide to Serbia, he added. Even harsher statements about Serbs have been attributed to Biden by Russian and Serbian outlets.

A number of Serbian columnists claim that Biden called the Serbs “illiterate degenerates, baby killers, butchers and rapists” in a 1993 appearance on Larry King's CNN show, and later suggested that Serbs should be put in "Nazi-style concentration camps."  The outgoing VP did call for a "Japanese-German style occupation" of Serbia in May 1999, during an appearance on NBC's Meet the Press. Visits to both Serbia and Kosovo have been scheduled as part of Biden’s farewell Balkan tour on August 15-17. According to Balkan Insider, the US vice president will try "boosting relations" between Belgrade and Pristina during talks with the top Serb and Kosovo officials.

 

Western and Russian media report about Biden's visit (AP, RT, Politico, Kommersant)

U.S. Vice President Joseph Biden's visit to Serbia has been reported by foreign media - but Western and Russian reporters had different takes on it.

Initially, the focus of both was Biden's message regarding the bombing of Yugoslavia in 1999, albeit from different angles. Reuters and AP, quoted by numerous other outlets, focused on the condolences Biden offered also to the families of NATO's victims. However, Russians saw "a warm welcome to one of the biggest advocates of the bombing" as the most important news out of Belgrade yesterday. Reuters stressed that Biden is the first senior official of the United States to have made such a gesture, i.e., offered his condolences, while RT observed that he offered no apology. RT also said that Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic welcomed him as "a friend of the country," noting in the next sentence that Biden was "one of the most vocal advocates of NATO's bombing of Belgrade in 1999". At the end of the report, RT included Biden's extremely harsh statements about Serbs and about the bombing, along with video footage.

Also mentioned is the SRS protest that gathered "several hundred citizens."

In their subsequent reports about the visit, Western media focused precisely on that protest, but from a slightly different angle. Although they were also quoting the statements made by "the leader of the ultra-nationalist SRS" Vojislav Seselj, they were less concerned with his opinion of Biden, and more with his support for Donald Trump.

"U.S. Vice President Joe Biden has experienced a hostile welcome in Belgrade, where hundreds of ultra-nationalists clearly expressed support for Donald Trump," writes the website Politico.

"Trump is an alternative to globalization. He will destroy the old power centers in the U.S. and supports Russia," Seselj is quoted as saying. The same website also noted that Biden expressed his condolences to the families of NATO's victims and said that he came to "Serbia and Kosovo" in order to "encourage them to normalize relations." The Washington Post also reported that Biden was "greeted with shouts of 'Vote for Trump,'" and quoted the same statements made by Seselj. The TPM website quoted the Reuters report about the protest and added that the region has been experiencing "strong tensions ever since 1999" - when NATO bombed Serbia "to stop genocide against ethnic Albanians." The same outlet noted that Seselj was acquitted of war crimes. On the other hand, Moscow-based Kommersant daily said there was another issue that Biden reportedly discussed with Serbian officials - and that is "relations with Russia."

"Although it was not on the official agenda, diplomatic sources in Belgrade insist that during the talks, including the face to face one with Prime Minister Vucic, they touched on the Russian question," said Kommersant.

 

 

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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.