LOCAL PRESS

 

Serb judges and prosecutors appointed today (RTS)

 

Judges and prosecutors from northern Kosovo and Metohija were appointed today as the new judges and prosecutors of the Pristina judicial system. Kosovo President Hashim Thaci performed the appointment. The appointment of Serb judges and prosecutors was implemented in accordance with the Brussels agreement reached in 2015 by Belgrade and Pristina representatives in the sphere of the judiciary. Forty judges and thirteen prosecutors were appointed.

 

Brnabic: Opening of the internal dialogue on Kosovo to lead to consensus (RTV)

 

Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic and US Deputy Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs Hoyt Brain Yee concluded in today’s talks that there is plenty of room for improvement of overall bilateral relations between the two countries. The officials emphasized that Serbia must remain firmly committed in the implementation of reforms, in order to become a member of the European Union in the near future. Also, they emphasized the need for strong will and perseverance of all authorities and society in order to make significant progress in the issues of the rule of law, freedom of the media, fight against crime and corruption, and providing better conditions for the life of all citizens of Serbia. Brnabic reiterated that the most important goal is the preservation of peace and stability in the region, without which there is no economic progress, nor a European future for the region. She stressed that Serbia is still committed to open dialogue with Pristina and expressed the belief that the opening of the internal dialogue on Kosovo will lead to consensus and consensus in resolving the issue of national interest for Serbia. Hoyt Brain Yee pointed out that the United States is ready to provide every kind of assistance so that Serbia can become a member of the European Union in the near future.

 

Vucic: Professors to present opinions on Kosovo and Metohija (Tanjug)

 

The internal dialogue on Kosovo and Metohija is embarking on an institutionalized stage and a large number of professors from the Faculty of Law will present their ideas and views on the matter at a conference by the end of the month, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic announced on Monday.

 

Dacic: Foundation laid for struggle for Kosovo and Metohija (Novosti)

 

“I congratulate you on the convincing victory…You found yourselves before numerous challenges and big pressures, but you have managed to resist all temptations and attacks and this way you made an important step towards preserving Kosovo and Metohija within Serbia. You have laid the foundations of our struggle and you have enabled us to continue to work in the interest of the Serbian people,” reads the congratulatory note addressed by the leader of the Socialist Party of Serbia (SPS) Ivica Dacic to the Serb List.

 

Vulin: Yee’s statement so far hardest public pressure on Serbia (Tanjug)

 

On the occasion of statements of US Deputy Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Brian Hoyt Yee, Serbian Defense Minister Aleksandar Vulin has stated that, so far, this is certainly the hardest public and very non-diplomatic pressure on our country and our right to independently decide. “I don’t know what will be Vucic’s position and response, but I am sure that he will be able to deal with pressures as he has always managed so far,” Vulin told Tanjug. “But I can say in my name that this is not a statement of a friend and that this is not a statement of a man that respects Serbia, who respects our policy, who respects our right to decide,” said Vulin.

 

Miscevic: Yee’s statement misinterpreted (Tanjug)

 

The Head of Serbia’s negotiating team with the EU Tanja Miscevic thinks that the statements of

US Deputy Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Brian Hoyt Yee has been misinterpreted and pulled out of context. “Mr. Hoyt Yee had stated that he is clear with Serbia’s determination and this is Serbia’s EU membership, and that the US is a partner on this path,” Miscevic told journalists on the margins of the conference “Amendments to the Constitution on the EU Path”.

 

REGIONAL PRESS

 

B&H Prosecutor’s Office rejects charges against Dodik (FTV)

 

The B&H Prosecutor’s Office rendered on Monday a ruling according to which the investigation against Republika Srpska (RS) President Milorad Dodik due to the criminal offense of causing the ethnic, racial and religious hatred, divisions and animosity will not be carried out. The Association of Victims and Witnesses of the Genocide of B&H and ‘Mothers of Zepa and Srebrenica Enclaves’ Association have filed a criminal report against Dodik accusing him of this criminal offense, since on several occasions he has underestimated the victims of crimes that were committed by military leadership of the RS in the period 1992-1995, including the denial of the genocide in Srebrenica.

 

Referendum still under question mark (RTRS)

 

The deadline which the ruling coalition in Republika Srpska (RS) set for the opposition parties to present their stance on the referendum on the work of the B&H Court and Prosecutor’s Office will expire on 24 October and the final decision is expected to be made by the end of the week. The initiative on holding of the referendum was revived after the acquittal of wartime commander of the Army of the Republic of B&H Naser Oric for war crimes against Serbs, after which RS President Milorad Dodik decided to hold a meeting on the referendum on 14 October. Representatives of opposition parties did not attend the meeting but they were given a deadline of ten days to present the stance on the referendum, since the ruling parties claimed that the referendum can be held only with consent of all political parties in the RS. Deputy Speaker of the RS Assembly and leader of Ujedinjena Srpska Nenad Stevandic stated that stance of opposition parties is visible from their media appearances. “Opposition parties only take part in conflicts and not in agreements. This excludes the possibility of organizing a smart and successful referendum,” Stevandic concluded.

 

Answer for European Commission by 15 December (Oslobodjenje)

 

Chairman of the B&H Presidency Dragan Covic met with President of the European Parliament Antonio Tajani and several MEPs on Monday in Strasbourg. Chairman Covic informed Tajani about B&H’s progress on the road to Euro-Atlantic integration, and he pointed out that B&H has started translating the answers to the questions from the European Commission’s Questionnaire, explaining that majority of the answers have been harmonized through the bodies of the Coordination Mechanism. He also said that the sessions of the Presidency of B&H during his chairmanship have been dedicated to a discussion on progress in the process of the European integration, underlining that at the last session the Presidency determined a deadline to the Council of Ministers of B&H to submit answers to the Questionnaire by 15 December. Tajani underlined the EU is dedicated to helping B&H join the EU family, encouraging representatives of the state institutions and the citizens of B&H to continue with positive trend and meeting of their obligations. MEPs underlined their support to B&H’s efforts to meet the conditions necessary for getting a status of an EU candidate.

 

Wigemark: B&H has to finalize reform of Public Broadcasting System (BHT1)

 

Head of the EU Delegation (EUD) to Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) Lars-Gunnar Wigemark met with Speaker of the B&H House of Representatives (B&H HoR) Borjana Kristo, Speaker of the B&H House of Peoples (B&H HoP) Barisa Colak, Head of HDZ B&H Caucus in the B&H HoR Nikola Lovrinovic and Head of Croat Caucus in the B&H HoP Ljiljana Zovko in Sarajevo on Monday. They discussed a number of issues concerning reforms, including the public broadcasting system (PBS), regaining momentum on the EU path and improving the rule of law. Wigemark emphasized the responsibility of the institutions and the elected officials to ensure that the upcoming elections go smoothly and as planned. He called upon all the politicians in B&H to participate in the discussions on the potential amendments to the Election Law of B&H.

 

Inzko and Hearne meet HDZ B&H parliamentary delegation (Oslobodjenje)

 

High Representative Valentin Inzko and Principal Deputy High Representative Dennis Hearne met on Monday with the delegation of HDZ B&H representatives from both Houses of the B&H parliament. According to a statement published by the OHR, Inzko stated that the international community is united in a stance that a political crisis following the 2018 elections in B&H is avoidable. “Decisions of the Constitutional Court must be implemented. We expect the parties in the B&H parliament to resolve this issue through negotiations and compromise,” stated Inzko. The HR stated that one of the priorities of the OHR in B&H is to help strengthen the economic stability, political and professional independence of the public broadcasting system in B&H.

 

MPs speculate about existence of parliamentary majority at level of B&H (RTRS)

 

Members of both houses of B&H parliament will demand answers to 25 questions from B&H Council of Ministers (CoM), at a special, joint session that is scheduled to take place on Tuesday. RTRS noted that there is no stable parliamentary majority at the level of B&H and that Djordje Krcmar left SDS, which means that support to the majority keeps on decreasing. Member of B&H House of Peoples (HoP) Barisa Colak (HDZ B&H) said that it is hardly likely that the majority will be secured, adding that unfortunately, the majority exists from one item of the agenda to the another. SDA member of B&H Parliament Sefik Dzaferovic (SDA) stated that, bearing in mind the political parties that take part in the authorities, there is a parliamentary majority formed of 22 MPs. SBB B&H MP Damir Arnaut stressed that SDA formed the majority with 10 MPs and in the meantime, SDA lost three MPs after formation of the Independent Bloc. At the same time, SDS MP Borislav Bojic confirmed that Krcmar left the party. Head of SNSD Stasa Kosarac asserted that Chairman of B&H CoM Denis Zvizdic manage to lose the support of the parliamentary majority and the coalition capacity in a very short period of time. According to Kosarac, Zvizdic has no support for implementation of a set of reforms and added that he should admit that the ruling coalition at B&H level has suffered a defeat. In this regard, Kosarac concluded by saying that Zvizdic should resign or to be removed.

 

DF calls on the opposition to join it in protest (MINA)

 

The Democratic Front (DF) will mark two years after the protest on 24 October 2015 by a rally. As the political alliance stated, 24 October 2015 is a warning that such a thing must never happen again. DF called on all free-thinking citizens and the opposition to join it.

“Regardless of the fact that DF is the formal organizer of this rally, we want to invite other opposition political parties to join us on the protest – to be together there as we were on 24 October 2015,” said the official of this alliance Nikola Jovanovic stated. DF official Slaven Radunovic said that the protest march will be held through the streets that, as he said, were marked by police torture. The people who were victims and witnesses of everything that happened then will address the crowd. The protest march will begin at 7pm near the monument to King Nikola across the Montenegrin parliament.

 

Zaev: DUI coalition to continue, open for cooperation with everyone (MIA)

 

Prime Minister Zoran Zaev expects the government coalition to continue after the local elections through a stable and growing parliamentary majority. He is open for cooperation with everyone, including individuals from the opposition VMRO-DPMNE, in the interest of citizens and the country. "We are continuing with DUI and support their candidates, firmly believing this serves the well-being of Macedonian citizens", Zaev told reporters. Regarding the coalition of the Alliance of Albanians (AA) with the opposition Besa in the 29 October runoff and whether this regrouping would result in AA leaving the ruling coalition, he says this is a legitimate right because DUI has candidates in Gostivar and Struga. "We have had no meetings or discussions over AA's departure. It is up to them to decide. I expect the government coalition to continue and strengthen in the coming period. The parliamentary majority is stable and will grow", added Zaev. He said there have been neither meeting with DPA over its participation in the government nor with VMRO-DPMNE reformers. "The door for cooperation is open for everyone. The government majority should rise and be more stable because Macedonia is facing tough decisions. We remain open for talk with everyone, including individuals from the VMRO-DPMNE-led opposition. Macedonia is faced with serious reforms, we need cooperation. I know that many of their MPs do not agree with the party's policies. I am not saying they will transfer to SDSM, but cooperation is needed in the interest of the citizens and the country", stressed Zaev.

 

Osmani to Loiseau: We expect concrete steps from the EU and NATO for Macedonia’s progress (Meta)

 

Deputy Prime Minister for European Affairs, Bujar Osmani, met with the Minister for European Affairs at the French Foreign Ministry, Nathalie Loiseau, where they discussed the Euro-Atlantic integration of Macedonia, as well as bilateral cooperation between the two countries. Osmani informed Loiseau about the implementation of the “3-6-9” plan and pointed out that the implementation of the first part, part 3 is at the very end, that is, only 20% of the measures remain to be implemented and that they’re already working on it. He said that the first round of local elections and according to OSCE-ODIHR assessments, passed peacefully and with fair conditions and competitiveness, and he expressed hope that this will continue in the second round. The Deputy Prime Minister expressed his satisfaction with the current support from France for the country’s EU and NATO integration, as well as the positive role of the country in the integration of the countries of the Western Balkans. “In line with the successful implementation of responsibilities by the Republic of Macedonia, I expect concrete steps from the European Union, as well as from the member states of the Union, which would be aimed at strengthening the European perspectives for the Republic of Macedonia and visibility in the progress towards the EU and NATO”, said the Deputy Prime Minister. Osmani reiterated the government’s ambitions that by the end of the year at the December Summit, to remove the conditionality of the recommendation, a positive report and a clean recommendation from the Commission in April, next year, as well as getting a start date for negotiations towards the end of next year. Osmani also asked France for concrete support in this process, as a supporter of the EU’s enlargement policy, pointing out that he expects to use his role in the Union’s decision-making process to further accelerate the unblocking of the process.

 

Zaharieva: Bulgaria and Greece are ready to help Macedonia with its reforms (Meta)

 

Bulgaria and Greece are ready to help Macedonia to implement the reforms necessary for starting the EU accession talks, said the Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria, Ekaterina Zaharieva. When asked whether Macedonia can join EU under this name, Zaharieva was certain that it would not be possible and that a solution for the name has to be found, regarding which, both sides, Macedonia and Greece, are having intense negotiations. She stressed that among some of the political leaders in the country there is a prevailing aggressive anti-Bulgarian policy with “extremely strong anti-Bulgarian messages” especially in the last few months with the campaign for the local elections. But, the citizens of Macedonia with their votes have clearly shown that they are against these policies – said Zaharieva. She concluded that the new Macedonian government has a very clear plan for reforms and there are plans for a joint session with the Bulgarian government in near future.

 

Zaev doesn’t expect Greece to hinder the extradition of Grujovski and Boshkovski (Meta)

 

The Prime MInister Zoran Zaev said that he doesn’t expect Greece to hinder the extradition of Goran Grujovski and Nikola Boshkovski, out of political reasons. There is an international warrant for their arrest and the Special Public Prosecution has filed charges against them for illegal wiretapping and for destroying the surveillance systems. Zaev stressed that Macedonia has previously established cooperation with Greece and that he expects the international rule of law to the obeyed i.e. the former Head of the Administration of Security and Counter-Intelligence, Grujovski and his colleague Boshkoski, to be extradited. Grujovski and Boshkovski were arrested last week at the airport in Thessaloniki when they tried to leave for Hungary with forged Bulgarian passports. The Thessaloniki court is to decide today (Tuesday) whether Grujevski and Boskovski will be extradited to Macedonia.

 

DP-SMI joint meeting on Tahiri issue (ADN)

 

The case of the former socialist Minister, Saimir Tahiri, recently accused for drugs trafficking and corruption, brought closer the two political parties in the opposition, Democrats and the Socialist Movement for Integration (SMI).  After they took the same decision to boycott all the Parliamentary Committees due to the decision of socialists to prohibit Tahiri's arrest, SMI Chairwoman was seen entering in the DP headquarter this Monday evening. The topic of the discussions will be the opposition attitude on Tahiri issue and the following steps to be taken.

Earlier, Prime Minister, Edi Rama, declared that SP will vote against the request of the prosecution to remove the immunity of Tahiri.

 

Tahiri issue, US and Italian Ambassadors closed doors meeting (ADN)

 

Ambassadors in Albania seem concerned over the last development on the case of the former Interior Minister, Saimir Tahiri. The last was accused by the prosecution for drugs trafficking and corruption, but socialist not convicted by the evidences will not allow his arrest. To discuss on this issue, the US Ambassador, Donald Lu, had a meeting on Monday evening with the Italian Ambassador, Alberto Cutillo. The object of this meeting was Tahiri's issue and the ongoing investigation.

 

 

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA SOURCES

 

Serbia is no place for friendly military competition (GFP, by Allison Fedirka, 24 October 2017)

 

Though there may be room for friendly economic competition, the same cannot be said for matters of defense.

There’s nothing unusual about Serbian and Russian officials commemorating Belgrade Liberation Day together. It is, after all, the anniversary of the capital’s liberation in 1944 from the German army, an event aided in no small part by the Red Army. But the way they commenced this year’s ceremony was strange: Russia had recently sold MiG-29 fighter jets to Serbia, and Moscow is considering selling it anti-missile systems – likely the Buk-M1, Buk-M2 and/or Pantsir-S2. It’s understandable why Serbia would want these weapons. NATO airstrikes in 1999 confirmed in the minds of Serbian officials the need for a modern air defense system. And the fact that its acquisition is even being discussed suggests Serbian efforts to get one are gaining momentum. But since Serbia is a country in which foreign powers vie for influence, buying new weapons is not a purely domestic affair.

 

A Security Monopoly

Serbia sits in the heart of the Balkan Peninsula, the crossroads of European, Russian and Turkish interests, the place where the groundwork for World War I was laid. Its location confers on it a disproportionate amount of influence and enables the government in charge to strategically flirt with all the regional powers in an attempt to advance its national interests. It agreed to an EU-led road map, for example, to enhance regional economic cooperation in the Balkans despite already being a member of a free trade zone with Russia. (Since Russia’s economic downturn in 2015, Serbia has dealt more with EU members and with signatories to the Central European Free Trade Agreement.) Several countries – most notably Turkey, which has historical ties to the region – are interested in investing in Serbia, and Serbia is happy to take their money, eager as it is to expand its economy through foreign investment. Though there may be space for friendly economic competition in Serbia, the same cannot be said for matters of defense. Improved Serbia-Russia relations in that regard are especially problematic for NATO, which acted against Serbia in its war against Kosovo in the 1990s. (NATO abstained from other conflicts arising from the dissolution of Yugoslavia but participated in this one because it considered Belgrade’s actions genocidal.) This was a historic moment: It was the first post-Cold War Western intervention to secure Europe without the support of the U.N. Security Council, and it was successful. It removed Serbian military forces from Kosovo, set up a peacekeeping force, facilitated the return of refugees and established a political framework for Kosovar independence. The West, through NATO, has been the dominant political power in the Balkans ever since. Serbia’s weapons acquisition from Russia threatens NATO’s security monopoly. The missile presence alone would significantly increase the cost of another intervention in Serbia.

And it is in keeping with recent initiatives to bolster its military – initiatives a country such as Serbia, which has been invaded and occupied so many times throughout history, considers critical. To that end, it has already begun to produce and overhaul its own military hardware. It announced late last year that it would pursue better military ties with Russia and purchase fighter jets, surface-to-air missiles and armored vehicles. It has also pledged to improve ties with Belarus, from which Belgrade is expected to buy the S-300 system and seven MiG-29s in November.

 

A New Foothold

For Russia, arms sales are a welcome source of revenue, but the missile transaction is about more than money: It’s about adding a military element to the cultural and economic presence it already has in the Balkans. Russia has long maintained ties with Serbia, a strategically important state that has shielded Russia from powers such as the Austro-Hungarian and Ottoman empires. After the Soviet Union collapsed, Moscow was unable to project power, too economically weak and too globally irrelevant to aid Serbia as it once had. When war broke out on the peninsula in the 1990s, Russia was unable to intervene on Serbia’s behalf or contest the NATO intervention. Its involvement was relegated largely to political and economic support. It backed Serbia’s stance on Kosovo, and state-owned oil firm Gazprom invested in companies that contribute to Serbia’s budget. Russian President Vladimir Putin ran for office partly on a platform of promising to reclaim Russian strength. Like many in the current government, he remembered how impotent his country had become. It is little wonder, then, that during his time in office ties with Serbia have improved dramatically. The relationship enables Russia to regain a foothold in a region that has for years been dominated by the West. (Macedonia and Bosnia-Herzegovina are also non-NATO members that Russia could court.) That Serbia is an arena for such a competition has encouraged it to play both sides, pursuing the opportunities that best suit its interests. It discusses weapons purchases with Russia, is part of Partnership for Peace and works with NATO on specific missions, talks to Turkey, and even raised the possibility of establishing defense cooperation with Bosnia. This kind of behavior is rational, but it makes it difficult to determine what its long-term goals are. In the meantime, the new weapons it is buying will help deter attacks from those who would use Serbia for their own ends.

 

Washington forbids Serbia from de-mining Syria (Russia insider, by Daniel McAdams, 24 October 2017)

 

Belgrade had the idea to help Russian demining activities in Syria but DC sent different marching orders

This may be one of the cruelest and most cynical moves of Washington in its entire dark “regime change Syria” chapter. Serbian media sources are reporting, based on quotes from US Embassy Belgrade personnel, that the United States has sought and been given assurances by the Serbian government and military that Serbian de-mining experts will not be deploying to Syria to assist in removing the ubiquitous horrific mines and other explosive devices left behind by a retreating ISIS. As the rout of ISIS forces continues in Syria, the civilian population begins returning to their homes and their lives that had been disrupted by the Islamic State, al-Qaeda, and other extremist groups. According to the United Nations, more than 600,000 Syrians have returned to areas liberated by the Syrian government with the assistance of Russia and Iranian forces.

But that is where the tragic problems often begin. As the Economist reported earlier this year, the joy of returning to a life where the scourge of ISIS has been eliminated can be cut short in an instant by what ISIS leaves behind: ‘The first explosion killed our neighbor and his sister-in-law when they entered their house,’ said Ali Hussain Omari, a former fighter from the city. ‘Three days later another mine killed my cousin. His 11-year-old daughter’s leg was amputated and their house was destroyed. A week later another mine in an olive tree exploded. My neighbor lost his leg.’ What a horrible irony to have survived the marauding jihadists only to be blown to pieces by the terrors they left behind. Which is why it is all the more disturbing that the United States government is so adamant that US-trained Serbian de-mining experts NOT deploy to Syria to help make post-ISIS Syria safe for civilians to return.

The “spat” between US Ambassador to Belgrade Kyle Scott and Defense Minister Aleksandar Vulin began when the Serbian side announced that it would participate in the de-mining efforts in Syria in a manner that would have Serbian forces coordinating with Russians. The Americans reminded their Serb allies, through US Embassy spokesman Eric Heyden, that: …the US government provided significant donations in money, equipment and training to help the Serbian Army get rid of the mines left over from the war, and thus make Serbia a safer place. That is why, over the past 15 years, we have provided more that USD 20 million in aid for mine clearing operations in Serbia. During our last major joint exercise, in April 2017, the US government donated some USD 450,000 in medical and demining equipment to the Serbian Army to improve its capacities…In other words, “we funded your training in de-mining operations and if you want to continue receiving money from the United States you had better cancel your plans to assist with de-mining in Syria.” Washington’s concerns over Serb participation in de-mining in Syria was, according to press reports, heeded by Belgrade. Heyden further announced: Media reports from Russia have stated that de-miners from Serbia would be deployed together with Russian forces in Syria. In the last six months, in our numerous conversations with the leadership of the Ministry of Defense and the VS General Staff, the US government received multiple assurances that this story is incorrect, and that the goal of our bilateral training was to enable members of the Serbian Army to clear the area of the former military airport in Sjenica, and to open it for use…Once that was settled, the US announced that it “has plans for next year to continue helping to develop the Serbian Army’s capacity in this project.” And the Syrian victims of ISIS and other (probably US-backed) extremist mines that continue to kill and maim innocent civilians and children? Too bad for them. More innocents will die in the name of the current US Cold War 2.0 psychosis.