Belgrade DMH 251113

LOCAL PRESS

Dacic: No need for normalization to be part of all chapters (Politika)

Serbian Prime Minister Ivica Dacic has stated it is Serbia’s stance is there is no need for the normalization of relations with Pristina to be defined in each and every chapter of the negotiations with the EU, and he hopes a compromise solution will be attained on that issue. Dacic has added there are countries who are opposing and those who have more understanding for the stances of Serbia in that regard. According to him, the negotiating platform, i.e. the position of the EU in talks with Serbia, as sent to the Union members in July by Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fule, is now in the harmonization phase, and individual members are offering amendments. Dacic has pointed that the negotiating positions will be the topic of the first inter-governmental conference, which should be held in the last week of December. Serbia has met all the criteria, and that decision should be positive, the Prime Minister said.

Vulin: Essential for Serbian list to win in second round (Tanjug)

Serbian Minister without Portfolio in charge of Kosovo and Metohija Aleksandar Vulin said it was essential that the Serbian (Srpska) Civil Initiative list’s candidates should win in the second round of the local elections, as that is the safest way for the formation of the Union of Serb Municipalities and for Serbia to continue financing, preserving and improving the survival and life of Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija. Serbia will not divide Serbs in Kosovo, but the Serbian list was politically closest to the Serbian government, said Vulin.

Djurovic: To demand report on investigation into organs trade (Beta)

The standing committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe has unanimously adopted the opinion on the draft of the Convention of the battle against trafficking in human organs. Head of the Serbian delegation in the Parliamentary Assembly Aleksandra Djurovic has reminded the committee’s members of the report and resolution of Dick Marty about the inhuman treatment of people and illegal trafficking of human organs of the Kosovo Serbs. She has emphasized that in August 2011 EULEX formed a special investigative group, but even after two years there is no information on the investigation, so Djurovic suggested demanding from the investigative group to submit a report on the trade in Kosovo Serbs’ organs. The fact of a crime having been committed was established here, and we voted on it, so now the results of the investigation must be analyzed, she concluded.

Local elections in Kosovo (Radio Serbia, by Sladjana Pavic)

The repeated elections in northern Kosovska Mitrovica, the vote counting procedure and, finally, the election returns have shown that the political weight of an event can matter more than facts. Although at issue were elections to local authorities, various political interests and influences turned this local event into a global one. It has remained unclear why a safe political climate was not provided as early as in the first round of the elections. The low turnout shows that, mostly in Mitrovica, but also in the other three municipalities in northern Kosovo, there are not enough conditions for people to express their political will. As much as by the call for boycott, the low turnout was caused by the feeling of fear and insecurity. During the repeated elections, strong security procedures made voters invest efforts to prevent the danger of leaving Kosovska Mitrovica out of the Union of Serb Municipalities. However, just slightly more than one fourth and slightly less than one third of citizens turned out, which is a warning sign for the efficacy of the community, the headquarters of which are to be in Kosovska Mitrovica itself. The political action of the state of Serbia and of activists of the Serbian list and all other Serb tickets, no matter whether they will be participating in local power after the elections or not, must continue, as most of the citizens believe that, at these elections, they did not take part in the creation of their own future, or believe that they did by failing to participate in the elections.

Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija have a legitimate right to take part in any elections, or not to take part, like all other citizens. They are free to believe or not to believe any political option, including the one offered by the state of Serbia. They have a legitimate choice to believe that the interests of Serbia need not be their own interests. However, the authorities in Belgrade, and especially the authorities in Kosovo, especially in the north, must provide them with sufficient information in order that they make an informed and responsible decision and be less exposed to false patriotism, from which they have suffered quite a few times in the recent past.

In the conditions such as those in Kosovo today, which are neither normal nor easy, in an atmosphere, which by many standards, is not democratic, regular or free, the only political remedy is truth. Psychologically speaking, it repudiates one’s fear and opens one’s eyes, separates priorities and leaves emotions aside. For the Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija, as well as for Serbs in Serbia proper, much is possible, but much is necessary as well. In order to form an efficient Union of Serb Municipalities, which would be essential for the survival of Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija, much more political wisdom and activity in the field will be required.

Germany and Britain insist that Kosovo be included in all negotiating phases (Novosti)

The debate on the negotiating framework with Serbia is still ongoing among the EU member states. The clock is ticking and the debate will become tenser. The final version should be determined by mid next month at the latest, while the main debate is on how much will Kosovo be included in the process of Serbia’s EU integration. Belgrade and the European Commission strive to place everything that concerns Kosovo in the last negotiating Chapter 35. that concerns “other topics.” However, some of the countries, primarily Germany and Great Britain, insist that Kosovo be included from the beginning to the end, from statistics, via telecommunications, to free flow of people and goods, so that Brussels can practically block the negotiating process with Belgrade at any moment, if it sees that Belgrade isn’t advancing with Kosovo at the desired quality and speed. Specifically, according to Novosti’s sources, Germany’s stand is that everything regarding Kosovo that is not encompassed through other negotiating chapters, such as the course of the dialogue, should be added only then to Chapter 35. “Chances are that the German proposal will outweigh,” says Novosti’s well-informed source at the top of the European Commission. Still, it is already clear now that the topic of Kosovo will follow Serbia’s integration from the very beginning. Even though it is at the bottom of the list of chapters, this topic will be opened right at the beginning and closed at the very end of the accession process.

Ljajic: We will not lose the lawsuit with Croatia (RTS)

Serbian Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the National Council for Cooperation with the ICTY Rasim Ljajic told the morning news of Radio Television of Serbia (RTS) that he does not believe in the possibility of Croatia winning the genocide case against Serbia before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague. “I suppose that the trial will probably take place, but I still leave some room for an agreement, but the chances are very small. However, I absolutely do not believe in the possibility of Croatia winning the case,” said Ljajic. “We hired the best legal team because it is important for us that we come out of this dispute at least as the party which did not lose, and then build our relations with Croatia on these new foundations,” said Ljajic. He said that Serbia would like to have an out-of-court settlement so as to ease tensions between the states, and noted that Serbia filed the counter-suit 10 years after Croatia lodged its genocide lawsuit, expecting that it would be dropped. “Unfortunately, there may have been a willingness among Croatia’s top officials to drop the lawsuit, but not the courage due to public pressure,” Ljajic said. He said that Croatia insisted on resolving the issue of missing persons as a prerequisite for dropping the lawsuits, for which Serbia was ready since, as he put it, that is not a political, but rather humanitarian issue. “Suddenly, we saw the news that Croatia was strengthening its legal team, which was a clear signal that at this moment they do not have an adequate political climate for dropping the lawsuits,” Ljajic said.

REGIONAL PRESS

Majkic: Destroyers of former state celebrate its holidays (Politika’s correspondent in Banja Luka)

The SNSD delegate in the B&H House of Representatives Dusanka Majkic says that B&H has no chance of survival as long as it fails to reach consensus on which dates will be observed as national holidays. “Those who have done the most to destroy the old state now celebrate its holidays. The intention is continuity for B&H, but this is no longer the same country,” Majkic told a press conference in Banja Luka. Commenting on the fact that representatives of the Serb people in B&H institutions and the Republika Srpska (RS) government don’t recognize 25 November as B&H Statehood Day, she said that the RS marks 21 November as the date that the new B&H was created. “It is not correct to mark the holidays of the old state for which everyone except Serbs have done everything so it no longer exists,” she said.

United Macedonian Diaspora calls Merkel to recognize constitutional name (Vecer)

United Macedonian Diaspora sent a letter to German Chancellor Angela Merkel asking Berlin to recognize the constitutional name of Macedonia, writes Vecer. The letter comes after the meeting between Angela Merkel and the UN mediator in the Greece-Macedonia name dispute, Matthew Nimetz. “The time of useless negotiations is over and Germany should recognize Macedonia under country’s constitutional name,” the letter reads.

INTERNATIONAL PRESS

Serbia leader calls Gazprom pipeline vital (AP, by Jovana Gec, 24 November 2013)

BELGRADE, Serbia -- Gazprom's South Stream pipeline, which will bypass Ukraine to transport Russian natural gas to Europe, is vital for Serbia because it will provide jobs and boost the Balkan country's regional position, the prime minister said Sunday, insisting that traditionally close ties with Russia will not affect his nation's bid to join the European Union.

In an interview with the Associated Press at the formal start of the pipeline construction work in Serbia on Sunday, Ivica Dacic said that Russia, which has supported Serbia politically in a dispute with the West over Kosovo, does not object to the country's effort at EU membership. He also suggested that Western powers have in fact pushed Serbia closer to Russia.

"Those (in the West) who criticize Serbia for its closeness to Russia and for our partnership with Russia, should ask themselves why they haven't offered such relations to Serbia?" Dacic said. "I keep telling the West: Serbia needs a strategic partner in the West too ... But, they are not interested at all."

Dacic also dismissed allegations by Serbia's pro-Western opposition parties that the 2008 energy deal, under which Serbia sold 51 percent of its oil and gas monopoly to Gazprom as part of the South Stream agreement, paved the way for Russian economic and political dominance of the country. He said that critics "are afraid of Russia's presence in this part of the world."

The trans-European pipeline is expected to start operating in December 2015. It is expected to ship up to 63 billion cubic meters (2 trillion cubic feet) of gas annually to Bulgaria, Serbia, Hungary, Slovenia, Austria and Italy in one leg and Croatia, Macedonia, Greece and Turkey in a second.

The pipeline's route bypasses transit nation Ukraine. Pricing disputes between Russian and Ukraine have caused major disruptions in recent years, cutting gas for millions of customers.

Serbia's state television on Sunday aired live the pipeline inauguration ceremony, attended by top officials and Gazprom chief Alexey Miller. President Tomislav Nikolic formally gave the go-ahead in a video broadcast from the capital, Belgrade.

Dacic said the stretch of pipeline in Serbia will cost about 2 billion euros ($2.7 billion). It will be financed by Gazprom, while Serbia will pay back its share later through pipeline transit taxes, he added. About 20,000 people will work on construction and other jobs around the pipeline, including building gas storage and gas energy plants, Dacic said.

"This is vital for Serbia's energy safety ... Serbia will become an energy hub," Dacic insisted. "We will be part of a pan-European project; this is not just a Russian project."

Dacic said that Serbia is willing for one of the pipeline branches go to Kosovo, its former province, which declared independence in 2008. Serbia has refused to recognize the split, but it has moved to normalize relations to move closer to EU membership - Belgrade and Pristina signed an EU-brokered agreement in April.

Russia has backed Serbia's claim over Kosovo, while the United States and most EU nations have recognized Kosovo's independence. Russia has been Serbia's key ally in preventing Kosovo from gaining full statehood in the United Nations.

Dacic described Serbia's ties with Russia as "friendly and relations of strategic partnership in economic and political issues."

"We wish to unite our two strategic goals: partner relations with the Russian federation and EU membership," he said, adding that Serbia would also want closer relations with Washington.

"But, it takes two for a partnership," he said.

Serbian radicalist Vojislav Šešelj requests 12 mln euros from ICTY (RAPSI, 22 November 2013)

BELGRAD - Serbian politician Vojislav Šešelj, who has been on trial by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) in the Hague for ten years, is suing for 12 million euros in damages, according to the Serbian Radical Party.

Šešelj has endured a longer ICTY trial without a verdict than any other defendant. A verdict was expected this October, however, last August Šešelj filed a motion to remove one of the three judges from the trial on the grounds of suspected bias.

In his most recent address to the tribunal several days ago, the defendant reported breaches in probation protocol and requested release.

Also, according to the Serbian Radical Party, Šešelj suffered non-pecuniary damages that cannot be compensated by simply acknowledging the violation of his rights. Šešelj is suing the ICTY for 12 million euros.

In 2012, the politician filed for compensation from the tribunal for depriving him of communicating with his family, friends and doctors, as well as for violating his right to pay for his defense, and for delaying the trial. The tribunal dismissed the suit and claimed that the defendant’s testimony was not based on the facts. In 2011, Šešelj filed a motion for his release and sued for 10 million euros in damages for the eight years he had spent in prison.

Šešelj voluntarily gave himself up to the ICTY in February 2003. His trial began in November 2007. ICTY charges against Seselj include persecuting civilians in the early 1990s for political, racial and religious reasons. He is suspected of illegal deportation, inhumane actions, murder, torture, violence, destroying private property without just cause and looting in Bosnia Herzegovina, Croatia and the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina.

Prosecutors are demanding a 28-year sentence for Šešelj who pleaded not guilty.

Approval of Bosnia's Federation 2014 budget draft by Dec 9 to condition next IMF loan tranche – PM (Hispanic Business’ Finance Channel, 24 November 2013)

Bosnia's Federation parliament has to approve the entity's 2014 budget draft by December 9 in order to receive the next tranche under the IMF's EUR 390mn stand-by deal with Bosnia, the entity's PM Nerman Niksic was quoted as saying by news service Klix.ba. The IMF assistance will ensure most of the funding of the entity's financial obligations next year which are expected to increase significantly due to rising debt servicing expenses. The lower chamber of the Federation parliament, the House of Representatives, started discussions on the 2014 budget on Thursday, November 21. The Federation's 2014 budget draft aims for BAM 2.36bn (EUR 1.2bn) in revenue, including income from borrowing, up 6.5% compared to this year's plan, Niksic said while presenting the budget to the parliament. The Federation typically plans balanced budgets, meaning equal size of revenue and spending – in this case BAM 2.36bn. The entity plans to borrow a record high BAM 655mn in 2014 mainly to service its public debt. Total external debt financing is projected to reach BAM 976mn, Niksic said, adding that this is mainly the result of borrowings back in 2010. Most of the funds will come from the IMF. The Federation also plans to issue short and long term debt papers on the domestic market. Bosnia is currently negotiation an extension of its two-year stand-by arrangement with the IMF which is set to expire in September 2014. The Federation, together with the Serb Republic makes up Bosnia.

Macedonia Electoral Roll in Line for Clean-up (BIRN, by Sinisa Jakov Marusic, 25 November 2013)

New election commission chief says ridding the electoral roll of fictional or deceased voters before March elections will be his priority.

Following his election last week in parliament, the new head of Macedonia's election commission, DIK, Nikola Rilkoski has said he will do his utmost to clean up the electoral roll before the presidential elections in March.

“I intend from the start to clean up the election roll as soon as, and as well as, possible, because that is one of our biggest issues,” Rilkoski told Balkan Insight.

The lawyer, who comes from the ranks of the opposition Social Democrats, take his oath of office on Monday.

He takes up the post at a critical time, just ahead of presidential elections in March, which some predict will lead to early general elections.

Cleaning up the list of voters “is in the interest of the country and of all political subjects. That way we will have fair and democratic elections, which will be acknowledged by the international community,” the new head of the commission said.

The electoral roll has been a matter of controversy in Macedonia for some time.

The OSCE, which has monitored Macedonian elections in the past, has described it as unusually large for a country of just over 2 million people. The OSCE said it suspected the roll contained various fictional and deceased voters and urged officials to check the list.

Despite assertions by the Justice Ministry that it has purged the roll several times, it has continued to grow, prompting repeated protests by the opposition.

The electoral roll in 2008 contained 1,779,000 voters. In February 2010, after it was allegedly cleaned up, it rose to 1,792,000 voters and in March 2011, the Electoral Commission added some 43,000 more, bringing the total to 1,835,000.

The opposition says the centre-right VMRO DPMNE party, which has won seven consecutive elections since 2006, parliamentary, presidential and local, has an interest in concealing fictive or deceased voters on the electoral role

The main opposition Social Democrats say these no-existent votes are used to tip election results in the government’s favour.

Rilkoski's election comes after the previous head, Boris Kondarko, also a Social Democrat, resigned “for personal reasons”.

His stated reasons for quitting left many observers unconvinced, as it came after he became caught in a public exchange of accusations between Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski and the opposition leader, Zoran Zaev.

The opposition accused VMRO DPMNE of obstructing efforts to clean up the electoral roll ahead of the March presidential elections by using its majority on the commission.

According to a so-called gentlemen’s deal between the parties, the opposition proposes the head of the commission but the ruling parties have a majority on the body.

In reply, Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski accused Kondarko of blocking the effective work of the commission and urged “his boss”, Zaev, to order him to end this blockade.

Kondarko denied the accusation. Both he and the opposition directed responsibility towards the Justice and the Police Ministries, which responsible for feeding the commission with accurate data.