DSS campaign for Serbia's neutrality

If the DSS have in their way, Switzerland, Austria and Serbia will after all have something in common – military neutrality. Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica's party have started a campaign to promote a party declaration adopted last weekend, that defines its policy as favoring the country's neutral position in relation to military alliances. DSS campaign for Serbia's neutrality Copies of the document, which says that "military neutrality from the existing military alliances is the best and most reliable way for Serbia to preserve its state sovereignty, integrity and independence, as the basis of its free and overall progress, and to provide a dignified life for its citizens," were handed out to citizens. DSS Vice-President Milos Aligrudic told reporters in downtown Belgrade that the campaign is pacifist in nature and that it will continue over the next several days in order to promote the party declaration. Aligrudic pointed out that while the DSS believed Serbia should not be part of "some broad military alliance", the question of military neutrality is not linked with other forms of cooperation with foreign states, European integrations "and possible cooperation with other military alliances," according to Tanjug news agency. "The issue of military neutrality is not Serbia's alone, other countries such as Switzerland and Austria have faced the same question," Beta quoted Aligrudic. The DSS declaration, adopted after several months of media onslaught, where party officials slammed NATO and its role in the Kosovo crisis, says that "desisting from military neutrality and joining NATO would obligate Serbia to take part in wars that are not in its interest, which would limit its sovereignty and freedom of political decision making, jeopardize the lives of its citizens and burden the inner changes and the country's progress." But the largest party in the ruling coalition, President Boris Tadic's Democrats (DS), believe that the dilemma should be resolved in a referendum, when, and if, the issue of Serbia's NATO membership makes it to the top of the national agenda.

DSS campaign for Serbia's neutrality

Copies of the document, which says that "military neutrality from the existing military alliances is the best and most reliable way for Serbia to preserve its state sovereignty, integrity and independence, as the basis of its free and overall progress, and to provide a dignified life for its citizens," were handed out to citizens.

DSS Vice-President Miloš Aligrudić told reporters in downtown Belgrade that the campaign is pacifist in nature and that it will continue over the next several days in order to promote the party declaration.

Aligrudić pointed out that while the DSS believed Serbia should not be part of "some broad military alliance", the question of military neutrality is not linked with other forms of cooperation with foreign states, European integrations "and possible cooperation with other military alliances," according to Tanjug news agency.

"The issue of military neutrality is not Serbia's alone, other countries such as Switzerland and Austria have faced the same question," Beta quoted Aligrudić.

The DSS declaration, adopted after several months of media onslaught, where party officials slammed NATO and its role in the Kosovo crisis, says that "desisting from military neutrality and joining NATO would obligate Serbia to take part in wars that are not in its interest, which would limit its sovereignty and freedom of political decision making, jeopardize the lives of its citizens and burden the inner changes and the country's progress."

But the largest party in the ruling coalition, President Boris Tadić's Democrats (DS), believe that the dilemma should be resolved in a referendum, when, and if, the issue of Serbia's NATO membership makes it to the top of the national agenda.