SPS MP backtracks over "war threats"

Senior SPS official Dusan Bajatovic says that his statement about defending Kosovo with a military plan was misinterpreted. Stating that it was his personal belief, Bajatovic told daily Dnevnik that when he mentioned the military plan, he was thinking of UN Security Council Resolution 1244, the Kumanovo Agreement, and the obligations of international military forces in the province. SPS MP backtracks over "war threats" "Anything else is an attempt to misinterpret my statement, the main objective being the fuel radicalization with the return of the SPS to power,” he said, adding that he had meant no radical measures, or even mentioned the use of armored vehicles, tanks or military offensives. Bajatovic said that Serbia obviously was not in a position to return its armed forces to Kosovo. He added that Kosovo had been stolen from Serbia, but that Serbia needed to ensure the survival of the Serb population in the province, and, if possible, the return of refugees. The Socialist Party of Serbia (SPS) official pointed out that the new government should further improve the position of the Kosovo Serbs, both economically and politically. "I expect the survival of families that stayed on in Kosovo to be ensured economically and that Kosovo Serbs organize themselves politically, but not on the basis of party affiliation, but on the need to work there, to educate their children and to be safe,” Bajatovic said. He emphasized that it was time Belgrade stopped sending mixed messages to the Serbs in the province and added that a clear message should be sent to the international community. He added that the decision-making process over Kosovo’s status should remain within the UN Security Council. Dusan Bajatovic (FoNet, archive)

SPS MP backtracks over "war threats"

"Anything else is an attempt to misinterpret my statement, the main objective being the fuel radicalization with the return of the SPS to power,” he said, adding that he had meant no radical measures, or even mentioned the use of armored vehicles, tanks or military offensives.

Bajatović said that Serbia obviously was not in a position to return its armed forces to Kosovo. He added that Kosovo had been stolen from Serbia, but that Serbia needed to ensure the survival of the Serb population in the province, and, if possible, the return of refugees.

The Socialist Party of Serbia (SPS) official pointed out that the new government should further improve the position of the Kosovo Serbs, both economically and politically.

"I expect the survival of families that stayed on in Kosovo to be ensured economically and that Kosovo Serbs organize themselves politically, but not on the basis of party affiliation, but on the need to work there, to educate their children and to be safe,” Bajatović said.

He emphasized that it was time Belgrade stopped sending mixed messages to the Serbs in the province and added that a clear message should be sent to the international community. He added that the decision-making process over Kosovo’s status should remain within the UN Security Council.