“Kosovo customs officers – symbolic, not security issue”

Serbian Interior Minister Ivica Dačić says deployment of Kosovo customs officers to the checkpoints with central Serbia “is a symbolic, not a security problem”.

Izvor: Beta

Sunday, 11.09.2011.

15:02

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Serbian Interior Minister Ivica Dacic says deployment of Kosovo customs officers to the checkpoints with central Serbia “is a symbolic, not a security problem”. “Certainly, several policemen and customs officers at the administrative crossings that are not Serbs, are not a security problem but rather a symbolic one because it would symbolically mean to (Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim) Thaci that a border was set up that way or that they achieved their interest,” he told reporters in Belgrade. “Kosovo customs officers – symbolic, not security issue” The minister pointed out that Serbia wanted to preserve peace and that it was against any unilateral moves, adding that it had launched a big diplomatic action in order to prevent possible further escalation of problems in northern Kosovo. “Serbia has the right to take care of Serbs’ legitimate interests and to prevent flames of conflict to be ignited in the area in accordance with that,” Dacic said. He also underscored that the international security forces were obligated to provide peace. “We will see how things go, the public is concerned, some centers do not understand that it can reignite the fire of conflicts in the area and other parts,” the interior minister stressed. He explained that the security level in the Ground Safety Zone had been raised since the first incidents happened at the administrative checkpoints in late July. The minister pointed out that it did not mean that the forces were preparing to go to war but that it meant that there was a lot of work to do there regarding prevention of smuggling and illegal weapons trafficking. He pointed out that Thaci had obviously assessed that it was an ideal moment to make some moves, especially since Serbia was expecting to get the EU candidacy. “They obviously think that Serbia will maybe because of that cut them some slack and turn a blind eye when it comes to Serbia’s legitimate interests in Kosovo,” Dacic concluded. Ivica Dacic is seen during a visit to the Ground Safety Zone (file)

“Kosovo customs officers – symbolic, not security issue”

The minister pointed out that Serbia wanted to preserve peace and that it was against any unilateral moves, adding that it had launched a big diplomatic action in order to prevent possible further escalation of problems in northern Kosovo.

“Serbia has the right to take care of Serbs’ legitimate interests and to prevent flames of conflict to be ignited in the area in accordance with that,” Dačić said.

He also underscored that the international security forces were obligated to provide peace.

“We will see how things go, the public is concerned, some centers do not understand that it can reignite the fire of conflicts in the area and other parts,” the interior minister stressed.

He explained that the security level in the Ground Safety Zone had been raised since the first incidents happened at the administrative checkpoints in late July.

The minister pointed out that it did not mean that the forces were preparing to go to war but that it meant that there was a lot of work to do there regarding prevention of smuggling and illegal weapons trafficking.

He pointed out that Thaci had obviously assessed that it was an ideal moment to make some moves, especially since Serbia was expecting to get the EU candidacy.

“They obviously think that Serbia will maybe because of that cut them some slack and turn a blind eye when it comes to Serbia’s legitimate interests in Kosovo,” Dačić concluded.

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