Top state officials "agree on Kosovo measures"

Serbia's top state officials met last night in Belgrade and agreed on "a series of measures" to prevent a solution for Kosovo being imposed by force. This was announced on Wednesday by Deputy PM and Interior Minister Ivica Dacic. Top state officials "agree on Kosovo measures" The minister said only that the meeting last night, headed by President Boris Tadic, saw agreement being reached on "above all diplomatic and political measures". Dacic also noted that it was "wrong to believe" Serbia was ready to do anything to become a candaidate for EU membership, and that for this reason, now was the right time to exert pressure on the country in order to accept Kosovo's independence. Such position toward Serbia is wrong and unjust, the minister complained. "Making unilateral moves related to the north of Kosovo and Metohija can lead to serious consequences and a landslide of conflicts in the region," he warned. Dacic also stated that he was aware that Serbia cannot go "against the whole world", as well as that "its hands are tied", but that "it shouldn't be said that nothing can be done", because that would give Hashim Thaci a signal that he was free to do anything. The minister noted that "Serbia too has administrative crossings where (ethnic) Albanians live on both sides, that can be hermetically sealed". "Should we play that game," wondered Dacic, adding that "we could also discuss parallel institutions of (ethnic) Albanians in southern parts of central Serbia". He explained that they marked Albanian Flag Day every November 28 without displaying a single Serbian flag. "That behavior is something that would have them dispersed with water canons in any other country in the world," said the minister. He was also asked about announcements coming from raspberry farmers that they would start blocking roads in protest over prices of their produce. "As if we don't have enough problems of our own, that's all we need now, the gay parade and raspberry farmers. In a situation where it's a matter of hours and days before aggression could be launched against the north of Kosovo, we're supposed to talk about roads." Dacic revisited his statements made on Tuesday about the validity of Kosovo-related agreements Serbia had with the international community, and said that "if the other side wants cooperation, it must honor agreements". He noted that last year Serbia withdrew its draft resolution from the UN General Assembly and agreed to hold a dialogue with the Kosovo Albanian authorities - "with the promise that there would be no changes to the factual situation on the ground". Finally, Dacic wondered whether "we are reaching agreements or must only implement something". Ivica Dacic (Tanjug)

Top state officials "agree on Kosovo measures"

The minister said only that the meeting last night, headed by President Boris Tadić, saw agreement being reached on "above all diplomatic and political measures".

Dačić also noted that it was "wrong to believe" Serbia was ready to do anything to become a candaidate for EU membership, and that for this reason, now was the right time to exert pressure on the country in order to accept Kosovo's independence.

Such position toward Serbia is wrong and unjust, the minister complained.

"Making unilateral moves related to the north of Kosovo and Metohija can lead to serious consequences and a landslide of conflicts in the region," he warned.

Dačić also stated that he was aware that Serbia cannot go "against the whole world", as well as that "its hands are tied", but that "it shouldn't be said that nothing can be done", because that would give Hashim Thaci a signal that he was free to do anything.

The minister noted that "Serbia too has administrative crossings where (ethnic) Albanians live on both sides, that can be hermetically sealed".

"Should we play that game," wondered Dačić, adding that "we could also discuss parallel institutions of (ethnic) Albanians in southern parts of central Serbia".

He explained that they marked Albanian Flag Day every November 28 without displaying a single Serbian flag.

"That behavior is something that would have them dispersed with water canons in any other country in the world," said the minister.

He was also asked about announcements coming from raspberry farmers that they would start blocking roads in protest over prices of their produce.

"As if we don't have enough problems of our own, that's all we need now, the gay parade and raspberry farmers. In a situation where it's a matter of hours and days before aggression could be launched against the north of Kosovo, we're supposed to talk about roads."

Dačić revisited his statements made on Tuesday about the validity of Kosovo-related agreements Serbia had with the international community, and said that "if the other side wants cooperation, it must honor agreements".

He noted that last year Serbia withdrew its draft resolution from the UN General Assembly and agreed to hold a dialogue with the Kosovo Albanian authorities - "with the promise that there would be no changes to the factual situation on the ground".

Finally, Dačić wondered whether "we are reaching agreements or must only implement something".