Minister accuses Priština - "and some supporters"

Kosovo Minister Goran Bogdanovic told B92 on Monday that he had information that Pristina had sent a letter asking EU members to deny Serbia candidate status. "The letter is no surprise. It was being announced for several days in Pristina," the minister said, and added that the campaign was "not done only by Pristina". Minister accuses Pristina - "and some supporters" Bogdanovic explained that since the Kosovo government sent its letters to individual EU member-states, Brussels did not officially confirm its existence. Interior Minister Ivica Dacic stated on Sunday that the letter was sent in order to blame Belgrade for the failure of the Kosovo talks and call on EU members to, with this in mind, deny Serbia its bid to become candidate for membership in late February. Bogdanovic added today that "unfortunately some states that support Kosovo's independence were behind official Pristina", and accused it of obstructing the EU-sponsored dialogue. "Pristina is not working alone. It is working along with a part of those countries who support Kosovo's independence and are trying in all possible ways to make sure Serbia is not made candidate (for EU membership). If Serbia were to become candidate, Kosovo would have a harder time reaching true independence, otherwise, the EU countries that have not recognized it would be under pressure," said Bogdanovic, and added that the move "leads to new conflicts and tensions". Serbia, he continued, wishes to solve problems through the dialogue and reach a compromise solution. "Nobody cares to prevent Pristina from taking part in forums and in the end join some organizations. That compromise, however, cannot be made at the expense of the state policy, the people in Kosovo, and (UNSC) Resolution 1244," according to the minister. "Politicians from Pristina," he continued, "are now trying to create pressure in order for the Serbian delegation not to travel to Brussels for a new round of negotiations". But the Belgrade negotiating team will take part in the dialogue set to resume on Tuesday, the minister confirmed. Asked whether that meant a deal had been made, Bogdanovic said that "positions had come somewhat closer, but if there was a deal, there would be no need for negotiations". He once again criticized northern Kosovo Serb leaders for organizing the referendum last week in which the local population rejected the authority of the government in Pristina. "Local authorities cannot conduct high politics. Like our people say, the view is better from the top, than from the foot of the hill. I was in an opposition politician myself and criticized the government, but never went against my own government and my own state," asserted Bogdanovic, and added: "This referendum abused the will of the people. Nearly all Serbs in northern Kosovo are against the Kosovo institutions and there was no need to call a referendum to ask them about it." Goran Bogdanovic (Beta, file) B92

Minister accuses Priština - "and some supporters"

Bogdanović explained that since the Kosovo government sent its letters to individual EU member-states, Brussels did not officially confirm its existence.

Interior Minister Ivica Dačić stated on Sunday that the letter was sent in order to blame Belgrade for the failure of the Kosovo talks and call on EU members to, with this in mind, deny Serbia its bid to become candidate for membership in late February.

Bogdanović added today that "unfortunately some states that support Kosovo's independence were behind official Priština", and accused it of obstructing the EU-sponsored dialogue.

"Priština is not working alone. It is working along with a part of those countries who support Kosovo's independence and are trying in all possible ways to make sure Serbia is not made candidate (for EU membership). If Serbia were to become candidate, Kosovo would have a harder time reaching true independence, otherwise, the EU countries that have not recognized it would be under pressure," said Bogdanović, and added that the move "leads to new conflicts and tensions".

Serbia, he continued, wishes to solve problems through the dialogue and reach a compromise solution.

"Nobody cares to prevent Priština from taking part in forums and in the end join some organizations. That compromise, however, cannot be made at the expense of the state policy, the people in Kosovo, and (UNSC) Resolution 1244," according to the minister.

"Politicians from Priština," he continued, "are now trying to create pressure in order for the Serbian delegation not to travel to Brussels for a new round of negotiations".

But the Belgrade negotiating team will take part in the dialogue set to resume on Tuesday, the minister confirmed.

Asked whether that meant a deal had been made, Bogdanović said that "positions had come somewhat closer, but if there was a deal, there would be no need for negotiations".

He once again criticized northern Kosovo Serb leaders for organizing the referendum last week in which the local population rejected the authority of the government in Priština.

"Local authorities cannot conduct high politics. Like our people say, the view is better from the top, than from the foot of the hill. I was in an opposition politician myself and criticized the government, but never went against my own government and my own state," asserted Bogdanović, and added:

"This referendum abused the will of the people. Nearly all Serbs in northern Kosovo are against the Kosovo institutions and there was no need to call a referendum to ask them about it."