DS wants apology for "genocide" reference

BELGRADE The opposition Democrats (DS) have called on MP Zoran Babic of the ruling SNS party "to publicly apologize" for using the word "genocide" to criticize the DS. Babic, who heads the SNS group in parliament, should apologize "to the victims of genocide, the citizens of Serbia and the DS, for saying that the Democrats had committed genocide against workers," the party said. DS wants apology for "genocide" reference MPs from the Democratic Party also asked Parliament Speaker Nebojsa Stefanovic to urgently to convene the Collegium of the Assembly, which he has done, and to respond to Babic's statements. DS whip Borislav Stefanovic told reporters that Babic should no longer chair the Parliamentary Commission for the Code of Ethics because, as he said, the SNS MP was "not worthy of that function." Stefanovic added that members of the Democratic Party will not participate in the work of the commission if Babic remains at the helm. "Genocide is the most expensive word and by that comparison Babic insulted the victims of genocide, the citizens of Serbia and the Democratic Party," said Stefanovic. The DS has also requested that the SNS officially distances itself from the statements of its official. During question time in parliament on Thursday, deputy head of the DS parliamentary group Janko Veselinovic asked the speaker what he intended to do to punish Babic "for easily uttering the word genocide for political purposes." Veselinovic also asked why the speaker allowed the reputation of parliament to be tarnished, and Serbia, whose many citizens were victims of genocide, "to be humiliated." On Wednesday, Babic said in parliament that the previous government, led by the DS, had caused high unemployment and said that genocide was committed against workers. Babic spoke for B92 on Thursday and stated that he had "no intention" of apologizing, adding that he was "merely using a metaphor." (Tanjug, file) B92 Beta Tanjug

DS wants apology for "genocide" reference

MPs from the Democratic Party also asked Parliament Speaker Nebojša Stefanović to urgently to convene the Collegium of the Assembly, which he has done, and to respond to Babić's statements.

DS whip Borislav Stefanović told reporters that Babić should no longer chair the Parliamentary Commission for the Code of Ethics because, as he said, the SNS MP was "not worthy of that function."

Stefanović added that members of the Democratic Party will not participate in the work of the commission if Babić remains at the helm.

"Genocide is the most expensive word and by that comparison Babić insulted the victims of genocide, the citizens of Serbia and the Democratic Party," said Stefanović.

The DS has also requested that the SNS officially distances itself from the statements of its official.

During question time in parliament on Thursday, deputy head of the DS parliamentary group Janko Veselinović asked the speaker what he intended to do to punish Babić "for easily uttering the word genocide for political purposes."

Veselinović also asked why the speaker allowed the reputation of parliament to be tarnished, and Serbia, whose many citizens were victims of genocide, "to be humiliated."

On Wednesday, Babić said in parliament that the previous government, led by the DS, had caused high unemployment and said that genocide was committed against workers.

Babić spoke for B92 on Thursday and stated that he had "no intention" of apologizing, adding that he was "merely using a metaphor."