"Time Belgrade reexamined participation in Kosovo talks"

"Time Belgrade reexamined participation in Kosovo talks"

Djuric spoke for state broadcaster RTS after the Serb politician from Kosovo was found guilty and sentenced to nine years in prison for war crimes committed against ethnic Albanians, to say that the international court's ruling was at the same time "a political message to Serbia, and a way to humiliate the whole country."

According to him, the ruling is meant to "lure Pristina's representatives into continuing dialogue with Belgrade, since a fake balance is being created ahead of the formation of a tribunal for the war crimes committed by (ethnic Albanian) KLA against Serbs."

Djuric said that at the same time, "Pristina is failing to implement any of the segments of its agreement with Belgrade, and for that reason, it is now time for the government of Serbia and the prime minister to state their position on the newly created situation."

"This is the red line that is pointing out we should ask ourselves whether to continue, and in what way," said Djuric.

According to him Belgrade was helping Ivanovic and other accused Serbs during the entire trial, and has also provided assistance to 4,000 other citizens in Kosovo in various court cases.

He added that "top-notch lawyers able to work in courts in Kosovo" were helping Ivanovic - but that "no lawyer can change the political will to humiliate and punish all of Serbia."

"A man is supposed to be in prison as a hostage, in order to make political concessions to someone," said Djuric, adding that the verdict today was "a new concession to Pristina ahead of the continuation of talks with Belgrade (in Brussels) on January 27."

"We must find the right measure of our response, Serbia has always been in favor of normal relations, we cannot stand anyone humiliating it... that must come to an end, we want to talk, but it must have some meaning," Djuric said.

Earlier, Kosovo government officials said they would not take part in the Brussels talks because the EU had not yet granted them visa liberalization.

Reacting to the outcome of the Ivanovic trial, Serbian Deputy PM Rasim Ljajic said he was "shocked," and expected "the atmosphere" in Kosovo to worsen.

"This is a verdict that is more politically than legally motivated. We have the right to believe that," he said.

Ljajic said the state had done everything "within its possibilities, under the given circumstances - but unfortunately, those possibilities were limited."

He also said the Serbian government "wants the whole thing clarified completely, and wants the issue to internationalized."