B92 - Comments - Internet, Radio i TV stanica; najnovije vesti iz Srbije i Crne Gore

B92

News

Comments

News_New

	Nigeria will not recognize Kosovo
	22 November 2009

Vuk Jeremić (FoNet archive)

Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremić thanked Nigeria, which continues to insist on the stance that it will never recognize Kosovo’s unilaterally declared independence.

“Such a stance from Nigeria gives us hope that Serbia will succeed in its peaceful, diplomatic fight to defend international law, and peace and stability, not only in the Balkans, but throughout the entire world,” Jeremić said after meeting with Nigerian Foreign Minister Ojo Maduekwe.

“Cooperation between the two countries began with the founding of a Non-Aligned Movement and we should be proud of the history of our joint building of a better world and stability in the difficult period of the second half of the 20th century. The world is now a safer place thanks to the Non-Aligned Movement leaders,” Jeremić said.

He said that political relations between Serbia and Nigeria are great, and that Belgrade is impressed by the fact that Nigeria has become a pillar of stability, not only in Africa, but the entire world, and the fact that this should be confirmed in international institutions as well.

Maduekwe said that Belgrade is a symbol to Nigerian citizens for the birthplace of the Non-Aligned.

“Serbia is the successor of Yugoslavia for us. That is why it is my great pleasure to greet my friend and brother Vuk Jeremić,” Maduekwe said.

He promised that Nigeria would open an embassy in Belgrade soon.

Stressing that Nigeria will never recognize Kosovo independence, Maduekwe said that he participated as a youth in the war for the secession of Biafra, the eastern part of Nigeria that wanted to be independent.

“I fought on the side of Biafra, but today I am happy that Nigeria won and that I am the Foreign Minister of Nigeria, a regional leader, because Biafra would have never become that,” he said.

He also accepted an invitation to participate in the 2011 summit in Belgrade which will mark the 50th anniversary of the Non-Aligned Movement.

Send your comment

Comments: 24

Comments


•	"Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremić thanked Nigeria," Only another 120+ trips mr Vuk, ;) (troika melb, 22 November 2009, 10:47)

•	O no! What does this mean for Kosovo? Will Kosovo become part of Serbia again? Will Nigeria invade Kosovo and give it back to Serbia? Can someone explain this catastrophic move on the part of Nigeria? Ahhh will we ever get recoginzed by third world underdeveloped dictatorships? (Andi, 22 November 2009, 11:02)

•	"He promised that Nigeria would open an embassy in Belgrade soon. " How many Nigerian people know where Serbia is. I don't think nobody from Nigeria will visit Serbia. Who cares about Nigeria, there is more Nigerian people working in Kosovo than people that have visited Serbia.. (AnteKosova, 22 November 2009, 11:44)

•	"... Nigeria will never recognize Kosovo independence, Maduekwe said" That would be a "tragedy" for Kosova and its residents for not being able to travel in that totally corrupt country with very dodgy individuals. Whoever pays them more will get them on their side. Serbia is doing well so far...in Africa with love))) (EA, 22 November 2009, 12:30)

•	Wow should we get worried now then ? Is Nigeria wrelly that important when we got Germany,France,Sweden,Italy on our side ? Not to mention the worldleader US. Jeremic is a big fat joke. I wonder how the serbian people can handle this joker. (Demi, 22 November 2009, 13:18)

•	Obviously this shows a fundamental lack of understanding from the Nigerian side concerning the declaration of independence by Kosova. To even compare Biafra with Kosova is frankly rude and offensive to Albanians and to suggest that Serbia negotiates with its 'brothers' in Kosova is beyond comprehension. What a joke! Please read "Nigeria frowns at Kosovo's declaration of independence" African Press Agency (Adrian Kola, 22 November 2009, 13:20)

•	Mauduekwe should simply say that Biafra would have become a high profile regional power that non-consequential people like him could not have become ministers in the best republic the world never had. Nigeria is for now a sore. (ahaze akaze, 22 November 2009, 13:36)

•	"Belgrade is impressed by the fact that Nigeria has become a pillar of stability, not only in Africa, but the entire world, and the fact that this should be confirmed in international institutions as well."-Nigeria a pillar of stability?!!! The CIA World Factbook says; "Nigeria continues to experience longstanding ethnic and religious tensions." Anyways, I couldn't leave behind the article with the title jeremic not in Africa about Kosovo. But what is this about then? The argument that the non-alignment made the world a better place is a little fuzzy and hard to believe. The world was not safe, the Cold War was just that because of AMD-assured mutual destruction by nuclear weapons. Anyways, God bless, but words and deeds are not reflecting parallel on each other. (alproud, 22 November 2009, 14:00)

•	It is kind of funny to see all these Albanian commentators stating that Nigeria doesn't matter, blah blah blah. The truth is that Vuk has again has gotten under their skin. If it really did not matter they would not be posting comments about it:) (Jason, 22 November 2009, 15:22)

•	Antekosova "I don't think nobody from Nigeria will visit Serbia." If you'd like to write in my native language, please don't use double negatives. It should be "I don't think anybody..." Besides, poor use of my language, your thinking is quite egocentric, as it's filled with schemas of analogy, to use Piaget's terms. How do you know what people in Nigeria know? You don't. (Daniel, 22 November 2009, 16:01)

•	He promised that Nigeria would open an embassy in Belgrade soon. Is this some type of joke? Some on this site claim that if you don't have an embassy you are not recognized by the said country. And, I said many time that very few countries can aford to have an embassy in every country. The bottom line is I was right. Second: Since when Serbia and Nigeria werethe founding of NAM? That was founded by Tito and Naser of Egypt. All I can say is: Poore Jeremic, and god help Serbian people for beleiving in his fairy tail. (Kosova-USA, 22 November 2009, 16:21)

•	Yes my dear Albanian citizens, Nigeria won't change a thing when it comes to the reality on the ground. However, if Nigeria recognised Kosovo tomorrow it would suddenly be one of the greatest countries in the free democratic world according to the very same ethnic Albanians here. More significantly though, Nigeria shares the same opinion as most of the African continent, South America, Asia and the Middle East. The overwhelming majority of states in those regions, equating to a significant majority in the world, share Nigeria's opinion but even that isn't going to change the reality on the ground. The only thing that will change reality and start the process towards peace and prosperity is when our ethnic Albanian citizens realise the occupiers (the US and most of EU) cannot deliver anything more than what is being offered. More than autonomy, less than independence is self fulfilling and let me be clear, I doubt any Serbian here wants our ethnic Albanians under our control. I thank God the EU and US have the great "privilege" of looking after you lot. Serbia does not want that so we offer and provide self-rule but the facts remain, Kosovo is legally a province of Serbia and that will never change. Wisen up, face reality and start talking my fellow citizens. You can rule yourselves and even those in Presevo but you will never become independent. I can only thank Nigeria and the overwhelming majority of the world for standing firm and protecting what is right! (Zoran, 22 November 2009, 16:57)

•	It is kind of funny to see all these Albanian commentators stating that Nigeria doesn't matter, blah blah blah. The truth is that Vuk has again has gotten under their skin. If it really did not matter they would not be posting comments about it:) (Jason, 22 November 2009 15:22) Well Vuk we albanians are happy that he is Serbias foreign minister because he does a bad job. And we are not worried about Nigeria at all and we just want you Serbs to know that. It is you Serbs who should worry because if you rely on Nigeria then you are in a bad spot. Kosovo is independent and will stay so forever. Not even Russia cant do nothing about it. (Demi, 22 November 2009, 16:57)

•	All I can say is: Poore Jeremic, and god help Serbian people for beleiving in his fairy tail. (Kosova-USA, 22 November 2009 16:21) Since when does Vuk have a tail? (Jason, 22 November 2009, 16:58)

•	If Vuk is Doing a bad job on lobbying against then my dear Kosovar compatriots can you name me one just one single unique recognition because our foreign delegation influence. C’mon if you don’t like the game don’t hate the player. Vuk is doing a great job for Serbia giving the fact that he is going against the will of the most influential countries in the world. Just stop and compare Skender Hyseni with Vuk Jeremic, you get the picture – then compare their resumes – it is even worst. If we want to progress we need to do a better job and while we are at it, Hyseni should take some lessons from Jeremic.. (frukyy, 22 November 2009, 18:00)

•	@JASON "Since when Vuk has a tail?" Vuk had it always, but Vuk doesn't! (Logic, 22 November 2009, 18:28)

•	No need to worry if Nigeria is going to recognize Kosovo independence or not. ICJ will rule on the independence in less than a month from now, and after that every country in the world will have to recognize Kosovo, because it will joing UN. (kosovaman, 22 November 2009, 18:50)

•	If Vuk is Doing a bad job on lobbying against then my dear Kosovar compatriots can you name me one just one single unique recognition because our foreign delegation influence. (frukyy, 22 November 2009 18:00) It is a fact that we have a very bad diplomatic team in Kosovo, however we are lucky to have a just case. The independence of Kosovo was inevitable and it has brought peace and prosperity to the region. This is the main reason why 63 powerful UN members have recognized us. (kosovaman, 22 November 2009, 19:22)

•	reading "Demi´s" comment made me smile. not only that he(or she? - I don´t know what Demi stands for, sorry ) believes that this cripple puppet-entity is "independent", he even dreams of being it " for ever"... :) many "friends" ( Mossadegh, the Shah Reza Pahlevi, Saddam Hussein, Noriega and several others...) of the US made that mistake before, and you won´t be the last, I guess. (Jovan, 22 November 2009, 20:11)

•	Listen everyone no one can really believe that Nigeria will recognize Kosovo independence. And Kosovo doesnt need recognition from Nigeria at this point. Havent people noticed that when leaders,ministers and delegations go to countries the country they are visiting always acts like they back them up and that same case with Vuk in Nigeria you sell if a Kosovar or Albanian delegation or any world delegation went to Nigeria to ask for Kosovo recognition this is what they would say " We will be reviewing the situation and put foward a recognition want" or similair bnecause they arent gonna make them self look bad when they r being visited so no one can really say countries wont and will recognize because no ones for sure what they r hiding or planning (Virg, New Zealand, 22 November 2009, 20:11)

•	'that every country in the world will have to recognize Kosovo, because it will join UN.' Umm, not exactly - there are other countries that belong to the UN (Israel, for example) that some other countries do not recognize. Serbia and Cyprus can refuse to recognize Kosovo forever, but that won't prevent Kosovo from joining the UN. (Amer, 22 November 2009, 20:45)

•	This Serbian Minister really cracks me up. Of course, we should be grateful to Serbia for its peaceful and diplomatic struggle to defend international peace and stability. For sure, world peace would be shaken up without Serbia, as if Serbia is the center of universe and any changes should get Serbia’s approval. Kosovo is a done deal. The reality on the ground is a undeniable factor that goes against Serbia’s desire to keep Kosovo within its past internationally-recognized borders. More time goes by more countries will recognize Kosovo as an independent state, fully represented in the United Nations, E.U. and other international organizations. I am not sure how this Nigerian Minister can be a high official of Nigeria as he participated in splitting Nigeria when he participated as a youth in the war for the succession of Biafra. I hope he has misspoken on this matter. If that’s the case he should not be the Nigerian Foreign Minister, the country he fought against. I wish Nigerian Foreign Minister good luck in his 2011 Belgrade summit to mark the 50th anniversary of the Non-aligned Movement. By 2011 a dozen of African states/nations would have recognized Kosovo’s independence, Nigeria included. I hope by then, Nigerian Minister would have resigned and joined the Biafra liberation forces. It will be a great example of Nigerian Minister’s commitment to set Biafra free from Nigeria. (G.W.B., 22 November 2009, 20:52)

•	"This is the main reason why 63 powerful UN members have recognized us." Does one of thoes 63 include the Dominican Republic?... what a funny comment that made me laugh really hard. Kosovo will never be part of the UN, China Russia India Israel along with other 130 UN power countries all agree Kosovo is Serbia. (Ggai, 22 November 2009, 21:58)

•	i think he hasnt got any thing better to do. we all know there is no way going back (ben kosova, 22 November 2009, 22:11)

	EP official: Candidacy unrealistic
	22 November 2009

Send your comment

Comments: 15

Comments


•	Uhoh Jeremic looks like they've caught on! (Ptoleme, 22 November 2009, 09:56)

•	Ah! The good cop, bad cop again. It’s always Ratko or Goran that are stopping the Serbs from reaching heaven on earth by joining the EU. These EU officials are not even in step with one another and how the hell are they going to convince the general populace to enter paradise. Watch little Jelko get a right kicking from his EU bosses. And Serbs aspire to joining this circus! God help you. (sj, 22 November 2009, 12:44)

•	The people of Serbia should be aware that their country has fallen behind its neighbours. Croatia will join the EU in 2012, Macedonia will start accession negotiations with the EU soon, Montenegro and Albania have submitted their EU Candidacy application. What is Serbia doing? wasting time. (Mircea, 22 November 2009, 14:03)

•	" It cannot be a game of poker, put a game with clear rules with which trust is earned from all 27 member-states, the EU institutions" - LOL !!! The whole of the EU is just one big poker game with decisions all made between the big country's behind closed doors and shadowy corridors bordering upon nepotistic & corrupt power games - one needs only look to the way the EU selected a EU president and foreign minister this last week - it certainly is far from democratic and transparent - no different to the game of poker that Kacin suggests is not what the EU membership is about! LOL either he is blatantly disingenuous or is so controlled like a robot that he can only say what is input into his voice command!!! Still Tadic said Serbia will submit its candidacy for membership this December after speaking to Merkel so someone will have to deal with the de-railment if it’s not offered as it will destabilise ruling coalition headed by D yeS to all that EUSSR demands who have promised EU candidate member this year end. (Princip, Gracanica, Kosovo & Metohija, Serbia, 22 November 2009, 15:12)

•	How low has Serbia fallen! Think about it, Slovenia is lecturing and with Croatia they hold they to your entrance. There's talk of Vojvodina "becoming a state," by Kostunica, Kosova is gone, Serbia borrowing like a drunk sailor, EU membership going nowhere... (Reality, 22 November 2009, 16:25)

•	The people of Serbia should be aware that their country has fallen behind its neighbours. Croatia will join the EU in 2012, Macedonia will start accession negotiations with the EU soon, Montenegro and Albania have submitted their EU Candidacy application. What is Serbia doing? wasting time. (Mircea, 22 November 2009 14:03 Mircea Can you tell me what has changed in Romania in the lest 19 years and how Romania has benefited from EU membership? The latest report i have is that Romania is not in a position to pay pensions and salaries to public employees unless they get the $20 billion loan from the IMF. I don't think the situation in Romania is unique but i think whatever happened to Romania it did happen to most Eastern European countries. For a start,i don't think Ceausecsu was overthrown by democrats but by jackals who needed a scapegoat and used the opportunity to enrich themselves at the expense of the people they claimed to be freeing.The fact is that the Romanian people's former communist jailors are now their capitalist owners. For the EU this is all just fine,a change of guard, just as long western corporations are given free access to the country's economy. Can you give me a valid explanation as to why Serbia should follow Romania's dependent path of development. (Leonidas, 22 November 2009, 16:26)

•	# # The people of Serbia should be aware that their country has fallen behind its neighbours. Croatia will join the EU in 2012, Macedonia will start accession negotiations with the EU soon, Montenegro and Albania have submitted their EU Candidacy application. What is Serbia doing? wasting time. (Mircea, 22 November 2009 14:03) Just curious, but what is at stake for you in this argument? Why are you the biggest cheerleader for the EU? Maybe you have a good reason, I don't know... I am just curious. As for EU, it is the same as recognizing Kosovo: there should be national referendum for voters to decide if they want the EU or if they want to recognize Kosovo. If it were the case, there would be a lot less members and far, far fewer recognitions. (Jason, 22 November 2009, 17:03)

•	"Does Serbia have several foreign policies? A different one for every ear end every opportunity?" Mr. Kacin, can you honestly name any country that doesn't? But you have to exclude the ones willing to sit, jump and rollover on the master's command, since their foreign policies are always products of the given command in a given moment. No, I do not expect an honest answer. You, in your assigned position do not have a permission for such. As for your occasional praise for Serbia ("Serbia can"!)- that music is better suited for some first graders' ears. (Logic, 22 November 2009, 17:05)

•	Thank you for visa free travel and the free trade agreement. Lets keep our independence and never join the EU. I hope Mladic is somewhere out of reach and I hope The Netherlands stands firm and insist on his arrest. Živeli! (Zoran, 22 November 2009, 17:24)

•	How low has Serbia fallen! Think about it, Slovenia is lecturing and with Croatia they hold they to your entrance. There's talk of Vojvodina "becoming a state," by Kostunica, Kosova is gone, Serbia borrowing like a drunk sailor, EU membership going nowhere... (Reality, 22 November 2009 16:25) No matter how sad you think Serbia is, they are always light years ahead of "Kosova." At least Serbia is clean and free of filth and trash everywhere, investment is coming in, and there is a real spirit and culture to speak of. (Jason, 22 November 2009, 17:34)

•	The IMF demands privatizations & cut in pensions so that western, mainly american companies, can reap what other people have payed for all their lifes. Then there is no money left to pay the pensions so they must loan....from IMF. (Real logic, 22 November 2009, 18:19)

•	your talk into gods ear but outch, the visa-liberation obviously still hurts! and that is good so! or didn´t the same not even 2 month ago say that serbia doesn´t meet visa-criteria? but the most funny part of this is the thing about berlusconi, merkel and co. not beeing as important as jelko ... hilarious! one could think he´s got albanian roots ... i hereby once again officially demand that the men in charge turn up the air-condition in european "parliament". so that the guys sitting in the last bench, sent away from home to minimize the wrongdoings, get more air and oxygen. it´s obviously needed ... (raso, 22 November 2009, 18:59)

•	'“Candidacy is an important issue, that is why we must be realistic. It cannot be a game of poker, put a game with clear rules with which trust is earned from all 27 member-states, the EU institutions, Serbian neighbors and other current and future candidates,” Kacin told daily Blic. ' "Other current and future candidates" - Croatia, Albania, Kosovo. Is this something new, that disagreements with future candidates can disrupt the accession process? If so, it sounds like Serbia can forget about joining the EU and then later blocking Kosovo's admission. On a more cheerful note, Slovakia lagged behind the Czech Republic and Poland for years during their march toward accession, until the elections in 2004 (I think it was) gave them a government truly committed to joining, and they made the necessary changes in record time and joined along with the other two. So it's not impossible to catch up. It's worked out well for the Slovaks - they now have the highest per-capita production of automobiles in Europe (or is it the world? Sorry, I can't remember the source of this interesting fact.) (Amer, 22 November 2009, 19:29)

•	Jason, You are part of this trash also (of course if you are working and living in Kosovo). I can tell you about this issue, it's getting better every day. Of course its only 10 years after war and you know it, just like I do, that it takes time...for everything boy. Greetings from a beautyful place with trash and internationals everywhere...lol Cheers (K-AL, 22 November 2009, 19:59)

•	What is Serbia doing? wasting time. (Mircea, 22 November 2009 14:03) Saving herself from the claws of a monster.As some already indicated with free visa travel they have achieved what they wanted. (szemi, 22 November 2009, 20:18)

	Mesić: Tadić should come to Vukovar
	22 November 2009

Send your comment

Comments: 9

Comments


•	to mesic its a good idea for croatia to return all Serbs to their lands in krajina because its Serbian lands like istra is Slovenian and the Serbs should receive full autonomy of krajina maybe that should be spoken about if Tadic is a good president and support your Serbs not be against them as its looking lately with krajina and vojvodina it seems to me as he wants to give all lands out for some money and praise krajina is Serbian lands just like republica srpska and Montenegro and kosovo . i hope the serbs get loud about all serbs to return to krajina and have autonomy there soon as possible there should be talks about this in the courts and with the international courts because it is on paper and history that these lands are Serbian lands. (gajo, 22 November 2009, 16:58)

•	Krajina is croatia, has been for 1400 years so thats never going to happen. kninska krajlice Istria is hrvatska has been for centuries so thats never going to happen. I would say 100% of croatians would have to die for this to take place. its funny i always see serbs stating that krajina should be free for the serbs but its never going to happen. RS has a better chance of splitting off than any chunk of croatian territory. Oh yeah my mom is from knin, is she serbian?... NOOO she is hrvatica plain and simple. That croatian flag at the top of the fortress isnt going anywhere. (berko, 22 November 2009, 17:55)

•	Berko. How exactly has Istria ever been "Croatian" for centuries when since ancient times it'smajority were Latin speakers? It only became "Croatian" when the Italians were expelled WWII? Incidentally there were more Italians pre-WWII then there are Croats in Istria now. Istria was also never part of any Croatian entity until post-WWII. Istria was fore centuries an integral part of La Serennsima, the territories ruled by Venice. But it's only natural for Croasts to ignore this. Afterall according to Croats Marco Polo was a Croat, not an Italian. (Yaroslav, 22 November 2009, 18:30)

•	Berko, thats what the Turks said too...it may take us 5000 years but we are coming for what is ours. It was never yours and it isn't yours now, Krajina is Serbian and all your empty words will never change that. (Ranko Krajina Serb, 22 November 2009, 19:13)

•	“First and foremost, all imperial interest should be wiped clean from some minds, from those who still believe that borders can be changed. The architecture of our region has been completed,” Mesić said. -- If you believe in what you say then you must immediately revoke recognition of Kosovo. (Zoran, 22 November 2009, 19:41)

•	Thats funny cuz i see the croatian flag over knin everytime i drive through there. only reason there that many serbs in croatia and in krajina is because croats were driven and compelled to leave during the 60's and 70's in serbian controlled croatia, not to mention the mass extinction of croats at bleiburg. i say serbian controlled croatia because yugo/greater serbia was a joke for the croatian people. So you can understand that when the war started we were coming for krajina/ and eastern slavonija. And the RS should thank there lucky stars that the croatian army wasnt allowed to enter BiH or RS would look a lot different today and herceg bosna would be a lot bigger today. Also there would be no croat-muslim alliance. If it wasnt for the serbs croatias population today would be well over 6 million buts its only 4.5. Thanks serbia for oppressing croats. (Marko, 22 November 2009, 20:18)

•	Marko, May I remind you that Josip Broz, AKA "Tito", was Croatian and that he and his communist, who came from all Yugoslav republics, were among the architects of carving up Serbia and Serbian lands. Just because Tito was a Croat it would be silly for Serbs to blame all their misfortunes under communism to the Croats, something that the Croats like to do because Belgrade was the capital of Yugoslavia. I would like to remind you that because of the genocide committed by fascist Croatia and their Nazi allies Serbia could have had more people today. But under the current economical circumstances that might not have been a good idea. It is only the Albanians who keep having big families even though they know that their children cannot have a normal future unless they leave. Tadic could go to Vukovar if he also goes to Knin and start making some noise there about the ethnic cleansing of Krajina Serbs. It is so clear that Croatia still have not accepted its dark past and until that time there cannot be a normal relationship between Croatia and Serbia. (Milan, 22 November 2009, 21:26)

•	Interesting how ethnic cleansing in Knin, Croatia is celebrated as a national holiday- and he wants memorial monuments where Croatians were pushed out. A true political and some would say fascist response from Mr. Mesic indeed. When will the monuments go up in Krajina, and the 500k Serbs returned? (David, 22 November 2009, 22:15)

•	'and herceg bosna would be a lot bigger today' etc Marko are you living in a parallel reality? Herceg Bosna does not exist, despite the efforts of Franjo and his gang with their Hercegovian lobby that is held in such contempt by most moderate Croats these days. I've heard your strain of Croat nationalism before. Its funny you do not know how to define yourselves except in definition to Serbs. It suggests that without Serbs you wouldn't have an identity at all. I mean Serbian controlled Croatia in the 1960's and 70's? Show me Serbian leaders of Croatia in this period. It seems to me that if independence is a state of mind then some emerging states of the Balkans should not be given state status. True independence comes to those who are mature enough to admit their own mistakes and does not blame everything on other groups. I don't have much of an opinion on the topic but I do know that if Mesic could get Tadic to come it would look like a triumph for Mesic and he would picture it as a triumph for Croatia. On the other hand those that hate Mesic will say that its a disgrace that Tadic was allowed to come that his hands are dripping in blood etc. (bganon, 22 November 2009, 22:42)

	Analyst: Kosovo not main topic of Jeremić’s Africa trip
	22 November 2009

Dušan Janjić (FoNet archive)

Political analyst Dušan Janjić said that Kosovo is not the chief issue and reason for Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremić’s current visit to the continent of Africa.

Jeremić began his trip in Nigeria, with announcements that the goal of the tour is to stop any further recognition of Kosovo independence and to talk about economic cooperation.

He will also visit Gabon, Congo and Kenya.

Since African countries have already stated that many support Serbia’s stance of not recognizing Kosovo’s independence, Janjić told B92 that he believes that Jeremić’s main goal is to help improve Serbia’s still negative image around the world.

“Belgrade is making efforts to animate as many countries as possible for the Kosovo problem and to use the Kosovo issue for strengthening its international image. It is obvious that Serbia has a problem with its international image in Europe and the West, and it is trying to compensate for that in other circles,” Janjić said.

“I would not tie that directly to Kosovo’s status, and I’m convinced that this is not the only topic and that in our media—from Jeremić and his people—it is being presented as the main topic, but they believe that this is what is important for interior political needs,” he said.

Jeremić’s tour of Africa comes ten days before the debate begins before the International Court of Justice on the legality of Kosovo’s proclaimed independence.

Janjić said that the Africa visit cannot affect what will happen at the ICJ, and said that Belgrade could have used other mechanisms to show its level of seriousness.

“It could have organized a series of international consultations with well-known attorneys or experts for crisis situations, to show that they are ready for the debate, which Belgrade is not showing. This could create the feeling in the ICJ that Belgrade is ready, and encourage those that are still on the fence regarding the issue,” he said.

Send your comment

Comments: 3

Comments


•	By trying to stop the unstoppable the Kosova independence from Serbia, Jeremic is purely allianating the Albanians further and further...and strengthening the Albanian nation. (EA, 22 November 2009, 12:33)

•	By trying to stop the unstoppable the Kosova independence from Serbia, Jeremic is purely allianating the Albanians further and further...and strengthening the Albanian nation. (EA, 22 November 2009 12:33) Alienating Albanians? Ooooh, that is dangerous. I hate to see the mighty Albanian nation upset! :))) (Ace, 22 November 2009, 16:18)