West on Srebrenica declaration

Western politicians and media have, for the most part, commended Serbia’s adoption of the resolution for condemning the Srebrenica war crimes. EU Security and Foreign Policies Chief Catherine Ashton said that the adoption of the resolution represents an important step forward and that it is very important for the region. West on Srebrenica declaration “We approve of the adoption of this resolution. It is an important step towards and very significant for Serbia and the entire region,” Ashton’s spokesperson told the ANSA agency. European Parliament Rapporteurs for Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina, Jelko Kacin and Doris Pack, said that it is a step in the right direction, but that the crimes that occurred in Srebrenica were not referred to correctly in the resolution. Kacin said that Serbia needs to explicitly admit that genocide was committed in Srebrenica, while Pack said that it was the smallest possible step that was taken, adding that until the crimes are given their proper descriptions the goal will not be reached, and a proper apology will not be given. Kacin added that President Boris Tadic’s initiative for adopting the resolution should be commended, but said that his proposal for an additional resolution “confuses the Serbian and European public.” Pack said that the wives and daughters of those killed in Srebrenica cannot accept this resolution as a real apology, because it did not “condemn or name the crimes that occurred in Srebrenica properly.” She said that the goal was not accomplished because it does not show that what was done by Milosevic and Mladic was done in the name of the Serbian people. Holland gave its support to the resolution, stating that it is a positive step ahead in facing the past, adding that it hopes that the resolution will contribute to reconciliation in the region. France also commended the resolution, calling it an “important step” towards achieving a united European future for Serbia and its neighbors, French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said. German ambassador to Serbia Wolfram Maas said that he strongly supports the adoption of the resolution, adding that many will notice Serbia’s efforts to come to terms with its past. Maas said that those who continue to shut their eyes before their own history must look for excuses for themselves. International media agencies called the resolution an effort on Serbia’s part to distance itself from the regime of Slobodan Milosevic. Associated Press stated that the resolution expresses condolences and apologies to the victims, but the 13-hour debate shows that there are deep divisions in the country regarding Serbia’s role in the war of the 1990s. Reuters states that the resolution offers apologies because of a lack of effort made to stop the massacre, but did not call the crimes “genocide.” The agency stated that the resolution was an effort of the pro-European coalition of the Democratic and Socialist Parties to secure EU support and investments from abroad.

West on Srebrenica declaration

“We approve of the adoption of this resolution. It is an important step towards and very significant for Serbia and the entire region,” Ashton’s spokesperson told the ANSA agency.

European Parliament Rapporteurs for Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina, Jelko Kacin and Doris Pack, said that it is a step in the right direction, but that the crimes that occurred in Srebrenica were not referred to correctly in the resolution.

Kacin said that Serbia needs to explicitly admit that genocide was committed in Srebrenica, while Pack said that it was the smallest possible step that was taken, adding that until the crimes are given their proper descriptions the goal will not be reached, and a proper apology will not be given.

Kacin added that President Boris Tadić’s initiative for adopting the resolution should be commended, but said that his proposal for an additional resolution “confuses the Serbian and European public.”

Pack said that the wives and daughters of those killed in Srebrenica cannot accept this resolution as a real apology, because it did not “condemn or name the crimes that occurred in Srebrenica properly.”

She said that the goal was not accomplished because it does not show that what was done by Milošević and Mladić was done in the name of the Serbian people.

Holland gave its support to the resolution, stating that it is a positive step ahead in facing the past, adding that it hopes that the resolution will contribute to reconciliation in the region.

France also commended the resolution, calling it an “important step” towards achieving a united European future for Serbia and its neighbors, French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said.

German ambassador to Serbia Wolfram Maas said that he strongly supports the adoption of the resolution, adding that many will notice Serbia’s efforts to come to terms with its past.

Maas said that those who continue to shut their eyes before their own history must look for excuses for themselves.

International media agencies called the resolution an effort on Serbia’s part to distance itself from the regime of Slobodan Milošević.

Associated Press stated that the resolution expresses condolences and apologies to the victims, but the 13-hour debate shows that there are deep divisions in the country regarding Serbia’s role in the war of the 1990s.

Reuters states that the resolution offers apologies because of a lack of effort made to stop the massacre, but did not call the crimes “genocide.”

The agency stated that the resolution was an effort of the pro-European coalition of the Democratic and Socialist Parties to secure EU support and investments from abroad.