Negotiator: Arrest protects rule of law

Borislav Stefanovic says that by arresting the Veselinovic brothers Serbia had shown efficiency in the protection of the law and the rule of law. It has always been crucial that the state enforce laws and the rule of law, Belgrade's negotiator in the dialogue with Pristina said on the occasion of the arrest of Zvonko and Zarko Veselinovic on Tuesday evening. Negotiator: Arrest protects rule of law All persons who are under suspicion that they committed crimes should be held accountable and enabled to defend themselves, Srefanovic told reporters after a debate on freedom of movement of people and goods between Kosovo and central Serbia in the context of regional cooperation. Zvonko and Zarko Veselinovic were arrested on Mt. Kopaonik in central Serbia on December 20, on suspicion of having been involved in criminal activities. Zvonko Veselinovic is suspected of a criminal offense of illegally manufacturing, trading, transporting, mailing or storing any guns, ammunition or explosives, while his brother Zarko is charged with abuse of office and aiding and abetting abuse of office. The Veselinovic brothers were transferred to the city of Kraljevo in central Serbia for a hearing. Reasons for the arrest are unlikely to be linked to the statement by KFOR Commander Erhard Drews a week ago, calling the two man the main organizers of the unrest at the Jarinje and Jagnjenica crossings in northern Kosovo, the Ministry for Kosovo and Metohija has told Tanjug. Stefanovic said that the situation in northern Kosovo always affects all other foreign political activities of Serbia. Therefore, he said, it is very important that all citizens understand that it is in our interest not to prevent the free movement of EULEX and KFOR at this moment. Pristina cannot implement its institutions in the north of Kosovo without an agreement with Belgrade, and we are not ready for such an agreement, he said. Therefore, it is clear that the barricades have fulfilled their purpose and that things are returning to the negotiating table, Stefanovic said. He said that the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina will continue after the New Year, probably in mid-January, if there is a possibility to solve the problem of regional representation of Kosovo. At this point, the dialogue is reduced to the problem of using the UN Security Council Resolution 1244, Stefanovic said. He pointed out that, regardless of some misunderstandings, Resolution 1244 has not only a symbolic meaning, but but also a very strong political and legal dimension and is fundamentally a cornerstone of international law applied to the problem of Kosovo and Metohija. Stefanovic expressed his belief that the continuation of dialogue with Pristina in January will produce new results if the international community shows the will to persuade Pristina to drop its maximalist requests regarding Resolution 1244. Stefanovic also expressed hope that there would be no more need for new pre-conditions for Serbia's European Integration. Minister for Kosovo and Metohija Goran Bogdanovic also commented on Wednesday about the arrest of Veselinovic to tell B92 that it was "necessary to stand against any form of criminal activity no matter where it was coming from". "The credibility and trust of the citizens in increases in institutions is increased in this way, at the same time sending a message that any breaking of the law would be sanctioned. The authorities should, within their jurisdiction, conduct all necessary activities in order to investigate allegations and determine facts related to the acts that the Veselinovic brothers are accused of," said the minister. He added that anyone who commits criminal acts "no matter what office or place he occupies" shoudl be held responsible: "Whoever broke the law, whoever worked against the interests of the state of Serbia and engaged in prohibited things, not only in Kosovo and Metohija, but in the whole of Serbia, must be held responsible." In Belgrade on Wednesday, some MPs commented on the arrests to describe them as "putting on a show for the public", but also stressed that police should determine if the two men were involved in crime. Borislav Stefanovic (Beta, file)

Negotiator: Arrest protects rule of law

All persons who are under suspicion that they committed crimes should be held accountable and enabled to defend themselves, Srefanovic told reporters after a debate on freedom of movement of people and goods between Kosovo and central Serbia in the context of regional cooperation.

Zvonko and Žarko Veselinović were arrested on Mt. Kopaonik in central Serbia on December 20, on suspicion of having been involved in criminal activities.

Zvonko Veselinović is suspected of a criminal offense of illegally manufacturing, trading, transporting, mailing or storing any guns, ammunition or explosives, while his brother Žarko is charged with abuse of office and aiding and abetting abuse of office.

The Veselinović brothers were transferred to the city of Kraljevo in central Serbia for a hearing.

Reasons for the arrest are unlikely to be linked to the statement by KFOR Commander Erhard Drews a week ago, calling the two man the main organizers of the unrest at the Jarinje and Jagnjenica crossings in northern Kosovo, the Ministry for Kosovo and Metohija has told Tanjug.

Stefanović said that the situation in northern Kosovo always affects all other foreign political activities of Serbia.

Therefore, he said, it is very important that all citizens understand that it is in our interest not to prevent the free movement of EULEX and KFOR at this moment.

Priština cannot implement its institutions in the north of Kosovo without an agreement with Belgrade, and we are not ready for such an agreement, he said.

Therefore, it is clear that the barricades have fulfilled their purpose and that things are returning to the negotiating table, Stefanović said.

He said that the dialogue between Belgrade and Priština will continue after the New Year, probably in mid-January, if there is a possibility to solve the problem of regional representation of Kosovo.

At this point, the dialogue is reduced to the problem of using the UN Security Council Resolution 1244, Stefanović said.

He pointed out that, regardless of some misunderstandings, Resolution 1244 has not only a symbolic meaning, but but also a very strong political and legal dimension and is fundamentally a cornerstone of international law applied to the problem of Kosovo and Metohija.

Stefanović expressed his belief that the continuation of dialogue with Priština in January will produce new results if the international community shows the will to persuade Priština to drop its maximalist requests regarding Resolution 1244.

Stefanović also expressed hope that there would be no more need for new pre-conditions for Serbia's European Integration.

Minister for Kosovo and Metohija Goran Bogdanović also commented on Wednesday about the arrest of Veselinović to tell B92 that it was "necessary to stand against any form of criminal activity no matter where it was coming from".

"The credibility and trust of the citizens in increases in institutions is increased in this way, at the same time sending a message that any breaking of the law would be sanctioned. The authorities should, within their jurisdiction, conduct all necessary activities in order to investigate allegations and determine facts related to the acts that the Veselinović brothers are accused of," said the minister.

He added that anyone who commits criminal acts "no matter what office or place he occupies" shoudl be held responsible:

"Whoever broke the law, whoever worked against the interests of the state of Serbia and engaged in prohibited things, not only in Kosovo and Metohija, but in the whole of Serbia, must be held responsible."

In Belgrade on Wednesday, some MPs commented on the arrests to describe them as "putting on a show for the public", but also stressed that police should determine if the two men were involved in crime.