DSS on RS anniversary, referendum in north

The opposition Democratic Party of Serbia (DSS) congratulated on Monday the 20th anniversary of the founding of the Serb Republic (RS). The party stressed that this was an important event since this entity has ensured survival of Serbs in Bosnia-Herzegovina. DSS on RS anniversary, referendum in north DSS Deputy President Slobodan Samardzic said at a press conference that this is a historic event, adding that the people of the Serb entity "deserve to be congratulated for being able to pull themselves together and make the right move at the most difficult times". Samardzic said that this is a historic event which has its durability, justification and full legitimacy even today. He said that the Dayton Peace Accords is an example of a compromise which ended a conflict, adding that although it is not an ideal one it still preserves interests of three conflicted nations. According to him, the Dayton Treaty is one of the examples how to preserve peace in spite of all difficulties and attempts of Bosnia's centralization. Samardzic said that this is an example of a resolved conflict while Kosovo-Metohija is an example of an unresolved conflict in which the international community, primarily western countries, did not want to meet the interests of the conflicted parties both of Albanians and Serbs in Kosovo-Metohija and Albanian and Serbian political representatives. Addressing the issues at home, Samardzic said his party supported the decision on staging a referendum which was adopted by councilors in four northern Kosovo municipalities. Samardzic told a news conference that all northern Kosovo Serbs support the referendum and staying within Serbia. According to him, all agreements Belgrade signed in the dialogue with Pristina actually favor the idea of forcing Serbs to live under the Albanian flag. He assessed that the referendum takes off the agenda the claims that some Belgrade opposition parties are exerting pressures on municipal presidents and are masterminding their actions. It is high time minimum solidarity was established between Serbian citizens on both sides of the administrative line, Samardzic said and added that the referendum is necessary so as to prevent the line from becoming a genuine administrative border and making it clear to both Serbia and Albanians in the north, as well as to the region and the entire world, what Serbs think about the plans in store for them. Replying to questions regarding Serbia's EU candidate status, Samardzic said that a part of the territory should not be sacrificed for any goal, even EU membership, let alone for some small aim such as EU candidacy. Commenting on the dialogue in Brussels, he noted that Kosovo's status at international meetings is already decided upon and that Pristina should be presented under the title "UNMIK-Kosovo" which derives from the CEFTA founding agreement. Slobodan Samardzic (Tanjug) Tanjug

DSS on RS anniversary, referendum in north

DSS Deputy President Slobodan Samardžić said at a press conference that this is a historic event, adding that the people of the Serb entity "deserve to be congratulated for being able to pull themselves together and make the right move at the most difficult times".

Samardžić said that this is a historic event which has its durability, justification and full legitimacy even today.

He said that the Dayton Peace Accords is an example of a compromise which ended a conflict, adding that although it is not an ideal one it still preserves interests of three conflicted nations.

According to him, the Dayton Treaty is one of the examples how to preserve peace in spite of all difficulties and attempts of Bosnia's centralization.

Samardžić said that this is an example of a resolved conflict while Kosovo-Metohija is an example of an unresolved conflict in which the international community, primarily western countries, did not want to meet the interests of the conflicted parties both of Albanians and Serbs in Kosovo-Metohija and Albanian and Serbian political representatives.

Addressing the issues at home, Samardžić said his party supported the decision on staging a referendum which was adopted by councilors in four northern Kosovo municipalities.

Samardžić told a news conference that all northern Kosovo Serbs support the referendum and staying within Serbia.

According to him, all agreements Belgrade signed in the dialogue with Priština actually favor the idea of forcing Serbs to live under the Albanian flag.

He assessed that the referendum takes off the agenda the claims that some Belgrade opposition parties are exerting pressures on municipal presidents and are masterminding their actions.

It is high time minimum solidarity was established between Serbian citizens on both sides of the administrative line, Samardžić said and added that the referendum is necessary so as to prevent the line from becoming a genuine administrative border and making it clear to both Serbia and Albanians in the north, as well as to the region and the entire world, what Serbs think about the plans in store for them.

Replying to questions regarding Serbia's EU candidate status, Samardžić said that a part of the territory should not be sacrificed for any goal, even EU membership, let alone for some small aim such as EU candidacy.

Commenting on the dialogue in Brussels, he noted that Kosovo's status at international meetings is already decided upon and that Pristina should be presented under the title "UNMIK-Kosovo" which derives from the CEFTA founding agreement.