"Protest was demonstration exercise for north"

Goran Bogdanovic has voiced concern that Self-Determination Movement protests were "but a demonstration exercise for violence, which could repeat in the north". The north is inhabited by Serbs, who reject the ethnic Albanian unilateral declaration of independence made four years ago, as well as the authority of the government in Pristina. "Protest was demonstration exercise for north" Speaking about the radical ethnic Albanian movement's protest at the administrative line over the weekend, which led to violence and arrests, Bogdanovic told Belgrade daily Vecernje Novosti: “They did not accidentally choose just this moment to add fuel to the flames in Kosovo. Now, when the talks between Belgrade and Pristina have yielded results and when the agreements are being fully implemented, it is obvious that someone needs new provocations in order to turn things back to the way they were before. It is evident that stability and less divergent views are not in someone's interest." The minister said that he "did not understand what kind of reciprocity in trade the Self-Determination was demanding since Kosovo produces almost nothing". “The transport of goods from Kosovo and Metohija across the administrative line is in line with the agreements reached. Neither (Albin) Kurti, nor his followers have chosen on their own this moment to block Merdare and raise tension. I am convinced that they have masterminds even outside the territory of Kosovo. However, I also believe that a great part of the international community has now realized that such extremists represent a key danger to peace and stability,” the minister said. Bogdanovic called on Serbian citizens to demonstrate special caution and restraint. “Whenever violence becomes an instrument of political struggle, Serbs become the main victims. For that reason, it is important that we remain calm, and not respond to provocations coming from the Albanian side,” Bogdanovic stressed. Goran Bogdanovic (Tanjug, file) "Protests pay well" Ministry for Kosovo and Metohija State Secretary Oliver Ivanovic addressed the same issue and said he believed that the current tension at administrative checkpoints between central Serbia and Kosovo "will last a while longer", since the Self-Determination Movement "do not plan to stop blocking the crossings, because it pays well politically". The situation in the north of Kosovo and at administrative crossings is now calm, Ivanovic said, but added that the movement would continue their protests at Merdare, Bela Zemlja and Konculj. "The Self-Determination will probably try and organize another such protest as that is giving them publicity, Ivanovic stated. He pointed out that the movement's position was that "everything was Serbia's fault” and that the international community was unwelcome in Kosovo, adding there are about 300,000 jobless people, in Kosovo and Metohija at this point, "which accounted for the Self-Determination's rise in popularity". Ivanovic said that the movement had until now only managed to gather up to between 150 and 200 people at their rallies, but that during the unrest last weekend they were "organized well and had about 2,000 people". Ivanovic said it was "alarming that the movement was financially backed by local tycoons". Tanjug Vecernje novosti

"Protest was demonstration exercise for north"

Speaking about the radical ethnic Albanian movement's protest at the administrative line over the weekend, which led to violence and arrests, Bogdanović told Belgrade daily Večernje Novosti:

“They did not accidentally choose just this moment to add fuel to the flames in Kosovo. Now, when the talks between Belgrade and Priština have yielded results and when the agreements are being fully implemented, it is obvious that someone needs new provocations in order to turn things back to the way they were before. It is evident that stability and less divergent views are not in someone's interest."

The minister said that he "did not understand what kind of reciprocity in trade the Self-Determination was demanding since Kosovo produces almost nothing".

“The transport of goods from Kosovo and Metohija across the administrative line is in line with the agreements reached. Neither (Albin) Kurti, nor his followers have chosen on their own this moment to block Merdare and raise tension. I am convinced that they have masterminds even outside the territory of Kosovo. However, I also believe that a great part of the international community has now realized that such extremists represent a key danger to peace and stability,” the minister said.

Bogdanović called on Serbian citizens to demonstrate special caution and restraint.

“Whenever violence becomes an instrument of political struggle, Serbs become the main victims. For that reason, it is important that we remain calm, and not respond to provocations coming from the Albanian side,” Bogdanović stressed.

"Protests pay well"

Ministry for Kosovo and Metohija State Secretary Oliver Ivanović addressed the same issue and said he believed that the current tension at administrative checkpoints between central Serbia and Kosovo "will last a while longer", since the Self-Determination Movement "do not plan to stop blocking the crossings, because it pays well politically".

The situation in the north of Kosovo and at administrative crossings is now calm, Ivanović said, but added that the movement would continue their protests at Merdare, Bela Zemlja and Končulj.

"The Self-Determination will probably try and organize another such protest as that is giving them publicity, Ivanović stated.

He pointed out that the movement's position was that "everything was Serbia's fault” and that the international community was unwelcome in Kosovo, adding there are about 300,000 jobless people, in Kosovo and Metohija at this point, "which accounted for the Self-Determination's rise in popularity".

Ivanović said that the movement had until now only managed to gather up to between 150 and 200 people at their rallies, but that during the unrest last weekend they were "organized well and had about 2,000 people".

Ivanović said it was "alarming that the movement was financially backed by local tycoons".