Tadić optimistic about Priština's representation

President Boris Tadic expressed his expectation that a solution to the issue of Pristina's regional representation "could be found within 24 hours". According to Beta news agency, he told reporters on Monday that this speedy future solution would be possible "if U.S. diplomat Philip Reeker's statement that there was no pressure on Serbia to renounce Resolution 1244 was true". Tadic optimistic about Pristina's representation That solution would be "based on UN Security Resolution 1244", he said according to Tanjug, and added that he expected such outcome "after a statement made by U.S. official Philip Reeker, that Serbia is not required to renounce Resolution 1244". Tadic underscored that he found Reeker's statement "both positive and surprising". "I hope the international community would keep its word, and I expect that (EU mediator in the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue Robert) Cooper would come forward with a solution for Pristina's presentation immediately, which would mean that Kosovo would be presented in regional forums with a name holder reading UNSC Resolution 1244 since Serbia was not required to renounce the document," Tadic said. He added that he would "check the verity of the international community's word in the talks with Cooper", who is expected to visit Belgrade this week. The president said that the fact that the U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton initiated their phone conversation on Sunday "points to interest of the U.S. in Kosovo and Metohija and the solutions Serbia has to offer regarding this matter". Tadic said he told Clinton that Serbia would never recognize Kosovo's independence, that it respects Resolution 1244 and is looking for a solution for regional presentation of Pristina which would not constitute an implicit recognition of independence. In a statement for reporters following the meeting with presidents of the Association of Free and Independent Trade Unions, where he represented his Democratic Party (DS), Tadic said that "the worst thing is when solutions are sought and plans implemented without any interest in Serbia's stands". Tadic addresses reporters in Belgrade on Monday (Tanjug) "Local government should not obstruct central" Boris Tadic also addressed the issue of a referendum planned by Serbs in northern Kosovo to say that the heads of the local government in the north were entitled to an opinion about the referendum, but that their opinion was detrimental in terms of national policy. Serbia is involved in a difficult and risky dialogue with the international community regarding Kosovo and local officials must understand that, he told reporters. "Local authorities cannot achieve more than the central government and should not reduce the state's ability to solve the problem by their decisions," he noted, adding that local officials should be helpful. Serbia will never recognize Kosovo's independence, he stated, adding there was a search for a solution and a plan that he had presented to the international community. On the other hand, there is a technical dialogue meant to make life easier for the people, the president pointed out. Both processes are very difficult, but Serbia will not give up on either of them, just like it will not give up on EU integration, said Tadic. "The nations that give up show that they can be blackmailed and pressured," he stated, adding that to yield when it comes to Kosovo could turn other territorial issues in Serbia international. "No hurry" As for parliamentary elections, due to be held in the country this week, Tadic, who is at the helm of the ruling Democratic Party (DS) "refused to speculate on their date", according to a Tanjug news agency report. He did, however, state that they would be held "within the time frame envisaged by the Constitution." Parliament Speaker Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic stated on Monday that elections would be called on March 11 - the last day of the legal deadline for the authorities to do so. Tadic also did not wish to comment about the party's possible candidate for future prime minister. "What is the hurry? It is no secret that the DS has many good candidates for that post, but one should look before one leaps," Tadic concluded. Also on Monday, the opposition Serb Progressives (SNS) - expected to be the main rival to the DS in the elections - chose party leader Tomislav Nikolic as their candidate for Serbia's next prime minister. Tanjug

Tadić optimistic about Priština's representation

That solution would be "based on UN Security Resolution 1244", he said according to Tanjug, and added that he expected such outcome "after a statement made by U.S. official Philip Reeker, that Serbia is not required to renounce Resolution 1244".

Tadić underscored that he found Reeker's statement "both positive and surprising".

"I hope the international community would keep its word, and I expect that (EU mediator in the Belgrade-Priština dialogue Robert) Cooper would come forward with a solution for Priština's presentation immediately, which would mean that Kosovo would be presented in regional forums with a name holder reading UNSC Resolution 1244 since Serbia was not required to renounce the document," Tadić said.

He added that he would "check the verity of the international community's word in the talks with Cooper", who is expected to visit Belgrade this week.

The president said that the fact that the U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton initiated their phone conversation on Sunday "points to interest of the U.S. in Kosovo and Metohija and the solutions Serbia has to offer regarding this matter".

Tadić said he told Clinton that Serbia would never recognize Kosovo's independence, that it respects Resolution 1244 and is looking for a solution for regional presentation of Priština which would not constitute an implicit recognition of independence.

In a statement for reporters following the meeting with presidents of the Association of Free and Independent Trade Unions, where he represented his Democratic Party (DS), Tadić said that "the worst thing is when solutions are sought and plans implemented without any interest in Serbia's stands".

"Local government should not obstruct central"

Boris Tadić also addressed the issue of a referendum planned by Serbs in northern Kosovo to say that the heads of the local government in the north were entitled to an opinion about the referendum, but that their opinion was detrimental in terms of national policy.

Serbia is involved in a difficult and risky dialogue with the international community regarding Kosovo and local officials must understand that, he told reporters.

"Local authorities cannot achieve more than the central government and should not reduce the state's ability to solve the problem by their decisions," he noted, adding that local officials should be helpful.

Serbia will never recognize Kosovo's independence, he stated, adding there was a search for a solution and a plan that he had presented to the international community.

On the other hand, there is a technical dialogue meant to make life easier for the people, the president pointed out. Both processes are very difficult, but Serbia will not give up on either of them, just like it will not give up on EU integration, said Tadić.

"The nations that give up show that they can be blackmailed and pressured," he stated, adding that to yield when it comes to Kosovo could turn other territorial issues in Serbia international.

"No hurry"

As for parliamentary elections, due to be held in the country this week, Tadić, who is at the helm of the ruling Democratic Party (DS) "refused to speculate on their date", according to a Tanjug news agency report.

He did, however, state that they would be held "within the time frame envisaged by the Constitution."

Parliament Speaker Slavica Đukić-Dejanović stated on Monday that elections would be called on March 11 - the last day of the legal deadline for the authorities to do so.

Tadić also did not wish to comment about the party's possible candidate for future prime minister.

"What is the hurry? It is no secret that the DS has many good candidates for that post, but one should look before one leaps," Tadić concluded.

Also on Monday, the opposition Serb Progressives (SNS) - expected to be the main rival to the DS in the elections - chose party leader Tomislav Nikolić as their candidate for Serbia's next prime minister.