President talks "changes", condemns violence

Serbian President Boris Tadic on Thursday strongly condemned hooligan attacks in northern Serbia targeting fans of the Croatian handball team. Tadic said he regretted the incident that resulted in injured fans and called on all Serbian fans to be fair in supporting their team. President talks "changes", condemns violence Violence is absolutely unacceptable, and the investigation, arrests and trials for all those who took part in the incidents have to be done as soon as possible, the president's office released. Tadic called on all real Serbian fans to display true sportsmanship and play fair when supporting for their team. "Fair play must always be a part of the game on the court, but also of the cheering on the stands. Only by such dignified behavior by the fans, inside and outside of the arena, can we truly support our team," says the release. Serbia has always been a hospitable country and a good host, and it must stay that way in the coming matches, Tadic pointed out. "Our tradition is to treat every guest with respect and tolerance, so no little groups of hooligans should be allowed to embarrass the Serbian people and the entire country," the president stated. Boris Tadic (Tanjug) "Changes in policy" Boris Tadic said on Thursday the government had made a tough decision, but also a good one, to reject unacceptable offers to buy Telekom Srbija, and then to buy company shares. That makes it possible for Telekom to be run by Serbian managers, but also to secure free shares for the people, he stressed after a ceremony for the transfer of the shares owned by OTE from Greece to Telekom. The ceremony also marked Telekom becoming fully owned by the government. "Serbia will continue to make difficult and responsible decisions. There will be more changes in all areas, but they will always, as in the case of Telekom, be in accordance with our standards, which we shall not give up on," he stated. "We have to have standards as to what we are going to do and what not," he stressed. "And we have them, in all areas, from Telekom, through the steel industry, to negotiations on Kosovo and EU integration," Tadic remarked. "It is the only way we can secure respect in the international community and with the people of Serbia," the president pointed out. Daring but responsible decisions will be made, even though no one can predict the political and economic challenges Serbia will face, Tadic noted. In the 12 months since the decision to privatize Telekom, a great change in decision making has happened, he stated. According to Tadic, the government has been making decisions in accordance with the situation in the country and the world. Telekom Srbija is very important, not just for Serbia, but for the whole region, because telecommunication services affect everyday life and provide an opportunity to develop a society. "And that is an inescapable factor of development, and only the societies that invest in knowledge in the future will have a better starting position once the end to the economic crisis arrives. That is why the Serbian government and Telekom are responsible for developing the company and creating new possibilities for the people to develop and implement their business ideas," said Tadic. He thanked the Greek company, adding that OTE had decided to invest in Serbia in a more difficult situation. OTE's contribution to the development of Telekom and the telecommunications industry in Serbia is extremely important, Tadic stated. "Greece is Serbia's sister country and it is currently experiencing hardships," Tadic noted. "Just like we were able to count on you, you can count on our support now," he underscored. Tanjug

President talks "changes", condemns violence

Violence is absolutely unacceptable, and the investigation, arrests and trials for all those who took part in the incidents have to be done as soon as possible, the president's office released.

Tadić called on all real Serbian fans to display true sportsmanship and play fair when supporting for their team.

"Fair play must always be a part of the game on the court, but also of the cheering on the stands. Only by such dignified behavior by the fans, inside and outside of the arena, can we truly support our team," says the release.

Serbia has always been a hospitable country and a good host, and it must stay that way in the coming matches, Tadić pointed out.

"Our tradition is to treat every guest with respect and tolerance, so no little groups of hooligans should be allowed to embarrass the Serbian people and the entire country," the president stated.

"Changes in policy"

Boris Tadić said on Thursday the government had made a tough decision, but also a good one, to reject unacceptable offers to buy Telekom Srbija, and then to buy company shares.

That makes it possible for Telekom to be run by Serbian managers, but also to secure free shares for the people, he stressed after a ceremony for the transfer of the shares owned by OTE from Greece to Telekom. The ceremony also marked Telekom becoming fully owned by the government.

"Serbia will continue to make difficult and responsible decisions. There will be more changes in all areas, but they will always, as in the case of Telekom, be in accordance with our standards, which we shall not give up on," he stated.

"We have to have standards as to what we are going to do and what not," he stressed.

"And we have them, in all areas, from Telekom, through the steel industry, to negotiations on Kosovo and EU integration," Tadić remarked.

"It is the only way we can secure respect in the international community and with the people of Serbia," the president pointed out.

Daring but responsible decisions will be made, even though no one can predict the political and economic challenges Serbia will face, Tadić noted.

In the 12 months since the decision to privatize Telekom, a great change in decision making has happened, he stated.

According to Tadić, the government has been making decisions in accordance with the situation in the country and the world.

Telekom Srbija is very important, not just for Serbia, but for the whole region, because telecommunication services affect everyday life and provide an opportunity to develop a society.

"And that is an inescapable factor of development, and only the societies that invest in knowledge in the future will have a better starting position once the end to the economic crisis arrives. That is why the Serbian government and Telekom are responsible for developing the company and creating new possibilities for the people to develop and implement their business ideas," said Tadić.

He thanked the Greek company, adding that OTE had decided to invest in Serbia in a more difficult situation.

OTE's contribution to the development of Telekom and the telecommunications industry in Serbia is extremely important, Tadić stated.

"Greece is Serbia's sister country and it is currently experiencing hardships," Tadić noted.

"Just like we were able to count on you, you can count on our support now," he underscored.