"Triumph over organized crime close at hand"

Serbian President Boris Tadic stated on Friday that Serbia was "just a step away from winning the battle against organized crime". Serbia is now very close to dealing the final blow to organized crime, and the effect of this action would take several decades to fade away, he underscored. "Triumph over organized crime close at hand" Commenting on the news about the arrest of Luka Bojovicand other individuals involved in organized crime, Tadic said that Serbia would become one of the few countries in the region which managed to put this matter under control in case information as regards search and arrest of criminals prove true, in addition to the individuals who have already been sentenced to several decades of imprisonment in Serbia. He recalled that the action was coordinated with Serbian security services, just like some other similar actions elsewhere in the world, which the interior minister also confirmed and announced that he would have talks with the Spanish interior minister on Friday. Tadic expressed belief that Serbia would attract more substantial investments once all criminals and heads of crime rings are arrested and convicted, since investors want to place their funds only in safe countries. We are very close to having the issue completed for the sake of our citizens and our children, and to conquering organized crime once and for all, Tadic said. Serbian Interior Minister Ivica Dacic stated that the Zemun Clan criminal group had practically ceased to exist after the arrests in Spain, and provided a detailed account of the operation carried out in Spain. Boris Tadic and local officials address reporters near Priboj on Friday (Tanjug) New appeal to save electricity Tadic made the comments today as he continued to tour the parts of the country hit by extreme winter weather. Addressing reporters at a power plant on Lake Potpec near Priboj, in southwestern Serbia, he stated that the country "does not have enough electricity, but that the government and representatives of the national electric power company EPS are striving to find ways to avoid cutting off large consumers". "It is particularly important to avoid disconnecting the companies which require a continuity in production, in order not to incur additional economic losses. Everyone is doing their part. We are fighting," said he. Tadic again appealed to everyone to conserve electricity, pointing out the problem was aggravated by the fact that many neighboring countries were also experiencing shortages. According to him, Serbia is now paying because new energy systems were not built in recent years. He said overhauls and investments in energy were "under way", but that "many projects should have been started five years ago". Tanjug

"Triumph over organized crime close at hand"

Commenting on the news about the arrest of Luka Bojovićand other individuals involved in organized crime, Tadić said that Serbia would become one of the few countries in the region which managed to put this matter under control in case information as regards search and arrest of criminals prove true, in addition to the individuals who have already been sentenced to several decades of imprisonment in Serbia.

He recalled that the action was coordinated with Serbian security services, just like some other similar actions elsewhere in the world, which the interior minister also confirmed and announced that he would have talks with the Spanish interior minister on Friday.

Tadić expressed belief that Serbia would attract more substantial investments once all criminals and heads of crime rings are arrested and convicted, since investors want to place their funds only in safe countries.

We are very close to having the issue completed for the sake of our citizens and our children, and to conquering organized crime once and for all, Tadić said.

Serbian Interior Minister Ivica Dačić stated that the Zemun Clan criminal group had practically ceased to exist after the arrests in Spain, and provided a detailed account of the operation carried out in Spain.

New appeal to save electricity

Tadić made the comments today as he continued to tour the parts of the country hit by extreme winter weather.

Addressing reporters at a power plant on Lake Potpeć near Priboj, in southwestern Serbia, he stated that the country "does not have enough electricity, but that the government and representatives of the national electric power company EPS are striving to find ways to avoid cutting off large consumers".

"It is particularly important to avoid disconnecting the companies which require a continuity in production, in order not to incur additional economic losses. Everyone is doing their part. We are fighting," said he.

Tadić again appealed to everyone to conserve electricity, pointing out the problem was aggravated by the fact that many neighboring countries were also experiencing shortages.

According to him, Serbia is now paying because new energy systems were not built in recent years.

He said overhauls and investments in energy were "under way", but that "many projects should have been started five years ago".