Koštunica: Autonomy for Kosovo

Koštunica: Autonomy for Kosovo

‘I call on the esteemed representatives of the free and democratic world’s leading countries to for a moment imagine your own countries in the position Serbia finds itself in today: asked to give up a part of its territory in favor of an aggressive ethnic entity, which, by the way, already has its national home in a neighboring country. That territory at the same time represents our nation’s place of origin, linked to the historic times of our greatest achievements. Indeed, what democratic country would accept that?’

The Serbian PM explained that the Serbian parliament will not recognize Kosovo as an independent state. ‘Our parliament will without a doubt reject any imposed solution, declare it illegitimate and legally void, while Serbia would continue to consider Kosovo as part of its sovereign territory. Such a development would certainly not contribute to the common interest of peace, stability and improvement of successfully initiated democratic processes in the Balkans, but would rather represent a source of instability for the whole region’, Koštunica said.

Speaking about attempts to solve the Kosovo problem before the status and standards talks, Koštunica stressed that the state of standards, instead of improving, seems to be deteriorating.

Koštunica and Cheney

During the past two days Serbian PM Vojislav Koštunica has met with U.S. officials in Washington, and has ended his visit with a meeting with the country’s vice-president, Dick Cheney. Koštunica said that in his talks with Cheny he emphasized the importance of a compromise solution for the Kosovo status.

“It is more than clear what this solution could be, it is clear what its advantages are, it is clear that its advantage is that it can be confirmed. The other solution, an extreme, radical, independent Kosovo, does not have room for changes. A compromise, essential autonomy, the greatest autonomy in Serbia, is a solution that can be corrected, confirmed, changed. I once again stated my reasons behind this solution, stressing that it would increase stability in the region, which I think is acceptable for our American colleagues, for Cheney, after the amount of effort they have put into the stability of our region.” Koštunica said.

Before the meeting in the White House, Koštunica held a press conference at the National Press Club.

Asked how Serbia intends to integrate two million Kosovo Albanians, Koštunica said that the autonomy that is being proposed by Belgrade calls for complete independence of the legal system and relations with international financial institutions.

Asked why he did not ask to meet with Kosovo officials when he visited Gračanica on June 28 and why he has not apologised in the name of Serbia for the crimes committed against Albanians, Koštunica said that during the wars of the former Yugoslavia, many crimes were committed, some by Serbs some by people of other nationalities. He said that forgiveness starts with the truth.