Koštunica: Elections for Serbia, not for EU

The Democratic Party of Serbia (DSS) – New Serbia (NS) coalition held the first campaign convention last night. Outgoing Prime Minister and DSS leader Vojislav Kostunica told the gathering in the Belgrade Arena that the decision on May 11, when early parliamentary elections are scheduled, will be made for Serbia, not for the European Union. Kostunica: Elections for Serbia, not for EU "These elections are not for or against Europe, they are for or against Serbia. We all know that only a whole, united and strong Serbia can be an equal and respected partner in the EU," he said. More than 150 countries in the world today recognize the real Serbia, with Kosovo as its part, and the EU will have to do the same, he said. "The issue of joining the EU will be solved after 2011, but now is a chance to openly and democratically, in dialogue with the EU, solve the question of Serbia's territorial integrity. This is on the agenda today, membership will come later," Kostunica told the crowd. He once again repeated that the May 11 vote is important because Serbia should get a "state-building, nationally unified and honest government, that will be able to say anywhere, without holding back, that Kosovo is Serbia." The DSS leader said his coalition will advocate joining the EU, but will not allow any bartering over Kosovo, and will "bravely and decisively" fight for Serbia's economic development, social justice and better standard of living. Kostunica stressed he no longer trusts former coalition partners, the Democrats (DS) and G17 Plus, which, in his words, "like sorcerers preach the world will end unless they seize power". New Serbia leader Velimir Ilic also addressed the convention, asking those gathered in the New Belgrade arena to vote DSS-NS, and not to allow the "team that means no good to the state" to win this time. Ilic said his coalition had the best candidates for future lawmakers, able to grapple with mounting problems in the country, if citizens support them at the ballot box. "If we were to fill the parliament benches, Serbia would have no problems with Kosovo, concessions or any investment," Ilic, who is the infrastructure minister in the caretaker government, said, and added that DSS-NS have good candidates and good investment programs. He also addressed former cabinet partners, now political rivals, the Democrats, accusing them of having "betrayed Kosovo, and also the voters". "Boris Tadic was swearing he will defend Kosovo only until elections were over," Ilic told his supporters. "We are in favor of Europe and the European Union, but only whole, upright, stronger, and never humiliated. We do not want the humiliation they offer," he continued. The convention started with the sounding of the national anthem, Boze Pravde (God of Justice), and a presentation of all 250 candidates for future MPs. DSS and NS officials Aleksandar Popovic – who is also running in the race to become the mayor of Belgrade – Predrag Bubalo, Borko Ilic and Dubravka Filipovski also spoke at the convention. Borko Ilic, one of the DSS vice-presidents, said that his party and the coalition it is a part of, unlike others, "defends Kosovo with deeds". "With deeds, not with words and empty slogans that they will never recognize independence, while in coalition with the likely new Kosovo minister, separatist Nenad Canak", he said, in reference to the DS. The crowd in the Arena, which came from Belgrade but also other parts of Serbia, wore red shirts with the words Kosovo is Serbia printed on them, and held state and party flags. The DSS-NS convention, under the motto, Support Serbia, in Belgrade last night (Beta)

Koštunica: Elections for Serbia, not for EU

"These elections are not for or against Europe, they are for or against Serbia. We all know that only a whole, united and strong Serbia can be an equal and respected partner in the EU," he said.

More than 150 countries in the world today recognize the real Serbia, with Kosovo as its part, and the EU will have to do the same, he said.

"The issue of joining the EU will be solved after 2011, but now is a chance to openly and democratically, in dialogue with the EU, solve the question of Serbia's territorial integrity. This is on the agenda today, membership will come later," Koštunica told the crowd.

He once again repeated that the May 11 vote is important because Serbia should get a "state-building, nationally unified and honest government, that will be able to say anywhere, without holding back, that Kosovo is Serbia."

The DSS leader said his coalition will advocate joining the EU, but will not allow any bartering over Kosovo, and will "bravely and decisively" fight for Serbia's economic development, social justice and better standard of living.

Koštunica stressed he no longer trusts former coalition partners, the Democrats (DS) and G17 Plus, which, in his words, "like sorcerers preach the world will end unless they seize power".

New Serbia leader Velimir Ilić also addressed the convention, asking those gathered in the New Belgrade arena to vote DSS-NS, and not to allow the "team that means no good to the state" to win this time.

Ilić said his coalition had the best candidates for future lawmakers, able to grapple with mounting problems in the country, if citizens support them at the ballot box.

"If we were to fill the parliament benches, Serbia would have no problems with Kosovo, concessions or any investment," Ilić, who is the infrastructure minister in the caretaker government, said, and added that DSS-NS have good candidates and good investment programs.

He also addressed former cabinet partners, now political rivals, the Democrats, accusing them of having "betrayed Kosovo, and also the voters".

"Boris Tadić was swearing he will defend Kosovo only until elections were over," Ilić told his supporters.

"We are in favor of Europe and the European Union, but only whole, upright, stronger, and never humiliated. We do not want the humiliation they offer," he continued.

The convention started with the sounding of the national anthem, Bože Pravde (God of Justice), and a presentation of all 250 candidates for future MPs.

DSS and NS officials Aleksandar Popović – who is also running in the race to become the mayor of Belgrade – Predrag Bubalo, Borko Ilić and Dubravka Filipovski also spoke at the convention.

Borko Ilić, one of the DSS vice-presidents, said that his party and the coalition it is a part of, unlike others, "defends Kosovo with deeds".

"With deeds, not with words and empty slogans that they will never recognize independence, while in coalition with the likely new Kosovo minister, separatist Nenad Čanak", he said, in reference to the DS.

The crowd in the Arena, which came from Belgrade but also other parts of Serbia, wore red shirts with the words Kosovo is Serbia printed on them, and held state and party flags.