"Footnote in documents, not on nameplates"

BELGRADE Kosovo will be represented "asymmetrically" in regional gatherings, with a footnote contained in the accompanying documents, but not the nameplate. This was decided late on Sunday by the Serbian government. The decision is an instruction to state officials regulating their participation in those events also attended by officials from Pristina. "Footnote in documents, not on nameplates" The public broadcaster RTS reported that the government's instruction "will allow Serbian officials to take part in (regional) forums along with Kosovo, under the conditions determined by agreements from Brussels". The agreement reached during the EU-sponsored Kosovo dialogue - which has been differently interpreted in Belgrade and Pristina - states that the footnote is referred to by an asterisk that will accompany the word "Kosovo" on nameplates. The footnote reads that "this designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSC 1244 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence". The government announced that beside the nameplate that will read "Kosovo*", all accompanying documents must quote the text of the footnote at least during the first mention, in each individual document. The government said that by not attending regional meetings - based on a previous government instruction - Serbia's representatives "did not have an opportunity to advocate the state policy toward Kosovo and Metohija, and the interests of the Republic of Serbia". Also, said the government - the country suffered "direct and indirect economic damage". State officials are under obligation to insist that organizers and EU representatives consistently implement the representation of the interim institutions of self-government in Pristina, without displaying flags and other markings, and will also demand the presence of officials of the UN mission, UNMIK, it was further stated. In case the representation of representatives of the interim institutions of self-government in Pristina is not line with this instruction, representatives of Serbia's state organs will leave the gathering, and lodge a written protest with its organizers. Government's Kosovo Office chief Aleksandar Vulin commented on the decision by saying that it showed "this was a serious government", while Serbia "respects its signatures": "We can allow for the interim institutions in Kosovo to push us out. We can allow that there be nobody there to defend the interests of our country and our people. We can do that and pretend that we are in this way safeguarding the Constitution and laws. No - we are absolutely respecting the Constitution and (UNSC) Resolution 1244 in this way. Our goal is to show - and for all relevant factors in this country and the world to show - that Serbia, a state, and Kosovo with an asterisk - the interim institutions in Pristina - are not represented equally." Even though Serbian officials previously said the nameplate had to contain both the asterisk and the footnote, EU mediator in the Kosovo talks Robert Cooper claimed that this had not been agreed. (Beta, file) B92 Beta Tanjug

"Footnote in documents, not on nameplates"

The public broadcaster RTS reported that the government's instruction "will allow Serbian officials to take part in (regional) forums along with Kosovo, under the conditions determined by agreements from Brussels".

The agreement reached during the EU-sponsored Kosovo dialogue - which has been differently interpreted in Belgrade and Priština - states that the footnote is referred to by an asterisk that will accompany the word "Kosovo" on nameplates.

The footnote reads that "this designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSC 1244 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence".

The government announced that beside the nameplate that will read "Kosovo*", all accompanying documents must quote the text of the footnote at least during the first mention, in each individual document.

The government said that by not attending regional meetings - based on a previous government instruction - Serbia's representatives "did not have an opportunity to advocate the state policy toward Kosovo and Metohija, and the interests of the Republic of Serbia". Also, said the government - the country suffered "direct and indirect economic damage".

State officials are under obligation to insist that organizers and EU representatives consistently implement the representation of the interim institutions of self-government in Priština, without displaying flags and other markings, and will also demand the presence of officials of the UN mission, UNMIK, it was further stated.

In case the representation of representatives of the interim institutions of self-government in Priština is not line with this instruction, representatives of Serbia's state organs will leave the gathering, and lodge a written protest with its organizers.

Government's Kosovo Office chief Aleksandar Vulin commented on the decision by saying that it showed "this was a serious government", while Serbia "respects its signatures":

"We can allow for the interim institutions in Kosovo to push us out. We can allow that there be nobody there to defend the interests of our country and our people. We can do that and pretend that we are in this way safeguarding the Constitution and laws. No - we are absolutely respecting the Constitution and (UNSC) Resolution 1244 in this way. Our goal is to show - and for all relevant factors in this country and the world to show - that Serbia, a state, and Kosovo with an asterisk - the interim institutions in Priština - are not represented equally."

Even though Serbian officials previously said the nameplate had to contain both the asterisk and the footnote, EU mediator in the Kosovo talks Robert Cooper claimed that this had not been agreed.