"Koštunica's comment for internal use"

Some of PM Vojislav Kostunica's coalition partners are critical of his statements made yesterday. After the meeting with Russia's First Deputy Premier Dmitry Medvedev in Belgrade, Kostunica said that Serbia will not normalize relations with those countries who have recognized Kosovo Albanians' unilateral declaration of independence, until they revoke such decisions. "Kostunica's comment for internal use" B92 has spoken to high ranking officials from President Boris Tadic's Democrats (DS) and G17 Plus about this statement, and it seems that their answers indicate the ruling coalition will face a new crisis over the issues of the defense of Kosovo and Serbia's now stalled EU integration. Bozidar Djelic, DS, says this comment is "not the government's official position". "Self-isolation is not a good solution and it brings nothing good to the citizens," Kostunica's deputy in the cabinet said, and added that "the DS will never accept such policy". The government is made up of the DS, the Democratic Party of Serbia (DSS)-New Serbia (NS), and G17 Plus. Although Tadic's Democrats have the most parliamentary madates withing the ruling coaltion, they are unable to muster a parliamentary majority that would exclude the DSS. The single largest party in the Serbian parliament is the opposition Serb Radical Party (SRS). G17 Plus leader Mladjan Dinkic said on the same subject that he sees Kostunica's statement yesterday as a "form of diplomatic pressure". Dinkic, who is the economy minister, added that while he will "not contact state-controlled companies" from the countries that recognize what Belgrade describes as the illegal Kosovo declaration, cooperation with the private businesses will continue. Their fellow minister and NS leader Velimir Ilic, however, says Kostunica's statement is not controversial. "The economic side must be separated from the political. As far as the economy goes, and we're talking banks and companies, no problems exist, and there will be none," Ilic said. The DSS officials were unavailable for comment today, but Monday, their spokesman Andreja Mladenovic held a news conference where he told foreign investors that they are welcome and safe in Serbia, which will, in his words, "not break off economic ties with any country". Mladenovic added that all premises belonging to foreign companies and embassies in Belgrade and other cities throughout the country will be protected, and that police will react in line with its jurisdiction, "since Serbia is a country that respects international law".

"Koštunica's comment for internal use"

B92 has spoken to high ranking officials from President Boris Tadić's Democrats (DS) and G17 Plus about this statement, and it seems that their answers indicate the ruling coalition will face a new crisis over the issues of the defense of Kosovo and Serbia's now stalled EU integration.

Božidar Đelić, DS, says this comment is "not the government's official position".

"Self-isolation is not a good solution and it brings nothing good to the citizens," Koštunica's deputy in the cabinet said, and added that "the DS will never accept such policy".

The government is made up of the DS, the Democratic Party of Serbia (DSS)-New Serbia (NS), and G17 Plus. Although Tadić's Democrats have the most parliamentary madates withing the ruling coaltion, they are unable to muster a parliamentary majority that would exclude the DSS.

The single largest party in the Serbian parliament is the opposition Serb Radical Party (SRS).

G17 Plus leader Mlađan Dinkić said on the same subject that he sees Koštunica's statement yesterday as a "form of diplomatic pressure".

Dinkić, who is the economy minister, added that while he will "not contact state-controlled companies" from the countries that recognize what Belgrade describes as the illegal Kosovo declaration, cooperation with the private businesses will continue.

Their fellow minister and NS leader Velimir Ilić, however, says Koštunica's statement is not controversial.

"The economic side must be separated from the political. As far as the economy goes, and we're talking banks and companies, no problems exist, and there will be none," Ilić said.

The DSS officials were unavailable for comment today, but Monday, their spokesman Andreja Mladenović held a news conference where he told foreign investors that they are welcome and safe in Serbia, which will, in his words, "not break off economic ties with any country".

Mladenović added that all premises belonging to foreign companies and embassies in Belgrade and other cities throughout the country will be protected, and that police will react in line with its jurisdiction, "since Serbia is a country that respects international law".