Govt. makes final decision on Kosovo vote

The government has decided in a session in Belgrade today that local elections will be held in Kosovo despite UNMIK's opposition. The local and parliamentary elections have been scheduled for May 11. Govt. makes final decision on Kosovo vote The minister of trade and services in the caretaker government, Predrag Bubalo, DSS, told reporters after the session today that the correspondence between Belgrade and the UN mission in Kosovo is still ongoing, but that the decision on organizing the elections in the province has been made. According to him, the decision was unanimous and no member of the cabinet expressed any dilemma on this issue. "Whatever UNMIK's answer may be, elections will be held in Kosovo and Metohija," Bubalo said. The government also adopted a draft of an agreement that UNMIK chief Joachim Ruecker should sign with Minister for Kosovo Slobodan Samardzic. A strategic document on international aid was also passed today. The draft to be offered to UNMIK envisages regulation of relations in the areas of police, customs, judiciary and healthcare, Deputy Prime Minister Bozidar Djelic, DS, said at the news conference. He added the draft was similar to an agreement signed between the two sides in 2001. Beside UNMIK, members of the International Steering Group and OSCE's office in Pristina today also said they were against Belgrade's plans to hold local elections in Kosovo. Another Kosovo topic, the financing of Kosovo coordinators from the DSS, who have been replaced from their positions, caused a verbal conflict during the government session today, B92 has learned. The Democratic Party (DS) and G17 Plus ministers accused Samardzic of this practice.

Govt. makes final decision on Kosovo vote

The minister of trade and services in the caretaker government, Predrag Bubalo, DSS, told reporters after the session today that the correspondence between Belgrade and the UN mission in Kosovo is still ongoing, but that the decision on organizing the elections in the province has been made.

According to him, the decision was unanimous and no member of the cabinet expressed any dilemma on this issue.

"Whatever UNMIK's answer may be, elections will be held in Kosovo and Metohija," Bubalo said.

The government also adopted a draft of an agreement that UNMIK chief Joachim Ruecker should sign with Minister for Kosovo Slobodan Samardžić.

A strategic document on international aid was also passed today.

The draft to be offered to UNMIK envisages regulation of relations in the areas of police, customs, judiciary and healthcare, Deputy Prime Minister Božidar Đelić, DS, said at the news conference.

He added the draft was similar to an agreement signed between the two sides in 2001.

Beside UNMIK, members of the International Steering Group and OSCE's office in Priština today also said they were against Belgrade's plans to hold local elections in Kosovo.

Another Kosovo topic, the financing of Kosovo coordinators from the DSS, who have been replaced from their positions, caused a verbal conflict during the government session today, B92 has learned.

The Democratic Party (DS) and G17 Plus ministers accused Samardžić of this practice.