"Serbian institutions in Kosovo will stay"

President Boris Tadic has said that he will not accept the demand to abolish Serbian institutions in Kosovo. The reason for this is that in the long-term it would mean the Serb population leaving the province, said he. "Serbian institutions in Kosovo will stay" In an interview for the Zvecan-based TV Most on Friday night, Tadic said there is a lot of pressure to shut down institutions coming from great powers, UN Security Council member countries which have recognized Kosovo and would like to see the issue closed. "We will not agree to the abolishment of our institutions. If we consented to such a demand, in the longterm it would mean the Serb population leaving Kosovo and at the same time it would mean there is no education, health care or social security system," Tadic said. Tadic said this is utterly impossible and told those who are pressuring him and the Serbian government that this demand is ineffective and unacceptable. Tadic said that if Serbia had agreed to renounce UN Security Council Resolution 1244 when it comes to the regional representation of the so-called independent state of Kosovo, it would certainly have gotten EU candidate status. "There is no dilemma here, I thought I had no right to agree to give up the Resolution, as it is the legal basis which can help us find a solution for Kosovo," said the Serbian president. A message to Serbs, Albanians and the international community is that no one can get everything, that a solution must be based on compromise and durable peace, Tadic said. Tadic pointed out a solution needs to be found that will take into account not only Serbian, but also Albanian national interests, and that he believes this is possible. "Serbia does not accept Kosovo's independence, not will it. This is based on Resolution 1244 and our Constitution, but we do accept the position of all major powers that a division of Kosovo is not possible," said the Serbian president. Tadic at Visoki Decani (FoNet/EPA) Tanjug

"Serbian institutions in Kosovo will stay"

In an interview for the Zvečan-based TV Most on Friday night, Tadić said there is a lot of pressure to shut down institutions coming from great powers, UN Security Council member countries which have recognized Kosovo and would like to see the issue closed.

"We will not agree to the abolishment of our institutions. If we consented to such a demand, in the longterm it would mean the Serb population leaving Kosovo and at the same time it would mean there is no education, health care or social security system," Tadić said.

Tadić said this is utterly impossible and told those who are pressuring him and the Serbian government that this demand is ineffective and unacceptable.

Tadić said that if Serbia had agreed to renounce UN Security Council Resolution 1244 when it comes to the regional representation of the so-called independent state of Kosovo, it would certainly have gotten EU candidate status.

"There is no dilemma here, I thought I had no right to agree to give up the Resolution, as it is the legal basis which can help us find a solution for Kosovo," said the Serbian president.

A message to Serbs, Albanians and the international community is that no one can get everything, that a solution must be based on compromise and durable peace, Tadić said.

Tadić pointed out a solution needs to be found that will take into account not only Serbian, but also Albanian national interests, and that he believes this is possible.

"Serbia does not accept Kosovo's independence, not will it. This is based on Resolution 1244 and our Constitution, but we do accept the position of all major powers that a division of Kosovo is not possible," said the Serbian president.