Defense source: Ministry has contingency plans for Kosovo

The Ministry of Defense has action plans "in the event of a presumed threat", Tanjug learned Friday. The statement came in the wake of an announcement from the government that all ministries will prepare plans for helping the Serb population in Kosovo should there be a unilateral proclamation of independence. Defense source: Ministry has contingency plans for Kosovo "Different scenarios were considered, and a reaction is possible in the event of any attempts to violating security, or on the grounds of a political decision made by the Serbian government or the head of state," the sources at the MoD told the agency. "Force deployment and unequivocal messages have already preventively made it clear to everyone that Serbia is ready to act in a serious manner should the need arise," the unnamed source explained. The Serbian Army (VS) last week sent out recruitment orders for more than 700 soldiers under contract, for different posts in the Vranje, Leskovac and Bujanovac garrisons, in the south of the country. Thursday, the cabinet decided that all ministries should make action plans for helping the Serb and other non-Albanian population in Kosovo, should there be a unilateral proclamation of independence, Labor Minister Rasim Ljajic told reporters after the session. Ljajic also revealed it was agreed that the plans will be sent in by the next government session, on Thursday next week. Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Bozidar Djelic said Friday that Serbia continues to insist on a compromise solution for the future status of Kosovo, but that, as a responsible country, it should "consider all possible scenarios". "That this is why all ministries have been instructed to draft action plans in case of a unilateral declaration of independence," he said. "Just like any other responsible government, and in view of announcements by a number of countries that they intend to unilaterally recognize the independence of Kosovo, we should be prepared for the worst case scenario," Djelic told journalists in the Serbian parliament building. "Of course, I am not at liberty to comment on these action plans, while parts which pertain to security are naturally not accessible to the public," Djelic stated. But the government's first task in this respect remains to reach a compromise solution for Kosovo, Djelic stressed. The government is doing everything it can to prevent the unilateral independence scenario, he added. "The recent round of talks has shown the supremacy of the Belgrade delegation, which came out with very concrete recommendations and ideas," the deputy prime minister said. "It is up to us to prove that there are models which offer something more than essential autonomy to prevent the breakup of the country's territorial integrity." "In that respect, at this moment, we are engaged in a search for a compromise, but, of course, we must be prepared," Djelic noted. Ministers Ljajic, Loncar, Bubalo, during a cabinet session (Tanjug)

Defense source: Ministry has contingency plans for Kosovo

"Different scenarios were considered, and a reaction is possible in the event of any attempts to violating security, or on the grounds of a political decision made by the Serbian government or the head of state," the sources at the MoD told the agency.

"Force deployment and unequivocal messages have already preventively made it clear to everyone that Serbia is ready to act in a serious manner should the need arise," the unnamed source explained.

The Serbian Army (VS) last week sent out recruitment orders for more than 700 soldiers under contract, for different posts in the Vranje, Leskovac and Bujanovac garrisons, in the south of the country.

Thursday, the cabinet decided that all ministries should make action plans for helping the Serb and other non-Albanian population in Kosovo, should there be a unilateral proclamation of independence, Labor Minister Rasim Ljajić told reporters after the session.

Ljajić also revealed it was agreed that the plans will be sent in by the next government session, on Thursday next week.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Božidar Đelić said Friday that Serbia continues to insist on a compromise solution for the future status of Kosovo, but that, as a responsible country, it should "consider all possible scenarios".

"That this is why all ministries have been instructed to draft action plans in case of a unilateral declaration of independence," he said.

"Just like any other responsible government, and in view of announcements by a number of countries that they intend to unilaterally recognize the independence of Kosovo, we should be prepared for the worst case scenario," Đelić told journalists in the Serbian parliament building.

"Of course, I am not at liberty to comment on these action plans, while parts which pertain to security are naturally not accessible to the public," Đelić stated.

But the government's first task in this respect remains to reach a compromise solution for Kosovo, Đelić stressed.

The government is doing everything it can to prevent the unilateral independence scenario, he added.

"The recent round of talks has shown the supremacy of the Belgrade delegation, which came out with very concrete recommendations and ideas," the deputy prime minister said.

"It is up to us to prove that there are models which offer something more than essential autonomy to prevent the breakup of the country's territorial integrity."

"In that respect, at this moment, we are engaged in a search for a compromise, but, of course, we must be prepared," Đelić noted.