Kosovo minister slams international officials

The minister for Kosovo has criticized international officials’ attitudes towards cooperation with Serbs in Kosovo. Goran Bogdanovic said that international officials in Kosovo only dealt with Serb officials they deemed “appropriate,” and that this was unacceptable, because Serbs in the region already had legally-elected officials chosen at legal elections. Kosovo minister slams international officials “Statements such as those from [International Civil Representative] Pieter Feith—that the Kosovo government should select Serb representatives—has the goal of creating a rift between Serbs in the province. As far as we’re concerned, this issue is cut and dry—our representatives were elected on May 11,” Bogdanovic told daily Vecernje Novosti. He said that he was convinced that UNMIK would make good on the demands of the Serbian government, which he said were a compromise in accordance with Resolution 1244 for the return of Serb police under UNMIK command, as well as the demands of the judicial bodies. “We want Serb police officers working in Serb communities, both in the north, and in central parts and Pomoravlje. For this, we have received understanding from UNMIK Chief Lamberto Zannier, who understands the seriousness of our demands, and also the importance of these fields in the efforts to maintain stability on the ground,” Bogdanovic said. He said that the work of the courts was also important because Serbs in Kosovo could not remain without legal protection. Bogdanovic dismissed opposition claims that the Serbian government was betraying the principles of the state policy, adding that policy regarding Kosovo would remain unaltered. “We are ready to resolve all these issues through the UN Security Council. It is clear that Serbia will reject all acts that are not based on international law when it comes to issues relating to the situation in Kosovo,” the minister stressed.

Kosovo minister slams international officials

“Statements such as those from [International Civil Representative] Pieter Feith—that the Kosovo government should select Serb representatives—has the goal of creating a rift between Serbs in the province. As far as we’re concerned, this issue is cut and dry—our representatives were elected on May 11,” Bogdanović told daily Večernje Novosti.

He said that he was convinced that UNMIK would make good on the demands of the Serbian government, which he said were a compromise in accordance with Resolution 1244 for the return of Serb police under UNMIK command, as well as the demands of the judicial bodies.

“We want Serb police officers working in Serb communities, both in the north, and in central parts and Pomoravlje. For this, we have received understanding from UNMIK Chief Lamberto Zannier, who understands the seriousness of our demands, and also the importance of these fields in the efforts to maintain stability on the ground,” Bogdanović said.

He said that the work of the courts was also important because Serbs in Kosovo could not remain without legal protection.

Bogdanović dismissed opposition claims that the Serbian government was betraying the principles of the state policy, adding that policy regarding Kosovo would remain unaltered.

“We are ready to resolve all these issues through the UN Security Council. It is clear that Serbia will reject all acts that are not based on international law when it comes to issues relating to the situation in Kosovo,” the minister stressed.