Tadić: Elections would be financial burden

Early parliamentary elections in 2009 would represent a financial burden for the state and would cause new divisions, says Boris Tadic. The Serbian president and the leader of the ruling Democrats (DS) told his party's main board meeting in Belgrade this Sunday that the financial crisis has hit the poor the hardest, and that the government's measures to counter the effect of the global meltdown will be measured by its success to protect the most vulnerable. Tadic: Elections would be financial burden "The citizens want us to provide them with security. We must do all so that the citizens know we are fighting for each and every job," Tadic stressed, adding that "the situation from the last decade when people lost faith in the state" must not repeat. "This is no time for laments and pessimism, but for new optimism based on realistic measures and our readiness to take over the responsibility and more than before, work for the benefit of our citizens," he told his party's top officials. Tadic called on the opposition parties to make their constructive contribution, and was quoted as saying that "the government will adopt measures proposed by the opposition if they are useable". Tadic said that Serbia "cannot fight for her territorial integrity in Kosovo without membership in the EU". He repeated once again that Serbia will never recognize Kosovo Albanians' independence proclamation. He expressed his support for the government over the Kovacevic case, and said the public will learn all the details "once the ongoing process is over". The president and DS leader revealed that Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic told him it was the request "of the other side" for the details to be withheld from the public for the time being. Tadic addressed the issue of Vojvodina's draft statute by saying that the Democrats support decentralization, but that no party should count on them as partners to tear Serbia apart. Cooperation with the Hague Tribunal, he told the gathering, will be finalized, and Serbia will do everything to establish a visa-free regime with the EU this year, and achieve candidate status in that organization. Tadic also said that fight against organized crime and corruption would continue, adding that the DS will initiate new legislation that would regulate financing of political parties. Party spokeswoman Jelena Trivan told B92 on Saturday that Tadic would present a report on his work, and that the party meeting will take "its usual course". One debate that will single this one from previous such gatherings will be that dedicated to the justice system reform. "It is expected that he [Tadic] will analyze the work of parliament and government in his report, meaning the DS representatives' activities in the institutions of government. After that, we will vote on new main board members," said she. Trivan said that "a state secretary with the Justice Ministry" will report on the judicial reform subject, to which, according to her, this party meeting will be dedicated. Tadic is seen at the DS meeting today (Beta)

Tadić: Elections would be financial burden

"The citizens want us to provide them with security. We must do all so that the citizens know we are fighting for each and every job," Tadić stressed, adding that "the situation from the last decade when people lost faith in the state" must not repeat.

"This is no time for laments and pessimism, but for new optimism based on realistic measures and our readiness to take over the responsibility and more than before, work for the benefit of our citizens," he told his party's top officials.

Tadić called on the opposition parties to make their constructive contribution, and was quoted as saying that "the government will adopt measures proposed by the opposition if they are useable".

Tadić said that Serbia "cannot fight for her territorial integrity in Kosovo without membership in the EU". He repeated once again that Serbia will never recognize Kosovo Albanians' independence proclamation.

He expressed his support for the government over the Kovačević case, and said the public will learn all the details "once the ongoing process is over".

The president and DS leader revealed that Prime Minister Mirko Cvetković told him it was the request "of the other side" for the details to be withheld from the public for the time being.

Tadić addressed the issue of Vojvodina's draft statute by saying that the Democrats support decentralization, but that no party should count on them as partners to tear Serbia apart.

Cooperation with the Hague Tribunal, he told the gathering, will be finalized, and Serbia will do everything to establish a visa-free regime with the EU this year, and achieve candidate status in that organization.

Tadić also said that fight against organized crime and corruption would continue, adding that the DS will initiate new legislation that would regulate financing of political parties.

Party spokeswoman Jelena Trivan told B92 on Saturday that Tadić would present a report on his work, and that the party meeting will take "its usual course".

One debate that will single this one from previous such gatherings will be that dedicated to the justice system reform.

"It is expected that he [Tadić] will analyze the work of parliament and government in his report, meaning the DS representatives' activities in the institutions of government. After that, we will vote on new main board members," said she.

Trivan said that "a state secretary with the Justice Ministry" will report on the judicial reform subject, to which, according to her, this party meeting will be dedicated.