DSS: Ministry for Kosovo should not be abolished

BELGRADE A spokesman for the Democratic Party of Serbia (DSS) says the party believes the next government should retain the Ministry for Kosovo. This is what Serbs in the southern province want, Petar Petkovic told a regular news conference in Belgrade on Monday. DSS: Ministry for Kosovo should not be abolished Petkovic said the DSS would speak more about this when the parliament debates the bill on government, and refused to comment on the announcement that Aleksandar Vulin would head the government office for Kosovo. According to Petkovic, the DSS "will wait for people to start working at their new posts before commenting on their achievements". He said his party would act as responsible opposition in line with Serbia's interests. "If the government's actions threaten Serbia's interests, we will react. And we will not only criticize, but also propose solutions to problems," said the DSS spokesman. Petkovic also announced that the party would hold a special session of its main board on July 26, to mark 20 years since founding. A book entitled "The experience of state-making policy - the 20 years of the DSS" will be presented the next day. "The DSS is today the only party that sees participation in politics as a duty toward Serbia and the people, rather than a possibility to seize power at any cost," the spokesman noted, and reminded reporters of the party's founding declaration, which stated that "there can be no democracy without principles". "In line with this, the DSS will remain committed to the principle of political neutrality, and will stand in favor of this in parliament," said Petkovic. He added that it was thanks to the party and its leader that Serbia's new constitution was adopted - "which, it has become obvious, represents a barrier preventing the disintegration of the state of Serbia". The party is led by former Yugoslav president and Serbian prime minister for two terms Vojislav Kostunica, and will remain in opposition after a new government has been formed. The DSS participated in the May 6 parliamentary and won 21 seats in the country's new parliament. Tanjug

DSS: Ministry for Kosovo should not be abolished

Petković said the DSS would speak more about this when the parliament debates the bill on government, and refused to comment on the announcement that Aleksandar Vulin would head the government office for Kosovo.

According to Petković, the DSS "will wait for people to start working at their new posts before commenting on their achievements".

He said his party would act as responsible opposition in line with Serbia's interests. "If the government's actions threaten Serbia's interests, we will react. And we will not only criticize, but also propose solutions to problems," said the DSS spokesman.

Petković also announced that the party would hold a special session of its main board on July 26, to mark 20 years since founding.

A book entitled "The experience of state-making policy - the 20 years of the DSS" will be presented the next day.

"The DSS is today the only party that sees participation in politics as a duty toward Serbia and the people, rather than a possibility to seize power at any cost," the spokesman noted, and reminded reporters of the party's founding declaration, which stated that "there can be no democracy without principles".

"In line with this, the DSS will remain committed to the principle of political neutrality, and will stand in favor of this in parliament," said Petković. He added that it was thanks to the party and its leader that Serbia's new constitution was adopted - "which, it has become obvious, represents a barrier preventing the disintegration of the state of Serbia".

The party is led by former Yugoslav president and Serbian prime minister for two terms Vojislav Koštunica, and will remain in opposition after a new government has been formed. The DSS participated in the May 6 parliamentary and won 21 seats in the country's new parliament.