5 countries stand with Serbia; "but request is rejected"

5 countries stand with Serbia; "but request is rejected"

According to the reports, the chairman of Interpol rejected the request of Serbia and five member states for the General Assembly to take a vote on removing from the agenda the vote on membership of so-called Kosovo in Interpol.

Thus, at the beginning of the session on Monday, the chairman refused to include in the agenda the request supported by Serbia, China, Spain, Cyprus, Argentina, and Suriname.

Because of such a decision by top representatives of the General Assembly, members had no opportunity to declare themselves on putting the application for membership by so-called Kosovo on the agenda, since they exclusively voted on the agenda in its entirety, as proposed by the Executive Committee.

The point concerning the decision on deciding on Kosovo's membership was previously voted in only at the session of the Executive Committee, and there was a 7-6 ratio in favor of putting it on the agenda.

It will take a two-thirds majority for Pristina to become a member of Interpol tomorrow, and there will be two opportunities for that to happen.

Namely, if the first round of voting fails, then another will follow. If there is no necessary majority even after this, then, Pristina's bid will have been rejected.

"Politics and confusion"

China, Spain, Cyprus, Argentina, and Suriname joined Serbia in a request to remove Pristina's bid from the agenda, Tanjug said it learned earlier on Monday.

Earlier today in Dubai, where the General Assembly is taking place, Interior Minister Nebojsa Steganovic said that when it comes to Kosovo's admission, the Assembly's politicization was continuing.

He said the intention was to confuse the states as to the manner of voting, and that it is being stated t will be possible to gain insight into the results - "while knowingly leaving out the fact that this does not apply to the secret vote itself."

"In addition to unclear notifications, which are not merely untimely, a procedure is announced (according to which) if a vote results in the so-called Kosovo failing to gain the required majority, then a break will be made, and after the break, a new vote would take place," Stefanovic said.

"That is completely contrary to the rules that clearly state two votes would be held, without mentioning any breaks. It is obvious that all attempts will be made to ensure that the required majority is secured during that break, should it be missing in the first ballot," explained the minister, who heads the Serbian delegation in Dubai.a