Belgrade, 14. 03. 2008.

SERBIA – FORTHCOMING PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS

• TADIC ON OPPORTUNITY THAT WE CONFIRM ONCE AGAIN WE WANT
• IT IS UP TO CITIZENS TO CHOOSE AN ACCOUNTABLE GOVERNMENT
• ELECTIONS ARE MOST LOGICAL WAY OUT, SAYS DULIC
• AS OF THURSDAY, GOVERNMENT IS TECHNICAL
• MUNTER: SUPPORT FOR PROEUROPEAN PARTIES IN ELECTIONS
• SERBIA'S FUTURE IS IN EUROPE, SAYS WORDSWORTH

• DJELIC: EU TO ANNOUNCE CRITERIA FOR LIFTING OF VISAS
• DJELIC SAYS CITIZENS WILL CONFIRM SERBIA'S EUROPEAN PATH
• BUBALO SAYS STORIES ABOUT SELF-ISOLATION ARE NONSENSE
• SCHEFFER: SERBIA'S FUTURE LIES IN EURO-ATLANTIC INTEGRATION

• KRASNIQI: SERBIAN ELECTIONS SHOULD NOT BE HELD IN KOSOVO
• KOSOVO RECOGNITION AN EXCEPTION, FRIED
• USA, EU PRESSURING PARTNERS IN G8 TO RECOGNIZE KOSOVO
• CHRISTOFIAS: CYPRUS WILL NOT RECOGNISE KOSOVO'S SECESSION
• IVANKO: SERBS CROSSED RED LINE WHEN THEY INVADED COURT

• BUBALO: AGREEMENT TO ENSURE ENERGY SUPPLY
• BUGARIN: SLOVENIAN INVESTORS DO NOT ANNOUNCE BACKTRACK
• JAPAN TO MAKE DONATION TO KRAGUJEVAC PSYCHIATRIC INSTITUTION

EUBELGRADE, March 14 (Tanjug) - Serbian President and leader of the Democratic Party (DS), Boris Tadic, has said that early parliamentary elections which he called for May 11 will be an "opportunity for us to prove once again, in two months time, that we want to join the EU.""I say to the citizens who are afraid that as a country, we might go back - go to the polls," Tadic said in an interview for the Belgrade daily Blic.

"What I offer is a European option and a policy of the preservation of the country's integrity, of its speeded economic development and building. There are some political parties which dare not state in public that they are not for a European perspective, and these parties a few days ago, by abusing the issue of preservation of the country's integrity, tried to stop its (European) integration," he underlined.

Asked what the main issue of the forthcoming elections was for him, and whether it was the EU or Kosovo, Tadic replied that "it is one thing what one says, but, basically, not all are for European integration, because it is not just the word, but rather practice which represents a criterion. Certain parties have directly worked on preventing Serbia's admission into EU. However, when it comes to the defence of Kosovo, there are no basic differences."

"We are for the preservation of Kosovo and I am convinced that only as integrated with Kosovo can we join the EU," he said. Asked whether it was possible that the leader of the DSS (Serbian Democratic Party) joined in coalition with the Radicals and set up a future government, Tadic answered that "this threat has existed all these years." "DSS has never denied the possibility to make an agreement with the SRS (Serbian Radical Party), and this is what has always worried me," President Tadic said.

BELGRADE, March 13 (Beta) – Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica on March 13 once again said that he had lost confidence in the readiness of his party’s current coalition partners, the Democratic Party and G17 Plus, to sincerely fight against the independence of Kosovo.

In a statement on the day of the dissolution of parliament and the scheduling of early parliamentary elections for May 11, Kostunica said that it is “especially important” that the citizens choose a “nationbuilding and nationally accountable government.”

That government, according to Kostunica, must have the strength to fight for the preservation of Kosovo, for the country’s stable and successful economic growth, for equal negotiations with the EU about the accession of the entire country into Europe, and to decisively fight against crime and corruption.

“I have told citizens that I have lost confidence in the current coalition partners, the Democratic Party and G17 Plus, to be willing, after Feb. 17, to continue to sincerely fight against the unilateral independence of the province, and to continue together to implement this difficult, but justified nationbuilding and nationally accountable policy,” said the prime minister and leader of the Democratic Party of Serbia.

Kostunica added that this is why the government has returned the mandate to the people and that it is up to the citizens “to decide who they will trust to manage the state and national policy.”

BELGRADE, March 13 (Beta) – Serbian Parliament Speaker Oliver Dulic said on March 13 that the scheduling of early parliamentary elections was the most logical way out of the deep political crisis, which was sparked by the absence of consensus within the ruling coalition on continuing the country’s European integration processes.

According to the statement issued by his office, Dulic welcomed the calling of the May 11 elections, saying that he expected the new parliamentary majority and government to be able to secure a better life for all Serbian citizens by accelerating European integrations and preserving the country’s territorial integrity.

He thanked all the deputies of the current parliament “for having created an atmosphere of understanding and respect in the parliament.”

“The result of this was the passing of a number of important laws, especially of those that stemmed from the Constitutional Law regarding the implementation of the Constitution of Serbia,” Dulic said in his statement.

On March 13, Serbian President Boris Tadic dissolved the parliament and scheduled early parliamentary elections for May 11.

Tadic brought the decree on disbanding the parliament at the government’s proposal.

BELGRADE, March 13 (Tanjug) - Serbian Minister of Trade Predrag Bubalo said that after the Thursday adoption of a decree by the head of state on the dismissal of parliament and scheduling of early elections, the Serbian government would begin to operate as "technical."

The minister said that this meant that the government would not be able to propose laws and regulations, but only to engage in "day-to-day work." Under the Law on the Government, the government can adopt decrees and regulations on the issues of general interest for the state, defence and threat to the country by natural disasters, he said.

"This government session passed in this spirit," Bubalo told a news conference after the government session. Bubalo refused to respond to the question on the work of political parties and added that government members should not use the "lectern at the government's press room" for the political party promotion. He appealed at the other ministers to refrain from doing so.

BELGRADE, March 13 (Beta) - The U.S. will support Serbia's proEuropean parties in every way in the upcoming elections and will continue to help Serbia economically, U.S. Ambassador to Serbia Cameron Munter said in Belgrade on March 13.

"We believe that the people of Serbia are dedicated to a European path and we will support those parties that follow this policy in every way in the elections," Munter told journalists.

However, Munter also said that regardless of who wins the May elections, the U.S. "will judge them on the basis of what they do," adding that the U.S. will continue to provide economic aid to Serbia, as well as that it will continue to invest in the country.

The ambassador went on to say that the Serbian government did not collapse because of different views on the Kosovo issue, but because of "fundamental differences within the government itself."

Munter added that all the parties had agreed to call elections because it is a good way to consolidate the parties, which must lead the country forward as the people want, i.e. down the European path.

"We are devoted to the idea that the future of this country is in Europe, we have always been and I hope that we always will be. I think that the leaders of this country are also responsible, they also decide in the name of their country and we wish to help them," Munter replied when asked whether his country was responsible for the situation in Serbia because it had recognized Kosovo's independence.

BELGRADE, March 13 (Beta) - The future of Serbia is in Europe and we hope the new government, formed after the elections, will have a clear orientation toward European integration, British Ambassador Stephen Wordsworth said in Belgrade on March 13.

"We hope the parties that are strongly dedicated to European integration will do well, because the future of Serbia is connected with Europe in great measure. This is what we hope the Serbian people will confirm," said the British ambassador.

He reiterated that the situation after the recognition of Kosovo's independence is such as it is, adding that Great Britain is interested in strengthening stability in the region and that the most important thing now is what happens to people.

"I believe it is good that elections in Serbia will be held, because the situation is unstable at this time, in the light of everything that has happened here," Wordsworth told reporters at the Center for Cultural Decontamination, at the promotion of a program for southern Serbia.

Asked about whether Great Britain will also cooperate with the nationally oriented bloc of parties if they win the elections, Wordsworth said it was up to the Serbian people to elect their representatives.

"The governments of European parties and others will have to wait for the result of elections and then assess whether they can cooperate with the new government. I hope the government that will be formed will be clearly oriented toward European integration, so that we can cooperate. If the Serbian people elect such a government, that will be their choice," the ambassador of Great Britain stated.

In his words, Serbia has administrative and technical capacities to progress toward Europe very quickly. He said he hoped the May elections would lead to the right choices, which will make quicker progress possible.

BELGRADE, March 13 (Beta) - Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Bozidar Djelic said on March 13 that Serbia expected the EU to present the criteria for the lifting of visas, and if these criteria were met, visas for Serbian citizens would be abolished by the end of the year.

"We are prepared for reforms and we are waiting for the EU to present to us the criteria that must be met in order for visas to be annulled. What is unfortunate is that a large number of laws, which the government passed, cannot be passed in parliament because the parliament has been dissolved," Djelic told journalists at the Serbian government headquarters, after a meeting with a European Commission delegation.

Djelic added that the aggravating fact will be that the passing of laws will most likely begin in fall, emphasizing that Serbia, besides political problems, has the capacity, knowledge and people to enable the lifting of visas by the end of the year and allow Serbia to become an EU membership candidate.

After the meeting with the EU mission dedicated to justice, security, corruption and human rights, the deputy prime minister said that the mission will draw up a draft report, which will be reviewed in Belgrade on April 4.

BELGRADE, March 13 (Beta) - Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Bozidar Djelic said on March 13 that dialogue should not be stopped with the countries that have recognized the unilateral proclamation of Kosovo's independence, adding that he was convinced the citizens would choose a European path in the May 11 elections.

Following an article by the foreign ministers of France and Switzerland, Bernard Kouchner and Carl Bildt, in the March 12 issue of Belgrade daily Blic, Djelic told journalists at the Serbian government headquarters that friendship is based on facts and actions, not only on declarations.

"It is clear that when France and Switzerland recognized the illegal, unilateral proclamation of Kosovo's independence, they did not demonstrate friendship toward Serbia," Djelic said after a meeting with a European Commission delegation.

He added that Serbia will fight best if it maintains a dialogue with those countries and changes their policy, and not if it is isolated and cuts communication, because that is not in the interests of the country or the citizens, and would not help the fight for Kosovo.

Djelic picked out from the article that Kouchner and Bildt were in favor of Serbia gaining EU membership candidate status by the end of the year and that they supported a visafree regime for Serbian citizens. He also recalled that France will take over the EU rotating presidency in the second half of this year, whereas Sweden will be at the EU's helm some time the next year.

BELGRADE, March 13 (Tanjug) - Minister of Commerce Predrag Bubalo said on Thursday that all parties have clearly opted for joining the European Union (EU), but that the question is how to go about securing this, so that the stories about self-isolation are "absolute nonsense."

Speaking to reporters at Belgrade Fair, Bubalo said anyone who wants to accuse someone else of being opposed to accession to the EU will be wasting time and energy, "because everyone is for the EU." The pertinent question is whether Serbia will join Europe as a sovereign country with its recognized borders, or in a rump form, the minister said.

"I will not let anyone claim that they are a greater European than I am," Bubalo said, pointing out that "the stories about self-isolation are absolute nonsense and the citizens will not fall for them." "It is not known that any country in the world ever decided to place itself in isolation, it is just a matter of the way in which things are presented by those with different political opinions and certain officials of the EU," Minister Bubalo explained.

WARSAW, March 14 (Tanjug) - NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer said in Warsaw late on Thursday that "there is no doubt in my mind that Serbia's long-term future lies in the Euro-Atlantic integration."

"We must make clear to Belgrade and the people of Serbia that there is no viable future in the retreat into angry nationalism," NATO Secretary General Scheffer said, and Reuters reported.

PRISTINA, March 13 (Beta) - Kosovo Assembly Speaker Jakup Krasniqi said on March 13 that the Serbian local and parliamentary elections should not be held in Kosovo.

"Kosovo has declared independence, this is being supported internationally, and I believe the elections of other countries should not be held in Kosovo," Krasniqi said after a meeting with the chief of the EULEX mission, Yves de Kermabon.

"However, the decision and responsibility for the holding of elections is up to UNMIK and KFOR and I believe they will take their share of responsibility for security in Kosovo," Krasniqi said. International and Pristina institutions have not yet decided on whether the May 11 general elections in Serbia will also be organized in Kosovo.

UNMIK spokesman Aleksandar Ivanko told a March 12 news conference that only UNMIK can schedule and organize elections in Kosovo, and that it will make a decision about this after consultations with the member countries of the Contact Group and with the U.N. headquarters in New York.

WASHINGTON, March 13 (Tanjug) - Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Daniel Fried said Wednesday that United States support for Kosovo's independence was an exception and that Washington does not encourage separatist tendencies in the world. Kosovo is an exception and the decision on the recognition of Kosovo independence was not made in a hasty manner but with the consideration of reality, Fried said in a testimony before the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

We are not in the habit of supporting separatist tendencies, but rather we support countries to resolve their ethnic differences in line with the rule of law and protection of the rights of minorities, Fried said, and added that for that reason the decision on Kosovo's independence was not easy, but that it was right and the only possible.

A majority of the committee members backed the independence of Kosovo, but a number of them voiced concern for the position of the Serbian minority and over the possibility that Kosovo's independence be used as a model by other separatist movements in the world, Voice of America's Serbian Language Service reported. The US assistant secretary of state also said that the United States rejects calls by certain Serbian leaders in Bosnia-Herzegovina for the declaration of the independence of the Republika Srpska, but that they are also opposed to the proposals for abolishing the entity.

BRUSSELS, March 13 (Tanjug) - The United States of America (USA) and European members of the Contact Group - France, Italy, Germany, and Great Britain, are pressuring their partners in the G8 - Japan and Canada, to recognize the unilateral secession of Kosovo before the summit on the Japanese island of Hokkaido in early July, diplomatic sources told Tanjug in Brussels on Thursday.

The objective of the USA and the EU is to get Russia in an isolated position within the G8 on the issue of Kosovo, and that is why huge pressure is being exerted primarily on Japan, which will probably have to adopt the decision on recognition within the next two weeks, the diplomatic sources said. Washington and Brussels need a non-European power to recognize Kosovo and that is why they have decided that this should be Japan, as the G8 chaircountry this year, and as a country that has no secessionist problems and that is military-strategically dependent on the USA, Tanjug's sources said.

The pressure on Canada is somewhat less strong, primarily because of its internal problems with separatism in its Quebec province. Most Canadian analysts and lawyers believe that Canada should not hurry with the recognition of Kosovo, and that Ottawa is likely to wait for some kind of consensus at the United Nations (UN) on this issue. The G8 summit will take place on the island of Hokkaido from July 7-9 this year.

BRUSSELS, March 14 (Tanjug) - The new government of Cyprus will not recognize Kosovo's unilateral secession, Cypriot President Dimitris Christofias has said, following the first day of a summit of the heads of state or government of the European Union in Brussels.

When asked if the new Cypriot government would be ready to recognize Kosovo independence, President Christofias answered that Nikozia's stand remained the same and that it would continue to advocate the respect of the territorial integrity of the member countries of the United Nations and the Helsinki Final Act. This is the first time that the newly-appointed Cypriot president, who was appointed to the post following the elections in mid-February, has expressed his stand on the status of the southern Serbian province.

KOSOVSKA MITROVICA, March 14 (Tanjug) - UNMIK spokesman Aleksandar Ivanko has said that the persons that invaded the building of the UNMIK Municipal and District Court in northern Mitrovica on Friday morning crossed one of UNMIK's red lines. In an interview with Tanjug, Ivanko said that the invasion of the Serb members of the prosecution into the building of the Municipal and District Court in Kosovska Mitrovica represented a violation of UN Security Council Resolution 1244. Ivanko underlined that only once the employees left the building they invaded could talks begin on what could or could not be done.

One of the members of the Serb prosecution negotiating team Nebojsa Jovic has invited UNMIK representatives for negotiations so that the problem could be resolved. The Serb employees of the prosecution bodies in Kosovska Mitrovica, who are protesting because they want to return to their jobs, early in the morning broke through a police cordon, burst open the gates of the Municipal and District Court, entered the building and put a flag on top of it.

BELGRADE, March 13 (Beta) - Serbian Minister of Trade and Services Predrag Bubalo on March 13 said that the energy agreement with Russia will ensure a regular supply of energy to the Serbian industry.

He told the press at the Belgrade Car Show that the agreement will solve the question of the underground gas storage in Banatski Dvor, which could contain a tank for the whole area.

According to Bubalo, this would also solve the payment balance position, since some of the money would come from the transit of Russian gas through Serbia.

Commenting on the relation between the price of gas and the agreement with Russia, he said that they are not connected now, but that they might be when the gas pipeline starts running through Serbia, and when the supply starts coming from those resources.

On Jan. 25, Russia and Serbia signed the energy agreement, which envisages selling 51 percent of the Serbian Oil Industry (NIS) to Russian Gazprom for EUR400 million. According to the agreement, Gazprom is obliged to invest at least EUR500 million in NIS by 2012, and the sale is to be wrapped up by the end of 2008.

The part of the agreement referring to the gas pipeline Gazprom is going to construct through Serbia, says that the pipeline's minimum capacity will be 10 billion cubic meters of gas per year.

BELGRADE, March 13 (Beta) - President of the Serbian Chamber of Commerce Milos Bugarin on March 13 announced that Slovenian investors have not announced their withdrawal from investing in Serbia.

Bugarin told the press that some Slovenian companies have announced they are waiting for the stabilization of the political situation in Serbia, but that they do not intend to cease investing.

He did not specify which companies said they will put investing on hold.

Slovenia's recognition of Kosovo's independence is an irrational decision, leading to justified fear among Slovenian and Serbian businessmen, who are planning some serious business activities and investments, he said.

According to Bugarin, Slovenia's decision to recognize Kosovo's independence, and the current political situation in Serbia must by no means influence the two countries' economic cooperation.

BELGRADE, March 13 (Tanjug) - A contract on the Japanese government donation to the Kragujevac-based institution for mentally ill adults was signed in Belgrade on Thursday. The donation at the amount of 66,697 euros will be used for the purchase of an ambulance, ultrasonic diagnostic device, EEG and ECG, sterilisers and physiotherapy device.

This will ensure better health care for 940 mentally ill patients at the institution who are older than 18. Japanese Ambassador to Serbia Tadashi Nagai said that with the latest donation, the total Japanese donation to Serbia since 1999 amounted to 197.1 million euros.