Belgrade, 17. 02. 2008.

TADIC’S ADRESS TO SERBIAN PARLIAMENT

• TADIC SAYS WILL NEVER GIVE UP KOSOVO
• SERBIAN PRESIDENT SAYS WILL FIGHT FOR BOTH KOSOVO, EU

• DJELIC: SERBIA TO RESORT TO DIPLOMATIC, LEGAL MEASURES
• SAMARADZIC: YET ANOTHER SHAMEFUL EU DECISION
• SAMARDZIC: SERBIA WILL STEP UP ITS ACTIVITIES IN KOSOVO
• PETROVIC: SERBIA READY FOR ANY EVENTUALITY
• SERBS FROM KIM INTEGRATED IN SERBIA'S CONSTITUTIONAL ORDER
• PEACEFUL PROTESTS THROUGHOUT SERBIA
• SERBIAN GOVERNMENT'S STRONG PROTEST TO SLOVENIA AMBASSADOR

• EU WILL IGNORE UN SC SESSION OUTCOME
• EU ADOPTS DECISION TO SEND EULEKS MISSION TO KOSOVO
• EU MILITARY COMMITTEE HEAD ON KOSOVO
• FEITH, DE KERMABON OFFICIALLY HEAD EU MISSION IN KOSOVO
• ALBANIANS CELEBRATE AHEAD, SERB REPRESENTATIVES VISIT KOSOVO
• ELJSANI: SITUATION IN KOSOVO CALM
• TARICEANU: ROMANIA WILL NOT RECOGNIZE INDEPENDENT KOSOVO

• RUSSIA WARNS AGAINST NEW FOREIGN PRESENCE FORMAT IN KOSOVO
• KOSACHOV: RUSSIA TO BLOCK KOSOVO MEMBERSHIP IN UN, OSCE
• ROGOZIN: WHOEVER RECOGNISES KOSOVO, TAKES HUGE RESONSIBILITY

BELGRADE, Feb 15 (Tanjug) - Serbian President Boris Tadic said Friday he will never give up on Kosovo or on Serbia's full membership in the EU.

"I will never give up fighting for our Kosovo and I will, with all my might, fight for Serbia to join the European Union", Tadic told the MP's at a ceremonial parliament session after he was sworn in. All state institutions must work actively on protecting the interests of Serbia's citizens, securing economic progress and European perspective and preserving Serbia's sovereignty and integrity, he said. The people rightly expect the institutions to work for their welfare. It is important to achieve unity, but unity is not an end in itself. The goal is the program the people have voted for, to make Serbia strong and stable, economically prosperous and a respected EU member, Tadic said.

BELGRADE, Feb 15 (Tanjug) - Serbian President Boris Tadic said Friday that the majority of Serbia's citizens opted in the recent presidential election for a program focusing on membership in the European Union and on preserving Serbia's sovereignty and integrity, and that state authorities must implement this program.

It is only in the EU that Serbia can defend Kosovo and only a stable and economically strong Serbia can defend its interests, he told the first press conference after he was sworn in the parliament for his second term. Tadic promised to endeavor to make Serbia a candidate for EU membership by the end of this year, in keeping with the will of the voters. None has the right to give up Kosovo, as Kosovo is noone's private property, but no one has the right either to deny to Serbia its future in Europe, as Serbia is noone's private property either, he said.

BELGRADE, Feb 15 (Tanjug) - Deputy Premier Bozidar Djelic announced on Friday that Serbia, in the event of a illegal declaration of independence of Kosovo and Metohija, would resort to an arsenal of diplomatic, legal measures. The measures that we would take would be of bilateral character, Djelic said, because the European Union is not a state and as such it cannot recognize the independence of Kosovo.

"That is why we can continue our contacts with Brussels and out Europeans and to move ahead on our European path," Djelic said. He announced that on Sunday, February 17, he would go to Strpce, to lend his support to Serbs and other citizens who consider Serbia their home to stay on and live in Kosovo. "Serbia wants Kosovo in Serbia, and Serbia in Europe," Djelic underlined.

BELGRADE, Feb 16 (Tanjug) - The decision of the European Union to send a mission to Kosovo and Metohija is yet another shameful EU decision that shows that it accepts the policy of secession and recognizes the independence of a province that is an inseparable part of Serbia, Minister for Kosovo and Metohija told Tanjug on Saturday.

"The EU has adopted yet another, and last decision, on the sending of its mission to Kosovo and Metohija in emergency procedure and in a secretive atmosphere. By its content it is shameful for the EU because it practically recognizes the independence of Kosovo and Metohija that is an inseparable part of Serbia," Samardzic said.

"For that reason, Serbia will in the nearest future have to review its relations with the EU and with member states that will possibly recognize the independence of Kosovo and Metohija," Samardzic cautioned.

BELGRADE, Feb 17 (Tanjug) - Serbian Minister for Kosovo and Metohija Slobodan Samardzic has said that members of the government and parliament will go to Serbia's southern province on Sunday to extend their support to the Serbs and other citizens loyal to Serbia, and to inform them that the state of Serbia will step up its activities there in the future. In a live broadcast by the Serbian state television RTS, Samardzic clarified that "it is not only a matter of assistance but the functioning of the Serbian state institutions in its territory."

"This includes investments, new jobs, functioning of Serbia's institutions in the area of health, education, social policy, infrastructure," clarified Minister Samardzic. On the occasion of statements coming from Brussels that Serbia would soon have to review its relations with the EU, Samardzic said that the fact that the EU's decision to send its mission to Kosovo and Metohija is illegal, contrary to international law, the EU law and the Serbian Constitution creates a "big problem."

When asked whether the problem is that Serbia does not want Europe in Kosovo and Metohija or it simply does not want its mission there, Samardzic replied that "the problem is that Europe is transforming a criminal structure in Kosovo into an independent state.

BELGRADE, Feb 15 (Tanjug) - Serbian Minister of Justice Dusan Petrovic said Friday that Serbia is diplomatically and legally ready for any eventuality in Kosovo-Meothija in a near future. Serbia has a very clear policy and will not recognize any status change in Kosovo, which is part of its territory, he said at a reception after the investiture of Serbian President Boris Tadic.

Serbia, as a UN member, has all the rights guaranteed by the UN Charter and its policy will continue to be based on that document and will focus on defending its rights by diplomatic and legal means, he said. Serbia must protect its national interests and the interests of its people, Petrovic said.

BELGRADE, Feb 16 (Tanjug) - At a meeting of Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica and a delegation of Serbs from Kosovo and Metohija on Saturday was confirmed full agreement for Serbs in the Province to remain integrated in the constitutional-legal order of Serbia, as full and equal citizens.

In the meeting were also representatives of all relevant state and social institutions in the Province, and also attending were ministers for Kosovo and Metohija Slobodan Samardzic, of Infrastructure Velimir Ilic, of Justice Dusan Petrovic, of Education Zoran Loncar and of Religion Radomir Naumov, the government press relations office said. Kostunica highlighted in the talks "the government decision to overturn in advance and for all times the illegal declaration of a sham state in the territory of Serbia, constitutes the basis of Serbia's state and national programme for Kosovo and Metohija after February 17.

"By our state and national policy set forth we have to secure a safe and normal life for all citizens in the province who respect the state of Serbia and that is why everyone should stay on to live in their homes, in their Kosovo and Metohija," he said. In the meeting it was concluded that investments and the creation of jobs would be secured by Republic of Serbia and National Investment Plan budget funds, which will confirm an even more intensive presence of the Serbian state in the Province. In the Serbian government, it was agreed, would be held regular meetings in the future with representatives of provincial state and social institutions.

BELGRADE, Feb 16 (Tanjug) - The Serbian government is considering the possibility of organizing a series of peaceful protests against the declaration of the sham state of independent Kosovo, and the first in the series might be in Belgrade on February 24, Tanjug has learned in the Serbian government.

It is assessed, notably, that the battle for the preservation of Kosovo and Metohija as an integral part of the Republic of Serbia will be long lasting, and the protests would be jointly organized, it is said in the government, by state institutions, parliamentary parties and the Serbian Orthodox Church.

BELGRADE, Feb 16 (Tanjug) - Following the decision to send a European Union mission to Kosovo and Metohija, Serbian Deputy Premier Bozidar Djelic delivered on behalf of the Serbian government a strong protest to representative of the Council of the European Union chairman, Slovenia's Ambassador in Belgrade Miroslav Luci.

Djelic in the meeting with Luci pointed out that the Serbian government considers this decision, taken outside the UN Security Council, illegal, the cabinet of the Serbian deputy premier said.

"The Serbian government explicitly opposes the arrival of a European Union mission without a clear legal basis that can be provided only by the UN Security Council," Djelic said. Also attending the meeting was Ambassador of the European Commission in Belgrade Josep Lloveras.

BRUSSELS, Feb 15 (Tanjug) - The European Union takes note of the UN Security Council debate on Kosovo, but its Council of Ministers will confer Monday and take decisions on the issue regardless of what happens in New York, a high official of Slovenian EU presidency said Friday in Brussels.

The ministers will discuss developments and take a timely decision, he said. A high French official, however, said that the EU sees no more prospects for resuming the negotiations on Kosovo status and that France believes that independence is inevitable. Asked whether the EU is concerned over not getting a green light from UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon for sending its mission to Kosovo, he said it is not. It is true that the green light was not officially given, but there was no red of yellow light either, he told a press conference.

The EU ministerial session Monday will not be an opportunity for deciding on Kosovo status, but for confirming the consensus that status quo is untenable, that the goal of the EU mission is to secure the rule of law in Kosovo and that Kosovo must be given a European perspective, he said. Some EU members, such as Cyprus and Spain, will certainly not recognize Kosovo independence because elections are underway there, the French diplomat said.

BRUSSELS, Feb 16 (Tanjug) - The European Union's decision to send EULEKS mission to Kosovo and Metohija took effect in the night between Friday and Saturday, Council of the European Union officials confirmed to Tanjug in Brussels.

The EU has taken a unilateral decision to send a mission to Kosovo and Metohija, without the approval of the UN Security Council or of the UN secretary general, and despite the strong opposition of Serbia and Russia. The decision took effect after a midnight deadline expired for remarks on the completion of a stepped up, written procedure inside the EU for the adoption of a operational plan, the last document need for sending the mission.

At the same time in the EU Official Gazette was published a Joint Action, a document on the legal and financial basis. The decision means that as of Saturday starts a so-called transitional 120-day period envisaged by the Martti Ahtisaari plan on the supervised independence of Kosovo and Metohija. During this period is expected to be completed the transfer of competences from UN to Kosovo institutions, and the apportioning EU personnel and material.

EULEKS will start work and take over its competences from the UN after the expiry of the transitional period. However, it is not clear how the EU intends to "take over" from UNMIK given that the United Nations has not taken a decision on handing over the competences.

BUCHAREST, Feb 15 (Tanjug) - European Union Military Committee chairman Gen. Henri Bentegeat said Friday that it is possible that the biggest difficulties in Kosovo-Metohija might occur during the time when the EU replaces the UN mission.

"Let's watch things, so that the international community can assume all the responsibilities over the territory during the coming months", he told a press conference in Bucharest. The good cooperation between the military and the civilian missions in Kosovo is essential, he said quoted by Romanian agency Rompres. The EU Military Committee is the EU Council's supreme military body for consultancy and cooperation among the 27 member states in fields such as conflict prevention and crisis management.

BRUSSELS, Feb 16 (Tanjug) - The European Union officially appointed on Saturday Dutchman Peter Feith as EU special representative in Kosovo and Metohija, and former Kfor commander Frenchman Yves de Kermabon as EULEKS mission chief.

Both decisions, as well as the EU decision on the adoption of a Joint Action - legal and financial basis for sending the mission - were published Saturday morning in the Official Gazette of the European Union. De Kermabon and Feith will be subject to the authority of EU High Representative for the CFSP Javier Solana. De Kermabon will manage the EULEKS mission, made up of 2,000 policemen, judges and prosecutors, whose aim is to help Kosovo institutions, the judiciary and the police in their advance towards a independent multiethnic judiciary system, multiethnic police and customs.

The French general will be given "political instructions" by Feith, as the EU special representative. Feith will coordinate all EU activities in Kosovo, with a special emphasis on the development of human rights and basic freedoms in Kosovo. He is also expected to head the International Civilian Office, envisaged under Martti Ahtisaari's plan on supervised independence of Kosovo and Metohija.

BELGRADE, Feb 17 (Tanjug) - Albanians flooded the Kosovo-Metohija capital Pristina on Saturday, celebrating the territory's unilateral proclamation of independence from Serbia a day ahead of schedule, while Serbian government and parliament members will travel to Serbia's southern province on Sunday to express their solidarity and support to the Serb population and to confirm the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Serbian state in that part of its territory.

Cavalcades of cars circled with horns blaring as thousands poured into the city waving the flags of Albania, the United States of America and West European countries which had announced their backing of unilateral proclamation of independence of the Serb province. Shop and cafe windows are decorated with the Albanian flags and "Independence" posters.

The situation in areas in Kosovo and Metohija populated by Serbs is calm and stable, but still filled with uncertainty and anticipation. Pristina Albanian-language media reported Sunday that such a decision might be made at today's session of the provisional parliament of Kosovo at 3 p.m. Pristina media also reported that Kosovo President Fatmir Sejdiu, Prime Minister Hasim Taci and Parliament Speaker Jakup Krasnici are scheduled to sign a Declaration on Independence of Kosovo at 6 p.m.

PRISTINA, Feb 17 (Tanjug) - The situation in Kosovo is calm and no incidents that might be linked with the announced proclamation of independence had been registered, spokesman of the Kosovo Police Service (KPS) Veton Eljsani stated on Sunday.

In his statement with Kosovo electronic media, Eljsani said that not a single incident was registered during the celebration in Pristina and other towns in Kosovo late on Saturday. Two days ago, the KPS launched an operation Status, which implies increased joint patrols of UNMIK and KPS policemen in Serb-populated communities.

BUCHAREST, Feb 15 (Tanjug) - Romania will not recognize Kosovo independence, but neither will it interfere in the stand of the European countries on the problem, Romanian Prime Minister Calin Popescu-Tariceanu said Friday, commenting on a possible proclamation of Kosovo's independence in the coming days.

The Kosovo problem could be resolved through the reaching of mutual understanding between Serbs and Kosovo Albanians living in Kosovo, which would guarantee the observance of the rights of national minorities, he said quoted by Itar-Tass. The situation in Serbia's southern province should be settled in accordance with the norms of the international law, he noted.

Referring to Romanian military presence in Kosovo, Popescu-Tariceanu said it was evidence of Romania's intention to promote peace and stability in the region. The Romanian military contingent is deployed in the area in fulfillment of Romania's commitments as a member of the European Union, he explained.

MOSCOW, Feb 15 (Tanjug) -- The format of the international presence in Kosovo can be changed only on the basis of a corresponding resolution of the UN Security Council, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Mikhail Kamynin said Friday. The UN SC Resolution 1244 is still in effect.

"Russia calls attention of its partners from the European Union, who have been talking much of late about their desire to send their additional mission to Kosovo, to the fact that the format of the international presence in Kosovo can be changed only on the basis of a corresponding resolution of the U.N. Security Council," he stressed.

Russia expects UN SC to discourage countries, which are inciting Kosovo to declare independence, he noted. "The results of the discussion of the problem at the UN Security Council should give food for thought to those who are actively trying to persuade Pristina to proclaim independence", Kamynin said.

"We continue to believe that the unilateral proclamation of Kosovo's independence would be at variance with the international law, which is currently in effect," Kamynin said, adding that Russia advocates dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina.

BELGRADE, Feb 16 (Tanjug) - Russian parliament foreign policy committee chairman Konstantin Kosachev has said that Russia would never allow an independent Kosovo to become a member of the UN and of OSCE, announcing decisions that Moscow will independently and along with other countries take in response to Pristina's decision to declare independence.

Kosachev said that, should the authorities in Pristina declare independence on February 17, Russia would immediately call for an urgent session of the UN Security Council, as early as on February 18, at which it will demand that the decision of Kosovo Albanians be declared invalid and illegal. "We will independently take some decisions in response to the act, but at the same time we are considering a solution that Russia will adopt along with other countries. Russia will never recognize the independence of KiM. That is ruled out forever," Kosachev pointed out in an interview with Novosti newspaper release don Saturday.

Revealing some of the measures that Russia will take in the event of a unilateral declaration of independence of the southern Serbian province, Kosachev, who heads the Russian delegation in the Council of Europe, explained that "Russia has the possibility, has the right to veto membership of an independent Kosovo both in the UN and in OSCE."

"The most important thing for Russia is that countries that want to recognize the independence of Kosovo remain in minority," said Kosachev and pointed out that these countries "should know that it would affect negatively their relations with Russia." He said he was confident that Brazil, India and China will never recognize an independent Kosovo, and added that Russia was preparing with them a joint response following a unilateral declaration of the independence of the province.

MOSCOW, Feb 16 (Tanjug) - The Kosovo precedent will create problems along the Russian border, as a large number of territories aspiring to independence are in the post Soviet space, and those who decide to recognize the independence of Kosovo will assume responsibility for dramatic developments in Europe and in the world, said on Saturday Russia's permanent representative with NATO Dmitry Rogozin.

Speaking about what Russia's reaction would be to a possible declaration and recognition of the independence of the southern Serbian state, Rogozin told Kommersant daily that Russia would not act out of spitefulness and protest. "We will not act as our partners who are introducing overall chaos instead of world order," he said and added that "those who decide to recognize the independence of Kosovo will take personal responsibility for dramatic developments in Europe and in the world."