BELGRADE -- The government has decided to annul a unilateral declaration of Kosovo independence at today's cabinet meeting in Belgrade.
Source: B92, Beta, Tanjug
Close the entire text of the article here
“There would be no greater humiliation than for Serbia itself, in any way, to sign or give its indirect consent to the existence of a puppet state on its own territory,” Koštunica told daily Glas Javnosti earlier.
“As far as European integration is concerned, it is a simple fact that Serbia is not located in Asia or Latin America but in the heart of Europe. Serbia belongs to Europe and that cannot be changed,” he said.
“Everything I have done has been public and in the eyes of the people, and that is why I am ready to take all of the responsibility,” the prime minister said, adding that a press conference would be held after the cabinet meeting.
Đelić: Serbia won't recognize independent Kosovo
Deputy Prime Minister Božidar Đelić said today that Serbia "will never recognize an independent Kosovo, and will fight to preserve its sovereignty and territorial integrity by peaceful and diplomatic means."
According to a government statement, Đelić met today with EU member-state ambassadors and the head of the European Commission delegation to Serbia.
The deputy prime minister reminded the ambassadors that the arrival of an EU mission to Kosovo was possible only with UN Security Council approval, and underlined Serbia's principled position on respect for international law.
Other topics of the meeting were Serbia's European future, steps leading to the abolishment of the visa regime and acquisition of EU candidate status by the end of 2008, and an increase of EU funds for Serbia in 2009.
Nikolić calls for anti-independence protest
Serb Radical Party leader Tomislav Nikolić has called on Boris Tadić and Vojislav Koštunica to jointly organize a massive protest meeting if the Kosovo Albanians go through with an independence declaration.
“If they declare independence on Sunday, that rally must be held the following week,” Nikolić told a news conference.
The SRS leader said that, in the event of an independence declaration, his party would propose a constitutional amendment committing all state officials to return Kosovo to Serbian borders.
He said that the party would ask the government to take clear and tangible measures towards states and organizations recognizing Kosovo, and for those measures to be sent to parliament for elaboration.
Didn't the invaders claim a number of dates of independence recently (a month or so ago)?
Do your dates have any validity?
If YES, which century do you wish to claim this in?
CCCC
(GSP, 14 February 2008 19:20)
GSP,
The invaders left Kosova in 1999, you do know that don’t you.
You are mistaking media news with the official news. As far as I know Kosova government never put any official date.
And it looks like it will be in this century (actually very close).
(blero, 15 February 2008 09:53)
A true test of this government's will is after US recognition: Will Serbia break diplomatic relations with the mighty US? If that happens, I wonder if other countries that have grudges with the US will muster the courage to do the same. You may not believe me, but that is the US greatest fear - that its precious image is tarnished. Notice how bush is running away to Africa during this Balkan crisis.
(JohnBoy, 15 February 2008 07:44)
Why would Serbia want 2M hostile Albanians as it's citizens anyway? We should let it go and concentrate on the Serb people who are depressed and desperate to leave. Independence and separation are the only way for Serbia to rebuild itself. As usual passions in Serbia rule over common sense. What good will Kosovo do when it is the Serb people themselves who are disapearing little by little?
Pray for the People of Serbia where the most beautiful girls on earth live.
(slobodan SD, 15 February 2008 01:51)
This happen only in Serbia. Congratulations to pro-independence camp. 17 feb 2008 is coming. Happy independence day
(Noël, London, UK, 14 February 2008 23:41)
Oh please Mr Koštunica annul the declaration of independence of Kosova(o). By all means please do that! As if that would change anything!
So, so Mr Nikolić would like to organise an anti-independence protest? Mr Nikolić, while you are at it why don’t you march to Kosova(o) and “liberate” it from its native population like your brother in arms (Mr Milošević) once tried not too long ago?!
Now seriously, why don’t you two guys step down and leave those two poor nations (Serbs and Kosovars) live in peace and harmony? Instead of cooling down the tensions you are but inflaming the situations even more! My advise to you: Disappear from the politic scene and let professional visionary politicians, pacifists, economy experts, engineers etc. govern Serbia.
(Simple Mind, 14 February 2008 21:20)
Albin Kurti,now leader of the Vetvendosja (Self-determination) movement, dismissed the talks and the international presence as a joke at the expense of the Albanians.
'We do not know yet what that (Ahtisaari's) proposal will contain, but we know what it will not contain,' said Kurti. 'It will not contain foreign and defence ministries and a seat in the UN.'
'We will have one bureaucracy instead of another, from UN to EU, another interim mission with control over police, courts, economy and defence,' he added.
Didn’t Serbian government pass the same law recently (a month ago or so)?
Do these laws have “use by date” on them?
If yes what is the use by date of this one please?
(blero, 14 February 2008 10:18)
Didn't the invaders claim a number of dates of independence recently (a month or so ago)?
Do your dates have any validity?
If YES, which century do you wish to claim this in?
This is part of the action plan. Not much really to be added.
Tesla I have to say what you said in your post gives me the creeps. The Balkans have had enough myths and cult of personality. If you have a personal need to worship then I suggest a visit to the church, or pin a picture up of Kostunica up in your bedroom.
Nobody on the Serbian political scene today is anywhere near deserving of veneration.
(bganon, 14 February 2008 18:32)
I guess since Kostunica annulled it, there is not chance that Kosovo would ever again demand independence. Taking into account Kostunica's opposition to independence, all Kosovo Albanians have now learned their lesson and should never speak up, even when beaten (literally).
(Ptoleme, 14 February 2008 18:25)
Miri,
Kosovo is part of Serbia and therefore what Serbia says does count. The fact that there are 2 million ALBANIANS in Kosovo (where 20 ago Serbs were MAJORITY) and only 120000 Serbs clearly shows who is who.
Serbs were killed, slaughtered, kidnapped, dissapearing on a daily basis, kids molested, houses burned and all that before the war. Back then ALBANIANS were TERRORISTS in the U.S. And then some ALBANIAN ROOFER paid US$20 million to some SENATOR ad all of a sudden ALBANIA WAS NOT ON THE LIST OF TERRORIST STATES. What's more, Serbian police was trying to calm uncontrollable Albanian separatists (who mostly ILEGALLY came into Serbia) and when they could not do that of course the army would step in! Reult = "QUICK CALL TO THE U.S. AND MILOSEVIC'S ILL SERBS ARE KILLING INNOCENT ALBANIANS. aka ETHNIC CLEANSING" but 20 years of systematic extortion of Serbs from the province was NOT ETHNIC CLEANSING!? Destruction of almost 200 Serbian Orthodox Churches and monasterys dating back to the 14th Century WAS NOT AN ETHNIC CLEANSING!? The bitter truth is that U.S. as a superpower does not care about Kosovo, does not care about Serbia, does not care about people there! They have some other interests and when they are done, tehy will leave poverty and misery for all. Yet the Albanians are preparing to celebrate "independance" even though they greatly depend on Serbia for POWER, WATER, COMMUNICATIONS, FOOD... Even if it goes through and declares independence, I do not see any hope for prosperity of that province. It can't sustain its economy with 50% unemployed and the other 50% with insecure jobs.
(Sinda, 14 February 2008 18:19)
How can you annul something that you don't have authority over?
It looks like the only one that is paying attention to what Serbia does is...Serbia.
That's a tough position for Serbia, not to be popular anymore, from being the prima-dona of the third world to becoming the troublemaker of Europe.
(miri, 14 February 2008 15:38)
This was expected from Serbian gov. What was not excepted so soon is the attack directed to Tadic, after they made up few days ago. On the other hand, Kosova, EU and US are not making anything out of Serbia’s reaction so that's what is confusing the Serbian government. They are being kept at guesses as to what are the next steps of K-Albanians. It was really clever of K-Albanian authorities to throw a possible date just to initiate the reactions of Serbia. The timing of throwing the date could have not been more perfect than this. Serbia has refused the signing SAA , does not know the date of Independence and is divided inside.
(Olf, 14 February 2008 12:01)
It should be an interesting weekend. I think Serbia is making the right noises about how it will handle Kosovo's independence claim and will be given credit from other nations over it's handling.
No doubt the UK will do exactly what the USA does over Kosovo. The UK is on thin ice given that the country is made up of 4 different nations and the "independence" sets a precidence for them to withdraw.
The UK is also keen to appear to be "helping" the region to UK citizens after it sat back and did nothing in Bosnia and needs to over compensate.
(Andy UK, 14 February 2008 11:11)
I think once the history books are written. Vojo will go down as one of the brave and great Serbian Patriots that have resisted powerful forces and won! It is time for our folk singers to start writing songs about him. No doubt Nikolic has helped bring Tadic and his party online, but Vojo is to be commended for his sense of fairness, justice and progressive thinking.
(tesla, 14 February 2008 11:04)
Didn’t Serbian government pass the same law recently (a month ago or so)?
Do these laws have “use by date” on them?
If yes what is the use by date of this one please?
(blero, 14 February 2008 10:18)
I think once the history books are written. Vojo will go down as one of the brave and great Serbian Patriots that have resisted powerful forces and won! It is time for our folk singers to start writing songs about him. No doubt Nikolic has helped bring Tadic and his party online, but Vojo is to be commended for his sense of fairness, justice and progressive thinking.
(tesla, 14 February 2008 11:04)
Didn’t Serbian government pass the same law recently (a month ago or so)?
Do these laws have “use by date” on them?
If yes what is the use by date of this one please?
(blero, 14 February 2008 10:18)
How can you annul something that you don't have authority over?
It looks like the only one that is paying attention to what Serbia does is...Serbia.
That's a tough position for Serbia, not to be popular anymore, from being the prima-dona of the third world to becoming the troublemaker of Europe.
(miri, 14 February 2008 15:38)
It should be an interesting weekend. I think Serbia is making the right noises about how it will handle Kosovo's independence claim and will be given credit from other nations over it's handling.
No doubt the UK will do exactly what the USA does over Kosovo. The UK is on thin ice given that the country is made up of 4 different nations and the "independence" sets a precidence for them to withdraw.
The UK is also keen to appear to be "helping" the region to UK citizens after it sat back and did nothing in Bosnia and needs to over compensate.
(Andy UK, 14 February 2008 11:11)
This was expected from Serbian gov. What was not excepted so soon is the attack directed to Tadic, after they made up few days ago. On the other hand, Kosova, EU and US are not making anything out of Serbia’s reaction so that's what is confusing the Serbian government. They are being kept at guesses as to what are the next steps of K-Albanians. It was really clever of K-Albanian authorities to throw a possible date just to initiate the reactions of Serbia. The timing of throwing the date could have not been more perfect than this. Serbia has refused the signing SAA , does not know the date of Independence and is divided inside.
(Olf, 14 February 2008 12:01)
This happen only in Serbia. Congratulations to pro-independence camp. 17 feb 2008 is coming. Happy independence day
(Noël, London, UK, 14 February 2008 23:41)
Miri,
Kosovo is part of Serbia and therefore what Serbia says does count. The fact that there are 2 million ALBANIANS in Kosovo (where 20 ago Serbs were MAJORITY) and only 120000 Serbs clearly shows who is who.
Serbs were killed, slaughtered, kidnapped, dissapearing on a daily basis, kids molested, houses burned and all that before the war. Back then ALBANIANS were TERRORISTS in the U.S. And then some ALBANIAN ROOFER paid US$20 million to some SENATOR ad all of a sudden ALBANIA WAS NOT ON THE LIST OF TERRORIST STATES. What's more, Serbian police was trying to calm uncontrollable Albanian separatists (who mostly ILEGALLY came into Serbia) and when they could not do that of course the army would step in! Reult = "QUICK CALL TO THE U.S. AND MILOSEVIC'S ILL SERBS ARE KILLING INNOCENT ALBANIANS. aka ETHNIC CLEANSING" but 20 years of systematic extortion of Serbs from the province was NOT ETHNIC CLEANSING!? Destruction of almost 200 Serbian Orthodox Churches and monasterys dating back to the 14th Century WAS NOT AN ETHNIC CLEANSING!? The bitter truth is that U.S. as a superpower does not care about Kosovo, does not care about Serbia, does not care about people there! They have some other interests and when they are done, tehy will leave poverty and misery for all. Yet the Albanians are preparing to celebrate "independance" even though they greatly depend on Serbia for POWER, WATER, COMMUNICATIONS, FOOD... Even if it goes through and declares independence, I do not see any hope for prosperity of that province. It can't sustain its economy with 50% unemployed and the other 50% with insecure jobs.
(Sinda, 14 February 2008 18:19)
Oh please Mr Koštunica annul the declaration of independence of Kosova(o). By all means please do that! As if that would change anything!
So, so Mr Nikolić would like to organise an anti-independence protest? Mr Nikolić, while you are at it why don’t you march to Kosova(o) and “liberate” it from its native population like your brother in arms (Mr Milošević) once tried not too long ago?!
Now seriously, why don’t you two guys step down and leave those two poor nations (Serbs and Kosovars) live in peace and harmony? Instead of cooling down the tensions you are but inflaming the situations even more! My advise to you: Disappear from the politic scene and let professional visionary politicians, pacifists, economy experts, engineers etc. govern Serbia.
(Simple Mind, 14 February 2008 21:20)
I guess since Kostunica annulled it, there is not chance that Kosovo would ever again demand independence. Taking into account Kostunica's opposition to independence, all Kosovo Albanians have now learned their lesson and should never speak up, even when beaten (literally).
(Ptoleme, 14 February 2008 18:25)
This is part of the action plan. Not much really to be added.
Tesla I have to say what you said in your post gives me the creeps. The Balkans have had enough myths and cult of personality. If you have a personal need to worship then I suggest a visit to the church, or pin a picture up of Kostunica up in your bedroom.
Nobody on the Serbian political scene today is anywhere near deserving of veneration.
(bganon, 14 February 2008 18:32)
Didn’t Serbian government pass the same law recently (a month ago or so)?
Do these laws have “use by date” on them?
If yes what is the use by date of this one please?
(blero, 14 February 2008 10:18)
Didn't the invaders claim a number of dates of independence recently (a month or so ago)?
Do your dates have any validity?
If YES, which century do you wish to claim this in?
Albin Kurti,now leader of the Vetvendosja (Self-determination) movement, dismissed the talks and the international presence as a joke at the expense of the Albanians.
'We do not know yet what that (Ahtisaari's) proposal will contain, but we know what it will not contain,' said Kurti. 'It will not contain foreign and defence ministries and a seat in the UN.'
'We will have one bureaucracy instead of another, from UN to EU, another interim mission with control over police, courts, economy and defence,' he added.
Didn't the invaders claim a number of dates of independence recently (a month or so ago)?
Do your dates have any validity?
If YES, which century do you wish to claim this in?
CCCC
(GSP, 14 February 2008 19:20)
GSP,
The invaders left Kosova in 1999, you do know that don’t you.
You are mistaking media news with the official news. As far as I know Kosova government never put any official date.
And it looks like it will be in this century (actually very close).
(blero, 15 February 2008 09:53)
Why would Serbia want 2M hostile Albanians as it's citizens anyway? We should let it go and concentrate on the Serb people who are depressed and desperate to leave. Independence and separation are the only way for Serbia to rebuild itself. As usual passions in Serbia rule over common sense. What good will Kosovo do when it is the Serb people themselves who are disapearing little by little?
Pray for the People of Serbia where the most beautiful girls on earth live.
(slobodan SD, 15 February 2008 01:51)
A true test of this government's will is after US recognition: Will Serbia break diplomatic relations with the mighty US? If that happens, I wonder if other countries that have grudges with the US will muster the courage to do the same. You may not believe me, but that is the US greatest fear - that its precious image is tarnished. Notice how bush is running away to Africa during this Balkan crisis.
(JohnBoy, 15 February 2008 07:44)
How can you annul something that you don't have authority over?
It looks like the only one that is paying attention to what Serbia does is...Serbia.
That's a tough position for Serbia, not to be popular anymore, from being the prima-dona of the third world to becoming the troublemaker of Europe.
(miri, 14 February 2008 15:38)
This was expected from Serbian gov. What was not excepted so soon is the attack directed to Tadic, after they made up few days ago. On the other hand, Kosova, EU and US are not making anything out of Serbia’s reaction so that's what is confusing the Serbian government. They are being kept at guesses as to what are the next steps of K-Albanians. It was really clever of K-Albanian authorities to throw a possible date just to initiate the reactions of Serbia. The timing of throwing the date could have not been more perfect than this. Serbia has refused the signing SAA , does not know the date of Independence and is divided inside.
(Olf, 14 February 2008 12:01)
Miri,
Kosovo is part of Serbia and therefore what Serbia says does count. The fact that there are 2 million ALBANIANS in Kosovo (where 20 ago Serbs were MAJORITY) and only 120000 Serbs clearly shows who is who.
Serbs were killed, slaughtered, kidnapped, dissapearing on a daily basis, kids molested, houses burned and all that before the war. Back then ALBANIANS were TERRORISTS in the U.S. And then some ALBANIAN ROOFER paid US$20 million to some SENATOR ad all of a sudden ALBANIA WAS NOT ON THE LIST OF TERRORIST STATES. What's more, Serbian police was trying to calm uncontrollable Albanian separatists (who mostly ILEGALLY came into Serbia) and when they could not do that of course the army would step in! Reult = "QUICK CALL TO THE U.S. AND MILOSEVIC'S ILL SERBS ARE KILLING INNOCENT ALBANIANS. aka ETHNIC CLEANSING" but 20 years of systematic extortion of Serbs from the province was NOT ETHNIC CLEANSING!? Destruction of almost 200 Serbian Orthodox Churches and monasterys dating back to the 14th Century WAS NOT AN ETHNIC CLEANSING!? The bitter truth is that U.S. as a superpower does not care about Kosovo, does not care about Serbia, does not care about people there! They have some other interests and when they are done, tehy will leave poverty and misery for all. Yet the Albanians are preparing to celebrate "independance" even though they greatly depend on Serbia for POWER, WATER, COMMUNICATIONS, FOOD... Even if it goes through and declares independence, I do not see any hope for prosperity of that province. It can't sustain its economy with 50% unemployed and the other 50% with insecure jobs.
(Sinda, 14 February 2008 18:19)
Didn’t Serbian government pass the same law recently (a month ago or so)?
Do these laws have “use by date” on them?
If yes what is the use by date of this one please?
(blero, 14 February 2008 10:18)
I think once the history books are written. Vojo will go down as one of the brave and great Serbian Patriots that have resisted powerful forces and won! It is time for our folk singers to start writing songs about him. No doubt Nikolic has helped bring Tadic and his party online, but Vojo is to be commended for his sense of fairness, justice and progressive thinking.
(tesla, 14 February 2008 11:04)
I guess since Kostunica annulled it, there is not chance that Kosovo would ever again demand independence. Taking into account Kostunica's opposition to independence, all Kosovo Albanians have now learned their lesson and should never speak up, even when beaten (literally).
(Ptoleme, 14 February 2008 18:25)
This is part of the action plan. Not much really to be added.
Tesla I have to say what you said in your post gives me the creeps. The Balkans have had enough myths and cult of personality. If you have a personal need to worship then I suggest a visit to the church, or pin a picture up of Kostunica up in your bedroom.
Nobody on the Serbian political scene today is anywhere near deserving of veneration.
(bganon, 14 February 2008 18:32)
Oh please Mr Koštunica annul the declaration of independence of Kosova(o). By all means please do that! As if that would change anything!
So, so Mr Nikolić would like to organise an anti-independence protest? Mr Nikolić, while you are at it why don’t you march to Kosova(o) and “liberate” it from its native population like your brother in arms (Mr Milošević) once tried not too long ago?!
Now seriously, why don’t you two guys step down and leave those two poor nations (Serbs and Kosovars) live in peace and harmony? Instead of cooling down the tensions you are but inflaming the situations even more! My advise to you: Disappear from the politic scene and let professional visionary politicians, pacifists, economy experts, engineers etc. govern Serbia.
(Simple Mind, 14 February 2008 21:20)
Didn't the invaders claim a number of dates of independence recently (a month or so ago)?
Do your dates have any validity?
If YES, which century do you wish to claim this in?
CCCC
(GSP, 14 February 2008 19:20)
GSP,
The invaders left Kosova in 1999, you do know that don’t you.
You are mistaking media news with the official news. As far as I know Kosova government never put any official date.
And it looks like it will be in this century (actually very close).
(blero, 15 February 2008 09:53)
This happen only in Serbia. Congratulations to pro-independence camp. 17 feb 2008 is coming. Happy independence day
(Noël, London, UK, 14 February 2008 23:41)
Albin Kurti,now leader of the Vetvendosja (Self-determination) movement, dismissed the talks and the international presence as a joke at the expense of the Albanians.
'We do not know yet what that (Ahtisaari's) proposal will contain, but we know what it will not contain,' said Kurti. 'It will not contain foreign and defence ministries and a seat in the UN.'
'We will have one bureaucracy instead of another, from UN to EU, another interim mission with control over police, courts, economy and defence,' he added.
Didn’t Serbian government pass the same law recently (a month ago or so)?
Do these laws have “use by date” on them?
If yes what is the use by date of this one please?
(blero, 14 February 2008 10:18)
Didn't the invaders claim a number of dates of independence recently (a month or so ago)?
Do your dates have any validity?
If YES, which century do you wish to claim this in?
It should be an interesting weekend. I think Serbia is making the right noises about how it will handle Kosovo's independence claim and will be given credit from other nations over it's handling.
No doubt the UK will do exactly what the USA does over Kosovo. The UK is on thin ice given that the country is made up of 4 different nations and the "independence" sets a precidence for them to withdraw.
The UK is also keen to appear to be "helping" the region to UK citizens after it sat back and did nothing in Bosnia and needs to over compensate.
(Andy UK, 14 February 2008 11:11)
A true test of this government's will is after US recognition: Will Serbia break diplomatic relations with the mighty US? If that happens, I wonder if other countries that have grudges with the US will muster the courage to do the same. You may not believe me, but that is the US greatest fear - that its precious image is tarnished. Notice how bush is running away to Africa during this Balkan crisis.
(JohnBoy, 15 February 2008 07:44)
Why would Serbia want 2M hostile Albanians as it's citizens anyway? We should let it go and concentrate on the Serb people who are depressed and desperate to leave. Independence and separation are the only way for Serbia to rebuild itself. As usual passions in Serbia rule over common sense. What good will Kosovo do when it is the Serb people themselves who are disapearing little by little?
Pray for the People of Serbia where the most beautiful girls on earth live.
(slobodan SD, 15 February 2008 01:51)