Boris Tadić’s re-election as president suits Russia’s opposition to Kosovo independence more than had Tomislav Nikolić won.
Source: Beta
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“Following the Serbian presidential elections, most of the West welcomed Tadić’s victory over the pro-Russia candidate Nikolić - nonetheless, pro-Western Tadić is still the better choice in the eyes of the Kremlin,“ says a Stratfor study.
Reiterating that the Serb Radical Party candidate is pro-Russia oriented, Stratfor points out that Russia welcomed the incumbent president’s victory, and believes that he will be more effective in thwarting Kosovo independence.
The Stratfor study says that Kosovo was a key factor in the election campaign even though both candidates oppose the province’s independence, though many voters believed that Tadić’s wish to take Serbia into the EU would force him to relinquish Kosovo.
The analysis claims that the president must maintain his position on Kosovo, or risk a backlash from the right wing and his coalition partners.
“Had Nikolić won, he would have been in a better position to make concessions over Kosovo; his party is the furthest to the right and the most nationalist, so there is no-one more extreme than him to oppose him,“ says Stratfor.
“In a nutshell, Russia’s wish to thwart Kosovo independence is more likely to succeed with Tadić at the helm rather than Nikolić,“ the agency concludes.
The analysis says that prior to the elections, the Kremlin appeared to be moving closer to the Tadić camp, citing the energy deal giving Russia a 90 percent stake in Serbian oil production.
Making economic headway in eastern Europe is a key issue for Russia, and Tadić has allowed this in Serbia, while also bolstering Russia’s opposition to the West’s insistence on Kosovo independence, says Stratfor.
I am amazed that anyone believes this propaganda from Stratfor. If it were in America's interest, they would tell you that the sun is really the moon on fire.
(JohnBoy, 7 February 2008 07:33)
This article is true. It is now much harder for the EU and US to make Tadic the fool and go forward with their plans. Privately both the US and EU were hoping that Nikolic would win and when Tadic won by such a narrow margin Nikolic did not demand a recount simply because he too knows that Kosovo's Independence would become even more complicated and harder to get if Tadic won, besides Nikolic is in a position now to blame Tadic if Serbia loses Kosovo, leaving his party clear of all blame.
(Canadian, 6 February 2008 19:08)
I think it does work in favour of Russia. Tadic has been painted as the 'pro West' choice, therefore now he has won the EU and US have a much harder time ignoring him. Or just going ahead with their foolish plans and then blaming it on 'nationalists'.
In theory, it works in favour of anyone who wants to preserve international law. That's the optimistic view anyway.
(kate, 6 February 2008 17:56)
Since when the Tadić victory suits Kremlin!!!
This is letting your friend down. This is pure politic of interest. I am not surprised anymore that Kosovo Independence might suits Kremlin to get Ossetia and other russian regions.
(Milan, 6 February 2008 15:25)
I think it does work in favour of Russia. Tadic has been painted as the 'pro West' choice, therefore now he has won the EU and US have a much harder time ignoring him. Or just going ahead with their foolish plans and then blaming it on 'nationalists'.
In theory, it works in favour of anyone who wants to preserve international law. That's the optimistic view anyway.
(kate, 6 February 2008 17:56)
This article is true. It is now much harder for the EU and US to make Tadic the fool and go forward with their plans. Privately both the US and EU were hoping that Nikolic would win and when Tadic won by such a narrow margin Nikolic did not demand a recount simply because he too knows that Kosovo's Independence would become even more complicated and harder to get if Tadic won, besides Nikolic is in a position now to blame Tadic if Serbia loses Kosovo, leaving his party clear of all blame.
(Canadian, 6 February 2008 19:08)
Since when the Tadić victory suits Kremlin!!!
This is letting your friend down. This is pure politic of interest. I am not surprised anymore that Kosovo Independence might suits Kremlin to get Ossetia and other russian regions.
(Milan, 6 February 2008 15:25)
I am amazed that anyone believes this propaganda from Stratfor. If it were in America's interest, they would tell you that the sun is really the moon on fire.
(JohnBoy, 7 February 2008 07:33)
Since when the Tadić victory suits Kremlin!!!
This is letting your friend down. This is pure politic of interest. I am not surprised anymore that Kosovo Independence might suits Kremlin to get Ossetia and other russian regions.
(Milan, 6 February 2008 15:25)
I am amazed that anyone believes this propaganda from Stratfor. If it were in America's interest, they would tell you that the sun is really the moon on fire.
(JohnBoy, 7 February 2008 07:33)
This article is true. It is now much harder for the EU and US to make Tadic the fool and go forward with their plans. Privately both the US and EU were hoping that Nikolic would win and when Tadic won by such a narrow margin Nikolic did not demand a recount simply because he too knows that Kosovo's Independence would become even more complicated and harder to get if Tadic won, besides Nikolic is in a position now to blame Tadic if Serbia loses Kosovo, leaving his party clear of all blame.
(Canadian, 6 February 2008 19:08)
I think it does work in favour of Russia. Tadic has been painted as the 'pro West' choice, therefore now he has won the EU and US have a much harder time ignoring him. Or just going ahead with their foolish plans and then blaming it on 'nationalists'.
In theory, it works in favour of anyone who wants to preserve international law. That's the optimistic view anyway.
(kate, 6 February 2008 17:56)