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A:
Kosovo constitution unacceptable to Serbia
Belgrade,
13 June 2008
Serbian Minister for Kosovo-Metohija Slobodan Samardzic stated today that the Kosovo constitution, which is due to be adopted on June 15, is unacceptable to Serbs and other non-ethnic Albanian communities in the southern province, and to Serbia as well.
Slobodan Samardzic
At a press conference Samardzic said agreement has been reached that in response to this, a Serbian parliament be formed in Kosovo-Metohija, which would have a representational and political character, be comprised of delegations from all municipalities but would not have an executive or legislative function.
He said that the constitutive session will be held on June 28.
Speaking about UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon’s letter, announcing that the EULEX mission will be put under UNMIK’s “umbrella”, Samardzic stressed that Ban Ki-moon is not authorised to reconfigure the UN mission in Kosovo-Metohija since that competence lies solely with the UN Security Council.
According to Samardzic, Ban Ki-moon has overstepped his authorities stemming from UN Security Council Resolution 1244 because only the UN Security Council may alter the nature of the international presence in the province.
Since he has not been authorised by the UN Security Council, Ban Ki-moon exceeded his authorities with this letter, which is unacceptable to Belgrade, said Samardzic and added that the UN has been informed of Serbia’s stance.
According to him, the UN Secretary General’s other intention is to strengthen the EU’s role in Kosovo-Metohija, for which he is also not authorised.
Samardzic stressed that the EULEX mission cannot be legalised because it based its mandate on Martti Ahtisaari’s plan which was not legalised in the UN Security Council.
There is no way EULEX could be legalised in the UN, neither through the Secretary General’s proposal nor any Security Council decision, he noted.
On behalf of Serbia, President Boris Tadic will reply to Ban Ki-moon’s letter in consultation with the Serbian government, he added.
He said that the constitutive session will be held on June 28.
Speaking about UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon’s letter, announcing that the EULEX mission will be put under UNMIK’s “umbrella”, Samardzic stressed that Ban Ki-moon is not authorised to reconfigure the UN mission in Kosovo-Metohija since that competence lies solely with the UN Security Council.
According to Samardzic, Ban Ki-moon has overstepped his authorities stemming from UN Security Council Resolution 1244 because only the UN Security Council may alter the nature of the international presence in the province.
Since he has not been authorised by the UN Security Council, Ban Ki-moon exceeded his authorities with this letter, which is unacceptable to Belgrade, said Samardzic and added that the UN has been informed of Serbia’s stance.
According to him, the UN Secretary General’s other intention is to strengthen the EU’s role in Kosovo-Metohija, for which he is also not authorised.
Samardzic stressed that the EULEX mission cannot be legalised because it based its mandate on Martti Ahtisaari’s plan which was not legalised in the UN Security Council.
There is no way EULEX could be legalised in the UN, neither through the Secretary General’s proposal nor any Security Council decision, he noted.
On behalf of Serbia, President Boris Tadic will reply to Ban Ki-moon’s letter in consultation with the Serbian government, he added.
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