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Serbian government pledges to stop terror, violence in Kosovo
Belgrade,
17 March 2004
In response to violence that erupted in parts of Kosovo-Metohija today, the Serbian government held an extraordinary session concluding that the Serbian government and state bodies will do everything to stop terror and violence in the province. The session was also attended by officials of the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro, the Serbia-Montenegrin Army, the Serbian Security and Intelligence Agency (BIA), and Head of the Coordinating Centre for Kosovo-Metohija Nebojsa Covic.
Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica
Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica said that the government has concluded that the latest events in Kosovo-Metohija showed the true nature of the ethnic-Albanian separatism and its violent and terrorist character. He added that the instigators and perpetrators of violence in the province, who are unwilling to take up a gradual approach to serious political, economic, and social problems, with respect of rules, documents, and international presence, have today assaulted the remnants of the Serb community in the northern part of Kosovska Mitrovica, Gnjilane, Pec, Brezovica, and the village of Caglavica.
Kostunica recalled that the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro does not have direct access to Kosovo-Metohija, and thus no real opportunity to protect the Serb population that has been under attack. He pointed out that the Serbian government and state bodies will do everything to stop terror and violence in the province. He went on to say that during his meeting with UNMIK chief Harri Holkeri earlier today, he called on international security forces to defend the attacked population.
Kostunica said that Serbia-Montenegrin state bodies will call for an extraordinary session of the United Nations Security Council, adding that Serbia-Montenegrin Army Chief of Staff Branko Krga has contacted the KFOR Commander earlier today.
The Prime Minister went on to say that the Supreme Defence Council will meet in a session tomorrow to discuss other safety and security measures, and stressed that the Serbia-Montenegrin defence and security forces will cooperate with international forces in Kosovo-Metohija to restore peace in the province.
The Serbian government expects today's incidents in the province to convince the international community that the protection and security of the local Serb community calls for new, different and additional institutional solutions, Kostunica said.
Kostunica stressed that Kosovo Serbs must enjoy not only their rights, but also an autonomous territory on which they can exercise the rights and feel safe.
The Prime Minister urged citizens to have confidence in the government's readiness to defend the rights, lives and property of Kosovo Serbs, and protect the state interest in the province. He went on to call for national and political unity, adding that the government will work together with all political and social segments that can help resolve the problems.
Kostunica recalled that the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro does not have direct access to Kosovo-Metohija, and thus no real opportunity to protect the Serb population that has been under attack. He pointed out that the Serbian government and state bodies will do everything to stop terror and violence in the province. He went on to say that during his meeting with UNMIK chief Harri Holkeri earlier today, he called on international security forces to defend the attacked population.
Kostunica said that Serbia-Montenegrin state bodies will call for an extraordinary session of the United Nations Security Council, adding that Serbia-Montenegrin Army Chief of Staff Branko Krga has contacted the KFOR Commander earlier today.
The Prime Minister went on to say that the Supreme Defence Council will meet in a session tomorrow to discuss other safety and security measures, and stressed that the Serbia-Montenegrin defence and security forces will cooperate with international forces in Kosovo-Metohija to restore peace in the province.
The Serbian government expects today's incidents in the province to convince the international community that the protection and security of the local Serb community calls for new, different and additional institutional solutions, Kostunica said.
Kostunica stressed that Kosovo Serbs must enjoy not only their rights, but also an autonomous territory on which they can exercise the rights and feel safe.
The Prime Minister urged citizens to have confidence in the government's readiness to defend the rights, lives and property of Kosovo Serbs, and protect the state interest in the province. He went on to call for national and political unity, adding that the government will work together with all political and social segments that can help resolve the problems.
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