YouSaid · the spoken record

Raskovic-Ivic

lines on the record: 74
first: 2006-06-20
most recent: 2006-12-13
sittings or episodes: 3
sources: un-security-council

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“I also commit myself and the Coordination Centre of the Republic of Serbia for Kosovo and Metohija to cooperate with the European Union on technical and all other matters.”
2006-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5588 (2006) · source
“Such a mechanism would be the best way to carry out negotiations, especially in the working group on community rights. Then, of course, representatives in Kosovo and Metohija from the Serbian list are legal but they are not legitimate. That is because, out of the 140,000 Serbs in Kosovo and the 250,000 in Serbia and Montenegro that have the right to vote in Kosovo, only 811 persons voted. I would also like to refer to the contention that Kosovo is a sui generis case. From our point of view - and not only as Serbs, for there are others who share our feelings and views - the issue of Kosovo is, by its very essence, a matter of precedent, not a sui generis case. With regard to the comments of Ms. Lintonen, I agree with and welcome many of the things she said.”
2006-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5588 (2006) · source
“First of all, Serbs living in Kosovo and Metohija do not have confidence, because freedom of movement is not what it should be and because there are still many attacks on people as they move about and commute from place to place. There is also another issue involved, because participation is a complex matter that is not solely about confidence or security. There is no mechanism to prevent out-voting. I must remind the Council that when the Return Coalition was actively participating it submitted 72 amendments. Only two were adopted, and 70 were rejected. Serbs from that Coalition therefore always had the feeling that they were just there for decoration. The participation of Serbs in Kosovo should be meaningful. That is why we need a mechanism to prevent out-voting.”
2006-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5588 (2006) · source
“I would like to thank everybody for the many constructive proposals and comments made during the discussion, which I understood as expressing strong support for the negotiating process. I would nevertheless like to make a few clarifications. On several occasions during the debate, I heard reference to the argument regarding the uncertainty of Kosovo Albanians as a reason for haste. I think that the uncertainty argument is not a good one, because the status and the situation that prevailed in Kosovo and Metohija and in Serbia prior to 1999 will never again prevail. That is especially true in the light of the future 06-6573] European prospects for the entire South-Eastern Balkan region. I would like to say a few words about the participation of Serbs in the Institutions.”
2006-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5588 (2006) · source
“By adopting the Constitution of their country in a referendum, an absolute majority of the citizens of Serbia reaffirmed their commitment to the principle of the inviolability of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of democratic States and to the inviolability of the borders of the Republic of Serbia, and thus to the United Nations and the Security Council.”
2006-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5588 (2006) · source
“Perhaps today violence is a consequence of a conjuncture, but a conjuncture is a variable. Constants are always better than variables, and, in this instance, a constant means dialogue, compromise and rejection of the use of violence. Serbia voiced its position on Kosovo and Metohija just a month and a half ago in a fully legitimate and very powerful fashion. More than half of registered voters with the right to vote opted in favour of the new Constitution of Serbia. Its preamble incorporates the fundamental principles of international law, the Charter of the United Nations and Security Council resolution 1244 (1999). That constitutional provision has been practically based on the Charter of the United Nations, on which this body which I have the honour to address today is also based.”
2006-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5588 (2006) · source
“In practice, that means substantial autonomy for Kosovo - the kind of autonomy that no European or other State has granted to their region so far. It is there that, despite the obvious difficulties, there is manoeuvring space for agreement and compromise. There is manoeuvring space to find a solution. The talks held so far have not borne fruit, largely due to the lack of engagement and the insufficient number of meetings. We propose that the Vienna talks be immediately resumed in order to define modalities for the broadest possible autonomy of Kosovo Albanians in Kosovo and Metohija, with the participation of the European Union. The talks should be intensive so as to enable us to obtain results soon. The threat of violence that is being heard more or less openly from the Albanian side cannot be accepted as a rational argument.”
2006-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5588 (2006) · source
“That can be achieved only by taking steps to introduce the rule of law, punish criminals and terrorists, and create the security and other conditions necessary to a normal and dignified life. A life of dignity is not only defined by the fundamental documents of international law, but is also embodied in European standards recognizing the respect of human rights and freedoms. Of course, my country relies primarily on the law- domestic law, international law, democratic principles, agreements and treaties - but first and foremost on the inviolable principle of justice. We firmly believe that there is a way out of this situation. A sustainable solution can be based only on giving up extreme demands and embracing a rational approach and compromise.”
2006-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5588 (2006) · source
“Belgrade, the Government of Serbia and the Serbs of Kosovo in particular are seeking to reach an agreement that guarantees a durable solution with respect to their coexistence in a modern, democratic and decentralized State. The Serbian side therefore sees the solution to the Kosovo problem as based on the implementation of the principles and specific solutions contained in the platform of the Serbian negotiating team on the future status of Kosovo and Metohija. It remains the best way to resolve the current horrific situation in the province. A different outcome would create unlawfulness, and unlawfulness breeds more unlawfulness. The international community should support, and demonstrate such support by its deeds, its commitment to a stable and safe region.”
2006-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5588 (2006) · source
“A hasty solution would set a precedent that would open up a Pandora's box. I must emphasize once again here that the entire strategy adopted by the Albanian side in the past actually boils down to not engaging in the status negotiations. The Kosovo Albanians are idly waiting to be given yet another Albanian State in the Balkans within the internationally recognized borders of Serbia. From the point of view of the interests of the international community at large, such an outcome is unacceptable; we cannot but take into account the facts. I would like to stress that the solution has to be a compromise reached in the interests of peace and lasting stability. It has to be sought, on an agreed basis, by the two negotiating parties - Serbian and Albanian.”
2006-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5588 (2006) · source
“Also, several days ago, on 8 December, barely a few minutes before a train was scheduled to arrive, unidentified terrorists blew up railway tracks in the vicinity of Mijalic village, in the municipality of Vucitrn. The only passengers in the train were Serbs, who travel regularly from Priluzje, Plemetine and Zvecan on this line. The blowing up of the tracks was yet another horrific terrorist attack against the Serbs. Difficult as it may be, the situation and the events in Kosovo and Metohija should be looked at in a realistic, responsible and objective fashion. Any precipitous solution would cost the region, the province itself and the international community dearly; 06-6573] instead of achieving a sustainable solution, they would have to deal with an even more difficult and complex situation in Kosovo and Metohija.”
2006-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5588 (2006) · source
“That statement cast a shadow on the constructive efforts being made, especially given that compromise is one of the important principles endorsed by the Contact Group at its meeting in January 2006. Anyone can see that organized crime, human trafficking and corruption are rampant in Kosovo and Metohija. The drug and arms trade and smuggling provide a lifeline for the criminal and terrorist business, before the very eyes of the international community, the police and the military. Mafia-style Albanian clans are currently flourishing. The most recent and alarming incident occurred 10 days ago, when an Albanian terrorist paramilitary formation in Kosovo and Metohija began to intercept vehicles, asking for identification papers and intimidating passengers.”
2006-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5588 (2006) · source
“I would like to recall that Ambassador Kai Eide, in his comprehensive review of the situation in Kosovo, emphasized that, along with the process of seeking a solution concerning the future status of Kosovo and Metohija, it is crucially important to continue with the standards implementation as the only way forward. Ambassador Eide also pointed out other very important and substantial problems. Unfortunately, for the time being, there are no serious signs that anyone is willing to recognize at least some of those perfectly adequate and constructive recommendations. The Special Envoy of the Secretary- General, Mr. Martti Ahtisaari, said a fortnight ago that compromise was impossible and stupid.”
2006-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5588 (2006) · source
“On its web site, www.visitkosova.org, a one-sided historical version is presented stating that Kosovo and Metohija has been exclusively the land of the Albanians since earliest history. The role of UNMIK is, unfortunately, giving rise to concern. Although it is unambiguously defined in all documents as a United Nations transitional administration with a clear mandate, it often assumes the role of a condominium by seeking to create a State for Albanians. Almost as a rule, UNMIK has adopted a sympathetic attitude and ignored Albanian extremism.”
2006-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5588 (2006) · source
“One of the most flagrant instances of quasi-historical propaganda by the provisional Ministry of Culture of Kosovo took place in May 2005 in Paris. The Minister of Culture, Astrit Haracia, tried to distribute in the UNESCO building a pamphlet entitled Monuments of Kosova. The publication makes no mention whatsoever of the Serbian contribution to the heritage of Kosovo and Metohija. That publication outraged the participants and UNESCO officials. Its distribution was stopped by Soren Jessen-Petersen, who was head of UNMIK at the time, at the explicit request of our Minister for Foreign Affairs. Regrettably, the Provisional Ministry of Culture of Kosovo, even after that unfortunate incident a year and a half ago, has continued to promote more or less the same ideas in a different form.”
2006-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5588 (2006) · source
“These so-called construction activities naturally give rise to serious concern, since they are being carried out in close proximity to religious and cultural sites, which, in the negotiations on the future status of the province, should be granted the status of protected zones where urbanization and industrial construction are not allowed. Those activities are obviously a deliberate attempt to prevent the preservation of the cultural and environmental integrity of the sites. The Government of Serbia and all the members of the Contact Group are insisting on that, making the negotiations on cultural heritage one of their priorities. It should also be pointed out that attempts are being made by the Provisional Institutions of Self- Government to revise history and to delete all traces of Serb existence in Kosovo and Metohija.”
2006-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5588 (2006) · source
“The orchards of the Devic monastery, in the village of Lausa in the municipality of Srbica, were completely destroyed, even though they were guarded by KFOR and the Kosovo 5 Protection Service police after having been set on fire in March 2004. Illegal construction close to cultural sites within the proposed protected zones is rampant. At the end of September, large-scale construction was begun in the vicinity of the monument honouring the mediaeval Serbian Kosovo heroes in Gazimestan, near Pristina. During the same period, in the neighbourhood of the village of Velika Hoca - a village that has 13 churches dating from the twelfth to the fifteenth century - an industrial facility is being built. There are plans to build a large hotel close to Gorioc monastery.”
2006-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5588 (2006) · source
“According to our data, 2 per cent have returned; according to UNMIK, the figure is 5 per cent. Major demographic and migratory shifts have taken place in Kosovo and Metohija. The population in Pristina, the capital, has increased threefold, and it is currently estimated at 600,000. There are no more than some 100 Serbs in Pristina. Before 1999, there were about 40,000 Serbs in Pristina. As far as Serbian religious monuments, cultural heritage and religious freedoms are concerned, Albanians pay lip service to their protection. Serbian shrines are in fact looted and desecrated on a daily basis. The church of the Holy Shroud in the village of Babin Most near Obilic and the church of Saint Petka in Gojbulja, in the municipality of Vucitrn, were broken into and ransacked.”
2006-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5588 (2006) · source
“Add to that the fact that there have been 260 inter-ethnic incidents since 24 October 2005, in which all the victims were Serbs, and the trend becomes more than obvious. Let me add another sombre detail: even with the assistance of UNMIK, we have not been able to make the Albanian side agree - at least at a declaratory level - to the need to rebuild the houses of Serbs from Badovac village who were expelled in the riots of March 2004. At that time, Serbian houses all over Kosovo were set on fire and destroyed. People were expelled, and some were killed. As for the return of expelled and internally displaced persons, I would like to recall that, from 1999 to date, as many as 250,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) have not been in a position to return to Kosovo and Metohija.”
2006-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5588 (2006) · source
“There are many examples of that in its activities related to the International Civil Aviation Organization, the International Union of Railways, the International Committee for Railway Transport, the Universal Postal Union and the 06-65731 International Telecommunication Union. All of those activities are aimed at taking away attributes and symbols through international specialized organizations, thus prejudging the final status of Kosovo and Metohija. In that way, preconditions for cooperation and confidence are naturally further undermined. Furthermore, there have been drastic and selective electricity cuts. Such discrimination reached its apogee in the Serbian communities of central Kosovo and the municipality of Strpce, where one hour of power supply is followed by 10 to 20 hours of blackouts.”
2006-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5588 (2006) · source
“This is a virtual criminal act that is taking place before the very eyes of the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), because, since 1997, Telekom Srbija has had a valid licence to operate throughout the entire territory of Serbia, and has paid all of its taxes to UNMIK and the Kosovo Provisional Government. That act has further isolated the Serbian population. It should also be pointed out that, in the context of all types of communications, UNMIK has consistently tried, to varying degrees, to extend its mandate, thus violating the sovereignty of Serbia.”
2006-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5588 (2006) · source
“The perpetrators of that terrorist act, like so many others in the past, have not been identified. It is significant, however, that immediately before the attack, Zurapi was involved in plans to have the Gorany students educated in line with the Serbian curriculum. As a result, more than 1,000 students in three schools were not able to attend classes for more than 30 days. Over the same period, in the territory of Kosovo and Metohija, 17 transmitter stations belonging to the Serbian mobile operator Telekom Srbija were put out of operation.”
2006-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5588 (2006) · source
“Otherwise, new complications may arise. Confidence and dialogue are conditions sine qua non for any coexistence. Nervousness, haste and arrogance will not help. They will only drive us further from a solution. We have a saying: "Avoid shortcuts - they might be the wrong way". However, I must regrettably inform the Council about the cruel reality in Kosovo and Metohija, which testifies to the lack of freedom and security there. From 15 August to 1 December 2006, 75 ethnically motivated attacks were committed, in which 23 persons of Serb nationality were injured. The extremists also targeted members of other communities. The house of Zecir Zurapi, a member of the ethnic Gorany community in the village of Gornja Rapca, was blown up on 1 October 2006.”
2006-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5588 (2006) · source
“Serbia is fully prepared to assume its share of responsibility in the process of successfully resolving of the question of Kosovo and Metohija, on the basis of international law and in line with universally acclaimed democratic values. We are fully confident that the Security Council will make a crucial contribution in the spirit of its previous documents, primarily resolution 1244 (1999) of 10 June 1999, which unambiguously reaffirms the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our country. 06-65731 It is absolutely clear that only by the systematic, responsible and gradual management of the negotiations on the future status of Kosovo and Metohija will we be able to reach a long-term sustainable solution. Such a solution cannot be achieved in haste and should emerge only through confidence-building, dialogue and negotiations.”
2006-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5588 (2006) · source
“At the outset, I would like to congratulate you, Sir, on your assumption of the presidency of the Council for the month of December. It gives me particular pleasure today to address this body of the world Organization. Proceeding from a notion that we all share - that the establishment of lasting peace and security is the goal to which all people of goodwill are committed - I would particularly like to emphasize the important role of the Security Council concerning Kosovo and Metohija. Its importance is especially great since many sovereign States View the recent developments in the western Balkans with increasing alarm, owing to certain unrealistic assessments with regard to the future status of Kosovo and Metohija.”
2006-12-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5588 (2006) · source
“I think that the Council will agree with me that the endorsement of 0.3 per cent of the electoral body is not legitimate and legal Serbian representation. We think - Serbs think - that this is not the end of the story. The key to many issues concerning Serbs in the region is decentralization. If decentralization were in place - I do not say implemented, but agreed upon - then we could have elections. Elections could be organized very quickly after that. A bottom-up process would then occur: first, representatives in the local communities, then in the future, decentralized municipalities, and then representatives in the Kosovo parliament.”
2006-09-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5522 (2006) · source
“I would like to say a few words on the reasons for the non-participation of the Serbian community in local government and in the Provisional Institutions. In 2002, local elections were held, and five municipalities have representatives at the local level. In 2004, there were elections for the Kosovo parliament. Serbs boycotted those elections; only 811 people went to the polling station and voted. Thus, we have now Serbian representatives backed by only 0.3 per cent of the electoral body. This electoral body consists of 140,000 Serbs and other non-Albanians in the region of Kosovo and Metohija and 230,000 people who are outside the administrative border and are internally displaced in Serbia. What we would like to have as Serbs - not as Belgrade, but as Serbs - are legal and legitimate representatives.”
2006-09-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5522 (2006) · source
“Although the European Union statement said that there has been progress on returns, I would like to disagree at this time and say that there is a lot of work still to be done on that issue. One other thing that has been mentioned here is the issue of progress in the rule of law. From the Serbian point of view, there is a perception that there is a culture of impunity in Kosovo. That is based on realistic data. For example, from 1999 until today, 931 Serbs and other non-Albanians have been killed. For those misdeeds, no one has been indicted or taken to court. However, we believe that things are changing for the better and that we will cooperate on many things, such as regional security and returns.”
2006-09-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5522 (2006) · source
“First of all, I would like to thank everybody for their statements and to say to Mr. Rucker that the Coordinating Centre for Kosovo and Metohija is ready to cooperate with the new Special Representative of the Secretary-General. I would like to refer to the statement on behalf of the European Union (EU) that was made by Her Excellency Ms. Kirsti Lintonen. Serbia enthusiastically welcomes the EU's objectives regarding Kosovo and Metohija, as well as its contributions to a possible future international civilian presence. We are, of course, committed to cooperation with a new EU mission when the time comes, including during the preparatory phase. Let me say that there are many things upon which we can cooperate, first of all the issue of return.”
2006-09-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5522 (2006) · source
“Without the Serbs, Albanians will not go far, and they should not routinely reject the reasonable and generous offers from our side. Despite the evident difficulties, there is still enough scope for an agreement, based on democratic principles and European standards.”
2006-09-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5522 (2006) · source
“In the long run, that is the only way ahead towards the proper resolution of the dire situation in the province. The international community ought to support this, and show by its deeds that it is in favour of a stable and safe region. That can be achieved only by taking a step towards establishing the rule of law, by bringing the criminals and terrorists to justice and punishing them and by ensuring security and all the other preconditions for a normal life. Furthermore, the necessary political steps should be taken to persuade the Albanian side to give up extreme, exclusive demands and to embrace a rational compromise solution - namely, substantial autonomy with comprehensive competencies. At the same time, the Albanians will gain the Serbs as strategic partners for the future.”
2006-09-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5522 (2006) · source
“It is quite clear that it is self-deception to believe that Kosovo and Metohija is going to be a special and unique case. The point is that any imposed solution will inevitably generate unforeseeable and fatal consequences. I would like to share that feeling of responsibility. Together with the leaders in my Government and with my country, I wish to say to the Council, loud and clear, that a sustainable, compromise solution to the issue of Kosovo and Metohija can be reached only if artificial deadlines - and the philosophy of Kosovo as a special case - are set aside. The Serbian side therefore believes that the settlement of the Kosovo and Metohija problem lies in the implementation of the principles and concrete solutions based on the platform of the Serbian negotiating team regarding the future status of Kosovo and Metohija.”
2006-09-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5522 (2006) · source
“To force a premature solution would come at a great cost to the region, the province and the international community, which, instead of reaching a sustainable solution, would have to deal with an even more difficult and complex situation in Kosovo and Metohija. A precipitous solution would not solve the issue, but would be a precedent opening up a Pandora's box, which should be avoided at any cost. It is truly hard to believe that anyone would want to take that responsibility just to meet a certain deadline. I emphasize that patience and patience alone, with eyes wide open to reality and the future, can bring about a true compromise solution to the Kosovo and Metohija issue. An imposed solution will not be conducive to the resolution of the problem of Kosovo and Metohija.”
2006-09-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5522 (2006) · source
“There is no need to stress yet again that Serbia, as a State of which Kosovo and Metohija is an integral part, is more than open to any specialized police and investigative activity which will assist in the eradication of trafficking in human beings and narcotics in the province, because this is not just Kosovo's problem and not just Serbia's problem: it is a European and world problem. The situation and developments in Kosovo and Metohija should be assessed realistically and responsibly. Here, "realistically" means the point of view of international law and historical and political aspects. "Responsibly" is probably of paramount importance; it presumes that the consequences of our present actions should be anticipated for two, five, 10 or even more years in the future.”
2006-09-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5522 (2006) · source
“The fact that the Agency has still not obtained the funds to process the claims clearly demonstrates that its activities are considered peripheral by the PISG. It is not a secret that large-scale organized crime, as well as crime in general, including trafficking in human beings and corruption, flourish in Kosovo and Metohija. The trade in and smuggling of drugs and arms continue unhindered before the very eyes of the representatives of the international community, including police and the military.”
2006-09-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5522 (2006) · source
“Without getting into details about the methodologies that some organizations apply to record the returnees, we call attention to the fact that even the most optimistic of those records indicate a maximum of 5 per cent of returnees. The real numbers do not exceed 2 per cent. I also wish to point out that the return of the internally displaced persons can be facilitated and made possible through genuine commitment and joint efforts in the field. The Kosovo PISG should publicly support the submission of property claims to the Kosovo Property Agency regarding restitution of agricultural and commercial property. However, a genuine wish to resolve the issue is lacking. The Kosovo Property Agency has started receiving claims, but without any media coverage or outreach campaign.”
2006-09-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5522 (2006) · source
“Regrettably, so far there have been no serious signs whatsoever that anyone is willing to recognize at least some among those absolutely adequate and correct recommendations. On the other hand, unfortunately, the flexible attitude of our negotiating team failed to be reciprocated by the Albanian negotiating team, which maintained a rigid and uncompromising attitude: independence at any cost. With regard to the completion of the reconstruction and compensation programme in the wake of ethnic cleansing against the Serbs in March 2004, it is important to underline the fact that security is the top issue and the top priority that has to be dealt with. The lack of progress in the return of the displaced and exiled population, which has been recognized, is particularly worrisome.”
2006-09-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5522 (2006) · source
“The incident took place in the village of Zabari, outside Kosovska Mitrovica, on 30 August 2006. Bus windows were broken, but fortunately there were no casualties. UNMIK issued a statement denying that the police officers escorting the bus had witnessed the incident - not denying, however, that it had taken place. Sadly enough, the children will remember their ordeal, whether anyone saw it or not, whether anyone chose to see anything or not, or whether a statement on the incident was issued at all. I wish to recall that Ambassador Kai Eide, in his comprehensive review of the situation in Kosovo, qualified the process of establishing the future status of Kosovo and the continuance of standards implementation as the only way towards any progress. Ambassador Eide also emphasized other very important and essential issues.”
2006-09-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5522 (2006) · source
“One cannot fight that just by promulgating laws against discrimination. What is needed are true implementation and true monitoring. Securing the safety of public transport has always been a priority - at least a declared one - and is one of the 13 recommendations of the Contact Group. In practice, there are so-called death roads, a colloquial expression used by KFOR and UNMIK officers to refer to the roads connecting the Serbian settlement Strpce - a very distant Serbian enclave in Kosovo territory - to other Serbian regions. So far, 12 terrorist attacks against Serbs have been conducted there. Only a few hours before the public transport competencies were to be transferred from UNMIK to the Provisional Institutions of Self-Government, several Albanians stoned a bus carrying Serbian children home from a field trip.”
2006-09-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5522 (2006) · source
“The Provisional Institutions have never undertaken to protect those religious shrines or to ease the fears of the believers who pray in that church and look at the desecrated icons as they contemplate whether they should remain in their homeland. Furthermore, the international community has every right to demand that the Kosovo Institutions adopt laws against so-called general discrimination. However, the mere adoption of such laws is not a solution to the problem. The true leaders of Kosovo society are the individuals of undisputed authority within their communities: the clan leaders. The decisions are made by them, not by the judiciary. That was said even by Mr. Kai Eide in his report (S/2005/635, annex). In Kosovo, justice is being taken into people's own hands; tribal laws and blood feuds still rule there, unfortunately.”
2006-09-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5522 (2006) · source
“They were attacked just for being present in a Serb-owned establishment. As for religious monuments, cultural heritage and religious freedoms, on the one hand there is an emphasis on legislating those matters, and we welcome that. On the other hand, in practice, religious shrines are being desecrated and looted. As one of many examples, in a church in the Serbian village of Mogila, in the Vicinity of anilane, there are still some Christian icons on the church walls with the eyes of the saints gouged out by Albanian extremists in the campaign of ethnic cleansing of March 2004 against the remaining Serbs and other non-Albanians.”
2006-09-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5522 (2006) · source
“Hence, the UNMIK tactic of avoiding conflicts with militant Albanians simply means turning a blind eye to reality. As hard to believe as it is, everything I have mentioned leads to the conclusion that fear of powerful and violent Albanians and their threats of revenge is the very factor that is undermining international law and justice. Let me remind members that in Kosovo and Metohija people may get killed just for speaking a Slavic language resembling Serbian, as in the case of a Bulgarian in Pristina who lost his life. Ethnic identity becomes a license to kill. But the real situation is even worse. In a terrorist bomb attack I referred to earlier, on 26 August, a few non-Serbs - foreign nationals - were also injured. One of them happened to be an international police officer.”
2006-09-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5522 (2006) · source
“On 28 March this year, there was yet another incident on the same bridge in the course of which a l9-year-old man, Milisav Ilincic, was stabbed. The international public prosecutor for the Kosovska Mitrovica district, Paul Flynn, terminated the investigation against two Albanians suspected of attempted murder, although one of them had confessed to having stabbed Ilincic. Taking into account that event and many other incidents, as well as the incomprehensible fact that ever since UNMIK assumed responsibility for peace and security in Kosovo and Metohija in 1999, very few cases involving the murder or assault of Serbs have been tried in court, it would appear that the survival of the remaining Serbs, from the Albanians' point of View, stands in the way of their political and ideological goals.”
2006-09-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5522 (2006) · source
“The Serbian negotiating team is working actively on protection of the Serbian and other non-Albanian communities in Kosovo and Metohija, mainly through decentralization. Regarding the issue of future status, its main arguments are based on the universality of international law and the inviolability of borders. That presumes that it is inadmissible to rob the internationally recognized State of Serbia of 15 per cent of its territory in order to create a second Albanian State in the region. It is thus clear why the Albanian side has not engaged in meaningful negotiations. The negotiations have so far been conducted in such a casual manner that minutes were not kept nor were rules of procedure set until the Serbian side explicitly requested that these things be done.”
2006-09-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5522 (2006) · source
“It is with the deepest regret that we must state that that terrorist attack against the Serbs occurred subsequent to a statement to the effect that the Serbs as a nation were guilty - a statement that was expressly made in front of the Serbian negotiating team in Vienna and several other witnesses by a person one would never expect to do so, especially considering the high office he holds. That unfortunate statement was followed by a refusal to offer an apology to the Serbian people for having made such a harsh accusation. At the same time, this has been the only argument, if it is an argument at all, that has been presented in favour of Kosovo and Metohija's independence so far.”
2006-09-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5522 (2006) · source
“Since that meeting of the Security Council, 51 small- and large-scale incidents have occurred, involving assaults against the lives and property of Serbs. However, from October 2005, when it was decided that the negotiations on the future status of Kosovo would begin, to 1 September 2006, there were 260 incidents. In the evening of 26 August this year, a 16-year- old Albanian slowly walked across the bridge between South and North Mitrovica. He threw a bomb at a nearby Serbian coffee shop packed with people and calmly walked away. There is no doubt that this act of violence was political and that it targeted Serbs. Therefore, it was not aimed at a specific person who happened to be a Serb, but at Serbs as legitimate targets.”
2006-09-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5522 (2006) · source
“Otherwise, new complications may arise with unforeseeable consequences 4 the inevitable result of any departure from the universal principles embraced by the international community. Impatience and haste cannot contribute to a sustainable solution to the issue of Kosovo and Metohija or to peace and stability in the region. May I remind the Council that three months ago, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General reported on the progress made in all areas, including security. On that very day, a Serbian returnee from Klina, Dragan Popovic, was brutally murdered. The perpetrators were never identified. This was taken as yet another ominous message to the Serb community, especially to the returnees. Regrettably, that reality speaks for itself.”
2006-09-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5522 (2006) · source
“We wish in particular to reiterate the fact that Serbia is fully determined to assume its share of responsibility in the process of working towards a successful resolution of the Kosovo and Metohija issue, in accordance with international law and in conformity with universal democratic values. We are addressing the Security Council with full confidence that it will make an instrumental contribution in line with its previously adopted documents, in particular with resolution 1244 (1999) of 10 June 1999, which reaffirms the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our country. We firmly believe that achieving a durable solution to the future status of Kosovo and Metohija will be possible only through systematic, responsible and orderly negotiations, without imposed deadlines that can only result in additional pressure.”
2006-09-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5522 (2006) · source
“It gives me great pleasure to be able to address the Council and to pay my respects to this body of the world Organization. First and foremost, I wish to emphasize the unique significance of the Security Council as a guarantor upholding the universal principles of international law and the entire world order. This is even more important if we keep in mind the imperative of bringing about peace and stability in, and developing the future of, both Kosovo and Metohija and the region of South-Eastern Europe. The Republic of Serbia resolutely maintains that upholding and promoting peace and stability in the Western Balkans will be possible only through strict observance of international principles. These include, first and foremost, the inviolability of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of democratic States.”
2006-09-13 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5522 (2006) · source
“I am fully convinced that the principles of international law and order substantially supersede any form of legal violence. Convinced that the members of the Council will devote due attention to these positions, I express to you, Madam President, my gratitude for having been able to address this body.”
2006-06-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5470 (2006) · source