Bogdanovic slams Feith’s statements on Kosovo Serbs
Serbia’s minister for Kosovo Goran Bogdanovic has criticized international officials’ attitudes towards cooperation with Serbs in Kosovo, and in particular statements by EU’s special representative Pieter Feith.
(KosovoCompromise Staff) Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Bogdanovic said that international officials in Kosovo only dealt with Serb officials they deemed "appropriate," and that this was unacceptable, because Serbs in the region already had legally-elected officials chosen at legal elections.
"Statements such as those from Pieter Feith-that the Kosovo government should select Serb representatives-has the goal of creating a rift between Serbs in the province. As far as we're concerned, this issue is cut and dry-our representatives were elected on May 11," Bogdanovic told daily the Vecernje Novosti daily.
He said that he was convinced that UNMIK would make good on the demands of the Serbian government, which he said were a compromise in accordance with Resolution 1244 for the return of Serb police under UNMIK command, as well as the demands of the judicial bodies.
"We want Serb police officers working in Serb communities, both in the north, and in central parts and Pomoravlje. For this, we have received understanding from UNMIK Chief Lamberto Zannier, who understands the seriousness of our demands, and also the importance of these fields in the efforts to maintain stability on the ground," Bogdanovic said.
He said that the work of the courts was also important because Serbs in Kosovo could not remain without legal protection.
