Belgrade, 11. 01. 2010.

SERBIA – REPUBLIKA SRPSKA

• TADIC: TO RECONCILE AND BE GOOD NEIGHBOURS WITHIN EU
• TADIC ON BIH AND MESIC'S MOVE
• TADIC: COUNTERPRODUCTIVE BONN AUTHORIZATIONS IN BIH
• TADIC: RESOLUTION WILL NOT RECEIVE GENERAL APPROVAL

• MILETIC: SITUATION IN GSZ PEACEFUL BUT DELICATE
• BRADIC IN PECS - EUROPEAN CAPITAL OF CULTURE IN 2010
• BRADIC CONFERS WITH HUNGARIAN COUNTERPART HILLER IN PECS
• TERRAL: FRANCE WILL HELP SERBIA ON ITS EU PATHWAY
• FUHLE: PROCESS OF SAA RATIFICATION MAY BEGIN IN SUMMER OF 2010
• JOSIPOVIC: CROATIA COULD REEXAMINE DECISION ON LAWSUIT

• IVANOVIC: MESIC'S VISIT TO KOSOVO NOT A GOOD MOVE
• MESIC: I SEE NO REASON FOR TADIC TO BE ANGRY
• MESIC CALLS ON MORE COUNTRIES TO RECOGNIZE KOSOVO
• FITZGERALD: LOCAL AUTHORITIES NOT IN KEEPING WITH RESOLUTION
• SPAIN STANDS BY ITS POSITION NOT TO RECOGNIZE KOSOVO
• EULEX RESERVED ABOUT KOSOVO GOVERNMENT'S PROPOSAL

BANJA LUKA, Jan 9 (Tanjug) - Serbian President Boris Tadic sent a message of reconciliation from Banja Luka, where the Republika Srpska Day is being marked, pointing out that the future of all regional countries is within the EU, where they should be good neighbors and good friends.

"The Serbian people are fighting for the respect of their own national interests, but all other nations in the western Balkans have the same right as well," Tadic said. "I believe that we all need to reconcile and that this hand of reconciliation should be the symbol of common values," Tadic pointed out.

According to him, all the countries in the region "are in for great temptations and therefore we need to pursue a policy of honoring various identities and various national interests." He wished the citizens of Republika Srpska a happy 18th birthday and a Merry Christmas.

BANJA LUKA, Jan 9 (Tanjug) - Serbian President Boris Tadic stated in Banja Luka Saturday that Serbia supports the integrity of Bosnia-Herzegovina (BiH), and assessed that the decision of Croatian outgoing President Stjepan Mesic to grant amnesty to Sinisa Rimac is wrong and tragic.

Addressing the journalists in Banja Luka on the occasion of the Republika Srpska Day, Tadic said that the democratic Serbia, Serbia that wants to become a EU member, will never give up on the policy of preserving BiH's integrity and the respect of all legitimate national interests and identities there are in BiH. Tadic once again referred to the move of Croatian President Stjepan Mesic to reduce the punishment of Sinisa Rimac, sentenced to eight years in prison for taking part in the killing of Serb civilians in 1991, adding that this is tragic and that he would never do such a thing.

When someone takes part in the murder of a 12-year-old girl, because she belonged to a different nation, then his crime is particularly vicious and such a man could never be granted amnesty in any country that wants to become a part of common European and civilization values, Tadic underscored. The last man to give lessons to Serbia is Mesic, who is leaving too heavy a burden to the future president of Croatia, Tadic said, expressing his hope that Serbia will be able to establish different relations with the new Croatian president.

BANJA LUKA, Jan 9 (Tanjug) - Serbian President Boris Tadic stated Saturday that he believes that constant use of Bonn authorizations by high representatives in Bosnia-Herzegovina (BiH) are counterproductive, adding that the EU should obtain their official representative as soon as possible.

Pointing out that this is in the interest of all BiH peoples, Tadic said: "I believe that everyone should contribute to the reduction of political tensions in BiH, which is a friendly neighboring country. Serbia will never do anything to destabilize BiH." When it comes to the possibility of a referendum in Republika Srpska (RS) on the decisions of the High Representative, Tadic said that Serbia did not state its opinion regarding this matter, adding that this is the internal issue of BiH, RS and BiH Federation.

Tadic said that Serbia will not support the division of BiH, adding that in that way Serbia defends BiH's integrity, but also its own integrity in Kosovo-Metohija, as the attempt of Kosovo's secession is the attempt to destabilize Serbia and the entire West Balkan region.

BANJA LUKA, Jan 10 (Tanjug) - Serbian President Boris Tadic assessed that the resolution on Srebrenica, which should be adopted at the Serbian parliament, will not receive general approval in Republika Srpska, nor in Serbia. "However, politicians are those who must be capable of taking over responsibility for such political decisions, as that is the reason why citizens vote for them in the elections, and then award them or punish them in the next elections," Tadic said.

In an interview for the Radio-Television of Republika Srpska, Tadic said that the adoption of the resolution on Srebrenica is Serbia's obligation towards the ICTY. He believes that, in time, the resolution will receive support not only in Serbia, but in all countries where the Serbian people live. Only with this policy can we defend the victims of the Zec family in Zagreb, as this case has been a topical issue in the past several days, Tadic said, adding that the case is about an ethnically motivated murder of a 12-year-old girl.

PRESEVO, Jan 8 (Tanjug) - Serbian Armed Forces (VS) Chief of General Staff Lieutenant General Miloje Miletic said Friday that the situation in the Ground Safety Zone (GSZ), along the administrative line between Serbia and Kosovo, was peaceful and stable, but at the same delicate as well.

"It has been shown that even the slightest unintentional incident within the GSZ can create considerable anxiety within the population living along the administrative line with Kosovo," Miletic stated after visiting the 1,300 Corporals Barracks in Vranje and the KFOR- Base near Presevo. Miletic noted that it was necessary for everyone operating within the GSZ to approach their tasks with a lot of responsibility, adding that they had to stick to the given procedures, the VS announced. Miletic stressed that the local authorities should bear a particular amount of responsibility in that matter, saying that they should work a lot harder on building trust within the population.

According to Miletic, the VS members assigned to the GSZ are following their given rules and procedures and staying within their constitutional and legal mandate, the VS website announced. Miletic also pointed out that "the actions of the military are not affecting in any way the political, social, cultural and sporting life, or the liberty and rights of the citizens." "Given that, it is clear that there can be no talk about militarisation in this area," Miletic emphasized. He also mentioned the recent events in the village of Rasevac, near Kursumlija, stating that "there was no threat to the lives of the villagers and that an investigation by the police will show what exactly happened there." Miletic was conducting a regular visit to the VS 4th Motorized Brigade, which is tasked with securing a portion of the administrative line with Kosovo.

BELGRADE, Jan 8 (Tanjug) - Serbian Minister of Culture Nebojsa Bradic will attend a ceremonial opening of the manifestation dubbed 'Pecs - the European Capital of Culture 2010' in Pecs, Hungary, on January 10, the Ministry of Culture announced on Friday. It is the first time in 25 years, since the project 'The Cultural Capital of Europe' was launched, that a Hungarian town won the title of a cultural capital.

During 2010, Pecs will represent its sights, promote Hungarian culture and share the treasures of its cultural heritage with Europe and the world. In Pecs, where he will stay upon the invitation of Hungarian Minister of Education and Culture Istvan Hiller and Mayor of Pecs Zsolt Pava, Bradic will also meet with the representatives of the Serbian self-government and the Pecs-Baranya association of Serbs, the Ministry of Culture reported.

PECS, Jan 11 (Tanjug) - Serbian Minister of Culture Nebojsa Bradic discussed Sunday the development of cultural cooperation between Hungary and Serbia with Hungarian Minister of Education and Culture Istvan Hiller, upon whose invitation he attended a ceremonial opening of the manifestation dubbed 'Pecs - the European Capital of Culture 2010'.

Minister Bradic told Tanjug last night that the opening of this manifestation took place at the main square in Pecs and was followed by a beautiful performance of local artists, bands and ensembles. He pointed out that this was the second time he met with his Hungarian counterpart Hiller. "We expressed mutual satisfaction that good plans for the future are developing, such as signing of an agreement on cultural cooperation between Hungary and Serbia for the following period and numerous bilateral contacts," Bradic underscored.

BELGRADE, Jan 9 (Tanjug) - French Ambassador to Serbia Jean Francois Terral stated Saturday that he is convinced that Serbia has the capacity to quickly progress towards the EU, taking into account the country's great potential, adding that France will help Serbia on its EU pathway.

Terral did not wish to assess when Serbia may become a EU member, but he repeated the position of French President Nicolas Sarcosy who told Serbian President Boris Tadic that the recognition of Kosovo's independence will not be a condition for Serbia's EU accession.

In an interview for B92, Terral said that he doubts that the International Court of Justice (ICJ) will decide that the unilateral proclamation of Kosovo's independence was illegal, and added that he expects the opinion of this court will be balanced and that it will begin a new chapter.

BRUSSELS, Jan 10 (Tanjug) - Newly-appointed EU Commissioner for Enlargement Stefan Fule has expressed his expectation that the process of ratification of the EU's Stabilization and Association Agreement with Serbia may begin in the summer of 2010, adding that this will enable the beginning of a new era of relations between the EU and Serbia.

Fule said also expressed his willingness to use all available EU instruments in order to support the progress of Kosovo, without prejudging the issue of its status. According to the presentations that Fule and High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton have submitted to the European parliament (EP) for the confirmation of their candidacies, and which have been published at the EP's website, they stated that the speeding up of EU accession of the West Balkans is their priority.

ROME, Jan 11 (Tanjug) - Newly elected Croatia's President Ivo Josipovic stated that if Belgrade accepts negotiations on missing persons, war crimes trials and returning of cultural wealth that disappeared during the war, Croatia could reexamine the decision on genocide lawsuit against Serbia.

Josipovic said in an interview for the Italian daily Corriere della Sera that he cannot see the reasons why it should be insisted on the genocide lawsuit if Belgrade accepts these conditions.

I will negotiate with Belgrade on missing persons, war crimes trails and returning of the misappropriated cultural heritage. If they accept the terms, there will be no reasons to continue with the genocide lawsuit, Josipovic said.

KOSOVSKA MITROVICA, Jan 8 (Tanjug) - State Secretary with the Ministry for Kosovo and Metohija Oliver Ivanovic said Friday that Croatian President Stipe Mesic's visit to Kosovo that day was not a good move, adding that it would worsen the relations between Serbia and Croatia.

The visit is also an effort by Mesic's to gain favor with the more extreme circles in Zagreb, Ivanovic told Tanjug. Mesic's visit to Kosovo and his decision to reduce the sentence for a man convicted of killing Serb civilians in Croatia during the 90s conflict is nothing but an attempt to gain favor with the more extreme circles in Zagreb, Ivanovic stated. Those acts hurt regional cooperation, which is a top priority for the Croatian government, and Mesic has not made the job of the future Croatian president any easier by doing what he did.

PRISTINA, Jan 9 (Tanjug) - Croatian outgoing president Stjepan Mesic stated that the citizens of Kosovo, Croatian soldiers within KFOR and members of the Croat minority had expected his arrival, pointing out that he could not see a reason why Serbian President Boris Tadic would be angry about his visit to Kosovo.

I would have loved it if Tadic had come with me to Kosovo and that we had met with Kosovo President Fatmir Sejdiu and Kosovo citizens who welcomed us warmly, Mesic said during his visit to the Croat minority in the village of Janjevo, Croatian agency HINA reported. HINA reported that Tadic, as a response to Mesic's visit to Kosovo, said that this was one of the decisions by which Mesic was ruining relations with Serbia, leaving a serious and unnecessary burden to his successor.

Tadic also condemned Mesic's decision to reduce the punishment of Sinisa Rimac, sentenced to eight years in prison due to taking part in killing Serb civilians in 1991. "When the outgoing president of Croatia grants amnesty to a criminal who killed Serb children just because they were of different nationality, than such an act has to be strongly condemned as it represents an utterly anti-European and anti-civilization irrational decision," the Serbian president said.

PRISTINA, Jan 8 (Tanjug) - Croatian President Stjepan Mesic was welcomed with the highest honors in Pristina on Friday, and started his visit by calling on all countries to recognize Kosovo's unilaterally declared independence.

After arriving in Pristina, the outgoing Croatian president inspected the Kosovo Security Force ceremonial formation, together with his host, Kosovo President Fatmir Sejdiu, who awarded him the "Gold Medal of Independence" for his special contribution to Kosovo's independence. After the meeting with Sejdiu, Mesic said that recognizing the independence of the southern Serbian province "will help regional and European cooperation" and promised Croatia will aid Kosovo "on its path of European integration.

"Reiterating that independent Kosovo is a "new reality in the region", he added that the Croatian people will never forget that they had the support of the "people of Kosovo" in the wars of the early 1990s. Speaking before the Kosovo parliament, Mesic said that Belgrade should not "feed the false hopes" of Kosovo Serbs that the status of Kosovo and Metohija is still unresolved. He concluded that it is difficult for Serbia to admit to losing part of its territory which is inextricably linked to its historic roots and added that "even though Serbia does not have to recognize" the unilateral declaration of independence, it will have to find a way to coexist with Kosovo sooner or later.

PRISTINA, Jan 8 (Tanjug) - The local authorities in northern Kosovo and Metohija represent a threat to Kosovo stability, Joint Force Command Naples Admiral Mark Fitzgerald said in Pristina Friday. All violations of UN Security Council Resolution 1244 pose a threat to security.

Since the Resolution does not approve of parallel institutions, they are cause for concern, the US admiral told a press conference in Pristina after the meeting with KFOR Commander Marcus Bentler. Fitzgerald pointed out to KFOR's readiness to answer any threat in efforts to secure a peaceful surrounding.

MADRID, Jan 8 (Tanjug) - Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos said in Madrid on Friday that Spain, which took over the six-month EU presidency at the beginning of 2010, intends to continue talks on the EU expansion into the Balkans and repeated that it stands by its position not to recognize Kosovo's unilaterally declared independence.

Speaking with EU reporters, Moratinos said that talks are in progress with Macedonia, mentioning its conflict with Greece over the country's name, as well as Montenegro, Albania and Serbia. When it comes to Bosnia-Herzegovina, Moratinos was less specific, and commenting on Kosovo, he stressed that Spain holds to its decision not to recognize it.

PRISTINA, Jan 11 (Tanjug) - EULEX is reserved about the Kosovo government's proposal to institute judicial authorities in the North of Kosovo without agreement with the representatives of all communities in that part of Kosovo, the Pristina-based daily Koha Ditore reports Monday.

Kosovo government announced that they will take all measures so that the District Court in the northern part of Kosovska Mitrovica would fully operate under Pristina's jurisdiction.

At a government session Saturday, Kosovo Justice Minister Nekibe Keljmendi asked for the funds to be allocated for the transport of judges, prosecutors and other staff from southern to northern part of Mitrovica, which would, as she said, be a step towards a complete functioning of the Court. EULEX's intention for the judicial staff in the North to be accepted by all communities can mean that the EU mission does not support the Kosovo government's idea to introduce a bus line for the transport of judges, prosecutors and other staff from the southern to the northern part of Kosovska Mitrovica, Koha Ditore reports.

EULEX spokesman Christopher Lamfalussy told Koha Ditore that the mission is interested in instituting judicial authorities accepted by all communities. EULEX understands the wish of Kosovo authorities to bring back the local judges and prosecutors as soon as possible, Lamfalussy said. We want for justice to be accepted by all communities. This solution should enable a completely secure work of judicial staff, he added. The mission is considering Keljmendi's proposal, but it is yet unknown whether the initiative will be supported, Lamfalussy underscored.