Solution Imposed from the Outside Unacceptable
President Putin: Imposing Kosovo Status Solution from the Outside Unacceptable
MOSCOW, Russia, Jan. 21, 2007 (Source: Tanjug) — Russia views as unacceptable the outside imposition of a solution for the status of Serbian Kosovo-Metohija province, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Sunday following talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in the Black Sea resort of Sochi.
Merkel underscored that it is not her wish that the efforts for the resolution of Serbian province’s status should destabilize the situation in Serbia.
Putin pointed out that a longterm solution to the problem could be achieved only if it is acceptable to both Belgrade and Pristina.
He noted that Russia is not opposed to the proposals being prepared by Ahtisaari, but urges that proposed solutions should satisfy both Belgrade and Pristina.
“I believe that Europe is not interested in imposing on one side, say Belgrade, such solutions which would be humiliating to the Serbian people,” the Itar-Tass news agency cited Putin as saying.
He stated that however the problem of Kosovo province gets resolved, that solution will become a universal one.
This does not refer only to the post-Soviet territories, but also to other countries, including certain European states where the problem of separatism also exists and isn’t unknown, Putin explained, warning about the threat of hasty solutions.
“Today We See Results of Bombardment of Serbia, Which was a Huge Mistake”
There is an increasing drive to ‘solve’ problems based on immediate interests. This is dangerous for small countries that do not feel safe, Putin set out, adding that it is necessary to arm oneself with patience and to seek acceptable solutions which must be reached.
“No one is interested in undermining the foundations of international stability. I believe that if we were to take that path, the consequences could be serious,” the Russian president warned.
“You are familiar with our position when Serbia was bombed — we were opposed to this and we continue to view this as a huge mistake, and today we see the results of that mistake,” Putin said.
“However, we are ready to seek an answer to that situation,” he noted, emphasizing that a solution can be reached if care is taken and if violent solutions are not imposed on anyone.
Putin told a joint press conference with Merkel that they discussed the situation in the Balkans, including in the context of today’s parliamentary election in Serbia.
Radicals Win Serbian Parliamentary Elections
BELGRADE, Serbia, Jan. 22, 2007 — According to CeSID (Center for free elections and democracy), Serbian Radical Party is the winner of the parliamentary elections of January 21, but won’t be able to form the government by itself.
Commenting on the success of Serbian Radicals, some Western analysts claim the result has “cast a pall over European Union and United States expectations they would have a ‘progressive’ Serbian government to deal with when the future of Kosovo province is decided.”
“We are convinced that hard days lie ahead of Serbia,” said Radical leader Tomislav Nikolic who claimed victory and acknowledged he needed to find a strong coalition partner.
Nikolic said the supposedly “pro-Western” bloc had “once more failed to fool Serbia’s citizens” and is now in panic.
Shrugging off threats by Western bullies in the shape of various ambassadors and “envoys” that “chauvinist policies could lead to renewed isolation,” Serbian voters underlined on Sunday the Radicals’ unbreakable bedrock of support. Obviously, Serbs are fed up with threats and humiliations West keeps shoveling their way.
According to CeSID’s final counts, Serbian Radical Party has won 28,7 percent of votes (or 1,150,000 votes). Serbian Radicals will have 81 representative in the Serbian parliament, more than any other political party in Serbia today.