Man dies in Serb enclave with cut off phones

Source: B92
GRAČANICA -- The Health Center in the Serb enclave in Gračanica in Kosovo has announced that a patient died because he was unable to call an ambulance.

The phones operated by Belgrade-based providers in enclaves inhabited by Serbs south of the Ibar River were cut off on Sunday and Monday by the Kosovo Albanian authorities in Priština.

According to the announcement today, the 76-year-old man, identified with his initials M.D., died on Tuesday around 17:10 CET.

Gračanica Health Center Director Radmila Trajković said that the ambulance team, once it finally arrived, was not able to save the man's life.

“His daughter came to our health institution upset, saying that her father was in a very serious condition and that he had been unable to call the ambulance all night. By the way, he was suffering from angina, he had cerebral infarction earlier and he was in a serious chronic condition, but on September 27 his condition acutely worsened,” she said.

“Our team then went to the scene where they found the patient in a life threatening condition. In other words, we were only able to go there on September 28 somewhere around 17:00, when his daughter found him, and give him medical attention. Our ambulance team unfortunately did not succeed, he fell into a coma yesterday and unfortunately died,” Trajković xplained.

Priština authorities took to destroying Telekom Srbija base stations south of the Ibar River this week, claiming that the company did not have the license to operate in Kosovo.
The Serbian telecommunications company has rejected these claims.

Thousands of Serbs without telephone service

Source: B92, Tanjug

Serbs in their enclaves in central and southern Kosovo have been left without landline and mobile telephone service.

Beta news agency reports that eighty thousand Serbs in Kosovo were left without mobile, and a few thousands without fixed telephony.

Kosovo Albanian authorities from Priština escorted by Kosovo police yesterday destroyed and shut down equipment of Telekom Srbija (Serbia's telecommunications company), claiming they "operated illegally".

Telekom said they would look to restore service as soon as they could, and rejected these accusations. The company's technical unit coordinator for Kosovo and Metohija, Ilija Ivanović, said that Telekom operated in the province with a license.

"Telekom works in line with (UNSC) Resolution 1244," he was quoted as saying.

On Sunday, Ministry for Kosovo officials said that this development could have a negative impact on the forthcoming talks between Belgrade and Priština.

On Monday, head of the EU mission in Kosovo and Metohija (EULEX) Yves de Kermabon will visit Belgrade, where he will meet with officials.

Kermabon will meet with Minister for Kosovo and Metohija Goran Bogdanović, the Ministry for Kosovo and Metohija said in a statement.

Kermabon is also scheduled to meet with Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Ivica Dačić, announced MUP.

Serbia, Republika Srpska to build bridge over Drina

Belgrade/Banja Luka, 24 Sept 2010 – Minister of Environment and Spatial Planning Oliver Dulic and Republika Srpska Minister of Transport and Communications Nedeljko Cubrilovic signed a protocol in Banja Luka on the construction of Bacevci-Fakovici bridge over the river Drina.

After signing the document, Dulic said that there is a good cooperation in accordance with the agreement on establishing special parallel relations between Serbia and Republika Srpska and that concrete projects will be carried out based on that agreement.

This bridge will better connect the citizens who live on both sides of the river Drina, but will also be the change for economic growth and a better future.

Dulic recalled that the bridge on the Raca was recently opened and that the construction of a new road linking motorways in Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina is underway.

Serbia will provide funds for the construction of this bridge in the next year’s budget, he announced and added that the start of bulding access roads will be in 2012.

Republika Srpska Prime Minister Milorad Dodik, who attended the signing of this protocol, said that the bridge will be built in order to connect people, banks and their potentials in the future.

The Council for implementation of the agreement on special parallel relations concluded that there are three important points of communication between Serbia and Republika Srpska, Dodik said, noting that these are the Raca bridge, the future Bacevci-Fakovici bridge and road communication between Visegrad and Uzice.

Cubrilovic said that the signing of the protocol is a continuation of good cooperation with the Serbian government and stressed that it is of vital importance for the economy for both sides of the Drina.

The bridge will be more than 200 metres long and its project value amounts to €1.5 million, which will be provided by Serbia, while the funding for access roads will be shared between Serbia and Republika Srpska, explained Cubrilovic.

Tadić, Christofias: Excellent relations

Source: Tanjug

NICOSIA -- Serbian President Boris Tadić and Cypriot President Dimitris Christofias met in Nicosia on Thursday, on the first day of Tadić's two-day visit.

At a joint press conference after meeting Tadić, Christofias said that Cyprus supports Serbia and all Western Balkan countries on their path towards integration in the European Union.

The integration of these countries in the EU would contribute to the stabilization of the situation and relations in the region, he said.

Tadić said that the good bilateral relations are traditional, dating back from a very difficult time for Serbia.

He expressed gratitude to Cyprus for its support to Serbia in the process of EU integration and to its defense of its territorial integrity in Kosovo.

Cyprus is one of the five member states of the European Union which have not recognized the unilateral declaration.

The two presidents, however, emphasized that much more must be done to foster economic cooperation, as bilateral trade totaled only EUR 15mn last year.

Tadić was also scheduled to meet later with Archbishop of Nea Justiniana and All Cyprus Chrysostomos II.

Jeremic, Titov discuss Kosovo-Metohija issue

Belgrade, 20 May 2010 – Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic met in Belgrade with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Vladimir Titov today. They discussed bilateral relations and the issue of Kosovo-Metohija.

According to a statement issued by the Foreign Ministry, Jeremic and Titov agreed that bilateral relations are excellent and that both countries are willing to further improve them.

It was confirmed at the meeting that Serbia and Russia have the same stance on the issue of Kosovo-Metohija and that they are ready for further joint activities regarding the matter.

Jeremic and Titov also agreed that it is necessary to intensify efforts to strengthen bilateral economic cooperation, concludes the statement.

Mali’s principled support to Serbia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity

Belgrade, 21 May 2010 – Minister of Foreign Affairs Vuk Jeremic thanked the Republic of Mali today for not having recognised the unilaterally declared independence of Kosovo, as well as for its principled support to Serbia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Following a meeting with Malian Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Moctar Ouane, Jeremic said that in today’s world such a principled stance shows the independence and courage of the Republic of Mali.

The Minister noted that Mali can count on Serbia’s support in international organisations, just as Serbia can rely on Mali.

He stated that at the meeting they discussed ways to boost their cooperation in economic matters, security, defence and culture, announcing that an expert group from Serbia will soon visit Mali to assess the terms of and define sectors for cooperation.

Jeremic also said that the format of the upcoming EU–Western Balkans meeting, scheduled for 2 June in Sarajevo, will be in line with Serbia’s demands, explaining that the provisional institutions in Pristina will be represented by UNMIK, in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 1244.

He affirmed that Serbia has received an official invitation for the conference, adding that he expects that the conclusions from the conference will be an incentive for EU integration in the region.

Ouane stressed that in its foreign policy, Mali is uncompromisingly attached to the principle of sovereignty and territorial integrity of states, noting that this is his country’s key foreign policy principle.

He said that Serbia and Mali have a long history of friendship, international support and understanding, and will next year mark the 50th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Mali said that many doctors, teachers and engineers from his country studied in Serbia.

He pointed out the potential in agricultural cooperation, given the fact that Mali could make use of the knowledge of Serbian experts.

Marelli Motori to start production in Serbia by end of 2010

Belgrade/Vicenza, 17 May 2010 – Minister of Trade and Services Slobodan Milosavljevic said today that leading companies from northern Italy expressed interest in investing in Serbia at the meeting “Serbia – Ideal Business Partner in the Balkans”.

Milosavljevic told Tanjug news agency that business opportunities in the fields of agriculture, textiles, leather, footwear, the car parts industry and renewable energy sources were examined and noted that northern Italy has a developed processing industry.

He said that representatives of the companies that already do business in Serbia as investors expressed positive experiences with the business environment in Serbia.

One of these companies is Zanesi, which produces together with Serbian pharmaceutical company Hemofarm the packaging for pharmaceutical products, as well as companies that have made investments in the energy sector.

Milosavljevic is scheduled to speak today with the management of several companies, including the motors producer Marelli Motori, which is planning to start its production in Serbia by the end of the year.

Milosavljevic stated that this is the right way to help Serbia recover its economy, by creating perspectives for new jobs and bringing investors who want to export their products made in Serbia to foreign markets.

We have free trade agreements with Russia and Belarus, both very attractive markets for Italian investors, explained the Minister.

Milosavljevic informed forum participants about Serbia’s achievements regarding the economy and future prospects. He also told them about specific incentives for Italian investors interested in Fiat investments as well as other Italian businesses in Serbia.

This was a good opportunity to improve the traditionally good and constantly growing economic relations between Serbia and Italy and to encourage potential investors interested in Serbia to invest here, said Milosavljevic.

Serbia, Azerbaijan sign agreements

Source: Tanjug
BAKU -- Serbian President Boris Tadić and Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev signed in Baku on Thursday a joint declaration on the development of bilateral relations

At the same time, ministers of the two countries signed several bilateral agreements which give room for enhancement of cooperation in all fields.

Serbian Minister of Economy and Regional Development Mlađan Dinkić and Azerbaijan Minister of Economic Development Shahin Mustafayev signed the Agreement on cooperation in trade and economic sphere, and Interior Minister Ivica Dačić and his counterpart Ramil Usubov signed the Agreement on cooperation in the fight against crime.

The officials also signed a protocol on cooperation between the two foreign ministries and diplomatic academies, as well as the Convention on elimination of double taxation between the governments of Azerbaijan and Serbia in relation to incomes and possessions.

In addition to these two documents, Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremić signed the

Agreement on abolishment of visa for persons who have diplomatic and official passports.

At the same time, the Group of Friendship with Serbia was set up in the parliament of Azerbaijan.

Belgrade and Baku have both assessed that Tadić's visit to Azerbaijan is an opportunity to establish talks concerning the improvement of economic ties between the two countries.

Azerbaijan takes the 55th place on the list of Serbia's 160 export countries, and is ranked as 97th on the list of 199 import countries. Serbian export to this country has marked a constant increase since mid-90's, while the trade in 2009 totaled RSD 5.15 million.

Later in the day, Tadić will meet with Prime Minister Arthur Rasi Zadeh and Parliament Speaker Ogtay Asadov.

Kosovo: Shots fired at Serb returnees

Source: Beta
PRIŠTINA -- Shots were fired at Serb returnees in the village of Žač in Kosovo, it has been confirmed.

The incident happened last night, and did not result in any injuries, Kosovo police, KPS, said today.

A spokesman for KPS said that the camp housing the returnees was fired at “from a great distance”, and while KFOR and KPS patrols were inside, and that an investigation was under way.

One bullet hit a wall in one of the returnees' homes, reports said.

Local ethnic Albanians have previously resorted to stoning the tents that the returnees currently live in.

Albanians claim that “war criminals” were among the returnees, something that they denied.

Telekom workers released in Kosovo

Source: B92
GRAČANICA -- Telekom Srbija workers taken into custody in the Serb enclave of Gračanica after trying to get transmitters in the region to work have been released.

The five workers were trying to fix the landline and mobile networks in central Kosovo, and spent three hours in a Gračanica prison.

Their personal identification cards were taken from them by Kosovo police, KPS, and they are expected to report back on Thursday.

The reaction of the KPS came 24 hours after the mobile and landline networks were reestablished in central Kosovo.

The five workers were arrested while working at a telephone pole in the village of Badovci, near Gračanica.

“Based on the operative orders, if someone makes an unauthorized appearance to areas where the Telekom wires were cut, they will be taken to the station and we are ready to act on that,” commander of the Gračanica Kosovo police station, Bratislav Trajković, said.

Workers of the local health center and ambulance blocked the entrance of the police station and traffic in Gračanica in protest for a short while.

Phone services of Telekom Srbija in most of central Kosovo continues to function.

Kosovo Albanian authorities last month disabled or destroyed mobile and landline telephony transmitters owned by Telekom and Telenor compenies to Serb areas south of the Ibar River. The service has since been restored to a large degree.

President attends MUP special unit ceremony

Source: FoNet, Tanjug

BELGRADE -- President Boris Tadić says that organized crime has taken the form of an "exceptionally powerful mafia".

Speaking at the MUP Counter-Terrorist Unit (PTJ) base near Belgrade on Friday, the present however added that organized crime “is not more powerful or stronger than the state which will deal with it”.

Tadić stated that Serbia was the regional leader in combating organized crime in and that it would not give up on standing up to the mafia in southeast Europe, despite the challenges it is facing.

“What Serbia is doing is of crucial importance for the future of our children. We’ll show that nobody has more power than the state,” Tadić stressed, at the celebration of the PTJ patron saint day, St. George.

He said that the unit – considered to be one of the top two MUP outfits – was loyal to its people and tradition, always at its optimal capability and “first to fight organized crime and terrorism”.

The president also pointed out that Serbia was facing “temptations ahead”, and economic problems, “which are a consequence of the 1990s”, as well as the issue of organized crime that was present in the entire region.

“My message is that no one is stronger than the state and you can count on me, because I’m, as the commander-in-chief, a part of your unit,” Tadić was quoted as saying.

Interior Minister Ivica Dačić, who also attended, said that combat against organized crime, corruption and terrorism needed to be continuously carried out and emphasized that this effort would not be successful without good cooperation of all state authorities involved.

“Our goal, of both police and all other state agencies, is to, just like St. George, kill this dragon which is the biggest enemy of the state, people and the entire region,” the minister said.

Dačić also reminded those gathered of the fact that almost 1,000 police officers gave their lives for the country and its future, and said their sacrifice had to be remembered, and their families supported.

The top state officials, which included Police Director Milorad Veljović and BIA Director Saša Vukadinović, as well as Russian Ambassador Aleksandr Konuzin and church dignitaries who took part in the ceremonies, were welcomed today at PTJ Base Lipovica by the unit's commander, Lt. Col. Goran Dragović.

“Arrest result of cooperation with EULEX”

Source: Tanjug
BELGRADE -- Deputy War Crime Prosecutor Bruno Vekarić says the arrest of Sabit Geci in Priština yesterday is the result of “excellent cooperation with EULEX”.

Vekarić clarified that the ethnic Albanian was indicted in the case of human organ trafficking, the so-called Yellow House case, and for the crimes committed in the Drenica region.

EULEX police arrested the former member of the so-called Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) on Thursday.

According to a statement, the arrest was carried out at the order issued by the Office of the Special Prosecutor in Kosovo on suspicion of his involvement in the war crimes allegedly committed between April and June 1999, a brief statement released by EULEX in Pristina read.

According to media reports, Geci was arrested after an investigation carried out into prisoer camps in Albania, where Serbs and other non-Albanians were in 1999 held hostage, tortured and murdered.

Thaci minister “could get 55 years”

Source: Tanjug
PRIŠTINA -- Fatmir Limaj is suspected of money laundry, organized crime, abuse of office, fraud and bribe receiving.

This is according to acting Chief EULEX Prosecutor and State Prosecutor at the Supreme Court of Kosovo Johan Van Vreeswijk.

The office and house of the Kosovo Albanian transport and telecommunications minister, a former member of the KLA, was searched in Priština by EULEX police last week.

In an interview published by Albanian language daily Koha Ditore, Van Vreeswijk said that the Kosovo law envisages a sentence of up to 55 years in prison for those offenses.

He also said that he was displeased by the comments made by Kosovo Premier Hashim Thaci and other Kosovo officials on the investigation in the Limaj case.

The EULEX official guaranteed “Kosovo officials and citizens that EULEX has evidence for this case” and that he is conducting an investigation in another six cases of corruption and organized crime.

Van Vreeswijk sent out a message to “all Kosovo officials who were or are still connected to organized crime” that they should “start sweating”.

But he added that the “premier and ministers may relax”, because EULEX will not interfere in the work of their offices unless there is something unlawful in their work.

“But, if the law is violated, they should not think that we would knock on the door and ask if we might investigate,” said Van Vreeswijk.

“If the case fails, I agree that we should produce and explanation,” said Van Vreeswijk. “But, do you really think that a professional organization with its qualified prosecutors wants to start proceedings against a high-ranking individual without having a strong case?”

Van Vreeswijk clarified that senior officials under the investigations are not members of Thaci's Democratic Party of Kosovo only.

There are members of other parties as well, said Van Vreeswijk.