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Hungarian leader: Belgrade pushes separatism

NOVI SAD -- Constant accusations of separatism coming from Belgrade could lead to those in favor of separatism in Vojvodina to organize, says an ethnic Hungarian leader. "It seem as if someone from Belgrade is working on it on purpose, to really have a radicalization of the political and wider public in Vojvodina and to really have those in favor of secession organize," Jožef Kasa, the honorary president of the Alliance of Vojvodina Hungarians (SVM), was quoted as saying. But, he continued, "this issue" would not be initiated by the province's ethnic minorities; rather, Kasa said, it would be done "by the Serb youth when they've had enough of the constant reexamining of loyalty of Vojvodina residents to the state of Serbia and of the foul accusations of separatism." Kasa also said that "although Belgrade is always talking about Vojvodina's secession", this region in fact "never wanted to secede from Serbia". As for the draft statute of the province, currently in parliamentary procedure after a year of political wrangling, Kasa said "it misses its essence", and that is the province's "source income". "That's the key issue. And we're listening to the stories that Belgrade should give us something. That's not true, we're giving to Belgrade. Vojvodina residents make income and pay taxes to the central coffers, from which we must get back the share that belongs to us. That's the essence". But Kasa believes there can be no full autonomy for Vojvodina within Serbia, until there are "constitutional changes". "The Constitution that is in force was made in haste and without a public debate, that us, without a democratic procedure. And for this reason it cannot be said it has a legitimate basis," he was quoted as saying