Dacic sees "syndrome of destabilization"

Source: B92

BELGRADE -- "There is a syndrome that is often manifested - when something moves towards normalization, mechanisms that damage it are initiated," says Ivica Dacic.

(Tanjug, file)

The Serbian foreign minister and first deputy prime minister spoke for B92 late on Tuesday, and when asked "who was initiating these mechanisms," failed to provide a specific answer - but gave several examples:
"We spoke with the EU representative about normalization, and now comes the news that Pristina wants a declaration on genocide committed by Serbia. You have a historic visit of (Edi) Rama, then comes the drone. You have (Aleksandar) Vucic's visit, then comes Rama's statement about a chance for unification of Albanians."

As for the Hague Appeals Chamber's decision to demand Vojislav Seselj's return to custody, Dacic described it as "scandalous" - one that "destabilizes Serbia and the region." Another cabinet minister, Aleksandar Vulin, said it represented "a direct attack on the Serbian government and Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic."

"If there is some intention behind it, then it is certainly to undermine stability. Serbia has its reform course, set objectives in relation to the EU, in relation to the region, and in relation to Russia, but there are these mechanisms that are triggered whenever something moves towards normalization. However, no one has a legal argument to impose their positions on us," Dacic said.

He added that the government is yet to decide on whether Seselj will be arrested if he does not return to the Hague detention unit voluntarily.

"First, we want to fathom the essence. It should be noted that Serbia is drawn directly into their deals and conflicts. It never happened before that someone was granted temporary freedom without a Serbian policeman coming to collect them. We were not informed about it, and the decision to release (Seselj) was made, not only without consulting Serbia, but without any information about the conditions. We were informed only of one obligation, not to issue him a passport," Dacic said.

According to this official, the November decision to release Seselj was "a deal between him and the Hague in which Serbia did not participate."

"Now the situation has completely changed and Serbia should now, apparently, participate. It does not matter whether someone will respect the decision of the police, whether there will be clashes, what matters is that the decision itself is not only strange, but scandalous," Dacic said.

He dismissed the claims of former U.S. Ambassador William Montgomery that the conflict between the West and Russia over Ukraine and the pressure exerted on Serbia "can lead to deep divisions in society."

"This is a thesis that comes from people ignorant of the political situation and the history of Serbia. And if there is pressure, we do not talk in that way, we hide nothing, we are going to the EU and Russia knows it, it is not creating problems and not forcing us into the Eurasian Union - and on the other hand, why should it be contentious for the EU that we have relations with Russia when they have more trade with them?" Dacic said.

He stressed that "Serbia does not tolerate pressure" and is "not facing ultimatums."

Dacic also commented on a possible government reshuffle to say his Socialists (SPS) are the only coalition partner to Vucic's SNS, while all other parties who entered the government ran on the SNS ticket in the last election.

"So if there is talk about changing the coalition partner, it is logical this is about changing the only one. For me, the crucial question is whether we share the same views about the essential, major issues."

Asked if he was upset by the prime minister's attitude towards him and the SPS and by "certain statements made by Minister Zorana Mihajlovic," Dacic said, "we should not insist on love or hate," and added:

"The prime minister can say everything, we have been through a lot together, we held these same positions only in reverse. There is no malice, every day we cooperate, we speak every day, two or three times since this morning. We respect the election will of the citizens. You cannot force everyone to love each other, it is important to do the same job. Problems can exist, as long as they are on a personal level."