Picture: AFP

Macedonia: Civil Society GEM urges Prime Minister, Parliament and the interior minister to resign
 

27 December 2012  FOCUS News Agency

Skopje. Civil Society GEM (Citizens for European Macedonia) demanded the resignation of Parliament Speaker Trajko Veljanovski, Interior Minister Gordana Jankulovska and Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski, Macedonian Plus Info online edition informed.

According to GEM Veljanovski gave permission to the police to invade the parliament, which is against the constitutional order. From GEM pointed out that Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski has violated the constitution by removing members of opposition by government officials.

Albania’s Abstention on Palestine U.N. Vote and the Islamist Response

 By STEPHEN SCHWARTZ

       

On November 29, Albania was the sole Muslim-majority country in the United Nations to be counted among the 41 abstainers from the proposal to admit Palestine as a non-member observer. Certain Islamists were displeased, to say the least. In particular, Turkish prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, head of the “fundamentalist-lite” Justice and Development Party or AKP, responded with one of the tantrums that has become a hallmark of his administration.

Turkish prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Erdogan declared that he had exerted pressure on an unnamed Muslim land to abandon its intention to vote “no,” encouraging it to support the Palestinians, and arguing that an abstention would be considered the same as a “no” by Turkey.

“I told them that this would damage bilateral relations we have. . . . It would upset us,” Erdogan complained. He went on to lament, “there are many cowards in the world.” The Istanbul daily Hurriyet soon revealed that the target of Erdogan’s fit of pique was Albania and its prime minister, Sali Berisha.

Outsiders may not grasp how offensive Erdogan’s snit was to Berisha and his people, especially as it came during Albania's celebration of the centennial of its independence from the Ottoman Empire. For a Turkish politician to call Albanians “cowards” is breathtakingly heedless and arrogant.

The leading Albanian-American journalist Ruben Avxhiu, editor of the New York-based semi-weekly Illyria, warned on December 7, in the daily Panorama published in Tirana, that the Albanian proclamation of freedom in 1912 “ended five centuries of Turkish occupation. Albanians . . . were determined not to let Turkey ever again make decisions on their behalf. This remains true today.”

“Intl. community must respect reality in Kosovo”

Source: Tanjug

KOSOVSKA VITINA -- Serbian government’s Office for Kosovo Director said Wednesday that the international community needed to respect the reality on the ground.

He explained that the platform for Kosovo had shown that Serbia would respect its Constitution and laws as well as the reality on the ground, but that it expected the same from the international community.
"We expect the international community to understand and accept that Serbs in Kosovo recognize only one state and will not recognize another," Vulin told reporters while visiting the village of Vrbovac.

"The platform is our message that we want a durable, just and peaceful solution, we want Serbs to remain in the province and have what many other ethnic groups in Europe have demanded and received," he noted.

According to Vulin, the platform is a message that Serbia has not given up on its people in Kosovo and does not divide them into those living south and north of the Ibar river.

He added he expected the Kosovo Albanians and the international community to consider the stance of Serbia and the Kosovo Serbs, as "there can be no just solution and lasting peace otherwise."

Reactions:

U.S. ambassador: No trade in Kosovo territory

Source: Večernje novosti

BELGRADE -- It should be clear to everyone that there will be no trade of the Kosovo territory, U.S. Ambassador to Serbia Michael Kirby told daily Večernje novosti.

Michael Kirby (Beta, file)

“This should be taken off the table. I am happy with the talks led by the two prime ministers. I believe that staying on this course will lead us to a good place,” he said when asked how the issue of northern Kosovo should be solved.
“Over the years, borders in Europe have been changing a lot. We think it would be the best to stop. If you do this with Kosovo now, there is a question why not somewhere else, what about Bosnia-Herzegovina, border with Hungary, Bulgaria. Where will it end? It’s a box we would rather not open,” Kirby was quoted as saying.

When asked to comment on a draft platform for Kosovo presented by Serbian President Tomislav Nikolić, the ambassador said that he had no official comment because this was not an official document yet.

He stressed that the U.S. had good and open cooperation with the current Serbian government.

When asked whether Serbia should abandon its EU pathway and turn to Russia and China, the U.S. ambassador said:

“You are already in Europe. You cannot take Serbia and relocate it to some other part of the world. What other model, aside from the EU, you have at your disposal? Switzerland? You do not have banks. Norway? You do not have oil and natural gas. Russia? You are not a nation of 150 million people, you have no natural resources. Staying on the sidelines will not help,” Kirby concluded.

FYROM - Tension Between Opposition And VMRO-DPMNE Loyalists (VIDEO)

December 26, 2012

FYROM - Tension Between Opposition And VMRO-DPMNE Loyalists (VIDEO)

Anti-riot police separated pro-government loyalists and SDSM-led opposition who demonstrated near the FYROM Parliament at the weekend following a Constitutional crisis that started from a government decision to bypass all legal procedures concerning the acceptance of the 2013 state budget by the Parliament Assembly. Meanwhile, the journalist union in Skopje decided to quit contacts with the government, due to violent expulsion of journalist from the Assembly of FYROM..

Russian Warships Gather in Mediterranean

Russian Warships Gather in Mediterranean

Yaroslav Mudry
RIA Novosti

About a dozen Russian warships are converging on the Mediterranean and the Gulf of Aden as part of a large-scale strategic exercise, a high-ranking representative the General Staff of Russia’s Armed Forces said on Tuesday. “This part of the world’s oceans is very important from the point of view of Russia’s geopolitical interests, including the fact that the Russian Navy has a logistical base here [in Syria],” he said.

The warships will conduct air-defense, anti-ship and anti-submarine drills and call at some foreign ports, including Tartus in Syria, he said. He declined to specify whether the large landing ships were carrying military equipment for Syria. “The main aim of sending the ships to the Mediterranean is to accomplish the missions set by the navy command, conduct exercises and show the flag,” he said.

On Christmas Eve, Russian Deputy Defense Minister Anatoly Antonov dismissed media reports there were commando units and military equipment for Syria on board some of the warships.

A naval task force from Russia’s Northern Fleet left the Severomorsk base last Wednesday and set course for the Horn of Africa on a new anti-piracy mission, the Defense Ministry said.

It includes the large antisubmarine ship Severomorsk, the salvage tug Altai, and the tanker Dubna, as well as a contingent of naval infantry subunits. The force will travel the length of the Mediterranean, pass through the Suez Canal and relieve the Pacific Fleet task force that has been there on an anti-piracy mission since November.

A Baltic Fleet task force set sail last Tuesday for the eastern Mediterranean where it will relieve a group of Black Sea warships. The force includes the frigate Yaroslav Mudry, the large landing ships Kaliningrad and Alexander Shabalin, the salvage tug SB-921 and the tanker Lena.

The new anti-piracy mission is expected to reach the region by mid-January.

Russia keeps a naval task force in the Gulf of Aden as part of the international effort to fight piracy off the Somali coast.

On Monday, large landing ships Azov and Nikolai Filchenkov from Russia’s Black Sea Fleet left Novorossiysk for the Syrian port of Tartus. The ships are carrying naval infantry units for protection during the voyage. They are expected to join the Black Sea Fleet task force comprising the missile cruiser Moskva and the frigate Smetlivy in the Aegean Sea on December 28 before heading to Tartus.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexander Lukashevich confirmed that Russia has a contingency plan for evacuation of Russian citizens from Syria if necessary.

Starting from 2013, the Protocol of Corfu for the Northern Epirus, to be in diplomatic agenda

Golden Dawn: Becoming a full review of the legal status of the National Greek Minority in Albania


Meeting with Foreign Minister Mr. D. Avramopoulos yesterday afternoon was the Head of Sector Foreign unredeemed Greeks Abroad and the Golden Dawn, Christos Pappas. In the meeting that lasted over an hour, Mr. Pappas, informed about current issues in Greek foreign policy, proximal the opportunity to develop the positions of the Golden Dawn on matters of foreign policy and the agony of movement expressed in the proposal "Apply national foreign policy." Then enecheirise Mr. Avramopoulos tens of questions from all members of the Golden Dawn to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs together with the responses from the Ministry, on which he said that most of them are not sufficient and satisfactory.
The Head of Sector Foreign unredeemed Greeks Abroad and the Golden Dawn then enecheirise and another document, parts of which developed in D. Avramopoulos. This document represents the views of the Golden Dawn on issues of national foreign policy that could lead the country into geostrategic upgrade to help economic recovery, contributing to national sovereignty and give new perspective to the Greeks and Greece. Early next year and will follow other meetings with both the minister and with skilled players both for information and for more detailed presentation of the Golden Dawn proposals on national issues and foreign policy issues.

The full text of the letter:

As part of our first meeting at the Foreign Ministry, I take this opportunity to apprise you the locations of the People-League Golden Dawn for some very serious issues in Greek foreign policy.

A. Required to expedite action on the delimitation of the Greek EEZ, particularly with Egypt based on the principle of the median line and the final boundary line. This country has already delineate the Exclusive Economic Zone of Cyprus in the midline between the two countries.

B. We must denounce the distortion by the Albanian authorities of the results of the census of 2011 in Albania. Implement appropriate leverage and negotiation with Albania in order to free itself from this military cooperation with Turkey and finally to recognize the agreement in 2009 with the establishment of maritime zones.

To promote the diverse oppression of the Greek Northern Albanians.

Becoming a full review of the legal status of the National Greek Minority in Albania. Specifically:
i) Recognition of county Gjirokastra, Korca and Saranda in minority areas. Within the minority population to prohibit alteration against the Greek element. To institutionalize real Greek minority public education. Institutional presence of the Northern quota in civil services, army and police in minority areas. Establishment of specific sanctions which will enforce the Greek State in Albania where violation of human rights or minority of Greeks of Northern Epirus. Establish a special department in Ioannina which will be staffed by experienced diplomats will address liability and deal progress and strengthening of the National Greek Minority in Albania.

ii) Ensure the right of the Greeks of Albania to use the term Northern Epirus-Northern Epirot. Securing the right to celebrate and urban centers with solemnity all Greek national holidays, and the anniversary of the proclamation of Autonomy of 1914.

iii) Effective financial incentives for staying of Northern (especially younger) in their homes. Setting the issue of OGA.

iv) simplification and speeding up performance of Greek citizenship to Northern Epirus. Particular attention in cases of Albanian citizens who do not have Greek ancestry.

C. Active alliance with Russia and cooperation in economic matters. To promote the construction of energy pipelines Greek-interests in order to strengthen the geopolitical position of Greece in the Balkans and to neutralize the threat of the Turkish factor in Thrace.

D. Must be reconsidered Greek policy on the countries of the Western Balkans into the European Union.

E. Strengthening the Greeks of Turkey and especially Istanbul and secure their rights.

F. Exercise independent Greek policy in the troubled region of North Africa and the Middle East with emphasis on the protection of Greek Orthodox populations. Strengthen the Orthodox patriarchates.

G. No compromise on the name issue of Skopje view of the integration process in the European Union and other international organizations. Not contain the word Macedonia or derivatives thereof.

H. National settlement. Application of the Doctrine of the Single Area Defense Greek Cyprus.

Category
Policy

Omer Satin murder investigation

The Turkish media announced that police are conducting investigations for the murder of businessman Omer Satin. They are scrutinizing all problems that the businessman might have had, including his businesses outside Turkey, such as Albania.

The 54-year-old businessman was shot near a bust station in Istanbul. He had just left his house saying that he would meet a Turkish friend, owner of a bar in Hungary.

But while he was waiting, a person approached and fired four shots against him. One of the bullets entered his heart and Omer Satin died immediately.

According to the daily Hurriyet, Police are focusing on the businessman’s relations outside Turkey. The journal says that Satin had partnered up with some Albanian businessmen in an oil refinery.

Omer Satin is a 100% shareholder of a company called “Al Group”, and 40% of “BT International Engineering Services Limited % Arun Construction Joint Stock Company”,  which traded oil and its processing in import and export.

The other shareholders of this company were Rezart Taci, with 40%, Sinan Jashar Abdula, with 5%, and Riza Aydin Arun, with 15%.

The Turkish media say that the partners have had problems among them, and their relations could be one of the investigation leads.

  Picture: Нова Македония

Nova Makedonija: Macedonia has neighbourly claims to Bulgaria, too
 

22 December 2012  FOCUS News Agency

Home / Southeast Europe and Balkans

 

Skopje. Macedonia has some claims at Bulgaria concerning the good neighbourly relations between the two countries, too, writes Macedonian Nova Makedonija newspaper in a material which says that according to some information, Macedonia had already made some demands towards Bulgaria for what is valid for Skopje, to be valid for Sofia, too.

“Historians are against the commissions,” the article reads further.
“Bulgaria should change the theses in its textbooks, which say that the Macedonian nation does not have historical continuity, otherwise it will not become member of the EU – this could have been Macedonia’s claim to Sofia, if the positions of the two countries were the other way round,” the article says.
“However, the situation is different. The government of Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov is explicit that Macedonia is not a good neighbour and the country will not allow latter’s progress until this issue is solved. In addition, Bulgaria wants revision of the Macedonian textbooks and the joint celebration of the holidays,” Nova Makedonija comments further.
“Macedonian historians are firm in their position that there should not be any negotiations over historical facts.”

  Picture: AFP

Albania donates EUR 100,000 for North Mitrovica reconstruction
 

22 December 2012  FOCUS News Agency

Home / Southeast Europe and Balkans

 

 

Tirana. At a decision of the City Council of Tiranata Albania donates EUR 100,000 for the reconstruction of North Mitrovica, KS Reporter informed.

The money will back the programme of Kosovo’s government for providing conditions for the people expelled to the Northern parts of the country to return.

The mayor of Mitrovica explained that the Kosovo government started this humanitarian project, since 14 years after the war many people are still living in common shelters, while only 150 houses were reconstructed so far.

Avramopoulos To Erdogan: Greek Islands Not For Sale - A Nation’s Values Have No Price

Avramopoulos To Erdogan: Greek Islands Not For Sale - A Nation’s Values Have No Price

Foreign Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos made the following statement in reference to statements made by Turkish Prime Minister T. Erdogan regarding Greece:

“Malicious statements that propagate false stereotypes and inaccurate information do not befit leaders – and neighbours, at that – who say they want to build relations of friendship and trust.

Economic crises are like pandemics: they know no borders, and you never know when they might knock on the door. That’s why we need to watch our words.

As for the sale of islands, I’m afraid that Mr. Erdogan’s advisers don’t have, or, rather, are fabricating information. No Greek island is for sale, because a nation’s values have no price. And historical nations like Greece always find their way. No one should forget that.”

http://hellasfrappe.blogspot.com/2012/12/pan-epirotic-federation-of-america.html

 

The "Golden Down" ask the Greek Foreing Ministry for Census inAlbania

  
Christos Pappas: Deterioration of the results of the census of 2011 in Albania
Question;
To Foreign Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos

Topic: "Deterioration of the results of the census of 2011 in Albania"

     It is known that the Albanian rulers of the occupied northern part of the Epirus, do everything possible to extinguish the Greek presence from the Albanian state.

    According to the results of the 2011 census announced a few days ago by the competent authority of the Albanian state in albania live only 24,361 Greeks. Moreover, Orthodox Christians constitute only 6.75% of the population.

    From the first moment, both of northern actors, and the Orthodox Church of Albania complained that the process of inventory to record the ethnicity and religion does not meet the minimum objective method followed by other European countries.

   In support of this, Albanian citizen who worked as an enumerator in the census, gave an interview to the newspaper "Gazeta Shqiptare" in Tirana and denounced widespread irregularities and tampering with regard to the recording of ethnic and religious group they belong to the Albanian citizens.

To the Minister:

What is the Greek government's position on the results of the census in Albania? Would accept to use these numbers before international organizations?

Which political and diplomatic means will react to manipulations of Albanians seeking to hide the Greek and Orthodox Christian presence in this country? Will ask for further and effective investigation into allegations of falsification of the results?

Will be the new approach of the Albanian side, following previous provocative actions of political leadership, object representations to international organizations involving both countries (UN, OSCE, Council of Europe, etc.) to be terminated officially irredentist mood formally expressed by albania over time?

 Athens, 20/12/2012The Inquirer MPCHRISTOS PAPPAS

MP STATEPEOPLE'S ASSOCIATION-GOLDEN DAWN

Albania ranked "must-visit" destination for 2013

Source: Ivan Radford

 
Albania, which this year celebrates its centenary of independence, has been named as a must-visit destination of 2013 with adventure holiday company 'G Adventures' adding the Balkan nation to next year's brochure for the first time and top travel bloggers ranking the country one of the Top 13 destinations for travel in 2013.'
Attracting over 4 million visitors last year and with arrivals up by 277,000 in the first nine months of 2012 compared to the same period in 2011, the outlook for Albania's tourism market is positive with the little known Balkan nation emerging as a fashionable destination to explore in 2013.
Indeed Aldo Bumci, Minister of Tourism in Albania, is committed to developing this lucrative sector (which accounted for 11% of GDP in 2011) and is currently drawing up a national strategy for coordinating tourism activities over the next 10 years which aims to ensure the sustainable long-term development of tourism in the country.
Visitors to Albania in 2013 will also be able to benefit from recent foreign direct investment into the country. World Bank financing has helped repair and construct over 1,700 km of rural roads and 1,300 km of national roads which has considerably improved accessibility across the land as well as bringing about brought positive changes in access to health, postal and banking services for the local population.
As has been witnessed in many other European countries, in tandem with tourism growth comes development of the real estate market and Albania is no exception. Those operating within this emerging marketplace such as Ravin Maharajah, Partner of Lalzit Bay Resort & Spa on the Adriatic coast, have seen an explosion of interest for new, western style quality properties in prime locations not least accelerated by the depreciation of the Euro which many developers sell properties. 
Ravin Maharajah comments: "The weakening of the Euro and general caution about investing within the Euro-zone has actually been advantageous for us. We have experienced an increase in UK and indeed Western European buyers wanting to take advantage of the amazing value properties at Lalzit Bay. Indeed Albania now being ranked by Forbes as one of the 'Best Countries of Business' has boosted buyer confidence further."

Kosovo Serbs: Platform protects our interests

Source: B92, Beta, Tanjug

BELGRADE -- Kosovo Serbs have supported the Serbian president government and the president and said that a draft platform for Kosovo protects their interests and rights.

(Beta)

“Kosovo and Metohija Serbs have given their principled support to the Serbian president and government in institutionalization of protection of rights of Serbs and Serbia and further Belgrade-Priština negotiations,” reads a release of Kosovo Serb representatives.
They met with President Tomislav Nikolić on Friday and received the draft platform for Kosovo.

They noted after the meeting that the document “offers a solution for key issues and does not contain a possibility of partition of Kosovo”.

The Kosovo Serb representatives expressed their gratitude, adding that nobody had consulted them regarding their own fate until now.

According to them, Nikolić said that a condition of the survival of the Serbian people in Kosovo was their unity and joint stance on principles presented in the platform.

“Until now, Belgrade has been resolving the problems of (ethnic) Albanians in the southern province, while problems were created for Serbs,” Nikolić noted.

It is added in the release that the president had voiced a wish that Serbs in Kosovo would live together and fight for their survival together, without divisions.

He called on representatives of the Serbs in Kosovo to arrive at joint conclusions about the platform and make possible suggestions, warning that there is not much time.

Kosovo Polje Mayor Stevica Lazić stated that Serbs were mostly satisfied with the platform because it covers what they expected it to cover and what guarantees their survival in Kosovo.

He said that their talks with the president primarily covered the problems they are facing, and added that more details would be released after analyses and discussions in their municipalities.

Dečani municipal coordinator Snežana Paunović told reporters that Serbs in Kosovo had faith in the draft platform but that they would voice their opinions in their local institutions.

“I am not brave enough to comment something I only just saw two hours ago,” she noted after the meeting.

Zvečan Mayor Dragiša Milović said that the state platform was a good base for the talks with the Priština authorities and announced that a joint session of Serb municipalities from northern Kosovo would be held soon.

Kosovska Mitrovica Mayor Krstimir Pantić told B92 that Nikolić had received “an absolute support” from the Kosovo Serb representatives regarding the platform.

“The most important thing for us is that the platform respects (UN Security Council) Resolution 1244 and that it respects the Constitution of the Republic of Serbia. The most important thing for us is that autonomy of the Serb municipalities does not represent autonomy within the so-called Republic of Kosovo but within the Republic of Serbia and autonomous province of Kosovo and Metohija,” he stressed.

Pantić added that Kosovo Serbs were therefore grateful to the president.

Štrpce Mayor Zvonko Mihajlović said that they did not have much time to study the platform but that they had insisted at the meeting that conditions were fulfilled for the return of Serbs, strengthening of the Serbian institutions, suspension of privatization done by Kosovo interim organs and sale of privately-owned Serb property.

Albania in the hands of Turkey

Turkish top diplomat: Will support the Albanians at any cost

During an official visit in Skopje, at the meeting with the president of the Islamic Religious Community in Macedonia, the Turkish Foreign Minister, Davutoglou stated that close relations with the Albanians come because Turks consider them as part of the joint body.

"All you'll see as a body, when we hear the good news we rejoice and feel relaxed, if you harmed then feel concern. We are going to have support at any cost ", quoted the head of Turkish diplomacy.

He also praised the head of ICM's contribution to the preservation of Islamic cultural heritage.

"I thank you for contributing to the preservation of Islamic cultural heritage," he stressed.

December 22, 1940, the Greek Army releases Himara
After the release of Saranda on December 6, 1940, at the Greek-Italian war of Loukovou on 7 and Pikerasi (Pikerni) in 8 of the same month, the 3rd Division of the Greek Army moved north and 13 December had reached west and northwest of Borsi, the highly fortified line elevation 613 - e Kiparoi with - Kuci , who defended by the Italian division Siena.
 
On 15 December the first attacks of the 12th Infantry Regiment (SP) in the hills of Kiparou failed.
The hill was occupied finally 613 through a snowstorm and Fatal combat won on December 17, causing the enemy to abandon the north. On December 19 were captured, with heavy losses, the 6th SP the strategic the (north of Porto Panormos) and  (north of Pyliouri).

After the opening of the valley and the northwest of Himara on 21 December, the Italians were forced to evacuate the town of Himara in the evening and a little farther Pyliouri releases. Number of prisoners (among them two Colonels) and abundant material devolved into Greek hands although the Italians had plunder and destroy fleeing that could.
At night Saturday, Dec. 22, 1940, Greek troops entered the castle Greek of Epirus, Himara and the unconquered went to Scutaria where the Italians will raise strong resistance.
The Greek Army entered in Himara guided by  many local Greeks himariotes Thanassis Coustas, Anthony Kokkavesis, Savvas Priftis Polymeris Koliaki, P. Bolanos, N. Beleris, G. Dimogiannis S. Lykokas, G. Briggs, C. Dimas, D. Zotos, N. Duke, Gr Priftis P. Gore etc.
On Sunday morning, after the first thanksgiving in the old monastery of Aghios Kosmas, army and people sang "Christ is Risen" in Saints and though it was Christmas Eve. A large dance embraced locals and liberators.

A Christmas Message From The Greek President Of The Republic

A Christmas Message From The Greek President Of The Republic

K.Papoulias, President of Greece (credit: Wikipedia)

"In times of difficulty, the bonds that unite us all must become more solid and stronger for unanimity to prevail in the face of the dangers threatening the country as well as the international community," Hellenic Republic President Karolos Papoulias said in his Christmas message to the Hellenes across the world. Papoulias noted that despite difficulties, Greece will remain standing, in defiance of the economic crisis that has put the people's endurance to the test, adding that at these days "our thoughts are with our compatriots in need".

http://hellasfrappe.blogspot.com/2012/12/a-christmas-message-from-greek.html

Gjirokastra Municipality Mayor, opposes Albanian Census


The mayor of Gjirokastra Flamur Bime, says Census is funny, it were completed by the militants of the Democratic Party of Sali Berisha
 
The head of Gjirokstaer Municipality, is the first official of the Socialist Party, was declared against Census in Albania,

Flamur Bime declares: "I along with my family are not recorded, because it was ridiculous. It census that took place in 2011 was completely ridiculous. Figures published by INSTAT are completely inaccurate and far from reality in the country. There are many families in Gjirokastër which are not interviewed by part-time employees who were used in the process. Even at that period ran census have done with INSTAT representatives about how powerful war is realized, from the director of INSTAT, but our suggestions fell on deaf ears. "

According to interviewer the team were the odd party militants of Sali Berisha.

"Under the law, these persons must establish me as mayor, but not asked at all, since they were appointed to that position politically. Were all DP militants, who met all 3 monthly salary. To violate the beginning law for the population, since the list falls, INSTAT named, were completely different. "

"Platform of Serbia, dangerous for Kosovo"

Platform of Serbia, a part of which was published by the Serbian media, requiring a kind...Photo 1/1

Written by M-Magazine Wednesday, 19 December 2012

Platform of Serbia, a part of which was published by the Serbian media, requiring a kind of autonomous status for Serb-inhabited northern municipalities, according to the model of the Republika Srpska in Bosnia, in Kosovo is seeing as dangerous for Kosovo. 

Representatives of opposition parties and political analysts say that such a platform is frivolous and its implementation, according to them, is damaging and would jeopardize everything that has been built so far in relations between Kosovo and Serbia.

A member of the LDK, Sadri Ferati, calling the platform of Serbia on Kosovo as frivolous, says that with this platform, Serbia is showing that it is not interested in improvement of relations with Kosovo.
"This is a tactical move in order to require something which cannot be done, in order to increase pressure on Pristina to achieve something else then. This is not a serious approach at all, nor a willingness to normalize relations to talk and discuss with Pristina the rights of Serbian citizens in that area," Ferati told the " Tribuna Shqiptare”.

Creating autonomy in the northern Kosovo, where Serb community is in the majority, according to the deputy Ferati, would raise the desire of all majority communities living in the Balkan states, to seek independence in the country where they live.

"This would introduce a precedent that certainly would have had an impact on other areas. Because there are not only Serbs of the northern part the majority, but we have also Albanians in Presevo Valley, Sanxhak, Vojvodina, Tetovo, Skopje, Ulcinj that are inhabited by the majority of the minority communities. What would happen if 30 or 40 thousand residents of minority communities begin to behave as it is behaving Serbian citizens in the north, the crisis in the Balkans would be inevitable, " Ferati said. / telegrafi /

President, K. Serbs discuss platform behind closed doors

Source: B92, Beta, Tanjug

BELGRADE -- Kosovo Serb representatives conferred on a draft platform on Kosovo with President Tomislav Nikolić behind closed doors on Friday.

(Beta)

The talks were scheduled to begin at 14:00 CET.
Dečani Municipal Coordinator Snežana Paunović told reporters that Kosovo Serbs believed in the draft platform and trusted the Serbian government.

However, she stressed that Kosovo Serbs would voice their opinions in their local institutions.

According to her, they will have another meeting with Nikolić after the local institutions have held debates on the platform.

Representatives of all 28 Kosovo municipalities and Serbian government’s Office for Kosovo Aleksandar Vulin attended the meeting.

Beta news agency reported earlier today that a delegation of around 30 members would come to the meeting.

The Serbian president presented the draft platform for Kosovo to leaders of opposition parties on Thursday.

In the document, the Serbian authorities demand a high level of territorial and political autonomy for the Serb municipalities, "modeled after Catalonia", and they also want autonomy to be guaranteed by the province’s highest legal bills and that the international community officials, who are taking part in the negotiations, stand behind it.

Kosovo Serbs on platform

Mayors of some Kosovo towns said on Thursday that they expected the platform “to treat state and interests of Kosovo Serbs in the right way”.

Peć Mayor Miloš Dimitrijević said that it was in Serbs best interest to stay in Kosovo and that he therefore expected the platform to adequately view the position of Serbs in the entire province.

“I believe it is written in such manner,” he told Tanjug, while Obilić Mayor Goran Dančetović said he hoped the platform would guarantee that Serbs would remain in Kosovo.

He told Tanjug that he had received an invitation to a meeting with the president and that he expected to see how the document would treat the Serbs south of the Ibar River and Serbian institutions in that part of the province.

“Survival of the Serbian community living in the province largely depends of the survival of the Serbian institutions in Kosovo and Metohija,” Dančetović underscored.

Štrpce Mayor Zvonko Mihajlović believes that Kosovo Serbs should have been involved in the work on the platform from the beginning.

“They understand the problems the best and this way Kosovo Serbs have a fait accompli and I am afraid that the platform would remain a ‘dead letter’ like previous resolutions and declarations,” he noted.

Bulgaria Seeks Permanent US Military Presence - Report

Bulgaria Seeks Permanent US Military Presence - Report
© RIA Novosti. Alexander Amedashvili

23:43 19/12/2012

Tags: Pentagon, Anu Anguelov, United States, Bulgaria

MOSCOW, December 19 (RIA Novosti) - Bulgaria has asked the United States to deploy a permanent military force in the country to boost regional security and increase military cooperation, local media reported.
Earlier this month Bulgarian Defense Minister Anu Anguelov discussed with Pentagon officials establishment of a US military base in Novo Selo, according to the daily Dneven Trud. If the deal goes ahead it could double US troop numbers in the country.
US troops have been present in Bulgaria for over six years under a Defense Cooperation Agreement signed in 2006. Americans are allowed to train their troops at four Bulgarian bases, which remain under Sofia's command, the Sofia News Agency said.
The treaty also permits the US to use the bases "for missions in third countries without a specific authorization from Bulgarian authorities."
Only 2,500 US troops are present in Bulgaria at the moment. They include armor, mechanized infantry and airborne or light infantry.