Despite persistent repetition on the part of the Republic of Serbia that the Kosovo and Metohija crisis can be resolved only by peaceful means and dialogue, Pristina will not desist from forceful installing of the so-called state of Kosovo in the north of our southern Province. The unfortunate Serbs spend days on the barricades, living under tension but at the same time determined not to be separated from Serbia. We discussed the crisis in the northern Kosovo and Metohija with the Minister for Kosovo and Metohija Goran Bogdanovic, who daily is with his people, sharing their fate.
Why is Pristina persistently shunning the dialogue and resorting to aggressive methods?
The Albanian extremists and Pristina have for long dreamt about and planned for an ethnically clean Kosovo and Metohija. The latest events confirm that this plan has not been abandoned. It is clear to Pristina that they would not be able to carry out this planned ethnic cleansing if they took up real negotiations and comprehensive dialogue with Belgrade. That is why Pristina resorts to violent and unilateral moves aimed at changing the reality on the ground, i.e. in the north of the Province. It is however deeply discouraging that that there are international factors ignoring or tacitly supporting this behavior of Pristina, a behavior which can have serious consequences. Therefore, all international missions, primarily the KFOR and EULEX, must revert to their status neutral mandate. Relevant international actors must, if they care for peace, stability and a sustainable solution, force Pristina to a dialogue on all outstanding issues in order to resolve them by negotiating at the table, instead of by violent and unilateral moves.
People standing up for their survival
Despite the dignified and democratic resistance of Serbs, is it still possible that situation could get out of control, or that staged incidents could lead to violent acceptance of Kosovo customs and border police officers?
The people in the north have declared their position, and the state of Serbia has stood by its people. We have been witnessing peaceful protests and roadblock as a response to unilateral actions and violence. Any attempts to provoke incidents and violence over placing the Kosovo customs and border police officers, would be counting chickens before they hatch. People here in the north have demonstrated willingness, courage to defend their existence by peaceful means. If the interest is to reach an agreement and a lasting solution between the Serbian and Albanian people, it is high time for the international presence and the international community to cool down some hot heads in Pristina.
Have you requested meetings with KFOR and EULEX urging them to stop this exhausting, wearing out of the Serbs and transporting of the Albanian customs officers to the Jarinje and Brnjak crossings by helicopters?
I had several meetings with the KFOR and EULEX representatives, this is a daily communication. In every conversation I insist and request that the KFOR and EULEX stay within their status neutral mandates. What the KFOR and EULEX are now doing is absolutely unacceptable for the Serbian community, because both missions are stepping out of their mandates and acting against status neutrality and the United Nations Resolution 1244. It is absurd that the EULEX has become a mission which spreads the authority of Pristina to the north, and at the same time a transportation company for the Kosovo Customs and Border Police. EULEX must change their behavior, revert to status neutrality, if they wish to continue resolving problems jointly and as partners. The KFOR and EULEX tales of impartiality and neutrality are no longer of interest to us, we now want only actions validating and confirming their words. KFOR and EULEX should have more contact with the mayors rather than avoiding that kind of contact. Without such contacts, there is no resolution of specific problems on the ground.
To what extent may the crisis in northern Kosovo jeopardize peace and stability in the region?
It is clear to everyone that Pristina’s unilateral moves present an impediment to regional stability. Therefore, those of the international community who look upon the behavior of Pristina benevolently or else ignore it, need to explain this "arrogant and spoiled child" the danger of unilateral moves and violence, and where those might lead.
Dialogue and negotiation a way out
Is there pre-election campaigning in the statements of some politicians regarding the Kosovo crisis and how much does it interfere with the unity of the Serbs in Kosovo-Metohija?
It is an our old and bad habit of ours, unfortunately, to exploit these situations for partisanship and cheap political points. In this situation, this phenomenon is characteristic of the political party headquarters in Belgrade, but fortunately here on the ground there is, for now, only one party, THE PEOPLE. And I am proud of that.
Is the Ministry for Kosovo and Metohija, in addition to political activity aimed at defusing tensions in the north of the Province, managing to perform its regular activities in other parts of Kosovo?
The public is focused on the north, while the Ministry for Kosovo and Metohija covers the entire territory of the Province. It is true that our activities on resolving the current problems and crises in the north of the province have been stepped up, but this did not decrease those involving south of the Ibar. Whenever there are unilateral actions of Pristina in the north of the province, Serbs south of Ibar suffer as collateral damage, being under more pressure and more vulnerable to attacks and incidents at those times. This is an old pattern. This is why the Ministry for Kosovo and Metohija follows the situation south of the Ibar with particular attention and does everything to make life easier and help the local Serbs.
If KFOR closes alternate roads, shortages of food and medicines would be inevitable. How much longer can this situation take and where do you see a way out of this political crisis?
The way out of this situation is the dialogue, negotiations, and certainly not the Kosovo customs at the administrative crossing Jarinje and Brnjak. In order to start resolving the situation it would be enough for the KFOR and EULEX to return to status-neutral framework of their mandates. Next, opening the dialogue on current crisis and its resolving. People are committed to peaceful resolution of the problem, but they are also determined to persist in defending their vital interests, their survival. As to supply, we will do our best to have it fully normalized, which is something we are engaged in daily. There will absolutely be enough food and medical drugs, so there is no reason to fear shortages. I would like to invite citizens of the north to remain calm as they have been so far, dignified and committed to defending their legitimate objectives by peaceful means and not fall for provocations. And all those questioning the commitment and perseverance of people in the north are very much in the wrong.
Rada Komazec