Minister for Kosovo and Metohija Goran Bogdanovic told the Press that serious escalation of violence looms in the north of Kosovo if KFOR does not revert to the framework of its mandate as soon as possible and pledges to ensure safety in the Province
Minister qualifies the opening of fire by the KFOR troops at the unarmed Serbs manning the barricades, as absolutely unacceptable, adding that Belgrade is doing its best to win over all relevant international actors in its efforts to prevent conflict spreading.
- KFOR has breached all international law norms because they shot at unarmed Serbs who protested peacefully for days, trying to protect their legitimate interests! There are demonstrations every day in the world, and where do they shoot unarmed people, peacefully fighting for their rights? Nowhere, except for Kosovo Serbs. The KFOR has no right to jeopardize lives of unarmed people for the sake of someone's personal interests or Pristina’s interests.
What will be Belgrade’s next moves?
- The President of Serbia, Prime Minister and other members are in contact with all relevant international actors in order to prevent escalation of conflict and bring the whole process back to the dialogue, because it is absolutely unacceptable to impose solutions by force and use weapons against unarmed people defending their interests by legitimate means, peacefully opposing the will or the forceful means of KFOR, EULEX and Pristina.
Who and why organized, initiated conflicts the day ahead of Brussels talks between Belgrade and Pristina?
- Nobody knows the real motive. So far, no one can understand the actions of KFOR. It all seems like a special war on Serbs. We would not have the severely injured people and incidents had the KFOR representatives accepted the invitation of Serbs for discussion and dialogue in order to solve the problem peacefully. But someone needs violence and unilateralism in order to clear problems.
Is Kosovo threatened by escalation of violence?
- No, if KFOR reverts to its mandate and stops shooting people and forcibly removing barricades. I am optimistic that this situation will be resolved because the Serbs are ready to overcome it through peaceful means, and also that the KFOR will have an understanding not to shut down alternative routes. Status of the population in the north of Kosovo must be resolved in a peaceful and constructive manner. Meeting in Brussels allows us hope for a peaceful solution. Anything other than dialogue can go in the wrong direction that nobody wants.
Biljana Bojic