29.07.10

Big powers strongly against resolution

In spite of huge opposition by permanent members of the Security Council and negative opinion of certain number of countries especially the Great Britain, Germany, France and the USA regarding the text of the Serbian resolution calling for 'dialog' on all 'open issues' regarding Kosovo, Serbia yesterday filed its proposal of the resolution to the UN.

As 'Blic' learns from well informed diplomatic sources in New York and Belgrade, the Great Britain insisted on several occasions that we do not file such text of the resolution. Germany, France and the USA said 'it is unacceptable that the text mentions unilateral secession' and concluded that 'it cannot be an acceptable way for settlement of territorial issues'.

The British Embassy in Belgrade yesterday refused to comment officially for 'Blic' Serbian submission of the resolution and the resolution itself. The USA Embassy has been also rejecting for two days to comment on this issue and also to reply to 'Blic' question if another resolution sponsored by Washington and the most powerful countries of the EU supporting Pristina is under preparation.

'For the most powerful EU countries and the USA it is unacceptable that the status of Kosovo is brought in question in any way. As regards Serbian resolution they are of the opinion that the request for talks 'on all open issues' is an introduction into negotiations over the status since the 'status' is the open issue for Belgrade. They insist that the wording includes 'technical negotiations' between Belgrade and Pristina', our diplomatic source says.

As we were told from high Serbian sources, our country has hurried up in filing its resolution because of important procedural rules at the UN. Namely, the UN General Assembly debates on proposals as per the order they have been filed. If the first resolution is adopted, all other suggested are being immediately rejected without debate. That is why Serbia entered the race with other countries having the information that other resolutions have been already prepared.

As 'Blic' further learns from sources close to Serbia President, the so far negotiations with Brussels over mutual resolution gave no result. Brussels even does not want to give any guarantees for soon acceptance of Serbian candidacy for the EU membership in case of more flexible stance by Belgrade nor any guarantees for the north of Kosovo.

Serbia Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic left for New York yesterday where he is to discuss with the UN Secretary General the situation in Kosovo and Metohija after advisory opinion given by the ICJ.

During stay in New York Jeremic shall also address the forum of the Non-Aligned Movement and hold a series of meetings with ambassadors of the countries which are the UN members.

American expert on the Balkans Martin Slezinger, associate of the 'Woodrow Wilson' Center in Washington said yesterday that 'there is room' for new negotiations over Kosovo but he also said that 'Serbia cannot achieve both of its priority goals - to become the EU member and to keep Kosovo'.