BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA: Serbian Premier Denies Genocide Took Place in Bosnia
2006-03-06 18:47:53
Serbian Premier Vojislav Kostunica said on March 3 that genocide was not
committed during the war in Bosnia-Herzegovina, adding that that country's
genocide lawsuit against the former Federal Republic of Yugoslavia "is
questionable both in essence and from a formal standpoint."
"The essential part of the problem is their intention to prove something that
did not happen, genocide, and formally speaking, the lawsuit was filed by an
unauthorized body," Kostunica said at a news conference held on the second
anniversary of his cabinet.
He went on to say that each of the three constituent nations of
Bosnia-Herzegovina needed to approve the lawsuit, which the Serb nation did
not. Kostunica stressed that the lawsuit will hardly encourage reconciliation
in the region, adding that this is something that Serbia-Montenegro and Serbia
have been working to achieve for years.
In response to a question asking why the Serbian Cabinet is not negotiating
with Montenegro on Montenegro's independence referendum, Kostunica said that
Montenegro cannot prepare for its referendum and discuss its possible outcomes
with Serbia at the same time.
"As far as the future of the state union goes, we are on the same line as
Brussels. We believe that integration is better than disintegration, although
we will accept any decision, even a different one, if produced by the
referendum," Kostunica said, adding that he does not believe Montenegro will
vote to secede.
Commenting on Serbia-Montenegro President Svetozar Marovic's announced plans to
withdraw from Belgrade in order to campaign for Montenegro's independence,
Kostunica said that all officials of the state union are required to abide by
their oaths of office and the Constitutional Charter.
He also stressed that the nomination of Agim Ceku for Kosovo premier has had a
negative impact on the Kosovo status talks, although he did not say what the
Serbian Cabinet will do if he is elected.
In regard to cooperation with the Hague tribunal, Kostunica said that Serbia
needs to do its part of the job, emphasizing that past events leave "no room
for doubt that the remainder of that path will be negotiated properly."
Source: BETA News Agency
www.seeurope.net
Serbian News Network - SNN
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http://www.antic.org/
