Serbian president calls for unity in face of Kosovo independence
<http://www.chinaview.cn/index.htm> www.chinaview.cn 2008-02-13 10:00:30
<http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-02/13/content_7596093.htm>
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BELGRADE, Feb. 12 (Xinhua) -- Serbian President Boris Tadic Tuesday
called on political leaders and officials in the country to take united and
responsible action as the country moves ever closer toward Kosovo
independence.
"The state must act in unity and with responsibility when its
sovereignty and territorial integrity are at stake. It is only within the
European Union that Serbia can defend its Kosovo," Tadic said in a press
release.
"Serbia is a European and democratic country which does not constitute a
threat to anyone and which is defending its sovereignty and territorial
integrity peacefully and with dignity," he was quoted by the official Tanjug
news agency as saying.
The president urged political leaders in the country to put aside party
differences and act with peace, seriousness and restraint in the face of a
unilateral declaration of independence by the southern province of Kosovo.
The ruling coalition of Serbia was in crisis last week as its allies,
Tadic's Democrat Party (DS) and Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica's
Democratic Party of Serbia (DSS) became embroiled in arow over the signing
of a political agreement with the EU and the consequent EU mission in
Kosovo. Pro-western Tadic was for signing while Kostunica was against,
saying it was tantamount to consenting to the Kosovo status plan of former
UN envoy Martti Ahtisaari.
Tadic, Kostunica and Serbian parliament speaker Oliver Dulic reached an
agreement Monday night declaring that it is necessary to have a single state
and national policy to protect Serbia's sovereignty and territorial
integrity.
Editor: Du Guodong
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