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Vucic To Global Leaders: Serbia Awaits The Restoration of International Law Ksenija Pavlovic McAteer 6–7 minutes _____ In his farewell to the United Nations on Tuesday, President Biden called for greater inclusivity and a diversity of perspectives within the U.N. President Aleksandar Vucic of Serbia <https://thepavlovictoday.com/unga-79-serbian-president-vucic-criticizes-major-powers-for-violating-un-laws-vows-to-resist-woke-ideologies/> obliged with one of those perspectives by offering a deeply reflective address that sought to explore the complexities and nuances of our shared human experience. Opening his speech by invoking the message of global peace and unity, Vucic quoted Gandhi: “There is no path to peace. Peace is the path.” He underscored Serbia’s commitment to the principles of the U.N. Charter and international law amid rising global tensions, from Kosovo to Ukraine to the Middle East. “I have to say that the situation in the world seems even more difficult and dark than a year ago,” Vucic stated. Echoing John F. Kennedy’s warning that “Mankind must put an end to war, or war will put an end to mankind,” Vucic characterized the current international landscape as a “geopolitical nightmare,” warning of escalating conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, along with the looming threat of nuclear catastrophe. Drawing on the traumatic disintegration of Yugoslavia, Vucic illuminated the contradictions that permeate international law, particularly its selective application, which allowed NATO to bomb Serbia in the 1990s without so much as a nod from the U.N. Security Council. “They didn’t care,” he said, his words heavy and unflinching. The hypocrisy came into sharp focus: Serbia’s sovereignty was trampled, while Ukraine’s is now zealously defended. Notably, Serbia stands with Ukraine, never questioning its territorial integrity. After all, unlike many others, Ukraine has never recognized Kosovo’s independence and has consistently supported Serbia’s position. The irony of the moment was unmistakable in the presence of the world’s mightiest sitting in the chamber. Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine, addresses the Security Council meeting on maintenance of peace and security of Ukraine. [ UN Photo/Manuel Elías] Standing at the podium, Vucic held up a document affirming that, under U.N. Resolution 1244, no armed forces except those under U.N. control—currently KFOR—are allowed in Kosovo, reaffirming Kosovo as part of Serbia. Vucic criticized the ongoing arming of the Kosovo Security Forces, warning that they would soon evolve into an Albanian army on Serbian territory. “Today, the whole world talks about Ukraine, but no one dares to talk about Serbia,” Vucic declared, giving voice to a bitter subtext that lurks behind diplomatic pleasantries—a truth whispered in the corridors of power but rarely articulated in the General Assembly. Vucic pressed further: “The only hope, not just for my country, but for yours as well, is that you truly understand the mechanisms of lies and deceit in international relations. We must gather here, in this most important organization, to try to reform it, to try to respect it. Only then can we preserve peace,” he said. He harked back to March 24, 1999, when Serbian diplomat Vladislav Jovanovic made an impassioned plea to the U.N. Security Council to stand against the aggression towards Yugoslavia. “Look at how his words sound 25 years later. ‘If the aggression is not stopped, the precedent of such unpunished aggression will sooner or later lead to attacks on many other small and medium-sized countries. The real question is: who is the next country?’ Today, you have heard several suggestions about which countries might be next,” Vucic emphasized. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 11.05.22 [Editorial credit: ZB Photos / Shutterstock.com] Quoting former U.S. President Barack Obama, Vucic added, “True peace is not just the absence of conflict, but the presence of justice, freedom, and opportunity for all.” Vucic did not shy away from criticizing Kosovo’s Prime Minister Albin Kurti for dismissing diplomacy and exacerbating tensions through unilateral actions. “There are many ongoing issues there, such as the banning of the Serbian currency for over six months, the prohibition of postal services, all of which threaten the lives of Serbs and other non-Albanian communities. The denial of a visit by the head of the Serbian Orthodox Church, Porfirije, to the Pec Patriarchate is another example. How else can we explain the armed raid by Pristina’s special police on September 9 into the ‘Support Me’ association, which includes parents and children with disabilities? This too was a senseless act,” Vucic said. In an 18-minute speech, he echoed the U.S. call for reform of the U.N. Security Council. Aligning with Biden, Vucic highlighted the need for U.N. reform, particularly stressing greater representation from African nations to restore the organization’s legitimacy and ensure lasting peace. He critiqued the performative nature of many U.N. speeches, stating, “Almost always, leaders address you, but in reality, they address their own publics.” While acknowledging his own susceptibility to this dynamic, he nonetheless used Serbia’s experiences as a lens to critique the widespread disillusionment with international governance. “True and lasting peace can only be achieved through justice and respect for human rights,” he quoted Mendela, framing his vision for a solution. “It is up to Serbia to look to the future and wait for the moment when the principles of international law will be returned to the world stage,” he said. “There is only one thing we will never give up: the freedom and independence of Serbia. As President of Serbia, I believe in a world based on true, not false values, and I believe that the strength of developing countries, all of us who have raised our heads and dare to speak the truth, will be the foundation of a new, different, and better world,” Vucic said. His words were met with applause, a fleeting moment of sober resonance in a gathering often marked by quotes that vanish into the wind. READ ALSO -- http:www.antic.org --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "SERBIAN NEWS NETWORK" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/senet/11ad01db0f2e%245b71d2a0%24125577e0%24%40gmail.com.
