Monthly Archives: May 2009

Serb Protests in Kosovo’s North Continue

Serbs continued their protests on Monday in Kosovo’s northern town of Mitrovica over the reconstruction of ethnic-Albanian houses. Kosovo’s Police has used tear gas as some 100 local Serbs were to approaching the neighborhood where Albanian houses are being reconstructed, said Kosovo’s Police spokesperson, Besim Hoti. The protest started at …

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Serge Brammertz Visits Sarajevo

The Chief ICTY Prosecutor begins a three-day visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina on Monday. During his stay in Sarajevo Serge Brammertz will meet local and international officials and representatives of non-governmental organizations, as part of preparing a regular report to be submitted to the Security Council of the United Nations. …

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Serbia Wants to Host Non-Alligned Anniversary

Serbia’s Foreign Minister has suggested that Belgrade should host of the 50th anniversary of the Non-Aligned Movement, since the movement’s first summit was held in the then Yugoslav capital in September, 1961. Such a anniversary would be ”an occasion for bringing back the ideals and values of the Non-Alligned Movement …

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Croatia and Kosovo Sign Cooperation Deal

Inter-parliamentary relations have been agreed between Kosovo and Croatia during a two-day visit to Zagreb by Kosovo’s speaker of parliament Jakup Krasniqi. Krasniqi met his counterpart, Croatian Parliament speaker Luka Bebic, on Wednesday. He thanked Croatia for its recognition of Kosovo’s independence and support for the country’s development.

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Growing Concern Over Kosovo Protests

Concern is growing among locals and international representatives over escalating Serb protests in Kosovo’s northern town of Mitrovica, which have now gone on for several days, and have forced the EU’s Rule of Law Mission, EULEX, and NATO troops to respond with tear gas and stun grenades. EULEX used tear …

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UN: Secularism in Macedonia at Risk

The two largest religious communities in Macedonia are so powerful they could breach the state’s constitutional secularism, a UN official visiting Skopje said on Wednesday. The Macedonian Orthodox Church, MPC, and the Islamic community have a substantial influence over Macedonian politics, the special reporter on freedom of religion and belief …

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Report: Greece Suppressed Macedonian Identity

An alleged secret Greek document, disclosing Greek plans for suppressing Macedonian identity in its territory was revealed on Wednesday, local media report. The detailed document dating back to February 1982, is said to be issued by the then Greek National Security Service chief Dimitris Kapelaris, and was unveiled by the …

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Possible Change to Serbian Constitution

Serbian President Boris Tadic said changes should be made to the country’s constitution in order to reduce the number of deputies, streamline and decentralise government. In the interview for the Vecrenje Novosti newspaper, Serbian President Boris Tadic also said that election laws must be changed, along with laws for the …

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Afghan presidential hopeful promises Taliban talks

Afghanistan’s insurgency can be brought to an end through “soft diplomacy” with the Taliban, if Western forces commit to a timetable to withdraw from the country, a veteran of past negotiations with the militants says. Sayed Jalal, a former child prodigy famous across the country for brokering talks between Iran …

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