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Belgrade Flag Flap Reveals Identity Crisis

    Since the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia was replaced in February 2003 by the union of Serbia and Montenegro, many disputes have occurred. A perfect example is the debate over the new flag. Serbian and Montenegrin officials could not come to an agreement on new state symbols, in particular the flag. Serbia and Montenegro each have their own flag, apart from the Yugoslav one. The flags are identical except for their differing shades of blue. The blue of the Serbian flag is darker, while Montenegro's blue is described as "traditional." During the seven months that Serbian and Montenegrin politicians argued about the issue of the flag, the Yugoslav flag flew above state buildings. In the end, a scientific answer solved their dispute about the flag's colors. Both approved the use of C300, a shade of blue in between the two that both approved.

    Something small like a disagreement over the new state flag provides insight into the overall problem with Yugoslavia. It also explains the emergence of conflict during the interwar period in the 1990s that occurred in the country between different ethnic groups. These groups are proud of their own cultures, and though they might be seen as similar, important differences exist between the two.

    For example, Montenegrin leaders distanced themselves from Milosevic's handling of the situation in Kosovo. And after his downfall in October 2000, Montenegro was looking more towards independence. But those plans came to a halt with the union between Montenegro and Serbia, whose disagreements remain under the skin.

    Starting around 1989, the different ethnic groups wanted to be independent. Their differences caused fighting and the redrawing of borders. What is left of Yugoslavia is now called Serbia and Montenegro. And as can be observed in occurences such as the flag dispute, ethnic differences remain a factor in causing major problems.

"Belgrade flag flap reveals identity crisis: C300 has come to the rescue of Serbia and Montenegro's politicians"
By Matthew Price
BBCnews.com
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/3170416.stm

 

Helping and Unhelpful

    Days after Serbia's parliament approved a new law providing financial assistance to war criminals, including the payment of legal fees, the United States froze its $25 million in aid to the country. This article discusses the new law and why the United States reacted in such a manner.

    The law does not comply with the policies of International War Crimes Tribunal in The Hague. The new law also creates a possibility that former Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic and his family could receive aid, an idea that outraged much of the public and many political leaders. But Serbia's Finance Minister, Mladjan Dinkic, has denied that the law will be used for such an act. The money, he says, is to go to the families that do not have any financial support, as is done in Croatia and Bosnia-Hercegovina. Svetozar Marovic, the President of Serbia-Montenegro, sees the new law as the "strengthening of cooperation with the tribunal" in The Hague. But the United States was unable to certify cooperation. The United States wants the country to fully cooperate with the ICTY, which means arresting and transferring fugitive indictees.

    Last week, Serbia's highest court issued a temporary ban on the disputed law, which planned to offer financial aid to alleged war criminals facing trial at The Hague. The ban is in effect until the court decides on a final ruling.

    This loss of aid from the United States and possibly Brussels affects the political situation in the country and its economic situation, according to the Serbian Prime Minister Goran Svilanovic. Without their support, he said, they should not even discuss the negotiations for Kosovo as they are entering the final phase of the important national issue.

    This is happening just before the beginning of the presidential election campaigns, in preparation for the June 13 election date. Serbian Radical Party leader Tomislav Nikolic has been named as the favorite. The only other candidate so far is Democratic Party leader and Serbian Defense Minister Boris Tadic. The democratic bloc will have to overcome the widespread anger at what Serbs believe that the West is anti-Serb with the fighting in Kosovo in March.

"Helping and unhelpful"
By Sasa Grubanovic
www.TOL.cz

"Court blocks Milosevic legal aid"
By Matt Prodger
www.BBCnews.com

UN Pushes on Issues of Kosovo's Final Status
    The violence in March between Albanians and Serbians left 19 dead, over 800 injured and displaced thousands. It also caused the issue of Kosovo's status to become a major topic of international discussion. The first day of April brought the first strong statement of action, as many international leaders are increasingly concerned. Kosovo Prime Minister Bajram Rexhepi and the representative of the secretary general, Harri Holkeri, together announced a plan for the Standards of Kosovo. Established in December of 2002, the Standards are a set of goals in major policy areas that Kosovo must meet before final status talks can begin.

    Ethnic violence has also brought on new concerns for Kosovo's future. Now the issue is political and territorial autonomy for Kosovo's Serbs. The decentralization of Kosovo has been rejected by its government, but the European Council is endorsing it. A clear effect of the recent violence has been the halt of dialogue between Pristina and Belgrade that began last October. Now they will not say when the talks will continue, but they are incomplete.

    Several Albanian leaders in Kosovo recently signed a joint letter, which they say they consider a kind of mutual contract of understanding. The letter, which was initiated by Hashim Thaci, the leader of the Democratic Party in Kosovo, urges everyone to live and work together for the sake of Kosovo's future. The letter comes after the accusations that the Algerian leadership was somewhat responsible for the violence and for not condemning it. But none of the signatures on the document were written by a Serbian hand; the Serbian political coalition refused to sign it. The Serbian parliamentarians have continued to boycott the parliament sessions since February — when a display of Albanian's history was hung in the new hall.

    But the big question of how to deal with the mob violence in Kosovo still remains. Were the clashes spontaneous or planned after the deaths of three Albanian children? A UNMIK spokesperson hinted before the riots that the action was planned.

"UN Pushes on Issue of Kosovo's Final Status"
By Fatmire Terdevci
www.TOL.cz

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