Milivojevic: We're getting closer to escalation in Kosovo and Metohija, time for KFOR to take a stance

Photo: Tanjug/Sava Radovanovic

Former diplomat Zoran Milivojevic has told RTS that the only chance to end the current crisis in Kosovo is to meet the demands of the Serb side - the withdrawal of special police forces and release from prison of those people (Serbs) who were unlawfully arrested - while anything else leads to a direct, out of control conflict.

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"It's not by chance that we have the coincidence of a ban on entry to Serbian Patriarch Porfirije (issued) on Catholic Christmas, and that we have an attempt to have a direct (shooting) incident and to provoke the Serb side in some way," Milivojevic said, adding:

"The news appeared yesterday via Koha (Pristina-based media outlet) that a KFOR patrol was attacked, that's a direct call for escalation and - as far as I'm concerned - it shows that there was an attempt to escalate things and take advantage of it."

According to him, Pristina is committed to a solution by force, and at this moment what suits them best is escalation.

Speaking about the possibility of removing the barricades set up by Serbs by using force, Milivojevic points out that this would be a prelude to a direct conflict, while the only chance to end the current crisis in Kosovo is to meet the demands of the Serb side - the withdrawal of special police forces and release from prison of the two or three people who have been unlawfully arrested - while anything else leads to a direct, out of control conflict.

"If there is no understanding in KFOR for these positions, then they could contribute to the escalation, by that I mean the news about the possible support for Pristina's solution by force," he said.

The chief of the General Staff of the Serbian Army, General Milan Mojsilovic, was in Raska yesterday. Asked what the arrival there of the military leadership means, Milivojevic said that it is confirmation of Belgrade's position that it will defend the Serb people in every way and that no new "(Operation) Storms" will be allowed.

"Serbia's determination to be on the side of the Serb people and, secondly, that the only solution should be sought through dialogue. Belgrade is making it known that it is in favor of a dialogue solution, a political solution, but that it is determined to defend the Serb people, if there is an escalation - that is a very clear message to KFOR," noted Milivojevic.

The visit is confirmation of Serbia's position, it is a sufficient argument for KFOR to take seriously, he added.

When it comes to KFOR and that part of the international community, Milivojevic noted that there are also differences in approaches - there is a radical faction that advocates a solution by force - Germany, but there is a more rational group of countries where Washington plays the main role - to avoid escalation.

Some media have reported that representatives of the Quint countries (US, Italy, France, Germany, UK) have demanded from President Vucic thar the barricades be removed within 24 hours, otherwise, their removal by force would follow.

Milivojevic said that this does not seem politically serious to him in this situation, and that a part of the international community would lose credibility if it actively acted in these areas.

"Secondly, there is no need to call out President Vucic, Belgrade did not set up the barricades, the Serbs (in Kosovo and Metohija) opted for a peaceful protest," noted Milivojevic.

He stressed that the barricades are a symbol of peaceful protest, and the possibility of seeking political solutions, the only way to return to dialogue and peace is to meet the two demands, after which there would be no problem in removing the barricades.

"We live in a time when anything is possible, the law is not respected, but then we are leaving the realm of diplomacy. If we want peace and stability, KFOR will know what to do, it will side with what leads to peace, it will not support the Pristina authorities, a policy that leads to escalation," said Milivojevic.

"War is possible if Pristina is allowed to implement its political ideas," Milivojevic underlined.

Milivojevic does not expect a positive response from KFOR to Belgrade's request for the return of Serbian soldiers and police officers (according to UN Resolution 1244), but he also does not expect a direct negative response.

He pointed out that KFOR must respect Resolution 1244, they can say that the situation is under control and indirectly state that it is not necessary for Serbian security personnel to return - but it would be necessary for them to guarantee that, too.

"Now is the moment for KFOR to declare whether it is acting within its (UN) mandate, to not allow the possibility of escalation and the attempt of escalation from the Pristina side to be realized on the ground," Milivojevic stressed.

"Reinforcing troops at the administrative crossings is a sign that Belgrade is clear in its position - we will defend the interests of the Serb people and will not allow a new pogrom, we will not allow 2004 (March pogrom) to happen again," concluded Milivojevic.

(Telegraf.rs)