Pro-Western President Wins Serbia Vote

[Kilgor]

By DUSAN STOJANOVIC – 4 hours ago

BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) — Serbia's pro-Western president narrowly defeated an ally of late autocrat Slobodan Milosevic in a closely contested election Sunday only days before an expected declaration of independence by the breakaway Kosovo province.

President Boris Tadic won 51 percent of the vote, while Tomislav Nikolic, who ruled with Milosevic during the wars in the Balkans in the 1990s, had 47 percent, according to the state electoral commission.

"Serbia has shown its great democratic potential," Tadic said in his victory speech, praising Nikolic for "the number of votes he has won."

Nikolic congratulated Tadic but added, "I will remain to be his tough opposition."

Tadic's supporters celebrated in downtown Belgrade, waving Serbian, EU and Democratic Party flags and honking car horns.

The outcome indicated that a majority of Serbians want the country to stay on its path of pro-Western reform and closer ties with the European Union, instead of heading back to the nationalism and isolation that characterized the Milosevic era.

Nikolic's defeat will also likely alleviate fears in the West that Serbia would react violently to the expected declaration of independence later this month by the Kosovo province, dominated by pro-independence ethnic Albanians.

Both Tadic and Nikolic oppose Kosovo's independence, but Tadic has ruled out the use of force and will likely seek to preserve close ties with the EU and the United States even if they recognize Kosovo statehood.

The province has been run by the United Nations and NATO since the 1998-99 war, when NATO bombed Serbia for 78 days to stop his brutal crackdown against Kosovo separatists.

Kosovo's Albanian leaders said they would declare independence days after the Serbian runoff, no matter who wins, and they expect the U.S. and most EU countries to follow up with quick recognition.

While pledging never to recognize Kosovo independence, Tadic has said there is "no alternative" to EU membership for Serbia and that it is "the only way forward" for the nation.

Nikolic has insisted that Serbia must abandon its EU membership bid if the bloc upholds Kosovo's independence and should turn to its ally Russia instead.

During the election campaign, Nikolic had advocated measures including armed intervention to protect minority Serbs in the province and imposing a complete economic and travel blockade for Kosovo Albanians.

The election war marked by high turnout — 67 percent an hour before polls closed, and voters in Belgrade said the balloting was crucial.

"We have just recovered a little, we must not stop now," says Dusan Andjic, a 40-year-old lawyer who voted for Tadic. "This is really a matter of life and death."

Voters for Nikolic said the moment was historic, claiming the pro-Western Serbian leaders were going to sell out the country.

"If we don't stop them, they will give away Kosovo," cried Marko Stipcevic, 51, a clerk.

Serbia's presidency is formally a ceremonial post, though it gained in importance and influence under Milosevic's virtually unrivaled rule in the 1990s. Serbia's president names the commander of Serbia's army — a post that gains in importance before likely Kosovo independence.

A victory for Nikolic — whose party boss Vojislav Seselj is now on trial for alleged war crimes at the U.N. tribunal for the former Yugoslavia — would have dashed Western hopes that Serbia will arrest two Bosnian Serb war crimes fugitives, Gen. Ratko Mladic and his wartime political leader Radovan Karadzic, any time soon.

Tadic's Democratic Party played a key role in Milosevic's ouster from power in 2000. The soft-spoken party leader first became the president in 2004, by beating Nikolic in a runoff election.

Associated Press Writer Jovana Gec contributed to this report.

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jLH74k9Pf4VCXkWCwLI59WaXJZUAD8UJ3UD81

[KoTeMoRe]

By DUSAN STOJANOVIC – 4 hours ago

BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) — Serbia's pro-Western president narrowly defeated an ally of late autocrat Slobodan Milosevic in a closely contested election Sunday only days before an expected declaration of independence by the breakaway Kosovo province.

President Boris Tadic won 51 percent of the vote, while Tomislav Nikolic, who ruled with Milosevic during the wars in the Balkans in the 1990s, had 47 percent, according to the state electoral commission.

"Serbia has shown its great democratic potential," Tadic said in his victory speech, praising Nikolic for "the number of votes he has won."

Nikolic congratulated Tadic but added, "I will remain to be his tough opposition."

Tadic's supporters celebrated in downtown Belgrade, waving Serbian, EU and Democratic Party flags and honking car horns.

The outcome indicated that a majority of Serbians want the country to stay on its path of pro-Western reform and closer ties with the European Union, instead of heading back to the nationalism and isolation that characterized the Milosevic era.

Nikolic's defeat will also likely alleviate fears in the West that Serbia would react violently to the expected declaration of independence later this month by the Kosovo province, dominated by pro-independence ethnic Albanians.

Both Tadic and Nikolic oppose Kosovo's independence, but Tadic has ruled out the use of force and will likely seek to preserve close ties with the EU and the United States even if they recognize Kosovo statehood.

The province has been run by the United Nations and NATO since the 1998-99 war, when NATO bombed Serbia for 78 days to stop his brutal crackdown against Kosovo separatists.

Kosovo's Albanian leaders said they would declare independence days after the Serbian runoff, no matter who wins, and they expect the U.S. and most EU countries to follow up with quick recognition.

While pledging never to recognize Kosovo independence, Tadic has said there is "no alternative" to EU membership for Serbia and that it is "the only way forward" for the nation.

Nikolic has insisted that Serbia must abandon its EU membership bid if the bloc upholds Kosovo's independence and should turn to its ally Russia instead.

During the election campaign, Nikolic had advocated measures including armed intervention to protect minority Serbs in the province and imposing a complete economic and travel blockade for Kosovo Albanians.

The election war marked by high turnout — 67 percent an hour before polls closed, and voters in Belgrade said the balloting was crucial.

"We have just recovered a little, we must not stop now," says Dusan Andjic, a 40-year-old lawyer who voted for Tadic. "This is really a matter of life and death."

Voters for Nikolic said the moment was historic, claiming the pro-Western Serbian leaders were going to sell out the country.

"If we don't stop them, they will give away Kosovo," cried Marko Stipcevic, 51, a clerk.

Serbia's presidency is formally a ceremonial post, though it gained in importance and influence under Milosevic's virtually unrivaled rule in the 1990s. Serbia's president names the commander of Serbia's army — a post that gains in importance before likely Kosovo independence.

A victory for Nikolic — whose party boss Vojislav Seselj is now on trial for alleged war crimes at the U.N. tribunal for the former Yugoslavia — would have dashed Western hopes that Serbia will arrest two Bosnian Serb war crimes fugitives, Gen. Ratko Mladic and his wartime political leader Radovan Karadzic, any time soon.

Tadic's Democratic Party played a key role in Milosevic's ouster from power in 2000. The soft-spoken party leader first became the president in 2004, by beating Nikolic in a runoff election.

Associated Press Writer Jovana Gec contributed to this report.

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jLH74k9Pf4VCXkWCwLI59WaXJZUAD8UJ3UD81



Mhh so what, ruling out use of force and still opposing the independence is like wearing the whole range of GAP outfit in an anti-maquiladora rally.

[Indiana Jones]

Thank god.
Still, I find it fairly disturbing that Nikolic and the political agenda he represents could garner such widespread support among the electorate.

[KoTeMoRe]

Thank god.
Still, I find it fairly disturbing that Nikolic and the political agenda he represents could garner such widespread support among the electorate.

Fairly easy to understand, the office is highly honorific rather than powerful. It's a symbol, a sign sent rather than a real priority. Let's wait for general elections.

[Rictor]

Well, I guess a sycophant is better than a hardline nutjob. Somehow.

...I wanted Velja Ilic. At least he would have been entertaining :(:(

[Indiana Jones]

Well, I guess a sycophant is better than a hardline nutjob. Somehow.

...I wanted Velja Ilic. At least he would have been entertaining :(:(
I take it you are not a journalist, then. ;)

[Lokos]

Still, I find it fairly disturbing that Nikolic and the political agenda he represents could garner such widespread support among the electorate

It's not that difficult to understand - especially for persons who've spent time studying a particular historical period. Humiliation, or the perception thereof (not to mention victimization), is a powerful emotive force in politics.

Lokos

[KninGrad]

It's not that difficult to understand - especially for persons who've spent time studying a particular historical period. Humiliation, or the perception thereof (not to mention victimization), is a powerful emotive force in politics.

Lokos


Lokos I actually thought you knew a lot about Serbian politics scene. What are Nikolic's crazy "ideas"? First of all this article is pure BS and in first 20 rows I found couple of false statements.
The only reason Tadic won is because of minorities turnout. His main argument was if Nikolic wins Serbia will never become part of EU and will go to war over Kosovo, and thats it. Unlike Nikolic he promised nothing but used fear to manipulate people and thats the only reason he won.

But its all good Radicals are stronger than ever (from less that 10% in 2000 to almost 2 200 000 is great improvement).

Just wait and see EU will never accept Serbia and soon they will recognize Kosovo as independent state. After that Nikolic will come to power and then will finally see what Radicals can or cant do.

This BS about radicals and Milosevic being in coalition during 90's is laughable because they were only together in 1998-2000 and the only reason for that was Kosovo. Actually, Seselj ended up in jail because he opposed Milosevic.

[Lokos]

Lokos I actually thought you knew a lot about Serbian politics scene

Blah, blah blah. I'm neither for nor against. But it's clear to me that Nikolic would have been a symbol of continued resistance and a turn to the Russian sphere, and Tadic a symbol of integration and acquiescence. We'll see what happens. As it stands, climb off your warhorse, and don't presume to be my judge.

Lokos

[KoTeMoRe]

Lokos I actually thought you knew a lot about Serbian politics scene. What are Nikolic's crazy "ideas"? First of all this article is pure BS and in first 20 rows I found couple of false statements.
The only reason Tadic won is because of minorities turnout. His main argument was if Nikolic wins Serbia will never become part of EU and will go to war over Kosovo, and thats it. Unlike Nikolic he promised nothing but used fear to manipulate people and thats the only reason he won.

But its all good Radicals are stronger than ever (from less that 10% in 2000 to almost 2 200 000 is great improvement).

Just wait and see EU will never accept Serbia and soon they will recognize Kosovo as independent state. After that Nikolic will come to power and then will finally see what Radicals can or cant do.

This BS about radicals and Milosevic being in coalition during 90's is laughable because they were only together in 1998-2000 and the only reason for that was Kosovo. Actually, Seselj ended up in jail because he opposed Milosevic.


Actually it's not, the radicals can do as good only when it comes to the said symbols, the rest is beyond their reach into my opinion. Wich reciprocally boils down to a reality. These people do still suffer from their pariah status and from the isolation they were forced into.

A wounded nation has only that many choices. Wait and see.

[Basillicus]

Congratulations to Serbian people, they made a wise choise.

[Jµµso]

Sad, EU's big countries did get another province.

[Indiana Jones]

It's not that difficult to understand - especially for persons who've spent time studying a particular historical period. Humiliation, or the perception thereof (not to mention victimization), is a powerful emotive force in politics.

Lokos
Certainly. I had however after following the proceedings for the last couple of months, apparently quite naively, maintained the hope that political culture in Serbia had matured to the point where Nikolić and his ilk might have played a less prominent role and would have not been able to successfully capitalise on the issue of Kosovo/EU as they did. The shrill (even by the lamentably low standard of Serbian political discourse), if not downright perfidious rhetorics of Nikolić vis-à-vis Djindjić, not to speak of Curuvija, illustrate quite succinctly exactly what kind of man we are talking about and where to classify him, whether or not one shares his political stance.
As the highest political representative of Serbia, he would have been a disaster waiting to happen at least PR-wise, regardless of his relative executive impotence.

[achilles]

Hopefully this wont mean that Serbia will jump off the Russian train, she, as well as the Balkans, is in a great need of.

[KoTeMoRe]

Hopefully this wont mean that Serbia will jump off the Russian train, she, as well as the Balkans, is in a great need of.

Jumping off the russian train? Is there a Russian train?

[Angrykirill]

Jumping off the russian train? Is there a Russian train?

are you stating the only way to go is to the EU? 8-)

[Basillicus]

Integrating with the west doesn't mean that there couldn't be close relations with Russia too, it's not like they are complete opposites. Serbia could even act as some kind of link between EU and Russia since most current EU members have somewhat problematic past with Russia.

[KoTeMoRe]

are you stating the only way to go is to the EU? 8-)

There are two ways to go: Going EU or waiting for better times to come. I don't see Serbia jumpîng the russian band wagon given the current geopolitics of the region. Some mythical pan-slavic entity would not be tolerated by western europe and the USA. Sad but true.

As for joining the EU, yes I think that Serbia should at least get closer to the EU (on purely pecunial purpose).

I would like it to be different, but it can't be unless a huge economic crash.

[Mr.K]

Jumping off the russian train? Is there a Russian train?
Yes, it takes you straight to Siberia! p-)

[achilles]

Jumping off the russian train? Is there a Russian train?

There isn't?

[KoTeMoRe]

Yes, it takes you straight to Siberia! p-)

Touché mate. p-)

Achilles, I don't see it, I wish I did. This said, I agree with you; the region needs a more specific approach than Pax Europeanae.

[KninGrad]

There are two ways to go: Going EU or waiting for better times to come. I don't see Serbia jumpîng the russian band wagon given the current geopolitics of the region. Some mythical pan-slavic entity would not be tolerated by western europe and the USA. Sad but true.

As for joining the EU, yes I think that Serbia should at least get closer to the EU (on purely pecunial purpose).

I would like it to be different, but it can't be unless a huge economic crash.


Serbia already sign agreement with Russia so .... This election doesn't mean anything because another political party will decide which way will Serbia go...

ps I hope I am wrong about EU..... but I doubt EU has good intentions and will basically reveal its true face once they recognize independent Kosovo.

[KoTeMoRe]

Serbia already sign agreement with Russia so .... This election doesn't mean anything because another political party will decide which way will Serbia go...

ps I hope I am wrong about EU..... but I doubt EU has good intentions and will basically reveal its true face once they recognize independent Kosovo.

Knin the point is not bilateral agreements (since that's russia's main asset) we're speaking of integrated "side" if you want. Given nato membership of a few states, a real buffer has been set up between Russia and it's slavic cousins of the Balkans. You really think I'll go out greet the people who brought the current albanian regime and supported it despite the crimes and madness it brought to a relatively underdevelopped but quiet nation (yes dictatorship helped).

[BW2]

Well I'm neither happy or upset with the results. I mentioned before Presidential elections don't mean much to me personally, I only listen to the Prime Minister. I for one dislike both Tadic and Nikolic and their respective parties.

However I should say the results are in our favor as of now, as the EU made such stubborn attempts to bribe (with new SAA agreements and no visas etc..) the people in electing Tadic they will now have to tread more lightly than ever. Should Nikolic have won they could have allowed Albanians to declare independence the next day (although without their EU mission in place it would have been a disaster none the less) with Tadic in power and Serbia on "the road" to the EU they must now keep from upsetting the Serbs once the parliamentary elections come by which in reality will really determine who governs the country and keeps things nice and quite in the south. They would be very foolish to abandon Tadic now.

Even better, people in Serbia are begging to have a true idea about the EU ever since they made such vocal attempts to (as I said) bribe the people into supporting Tadic, just as Nikolic pointed out when he conceded defeat (very mature move by him) he told the EU from this point to stop meddling in Serbia's internal affairs especially in an election time. I cannot even explain how sickened I am by this.

One word of caution to Tadic and the EU is you don't have much to be happy about, yes you won the election but remember half the country is still against you.

Oh and FYI -- just to point out a couple things to non Serbs here, I am not a Radical party supporter but I must admit it does bug me when people generate a false image/idea about any one group. The radicals are nationalist yes and frankly I don't see anything wrong with that, but they are not war promoters, they in fact have also mentioned they are pro-EU but "in do time". And the subject of Russia is also very separate as Mr. Tadic and his party also promote close ties with Russia. I can safely say no politician in Serbia who wishes to ever be elected or reelected would ever sever ties with Russia.

Knin* The EU cannot as a united entity recognize Kosovo, too many objectors, the big heads (UK,Germany,France) may wish for it and by all means work hard to achieve it, but simply put they cannot.

[Sergei]

Jumping off the russian train? Is there a Russian train?

You are right, there is no russian train. There is only russian interests and money now.
It was so many times in history when some nations were on the verge of extinction (yeah, yeah, I am talking about you polish, bulgarians and georgians) they turned for help to mother Russia, and russki Van'ka soldier had to do all the dying.

Not anymore, and that's a change for the better. Not a single russian soldier should die in the future for people who don't value friendship and trust.

[tony6]

Interesting point of view. Or should I say - version of the history.
Being a Polish I can't help it and have to ask: when did we "turned for help to mother Russia"..?
Could you be more specific?

And what about this "friendship and trust" thing?

You did not mean WWII, did you?

[KoTeMoRe]

Interesting point of view. Or should I say - version of the history.
Being a Polish I can't help it and have to ask: when did we "turned for help to mother Russia"..?
Could you be more specific?

And what about this "friendship and trust" thing?

You did not mean WWII, did you?

A part of Europe did turn to the USSR (namely a great deal of antifascists, leftists).

Oh and isn't september 1939 remembered as the "hit on the back" from the USSR? Why so?

Anyway, let's stop the offtopic trip.

[Hollis]

Anyway, let's stop the offtopic trip.


Very good advice for everyone, Thanks.

[KoTeMoRe]

Very good advice for everyone, Thanks.

Hehe I was just thinking "gosh Hollis isn't around quick let's cool this off".

No offence or pun intended.

[V.I.D.]

edit

Slovenian diplomat quits after report of US meddling in EU presidency
29 January 2008, 19:33 CET

(LJUBLJANA) - The Slovenian foreign ministry announced the resignation of a top Slovenian diplomat Tuesday who press reports claimed had taken orders from the United States about Slovenia's EU presidency.

The Foreign Ministry announced on its website that political director Mitja Drobnic had resigned and would be replaced by state secretary Matjaz Sinkovec during Slovenia's six-month term as EU president.

Foreign Minister Dimitrij Rupel "has accepted the resignation of political director Mitja Drobnic", the ministry said in a statement.

The resignation comes after a report in the daily newspaper Dnevnik last week which said that Slovenia had been taking orders from the US.

According to the newspaper, which quoted an internal foreign ministry report, Drobnic had met in December with US Assistant Secretary of State Daniel Fried, who allegedly suggested to the Slovenian side what their priorities should be during the EU presidency.

Fried encouraged Slovenia to be among the first to recognise the independence of the breakaway Serbian province of Kosovo, the newspaper claimed.

Fried had also reportedly told Drobnic that there was "no need to worry" about the recognition of Kosovo's independence by all EU members, but that the most important thing was for an EU mission of police and lawyers to be sent to the province "despite critical positions of Russia and Serbia," the newspaper said.

Following 18 months of failed negotiations between Belgrade and Pristina, the majority ethnic Albanian province has vowed to declare independence.

The United Nations has run Kosovo since 1999, when a NATO bombing campaign drove out Belgrade's forces waging a crackdown on independence-seeking ethnic Albanians who make up 90 percent of the population.

Foreign Minister Rupel has not so far denied the existence of the internal report, nor its content, but said earlier this week that an investigation had been launched to find the source of the leak.

In view of the leak, "we are having some difficulties with our interlocutors, especially from the US," Rupel told Slovenian state television late Monday.

Slovenia, a former Yugoslav state that declared independence in 1991, is the first new EU member to take over the EU presidency and it has made Kosovo one of its priorities during its six-month term.

[KoTeMoRe]

No comment...

[Musashi]

Interesting point of view. Or should I say - version of the history.
Being a Polish I can't help it and have to ask: when did we "turned for help to mother Russia"..?
Could you be more specific?

And what about this "friendship and trust" thing?

You did not mean WWII, did you?
Apparently Serhiy knows something new. If you recall his posts about the Orange Revolution, when he supported Yushchenko, you will come to a fast conclusion he simply writes what he knows, but he often does not know what he writes.
I bet he meant such kind of Soviet help:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katyn_Massacre

I hope Poland will not be "politically correct" and we will not recognise the independece of Kosovo. We have not any business to do it.

[tony6]

I just find it pretty fascinating that in spite of all the history facts most of Russians still don't realize that for us, Poles, there was no difference between Nazis and Soviets.
And that should be pretty obvious.
They keep selling this pan-Slavic crap and - this is really amazing - they seem to believe it.

[AlboSwe]

Lots of anti-Independence comments here :)


February 17th is soon coming, many will get chocked, some will cry of joy and a new nation will celebrate its Independence...


Best regards!

[KoTeMoRe]

I just find it pretty fascinating that in spite of all the history facts most of Russians still don't realize that for us, Poles, there was no difference between Nazis and Soviets.
And that should be pretty obvious.
They keep selling this pan-Slavic crap and - this is really amazing - they seem to believe it.


Totally of topic.

Oh my, let my quote mister Jozef Beck..."With the Germans we loose our liberty, with the Soviet we loose our soul".

Still the same?

Again wtf does this have to do with the thread?

[V.I.D.]

@Kotemore:

Not worthy getting upset, apparently things do look different from the distance of 60+ years. Twenty years from now, we should expect to hear that Soviets were savage, baby-killing, barbarians while Nazis were serving in the peacekeeping missions in the east. :roll:

[asch]

I just find it pretty fascinating that in spite of all the history facts most of Russians still don't realize that for us, Poles, there was no difference between Nazis and Soviets.
And that should be pretty obvious.
They keep selling this pan-Slavic crap and - this is really amazing - they seem to believe it.
Soviet =/= Slavic. educate yourself.

[Sergei]

I just find it pretty fascinating that in spite of all the history facts most of Russians still don't realize that for us, Poles, there was no difference between Nazis and Soviets.
And that should be pretty obvious.
They keep selling this pan-Slavic crap and - this is really amazing - they seem to believe it.

No pan-slavic crap here.
I really feel sorry for the guys who had to die liberating Poland. It was in vain.
To tell you the truth, I wish you get your territories back from Molotov-Ribbentrop pact. The vuiki living there feel a nostalgia for a real polish boot.

[ting]

The Norwegian train has arrived:


Serbia, Norway boost military ties
6 February 2008 | 18:42 | Source: B92, Tanjug
BELGRADE -- The Serbian Ministry of Defense today signed an agreement on continued military cooperation with Norway.

The plan of bilateral cooperation for 2008 will enable for sustained building of the ties in this sector, already strong between the two countries, an MoD statement said today in Belgrade.

Norway is among the most important donors to Serbia's defense reforms, with assistance in the past two years worth EUR 2.5mn.

The blueprint was signed by MoD's international military cooperation department head Milorad Perić and Norway's defense attaché in Serbia Col. Terje Haverstad.

The statement did not provide the details of the deal.http://www.b92.net/eng/news/politics-article.php?yyyy=2008&mm=02&dd=06&nav_id=47524