.Serbia furious after neighbors recognize Kosovo
BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) - Serbia expelled the Macedonian ambassador Friday, reflecting its fury over the recognition of Kosovo's independence by its closest neighbors.
Montenegro's envoy had already been ordered out Thursday.
The measures were the harshest Serbia has taken so far against 50 countries that have recognized Kosovo. The move followed announcements Thursday by Montenegro and Macedonia that they will establish diplomatic ties with Kosovo - the cherished former Serbian province that declared independence in February.
The announcements by Montenegro and Macedonia marked a major setback for Serbian diplomatic efforts to maintain a claim over Kosovo - the fledgling state considered by many Serbs to be the cradle of their Orthodox Christian religion and statehood.
Fears here are that if Serbia's close neighbors - and historic allies - have recognized Kosovo, many more countries will follow suit.
Macedonian government spokesman Shefik Duraki said Macedonia would not expel the Serbian ambassador in response, adding that his cabinet "remains committed to preserving the same level of political, economic and cultural relations with Serbia as it was before."
Serbian President Boris Tadic said earlier Friday that the decision by Montenegro and Macedonia is "deeply wrong, contrary to international law and does not contribute to regional stability and good neighborly relations."
Montenegro and Macedonia - both seeking membership in NATO and the European Union - have been under pressure from the United States and some European Union countries to recognize Kosovo's February declaration of independence from Serbia.
Serbia, Montenegro and Macedonia were once all part of the same country: All are former Yugoslav republics. Montenegro and Macedonia share the same religion with Serbia, have been considered its allies. Montenegro did not split from Serbia until 2006.
"This act ... was the result of great political pressure and the time will show that the decisions that were made were wrong," Tadic said in a statement.
Belgrade saved its strongest criticism for Montenegro. Former nationalist Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica said Serbia should sue Montenegro in an international court.
Some nationalist lawmakers urged Serbs not to travel to Montenegro, demanded a halt in air traffic between the two countries, and threatened retaliation against Montenegrins living in Serbia. Others urged confiscation of property in Serbia belonging to Montenegrin political leaders.
The announcements by Montenegro and Macedonia came a day after Serbia scored a diplomatic victory at the U.N. General Assembly. The assembly supported Belgrade's bid to question the legality of Kosovo independence at the U.N.'s highest judicial body, the International Court of Justice.
Referring to that decision, Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic said Friday the Montenegrin and Macedonian recognition of Kosovo was designed to "limit the effects of our victory ... by those who suffered a defeat."
But Kosovo's Prime Minister Hashim Thaci said the decisions were not aimed at harming Serbia and would add to efforts to bring "peace and stability" to the region and help it integrate into the European Union and NATO.
In Podgorica, Montenegro's Foreign Minster Milan Rocen described Serbia's decision to expel its ambassador as "hasty."
MyWay
Montenegro's envoy had already been ordered out Thursday.
The measures were the harshest Serbia has taken so far against 50 countries that have recognized Kosovo. The move followed announcements Thursday by Montenegro and Macedonia that they will establish diplomatic ties with Kosovo - the cherished former Serbian province that declared independence in February.
The announcements by Montenegro and Macedonia marked a major setback for Serbian diplomatic efforts to maintain a claim over Kosovo - the fledgling state considered by many Serbs to be the cradle of their Orthodox Christian religion and statehood.
Fears here are that if Serbia's close neighbors - and historic allies - have recognized Kosovo, many more countries will follow suit.
Macedonian government spokesman Shefik Duraki said Macedonia would not expel the Serbian ambassador in response, adding that his cabinet "remains committed to preserving the same level of political, economic and cultural relations with Serbia as it was before."
Serbian President Boris Tadic said earlier Friday that the decision by Montenegro and Macedonia is "deeply wrong, contrary to international law and does not contribute to regional stability and good neighborly relations."
Montenegro and Macedonia - both seeking membership in NATO and the European Union - have been under pressure from the United States and some European Union countries to recognize Kosovo's February declaration of independence from Serbia.
Serbia, Montenegro and Macedonia were once all part of the same country: All are former Yugoslav republics. Montenegro and Macedonia share the same religion with Serbia, have been considered its allies. Montenegro did not split from Serbia until 2006.
"This act ... was the result of great political pressure and the time will show that the decisions that were made were wrong," Tadic said in a statement.
Belgrade saved its strongest criticism for Montenegro. Former nationalist Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica said Serbia should sue Montenegro in an international court.
Some nationalist lawmakers urged Serbs not to travel to Montenegro, demanded a halt in air traffic between the two countries, and threatened retaliation against Montenegrins living in Serbia. Others urged confiscation of property in Serbia belonging to Montenegrin political leaders.
The announcements by Montenegro and Macedonia came a day after Serbia scored a diplomatic victory at the U.N. General Assembly. The assembly supported Belgrade's bid to question the legality of Kosovo independence at the U.N.'s highest judicial body, the International Court of Justice.
Referring to that decision, Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic said Friday the Montenegrin and Macedonian recognition of Kosovo was designed to "limit the effects of our victory ... by those who suffered a defeat."
But Kosovo's Prime Minister Hashim Thaci said the decisions were not aimed at harming Serbia and would add to efforts to bring "peace and stability" to the region and help it integrate into the European Union and NATO.
In Podgorica, Montenegro's Foreign Minster Milan Rocen described Serbia's decision to expel its ambassador as "hasty."
MyWay
posted by madtom at 9:13 PM
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