Mihajlovic: Serbs should vote in greatest possible numbers

BELGRADE - Head of the Serbian government office for the relations with the media Milivoje Mihajlovic has said he believes the Serbsin Kosovska Mitrovica, northern Kosovo, will vote in the rerun of the local election in the greatest numbers possible and elect one of their candidates for mayor.

It would end a period of instability, followed by the creation of a community of Serb municipalities and a period of stabilization for northern Kosovska Mitrovica, he told Radio and Television of Serbia.

The government invited Serbs to vote, because the creation of the community of Serb municipalities would form the foundation on which to build their political strength in the future, he stated.

There are no reasons for a boycott anymore, that pressure is gone and the security forces are well deployed and will not allow any incidents, he remarked.

The government in the city will be able to function even if Oliver Ivanovic, who is in custody, is elected mayor, because he is running in the election elgitimately and because everyone is innocent until proven guilty, Mihajlovic said.

He believes Mitrovica will get a mayor on Sunday and that there will be no second round, because the Serbs from northern Kosovo know their political situation and where the way out lies, as well as the fact that the creation of the community of Serb municipalities and participation in the government will help their situation more.

By forming their own government, the Serbs will take hold of their destiny and have an effective political tool, he stated, adding that the Serbs in Kosovska Mitrovica also enjoyed strong support from the international community and Serbia.

The Serbian government will try to reach the best solutions...