Serbian gov’t calls on KiM Serbs to take part in elections

BELGRADE – Serbia’s government called on the Serbs in Kosovo-Metohija (KiM) Thursday to take part in the parliamentary elections for the provisional institutions of self-government in the province on Sunday, June 8.

Participants of a Serbian government meeting discussing the elections issue today agreed it was necessary to win as many seats as possible in the provincial parliament and use those to ensure the survival of the Serbs, the setting up of a community of Serb municipalities and implementation of relevant state policy measures “aimed at hindering further promotion and implementation of policies of the unilaterally proclaimed independence of Kosovo.”

By taking part in the elections and sending our representatives to the provisional institutions of self-government in Pristina we will make our negotiating position stronger and push the separatists further from achieving their goals, the Serbian government said in a release.

The government also believes that a massive turnout will defeat the intentions cherished by extreme political circles in Pristina who, with the help of part of the international community, have sought to exclude KiM Serbs from the election process and reduce their political influence in the province.

The battle for the seats in the provincial parliament and political power of the Serbs in the provisional institutions has only just begun and without an agreement with the representatives of Serbia and the Serbian people, it will not be possible to constitute the provisional authorities in Pristina, stressed the release from the government in Belgrade.

The participation in the elections is a method of political fight adapted to the circumstances Serbia is currently facing, and...