Northern Kosovo:Peaceful protests over political persecution

ZVECAN - The councillors of four northern Kosovo municipalities announced on Friday that they would stage peaceful protests against the EULEX Mission which, according to them, is acting contrary to its mandate through political persecution of Serbs.

Together with the conclusions of the extraordinary joint session of councillors from municipalities of Zvecan, Northern Mitrovica, Leposavic and Zubin Potok, the officials announced the preparation of an action plan for non-violent democratic protection of Serb interests.

The decision on peaceful mass protests against the self-will and counter-legal activities of the EULEX Mission were passed by votes of 63 out of 76 Serb councillors of municipal assemblies, and the session was not attended by ethnic Albanian councillors.

The conclusions, which stated that EULEX is acting contrary to its original mandate and the goals of the international community in the province, were read out by Zvecan municipal assembly speaker Darko Radovanovic.

The councillors of the four municipal assemblies want to send a clear message to the EULEX Mission that it has to take exclusive responsibility for the rising tensions in the north, and are calling for a responsible attitude and talks on instantaneous end of Serb prosecution in the north, Radovanovic said.

During the session which was also attended by Director of the Serbian government Office for Kosovo-Metohija Marko Djuric, Northern Mitrovica Mayor Goran Rakic expressed regret that EULEX representatives did not respond to the invitation to come to the meeting.

By assuming such stand, they sent the message that they are not capable of justifying their activities and manner of implementation of the rule of law which is...