For Immediate Release

03/27/2008

NAAC Condemns Serbian Government Proposal to Partition Kosova

National Albanian American Council
1133 20th Street NW, Suite 210
Washington DC, 20036
Tel: (202) 466-6900
Fax: (202) 466-5593
naac@naac.org
www.naac.org

The National Albanian American Council condemns in the strongest possible terms the Serbian government’s proposal to the United Nations to partition Kosova. Serbia’s proposal of division of borders along ethnic borders was the same policy endorsed by Slobodan Milosevic which led to the horrific wars in the former Yugoslavia, including the ethnic cleansing campaign against Kosova.

The proposal for partition is particularly sinister especially after the March 17, 2008, riots in the northern city of Mitrovica, which the United Nations linked directly to the Serbian authorities in Belgrade. The
Serbian government does not reflect the views of the Serbian political leaders in Kosova. Momcilo Trajkovic called the proposal “absurd” and “impractical,” and Oliver Ivanovic accused Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica's of "playing politics." Additionally, both ethnic Serbian members of the Kosova government, Nenad Rasic, Minister of Social Welfare and Labor, and Boban Stankovic, Minister of Refugee Returns and Communities, continue to take their post in the newly formed government.

NAAC calls upon the EU, UN, NATO and the United States to take concrete steps against Serbia’s membership into Euro-Atlantic structures if there are any further attempts to meddle in Kosova’s internal affairs.

Once again, NAAC congratulates the people of Kosova for their restraint and the Kosova government for demonstrating political maturity by not overreacting by provocations from Serbia. We call upon the ethnic Serbs of Kosova and their political leadership to distance themselves from the divisive methods being instigated by Belgrade authorities and to work together with their fellow citizens and the government to build a better future for all living in Kosova.

The National Albanian American Council is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to advocating for Albanians and promoting peace and economic development in the Balkans by fostering democratic policy, promoting respect for human rights, and conducting educational and developmental programs. For more information on the National Albanian American Council visit us on the web at www.naac.org.