WHAT SERBIA NEEDS TO DO “THE DAY BEFORE”

Serbian Press Agency SRNA
Bijeljina, Republika Srpska

December 3, 2007

Gracanica, December 3 (SRNA) – His Grace Bishop Artemije of Raska and Prizren warned today that Serbia must react “the day before” to the possible passing of a “unilateral and irrational” decision on the independence of Kosovo.

In Bishop Artemije’s opinion administrative borders between Kosovo and Metohija and Serbia should be closed and an observation mission called in; [military] mobilization should be carried out in order to demonstrate Serbia’s readiness to defend herself.

In a written statement the Diocese of Raska and Prizren points out the need to conduct military exercises in the region near the province of Kosovo and Metohija, and hold mass demonstrations in Belgrade and other large Serbian
cities to demonstrate how much Serbs care about Kosovo and Metohija.

“This would represent effective preventative action and influence (ir-)responsible persons to think before reaching a decision on the proclamation of Kosovo’s independence,” said Bishop Artemije.

He emphasized that the question of “the status of Kosovo and Metohija” is false, artificially created and imposed by force at the will of the world powers, and he reminded that [Kosovo and Metohija's] status is well-known, recognized and defined by internationally valid legal documents.

“There is a problem with the Albanian [national] minority in Serbia, which really needs a solution in accordance with principles resolving similar problems in all democratic countries in the world. No more and no less than that,” concluded Bishop Artemije.