Archive for the month of January 2010
EU prepared to maintain EULEX after 2010
Balkanblog — January 26, 2010 - 22:23
The EU is prepared to maintain its EUFOR presence in Bosnia-Herzegovina after 2010. The Council of Ministers expressed support for the Office of the High Representative and said that the conditions to close the office have not been met. The EU stressed that it will continue to support the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Bosnia in accordance with the Dayton agreement.
We mourn the loss of our father, George Planken
stplanken — January 24, 2010 - 07:45
December 12, we celebrated the birth of our newborn daughter, Sophie. Now, unfortunately, we mourn the passing of my father, George, at the age of 82.
Croatia threatened with military intervention should Bosnia hold referendum
Balkanblog — January 23, 2010 - 11:21
Croatian prime minister Jadranka Kosor is trying to ease tension after president Stjepan Mesic threatened to send military troops into Bosnia should Bosnia hold a referendum on independence. Later, Mesic softened his stance by calling his remark "a political message and not a declaration of war".
Bosnian Serb premier Milorad Dodik has threatened to hold a referendum in February, openly challenging support for the Dayton peace agreement.
UN: tension remains in northern Kosovo
Balkanblog — January 23, 2010 - 11:01
UN special representative for Kosovo, Lamberto Zannier, reported to the UN Security Council that the situation in northern Kosovo remains fragile. Tensions remain between Serbs and Kosovo Albanians.
"It is clear that UNMIK must continue to shepherd the reconstruction process and monitor the situation closely to ensure that all communities respect existing arrangements to preserve stability and that effective communication is maintained at all times," Zannier said.
UNMIK administered Kosovo from 1999 until 2008, when Kosovo declared independence.
UNMIK staff reduction by June 2010
Balkanblog — January 23, 2010 - 03:13
The United Nations Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) is planning to reduce its staff but will maintain its office in northern Kosovo at the end of June 2010. The International Civilian Office (ICO) is unaffected by this reduction.
Karadzic appeals ICTY decision to appoint council
Balkanblog — January 23, 2010 - 03:04
Not surprisingly, Radovan Karadzic has filed an appeal to fight the decision by the tribunal to appoint British lawyer Richard Harvey as his appointed legal counsel. Council was appointed after Karadzic attempted to boycott his trial.
Two Bosnian Serbs arrested on suspicion of war crimes
Balkanblog — January 21, 2010 - 18:38
Two former Bosnian Serb detention camp guards were arrested in Bosnia on suspicion of taking part in the killing of some 50 non-Serb civilians and prisoners in the war that ended in 1995.
Ratko Dronjak was commander of a detention camp near Laktasi and Dragan Rodic was a guard at the same camp.
Serbia would not support a break-up of Bosnia-Herzegovina
Balkanblog — January 18, 2010 - 19:55
Serbian president Boris Tadic said he would oppose a referendum that would split up Bosnia-Herzegovina. Serbia would risk losing intentional credibility, he said. He also said Serbia respects the Dayton peace accords. Currently, Bosnian prime minister Milorad Dodik has been threatening to hold a referendum regarding a breakup.
EULEX criticizes Serbia for parallel judicial system Kosovo
Balkanblog — January 14, 2010 - 21:57
EULEX chief Yves de Kermabon has criticized Serbia for maintaining a parallel judicial system in Serb-dominated parts in Kosovo. He stated that "there can be only one judicial system in Kosovo" and that the issue needs to be dealt with urgently.
The EULEX chief visited the Serb-majority municipality of Ranilug after Serbia appointed judges to parallel Serb courts last December.
Trial of Vojislav Seselj resumed
Balkanblog — January 13, 2010 - 21:30
The ICTY trial of Vojislav Seselj for war crimes has resumed. The trial was delayed because witnesses were threatened. Seselj was sentenced to 15 months in prison for identifying three protected witnesses.
Witnesses are now testifying behind closed doors.
Croatia elected new president
Balkanblog — January 13, 2010 - 12:20
Croatia elected a new president. Social democrat and law professor Ivo Josipovic won with over 60 percent of the votes. He vowed to fight corruption, one of the key conditions for EU membership, and to transform the nation into the "star" of Europe.
Josipovic will be sworn into office on February 18, 2010.
Kosovo police interrupts visit by Serbian minister
Balkanblog — January 13, 2010 - 12:13
Serbia's minister for Kosovo, Goran Bogdanovic, was denied access to the town of Strpce by Kosovo police because no permission was sought in advance. Serbia still considers Kosovo part of its territory and has ignored Kosovo's independence two years ago. Kosovo police escorted Bogdanovic to the border crossing at Merdare.
A spokesperson in Kosovo said the visit was allowed as a private visit but that Bogdanovic made political statements that were unscheduled.