MIP Against Law on Religious Freedoms in Kosovo
BETA - January 5, 2005

(FBIS Translated Excerpt)

Belgrade, 5 Jan (BETA) -- The Serbia-Montenegro Foreign Ministry (MIP) has today condemned the bill on religious freedoms in Kosovo, saying that the bill "is aimed directly against the Serbian Orthodox Church."

A MIP statement expects UNMIK (UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo) chief Soren Jessen-Petersen to block the application of the law, if it is passed.

The MIP singled out as particularly disputed the provision that "all religious leaders have to be citizens of Kosovo," with which "a Kosovo state religion is being proclaimed."

The statement says that, according to the bill on religious freedoms in Kosovo, "the patriarch, bishops, and the entire Orthodox priesthood would practically be banned from conducting religious activities in Kosovo and Metohija." (passage omitted)

(Description of Source: Belgrade BETA in Serbian -- independent Belgrade press agency BETA)

Belgrade BETA in Serbian 1523 GMT 5 Jan 05

FBIS Document Number: FBIS-EEU-2005-0105

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