Covic and Krstic warns that Haradinaj Indictment Will Lead To Attacks On Serbs

Covic and Krstic warns: Haradinaj into the Hague Tribunal, then attacks on Serbs
Blic - January 5, 2004

'Raising of indictment against Ramush Haradinaj the actual Kosovo Prime Minister, by the Hague Tribunal would lead to protest by Albanians that would turn into social unrest. The first victim would be the remaining Serb population', Nebojsa Covic, Chief of Coordination Center for Kosovo and Metohija and General Ninoslav Krstic, former joint chief of security forces in the south of Serbia claim. That was their comment to the report made by International Crisis Group by which Kosovo was categorized as the most risky zone in the world.

'Potential indictment by Haradinaj, 'some acts by Serbia Government' and unreadiness of the international community to face with serious problems in the province are the chief reasons that made the International Crisis Group to make such evaluation', James Lion, director of ICG for Serbia said.

'ICG report is realistic to a considerable extent in some of the segments. However, it avoids qualifications that it should have thus giving room to theatre', Covic says. 'One of the versions of such theatre is that Haradinaj voluntarily turns himself in to the Hague Tribunal and is released several months later. That would be a proof that democratic standards are being introduced in Kosovo and reason for further pressures on Belgrade because of non-cooperation with the Tribunal', Covic says.

'Another scenario could be that Haradinaj turns himself voluntarily in, but that his act is followed by huge protests organized by Albanian war veterans. Of course, the protests would include the union and would have to be, by no means, absolutely spontaneous. In Kosovo there are armed groups ready for violence. Actually such groups have been present there for five years already. They are trained by foreign agencies. The joystick is in the hands of the international community. In Kosovo nothing happens spontaneously', Covic concludes.

'Kosovo is the territory of crime and training camps for terrorists. The only new detail is potential indictment against Haradinaj. That indictment could lead to protest that would turn into violence against Serbs of March 17. International forces could be attacked, too', General Ninoslav Krstic warns for 'Blic'.