Serbia to take Kosovo issue to ICJ in September
Serbia plans to take the Kosovo issue to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), following September’s session of United Nations General Assembly, Belgrade’s Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic said.
(KosovoCompromise Staff) Monday, March 24, 2008
Jeremic said Serbia was mobilizing the majority of 192 member-states behind the Belgrade's motion.
"Should a majority of members decide to back this motion, it would demonstrate disagreement with imposing a solution, as represented in the unilateral proclamation of the independence of our southern province. It would have not only a practical effect in seeking a legal opinion, but would demonstrate in the political sense that a majority of UN members do not agree with the imposing of a solution for this complex ethnic and political conflict," Jeremic said.
Contrary to widespread expectations, just 33 countries have recognized the Kosovo's unilaterally declared independence.
Jeremic said Serbia had been securing support from key regional powers around the world - he visited Libya last week and is heading for Vietnam this week.
In the meantime, Venezuela and Bolivia said they would not recognize Kosovo's secession.
"We do not recognize the independence of Kosovo," Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said in a nationally televised address. "This could end in a disaster."
Chavez said Venezuela would join Russia, China, Spain, Romania and other countries in condemning the declaration.
"This cannot be accepted. It's a very dangerous precedent for the entire world," he said.
Bolivia - one of Venezuela's closest South American allies - has also refused to recognize Kosovo's independence. President Evo Morales compared Kosovo separatists to the leaders of four eastern Bolivian states who have demanded greater autonomy from the federal government.
