Post by rex362 on Feb 26, 2008 13:23:33 GMT -5
BELGRADE, Feb 26 (Reuters) - Serbia should stop servicing Kosovo's foreign debt now the territory has declared independence, and instead spend the money on Serbian communities there, Economy Minister Mladjan Dinkic said on Tuesday.
He also warned Serbia risked losing foreign investment because of the political tensions, saying General Motors had cancelled a visit and some Italian companies were discussing selling land they had bought for development in Serbia.
Dinkic, a liberal in a government dominated by nationalist Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica, said Serbia had to agree with international creditors to stop servicing Kosovo's debt after the Albanian majority declared independence on Feb. 17.
Serbia lost control of Kosovo in 1999 but has continued to service the debt at a cost of some $150 million a year as part of efforts to maintain its claim on the territory.
"Under the circumstances, Serbian taxpayers' money will go to Albanians ... That's insane," he told a news conference at his party's headquarters. "We should save the money and redirect it to strengthen the Serbian communities in Kosovo."
Dinkic conceded the government was not unanimous on what to do with the debt, which the Serbian central bank calculates at some $1.3 billion at the end of 2007.
The money, owed mainly to the World Bank, was allocated to Kosovo in the 1980s when it was an autonomous province of Serbia within what was then Yugoslavia. Dinkic said the issue would be discussed with World Bank officials, due in Belgrade next week. Continued..
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some not all of that money was used for serbian elements within kosova surly not for 90% of Albanians ...
and another thing ....them belgrados just discussing this item also means the they are ready to recognize Kosova as independent ....
;D ;D.....and they will most likely close their own embassy/consulate in Belgrade... ;D
in other words ..."Kosova split ..why should we pay their bill ".....so its like they accepted the divorce .... ;D
He also warned Serbia risked losing foreign investment because of the political tensions, saying General Motors had cancelled a visit and some Italian companies were discussing selling land they had bought for development in Serbia.
Dinkic, a liberal in a government dominated by nationalist Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica, said Serbia had to agree with international creditors to stop servicing Kosovo's debt after the Albanian majority declared independence on Feb. 17.
Serbia lost control of Kosovo in 1999 but has continued to service the debt at a cost of some $150 million a year as part of efforts to maintain its claim on the territory.
"Under the circumstances, Serbian taxpayers' money will go to Albanians ... That's insane," he told a news conference at his party's headquarters. "We should save the money and redirect it to strengthen the Serbian communities in Kosovo."
Dinkic conceded the government was not unanimous on what to do with the debt, which the Serbian central bank calculates at some $1.3 billion at the end of 2007.
The money, owed mainly to the World Bank, was allocated to Kosovo in the 1980s when it was an autonomous province of Serbia within what was then Yugoslavia. Dinkic said the issue would be discussed with World Bank officials, due in Belgrade next week. Continued..
..........................
some not all of that money was used for serbian elements within kosova surly not for 90% of Albanians ...
and another thing ....them belgrados just discussing this item also means the they are ready to recognize Kosova as independent ....
;D ;D.....and they will most likely close their own embassy/consulate in Belgrade... ;D
in other words ..."Kosova split ..why should we pay their bill ".....so its like they accepted the divorce .... ;D