Covic: Large-scale emigration of the Serbs from Kosovo is certain if Kurti's terror continues

The former head of the Coordination Center for Kosovo and Metohija, Nebojsa Covic, said today that it was certain that there would be a large-scale emigration of the Serbs from Kosovo if Kosovio Prime Minister Albin Kurti continued with terror directed against them, RTV reports.

"The question arises whether the international community notices that ethnic cleansing is taking place in Kosovo and Metohija, given that during the two years of Albin Kurti's rule, 11 percent of the Serbs have left Kosovo," Covic said in an interview with TV K1, discussing the security situation in Kosovo.

He assessed that violence, pressure, and repression against the Serbs had been ongoing not only during the last two years of Kurti's rule but for much longer. He also suggested that the recent events could be compared to the events of March 17, 2004.

"Albanians, of course, say that everything happened spontaneously then. Those events were preceded by roadblocks on the Pristina-Skopje highway, and shootings, and in the end, it was all used when Albanian children died. It was immediately announced that it had something to do with Serbs, which it did not. Then, like a spontaneous avalanche, more than 50,000 people started destroying everything in their path, burning Serbian houses, monasteries, and churches, and thus exerting strong pressure and conducting ethnic cleansing," Covic said.

He emphasized that ethnic cleansing had been halted at that time, but some villages had not been resettled by the Serbs to this day.

"At that time, we had a big return project, which we worked on together with UNMIK and the Americans. All the villages to which the Serbs returned, except Osojane, were burned down. Monasteries, churches, the Mother of God of Ljevis... And the political leadership, led by Ibrahim Rugova, said, 'No, it's not a problem at all! Give us independence, and everything will be resolved,'" Covic said.

He notes that Kurti enjoys support and that the Quint countries, only criticize him superficially.

"The question is, what did EULEX do and what did the OSCE do? EULEX has complete coordination of police structures in four municipalities in northern Kosovo and Metohija," Covic said.

He added that after the Serbs had left the multi-ethnic police force, EULEX should have taken control.

"But EULEX assumed the role of observers, allegedly not having executive powers. Also, EULEX has the authority to oversee the work of the courts. It should not be possible for the Serbs to spend an unlimited amount of time in prisons; detentions last for six or eight months," Covic said.

He also emphasized that KFOR must guarantee security in Kosovo.

"KFOR must guarantee security and immediately take the positions it should take. The international factor must make its stance very clear and not fabricate movements of the Serbian army or Serbian security structures. The Quint has no right to interfere in the movements of security formations in central Serbia. We have given them the right to take care of security in the territory of Kosovo and Metohija, and they should stick to that," Covic emphasized.

Covic also stated that he had never met Milan Radoicic.

"I worked in Kosovo from 2001 to 2005, and I don't know him, nor have I met him, nor was he active at that time. I have no basis to assess or judge. I don't know what his political activities are. I didn't know him, and I don't know if the late Oliver Ivanovic knew him either," Covic said.