Radojevic: Introduction of the Law on Foreigners is ethnic cleansing of Serbs through administrative means

The Mayor of North Mitrovica, Milan Radojevic, warned that the possible entry into force of the Law on Foreigners and the Law on Motor Vehicles would represent the ethnic cleansing of Serbs through administrative means.

Appearing on TV Pink, he stated that March is always a difficult month for Serbs in Kosovo because of painful memories of the bombing, then March 17, and now the approaching March 15, when the Law on Foreigners and the Law on the Operation of Motor Vehicles with authorizations are set to enter into force.

“This is causing concern among Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija, especially for us in the north. We warned the international community about this law and said that its entry into force can only bring problems to Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija, because it represents ethnic cleansing through administrative means. Not military, not with weapons, but through administrative means,” Radojevic said.

As he emphasized, Serbs who have lived in Kosovo for decades, even centuries, would be declared foreigners once this law enters into force and would have to register their residence if they do not have valid Kosovo documents.

“A large number of Serbs cannot obtain documents due to administrative obstacles imposed by the Pristina authorities. I will give you an example: we have a wife originally from Central Serbia who lives in Kosovo and Metohija but does not possess documents, so she must register her residence. If she does not do so, she could be expelled from Kosovo and Metohija for one year. This is causing great concern among Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija,” Radojevic said.

Regarding the arrest of Serbs in Suvo Grlo, Radojevic said that an atmosphere of fear is being created among Serbs in Kosovo.

“This is the Croatian scenario that we saw with our compatriots who lived in Croatia and were later expelled. Decades later, certain indictments are opened. We are talking about respected people who have lived in that village for decades, the remaining Serbs who preserve the name of the municipality of Srbica. I would like to point out that today a delegation of the Serb List will visit the families of the arrested, where a total of 21 children live. The fact that these people were arrested shows Kurti’s true intention – that those children do not see a future here and that those people wish to leave,” Radojevic stressed.

When it comes to the future of healthcare and education in Kosovo, Radojevic emphasized that any integration of healthcare and education into the Kosovo system would mean the disappearance of Serbs from Kosovo.

“In Kosovska Mitrovica there is a Clinical Hospital Center employing 2,000 workers, and the University of Pristina with temporary seat in Kosovska Mitrovica has more than 7,000 students. All these announcements of Kurti’s moves are meant to discourage students and people from staying here. This is a perfect administrative storm for Kurti, by which he would resolve the issue of Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija according to the Croatian scenario. We have a situation in which students from Central Serbia studying in Kosovska Mitrovica, if the Law enters into force, would have to report to a police station, state the reason for their stay and declare that they are studying at our University. However, they would be told that it is an illegal institution and would have to leave Kosovo. All of this is being done with the aim of expelling Serbs from these areas,” Radojevic pointed out.

Asked whether there is a possibility of postponing the implementation of the Law, Radojevic said they are in constant contact with representatives of the international community.

“I believe they have understood the scale of the problem and I think they are trying to influence Kurti. However, he has shown that he does not care about their appeals. We are waiting for March 15 and the coming period with fear,” Radojevic said.

He stated that the authorities in Pristina have formed a Government, but highlighted the deadline for electing a president, raising concerns that Kosovo could go to elections again.

“Kurti has created such a toxic atmosphere that even the mere mention of the Serb List causes concern among Albanian parties and prevents normal communication. In recent talks with KFOR leadership, we expressed concern over the verdict that is soon to be delivered to the leaders of the KLA in The Hague, which is why we requested an increased presence of KFOR, as we would not want Serbs to be declared collateral damage in that sense, whatever the verdict may be,” Radojevic stated.

He emphasized that since taking over the municipalities, Serbian mayors have been facing numerous difficulties.

“Since December 5, when we took office, we have had many problems. Numerous employees in the municipality are Albanians, more than 95 percent of them do not speak Serbian. Communication with the central level is poor, they obstruct us in performing our duties, with the assistance of the Kosovo Police, which acts as an inspection authority. The Kosovo Police are almost daily in the municipal building reviewing our decisions, which is not within their competence. However, we received a mandate from the citizens and we will do everything to introduce all the changes. All mayors have a clear goal, we will bring the changes for which we received the trust of the citizens,” Radojevic said.