Zaporozac: Situation in northern Kosovo is tense; weak statements from the international community

The Vice President of the Serb List and President of the Provisional Authority of Kosovska Mitrovica, Ivan Zaporozac, emphasizes that the atmosphere in northern Kosovo has become tense following the latest police raid on Serbian institutions. He says that pressure is being exerted on Serbs, creating a sense of unease and the feeling that they are not welcome to live there, which, according to him, is the sole objective of the Pristina regime.

Speaking to RTS, Zaporozac said that the Serb List had talked with citizens after the incidents. As he said, Serbs remain determined to stay, despite the ongoing tyranny they have faced for years.

"This is no longer just about shutting down institutions; it is an attack on the most vulnerable group of our people. Tens of thousands of people relied on these institutions for assistance, basing their livelihoods on salaries from Serbia’s budget. Of course, there is fear, but we are trying through discussions and statements to reassure citizens, to show that we are here and that nothing can change the influence of these institutions," Zaporozac explained.
He noted that the Serb List had immediately spoken with employees following the Kosovo Police raid.

He clarified that the institutions themselves have not been closed – only the buildings in which they were located.

"All employees gathered at the Serb List headquarters. We conveyed a clear message from the Serbian government and the Serb List that no one will lose their job or their income, and that beneficiaries will continue to receive their payments," Zaporozac said.

As he added, they are in constant communication with the Government of Serbia and the Office for Kosovo and Metohija and that the firm commitment to ensuring no one loses their job or financial assistance helps alleviate the fear that closing the institutions would deprive people of their basic means of survival.

"When you talk to the employees, it is very difficult for them because they know they performed their jobs professionally, that they provided assistance to those in need, and that they have not broken any laws. Initially, they were frightened, but we gave them hope. Hope in the Serbian state, which has made it clear that no one will be left without a job. This has brought a sense of calm and unity, which is essential. We must stand together to remain and endure in this region," he stated.

Zaporozac accused the authorities in Pristina of distorting the facts regarding these institutions.

"There is no evidence that anyone from the Center for Social Work influenced the electoral process. It is, in fact, Pristina that has tried to manipulate the elections through their own proxies, buying votes and offering various forms of assistance. These institutions were only engaged in their official duties and never interfered with voters’ choices. They claim that four employees in Zubin Potok attempted to sway voters, but the truth is that they were simply doing their jobs," he said.

Zaporozac stated that Serbs are "fed up with the weak statements" from the international community, which lead nowhere.

"We have sent letters to the embassies of the Quint countries, the EU Office in Kosovo, and the US Embassy. We expect them to finally put an end to the tyranny of the Pristina regime. These mild statements mean nothing to us. The Serb List’s position is that weak responses do not contribute to stabilizing the situation. If they truly believe that closing institutions is wrong and that these issues should be resolved through negotiations, then they should work to restore the previous state of affairs. The reality on the ground is completely different," he said.

We will not allow the will of the people to be changed

Regarding the electoral process, Zaporozac pointed out that if the voting had taken place in China, the vote counting would have already been completed by now.

"It is clear that an atmosphere is being created where someone is trying to alter the will of the people. On the first night, when we had the election results from all Serbian-majority areas, it was evident that we had secured ten parliamentary seats. What is happening now is an attempt to change those results. In the last elections, we saw a Bosniak party receive votes in areas where no Bosniaks live. Now, we have a so-called 'Serbian list' gaining votes in places where no Serbs live, while votes are being taken away from certain parties and allocated to this so-called Serbian option. We will not allow the will of the people to be altered. The Serbs have clearly expressed their choice and the path they want to take. The Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija have demonstrated that they support the policies of Serbia and the Serb List. We will not allow the election process to be manipulated outside of the polling stations," Zaporozac explained.

He also pointed out that Albin Kurti, having failed to achieve results in the economy and other areas, has now turned to confronting the Serbs.

"Since he sees that he will not be able to form a government on his own, he has decided to continue his confrontation with the Serbs and Serbian institutions. The fact remains that a brave Serbian people live in Kosovo and Metohija – people who have endured a great deal but have stayed and decided not to leave their homes. Nothing Kurti does now will make us leave. If there is another election process, the Serb List will participate, knowing that the oppression will continue, but we will win even more votes," Zaporozac concluded.