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March 14, 2003 - Assassination of the Serbian Prime Minister Mr. Zoran Djindjic |
Arrests made, evidence found | 22:54 | Beta
BELGRADE -- Friday – The Serbian government announced this evening that 136 people have been detained in the past 24 hours in connection with the assassination of Serbian Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic.
One of those arrested has sought protected witness status and is at present making a statement in the office of the Special Prosecutor.
Of the 136 people who have been detained, 125 have been remanded on 30-day custody orders, making a total of 181 people remanded in custody since the state of emergency was declared.
A number of those arrested were found in possession of illegal weapons, several stolen vehicles and a large quantity of drugs, including 1.7 Kg of heroin.
In its statement, the government also said that a large quantity of other evidence had been found which proved the existence of a well-organized criminal empire.
French Ambassador in Belgrade:
Pressures on Serbia were too strong
Belgrade - 'Certain pressures on Serbia were, no doubt, too strong. Anyway the strongest ones have not come from European Union. France has never thought that the policy of setting of conditions is the most efficient one in supporting democratic forces. I hope that our stance will now be more listened to', French Ambassador in Belgrade Gabriel Keller said in his interview with 'Blic' daily on the occasion of request by Serbian authorities that the pressure of international community be decreased.
Q: What is your stance regarding initiative by Peter Schieder for urgent admittance of Serbia and Montenegro to the Council of Europe?
A: 'This initiative is welcome. France has been supporting such stance for a long time already'.
Q: What is your opinion about the situation in Serbia after assassination of Serbian Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic?
A: 'The authorities reacted well when they organized peaceful transition claiming that the process of reforms will be continued and criminals brought to justice'.
Q: Do you think that it would be necessary, for some period at least and having in mind situation in the country to decrease pressure on the authorities in Belgrade regarding requests for cooperation with the Hague Tribunal?
A: 'That cooperation is international obligation of Serbia and Montenegro. The fact that Mladic and others are still not arrested is only an additional factor of destabilization. We should find a way that the criminals are arrested and that at the same time the democratic forces are not jeopardized. Serbia has to have a unique stance on that matter'.
Slobodan Orlic for 'Blic' daily:
New Premier as of next week
Belgrade - 'Next week Serbian Parliament will elect new Prime Minister. DOS has agreed that Democratic Party should get that position', Slobodan Orlic, SDP co-president and also federal Secretary for information says for 'Blic' daily.
DS vice president Zoran Zivkovic is most frequently being mentioned as candidate for new Serbian Prime Minister. 'DOS will support any candidate that Democratic Party should appoint', Orlic said.
Dragoljub Micunovic:
All democratic forces to get together
Belgrade - Speaker in the Parliament of Serbia and Montenegro Dragoljub Micunovic said that he would undertake the task that all democratic forces that support changes in Serbia get together again.
'Whoever wants to join the democratic front is welcome. We shall forget the differences. Who doesn't want to join us, let us be said so', Micunovic said in his interview with B92 Radio. He confirmed that by saying this he also had in mind Democratic Party of Serbia and its leader Vojislav Kostunica. 'However, that decision has to be made quickly because there is no time to waste or hesitate', Micunovic said.
Serbian Interior Ministry announced to be using all available means
Eight suspects still at large
Belgrade, Banja Luka - 'In extensive investigation carried out for the purpose of finding the assassins, helpers and those that gave order for the assassination of Serbian Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic the Home Ministry is using all available police-technical means', this ministry announced.
'Police-security structures of all European countries contribute to this investigation to large extent. Apart from that we are having enormous help from and support of Serbian citizens and the neighboring countries. Today several persons were arrested thanks to information we got from the citizens. Citizens helped us to find out where the leaders of this gang were in days shortly before assassination of Serbian Prime Minister. We appreciate all information we got and that helped us in our work', the Police said.
The eight main suspects, however, are still at large.
Marten Board International exclusively for 'Blic' daily
Finding assassins priority
Belgrade - In the period March 13-14, 2003 Belgrade Center for marketing research Marten Board International, licensed partner of BMRB of London, conducted public opinion research in cooperation with 'Blic' daily about actual events in the republic of Serbia.
Large majority /85 per cent/ thinks that the contribution of Zoran Djindjic to reforms and development of democracy in Serbia was decisive and enormous. Only 3.1 per cent think that his contribution was small, while 1.7 per cent believe that he gave no contribution.
Most of the citizens /33 per cent/ do not see any politician that can successfully replace Djindjic. Ten per cent of them think that politician is Nebojsa Covic, nine per cent Miroljub Labus and 6.1 per cent Zoran Zivkovic.
Almost 90 per cent of citizens are sure that reforms will be continued.
As first priority of Serbian Government, citizens see arrest of assassins of the Prime Minister and continuation of fight against organized crime. Continuation of economic reforms is also seen as priority.
Kostunica for concentration government
Belgrade - DSS leader Vojislav Kostunica said yesterday for 'Blic' daily that formation of concentration government of Serbia was the best way to pull the country out of crisis after assassination of Serbian Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic.
'If the crisis in Serbia could not have been avoided, if the tragic murder of Premier Zoran Djindjic could not have been avoided, then it is obvious that a lot more of power will be needed to overcome that crisis. If those that are in Serbian Government could not have prevented this, how could they prevent what might happen in the future and that could be even more serious danger', Kostunica said.
According to him invitation to concentration government should be sent to all parliamentary parties in Serbia, but also to some relevant parties outside the Parliament such as G17, NDS and SPO.
He repeated the stance of DSS that 'introduction of extraordinary measures is undemocratic means because it weakens the rights and freedoms of citizens, media and especially institutions, while it should be vice versa'.
Bodies of missing Kosovo Serbs identified | 22:35 | Beta
MERDARE -- Friday – Families today identified the bodies of two Serbs missing in Kosovo from clothing and personal belongings exhumed with the bodies from the Muslim cemetery in the Kosovo town of Djakovica.
Pathologist Slavisa Dobricanin said that the 37 bodies exhumed were all of people from the local region.
Most were Serbs but several Roma were among them.
“Some were killed by firearms, some by blows from a blunt instrument, as evidenced by multiple fractures. One of the bodies showed signs of torture and had been tied up before death,” said Dobricanin.
About sixty families from Serbia and Montenegro attended today’s inspection of clothing and personal belongings, which was
organized by UNMIK police and Belgrade’s Kosovo Coordination Centre.
More are expected to attend tomorrow.
Seventeen arrests over Iraq arms sales | 22:01 | Beta
BIJELJINA -- Friday – Public prosecutors in the Bosnian Serb city of Bijeljina today issued indictments of seventeen people in connection with the illegal export of arms and military equipment to Iraq.
They include five executives of the Orao arms company, five present and one former military officials and officers from the Republic of Srpska Customs Service, a local court announced.
Several members of the Republic of Srpska Defense Minister committee set up to probe into alleged violations of the Iraqi arms embargo last year have also been arrested as accessories after the fact.
They include Bosnian Serb Army chief of staff General Momir Zec, and other senior military and
defense department officials.
They are charged with having attempted to conceal evidence of crime by claiming that no equipment or technical assistance had ever been supplied to Iraq by Orao.
Federal government to be elected on Monday | 21:57 | Beta
BELGRADE -- Friday – The inaugural sitting of the Parliament of Serbia-Montenegro is to resume on Monday, Speaker Dragoljub Micunovic announced today.
At that session, President Svetozar Marovic will propose a cabinet line-up of which he will be prime minister ex officio.
Marovic today amended his proposal to include Democratic Party deputy leader Boris Tadic as minister for
defense instead of Zoran Zivkovic, who is widely tipped as the new Serbian prime minister.
Djindjic bodyguard “stable” | 20:42 | Beta
BELGRADE -- Friday – The Belgrade Emergency Centre today reported that the condition of bodyguard Milan Veruovic, wounded in the assassination of Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic on Wednesday, is now stable.
The Centre’s medical director, Mihailo Mitrovic, said that Veruovic was under close observation but that there had been “no major change” in his condition.
Pope condemns assassination as “barbaric” | 18:35 | Beta
VATICAN CITY -- Friday – The head of the Catholic Church, Pope John Paul II has sent a message of condolence for what he described as the “tragic assassination” of the Serbian prime minister.
The pope had received the news “with sorrow and concern” and condemned “this barbaric act of violence,” said Vatican diplomat Cardinal Angelo Sodamo in a telegram sent to Belgrade today.
Montenegrins mark anniversary of Belgrade Agreement | 18:30 | Beta
PODGORICA -- Friday – A senior official of Montenegro’s governing Democratic Party of Socialists has marked the anniversary of the Belgrade Agreement, describing it as the best possible project for both Montenegro and Serbia.
Miodrag Vukovic told Radio Free Europe that there had been no alternative to the agreement, despite the many objections then and still to the new federal state it led to.
Despite the difficulties in the state union, particularly following the death of Serbian Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic, Vukovic said that he was optimistic that Montenegro would move rapidly towards economic and democratic reform and the Serbia was facing a peaceful process of
democratization.
One leader of the Together for Changes coalition, Zoran Zizic, also said that the new state was the best route to European integration, adding that the agreement had been implemented more rapidly than expected.
The political leader of the Liberal Alliance, Miodrag Zivkovic warned that Montenegro would be completely
marginalized in the new state, with everything of importance being handled in Belgrade, despite Montenegrin Svetozar Marovic’s election as president.
Belgrade Assembly legitimizes demolition | 18:17 | Beta
BELGRADE -- Friday – The Belgrade City Assembly this afternoon announced that it had successfully completed demolition of an illegally-constructed building in the suburb of Zemun.
The 2,087 square metre building was owned by Dusan “Siptar” Spasojevic and Mileta “The Godfather” Lukovic.
Spasojevic and Lukovic are leaders of the Zemun Gang and two of the prime suspects in the assassination of Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic.
The Belgrade Assembly added that the heavily fortified building was removed in line with legal regulations.
Prodi to attend funeral | 18:03 | FoNet
BELGRADE -- Friday – The president of the European Commission, Romano Prodi, is to attend the funeral of Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic tomorrow, representing the European Union.
Brussels has signaled its support for the democratic authorities in Serbia-Montenegro by announcing that it’s most senior official, European Commission President Romano Prodi, is to attend the funeral of Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic tomorrow.
The president of the British Privy Council and government leader in the House of Commons, Robin Cook, will also attend, the British Embassy in Belgrade announced today.
Social partners are ready to help stabilize situation in country
17:31 BELGRADE , March 14 (Tanjug) - The Serbian Social-Economic Council said in a statement released after its special session on Friday that social partners - three representative trade unions and employers - had voiced readiness to help
stabilize the situation in the country during the state of emergency.
The Council strongly condemned the murder of Serbian Premier Zoran Djindjic.
Police demolish Zemun Gang fortress | 17:23 | B92
BELGRADE -- Friday – Heavy police forces have begun demolishing a building owned by Zemun Gang leader Dusan Spasojevic in the Belgrade suburb of Zemun.
B92’s Dejan Jeremic reports that the police entered the heavily secured building and began tearing it down at 3.00 p.m.
One bulldozer has rammed into a cafe on the ground floor while another has begun demolishing the residential section of the fortress.
Djelic says Serbia's stability is not threatened | 16:53 | Tanjug
WASHINGTON - We have to show that Serbia's stability has not been threatened after the murder of Premier Zoran Djindjic and that we will continue our decisive efforts aimed at implementing economic reforms, Serbian Finance Minister Bozidar Djelic has said.
Speaking for the Voice of America, Djelic voiced determination for reviewing some key issues in the country, such as the judiciary, prosecutors' offices, police and army
organizations in order to base the economic reforms on a much stronger legal system.
German ministers to attend Djindjic’s funeral | 15:29 | Beta
BERLIN -- Friday – German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer and Minister for Cooperation and Development Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul are to attend tomorrow’s funeral of assassinated PM Zoran Djindjic.
Djindjic knew many leading politicians of the ruling Social Democrat-Green coalition personally from the time he lived in the German cities of Konstanz and Frankfurt during the seventies and eighties.
Wednesday’s German coverage of the Prime Minister’s assassination, and his obvious popularity, far exceeded the size and international significance of the country he served.
Mourning day in Republica Srpska tomorrow | 15:06 | FoNet
BANJA LUKA -- Friday – The Republica Srpska Government has declared
Saturday, 15 March, a national day of mourning in honor of slain Serbian
Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic.
The proposal to proclaim tomorrow as a national day of mourning was
made by the Alliance of Independent Social Democrats, headed by former
PM Milorad Dodik, and the government today accepted the suggestion.
As a mark of respect, flags will fly at half-mast and all cultural,
sporting and other public events will begin with a minute of silence.
Lengthy waits at border crossings | 14:50 | Beta
BELGRADE -- Friday – The Serbian Customs Bureau today announced extended
waiting periods at the country’s border crossings, from 20 minutes to
four hours.
The delays are due to detailed checks being carried out on passengers,
and the Federal Information Ministry has announced the expected waiting
times for a number of the customs checkpoints:
At the Romanian border crossing of Djerdap, customs checkpoint Karatas,
passengers can expect to wait around three hours before being able to
exit the country.
At the Hungarian border crossing of Horgos passengers can expect a delay
of anywhere between 20 minutes and two hours when leaving Serbia.
The remainder of the country’s main border crossings are operating to
normal time frames, despite the increased security measures.
Police seize Zemun gang’s fortress | 13:36 | B92
BELGRADE -- Friday – Heavily armed law enforcement officers today seized
the home of Zemun gang leader Dusan Spasojevic in Silerova Street, Zemun.
B92’s on-the-spot correspondent reports that the police have entered
the fortified complex, as well as forcing their way into the building
at 11 Zagorska Street, adjacent to the infamous fortress.
The police have sealed off the immediate area and gathered journalists
and members of the public are watching from a distance.
Bulldozers, trucks and heavy plant machinery have been stationed around
the building and it has been announced that the building is to be demolished.
Government holds memorial ceremony | 13:26 | B92
BELGRADE -- Friday – A memorial service has just been held in the Serbian
government building.
Deputy Prime Minister Marko Koran addressed the attendees, who included
members of Djindjic’s family and friends, Serbian and Montenegrin government
officials and members of the clergy.
Koran, who said that the previous two years, with Djindjic at the helm,
could very well be the most significant in the country’s history, also
emphasized that the faith of reformers in Serbia is such that their
significance is only posthumously recognized.
Science in service of Serbian railway | 13:04 | Tanjug
BELGRADE -- Friday - The Belgrade Railway Organization (ZTP) has begun
the realization of 19 projects of scientific and development research
work, the organization has said.
The projects, which were defined by the ZTP managing board, should help
in the adoption and implementation of decisions regarding the implementation
of the already defined business programme for 2003-2007.
Zivkovic the most likely candidate | 12:56 | B92
BELGRADE -- Friday – Dragoljub Micunovic, Serbia-Montenegro Parliamentary
Speaker, today said that a change of candidate for defense ministry
portfolio is possible after the assassination of Serbian PM Zoran Djindjic.
Speaking to Radio B92, Micunovic announced that the union’s next parliamentary
session, scheduled for Monday, may be postponed until Tuesday, by which
time a decision regarding a new designated Prime Minister could have
been made by the Democratic Party’s Main Committee.
First Vice-president of the Democratic Party, Zoran Zivkovic, was originally
nominated for the post of Defense Minister and is the most likely candidate
for both party president and Prime Minister to be suggested after Sunday’s
Committee session.
Serbia-Montenegro President Svetozar Marovic yesterday submitted a list
of candidates for ministerial positions, which included Zivkovic as
the candidate for the role of Defense Minister.
City centre streets to close for funeral procession | 12:20 | Beta
BELGRADE -- Friday – Belgrade’s Parking Service today announced the
closure of city centre streets that are to be used as the route of tomorrow’s
funeral procession for murdered PM Zoran Djindjic.
The Parking Service statement said that the streets in question – Kataniceva,
Mekenzijeva, Svetog Save, Beogradska, Kralja Aleksandra Boulevard and
Ruzveltova Street – will be closed between 9 pm tonight and late afternoon
tomorrow.
The service also requests that citizens, companies and organizations
remove their parked vehicles form along the route leading to the New
Cemetery.
Slovene businesses will not flee Serbia | 12:06 | B92
LJUBLJANA -- Friday – The Slovene business community is in a state of
shock after Wednesday’s assassination of PM Djindjic, but is determined
to continue investing in the country, announcing that: “despite Serbia
having difficulties, we won’t give up.”
Dmitar Polovina, Belgrade representative of the Slovenian Chamber of
Commerce, assured B92 that “Slovenian businessmen won’t get scared and
back away, because they know that Serbia is a great business chance;
and the situation has already normalized.”
Similar messages of determination and support have come from across
the Slovene business community.
Marjan Kramar, of the Slovenian Association of Exporters, also promised
that: “Slovenians won’t run away”. He believes that current short-term
businesses should be rationally resumed, although he feels it would
be good to pause and think a little when considering larger investments
in Serbia.
Zoran Jankovic, President of the Merkator mega-store chain, indicated
that the assassination would influence them only to the extent that
they will not be implementing any new decisions, although they won’t
change the current goals either. Merkator plans new investment in the
Serbian market, totaling 200 million euros and work will resume this
month.
Ljubljana oil company Petrol says it would be pointless postponing the
purchase of Serbian companies. Alojz Kovse, of Petrol-Belgrade, believes
companies that arrive on the Serbian market at this point will have
a chance because the market would appreciate their courage.
Kolinska, owner of the Serbian mineral water and soft drink company
Palanacki Kiseljak, yesterday decided to invest 1.4 million euros in
Serbia, announcing further investments by the end of the year.
Serbian citizens still queuing to pay their respects | 10:44 -> 11:34
| B92
BELGRADE -- Friday – Citizens from far and wide are still flocking to
the site of Prime Minister Djindjic’s assassination to sign the book
of remembrance and pay their personal last respects.
People were arriving at the government building throughout the night,
and a queue was again formed at 7.30 this morning.
The Serbian Government have responded by announcing that the hall of
the government building will be open until 10 am on Saturday, and a
memorial service in honor of the murdered PM will be held today.
Del Ponte to attend funeral against Svilanovic’s advice | 10:33 |
B92
BELGRADE -- Friday – The Hague’s chief prosecutor, Carla Del Ponte,
has made a personal decision to fly to Belgrade to attend Prime Minister
Djindjic’s funeral.
Federal Foreign Minister Goran Svilanovic yesterday told B92 that he
had tried to discourage The Hague official from making the trip.
Svilanovic said: "We remain resolute in carrying out the duties we have
towards the victims, and to the highest ethical values, as well as fulfill
our international obligations. However, it is her decision after all.
I told her my opinion the way I did, but I think that anything more
than that would go beyond good taste".
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