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Belgrade: Serbia’s intention in organizing local elections in Kosovo is completely fair; Serbia does not intend to provoke anybody; The elections have been announced because the areas inhabited by Serbs need representatives chosen in a democratic way – said Serbian Minister for Kosovo-Metohija Slobodan Samardzic on Wednesday.

Patriarch Alexius II, the current Patriarch of Moscow and of All-Russia and the primate of the Russian Orthodox Church, yesterday expressed support for the Serbia’s position on unilateral declaration of Kosovo independence.

The Czech Communist Party yesterday introduced in the parliament, a draft law which, if passed, would ban the government to recognize Kosovo’s independence, said the Czech Communist Party Whip Pavel Kovalcik.

Antonio Milososki, Macedonian Foreign Minister stated on Wednesday that his country, as far as the recognition of Kosovo’s unilaterally proclaimed independence was in question, was on standby.

Serbian Prime Minister, Vojislav Kostunica yesterday stated that signing the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) with the EU would be signing away Kosovo’s independence. He said Serbia can defend Kosovo so long as it does not sign off on a document giving away part of its territory.

Olli Ilmari Rehn, the European Commissioner for Enlargement, yesterday stated that Serbia should try and establish good neighborly relations with Kosovo.

It was the question that created a lot of hue and cry among the staunch Serbian supporters. Yes, the President Boris Tadic got under fire when a daily yesterday reported that Thaci had said that he had met and greeted Tadic at the Security Council session.

Vuk Jeremic, the Foreign Minister in the Government of Serbia, yesterday stated that the upcoming elections are historic, but whichever party emerges triumphant, policy on Kosovo will not change.

Vuk Draskovic, the Serbian Renewal Movement (SPO) leader, yesterday stated that Serbia is doomed if it does not choose the European path at the next elections.

Pristina: The Kosovo President Fatmir Sejdiu yesterday stated that NATO will stay in Kosovo, and Kosovo Security Forces will be formed according to NATO criteria. He said NATO forces in Kosovo have a large role to play.