Karadzic was the leader of the Bosnian Serbs during the war and responsible for the massacre at Srebrenica. In giving him up, Serbia has made a concession at the time of her choice and when it is strategically most beneficial for her, not for anyone else. Karadzic has been allowed to walk free for nine years by consecutive Serbian governments, denying the right of the Bosnian people to justice for their terrible loss. His arrest and that of Ratko Mladic were meant to precede the signing of the SAA, but instead have followed it.

The international media and diplomats have been quick to argue that this demonstrates that the new government is pro-European and moderate. There is talk of Serbia being offered candidate status for the EU next year. Meanwhile Serbia’s policies in Kosova are being quietly ignored.

The new government has confirmed its support for the Serb parallel structures operating in Kosovo- a creation of Serbia’s illegal elections in Kosovo. It has succeeded in ensuring that if the new EU mission, EULEX comes to Kosovo; it will come as a ‘status-neutral’ mission on the basis of Resolution 1244. It is taking Kosova to the international court to challenge the declaration of independence. It is now seeking to institutionalize and legalize the ethnic and functional partition of Kosovo through negotiations with UNMIK’s new chief.

Source: www.newkosovareport.com, 25 July 2008