Bucharest: Ambassador Tomašević on violence against the Serbian people in Kosovo and Metohija

In the Serbian province of Kosovo and Metohija, brutal violence against the Serb population is being carried out for the second week in a row, by members of the so-called special police, who are in fact disguised and institutionalized members of the former terrorist KLA, which is no different from their actions during the 1990s and the beginning of this century.

The monstrous incursions into the north of Kosovo and Metohija were justified by the fight against smuggling and the need to solve the problem of license plates, and they were followed by the forcible seizure of license plates from vehicles belonging to Serbs and incursions into shops and pharmacies. Smoke bombs and tear gas were thrown at the gathered Serbian people, who were also shot at, as a result of which one Serb was seriously wounded and doctors are fighting for his life, while dozens of Serbs were seriously and lightly injured.

The reactions from the EU and many of its members are absolutely inadequate. They, as before, are based on calling on the "parties" to refrain from further unilateral actions that contribute to instability. The Serbian people rightly perceive addressing both "sides" as turning the heads of many international actors away from the difficult fate of our people who have been left at the mercy of extremists. The question is whether any consistency or principles exist, or whether Serbs are allowed to be abused just because they are Serbs.

The international community, UNMIK and KFOR must urgently respond, condemn and prevent further violence against the Serbian people, who are in danger of being exposed to a new pogrom, with the aim of completely clearing Kosovo and Metohija of the Serb population, which has been carried out by terrorists among Kosovo Albanians on several occasions in the past, and went unpunished.

No one who has been silent so far, while the terror is being carried out against one people in the heart of Europe who live in their country, on their own hearths and for centuries on their territory, has the right to ask whether Serbia will react adequately if it had to protect its people from extermination, by facing terrorists within our territory.

Hypocrisy takes on the greatest proportions and opens space for new precedents. We will see who will stand on the side of truth, international law and justice, just as Serbia and the Serbian people have done for centuries, always defending the freedom of Europe, regardless of the price they paid. It is a matter of honor.