Vučić accused Pristina of endangering peace

(Patria) - Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić assessed tonight that the arrival of Hashim Thaçi, President of Kosovo, with members of the ROSU special police forces at the Gazivode artificial lake in northern Kosovo was a "threat of war".

The Serbian president believes that his arrival "endangered and attacked peace", and added:

"They tried to get a response from Serbia that they would use, along with parts of the international community, to demonize our country. Some international factors and parts of the Pristina media tried to demonize us and turn this visit into an ordinary walk, a coffee. As if they made a joke, they walked around with long barrels, harassed people, and returned."

Vučić, as reported by N1, pointed out that Thaçi was accompanied by between 110 and 130 members of the special police forces who were "armed with long barrels". He claims they occupied all "access roads and facilities at Gazivode". He emphasized the following:

"They harassed several individuals. They detained and held them. They have no business in northern Kosovo and Metohija with long barrels."

According to him, this violated Article Nine on the principles of relations between Serbia and Kosovo because in that part of Kosovo, the regional police commander is a person of Serbian nationality.

"Serbs knew nothing. All police officers were of Albanian nationality. And it is said that the composition of the police in the north will reflect the ethnic composition of the population. The composition was one hundred percent in favor of the Albanians who carried out a bandit raid," believes the Serbian president.

According to Vučić, 12 special forces members, 90 police officers, and an equal number of police officers in reserve ready to intervene were deployed at Gazivode.

He emphasized that the Serbian population in northern Kosovo was not informed about Thaçi's arrival, and then added:

"Today it was seen that our people have no one to rely on except themselves and the Serbian state. The reaction of the European Union is such that I would rather not comment on it. They called for restraint, and what should we refrain from? What did we do to make them break agreements?"

The Serbian President ordered the entire Serbian Army to be placed in a state of highest combat readiness on Saturday, following news that members of the Kosovo special unit ROSU were deployed in the immediate vicinity of the dam and the artificial lake Gazivode on the border of Kosovo and Serbia, reported Al Jazeera Balkans. 

Vučić characterized today's situation in northern Kosovo as a "threat of war".

He called on the Serbian population in Kosovo to remain "calm" and stated that Serbia would continue dialogue with Kosovo.

The President of Kosovo, Hashim Thaçi, visited northern Kosovo today accompanied by several dozen members of the special police forces, stating that it was a completely ordinary visit to the local population.