Kostunica won't meet
with Hague lawyer

BELGRADE, Yugoslavia -- The vice-president of Yugoslav President Vojislav Kostunica's Democratic Party of Serbia, Aleksandar Popovic, stated yesterday that the president would not meet with The Hague chief prosecutor Carla Del Ponte during her visit to Yugoslavia on Jan. 23.

This latest development follows Kostunica's announcement Saturday that the Yugoslav government would not allow the extradition of its citizens to The Hague War Crimes Tribunal.

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Speaking at a press conference, Popovic said that Kostunica could receive presidents of states or foreign ministers but that "Del Ponte is not either, she is not even a foreign minister or an ambassador presenting her credentials."

"Mr. Kostunica's day lasts 24 hours, and Mrs. Del Ponte is not high enough in any hierarchy for Mr. Kostunica to receive her," continued Popovic.

Asked whether there was a danger of the "international community" applying sanctions as it did against former president Slobodan Milosevic when he refused cooperation with the tribunal, Popovic stated that he didn't think such a danger existed at this point but "perhaps in several months' time."

"In any case, we are open to all sorts of negotiations, even regarding the models of cooperation with the tribunal. There is a minimum of our interests that we will defend. Even if such a threat exists, it is not direct, and I believe that we can remove it in time," concluded Popovic.

This stance drew criticism from some of the other members of the Democratic Opposition of Serbia.

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Vojin Dimitrijevic, professor of international law and member of the internationalist-minded Citizens' Alliance, declared that "this was not a smart move" and that Kostunica seemed to be "punishing" someone.

"Had he received her and said something to her, it would have been a verbal message. Since he didn't receive her, it is some sort of a symbol. It means that he wants to punish her. Whether he is punishing her or all the previous prosecutors, I don't know. ... It seems that he is punishing the entire tribunal," said Dimitrijevic.

Dimitrijevic further alluded to the possibility that Kostunica's stance might affect the amount of money that is supposed to flow into the country.

"I think that this move takes the matter out of the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Justice and the Foreign Ministry and broaches the sphere of the Ministry for External Economic Relations," commented Dimitrijevic.

Vladan Batic, future justice minister of Serbia, and a close political ally of former Bosnian Serb leader Biljana Plavsic -- who voluntarily turned herself in to the tribunal last week -- thinks that the refusal to meet Del Ponte will probably cause negative reactions in the "international community."

"I know that the mere mention of The Hague brings about negative connotations and that it is viewed, probably rightly, in a negative context, but unfortunately, The Hague is a reality, an institution of the U.N. It is a political reality that must be acknowledged and, thus, I don't think it a heresy to talk with Carla Del Ponte. One must speak with one's political opponents and with the representatives of those countries and institutions toward which we may not be inclined, but it is an axiom of diplomacy that you must talk," said Batic on B92.

It is, of course, quite clear that Carla Del Ponte does not need to meet with Kostunica in order to bring her message across, or even to establish a mode of cooperation with Yugoslavia. She seeks a meeting with the Yugoslav head of state in order to strengthen the legitimacy of the controversial institution she represents.

Vojislav Kostunica does not have the power or the instruments to put an end to the tribunal's workings, but does have the power -- and the mandate -- to preserve the dignity of the country he heads and the institutions that make it up. So, Carla Del Ponte may indeed come to Yugoslavia and may come away with an agreement of some sort, but she will not get the photo opportunity that she would most prize.

Related stories:

Kostunica irks Hague Tribunal

Bosnian Serb leader turns herself in

Aleksandar Pavic in Belgrade has covered Yugoslavia's historic election and its dramatic aftermath for WorldNetDaily.com.