WIDENING THE DEMOCRATIC SPACE IN SERBIA

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BELGRADE 001744

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM SR
SUBJECT: WIDENING THE DEMOCRATIC SPACE IN SERBIA

Summary
--------------


1. (SBU) Civil society representatives report a growing sense that
right-wing groups and conservative political elements within Serbia
are stifling public speech. Threats against human rights activists,
journalists, and media outlets who provide alternative views of the
political situation continue. Post continues to condemn publicly
such threats and strongly conveys to government officials our
position that free speech is necessary for growing a stable
democracy. Civil society in Serbia is alive and functioning but
requires continued support to weather the difficult situation ahead.
End Summary.

NGOs Report Sense that Alternative Views Not Welcome
-------------- --------------


2. (SBU) Post's contacts in the human rights NGOs believe the
political space for airing alternative views is diminishing as a
Kosovo resolution approaches. Sonja Biserko of the Helsinki
Committee told poloff on December 19 that the tabloid press,
politicians, and right-wing groups had long lashed out at human
rights NGOs via public statements and multi-page newspaper spreads
decrying NGO leaders for "attacking" Serbia, break-ins at their
homes, and threatening letters to NGOs. Biserko said human rights
NGOs harmed the interests of conservative, often corrupt,
politicians and businessmen. Natasa Kandic of the Humanitarian Law
Center said such incidents were likely to increase in the coming
months. Biserko said politicians also were simply ignoring
alternative views and closing the media space. Speaking at an event
on International Human Rights Day December 10, Biljana
Kovacevic-Vuko said ordinary people believed the political climate
resembled that of the 1990s when the state stifled all dissent.

B92 Radio Show Stormed
--------------


3. (U) Threats and demonstrations against media outlets airing
alternative views also continue. Nationalist demonstrators
prevented an on-air public discussion held by popular B92 radio show
Pescanik (Hourglass),which offers political commentary often
critical of government policy. In November, the show's producers
had tried hosting the show in the central-Serbian town of
Arandjelovac, but local officials cancelled the show, citing its
"anti-Serbian character." Pescanik rescheduled the event for
December 3, but, before the discussion started, approximately 200
members of the New Serbia Party (NS - a government coalition
partner) and the Radical Party, led by Topola mayor Dragan Jovanovic
(NS),stormed the event as it was beginning. The demonstrators took
over the microphone and physically attacked some of the attendees.



4. (U) Jovanovic later defended his actions and told daily Politika
in an interview on December 5 that B92 "might be set on fire." NS
released a statement December 4, stating that the demonstration had
been an appropriate defense of Serbia and the constitutional order
from the Liberal Democratic Party's and B92's "anti-Serb campaign."
President Boris Tadic (Democratic Party) and chief of G17 Plus
(another coalition partner) Mladjan Dinkic issued statements
condemning the December 3 incident.

Encouraging Civil Society
--------------


5. (SBU) As part of post's ongoing support for media freedom and
civil society in general, on December 21, post jointly issued with
the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and eight
other embassies a press release supporting a free and independent
media, operating without fear and threats, as necessary to open
dialogue in a democratic society. Ambassador also met with Serbian
public officials to insist that they address threats against the
media. Post regularly engages with journalists and human rights
defenders and continues several programs that support an active
civil society, for example, grants to support civic education
programs.

Comment
--------------


6. (SBU) Civil society in Serbia is alive but under stress, due to
the polarizing situation surrounding Kosovo status. Such threats
are a real concern, and some of our contacts report that they fear
the international community will look the other way in the desire to
help Serbia move toward Euro-Atlantic integration. Post is working
hard to reassure journalists and human rights defenders that we
value their work as essential to democracy. As Kosovo and other
polarizing issues develop, post will continue to work with NGOs,
media, and political leaders to maintain and increase the space for
true dialogue. It is especially important that we keep sending a
message to political leaders that we will not tolerate threats
against civil society, and that we expect vigorous prosecution of
any acts against free speech. End Comment.

BELGRADE 00001744 002 OF 002



MUNTER