AMBASSADOR, HUMAN RIGHTS GROUPS SHARE COMMON

UNCLAS BELGRADE 000709 SIPDIS SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O.12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM SR SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR, HUMAN RIGHTS GROUPS SHARE COMMON AGENDA FOR NEW GOVERNMENT ¶1. (U) Summary: On the eve of the new government's formation, the Ambassador sat down with human rights groups to hear their concerns, discuss mutual interests, and express support for their role in civic society. The lively exchange, which took place at the Embassy, reinforced the need to work cooperatively to keep Serbia's political leadership on the path of democratic reform and Euro-Atlantic integration. End Summary. ¶2. (SBU) In a calculated show of public support for Serbia's civil society sector, the Ambassador met with key NGO leaders at the Embassy May 15. Virtually all of the most influential NGO leaders in Serbia attended, including Natasa Kandic (Humanitarian Law Center),Sonja Biserko (Helsinki Committee),Biljana Kovacevic-Vuco (Lawyers Committee for Human Rights (YUCOM)),Dragan Popovic (Youth Initiative for Human Rights),Miljenko Dereta (Civic Initiatives),Stasa Zajovic (Women in Black),Borka Pavicevic (Center for Cultural Decontamination),and Vesna Petrovic (Belgrade Center for Human Rights). Local press was also present. ¶3. (SBU) In his meeting, the Ambassador pledged the full and continued support of the USG for the courageous work of the human rights groups, and informed the assembled leaders that he would highlight the need to continue to support the work of NGO's in his first round of meetings with the new government. The Ambassador summarized some of the key issues on which the Embassy would engage with the new government (economic development, democratic principles, security programs, ICTY cooperation, and constructive policy on Kosovo and other neighbors),and urged the human rights groups assembled to work cooperatively with the new government to further their human rights agenda. ¶4. (SBU) Sonja Biserko of the Helsinki Committee began the discussion noting that the new government was "a reality for Serbia." Many concurred that last week's DSS-SRS deal to vote in Tomislav Nikolic as speaker of the Parliament had two important effects -- it left no doubt about Kostunica's anti-democratic leanings, and it ignited fear among Serbians (even within Kostunica's DSS) of a resurgence of Radical power. Miljenko Dereta of Civic Initiatives pointed out that both these developments help further the public debate on Serbia's future, clearly framing the choice between democratic reform and the alternative of isolation and economic stagnation. ¶5. (SBU) Biljana Kovacevic-Vuco of the Lawyers Committee for Human Rights expressed skepticism that they could work with a government that is constantly attacking them and calling them traitors. Others said they would find allies within government or work with institutions, not individuals. ¶6. (SBU) Dragan Popovic of the Youth Initiative for Human Rights commented that the first task of the new government should be to stop all forms of political violence; he noted that since October 2006 there have been 118 incidents against NGOs, media representatives, and minority party members. Others said they anticipated a potential backlash against them after the Kosovo decision. Ambassador Polt emphasized that the U.S. Embassy would "be here to help the first moment anything happens." ¶7. (SBU) Comment: Many NGO leaders have complained recently of an up tick in hostility directed toward them. This has been especially true of NGO's who espouse a differing (read: more realistic) view on Kosovo from the government's official line. Some of them have expressed concern that their offices - or their persons - could become targets of further threats, intimidation and/or violence once a Kosovo status decision plays out. The rhetoric of the parliamentary debate that surrounded the Nikolic election, with its hearkening back to the Milosevic- era labeling of "traitors" and "patriots" further crystallized these concerns. We will continue to insist at the highest levels that the new government ensure the safety of these organizations and their employees as part of its responsible management of a Kosovo outcome. POLT