SERBIA: REFUGEE COORDINATOR WEEKLY ACTIVITY REPORT: MARCH

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BELGRADE 000264

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PREF PGOV PHUM SR KV
SUBJECT: SERBIA: REFUGEE COORDINATOR WEEKLY ACTIVITY REPORT: MARCH
10-14, 2008

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TENSE COORDINATION MEETING FOLLOWING ARREST OF SERB IDP IN
KOSOVO

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1. (SBU) On March 14, refcord attended a Danish Refugee Council
(DRC) an internally displaced persons (IDP) coordination session
in Belgrade. DRC, in coordination with the United Nations High
Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) regularly meets with IDP
representatives across Serbia, usually ahead of return-related
activities, such as meetings with municipal returns authorities
or go-and-see visits (GSVs),to gather first-hand
recommendations and insights from IDPs on the return process.
Discussions were tense and largely focused on the March 12
detainment of IDP Momcilo Jovanovic on suspicion of war crimes
while participating in a DRC GSV in Kosovo. IDPs demanded an
explanation for his detainment, fearing they too might be
apprehended if they participate in future GSVs. Several IDPs
were concerned the arrest was a form of intimidation by Kosovo
authorities to discourage Serb returns. UNHCR Senior Protection
Officer John Young explained that UNHCR and DRC were closely
tracking the Jovanovic case. Young said that UNHCR and DRC were
doing everything possible to ensure the safety and rights of
those participating in GSVs and planned to resume return
activities as quickly as possible. DRC and UNHCR are currently
evaluating the vetting process associated with GSVs, which are
on hold for the time being.

SERBIAN RED CROSS TO CONTINUE SERVICES IN KOSOVO

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2. (SBU) On March 14, refcord met with Vesna Milenovic,
Secretary General of the Serbian Red Cross to discuss Red Cross

SIPDIS
activity in Kosovo. In a frank discussion, Milenovic reminded
refcord how important it was for the GOS to "protect a Kosovo
and Metohia that will always be a part of Serbia." Reading from
GOS talking points, she said the international community was
"trying to take away an integral part" of Serbia. She
immediately followed these remarks with an apology for the
February 21 attack on the U.S. Embassy. "Violence is
unacceptable, though you can imagine that Serbs are angry and
upset by what is happening to Kosovo," she said. She told
refcord the Serbian Red Cross would continue to provide
humanitarian assistance, particularly to Serb enclaves in
Kosovo, under the principals of the International Red Cross and
Red Crescent Movement. Milenovic was not confident the Red
Cross of Kosova had either the capacity or the will to provide
services to all populations in Kosovo. She is planning a visit
to Kosovo in April.

NGOs OUTLINE PROGRESS, FUTURE CHALLENGES FOR IDPs IN SERBIA

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3. (SBU) On March 12, refcord met with representatives of PRM
local implementing NGOs to discuss their views on future
prospects and solutions for IDPs in Serbia following Kosovo's
declaration of independence. Participants included Nada Culjak-
Banjac and Goran Basta of the Balkan Center for Migration,
Slavica Milunovic of Bozur, Mirko Vukcevic of Solidanost and
Vladimir Cucic of War Affected Persons Relief and Protection
Committee.


4. (SBU) NGO representatives reported an increase in recent
weeks for IDP requests for assistance, particularly for income
generation activities. Milunovic attributed most of the
inquiries to an increase of IDPs who have resolved to remain in
Serbia and were looking for opportunities to "make ends meet for
their families." Culjak-Banjac said that requests for legal
assistance, including regularization of personal documentation,
were on the rise both for those IDPs hoping to returnto Kosovo
(to confirm ownership of property for example) and those who
wish to regularize their status in Serbia.


5. (SBU) Culjak- Banjac and Basta told refcord that although
many IDPs they had met with in recent weeks continued to express
a desire to return to Kosovo, most were not prepared to accept
the new reality on the ground in Kosovo. "They want to return
to their place of origin, but refuse to accept an independent
Kosovo." Culjak-Banjac said. Cucic and Vukcevic felt that
although the Kosovo Serb communities had thus far responded
positively to requests by GOS officials to remain in their
homes, their day to day lives would continue to deteriorate so
long as they are pressured to demonstrate their loyalty to
Serbia. Culjak-Banjac said there would be no change in the near
future in GOS policy to continue to promote IDP returns to
Kosovo. She hoped however that if democratic forces prevailed
in May elections, there would be a "subtle acceptance" of
integration-focused programs.


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DCM MEETS WITH IOM

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6. (SBU) On March 14, DCM met with Gregoire Goodstein, Chief of
Mission for the International Organization for Migration (IOM)
in Serbia. He described IOM programming in Serbia, including
helping the Ministry of Defense to support some 1,850 redundant
defense personnel transition into the civilian labor market via
the NATO PFP Trust Fund, building capacity for GOS bodies who
work with refugees and IDPs, and providing technical assistance
to Serbian and Croatian border police to enhance cross-border
cooperation on anti-trafficking and anti-smuggling.
MUNTER