SERBIA: POSITIVE RESPONSE TO TIP REPORT

UNCLAS BELGRADE 000569 DEPT FOR G/TIP SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ELAB KCRM KPAO KWMN PGOV PHUM PREL SMIG SR SUBJECT: SERBIA: POSITIVE RESPONSE TO TIP REPORT REF: STATE 58431 ¶1. (SBU) We presented the Combating Trafficking in Persons report on Serbia to Srdjan Milkovic, North Americas Division Chief at the Foreign Ministry, on June 4. Miljkovic praised other recent human rights-related reports from the Department for their accuracy and said he was eager to read the full report. ¶2. (SBU) Miljkovic asked what it would take for Serbia to be Tier 1. We summarized the criteria in the Trafficking Victims Protection Act and the recommendations for Serbia in the 2008 TIP report, highlighting the importance of access to comprehensive law enforcement data. Miljkovic acknowledged that the office of the National Coordinator was unlikely to be filed until the conclusion of national-level coaliton talks and the formation of a government. He rged that in the meantime we seek information throgh his office. He added he welcomed greater cooeration with theUSG on this issue in the coming ear. ¶3. (U) Local print media widely covered th release of the report. Most articles were straihtforward and focused on Serbia's tier ranking. One article noted Macedonia's tier rankin was lower than Serbia's, but otherwise the press avoided comparisons with regional neighbors. None was critical of the report. BRUSH