SERBIA: DELIVERY OF DIPLOMATIC NOTE REGARDING MILADIN

UNCLAS BELGRADE 000258 DEPT FOR EUR/SCE (P. PETERSON),L/LEI (P. GUTHERIE) SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: CJAN PREL OPDC EAID SR SUBJECT: SERBIA: DELIVERY OF DIPLOMATIC NOTE REGARDING MILADIN KOVACEVIC CASE REF: A) STATE 27830, B) 3/24/09 Mennuti-Peterson email ¶1. (SBU) We delivered diplomatic note numbered 037/09 per Ref A instructions on March 24 to MFA Political Director Borko Stefanovic. ¶2. (SBU) In response, Stefanovic presented a diplomatic note in English numbered 963 and dated March 24, 2009. (A scanned copy of both notes has been forwarded to EUR/SCE, Ref B.) Text of Serbian note follows: Republic of Serbia Minister of Foreign Affairs 963 The Foreign Ministry of the Republic of Serbia presents its compliments to the Embassy of the United States of America and acknowledges diplomatic note number 037/09 regarding the conduct of Mr. Igor Milosevic, the Vice-Consul of Serbia in New York, assigned to the United States under the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations. The Ministry has taken note of the views of the United States and is pleased to inform the Embassy that the sum of 900,000 United States dollars will be paid as compensation by the Government of Serbia to the Steinhauers. The Government of Serbia likewise notes that the payment of compensation will not have any impact on any criminal proceedings against Mr. Kovacevic and others which will be continued in Serbian courts and under Serbian law. The Republic of Serbia is strongly dedicated to bring to justice all indicted persons and to show the strength and capability of the Serbian judicial system, which can process the most difficult criminal proceedings, including that of defendant Miladin Kovacevic. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Embassy of the United States of America the assurances of its high consideration. Belgrade, March 24, 2009 [seal] THE EMBASSY OF THE UNITED STATES BELGRADE End text. MUNTER