VZCZCXRO2484
RR RUEHAG RUEHAST RUEHDA RUEHDF RUEHFL RUEHIK RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHLN
RUEHLZ RUEHPOD RUEHROV RUEHSR RUEHVK RUEHYG
DE RUEHBW #1744/01 3651608
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 311608Z DEC 07
FM AMEMBASSY BELGRADE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1992
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE

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