23. 03. 2005

ANTI-SEMITIC ACTIONS “EXPECTED”

BELGRADE, March 23, 2005 – Serbian Deputy Prime Minister, Miroljub Labus, said that the government had expected anti-Semitic actions to surface “several months back.” Commenting on the anti-Semitic messages and propaganda against Radio Television B92 that appeared on posters and graffiti messages in Belgrade yesterday, Labus said that “among the Serbian people, there is no anti-Semitism, but this last action was diligently planned.” “I maintain that there is no anti-Semitism present in the people, but I do agree with Mr. Aca Singer that this was an orchestrated action, whose goal it was to shake the international reputation of the country and I think that it was internally conceived, but that is an all together different story, and I wish to say now that I fervently condemn these acts. Right when we were beginning to restore the international reputation of our nation, one action was implemented to destroy that reputation. This is an orchestrated action, but it has a different source and goal and should be taken seriously, and we must seriously fight against it”, Labus said. Asked by reporters whether he could name who was behind this action, Labus said, “I cannot tell you anything else, but we have been expecting this action since several months back. Information exists. This happened in a moments when the nation was restoring its reputation in the world and this is something that surely does not represent the opinion of our nation, or the average citizen.” Labus said. Similar graffiti with anti-Semitic contents have appeared in Serbian town Negotin as well. The facades of some buildings and institutions in this town were drawn with Nazis’ symbol swastika and crossed Star of David. Belgrade police has however said that it had identified those responsible for these acts, stating that they have taken into custody three underage persons who were sticking posters in the different locations in Belgrade, calling for boycott of Belgrade RTV B92. The police officials said that they would take necessary legal actions against the three perpetrators.