Serbian Minister's Kosovo 'Ethnic Cleansing' Remark Sparks Outrage

A controversial statement by Serbian Minister of Public Administration and Local Self-Government, Snežana Paunović, has ignited strong reactions, with a prominent politician calling for government accountability. Paunović, a member of the Socialist Party of Serbia (SPS), stated on Kurir TV that if she had been Slobodan Milošević, she would have ethnically cleansed Kosovo in 1998.

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If I had been Slobodan Milošević, I would have ethnically cleansed Kosovo in 1998.

Shaip Kamberi, a member of parliament for the Party for Democratic Action, condemned the minister's remarks, stating they sow fear among Albanians living in Serbia. He urged the government to issue a statement on the scandal promptly. Kamberi believes Paunović's comments harm Serbia's international credibility and the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia. He also noted that the minister's actions regarding Kosovo are limited to claiming travel expenses.

"The question is, why is the government silent on this? Is this a strategy they are trying to impose on strategic partners from the European Union? Is the policy of ethnic cleansing still a political goal of this government?" Kamberi asked. He stressed that the government should clarify its position within the day or by tomorrow at the latest, especially given its stated goal of EU membership.

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The question is, why is the government silent on this? Is this a strategy they are trying to impose on strategic partners from the European Union? Is the policy of ethnic cleansing still a political goal of this government?

Kamberi suggested that the government faces a choice between damaging Serbia's international standing further or attempting to cover up the incident. He observed that such rhetoric aligns with a broader narrative in Serbia that includes denying war crimes, glorifying war criminals, and invoking narratives already judged by the Hague Tribunal. The MP concluded that how President Aleksandar Vučić's administration handles this issue will impact stability not only with Kosovo but also with Albania, which is contrary to Serbia's interests, particularly its EU integration goals.

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I believe it will disrupt the stability of relations not only with Kosovo but also with Albania, and that is not in Serbia's interest, especially not in the interest of its integration into the European Union.