Serbia

02.05.2003 Serbian ultranationalist leader Vojislav Seselj made his first appearance at the war crimes tribunal in The Hague, in late February. Police in Serbia charged with incitement, for allegedly encouraging the assassins of Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic.

25.04.2003 Serbia's new Broadcast Agency Council has come under the fire from the outset over questionable procedures in appointing two of its members. Three of Serbia's largest media organisations have made a strongly worded demand for their replacement.

18.04.2003 The latest Report on Montenegro issued by the International Crisis Group raises a series of questions over the choice to frame the state into the Union of Serbia and Montenegro. The decision, adopted at Parliamentary level to comply with international demands would not enjoy public support.

18.04.2003 In the latest Serbian and Montenegro Parliament session some changes to the Law on Cooperation with the Hague Tribunal were discussed. The amendments should eliminate time-restrictions to the jurisdiction of the court over nationals of the Union and release witnesses from state or military secret.

08.04.2003 Serbia and Monenegro's entry into EU is getting closer. Foreign Minister Goran Svilanovic announced that he will - at a EU/South Eastern countries meeting this week - press the EU for an approximate date for accession. The change to the extradition law - as requested by ICTY - is a decisive step in this direction.

08.04.2003 The corpse of Ivan Stambolic, former President of Serbia, who had been kidnapped in summer 2003, has been recovered following recent developments in the investigations. The solution of the case is casting light upon some prominent political figures of the Serbian recent past.

03.04.2003 The signing of the European Convention on Human Rights by Federal Foreign Minister Goran Svilanovic marked the entry of Serbia and Montenegro into the Council of Europe. A step welcomed by CoE Chairman, Walter Schwimmer who insisted that Djindjic' murder would not impair the path taken.

26.03.2003 A letter by HRW expressing concern for the risk of worsened human rights conditions in Serbia and Montenegro that might derive from the recent introduction of the state of emergency.

24.03.2003 The Chinese Embassy in Baghdad has been evacuated last week. According to some the move constitutes an attempt to prevent chances for deterioration of sino-american relations of the kind occurred after the bombardment of the diplomatic seat in Belgrade in 1999.

22.03.2003 Life in Raca collective center where 4000 people of different ethnicities are cohabitating since 1999. The inhabitants of the centre show the willingness and demonstrate the possibility of living together, inspite of the persistent difficult living conditions.