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Candidate: Serbia should let Russia patrol air space, Interfax

February 4, 2008 on 5:56 am | In News in English |

MOSCOW. Feb 3 (Interfax) - Tomislav Nikolic, who is running for Serbian president, said in a television program on Sunday he thought Russian warplanes should be allowed to patrol Serbian air space if he won the presidential election and that he was “categorically against NATO presence in Serbia in any form.”

“I do stand for military cooperation with Russia. For example, I believe the skies over Serbia should be open for Russian aircraft to carry out security control for Russia and for ourselves,” Nikolic told Russia’s Rossiya television.

“And I am definitely against our airfields being sold to NATO as is being suggested,” Nikolic said.

“I am categorically against NATO presence in Serbia in any form,” he said.

Asked whether he would allow Russia to have military bases in Serbia if he became president, Nikolic said: “That is not quite what I have said.”

Related posts:

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• Albanians and Serbs in Kosovo: An Abbreviated History, Richard Jansen (Colorado State University)
• The true butchers of Bosnia, The Guardian
• The Hague: A Lethally Dangerous Place, Strategic Culture Foundation
• The Chains That Bind: Constitutions, then and now, antiwar.com (Nebojsa Malic)

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1. Nikolic was the man I thought made the most sense for Serbia . The western colation held the Radicals back again . 50 5 to 47 % . Of course Iam mad at europe for what they have done in all of Yugoslavia . Tadic doesnt say anything much different than Nikolic any way . Russia has never said we will send planes and troops if Serbs favor us over the EU . Even Nikolic favored Serbia joining the EU . Russia has only said we will try to see that the UN charter and signed and agreed upon laws are obeyed . Russia has never said how hard they will try . Its not Nikolic or Tadic that Russia has been sticking up for. It is the Serbian people and international law . Russia will be just as ready to help Serbia under Tadic .

   Comment by eric — February 4, 2008 #

2. Nikolic should have not made this statement on electon day . Most Serbs do not any foreign planes over Serbia any day . Of course thats not the choice .

   Comment by eric — February 4, 2008 #

3. Russian newest war planes were demonstrated last spring in Baglor India at a international air show . It was estimated this plane would have a 10 to 1 kill ratio over other fighter jets . Iam sure Putin would just love to demonstate this plane . Russia coming now maybe to late to save Kosovo . Yelzen’s heart was in the right place but he could not do what he promised to do , protect Serbs . Russia wants in maybe Russia would pay Serbia to let them in . only joking thank you Russia for what you have tried to do

   Comment by eric — February 4, 2008 #

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