Task Force for Rerouting Ibar to Be Formed Next Week, Vucic Announces

Photo: PrintScreen rts.rs

Addressing the EU’s and Pristina’s negative response to Serbia’s plans to reroute the Ibar river, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Aug. 13 that the idea was pitched by the municipality of Novi Pazar and other local organizations back in the 1980s for the purpose of constructing a small hydroelectric plant in Ribarice, near Tutin.

While visiting the village of Veliki Popovic, Despotovac, Vucic told the press that initial plans for the project were drafted decades ago and that a task force for reviving the venture will be formed next week.

“They must be thinking of themselves when assuming that [the project] is aimed against anyone,” Vucic said of those who have voiced their opposition.

Certain media have pointed out, however, that the initial concept did not envision rerouting the entire Ibar river, unlike the idea Vucic is now floating. An additional issue is that the Ibar is an international river and as such, according to international law, cannot be unilaterally rerouted.

When questions moved to Kosovo Serb Nenad Raskovic, who was severely beaten on Aug. 11 in what he claims was an attempt by Kosovo Police to coerce him into confessing to war crimes, Vucic stated that Raskovic has two broken ribs and is “in awful pain.” The assaulted man’s family should be able to visit him today at the Belgrade hospital where he is being treated, the president added.

“I have no comment on the hypocrisy of Europeans and others. Nenad Raskovic’s [deeply bruised] back is the face of [acting Kosovo PM] Albin Kurti,” Vucic said, adding that Kurti has never been interested in dialogue.