I will not rest until Kosovo-Metohija is under Serbia's control-Radicals' leader
BBC Monitoring Europe (Political) - February 21, 2008 Thursday

Text of report by Serbian public broadcaster RTS TV.

[Serbian Radical Party deputy leader and chief whip Tomislav Nikolic] Children of Serbia, children of Kosovo-Metohija, we are all taking the Kosovo oath here this evening [21 February], everyone in his own way, us through speaking, and you through listening and feeling, and I promise you, on behalf of all the Serbian citizens who has shown that they share my opinion - I swear to God, I will not rest until Kosovo-Metohija is under Serbia's control [applause].

Hitler could not take it, these people today will not [be able to take it] either. We owe it to ourselves so that we could live, and to our children, so that our children could live, so that they would have a reason to have children of their own. We owe it to those we mention with pride, so that new Serbs would mention us with pride in several centuries.

We are all same today, and today there are no differences among us, and today we all carry only Kosovo-Metohija in our hearts. And we say - on 17 February, you placed sadness in many Serb homes, you from the USA and from the European Union [EU] [interrupted by booing]. You have pushed Kosovo Albanians into a great uncertainty, into a difficult move which will cost them. And we tell you - we were mourning for two days only, on the third day Serbs in Kosovo torched [two control] points [interrupted by cheering], on the fourth day we have gathered at the biggest rally Serbia has ever seen. It is my duty to greet those citizens who are still stuck on the Brankov bridge [the bridge linking central Belgrade and New Belgrade], because they cannot approach the place were we are holding the rally.

Serbia will save its every child in Kosovo-Metohija, every inch of its territory in Kosovo-Metohija. If there is no Kosovo, there will be no Serbia. If there is Serbia, there will be Kosovo-Metohija.

We will remember who has recognized independence. We will remember and we will build new monuments of gratitude to those who do not recognize the independence of Kosovo-Metohija. To Russia, and to Spain, and to China, and to India [interrupted by applause], and to all freedom-loving peoples in the world. And for as long as we live, we shall sing, just as students, children, sportsmen, fans have been singing these days, let me hear you - Kosovo is the heart of Serbia [the crowd chanting]. There is no replacement for one's heart, there is no artificial heart [in exchange] for Kosovo-Metohija.

Think, Europe, you have time. Return to your friendship with Serbia and Serb people. Do not forget - Serbs know how to forgive, when they have someone to forgive to, and when they do not, then there is no forgiveness [as heard].

Please, let us show them who is an old European people. Let us show that when we gather together, when we express our rage and anger, we do it as Serbs. Let them not touch us, so that we were not pushed to show them how we also fight for Kosovo-Metohija as Serbs [interrupted by cheering]. They do not need it. Let them not push us into showing up for a rally somewhere in Kosovo-Metohija, showing up in the same number as we are here today [cheering].

Today, politicians are listening to you. Today your word is the law. Those who do not recognize this law, let them not invoke other laws either. I repeat: Kosovo is the heart of Serbia [the crowd chanting].

Source: RTS1 TV, Belgrade, in Serbian 1648gmt 21 Feb 08
Posted for Fair Use only.