SERBIAN OPPOSITION LISTS REASONS FOR SPEAKER'S DISMISSAL
Tanjug - October 16, 2003

Belgrade, 16 October: In a debate on a motion for the replacement of Serbian parliament Speaker Natasa Micic, opposition MPs on Thursday (16 October) made a series of accusations, including that she was responsible for undermining parliament's reputation, abuse of office and violation of the Constitution and laws.

Democratic Party of Serbia (DSS) whip at the Serbian parliament Dejan Mihajlov said that Micic was merely a representative of a policy that had turned parliament into a "circus", because she had tolerated the theft of mandates, votes and manipulation with voting cards. He said that she had acted as an accomplice in crimes, because she had the duty to prevent them during the first two years of her term of office. Mihajlov accused the parliament Speaker of not observing the Constitutional Court decision, violating procedure during the election of the Broadcasting Council, and suspending live TV coverage of parliamentary sessions.

On behalf of the Socialist Party of Serbia, Zarko Obradovic joined the calls for Micic's replacement, stressing that she had not done her job well, that she was not up to exercising her duties and that she had not observed the parliament policy, but that of the ruling DOS (Democratic Opposition of Serbia) coalition.

He said that it was now true that DOS no longer had majority in parliament and that the parliament Speaker and government had to accept the fact that one had to pay the price of a disastrous internal policy.

Mirko Rosic, who heads the newly-founded party club of the Civic Alliance of Serbia to which Micic belongs, said that "there is no objective reason for the replacement of the parliament Speaker and there is no intention to discuss this, but to undermine parliament". The session, interrupted when the working hours expired at 6 p.m. (1600 gmt), will resume on Wednesday October 22.

Source: Tanjug news agency, Belgrade, in English 1811 gmt 16 Oct 03

Copyright 2003 Financial Times Information
All rights reserved
Global News Wire - Asia Africa Intelligence Wire 
Copyright 2003 BBC Monitoring/BBC  
BBC Monitoring International Reports

Posted for Fair Use only.