Serbia Calls Home US Envoy

Mission in breakaway Georgian republic ends after vote deadlocks

(NEWSER) - Russia today vetoed a UN Security Council resolution to keep troops and observers in Abkhazia, one of the two breakaway Georgian regions in last year's war. Western nations say that Abkhazia remains part of Georgia, but Russia has recognized its independence. The veto means that the UN will have to end its mission in Abkhazia, which began in 1993 and expired today. More»

(NEWSER) - The US wants to be a direct party to nuclear talks between Iran and the UN, CNN reports. Washington had stayed away from earlier negotiations because it has no diplomatic relationship with the country, but the State Department said today it had asked an EU official to invite Iran to a sit-down with the UN Security Council. Iran has not heeded UN demands that it halt enrichment of uranium, which it says it will use for civil purposes. More»

Five others convicted of roles in Kosovo violence

(NEWSER) - A UN tribunal acquitted former Serbian president Milan Milutinovic today of war crimes during the late-1990s conflict in Kosovo, the BBC reports. Milutinovic, the titular leader of Serbia in 1997-2002, did not have direct control of the Yugoslav army during the campaign of violence committed against Kosovar Albanians, the tribunal ruled. More»

With Karadzic behind bars, focus is on genocidal partner

(NEWSER) - Former Bosnian leader Radovan Karadzic is finally behind bars, but his alleged partner in genocide, Gen. Ratko Mladic, remains at large. Mladic is an even more ruthless figure who until a few years ago brazenly appeared in downtown Belgrade, attending soccer games and eating at gourmet restaurants, despite a $5 million reward for his capture, AP reports. More»

But rivals say they can forge wider nationalist bloc

(NEWSER) - Serbia's president declared victory today as voters favored his pro-West bloc by 10 points in early returns, BBC reports. President Boris Tadic called the election a vote for EU integration but maintained his stand against an independent Kosovo. If Tadic's party wins, it still must forge a wider coalition—which rivals say they can beat with a larger nationalist alliance. More»