Serbia confirms ban of US, British observers from monitoring election

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
Serbia's electoral commission confirmed its ban of US and British observers at weekend presidential elections because their countries back Kosovo's drive for independence. The commission voted late Thursday to reject an appeal by pro-democracy groups that asked the body to reconsider its ban of the US and British observers because it could hurt Serbia's image abroad. The Radical Party's representative in the electoral commission, Slavoljub Milenkovic, said the US and British monitors were unwelcome because their countries want to "destroy" Serbia by recognizing Kosovo's independence. The commission, dominated by nationalists, also approved Russian monitors at the Sunday vote.