FLASH
Shkruar nga Pamfleti
The Serbian Parliament on Friday approved a special law for the demolition of the bombed-out Yugoslav Army General Staff building in central Belgrade, to pave the way for the construction of a luxury hotel by Jared Kushner, son-in-law of US President Donald Trump.
The reconstruction is particularly sensitive in Serbia, as the mid-20th-century modernist complex was partially destroyed during the 1999 NATO bombing campaign that ended the war in Kosovo.
One hundred and thirty deputies voted for this law, while 40 were against.
The Serbian Parliament also approved a proposal to determine the existence of particularly reasonable reasons for the law to enter into force earlier than the eighth day from the date of publication.
The law, called lex specialis, is a special law that takes precedence over general law in cases where both regulate the same issue.
Kushner, Ivanka Trump's husband and a White House adviser during Trump's first term, last year unveiled plans for a $500 million hotel complex in central Belgrade.
The project focuses on the former Yugoslav Army General Staff building, in the heart of the capital, which was bombed by NATO in the spring of 1999, during the campaign to stop Serbian attacks in Kosovo.
Despite the damage, the building remained under protection, due to its architectural value, according to local activists.
This law bypasses this protection, declaring the project a "national priority."
It provides that “all procedures for the implementation of the General Staff reconstruction project shall be treated as urgent” and that “all state institutions shall make decisions within their competences without delay”.
Opposition warns against building collapse
In the debate before the law was passed, opposition MPs demanded its withdrawal, calling it illegal, while the ruling majority argued that the General Staff building could not be renovated and should be demolished.
"An attempt was made to rebuild, but it is not possible due to damage and materials that are no longer produced," said Millenko Jovanov, head of the parliamentary group "Aleksandar Vučić - Serbia Must Not Stand."
Bilana Đorđević, an MP from the opposition Green Left Front, warned that the provisions of this law stipulate that it will enter into force one day after its approval.
"I can imagine that they will start the demolition as early as next week. Of course, citizens will come and try to prevent it, I can't imagine it any other way," said Djordjevic.
She recalled that this is a building next to the Government building in an architecturally important part of Belgrade.
"Citizens cannot have any interest in this. Only the ruling regime can, at this moment, warm relations with the Trump family," said Djordjevic.
Serbian Center (SRCE) party MP Petar Bošković assessed that the building should be preserved, among other things, because "the highest node of all communications is located below it."
"The ruling MPs should be held accountable for high treason after this. I suggest that the next hotel be moved to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Defense," Boskovic said.
Ivana Rokvic, an MP from the People's Movement of Serbia (NPS), said that a symbol of history and statehood is being destroyed.
"Just for the sake of staying in power and getting rich, for a little mercy from Trump," said Rokvic./ REL
Punë e paqme e parlamentit serb. Jugosllavija u shpërbë me luftë. Simboli i fuqisë ushtarake është një gërdallë që nuk mund dhe as duhet ringritur se : qytetarët Serb do ndiheshin të turpëruar , kur turistëve do ju shpjegohej se NATO e shkatërrojë, se serbët kryen genocid ndaj Kosovës.