Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic at today's press conference

Belgrade, August 30 - Serbian Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic told a press conference on Thursday that discussion on the internal relations within DOS was "over and done with as far as I'm concerned", and that any further participation in these discussions would constitute a distraction from priorities.

- My message to DOS members reads: you are welcome provided that you are going to help us in carrying out reforms, but if you do not want to help, do not hinder us. If you do not wish to take part in the government, act as the opposition, but an opposition that will be accountable for its claims and will provide evidence, not ungrounded accusations - the Serbian PM said, adding that what had particularly struck the Serb government was the fact that in the Gavrilovic case a former State Security officer was more trusted than a coalition partner.

Moreover, Djindjic argues, not the slightest effort was made to check up on the quotes from the talks with Gavrilovic.

Serbian PM Zoran Djindjic got the impression that, "the country had neglected its real priorities in the past two months," pointing out, "perhaps somebody has been distracting us from matters essential to this country, systematically if unintentionally, forcing us to be preoccupied with other things."

- We are losing our international credibility owing to such developments and the country is becoming an unreliable Balkan state not to be counted on for great leaps. A historic chance is being offered to us and if we don't grab it now, I trust that our children will regret it - Djindjic warns, commenting on the recent domestic scene.

Government reshuffle in October

Zoran Djindjic said that DSS remained out of the Serbian government for the time being and he expressed his expectation that the resignations of government officials from DSS would be accepted at the next regular session of the Serbian parliament. The vacant posts in the government are to be filled in October, according to Djindjic. He announced the formation of the Ecology Ministry and the office of a minister without portfolio to be held by the representative of the Muslim community. He also pointed out that New Serbia leader Velimir Ilic will come into the office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

The Serbian Prime Minister dubbed the previous two months as "a period of total confusion in the public", sparked off by Milosevic's extradition. He observed that little or no attention had been devoted to the basic reformist tasks of DOS, namely, the acceleration of reintegration into the world community, passing fresh legislation, and enabling normal business and the improvement of public institutions at all levels.

In August, the Gavrilovic muddle was the affair of the month, and social tensions are threatened to be looming in September. According to Djindjic, there is no more occasion for them now, but rather in the months passed.

Speaking on conditions in Serbian society regarding reforms, the PM said that there was a discrepancy between the actual state of affairs and the awareness of the people. Serbia has, Djindjic claims, managed to achieve in six months what it took other countries 3-5 years to attain.

- We have introduced financial discipline, a balanced budget; we have managed to finance public expenditures from public revenues. We have disbursed the first installment for wheat, and 50% of the second installment. For the first time in many years, salaries and pensions are paid on time, and the school year is starting on schedule - said the Prime Minister, quoting statistics on the average pay rise of 94% and the improvement of living standards by 11.4% during the period from last October to date.