Wednesday, March 23, 2005

KOSOVO: COUNTRY ON TRACK, UN.

The UN special representative for Kosovo, Soren Jessen-Petersen, said on Wednesday he was optimistic about the country's progress towards a democratic government transition, provided the new government doubled its efforts by May, thus allowing the start of talks on the 'final status' of the Serbian province.

"We were concerned when the indictment happened," he said referring to the indictment and the arrest of former Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj by the Hague-based International Criminal Tribunal for former Yugoslavia (ICTY).

Adding that he had been impressed by the calm reaction of the population of Kosovo, the diplomat also said:

"I can now say with a degree of relief ... that Kosovo is on track. We are moving forward, but he have to work even harder to stabilise the country and with it the entire Balkan region,".

The formation of the government that has taken place in full respect of democratic principles constitutes another sign of a growing maturity in Kosovo," he said.

Asked whether the two months' time until May were enough to make progress, which would allow the start of talks, Jessen-Petersen said there was enough time if the government works 24 hours a day,".(ANSA) krc

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