Sunday, March 27, 2005

Serbian PM's aide sees conditional independence as most Kosovars can hope for

The Serbian prime minister's adviser Vladeta Jankovic has said that Kosovo, in the best case scenario for the Albanians, could get conditional independence in the form of some kind of a protectorate.

Jankovic told today's issue of Vecernje novosti that it was not realistic to expect international recognition of full independence for Kosovo under the present circumstances, as this would be a dangerous precedent.

"It is in our interest that everyone be aware of the consequences of such a move for the stability of the region," Jankovic said in response to a question about whether he had the impression that the international community's stand on the Kosovo issue had changed somewhat.

He added that the Albanians "will soon have to hear that there will be no full independence in the near future", adding that "that moment will be fraught with danger".

"It seems to me that the most they can hope for is conditional independence in the form of some kind of protectorate," Jankovic said. [Passage omitted]

Source: Beta news agency, Belgrade, in Serbian 0059 gmt 27 Mar 05

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