Kosovo government rejects "direct talks" with Serbia - official

Excerpt from report in English by independent internet news agency KosovaLive

Prishtina [Pristina], 27 April: The government rejected any possibility for direct talks with Belgrade, as Serbian President Boris Tadic requested, but left open the possibility for talks with Belgrade in an international conference and that at the presence of international community.

The spokesperson for the government, Daut Dauti, made those remarks in a press conference following the government's regular meeting yesterday.

He said that Prime Minister Bajram Kosumi is ready for direct talks with Belgrade, but only for technical issues, which have not to do with Kosova's [Kosovo] political status.

"The stance of the prime minister is clear that there will be no meetings of political nature with Belgrade. First, Belgrade should show seriousness and prove that they have met some international obligations and then there can be talks in an international meeting," Dauti said. [Passage omitted]

Dauti added that it is not ruled out the possibility of negotiations with Belgrade in an international meeting, at presence of the international community, particularity of the United States and Great Britain, who should have a leading role.

"The prime minister has made it clear that there will be no direct talks. The government will not ask Belgrade what status Kosova should have," he said. [Passage omitted]

Source: KosovaLive web site, Pristina, in English 27 Apr 05