BELGRADE, Sept 29 (Reuters) - Just 12 percent of Serbs believe Serbia will hold on to its Kosovo province, according to the results of an opinion poll published on Friday that fly in the face of Belgrade's official line.
Fifty-eight percent said they wanted the United Nations-administered province to remain part of Serbia, but few believe it is a realistic expectation, said pollster Marko Blagojevic.
"We have two dimensions here. One emotional, and the other rational," said Blagojevic, of the respected Centre for Free Elections and Democracy (CeSID).
Serbian leaders "managed to convince the people they want Kosovo to remain part of Serbia, but simply did not make a good enough case for them to expect this," he said.
The United Nations is expected to decide within months whether to grant Kosovo a form of supervised independence, seven years after NATO wrested control of the majority Albanian province to stop what it said was becoming a bloodbath.
Serbia says Kosovo's amputation would violate international law and embolden ethnic separatists across Europe. Parliament is poised to adopt a new state constitution that enshrines Kosovo as Serb land forever. Rhetoric plays constantly on its almost mythic status, the Serbs' Orthodox heartland and site of their epic 1389 defeat by the Ottoman Turks.
But of two million people who live there, 90 percent are ethnic Albanians who lost 10,000 people in the 1998-99 conflict and would see any return to Serb rule as a fresh call to war.
Diplomats say independence is almost certain.
According to the CeSID poll, conducted between Aug 26 and Sept 5, 36 percent said they expected independence. Seventeen percent thought the territory would be split in two, with Serbia taking a thin slice of mainly Serb land in the north.
Only 12 percent thought Kosovo would remain an autonomous region of Serbia, while 29 percent were unsure.
Serbs and Albanians opened direct talks in February in Vienna but there has been no compromise on the central issue of Kosovo's future status. U.N. mediator Martti Ahtisaari is expected to propose a solution by November which the U.N. could then impose.
Friday, September 29, 2006
Serbia Drafts New Constitution Claiming Kosovo
BELGRADE (AP)--Serbia's leaders have drafted a new constitution that declares Kosovo an integral part of the republic, regardless of the ongoing U.N.-brokered talks on the future of the province, a government official said Friday.
Government minister Zoran Loncar said the draft constitution would be submitted to the Serbian parliament for an urgent review and a vote, to be followed by a national referendum.
Parliament officials said the review could be held as soon as Saturday, while the referendum could take place in early November.
The new constitution needs to be approved by a two-thirds majority in the 250-member assembly, and confirmed by the referendum, before it can take effect. It could also lead to early elections in late 2006 or 2007.
The new constitution is designed to underscore Serbia's opposition to Kosovo's possible secession. It also, however, is widely seen as a face-saving effort by Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica, who is facing a government crisis and possible walkout of a key coalition member.
The Liberal G17 Party has threatened to leave the Cabinet over Serbia's failure to arrest top war crimes suspect Ratko Mladic and resume pre-entry talks with the European Union.
The constitution would declare Kosovo - Serbia's southern region that has been a U.N. protectorate since 1999 - part of the republic, in an apparent bid to counter increasing signs that Kosovo will be granted some form of independence at the international talks.
Passage of the new constitution would effectively rule out Belgrade's consent for Kosovo's independence.
"If four million people were to vote in the referendum, that would show to the international community that Serbia is united in its bid to preserve its identity," Vojislav Mihailovic, the deputy parliament speaker, told reporters Friday.
Kosovo has been run by the United Nations since NATO bombed Serbia in 1999 to halt Belgrade's crackdown against the separatist ethnic Albanians. Kosovo's majority ethnic Albanians insist on independence, while Belgrade says the region should remain at least formally within Serbia's boundaries.
Though Serbian leaders have pledged to oppose independence for Kosovo, they have ruled out armed conflict over the province.
About 10,000 people were killed in Kosovo during the 1998-99 war.
The draft constitution also pledges Serbia's commitment to European standards and grants a form of self-rule to the northern, Vojvodina province, said Dusan Petrovic, from the pro-Western Democratic Party. No other details about the draft's contents were immediately available.
Government minister Zoran Loncar said the draft constitution would be submitted to the Serbian parliament for an urgent review and a vote, to be followed by a national referendum.
Parliament officials said the review could be held as soon as Saturday, while the referendum could take place in early November.
The new constitution needs to be approved by a two-thirds majority in the 250-member assembly, and confirmed by the referendum, before it can take effect. It could also lead to early elections in late 2006 or 2007.
The new constitution is designed to underscore Serbia's opposition to Kosovo's possible secession. It also, however, is widely seen as a face-saving effort by Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica, who is facing a government crisis and possible walkout of a key coalition member.
The Liberal G17 Party has threatened to leave the Cabinet over Serbia's failure to arrest top war crimes suspect Ratko Mladic and resume pre-entry talks with the European Union.
The constitution would declare Kosovo - Serbia's southern region that has been a U.N. protectorate since 1999 - part of the republic, in an apparent bid to counter increasing signs that Kosovo will be granted some form of independence at the international talks.
Passage of the new constitution would effectively rule out Belgrade's consent for Kosovo's independence.
"If four million people were to vote in the referendum, that would show to the international community that Serbia is united in its bid to preserve its identity," Vojislav Mihailovic, the deputy parliament speaker, told reporters Friday.
Kosovo has been run by the United Nations since NATO bombed Serbia in 1999 to halt Belgrade's crackdown against the separatist ethnic Albanians. Kosovo's majority ethnic Albanians insist on independence, while Belgrade says the region should remain at least formally within Serbia's boundaries.
Though Serbian leaders have pledged to oppose independence for Kosovo, they have ruled out armed conflict over the province.
About 10,000 people were killed in Kosovo during the 1998-99 war.
The draft constitution also pledges Serbia's commitment to European standards and grants a form of self-rule to the northern, Vojvodina province, said Dusan Petrovic, from the pro-Western Democratic Party. No other details about the draft's contents were immediately available.
Serb lynchpin party clams up on threat to quit
BELGRADE, Sept 29 (Reuters) - Serbia's liberal G17 Plus party kept the country guessing on Friday over its vow to quit the coalition of Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica and bring down his government, triggering a snap election.
Finance Minister Mladjan Dinkic, leader of the party, refused to say if he and three other ministers will carry out their threat to resign on Oct. 1 if European Union membership talks which the EU suspended in May are not resumed. "I will hold a news conference on October 1 and everything will be clear then. The decision by the G17 Plus executive is known and we keep our word. This is all I can say about it," Dinkic told reporters in the Serbian parliament.
Asked by Beta news agency if the G17 Plus deputies will take part in a special session of parliament to vote in a new Serbian constitution, Dinkic said "there are no obstacles" to that.
Dinkic has warned repeatedly that G17 Plus will carry out its threat to walk out on Kostunica by Oct. 1 unless Belgrade gives the EU good grounds for unfreezing the talks.
That move depends on Serbia convincing the Hague tribunal it is doing its utmost to track down and arrest war crimes fugitive Ratko Mladic.
But Hague chief prosecutor Carla del Ponte and EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn scotched any hope of an early resumption of the talks on Friday. Del Ponte said Belgrade was still "far away from full cooperation" and Rehn added "there is no sign of progress from the Serbian side".
CLEARING THE DECKS
Del Ponte was due to visit Serbia next week.
Former G17 Plus leader Miroljub Labus resigned as deputy prime minister in May, saying Kostunica's failure to arrest Mladic was harming Serbia's efforts to join the EU.
G17 Plus said on Thursday its four ministers would tender their resignations formally on Friday to Kostunica.
Seemingly clearing the decks for a snap election, the government worked late into the night to agree the text of the new constitution, replacing the defunct Milosevic-era text, and parliament adopted a revised 2006 budget for the country. Media reports say the constitution could be adopted by referendum at the end of October or early November, with a snap national election possible in mid to late December.
An early election in Serbia could coincide with a U.N. Security Council decision on the fate of its Kosovo province, run by the United Nations and policed by NATO since Serb forces were driven out by NATO bombing in 1999.
A decision to give Kosovo's 90 percent ethnic Albanian majority the independence they demand, over Belgrade's strongest objections, would be taken as a slap in the face by Serbs and could benefit the ultranationalist Radicals, the country's strongest single party.
Finance Minister Mladjan Dinkic, leader of the party, refused to say if he and three other ministers will carry out their threat to resign on Oct. 1 if European Union membership talks which the EU suspended in May are not resumed. "I will hold a news conference on October 1 and everything will be clear then. The decision by the G17 Plus executive is known and we keep our word. This is all I can say about it," Dinkic told reporters in the Serbian parliament.
Asked by Beta news agency if the G17 Plus deputies will take part in a special session of parliament to vote in a new Serbian constitution, Dinkic said "there are no obstacles" to that.
Dinkic has warned repeatedly that G17 Plus will carry out its threat to walk out on Kostunica by Oct. 1 unless Belgrade gives the EU good grounds for unfreezing the talks.
That move depends on Serbia convincing the Hague tribunal it is doing its utmost to track down and arrest war crimes fugitive Ratko Mladic.
But Hague chief prosecutor Carla del Ponte and EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn scotched any hope of an early resumption of the talks on Friday. Del Ponte said Belgrade was still "far away from full cooperation" and Rehn added "there is no sign of progress from the Serbian side".
CLEARING THE DECKS
Del Ponte was due to visit Serbia next week.
Former G17 Plus leader Miroljub Labus resigned as deputy prime minister in May, saying Kostunica's failure to arrest Mladic was harming Serbia's efforts to join the EU.
G17 Plus said on Thursday its four ministers would tender their resignations formally on Friday to Kostunica.
Seemingly clearing the decks for a snap election, the government worked late into the night to agree the text of the new constitution, replacing the defunct Milosevic-era text, and parliament adopted a revised 2006 budget for the country. Media reports say the constitution could be adopted by referendum at the end of October or early November, with a snap national election possible in mid to late December.
An early election in Serbia could coincide with a U.N. Security Council decision on the fate of its Kosovo province, run by the United Nations and policed by NATO since Serb forces were driven out by NATO bombing in 1999.
A decision to give Kosovo's 90 percent ethnic Albanian majority the independence they demand, over Belgrade's strongest objections, would be taken as a slap in the face by Serbs and could benefit the ultranationalist Radicals, the country's strongest single party.
Thursday, September 28, 2006
US Catholic archbishop pledges continued support for Kosovo
Prishtina [Pristina], 28 September: The Catholic Church archbishop of Washington DC, Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, following today's meeting with Kosova [Kosovo] President Fatmir Sejdiu promised that the Catholic Church will continue to support the processes that Kosova is going through.
He said that he is here to help the future of Kosova, as well as to help the future of these remarkable people. The Catholic Relief Service helps in bad times and also good times.
According to McCarrick, the Catholic Church and the catholic community in Kosova are part of the future of this nation and this is a very specific moment for them, but also for Europe and the world as well, adding that the Kosovar leadership can contribute to the future of Kosova and the entire humanity.
On the other hand, President Sejdiu promised to Cardinal McCarrick that Kosova's population, as a cultured and tolerant nation, will continue to generate cooperative energy with all its friends.
Source: KosovaLive website, Pristina, in English 28 Sep 06
He said that he is here to help the future of Kosova, as well as to help the future of these remarkable people. The Catholic Relief Service helps in bad times and also good times.
According to McCarrick, the Catholic Church and the catholic community in Kosova are part of the future of this nation and this is a very specific moment for them, but also for Europe and the world as well, adding that the Kosovar leadership can contribute to the future of Kosova and the entire humanity.
On the other hand, President Sejdiu promised to Cardinal McCarrick that Kosova's population, as a cultured and tolerant nation, will continue to generate cooperative energy with all its friends.
Source: KosovaLive website, Pristina, in English 28 Sep 06
Kosovo police seize Yugoslav-made mortar shells
Text of report in English by independent internet news agency KosovaLive
Ferizaj [Urosevac], 28 September: After receiving report from a citizen, the Ferizaj and Shterpce [Strpce] regional police discovered today 72 mine-thrower missiles in a forest near the place called Tershana in Brezovice [Brezovica].
The regional spokesperson for police in Ferizaj, Behxhet Krasniqi, said that they have found six green wooden cases, each of them containing twelve Yugoslav made 60-millimeter missiles.
Krasniqi said that the mine-thrower ammunition has been seized by the Kfor [Kosovo Force] EOD [Explosive Ordnance Disposal].
Source: KosovaLive website, Pristina, in English 28 Sep 06
Ferizaj [Urosevac], 28 September: After receiving report from a citizen, the Ferizaj and Shterpce [Strpce] regional police discovered today 72 mine-thrower missiles in a forest near the place called Tershana in Brezovice [Brezovica].
The regional spokesperson for police in Ferizaj, Behxhet Krasniqi, said that they have found six green wooden cases, each of them containing twelve Yugoslav made 60-millimeter missiles.
Krasniqi said that the mine-thrower ammunition has been seized by the Kfor [Kosovo Force] EOD [Explosive Ordnance Disposal].
Source: KosovaLive website, Pristina, in English 28 Sep 06
Montenegrin police chief says no security problems on Kosovo border
Excerpt from report by Montenegrin Mina news agency
Podgorica, 28 September: The security situation in Montenegro is completely stable and there are no indications that there will be any complications in the security situation on the border with Kosovo, Police Administration director Veselin Veljovic said today.
He said that the Montenegrin police have the capacity and potential to successfully realize all tasks relating to the plan on general and personal security of citizens, reiterating that Montenegro is "a destination with a high level of security and safety".
Veljovic said that the situation on the border with Kosovo is being monitored continuously.
"Presently, there are no indications or signs that there could be any complications in the security situation," he said at a press conference.
Veljovic underlined that the Montenegrin police are on the path to realizing standards which apply to the countries of the European Union.
"One of these standards is depoliticization [of the police], thereby I completely reject all attempts [to attack] and attacks on the police, as well as bringing this into connection with politics or political processes," he said.
Veljovic said that there was no place for assessments which say that the Police Administration is carrying out selective investigations in the field of economic crime. [Passage omitted]
Veljovic said that apart from sporadic comments, there were no complaints in connection with the exceeding of authority by police members during the Eagle's Flight operation [in which ethnic Albanians were arrested on suspicion of planning to carry out armed attacks on religious and other institutions]. [Passage omitted]
Source: Mina news agency, Podgorica, in Serbian 0941 gmt 28 Sep 06
Podgorica, 28 September: The security situation in Montenegro is completely stable and there are no indications that there will be any complications in the security situation on the border with Kosovo, Police Administration director Veselin Veljovic said today.
He said that the Montenegrin police have the capacity and potential to successfully realize all tasks relating to the plan on general and personal security of citizens, reiterating that Montenegro is "a destination with a high level of security and safety".
Veljovic said that the situation on the border with Kosovo is being monitored continuously.
"Presently, there are no indications or signs that there could be any complications in the security situation," he said at a press conference.
Veljovic underlined that the Montenegrin police are on the path to realizing standards which apply to the countries of the European Union.
"One of these standards is depoliticization [of the police], thereby I completely reject all attempts [to attack] and attacks on the police, as well as bringing this into connection with politics or political processes," he said.
Veljovic said that there was no place for assessments which say that the Police Administration is carrying out selective investigations in the field of economic crime. [Passage omitted]
Veljovic said that apart from sporadic comments, there were no complaints in connection with the exceeding of authority by police members during the Eagle's Flight operation [in which ethnic Albanians were arrested on suspicion of planning to carry out armed attacks on religious and other institutions]. [Passage omitted]
Source: Mina news agency, Podgorica, in Serbian 0941 gmt 28 Sep 06
U.S. diplomat rules out possibility of division of Kosovo
PRISTINA, Sept 28 (Hina) - There is no possibility that Kosovo will be divided, it will remain integral and problems may be solved by decentralising authority, US Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs Daniel Fried said in Mitrovica on Thursday.
Speaking to the press at the end of a three-day visit, Fried said the draft solution for Kosovo's status that would be drawn up by the UN's chief representative in the negotiations on the status, Martti Ahtisaari, must contain regulations protecting the historical legacy of all communities in Kosovo as well as regulations on decentralisation.
Fried said the Contact Group would try to find a solution for Kosovo by the end of the year, through negotiations. He recalled that the Group clearly said that no side in the negotiations could unilaterally block the process of determining the province's status.
Fried said the international community must remain in Kosovo also after a decision on the final status was made in order to help with the application of the new solutions.
The US official underlined that Kosovo's status should mean that there was no going back to the state of affairs before 1999, and said that the status quo was untenable.
After meeting representatives of the UN Mission in Kosovo, Fried met representatives of the Serb community. He called on them to participate in the work of Kosovo institutions, saying they had the US government's support.
Kosovo should be multinational and the Serb community should have a safe future in Kosovo, said Fried.
The leader of the Serb List for Kosovo, Oliver Ivanovic, said the Serb community counted on international presence in the province and that the guarantees of the Contact Group and notably the US could represent a new beginning for Serbs in Kosovo.
Speaking to the press at the end of a three-day visit, Fried said the draft solution for Kosovo's status that would be drawn up by the UN's chief representative in the negotiations on the status, Martti Ahtisaari, must contain regulations protecting the historical legacy of all communities in Kosovo as well as regulations on decentralisation.
Fried said the Contact Group would try to find a solution for Kosovo by the end of the year, through negotiations. He recalled that the Group clearly said that no side in the negotiations could unilaterally block the process of determining the province's status.
Fried said the international community must remain in Kosovo also after a decision on the final status was made in order to help with the application of the new solutions.
The US official underlined that Kosovo's status should mean that there was no going back to the state of affairs before 1999, and said that the status quo was untenable.
After meeting representatives of the UN Mission in Kosovo, Fried met representatives of the Serb community. He called on them to participate in the work of Kosovo institutions, saying they had the US government's support.
Kosovo should be multinational and the Serb community should have a safe future in Kosovo, said Fried.
The leader of the Serb List for Kosovo, Oliver Ivanovic, said the Serb community counted on international presence in the province and that the guarantees of the Contact Group and notably the US could represent a new beginning for Serbs in Kosovo.
Kosovo premier expects provocations from Serbia ahead of status resolution
Text of report in English by independent internet news agency KosovaLive
Prishtina [Pristina], 28 September: After reviewing the security situation in Kosova [Kosovo], Prime Minister Agim Ceku said on Wednesday [27 September] that there are indications that, during the definition of the political status process, Kosova might be destabilized by Serbia and by its "accomplices" that work in Kosova.
Prime Minister Ceku made these comments following a joint meeting with the head of UNMIK [UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo], Joachim Ruecker, and Kfor [Kosovo Force] Commander Ronald Kather.
They all agreed that the current security situation in Kosova is stable, but with possible risk of destabilization in the following period.
"Final period of the status goes along with possible risks, therefore we might be provoked, firstly by Serbia, then by opponents of the independence of Kosova and by the opponents of the success in Kosova," said Ceku.
According to Ceku, what is more important is the fact that citizens must not be victims of these provocations. He called on the citizens to remain calm during this period, which is very important for the future of Kosova, and to rely on their political leaders and peacekeeping forces.
Ceku furthermore said that those who want to destabilize Kosova are interested to make Kosova look in front of the international community as it is still not ready to become an independent and sovereign state.
Ceku also assured Kosova's citizens that Kfor, UNMIK police, and the Kosova Police Service [ShPK] are doing their job in the best possible way and they are investigating the latest incidents in order to find and sentence the perpetrators of these acts.
On the other hand, COMKFOR Kather said that Kfor with all its contingents is ready to act if there are elements of violence, adding that Kfor is in Kosova to provide peace to all its citizens.
Kather also said that people must be persuaded that violence is not what is needed, and that it is counterproductive to think that violence helps towards a prosperous future.
Meanwhile, the head of UNMIK, Ruecker agreed with the previous speakers that there is a stable and sustainable environment, adding that further plans should be taken as regards the possible risks.
Ruecker also went on to say that Kosova is on a good path and that all its leaders are focused in what is necessary in order to go through the status process.
In the end all participants of this meeting agreed that this meeting should take place every month, in order to look at the security situation and to undertake measures, if necessary.
Source: KosovaLive website, Pristina, in English 28 Sep 06
Prishtina [Pristina], 28 September: After reviewing the security situation in Kosova [Kosovo], Prime Minister Agim Ceku said on Wednesday [27 September] that there are indications that, during the definition of the political status process, Kosova might be destabilized by Serbia and by its "accomplices" that work in Kosova.
Prime Minister Ceku made these comments following a joint meeting with the head of UNMIK [UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo], Joachim Ruecker, and Kfor [Kosovo Force] Commander Ronald Kather.
They all agreed that the current security situation in Kosova is stable, but with possible risk of destabilization in the following period.
"Final period of the status goes along with possible risks, therefore we might be provoked, firstly by Serbia, then by opponents of the independence of Kosova and by the opponents of the success in Kosova," said Ceku.
According to Ceku, what is more important is the fact that citizens must not be victims of these provocations. He called on the citizens to remain calm during this period, which is very important for the future of Kosova, and to rely on their political leaders and peacekeeping forces.
Ceku furthermore said that those who want to destabilize Kosova are interested to make Kosova look in front of the international community as it is still not ready to become an independent and sovereign state.
Ceku also assured Kosova's citizens that Kfor, UNMIK police, and the Kosova Police Service [ShPK] are doing their job in the best possible way and they are investigating the latest incidents in order to find and sentence the perpetrators of these acts.
On the other hand, COMKFOR Kather said that Kfor with all its contingents is ready to act if there are elements of violence, adding that Kfor is in Kosova to provide peace to all its citizens.
Kather also said that people must be persuaded that violence is not what is needed, and that it is counterproductive to think that violence helps towards a prosperous future.
Meanwhile, the head of UNMIK, Ruecker agreed with the previous speakers that there is a stable and sustainable environment, adding that further plans should be taken as regards the possible risks.
Ruecker also went on to say that Kosova is on a good path and that all its leaders are focused in what is necessary in order to go through the status process.
In the end all participants of this meeting agreed that this meeting should take place every month, in order to look at the security situation and to undertake measures, if necessary.
Source: KosovaLive website, Pristina, in English 28 Sep 06
UNMIK praises Kosovo government on resolving education dispute for Gorani
Text of report by Radio-Television Kosovo TV website on 27 September
UNMIK [United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo] welcomes the decision by Minister of Education Science and Technology Agim Veliu aimed at resolving a disagreement over providing education to the Gorani community in Dragash [Dragas] municipality. UNMIK supports the sensitive approach taken by Minister Veliu in addressing issues concerning employment of teachers, which have kept three schools from starting the 2006-2007 academic year on time. This flexible solution will help the Gorani community to gradually become fully integrated into the Kosova [Kosovo] system, while taking into account their repeated wish to use Serbian as the main language in schooling. The decision by Minister Veliu obliges all Gorani teachers to sign contracts with the Municipal Education Directorate for this school year, which should be used to prepare the introduction of curriculum and textbooks according to the education reform in Kosova. The implementation of the Kosova curriculum will be compulsory in all schools from the next school year.
Source: RTK TV website, Pristina, in Albanian 27 Sep 06
UNMIK [United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo] welcomes the decision by Minister of Education Science and Technology Agim Veliu aimed at resolving a disagreement over providing education to the Gorani community in Dragash [Dragas] municipality. UNMIK supports the sensitive approach taken by Minister Veliu in addressing issues concerning employment of teachers, which have kept three schools from starting the 2006-2007 academic year on time. This flexible solution will help the Gorani community to gradually become fully integrated into the Kosova [Kosovo] system, while taking into account their repeated wish to use Serbian as the main language in schooling. The decision by Minister Veliu obliges all Gorani teachers to sign contracts with the Municipal Education Directorate for this school year, which should be used to prepare the introduction of curriculum and textbooks according to the education reform in Kosova. The implementation of the Kosova curriculum will be compulsory in all schools from the next school year.
Source: RTK TV website, Pristina, in Albanian 27 Sep 06
Albania OKs $317M road building contract
TIRANA, Albania (AFX) - Albania approved a euro250 million ($317 million) contract with a U.S. company to build a four-lane stretch of highway that will make it easier to reach neighboring Kosovo, the government said Thursday.
Bechtel International Inc., based in San Francisco, will build the 35-mile road segment, which will include a nearly 4-mile tunnel, the government said in a statement.
Work on it will begin next month and more details on the project will be made available in the coming days, officials said.
Kosovo, a U.N.-run province in Serbia, is important to Albania because most of the tourists visiting the western Balkan country are ethnic Albanians from Kosovo and Macedonia as well as expatriate Albanians returning from other parts of Europe.
The portion of the highway being built by Bechtel is part of a larger 105-mile highway to Kosovo.
The completed highway will run from the port city of Durres -- 20 miles west of the capital Tirana -- to the town of Kukes, 125 miles northeast of Tirana, and then to the Morina border crossing point.
Prime Minister Sali Berisha made it a priority of his government, whose mandate is up in 2009, to construct a new and shorter road linking Albania to Kosovo. Albania, one of Europe's poorest countries, has hopes of one day joining the European Union and NATO.
The new road will be about nearly 30 miles shorter than existing roads and it will shorten travel time, which can now take up to six hours, to two hours.
The current road, which has only two lanes, is full of potholes and winding turns, making it virtually impossible to drive at speeds faster than 25 mph on average.
The new road will be funded from the domestic budget but also with loans from international financial institutions, officials said.
Copyright 2006 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Bechtel International Inc., based in San Francisco, will build the 35-mile road segment, which will include a nearly 4-mile tunnel, the government said in a statement.
Work on it will begin next month and more details on the project will be made available in the coming days, officials said.
Kosovo, a U.N.-run province in Serbia, is important to Albania because most of the tourists visiting the western Balkan country are ethnic Albanians from Kosovo and Macedonia as well as expatriate Albanians returning from other parts of Europe.
The portion of the highway being built by Bechtel is part of a larger 105-mile highway to Kosovo.
The completed highway will run from the port city of Durres -- 20 miles west of the capital Tirana -- to the town of Kukes, 125 miles northeast of Tirana, and then to the Morina border crossing point.
Prime Minister Sali Berisha made it a priority of his government, whose mandate is up in 2009, to construct a new and shorter road linking Albania to Kosovo. Albania, one of Europe's poorest countries, has hopes of one day joining the European Union and NATO.
The new road will be about nearly 30 miles shorter than existing roads and it will shorten travel time, which can now take up to six hours, to two hours.
The current road, which has only two lanes, is full of potholes and winding turns, making it virtually impossible to drive at speeds faster than 25 mph on average.
The new road will be funded from the domestic budget but also with loans from international financial institutions, officials said.
Copyright 2006 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
Serbia headed for crunch election in December
BELGRADE, Sept 27 (Reuters) - Signs multiplied on Wednesday that Serbia will hold a snap general election before Christmas, with Serbs facing hard questions about handing over a war crimes suspect and the possible loss of their Kosovo province.
There has been no official announcement. But in parliament, Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica's ruling party coyly advanced the "emergency selection" of an electoral commission as "preparation for expected forthcoming activity".
"It's obvious an election is being prepared. They're mobilising," said analyst Zoran Lutovac. Political sources said it would be on Dec. 17 or 24. Whatever the date, it promises to be a tight race between reformists and ultranationalists.
"I think December is possible. But let's wait a few more days to get an exact date," reformist President Boris Tadic told Reuters.
Serbia is transfixed by two crucial issues dividing a people still partly under the sway of post-war nationalism.
They are whether to hand over war crimes fugitive General Ratko Mladic to the Hague tribunal and whether to strongly oppose or reluctantly accept an expected United Nations decision to grant a form of conditional independence to Kosovo province.
The ultranationalist Radical Party, Serbia's most powerful with 35 percent support, says it is treason to hand over Mladic or concede Kosovo. The two main pro-Western parties, rivals commanding a potential 37 percent if they teamed up, favour arresting the general, but oppose any amputation of Kosovo.
The EU says Serbia cannot hope to advance towards its goal of membership unless Mladic is handed over for trial.
The U.N. and major powers are sympathetic to demands from Kosovo's 90 percent ethnic Albanian majority to be free of Serbia, after a 1998-99 war in which they lost 10,000 people to Serb forces.
TWO BULLETS TO BITE
Nearly half of Serbs polled oppose handing over Mladic, the Bosnian Serb Army commander charged with overseeing the 1995 slaughter of some 8,000 Bosnian Muslim captives at Srebrenica and the ruthless 43-month siege of Sarajevo.
A majority also opposes the independence of Kosovo, the "cradle of Serbdom". But polls suggest many ordinary voters realise it is as good as lost, whatever the politicians say.
Fearing accusations of a national sellout, the two big pro-Western parties have tip-toed around the issues, wrapping them in obfuscation with "hints and nods and subtext" as one Western diplomat put it this week. But time is running out.
To ensure they do not carry the blame for an imposed Kosovo decision, they have drafted a new constitution saying Kosovo is part of Serbia, expected to go to referendum next month.
But Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica may be heading a caretaker government by then, because his key coalition partner, the liberal G17 Plus party, plans to quit government by Sunday if EU talks with Serbia do not resume.
That hinges on U.N. war crimes tribunal chief prosecutor Carla del Ponte's report to the EU on Friday on Serbia's efforts to catch Mladic, in hiding for 4 years.
If she is negative and the EU says talks with Belgrade must remain frozen, a G17 walkout will bring down the government, triggering an election.
Once the heart of federal Yugoslavia, Serbia now stands alone after 15 years of disintegration in war and disaffection.
Montenegro, its partner in language, culture and religion, chose independence in May and started EU talks this week.
A U.S. envoy this week said it was the "cheap alcohol" of nationalism that had poisoned Serbia, leaving a hangover of "unjustified grievance and self-pitying aggression".
Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs Daniel Fried was a diplomat here 20 years ago. Were it not for nationalism, he said, Yugoslavia would already be an EU member.
Fried said Serbs now face a moment of choice "and I believe this time they will pick another horse".
(Additional reporting by Gordana Filipovic and Beti Bilandzic)
There has been no official announcement. But in parliament, Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica's ruling party coyly advanced the "emergency selection" of an electoral commission as "preparation for expected forthcoming activity".
"It's obvious an election is being prepared. They're mobilising," said analyst Zoran Lutovac. Political sources said it would be on Dec. 17 or 24. Whatever the date, it promises to be a tight race between reformists and ultranationalists.
"I think December is possible. But let's wait a few more days to get an exact date," reformist President Boris Tadic told Reuters.
Serbia is transfixed by two crucial issues dividing a people still partly under the sway of post-war nationalism.
They are whether to hand over war crimes fugitive General Ratko Mladic to the Hague tribunal and whether to strongly oppose or reluctantly accept an expected United Nations decision to grant a form of conditional independence to Kosovo province.
The ultranationalist Radical Party, Serbia's most powerful with 35 percent support, says it is treason to hand over Mladic or concede Kosovo. The two main pro-Western parties, rivals commanding a potential 37 percent if they teamed up, favour arresting the general, but oppose any amputation of Kosovo.
The EU says Serbia cannot hope to advance towards its goal of membership unless Mladic is handed over for trial.
The U.N. and major powers are sympathetic to demands from Kosovo's 90 percent ethnic Albanian majority to be free of Serbia, after a 1998-99 war in which they lost 10,000 people to Serb forces.
TWO BULLETS TO BITE
Nearly half of Serbs polled oppose handing over Mladic, the Bosnian Serb Army commander charged with overseeing the 1995 slaughter of some 8,000 Bosnian Muslim captives at Srebrenica and the ruthless 43-month siege of Sarajevo.
A majority also opposes the independence of Kosovo, the "cradle of Serbdom". But polls suggest many ordinary voters realise it is as good as lost, whatever the politicians say.
Fearing accusations of a national sellout, the two big pro-Western parties have tip-toed around the issues, wrapping them in obfuscation with "hints and nods and subtext" as one Western diplomat put it this week. But time is running out.
To ensure they do not carry the blame for an imposed Kosovo decision, they have drafted a new constitution saying Kosovo is part of Serbia, expected to go to referendum next month.
But Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica may be heading a caretaker government by then, because his key coalition partner, the liberal G17 Plus party, plans to quit government by Sunday if EU talks with Serbia do not resume.
That hinges on U.N. war crimes tribunal chief prosecutor Carla del Ponte's report to the EU on Friday on Serbia's efforts to catch Mladic, in hiding for 4 years.
If she is negative and the EU says talks with Belgrade must remain frozen, a G17 walkout will bring down the government, triggering an election.
Once the heart of federal Yugoslavia, Serbia now stands alone after 15 years of disintegration in war and disaffection.
Montenegro, its partner in language, culture and religion, chose independence in May and started EU talks this week.
A U.S. envoy this week said it was the "cheap alcohol" of nationalism that had poisoned Serbia, leaving a hangover of "unjustified grievance and self-pitying aggression".
Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs Daniel Fried was a diplomat here 20 years ago. Were it not for nationalism, he said, Yugoslavia would already be an EU member.
Fried said Serbs now face a moment of choice "and I believe this time they will pick another horse".
(Additional reporting by Gordana Filipovic and Beti Bilandzic)
U.S. says Kosovo unstable, needs clarity this year
PRISTINA, Serbia, Sept 27 (Reuters) - The breakaway Serbian province of Kosovo is not stable and its future must be resolved this year, a United States envoy said on Wednesday.
"We must move ahead now," U.S. Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs Daniel Fried told reporters in the provincial capital Pristina.
"... the present situation is not inherently stable," he said after meeting leaders of Kosovo's pro-independence ethnic Albanian majority.
The comments reflect concern in the West that delaying a decision into next year on whether to grant the United Nations-run province independence risks fresh violence, a fear underlined in late summer by hand grenade attacks on Serbs.
"We hope to have a negotiated settlement this year," he said. "The people of Kosovo deserve greater clarity and as we approach the end of the year I suspect they will get greater clarity," Fried added.
Russia, Serbia's traditional ally in the U.N. Security Council, has cautioned against "artificial deadlines" -- insisting Serbia and Kosovo's Albanians be given time to reach a negotiated settlement in talks that began in February.
Washington and the major European powers are pushing for a decision this year. They instructed U.N. mediator Martti Ahtisaari last week to draw up his proposal, which Western officials say could be submitted to both sides by November.
Diplomats say independence is the likely outcome, but will almost certainly be rejected by Serbia.
The territory of 2 million people -- 90 percent of whom are Albanians -- has been run by the United Nations since 1999, when NATO bombed for 78 days to drive out Serb forces accused of ethnic cleansing in a two-year counter-insurgency war.
In the Serbian capital Belgrade on Tuesday, Fried said Serb leaders had not lobbied Washington for a delay. Reports say Belgrade fears a Kosovo body-blow would drive voters into the arms of ultranationalists in elections that appear imminent.
At a news conference on Wednesday with Fried, the political director of the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Michael Scheffer, said the status solution "needs to be a solution that reflects the will of the Kosovo people ... but does not humiliate anyone in particular".
Rich in Serb Orthodox Christian heritage and still home to 100,000 Serbs, Kosovo holds almost mythic status for many Serbs.
The diplomats warned that violence would be "detrimental" and urged tolerance towards Serbs, a ghettoised minority.
"National triumphalism in the Balkans has had its day, and it was a miserable day," said Fried.
Fried visits the mainly Serb north on Thursday, where there are signs of resistance and talk of secession as a decision nears. The north already functions as a parallel system propped up by Belgrade. (Additional reporting by Shaban Buza)
"We must move ahead now," U.S. Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs Daniel Fried told reporters in the provincial capital Pristina.
"... the present situation is not inherently stable," he said after meeting leaders of Kosovo's pro-independence ethnic Albanian majority.
The comments reflect concern in the West that delaying a decision into next year on whether to grant the United Nations-run province independence risks fresh violence, a fear underlined in late summer by hand grenade attacks on Serbs.
"We hope to have a negotiated settlement this year," he said. "The people of Kosovo deserve greater clarity and as we approach the end of the year I suspect they will get greater clarity," Fried added.
Russia, Serbia's traditional ally in the U.N. Security Council, has cautioned against "artificial deadlines" -- insisting Serbia and Kosovo's Albanians be given time to reach a negotiated settlement in talks that began in February.
Washington and the major European powers are pushing for a decision this year. They instructed U.N. mediator Martti Ahtisaari last week to draw up his proposal, which Western officials say could be submitted to both sides by November.
Diplomats say independence is the likely outcome, but will almost certainly be rejected by Serbia.
The territory of 2 million people -- 90 percent of whom are Albanians -- has been run by the United Nations since 1999, when NATO bombed for 78 days to drive out Serb forces accused of ethnic cleansing in a two-year counter-insurgency war.
In the Serbian capital Belgrade on Tuesday, Fried said Serb leaders had not lobbied Washington for a delay. Reports say Belgrade fears a Kosovo body-blow would drive voters into the arms of ultranationalists in elections that appear imminent.
At a news conference on Wednesday with Fried, the political director of the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Michael Scheffer, said the status solution "needs to be a solution that reflects the will of the Kosovo people ... but does not humiliate anyone in particular".
Rich in Serb Orthodox Christian heritage and still home to 100,000 Serbs, Kosovo holds almost mythic status for many Serbs.
The diplomats warned that violence would be "detrimental" and urged tolerance towards Serbs, a ghettoised minority.
"National triumphalism in the Balkans has had its day, and it was a miserable day," said Fried.
Fried visits the mainly Serb north on Thursday, where there are signs of resistance and talk of secession as a decision nears. The north already functions as a parallel system propped up by Belgrade. (Additional reporting by Shaban Buza)
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
Gratitude, Discussions to Highlight Rumsfeld's Albania Visit
September 26, 2006 03:33 PM EST
By John D. Banusiewicz
American Forces Press Service
TIRANA, Albania, Sept. 26, 2006 – Albanian soldiers will remain in Iraq until the job is done, the country's defense minister promised Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld here today.
With plans to thank Albanian leaders for their support in the global war on terror and to meet with defense ministers from southeastern European nations, Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld arrived here this afternoon after a brief visit to Montenegro.
"Let me declare here, Mr. Secretary, that the Albanian armed forces will stay on the side of the American armed forces in Iraq until the mission will be over," Albanian Defense Minister Fatmir Mediu said at a ceremony honoring Albanian troops and their families. "We want to be real partners of the American armed forces."
Contingents of Albanian commandos serve in six-month rotations in Mosul, Iraq, as part of the multinational force.
Despite being one of Europe's poorest nations, Albania has supported the global war on terror. Pentagon Press Secretary Eric Ruff told reporters traveling with Rumsfeld that an expression of gratitude to Albania's leaders was most assuredly on the defense secretary's agenda here.
"We very much appreciate the fact that the Albanians already have forces in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the secretary will certainly be expressing his thanks about that," he said.
At today's ceremony, Rumsfeld said the United States values its partnership with Albania. "And we are certainly equally grateful to the troops who serve in Iraq and help to defend freedom," he added.
Rumsfeld noted that the question is always present as to why young men and women should serve far from home. "I've been asked that question in many countries," the secretary said, pointing out that 42 nations participate in the coalition in Afghanistan and 34 countries are part of the effort in Iraq. "They've all sent their finest to help in the war against terrorism," he said.
Rumsfeld recalled being asked by a journalist in South Korea "who clearly was too young to remember the Korean War" why her nation's young people should go all the way across the world to Iraq and Afghanistan and risk their lives.
"I pointed out to her that unless many young men and women 50 years ago had been willing to go all the way across the world to Korea and help defend freedom there, she would not be free today," the secretary said.
Addressing the Albanian servicemembers in attendance, Rumsfeld said they would look back years from now and be proud of what they and their country did in the war on terror.
He also addressed their families directly, including three young girls in their school uniforms. "Families also sacrifice," he said. "And I know that the minister knows it; I know it; the people in government know it; and you are appreciated for the sacrifices that you make."
Rumsfeld capped the ceremony by presenting a Global War on Terrorism Medallion to the Albanian armed forces, represented by Chief of General Staff Lt. Gen. Pellumb Quazimi.
After the ceremony, Rumsfeld met with Albania's president, prime minister and defense minister. Tomorrow, Rumsfeld will hold individual and collective meetings as part of the 11th Southeastern European Defense Ministerial conference, a gathering in which he's participated twice before.
The SEDM meetings will give participating nations a chance to continue ongoing discussions about strategic partnerships and various issues involving NATO and NATO involvement, Ruff said.
In a pre-trip briefing in Washington last week, a senior defense official said the next steps for Balkan integration into the European community will be on the agenda, as well as discussions reviewing the deployment earlier this year to Afghanistan of the "SEEBRIG" - a seven nation Southeastern European Brigade made up of troops from the seven SEDM nations: Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, Italy, Macedonia, Romania and Turkey.
Albania is working toward greater Euro-Atlantic integration and full membership in NATO and the European Union. In March 2004, Albania and the United States signed a supplementary agreement to the Partnership for Peace status of forces agreement, which defines the status of American military troops in Albania.
Albanian troops are part of the international stabilization forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan. Albania was one of only four nations to contribute troops to the combat phase of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, and it provides logistical assistance to Kosovo Force troops.
By John D. Banusiewicz
American Forces Press Service
TIRANA, Albania, Sept. 26, 2006 – Albanian soldiers will remain in Iraq until the job is done, the country's defense minister promised Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld here today.
With plans to thank Albanian leaders for their support in the global war on terror and to meet with defense ministers from southeastern European nations, Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld arrived here this afternoon after a brief visit to Montenegro.
"Let me declare here, Mr. Secretary, that the Albanian armed forces will stay on the side of the American armed forces in Iraq until the mission will be over," Albanian Defense Minister Fatmir Mediu said at a ceremony honoring Albanian troops and their families. "We want to be real partners of the American armed forces."
Contingents of Albanian commandos serve in six-month rotations in Mosul, Iraq, as part of the multinational force.
Despite being one of Europe's poorest nations, Albania has supported the global war on terror. Pentagon Press Secretary Eric Ruff told reporters traveling with Rumsfeld that an expression of gratitude to Albania's leaders was most assuredly on the defense secretary's agenda here.
"We very much appreciate the fact that the Albanians already have forces in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the secretary will certainly be expressing his thanks about that," he said.
At today's ceremony, Rumsfeld said the United States values its partnership with Albania. "And we are certainly equally grateful to the troops who serve in Iraq and help to defend freedom," he added.
Rumsfeld noted that the question is always present as to why young men and women should serve far from home. "I've been asked that question in many countries," the secretary said, pointing out that 42 nations participate in the coalition in Afghanistan and 34 countries are part of the effort in Iraq. "They've all sent their finest to help in the war against terrorism," he said.
Rumsfeld recalled being asked by a journalist in South Korea "who clearly was too young to remember the Korean War" why her nation's young people should go all the way across the world to Iraq and Afghanistan and risk their lives.
"I pointed out to her that unless many young men and women 50 years ago had been willing to go all the way across the world to Korea and help defend freedom there, she would not be free today," the secretary said.
Addressing the Albanian servicemembers in attendance, Rumsfeld said they would look back years from now and be proud of what they and their country did in the war on terror.
He also addressed their families directly, including three young girls in their school uniforms. "Families also sacrifice," he said. "And I know that the minister knows it; I know it; the people in government know it; and you are appreciated for the sacrifices that you make."
Rumsfeld capped the ceremony by presenting a Global War on Terrorism Medallion to the Albanian armed forces, represented by Chief of General Staff Lt. Gen. Pellumb Quazimi.
After the ceremony, Rumsfeld met with Albania's president, prime minister and defense minister. Tomorrow, Rumsfeld will hold individual and collective meetings as part of the 11th Southeastern European Defense Ministerial conference, a gathering in which he's participated twice before.
The SEDM meetings will give participating nations a chance to continue ongoing discussions about strategic partnerships and various issues involving NATO and NATO involvement, Ruff said.
In a pre-trip briefing in Washington last week, a senior defense official said the next steps for Balkan integration into the European community will be on the agenda, as well as discussions reviewing the deployment earlier this year to Afghanistan of the "SEEBRIG" - a seven nation Southeastern European Brigade made up of troops from the seven SEDM nations: Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, Italy, Macedonia, Romania and Turkey.
Albania is working toward greater Euro-Atlantic integration and full membership in NATO and the European Union. In March 2004, Albania and the United States signed a supplementary agreement to the Partnership for Peace status of forces agreement, which defines the status of American military troops in Albania.
Albanian troops are part of the international stabilization forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan. Albania was one of only four nations to contribute troops to the combat phase of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, and it provides logistical assistance to Kosovo Force troops.
War crimes judges to rule in genocide trial of former top Bosnian Serb politician
AMSTERDAM, Netherlands (AP) - With Slobodan Milosevic dead and former Bosnian Serb President Radovan Karadzic on the run, the U.N. Yugoslav tribunal in The Hague is preparing to deliver its verdict on the highest-ranking remaining former politician awaiting judgment for alleged genocide in Bosnia.
The court will rule on Wednesday in the case of Momcilio Krajisnik, who was speaker of parliament in the breakaway Bosnian Serb Republic during the 1991-1995 Bosnian war, which left more than 200,000 dead on all sides.
Krajisnik, 61, has pleaded not guilty to eight charges, including genocide and plotting to commit genocide by "cleansing" parts of Bosnia of Muslims and Croats to create an ethnically pure "greater Serbia" together with Serbian President Milosevic, Karadzic, and others.
Prosecutors demanded a life sentence for Krajisnik, who they said was one of a troika of Bosnian Serb leaders bearing primary political responsibility for atrocities carried out by their troops from July 1991-December 1992, including civilian slaughters, and murder, torture and rape of detainees. The defense sought acquittal.
The third member of the Bosnian Serb Republic's wartime presidency, Vice President Biljana Plavsic, is serving an 11-year sentence after pleading guilty in a deal with prosecutors.
Plavsic was brought from her Swedish prison cell to testify reluctantly against Krajisnik.
"He was a very powerful man," she told judges in July. "I think in certain matters he even dominated the president of the republic, Karadzic."
Krajisnik testified in his own defense for weeks, arguing that he knew little or nothing of what was happening in Serb-controlled areas of Bosnia.
Milosevic died of a heart attack in March during his trial, leaving historians to decide whether he was pulling the strings from neighboring Serbia during the war, as prosecutors alleged.
The U.N. tribunal is gradually winding down operations, with its final trial to begin by 2008 -- though it says it will always be ready to reopen if Karadzic or the Bosnian Serb general, Ratko Mladic, are arrested.
Mladic is accused of overseeing the killing of more than 7,000 Muslim boys and men at Srebrenica, Bosnia, in July 2005, Europe's worst civilian massacre since World War II. A fugitive, he is believed to live in Serbia.
"I did not take part in the selection of Mr. Mladic in the least," Krajisnik told the three-judge panel hearing his case.
Krajisnik's defense lawyers argued he was a small cog in the machinery of the Bosnian Serb mini-state who was not closely aligned to Karadzic, sought peace early in the conflict and did not advocate targeting people based on their ethnicity.
Before full-scale war broke out in Bosnia, Krajisnik "was genuine, sincere, active and energetic in his pursuit of the peaceful solution," Nicholas Stewart said.
"He knew if there was a war a lot of people would be killed," he said. "There is not the slightest indication Mr. Krajisnik wanted anybody to be killed because of what they were ... or who they were."
Krajisnik's trial began in February 2004.
"Each count of the indictment individually, if found to be true, merits the highest possible sentence," prosecutor Alan Tieger said during sentencing demands.
The Yugoslav tribunal has sentenced only one defendant to life imprisonment: former Bosnian Serb politician Milomir Stakic. But an appeals court later changed his term to 40 years -- a sentence that could end up longer than "life" because it eliminated the possibility of a review after 20 years.
A group of Milosevic's top subordinates in Serbia, including former Serbian president Milan Milutinovic, are on trial at the tribunal for alleged crimes in the Kosovo war of 1999.
The court will rule on Wednesday in the case of Momcilio Krajisnik, who was speaker of parliament in the breakaway Bosnian Serb Republic during the 1991-1995 Bosnian war, which left more than 200,000 dead on all sides.
Krajisnik, 61, has pleaded not guilty to eight charges, including genocide and plotting to commit genocide by "cleansing" parts of Bosnia of Muslims and Croats to create an ethnically pure "greater Serbia" together with Serbian President Milosevic, Karadzic, and others.
Prosecutors demanded a life sentence for Krajisnik, who they said was one of a troika of Bosnian Serb leaders bearing primary political responsibility for atrocities carried out by their troops from July 1991-December 1992, including civilian slaughters, and murder, torture and rape of detainees. The defense sought acquittal.
The third member of the Bosnian Serb Republic's wartime presidency, Vice President Biljana Plavsic, is serving an 11-year sentence after pleading guilty in a deal with prosecutors.
Plavsic was brought from her Swedish prison cell to testify reluctantly against Krajisnik.
"He was a very powerful man," she told judges in July. "I think in certain matters he even dominated the president of the republic, Karadzic."
Krajisnik testified in his own defense for weeks, arguing that he knew little or nothing of what was happening in Serb-controlled areas of Bosnia.
Milosevic died of a heart attack in March during his trial, leaving historians to decide whether he was pulling the strings from neighboring Serbia during the war, as prosecutors alleged.
The U.N. tribunal is gradually winding down operations, with its final trial to begin by 2008 -- though it says it will always be ready to reopen if Karadzic or the Bosnian Serb general, Ratko Mladic, are arrested.
Mladic is accused of overseeing the killing of more than 7,000 Muslim boys and men at Srebrenica, Bosnia, in July 2005, Europe's worst civilian massacre since World War II. A fugitive, he is believed to live in Serbia.
"I did not take part in the selection of Mr. Mladic in the least," Krajisnik told the three-judge panel hearing his case.
Krajisnik's defense lawyers argued he was a small cog in the machinery of the Bosnian Serb mini-state who was not closely aligned to Karadzic, sought peace early in the conflict and did not advocate targeting people based on their ethnicity.
Before full-scale war broke out in Bosnia, Krajisnik "was genuine, sincere, active and energetic in his pursuit of the peaceful solution," Nicholas Stewart said.
"He knew if there was a war a lot of people would be killed," he said. "There is not the slightest indication Mr. Krajisnik wanted anybody to be killed because of what they were ... or who they were."
Krajisnik's trial began in February 2004.
"Each count of the indictment individually, if found to be true, merits the highest possible sentence," prosecutor Alan Tieger said during sentencing demands.
The Yugoslav tribunal has sentenced only one defendant to life imprisonment: former Bosnian Serb politician Milomir Stakic. But an appeals court later changed his term to 40 years -- a sentence that could end up longer than "life" because it eliminated the possibility of a review after 20 years.
A group of Milosevic's top subordinates in Serbia, including former Serbian president Milan Milutinovic, are on trial at the tribunal for alleged crimes in the Kosovo war of 1999.
U.S. diplomat urges negotiated solution for Kosovo by end of 2006
BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) - The United States supports a final solution for Serbia's breakaway province of Kosovo by the end of this year, a senior U.S. diplomat said Tuesday, rejecting Serbian demands for more time to negotiate.
U.N.-mediated talks, which began in February, have stalled with both sides unwilling to compromise on their demands. Kosovo's leadership has demanded independence, while Serbia insists the province remain within its territory.
Though the United Nations wants to settle Kosovo's status by the end of the year, Serbian officials repeatedly have said no "artificial" deadlines should be set for Kosovo's final status.
"I have yet to hear any argument which demonstrates a delay would bring anything at all," said Daniel Fried, U.S. assistant secretary of state for European and Eurasian Affairs.
"Kosovo has been administered by the United Nations since 1999. We cannot go back. The status quo is inherently unstable," Fried told reporters. "We should strive for a negotiated settlement this year."
Kosovo -- where independence-seeking ethnic Albanians comprise 90 percent of the 2 million people -- has been an international protectorate since 1999, when NATO bombing forced Serbia to stop its crackdown on the province's ethnic Albanian separatists and handed over authority there to a U.N. mission and the alliance.
Fried also rejected Serbian officials' claims that independence for Kosovo would be set dangerous international precedent and trigger other secessionist movements in the Balkans and elsewhere in Europe.
"Kosovo is not a precedent for anything," Fried said. "Its situation is unique, the solution whatever it is will be unique.
"I don't know what a decision on Kosovo will be, but it will not be a return to the past," Fried said.
While formally still part of Serbia, Kosovo could become an independent state if the United States, Britain, Germany, France, Russia and Italy -- which are overseeing the U.N.-led talks -- agree to redraw Serbia's borders and accept the Kosovo leadership's demand for sovereignty.
Any decision by the so-called Contact Group on Kosovo's future status must be approved by the U.N. Security Council. While the Western states have appeared to be inclined to grant independence, Serbian ally Russia has hinted it may use its veto power in the council to block a decision.
Fried also urged Serbia to arrest war crimes fugitive Ratko Mladic -- a precondition set by the European Union for the continuation of its pre-membership talks with the bloc.
"Mladic is an indicted war criminal and a coward who has been hiding behind the Serbian flag, which has a more noble history than that," Fried said. The wartime Bosnian Serb army commander was indicted in 1995 for genocide by the U.N. war crimes tribunal in The Hague, Netherlands.
U.N.-mediated talks, which began in February, have stalled with both sides unwilling to compromise on their demands. Kosovo's leadership has demanded independence, while Serbia insists the province remain within its territory.
Though the United Nations wants to settle Kosovo's status by the end of the year, Serbian officials repeatedly have said no "artificial" deadlines should be set for Kosovo's final status.
"I have yet to hear any argument which demonstrates a delay would bring anything at all," said Daniel Fried, U.S. assistant secretary of state for European and Eurasian Affairs.
"Kosovo has been administered by the United Nations since 1999. We cannot go back. The status quo is inherently unstable," Fried told reporters. "We should strive for a negotiated settlement this year."
Kosovo -- where independence-seeking ethnic Albanians comprise 90 percent of the 2 million people -- has been an international protectorate since 1999, when NATO bombing forced Serbia to stop its crackdown on the province's ethnic Albanian separatists and handed over authority there to a U.N. mission and the alliance.
Fried also rejected Serbian officials' claims that independence for Kosovo would be set dangerous international precedent and trigger other secessionist movements in the Balkans and elsewhere in Europe.
"Kosovo is not a precedent for anything," Fried said. "Its situation is unique, the solution whatever it is will be unique.
"I don't know what a decision on Kosovo will be, but it will not be a return to the past," Fried said.
While formally still part of Serbia, Kosovo could become an independent state if the United States, Britain, Germany, France, Russia and Italy -- which are overseeing the U.N.-led talks -- agree to redraw Serbia's borders and accept the Kosovo leadership's demand for sovereignty.
Any decision by the so-called Contact Group on Kosovo's future status must be approved by the U.N. Security Council. While the Western states have appeared to be inclined to grant independence, Serbian ally Russia has hinted it may use its veto power in the council to block a decision.
Fried also urged Serbia to arrest war crimes fugitive Ratko Mladic -- a precondition set by the European Union for the continuation of its pre-membership talks with the bloc.
"Mladic is an indicted war criminal and a coward who has been hiding behind the Serbian flag, which has a more noble history than that," Fried said. The wartime Bosnian Serb army commander was indicted in 1995 for genocide by the U.N. war crimes tribunal in The Hague, Netherlands.
Monday, September 25, 2006
Senior U.S. diplomat visits Serbia
BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) - A senior U.S. diplomat met with Serbian officials Monday, discussing bilateral relations, war crimes issues and the country's troubled southern province of Kosovo.
Daniel Fried, U.S. assistant secretary of state for European and Eurasian Affairs, met first with President Boris Tadic, who expressed gratitude for U.S. support for Serbia's efforts to join NATO and the European Union.
Serbia's ambitions, however, remain blocked until it captures and extradites war crimes suspect Ratko Mladic, a former Serb commander sought by the Netherlands-based U.N. war crimes court for atrocities committed during the Bosnian war.
Tadic acknowledged that it is "Serbia's obligation, as well as a very important issue for our society" to cooperate with the U.N. tribunal.
Fried also met with Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica, who reiterated Serbia's rejection of the possible secession of Kosovo, the southern province where ethnic Albanians demand independence.
The United Nations hopes to resolve Kosovo's status by the end of the year, but talks have stalled with both sides unwilling to compromise on their demands.
Kosovo has been a U.N. protectorate since 1999 when NATO air raids forced Serbia to halt its crackdown on the separatists and pull its troops out.
"Kosovo has always been and will remain part of Serbia," Kostunica stressed in a statement. He reiterated Belgrade's proposal that Kosovo enjoy self-rule and broad autonomy, without a change of borders.
"It is necessary to respect international law, particularly the principle of sovereignty and territorial integrity" of countries, Kostunica added.
He described Serbia's trade relations with the United States as "very good, with great possibilities for further improvement."
Fried is expected to visit Kosovo after Belgrade.
Daniel Fried, U.S. assistant secretary of state for European and Eurasian Affairs, met first with President Boris Tadic, who expressed gratitude for U.S. support for Serbia's efforts to join NATO and the European Union.
Serbia's ambitions, however, remain blocked until it captures and extradites war crimes suspect Ratko Mladic, a former Serb commander sought by the Netherlands-based U.N. war crimes court for atrocities committed during the Bosnian war.
Tadic acknowledged that it is "Serbia's obligation, as well as a very important issue for our society" to cooperate with the U.N. tribunal.
Fried also met with Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica, who reiterated Serbia's rejection of the possible secession of Kosovo, the southern province where ethnic Albanians demand independence.
The United Nations hopes to resolve Kosovo's status by the end of the year, but talks have stalled with both sides unwilling to compromise on their demands.
Kosovo has been a U.N. protectorate since 1999 when NATO air raids forced Serbia to halt its crackdown on the separatists and pull its troops out.
"Kosovo has always been and will remain part of Serbia," Kostunica stressed in a statement. He reiterated Belgrade's proposal that Kosovo enjoy self-rule and broad autonomy, without a change of borders.
"It is necessary to respect international law, particularly the principle of sovereignty and territorial integrity" of countries, Kostunica added.
He described Serbia's trade relations with the United States as "very good, with great possibilities for further improvement."
Fried is expected to visit Kosovo after Belgrade.
Singer James Blunt to perform for Kosovo peacekeepers
PRISTINA, Serbia (AP) - British chart-topper James Blunt, who once served as a peacekeeper in Kosovo, was to perform Monday night for British troops stationed in the province, a British diplomat said.
Blunt will sing at the "Slim Lines" base for some 200 British troops serving in the 16,000-strong NATO-led peacekeeping mission, known as KFOR, said diplomat Brian Jones in the provincial capital, Pristina.
Blunt served with KFOR soon after Kosovo came under U.N. and NATO control in 1999, when some 4,000 British soldiers were sent in as Serb troops left after a 78-day NATO bombing campaign.
The singer, in Kosovo through the British Forces Foundation entertainment charity, shot to fame with the international chart-topper "You're Beautiful" from his debut album "Back to Bedlam."
Tensions between majority ethnic Albanians and minority Serbs persist in the province, amid talks to determine whether Kosovo will become independent or remain part of Serbia.
Blunt will sing at the "Slim Lines" base for some 200 British troops serving in the 16,000-strong NATO-led peacekeeping mission, known as KFOR, said diplomat Brian Jones in the provincial capital, Pristina.
Blunt served with KFOR soon after Kosovo came under U.N. and NATO control in 1999, when some 4,000 British soldiers were sent in as Serb troops left after a 78-day NATO bombing campaign.
The singer, in Kosovo through the British Forces Foundation entertainment charity, shot to fame with the international chart-topper "You're Beautiful" from his debut album "Back to Bedlam."
Tensions between majority ethnic Albanians and minority Serbs persist in the province, amid talks to determine whether Kosovo will become independent or remain part of Serbia.
Albanian PM says Serbia's opposition to an independent Kosovo not realistic
TIRANA, Sept 25 (Hina) - Albanian President Sali Berisha has assessed that Serbia's refusal to accept plans for defining Kosovo as an independent state is not realistic and therefore the international community will perhaps have to impose the solution for Kosovo's final status.
"I hold that Serbia still has an unrealistic attitude towards the status of Kosovo, however, the lack of reality should not be a barrier for defining the final solution," the Albanian premier told reporters in Tirana on Sunday.
He said that it would be desirable that the two sides reach a consensus. However, he added, "in the last 150 years of the Balkan history, all agreements were imposed."
According to him, Albania believes that the defining of Kosovo's status and its independence are of vital importance for peace and stability in the Balkans.
Kosovo, which is formally a part of Serbia, is now under UN administration which was established after the 1999 NATO air strikes against Serbian forces that used to persecute local Albanians during the Slobodan Milosevic autocratic rule. Kosovo Albanians, who account for 88 percent of province's population, insist on its independence. Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica believes that Kosovo Albanians' plans can be thwarted with the adoption of a new Serbian constitution stipulating that Kosovo belongs to Serbia, which is why talks between Serbian parliamentary parties on the text of a news constitution are being intensified.
"I hold that Serbia still has an unrealistic attitude towards the status of Kosovo, however, the lack of reality should not be a barrier for defining the final solution," the Albanian premier told reporters in Tirana on Sunday.
He said that it would be desirable that the two sides reach a consensus. However, he added, "in the last 150 years of the Balkan history, all agreements were imposed."
According to him, Albania believes that the defining of Kosovo's status and its independence are of vital importance for peace and stability in the Balkans.
Kosovo, which is formally a part of Serbia, is now under UN administration which was established after the 1999 NATO air strikes against Serbian forces that used to persecute local Albanians during the Slobodan Milosevic autocratic rule. Kosovo Albanians, who account for 88 percent of province's population, insist on its independence. Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica believes that Kosovo Albanians' plans can be thwarted with the adoption of a new Serbian constitution stipulating that Kosovo belongs to Serbia, which is why talks between Serbian parliamentary parties on the text of a news constitution are being intensified.
Slovak foreign minister says status quo in Kosovo is "impossible"
WASHINGTON (AP) - Slovak Foreign Minister Jan Kubis said Monday U.N.-sponsored talks on Kosovo must resolve the territory's future status because "the status quo is impossible."
Kubis, making his first visit here since his appointment, said the majority Kosovar Albanians must do all in their power to reach out to the Serb minority.
"There must be incentives for Serbs in Kosovo to stay there," he said, speaking at a forum sponsored by the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
He said the Albanians must not merely meet the minimal expectations of the Serbs but instead acquiesce "to the top line of their expectations."
Kubis came here for official talks after attending the U.N.. General Assembly session in New York.
Kosovo is entering the final phase of U.N.-brokered talks that many believe will give it independence from Serbia. Former President Maarti Ahtisaari gave a briefing on the Vienna talks on Friday to the U.N. Security Council.
Serbian authorities in Belgrade are lobbying hard against independence for Kosovo. They warn that granting independence to the territory could trigger a wave of similar claims by nationalist groups in other countries of the region.
The United Nations has administered Kosovo since 1999. Albanians account for 90 percent of Kosovo's 2 million population.
On another subject, Kubis said NATO should send a signal at its November summit in Riga of a willingness to extend expand its membership.
"We must not wait until 2008," Kubis said. Albania is among the possible candidates for membership.
Slovakia has troops in Iraq as part of the U.S.-led coalition. The troops will be withdrawn in the coming months but Kubis said his country will remain in Iraq as part of a NATO training program.
"We will remain staunch allies of the United States," he said.
Kubis, making his first visit here since his appointment, said the majority Kosovar Albanians must do all in their power to reach out to the Serb minority.
"There must be incentives for Serbs in Kosovo to stay there," he said, speaking at a forum sponsored by the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
He said the Albanians must not merely meet the minimal expectations of the Serbs but instead acquiesce "to the top line of their expectations."
Kubis came here for official talks after attending the U.N.. General Assembly session in New York.
Kosovo is entering the final phase of U.N.-brokered talks that many believe will give it independence from Serbia. Former President Maarti Ahtisaari gave a briefing on the Vienna talks on Friday to the U.N. Security Council.
Serbian authorities in Belgrade are lobbying hard against independence for Kosovo. They warn that granting independence to the territory could trigger a wave of similar claims by nationalist groups in other countries of the region.
The United Nations has administered Kosovo since 1999. Albanians account for 90 percent of Kosovo's 2 million population.
On another subject, Kubis said NATO should send a signal at its November summit in Riga of a willingness to extend expand its membership.
"We must not wait until 2008," Kubis said. Albania is among the possible candidates for membership.
Slovakia has troops in Iraq as part of the U.S.-led coalition. The troops will be withdrawn in the coming months but Kubis said his country will remain in Iraq as part of a NATO training program.
"We will remain staunch allies of the United States," he said.
UN reopens bridge that divides Kosovo's troubled town
PRISTINA, Serbia, Sept 25, 2006 (AFP) -
The main bridge over the river in the troubled northern Kosovo town of Mitrovica, shut a month ago after an outbreak of ethnic violence, was reopened Monday, United Nations officials said.
"The bridge was reopened at 07:00 am (0500 GMT). Unrestricted pedestrians and vehicle traffic are allowed to cross in both directions," Larry Miller, UN police spokesman for the Mitrovica region told AFP.
The bridge over the river Ibar was closed in late August when nine people, including two foreigners, were injured in a grenade attack at a Serb cafe near the bridge, which divides the ethnic Albanian south of the town from the Serb-controlled north.
Police increased security in the town and closed the bridge after the attack, fearing a renewed outbreak of ethnic clashes.
"Increased security measures involving KPS (local police) and international police officers remained in place to ensure the safe passage of all persons," Miller added.
Interethnic tension has remained high more than seven years after the end of the 1998-1999 war in Kosovo between Serbian forces and armed ethnic Albanian separatists.
The southern Serbian province has been under UN and NATO administration since June 1999.
The main bridge over the river in the troubled northern Kosovo town of Mitrovica, shut a month ago after an outbreak of ethnic violence, was reopened Monday, United Nations officials said.
"The bridge was reopened at 07:00 am (0500 GMT). Unrestricted pedestrians and vehicle traffic are allowed to cross in both directions," Larry Miller, UN police spokesman for the Mitrovica region told AFP.
The bridge over the river Ibar was closed in late August when nine people, including two foreigners, were injured in a grenade attack at a Serb cafe near the bridge, which divides the ethnic Albanian south of the town from the Serb-controlled north.
Police increased security in the town and closed the bridge after the attack, fearing a renewed outbreak of ethnic clashes.
"Increased security measures involving KPS (local police) and international police officers remained in place to ensure the safe passage of all persons," Miller added.
Interethnic tension has remained high more than seven years after the end of the 1998-1999 war in Kosovo between Serbian forces and armed ethnic Albanian separatists.
The southern Serbian province has been under UN and NATO administration since June 1999.
Sunday, September 24, 2006
Albanian PM says Serbia's opposition to Kosovo independence is 'unrealistic'
TIRANA, Albania (AP) - Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha on Sunday called Serbia's opposition to Kosovo's independence unrealistic and suggested the international community may have to impose a solution to resolve the disputed province's status.
Kosovo is entering the final phase of U.N.-brokered talks that many believe will give it independence from Serbia.
Ethnic Albanians, who make up 90 percent of Kosovo's 2 million people, are seeking independence. Serbs are willing to grant the province broad autonomy, but they see it as the heart of their ancient homeland and want it to remain a part of Serbian territory.
"I believe Belgrade continues to take an unrealistic stand on Kosovo's status but that lack of realism should not hamper the final solution," Berisha told a news conference.
He said a consensus between the two sides was preferable, but suggested the international community may have to impose a solution.
"In the Balkans' 150-year history all deals have been imposed. Let this (on Kosovo) be the last and the others be achieved with consensus and good understanding in a democratic Balkans, integrated into Europe," he said.
Albania has been the biggest supporter for Kosovo's independence, leading to frosty relations with Serbia. Tirana has, however, always said it has no territorial claims and does not intend to change its border.
"Albania considers the resolution of Kosovo's status, and this country's independence, as vital for Balkans' peace and stability, in accordance with the full guarantee of freedom and rights of Kosovo minorities and citizens," said Berisha.
The chief U.N. envoy for Kosovo Maarti Ahtisaari told the U.N. General Assembly last week that time was short on U.N.-brokered efforts to determine the province's future status but that he had no "fixed deadlines."
Ahtisaari is preparing to present to the U.S. Security Council his idea of what a future Kosovo should look like in response to a request by the six-nation Contact Group -- made up of the U.S., Britain, Germany, France, Italy and Russia.
Kosovo is entering the final phase of U.N.-brokered talks that many believe will give it independence from Serbia.
Ethnic Albanians, who make up 90 percent of Kosovo's 2 million people, are seeking independence. Serbs are willing to grant the province broad autonomy, but they see it as the heart of their ancient homeland and want it to remain a part of Serbian territory.
"I believe Belgrade continues to take an unrealistic stand on Kosovo's status but that lack of realism should not hamper the final solution," Berisha told a news conference.
He said a consensus between the two sides was preferable, but suggested the international community may have to impose a solution.
"In the Balkans' 150-year history all deals have been imposed. Let this (on Kosovo) be the last and the others be achieved with consensus and good understanding in a democratic Balkans, integrated into Europe," he said.
Albania has been the biggest supporter for Kosovo's independence, leading to frosty relations with Serbia. Tirana has, however, always said it has no territorial claims and does not intend to change its border.
"Albania considers the resolution of Kosovo's status, and this country's independence, as vital for Balkans' peace and stability, in accordance with the full guarantee of freedom and rights of Kosovo minorities and citizens," said Berisha.
The chief U.N. envoy for Kosovo Maarti Ahtisaari told the U.N. General Assembly last week that time was short on U.N.-brokered efforts to determine the province's future status but that he had no "fixed deadlines."
Ahtisaari is preparing to present to the U.S. Security Council his idea of what a future Kosovo should look like in response to a request by the six-nation Contact Group -- made up of the U.S., Britain, Germany, France, Italy and Russia.
Serbia says UN negotiator in Kosovo talks is biased
BELGRADE, Sept 24, 2006 (AFP) -
The United Nations mediator chairing talks over the future status of Serb province of Kosovo should step down as he clearly backs Albanian separatist views on the issue, the Serb government said Sunday.
"It would be more honest of (Marti) Ahtisaari if he stepped down instead of seeing him openly, in front of the whole world, fall in line behind the Albanian speraratists," government spokesman Srdjan Djuric said of the UN special envoy for Kosovo and former Finnish president Marti Ahtisaari.
"We are entitled to ask ourselves whether or not Mr. Ahtisaari will organise, as his mandate stipulates, serious negotiations over the future of the province," Djuric told the Tanjug news agency.
Kosovo, sandwiched between Serbia, Albania and Macedonia, is nominally part of Serbia but it has been under United Nations administration since 1999.
The UN took over after a NATO-led bombing campaign against Serbia that was triggered by Belgrade's violent attempts to crack down on ethnic Albanian separatists in the region.
Kosovo's ethnic Albanian majority, which makes up about 90 percent of the province, wants independence, but Belgrade and the minority Serb community insist the region is the cradle of Serb nationhood and cannot be given away.
Ahtisaari, who was named special envoy to the region late last year, has been trying to broker a long-term deal between Belgrade and Kosovo's ethnic Albanians since February but he has made little progress.
Djuric's comments came after foreign ministers from the so-called Contact Group -- Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Russia and the United States -- met with Ahtisaari at UN headquarters in New York on Wednesday.
At the talks, the ministers reaffirmed their goal of achieving a "status agreement" between Kosovars and Serbia by the end of the year and instructed Ahtisaari to draw up a status agreement proposal for presentation back to the ministerial group in four to six weeks time.
They also called on Belgrade "to cease its obstruction of Kosovo Serb participation in Kosovo's institutions".
Djurica heavily criticised the move to draw up a status agreement proposal, slamming what he saw as Ahtisaari's haste in wanting to propose a solution to the question.
"If Mr. Ahtisaari is in a great hurry and cannot find time to prepare seriously for negotiations, he needs to understand that Kosovo is a vital question for us, we are talking about our destiny and that is more important than one person's haste or agitation," the government spokesman said.
Djurica stressed Serbia would "reject all solutions that involve a modification of our borders" and he praised Russia for supporting Belgrade on this point.
"Russia's position, which clearly defends the principles of international law, is of the utmost importance for us," he said.
The United Nations mediator chairing talks over the future status of Serb province of Kosovo should step down as he clearly backs Albanian separatist views on the issue, the Serb government said Sunday.
"It would be more honest of (Marti) Ahtisaari if he stepped down instead of seeing him openly, in front of the whole world, fall in line behind the Albanian speraratists," government spokesman Srdjan Djuric said of the UN special envoy for Kosovo and former Finnish president Marti Ahtisaari.
"We are entitled to ask ourselves whether or not Mr. Ahtisaari will organise, as his mandate stipulates, serious negotiations over the future of the province," Djuric told the Tanjug news agency.
Kosovo, sandwiched between Serbia, Albania and Macedonia, is nominally part of Serbia but it has been under United Nations administration since 1999.
The UN took over after a NATO-led bombing campaign against Serbia that was triggered by Belgrade's violent attempts to crack down on ethnic Albanian separatists in the region.
Kosovo's ethnic Albanian majority, which makes up about 90 percent of the province, wants independence, but Belgrade and the minority Serb community insist the region is the cradle of Serb nationhood and cannot be given away.
Ahtisaari, who was named special envoy to the region late last year, has been trying to broker a long-term deal between Belgrade and Kosovo's ethnic Albanians since February but he has made little progress.
Djuric's comments came after foreign ministers from the so-called Contact Group -- Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Russia and the United States -- met with Ahtisaari at UN headquarters in New York on Wednesday.
At the talks, the ministers reaffirmed their goal of achieving a "status agreement" between Kosovars and Serbia by the end of the year and instructed Ahtisaari to draw up a status agreement proposal for presentation back to the ministerial group in four to six weeks time.
They also called on Belgrade "to cease its obstruction of Kosovo Serb participation in Kosovo's institutions".
Djurica heavily criticised the move to draw up a status agreement proposal, slamming what he saw as Ahtisaari's haste in wanting to propose a solution to the question.
"If Mr. Ahtisaari is in a great hurry and cannot find time to prepare seriously for negotiations, he needs to understand that Kosovo is a vital question for us, we are talking about our destiny and that is more important than one person's haste or agitation," the government spokesman said.
Djurica stressed Serbia would "reject all solutions that involve a modification of our borders" and he praised Russia for supporting Belgrade on this point.
"Russia's position, which clearly defends the principles of international law, is of the utmost importance for us," he said.
Saturday, September 23, 2006
U.N. envoy says time short on Kosovo talks but offers no timeline
UNITED NATIONS (AP) - The chief U.N. envoy for Kosovo said Friday that time was short on U.N.-brokered efforts to determine the province's future status but that he had no "fixed deadlines."
"We have a lot of work to do, and there's not that much time," former Finnish President Maarti Ahtisaari told reporters after he gave a closed briefing for the Security Council. "I would be very hesitant to say your exact dates."
Kosovo is entering the final phase of U.N.-brokered talks that many believe will give it independence from Serbia.
Ahtisaari is working to present to the council his idea of what a future Kosovo should look like. That work, he said, would "have to continue, and, therefore, there's nothing specific that I could put to anybody at the moment. We will have to discuss with the parties still."
He said withdrawal from the talks was unlikely. "Both sides have assured me that they will come," he said. "I don't expect them to pull out of the talks."
Ethnic Albanians, who make up 90 percent of Kosovo's 2 million people, are seeking independence. While Serbs are willing to grant Kosovo broad autonomy, they see it as the heart of their ancient homeland and want it to remain a part of Serbian territory.
German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier told the U.N. General Assembly that "stability cannot be achieved if only the will of the majority population is expressed. Kosovo Serbs have to be guaranteed adequate minority protection."
U.S. Ambassador John Bolton said the people of the region "deserve to have their status resolved, and that's certainly the view that we'll be supporting."
"We have a lot of work to do, and there's not that much time," former Finnish President Maarti Ahtisaari told reporters after he gave a closed briefing for the Security Council. "I would be very hesitant to say your exact dates."
Kosovo is entering the final phase of U.N.-brokered talks that many believe will give it independence from Serbia.
Ahtisaari is working to present to the council his idea of what a future Kosovo should look like. That work, he said, would "have to continue, and, therefore, there's nothing specific that I could put to anybody at the moment. We will have to discuss with the parties still."
He said withdrawal from the talks was unlikely. "Both sides have assured me that they will come," he said. "I don't expect them to pull out of the talks."
Ethnic Albanians, who make up 90 percent of Kosovo's 2 million people, are seeking independence. While Serbs are willing to grant Kosovo broad autonomy, they see it as the heart of their ancient homeland and want it to remain a part of Serbian territory.
German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier told the U.N. General Assembly that "stability cannot be achieved if only the will of the majority population is expressed. Kosovo Serbs have to be guaranteed adequate minority protection."
U.S. Ambassador John Bolton said the people of the region "deserve to have their status resolved, and that's certainly the view that we'll be supporting."
U.N. envoy dismisses fear of Kosovo precedent
UNITED NATIONS, Sept 22 (Reuters) - The U.N. envoy charged with proposing a solution to Kosovo's final status on Friday dismissed arguments that granting the breakaway Serbian province independence would set a dangerous precedent.
Martti Ahtisaari said after briefing the Security Council on talks he is conducting between Belgrade and Pristina, "We would be totally paralyzed if people would say, don't do this because it may have an effect on something else."
"This is a special case," the former Finnish president told reporters, arguing that Kosovo's history made it different from any other conflict in the Balkans or the Caucasus.
Major powers in a six-nation Contact Group overseeing Balkan diplomacy authorized Ahtisaari this week to propose a final status for Kosovo widely expected to lead to U.N.-imposed independence against Belgrade's will by the end of this year.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Borys Tarasyuk warned Western nations that granting independence to Kosovo, whose population is 90 percent ethnic Albanian, could have a ripple effect from the Black Sea to the Caucasus.
"A lot of separatist regimes in the region are waiting for a solution of the Kosovo problem in order to undertake their action to separate," he said in a Reuters interview.
"Kosovo might be the precedent on which separatist regimes may take their decisions. This may undermine the efforts of the international community to bring settlements in Transdnestr, Abkhazia, South Ossetia and Nagorno-Karabakh."
He was referring to so-called "frozen conflicts" in breakaway regions of the former Soviet republics of Moldova and Georgia, where minorities backed by Moscow are seeking to secede, as well as in Azerbaijan.
Kosovo has been in limbo under U.N. administration since 1999 when NATO waged an air war to drive Serbian forces out of the southern province to stop ethnic cleansing ordered by the late Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic.
FULL SPEED AHEAD
Ahtisaari said the solution to any of these conflicts would need the consent of the U.N. Security Council, where the United States, Russia, China, Britain and France have veto power.
"This precedent discussion is perhaps more political than anything else. It's a reminder that somebody may in the debates in the Council use those arguments. But I don't think it has more importance than that. Because otherwise it would prevent us from solving this," he added.
Leaders of the Bosnian Serb republic have suggested in campaigning for an Oct. 1 election they would see independence for Kosovo as legitimizing their own right to secede.
Western governments this week brushed aside Russian and Serbian pleas to slow the process and allow more time for talks, and decided to press ahead for a settlement this year.
Asked whether he feared that Serbia or the Kosovo Albanians might walk out of the talks, Ahtisaari said he did not think they would. "Both sides have assured me -- whenever I have called them, they have come," he said.
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton told reporters, "We think it's important after seven years of uncertainty for Kosovo that the people of Kosovo and Serbia and the region deserve to have their status resolved."
Serbian President Boris Tadic, a pro-Western reformer, told the U.N. General Assembly this week that Belgrade had offered Kosovo greater autonomy than any other region in Europe.
But significantly he did not echo nationalist Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica's insistence that Kosovo must remain forever Serbian.
Martti Ahtisaari said after briefing the Security Council on talks he is conducting between Belgrade and Pristina, "We would be totally paralyzed if people would say, don't do this because it may have an effect on something else."
"This is a special case," the former Finnish president told reporters, arguing that Kosovo's history made it different from any other conflict in the Balkans or the Caucasus.
Major powers in a six-nation Contact Group overseeing Balkan diplomacy authorized Ahtisaari this week to propose a final status for Kosovo widely expected to lead to U.N.-imposed independence against Belgrade's will by the end of this year.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Borys Tarasyuk warned Western nations that granting independence to Kosovo, whose population is 90 percent ethnic Albanian, could have a ripple effect from the Black Sea to the Caucasus.
"A lot of separatist regimes in the region are waiting for a solution of the Kosovo problem in order to undertake their action to separate," he said in a Reuters interview.
"Kosovo might be the precedent on which separatist regimes may take their decisions. This may undermine the efforts of the international community to bring settlements in Transdnestr, Abkhazia, South Ossetia and Nagorno-Karabakh."
He was referring to so-called "frozen conflicts" in breakaway regions of the former Soviet republics of Moldova and Georgia, where minorities backed by Moscow are seeking to secede, as well as in Azerbaijan.
Kosovo has been in limbo under U.N. administration since 1999 when NATO waged an air war to drive Serbian forces out of the southern province to stop ethnic cleansing ordered by the late Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic.
FULL SPEED AHEAD
Ahtisaari said the solution to any of these conflicts would need the consent of the U.N. Security Council, where the United States, Russia, China, Britain and France have veto power.
"This precedent discussion is perhaps more political than anything else. It's a reminder that somebody may in the debates in the Council use those arguments. But I don't think it has more importance than that. Because otherwise it would prevent us from solving this," he added.
Leaders of the Bosnian Serb republic have suggested in campaigning for an Oct. 1 election they would see independence for Kosovo as legitimizing their own right to secede.
Western governments this week brushed aside Russian and Serbian pleas to slow the process and allow more time for talks, and decided to press ahead for a settlement this year.
Asked whether he feared that Serbia or the Kosovo Albanians might walk out of the talks, Ahtisaari said he did not think they would. "Both sides have assured me -- whenever I have called them, they have come," he said.
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton told reporters, "We think it's important after seven years of uncertainty for Kosovo that the people of Kosovo and Serbia and the region deserve to have their status resolved."
Serbian President Boris Tadic, a pro-Western reformer, told the U.N. General Assembly this week that Belgrade had offered Kosovo greater autonomy than any other region in Europe.
But significantly he did not echo nationalist Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica's insistence that Kosovo must remain forever Serbian.
Thursday, September 21, 2006
Kosovo hails contact group statement calling for solution on status by year end
PRISTINA, Serbia (AP) - Kosovo's government on Thursday praised the six nations in the contact group working to resolve the province's future status for saying they were still committed to achieving a negotiated settlement by the end of the year.
The contact group -- made up of the U.S., Britain, Germany, France, Italy and Russia -- met on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly gathering in New York on Wednesday. EU officials and other envoys also were present at the meeting. Kosovo ethnic Albanian and Serb representatives did not attend.
"Ministers reaffirmed their commitment that all possible efforts be made to achieve a negotiated settlement in the course of 2006," said a statement issued after the meeting, which also urged Serb and ethnic Albanian negotiators to respect the U.N. process and support chief U.N. envoy for Kosovo, former Finnish president Maarti Ahtisaari.
Ahtisaari is due to brief the U.N. Security Council on Friday.
Kosovo's government hailed "the contact group's ministers' statement, which is encouraging" both sides to reach an agreement on the province's status this year.
Kosovo's parliament, meanwhile, denounced a recent explosion that injured four Serbs and three other bombings which damaged cars, calling them "acts of violence and terror."
"The Kosovo assembly considers that acts of violence and terror spoil Kosovo's image to the world and also seriously and politically damage the process of Kosovo's independence," according to a statement.
The United Nations has administered Kosovo since 1999, when NATO air strikes drove out Serb troops who had carried out a bloody crackdown on its independence-seeking Albanian population, which accounts for 90 percent of Kosovo's 2 million population.
About 16,000 NATO-led peacekeepers still patrol the province.
An estimated 200,000 Serbs fled Kosovo after the 1988-99 conflict, fearing revenge attacks. Today, only about 100,000 remain, most living in small, isolated enclaves scattered around the province.
Serbs are willing to grant Kosovo broad autonomy but consider it the heart of their ancient homeland and want it to remain a part of Serbia.
The contact group -- made up of the U.S., Britain, Germany, France, Italy and Russia -- met on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly gathering in New York on Wednesday. EU officials and other envoys also were present at the meeting. Kosovo ethnic Albanian and Serb representatives did not attend.
"Ministers reaffirmed their commitment that all possible efforts be made to achieve a negotiated settlement in the course of 2006," said a statement issued after the meeting, which also urged Serb and ethnic Albanian negotiators to respect the U.N. process and support chief U.N. envoy for Kosovo, former Finnish president Maarti Ahtisaari.
Ahtisaari is due to brief the U.N. Security Council on Friday.
Kosovo's government hailed "the contact group's ministers' statement, which is encouraging" both sides to reach an agreement on the province's status this year.
Kosovo's parliament, meanwhile, denounced a recent explosion that injured four Serbs and three other bombings which damaged cars, calling them "acts of violence and terror."
"The Kosovo assembly considers that acts of violence and terror spoil Kosovo's image to the world and also seriously and politically damage the process of Kosovo's independence," according to a statement.
The United Nations has administered Kosovo since 1999, when NATO air strikes drove out Serb troops who had carried out a bloody crackdown on its independence-seeking Albanian population, which accounts for 90 percent of Kosovo's 2 million population.
About 16,000 NATO-led peacekeepers still patrol the province.
An estimated 200,000 Serbs fled Kosovo after the 1988-99 conflict, fearing revenge attacks. Today, only about 100,000 remain, most living in small, isolated enclaves scattered around the province.
Serbs are willing to grant Kosovo broad autonomy but consider it the heart of their ancient homeland and want it to remain a part of Serbia.
Kosovo solution due by November -sources
PRISTINA, Serbia, Sept 21 (Reuters) - U.N. envoy Martti Ahtisaari will propose a settlement for Kosovo by November, after he won backing from the major powers to wind up Serb-Albanian talks, diplomatic sources said on Thursday.
"You're looking at November, but it could be earlier," a senior Western official close to the process told Reuters after the major powers instructed Ahtisaari to produce his proposal.
A Kosovo government official said Ahtisaari, who has led talks between Serbia and Kosovo Albanians since February, would make his proposal "by the end of October at the latest".
Meeting on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly on Wednesday, foreign ministers of the major Western powers and Russia gave Ahtisaari the green light to go to the next phase.
They said "all possible efforts" should be made to reach a solution by the end of the year.
The timetable suggests the United States and its European allies have overcome Russian opposition to a strict deadline. Moscow had backed Serb demands for a delay, but the statement issued after the meeting accused Belgrade of "obstruction".
Diplomats say Ahtisaari will propose independence for the Albanian majority province, with safeguards for the Serb minority supervised by the European Union and NATO.
The move would end more than seven years of limbo in Kosovo, since NATO's first "humanitarian" war halted a brutal crackdown by forces under Serbia's late president Slobodan Milosevic and the United Nations took control.
Ahtisaari's deputy has said chances of further progress in talks are "increasingly slim."
MELTDOWN
Western powers are mindful of increasing impatience among the 90-percent ethnic Albanian majority, and the potential for fresh attacks against the 100,000 remaining Serbs.
The 16,000-strong NATO peace force said on Thursday it had stepped up patrols after a spate of bomb attacks, including one on Tuesday that wounded four elderly Serbs.
Privately, U.N. officials in Kosovo have warned of a violent meltdown if a decision were delayed much longer. One senior U.N. official had told Reuters the mission would become "unmanageable" by spring 2007.
Serbia refuses to consider independence for Kosovo, to many Serbs the cradle of their nation. But there is an increasingly desperate ring to official language in Belgrade.
Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica appeared to portray the New York statement as a victory, thanking traditional Orthodox ally Russia for its steadfast support.
"In this historically important moment for Serbia, Russia and its president, Vladimir Putin, advocate that international law must be respected, there can be no unilateral change of borders of sovereign states and that only an agreement accepted by both sides can be approved by the U.N. Security Council," he told the state news agency.
Serbia lost control over the territory of 2 million people in 1999, when NATO bombed for 78 days to drive out Serb forces accused of atrocities and ethnic cleansing in a two-year war with separatist guerrillas.
Around half the prewar Serb population fled a wave of revenge attacks in 1999. The United Nations has contingency plans for a fresh exodus in the event of independence, and some fear a bid by the mainly Serb north to secede, splitting Kosovo in two. (Additional reporting by Shaban Buza)
"You're looking at November, but it could be earlier," a senior Western official close to the process told Reuters after the major powers instructed Ahtisaari to produce his proposal.
A Kosovo government official said Ahtisaari, who has led talks between Serbia and Kosovo Albanians since February, would make his proposal "by the end of October at the latest".
Meeting on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly on Wednesday, foreign ministers of the major Western powers and Russia gave Ahtisaari the green light to go to the next phase.
They said "all possible efforts" should be made to reach a solution by the end of the year.
The timetable suggests the United States and its European allies have overcome Russian opposition to a strict deadline. Moscow had backed Serb demands for a delay, but the statement issued after the meeting accused Belgrade of "obstruction".
Diplomats say Ahtisaari will propose independence for the Albanian majority province, with safeguards for the Serb minority supervised by the European Union and NATO.
The move would end more than seven years of limbo in Kosovo, since NATO's first "humanitarian" war halted a brutal crackdown by forces under Serbia's late president Slobodan Milosevic and the United Nations took control.
Ahtisaari's deputy has said chances of further progress in talks are "increasingly slim."
MELTDOWN
Western powers are mindful of increasing impatience among the 90-percent ethnic Albanian majority, and the potential for fresh attacks against the 100,000 remaining Serbs.
The 16,000-strong NATO peace force said on Thursday it had stepped up patrols after a spate of bomb attacks, including one on Tuesday that wounded four elderly Serbs.
Privately, U.N. officials in Kosovo have warned of a violent meltdown if a decision were delayed much longer. One senior U.N. official had told Reuters the mission would become "unmanageable" by spring 2007.
Serbia refuses to consider independence for Kosovo, to many Serbs the cradle of their nation. But there is an increasingly desperate ring to official language in Belgrade.
Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica appeared to portray the New York statement as a victory, thanking traditional Orthodox ally Russia for its steadfast support.
"In this historically important moment for Serbia, Russia and its president, Vladimir Putin, advocate that international law must be respected, there can be no unilateral change of borders of sovereign states and that only an agreement accepted by both sides can be approved by the U.N. Security Council," he told the state news agency.
Serbia lost control over the territory of 2 million people in 1999, when NATO bombed for 78 days to drive out Serb forces accused of atrocities and ethnic cleansing in a two-year war with separatist guerrillas.
Around half the prewar Serb population fled a wave of revenge attacks in 1999. The United Nations has contingency plans for a fresh exodus in the event of independence, and some fear a bid by the mainly Serb north to secede, splitting Kosovo in two. (Additional reporting by Shaban Buza)
Kosovo Assembly condemns recent incidents, reviews law on use of languages
Text of report in English by independent internet news agency KosovaLive
Prishtina [Pristina], 21 September: Kosova [Kosovo] Assembly members during today's session have reacted against the latest incidents in Kosova by preparing a joint statement calling on those responsible to report in front of the lawmakers. Meanwhile later today they expect to reconsider the amendment regarding the law on official languages.
The request of the Democratic League of Kosova [LDK] MP, Sabri Hamiti that the parliament make a pronouncement with regard to latest incidents was supported by all parliamentary groups.
On the other hand, parliament Speaker Kole Berisha called on Assembly members to reconsider the amendment for the usage of official languages which was approved in the last session, adding that this is a request by the Contact Group.
"Disapproval was considered as disappointment. This could be seen by everyone. The message was directed to all institutions, particularly to the parliament to fulfil its part of the Standards," said Berisha.
Source: KosovaLive website, Pristina, in English 21 Sep 06
Prishtina [Pristina], 21 September: Kosova [Kosovo] Assembly members during today's session have reacted against the latest incidents in Kosova by preparing a joint statement calling on those responsible to report in front of the lawmakers. Meanwhile later today they expect to reconsider the amendment regarding the law on official languages.
The request of the Democratic League of Kosova [LDK] MP, Sabri Hamiti that the parliament make a pronouncement with regard to latest incidents was supported by all parliamentary groups.
On the other hand, parliament Speaker Kole Berisha called on Assembly members to reconsider the amendment for the usage of official languages which was approved in the last session, adding that this is a request by the Contact Group.
"Disapproval was considered as disappointment. This could be seen by everyone. The message was directed to all institutions, particularly to the parliament to fulfil its part of the Standards," said Berisha.
Source: KosovaLive website, Pristina, in English 21 Sep 06
Kosovo government satisfied with Contact Group conclusions
PRISTINA, Sept 21 (Hina) - The Kosovo government on Thursday welcomed the Contact Group's conclusions from last night's meeting in New York, which once again underlined that the process of determining Kosovo's status should be completed by the end of the year.
Kosovo Prime Minister Agim Qeku's aide Avni Arifi said the government applauded the statement from yesterday's meeting and that it reflected the Kosovo side's will.
The Kosovo government is committed to achieving the standards of a democratic society, ensuring the multiethnicity of Kosovo and protecting minorities.
The foreign ministers of Contact Group countries agreed that the utmost effort must be invested in closing the Kosovo status issue by year's end, and encouraged the UN's special envoy for negotiations on the status, Martti Ahtisaari, to prepare a proposal which would bind the sides in the negotiations to move forward.
Also today, KFOR's commander, German General Roland Kather, said in a statement that the security situation in Kosovo and along the border with Serbia was good and that the Kosovo Force would not allow any violence in this crucial period for the UN-administered province.
Kather, who stepped into office three weeks ago, stated those assessments at a meeting with the Serbian Army's chief of staff, General Zdravko Ponos, in Nis, Serbia, yesterday.
The two generals said KFOR's cooperation with the Serbian Army and authorities was very good.
Kosovo Prime Minister Agim Qeku's aide Avni Arifi said the government applauded the statement from yesterday's meeting and that it reflected the Kosovo side's will.
The Kosovo government is committed to achieving the standards of a democratic society, ensuring the multiethnicity of Kosovo and protecting minorities.
The foreign ministers of Contact Group countries agreed that the utmost effort must be invested in closing the Kosovo status issue by year's end, and encouraged the UN's special envoy for negotiations on the status, Martti Ahtisaari, to prepare a proposal which would bind the sides in the negotiations to move forward.
Also today, KFOR's commander, German General Roland Kather, said in a statement that the security situation in Kosovo and along the border with Serbia was good and that the Kosovo Force would not allow any violence in this crucial period for the UN-administered province.
Kather, who stepped into office three weeks ago, stated those assessments at a meeting with the Serbian Army's chief of staff, General Zdravko Ponos, in Nis, Serbia, yesterday.
The two generals said KFOR's cooperation with the Serbian Army and authorities was very good.
Serbia's PM counts on Russia's veto of possible Kosovo independence
BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) - The Serbian prime minister said Thursday he is counting on Russia to prevent the possible independence of the province of Kosovo.
Russia and its President Vladimir Putin "in this historic moment for Serbia have a principal stand ... that there can be no unilateral changes of borders of sovereign states," Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica said.
While formally still part of Serbia, Kosovo may become an independent state if the United States, Britain, Germany, France, Russia and Italy -- which are overseeing U.N.-mediated talks on its future -- agree to redraw Serbia's borders and accept the Kosovo Albanians' demand for sovereignty.
Once the so-called Contact Group reaches a conclusion on Kosovo's future status, a decision needs to be approved by the U.N. Security Council, where Russia has veto power. The Western states appear to be inclined to grant Kosovo's independence.
Kostunica, whose government rejects Kosovo's secession, said that Russia supports "an agreement over Kosovo that will be accepted by both sides and approved in the Security Council."
Kosovo, where independence-seeking ethnic Albanians comprise 90 percent of the 2 million people, has been an international protectorate since 1999 when NATO bombing forced Serbia to stop its crackdown on the province's ethnic Albanian separatists and hand over authority there to a U.N. mission and the alliance.
U.N.-mediated negotiations, which began in February, aim to settle the province's status by the end of the year.
Putin has repeatedly said that independence for Kosovo could set a precedent for other breakaway regions such as its own province of Chechnya. Russia is a traditional Serb ally.
"Serbia will know to remember and appreciate this Russian support for the preservation of justice, stability and peace," Kostunica said.
Kostunica also urged a quick adoption of a new Serbian constitution that would refer to Kosovo as an "integral" part of Serbia, whatever the outcome of the negotiations with the Kosovo Albanians.
Kostunica, a moderate nationalist, said that the adoption of the new constitution "would prevent those who want to grab Kosovo from us."
Russia and its President Vladimir Putin "in this historic moment for Serbia have a principal stand ... that there can be no unilateral changes of borders of sovereign states," Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica said.
While formally still part of Serbia, Kosovo may become an independent state if the United States, Britain, Germany, France, Russia and Italy -- which are overseeing U.N.-mediated talks on its future -- agree to redraw Serbia's borders and accept the Kosovo Albanians' demand for sovereignty.
Once the so-called Contact Group reaches a conclusion on Kosovo's future status, a decision needs to be approved by the U.N. Security Council, where Russia has veto power. The Western states appear to be inclined to grant Kosovo's independence.
Kostunica, whose government rejects Kosovo's secession, said that Russia supports "an agreement over Kosovo that will be accepted by both sides and approved in the Security Council."
Kosovo, where independence-seeking ethnic Albanians comprise 90 percent of the 2 million people, has been an international protectorate since 1999 when NATO bombing forced Serbia to stop its crackdown on the province's ethnic Albanian separatists and hand over authority there to a U.N. mission and the alliance.
U.N.-mediated negotiations, which began in February, aim to settle the province's status by the end of the year.
Putin has repeatedly said that independence for Kosovo could set a precedent for other breakaway regions such as its own province of Chechnya. Russia is a traditional Serb ally.
"Serbia will know to remember and appreciate this Russian support for the preservation of justice, stability and peace," Kostunica said.
Kostunica also urged a quick adoption of a new Serbian constitution that would refer to Kosovo as an "integral" part of Serbia, whatever the outcome of the negotiations with the Kosovo Albanians.
Kostunica, a moderate nationalist, said that the adoption of the new constitution "would prevent those who want to grab Kosovo from us."
NATO steps up Kosovo patrols as decision nears
PRISTINA, Serbia, Sept 21 (Reuters) - NATO stepped up patrols in Kosovo on Thursday to head off possible violence as a decision nears on the fate of Serbia's breakaway province.
The United Nations and NATO were concerned about a recent spate of bomb attacks, including one on Tuesday night that wounded four elderly Serbs, said a spokesman for the 16,000-strong NATO-led force (KFOR).
"Both KFOR and the U.N. decided to show determination that they will not tolerate any violence, increasing patrols and checkpoints and conducting exercises in west and east Kosovo," said KFOR's Colonel Reiner Senger.
Meeting in New York on Wednesday, major powers authorised U.N. chief mediator Martti Ahtisaari to propose a solution for Kosovo's final status and achieve a settlement by the end of this year.
Former Finnish president Ahtisaari is expected to propose independence for Kosovo, setting up a showdown with Serbia.
The Albanian majority province has been run by the United Nations since 1999, when NATO bombs drove out Serb forces accused of atrocities and ethnic cleansing in a two-year war with Albanian guerrillas.
The 90-percent ethnic Albanian majority is under intense Western pressure to improve the rights and security of the remaining 100,000 Serbs, a ghettoised minority.
Predictions by one Kosovo leader this week of an Albanian "revolt" if the province is denied independence has struck a nerve with U.N. officials.
Any major outbreak of violence could derail the process.
Around half the Serb population fled a wave of revenge attacks after the war and deployment of NATO troops. Those who stayed fear for the future in an independent Kosovo. The mainly Serb north has threatened to secede, splitting the province in two.
Major powers should allow more time to work out a peace plan, rather than imposing a solution that may be too difficult to enforce, Romanian President Traian Basescu said.
"Can you imagine a solution which is imposed without the agreement of all parties? I can guarantee that this will cost us more ... in guaranteeing security," Basescu told Reuters.
The biggest country in the Balkans, Romania has been trying to carve out a role as a regional mediator as it readies to join the European Union next year.
The United Nations and NATO were concerned about a recent spate of bomb attacks, including one on Tuesday night that wounded four elderly Serbs, said a spokesman for the 16,000-strong NATO-led force (KFOR).
"Both KFOR and the U.N. decided to show determination that they will not tolerate any violence, increasing patrols and checkpoints and conducting exercises in west and east Kosovo," said KFOR's Colonel Reiner Senger.
Meeting in New York on Wednesday, major powers authorised U.N. chief mediator Martti Ahtisaari to propose a solution for Kosovo's final status and achieve a settlement by the end of this year.
Former Finnish president Ahtisaari is expected to propose independence for Kosovo, setting up a showdown with Serbia.
The Albanian majority province has been run by the United Nations since 1999, when NATO bombs drove out Serb forces accused of atrocities and ethnic cleansing in a two-year war with Albanian guerrillas.
The 90-percent ethnic Albanian majority is under intense Western pressure to improve the rights and security of the remaining 100,000 Serbs, a ghettoised minority.
Predictions by one Kosovo leader this week of an Albanian "revolt" if the province is denied independence has struck a nerve with U.N. officials.
Any major outbreak of violence could derail the process.
Around half the Serb population fled a wave of revenge attacks after the war and deployment of NATO troops. Those who stayed fear for the future in an independent Kosovo. The mainly Serb north has threatened to secede, splitting the province in two.
Major powers should allow more time to work out a peace plan, rather than imposing a solution that may be too difficult to enforce, Romanian President Traian Basescu said.
"Can you imagine a solution which is imposed without the agreement of all parties? I can guarantee that this will cost us more ... in guaranteeing security," Basescu told Reuters.
The biggest country in the Balkans, Romania has been trying to carve out a role as a regional mediator as it readies to join the European Union next year.
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
Major powers say Kosovo must be resolved in 2006
UNITED NATIONS, Sept 20 (Reuters) - Major powers on Wednesday authorized a U.N. mediator to propose a final status plan for Kosovo and to achieve a settlement by the end of this year that they said neither side could block unilaterally.
A statement by the six-member "Contact Group" overseeing Balkan diplomacy -- the United States, Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Russia -- was harshly critical of what it called Belgrade's "obstruction."
"Ministers reaffirmed their commitment that all possible efforts be made to achieve a negotiated settlement in the course of 2006," said the statement from the group's ministers.
Meeting on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly, the group heard a report from U.N. envoy Martti Ahtisaari on months of talks on Kosovo that have made little progress.
The former Finnish president is widely expected to propose independence for Kosovo, setting up a showdown with Serbia.
"The ministers also agreed that striving for a negotiated settlement should not obscure the fact that neither party can unilaterally block the status process from advancing," said U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Dan Fried.
The breakaway southern Serbian province has been under U.N. administration since 1999 following a NATO bombing campaign that drove out Serb forces accused of ethnic cleansing. Ninety percent of Kosovo's 2 million people are Albanians.
IMPOSED SOLUTION
Last week, Ahtisaari's deputy said he saw little chance of progress in talks between Serbs and ethnic Albanians over Kosovo, but Fried said the international community was determined to achieve a negotiated settlement if possible.
"The ministers are determined to see this through (resolving Kosovo's status)," said Fried.
If the two sides fail to agree, major powers are expected to impose a solution.
Serbia's leaders have vowed never to give up Kosovo, which Serbs regard as the historic cradle of their nation.
Pro-European reformers in the Belgrade government have warned that an enforced separation could bring the ultra-nationalist Radicals and Socialists to power in Serbian elections due next year.
But European Union Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn, in charge of the EU's relations with Serbia, said Serbian leaders needed to approach the talks "with renewed realism".
"Nobody benefits from delaying a solution on the status of Kosovo," he told Reuters, saying Kosovo had been in limbo for seven years and it had caused political and economic problems.
Direct talks on the province's future began in February, with little sign of compromise. The focus has been on the rights and security of the 100,000 remaining Serbs, but U.N. mediators say Belgrade has been particularly stubborn.
Analysts say Belgrade knows Kosovo is lost, but could back a breakaway bid by the Serb north of the region. The West argues this might reignite Albanian insurgencies in southern Serbia and Macedonia.
The EU is preparing to take over from the U.N. with a smaller police and monitoring operation. NATO will keep at least some of its current 16,000 troops in Kosovo.
Rehn added that Serbia had a clear prospect of eventual EU membership once it met the conditions, including cooperation with the U.N. war crimes tribunal, which is currently blocking negotiations on closer ties.
A statement by the six-member "Contact Group" overseeing Balkan diplomacy -- the United States, Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Russia -- was harshly critical of what it called Belgrade's "obstruction."
"Ministers reaffirmed their commitment that all possible efforts be made to achieve a negotiated settlement in the course of 2006," said the statement from the group's ministers.
Meeting on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly, the group heard a report from U.N. envoy Martti Ahtisaari on months of talks on Kosovo that have made little progress.
The former Finnish president is widely expected to propose independence for Kosovo, setting up a showdown with Serbia.
"The ministers also agreed that striving for a negotiated settlement should not obscure the fact that neither party can unilaterally block the status process from advancing," said U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Dan Fried.
The breakaway southern Serbian province has been under U.N. administration since 1999 following a NATO bombing campaign that drove out Serb forces accused of ethnic cleansing. Ninety percent of Kosovo's 2 million people are Albanians.
IMPOSED SOLUTION
Last week, Ahtisaari's deputy said he saw little chance of progress in talks between Serbs and ethnic Albanians over Kosovo, but Fried said the international community was determined to achieve a negotiated settlement if possible.
"The ministers are determined to see this through (resolving Kosovo's status)," said Fried.
If the two sides fail to agree, major powers are expected to impose a solution.
Serbia's leaders have vowed never to give up Kosovo, which Serbs regard as the historic cradle of their nation.
Pro-European reformers in the Belgrade government have warned that an enforced separation could bring the ultra-nationalist Radicals and Socialists to power in Serbian elections due next year.
But European Union Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn, in charge of the EU's relations with Serbia, said Serbian leaders needed to approach the talks "with renewed realism".
"Nobody benefits from delaying a solution on the status of Kosovo," he told Reuters, saying Kosovo had been in limbo for seven years and it had caused political and economic problems.
Direct talks on the province's future began in February, with little sign of compromise. The focus has been on the rights and security of the 100,000 remaining Serbs, but U.N. mediators say Belgrade has been particularly stubborn.
Analysts say Belgrade knows Kosovo is lost, but could back a breakaway bid by the Serb north of the region. The West argues this might reignite Albanian insurgencies in southern Serbia and Macedonia.
The EU is preparing to take over from the U.N. with a smaller police and monitoring operation. NATO will keep at least some of its current 16,000 troops in Kosovo.
Rehn added that Serbia had a clear prospect of eventual EU membership once it met the conditions, including cooperation with the U.N. war crimes tribunal, which is currently blocking negotiations on closer ties.
Interview: Kosovo's premier says Serbs lack courage to invade again
PRISTINA, Serbia (AP) - Kosovo's prime minister on Wednesday dismissed Serbia's fierce opposition to the province's drive for independence, insisting that decades of bloodshed in the Balkans are over and Serbs will never dare to invade Kosovo again because they have "no courage."
In an interview with The Associated Press, Agim Ceku condemned a recent spate of bombings -- including an attack late Tuesday that injured four Serbs -- and he blamed Serbian nationalists for using "primitive propaganda" to incite ethnic tensions as the United Nations nears a decision on possible statehood for Kosovo.
Serbs know enough "not to invade Kosovo again," Ceku said, adding: "They have no courage."
"War is past. I'm sure there's no willingness to choose this way of realizing their wishes," Ceku said. "That is all mythology. There's a huge lack of reality in Serbia."
Ethnic Albanians, who make up 90 percent of Kosovo's population of 2 million, want independence. Serbs are willing to grant the province broad autonomy but consider it the heart of their ancient homeland and want it to remain a part of Serbia.
The clash over its future direction has led to bloodshed before: From 1998-99, Serb forces loyal to the late Yugoslav leader Slobodan Milosevic waged a brutal crackdown on ethnic Albanian separatists -- a war that killed 10,000 people, mostly ethnic Albanians, and drove thousands more from their homes.
Ceku spoke in the wake of tough remarks by his Serbian counterpart, Vojislav Kostunica, contending that Kosovo "has always been and forever will remain within Serbia," and a call by Serbian nationalist leader Tomislav Nikolic for that country's army to "stand ready" to go to war if the province gains its independence through U.N. talks.
On Friday, the chief U.N. envoy for Kosovo -- former Finnish president Maarti Ahtisaari -- is expected to brief key members of the Security Council on the province's future path, which many observers believe will lead to statehood by year's end.
Although few expect a renewal of hostilities, particularly since 16,000 NATO-led peacekeepers still patrol Kosovo, there have been fears of a resurgence of violence, and tensions have soared amid the latest spate of bombings. Two of the explosions targeted the cars of top officials, although they were not hurt.
But Ceku conceded the attacks undermine Kosovo's drive to establish itself as "a multiethnic, nonviolent country," and he reassured the province's estimated 100,000 minority Serbs that the authorities would protect them.
Since the war ended seven years ago, about 200,000 Serbs have left Kosovo, fearing reprisal attacks.
"I have encouraged Kosovo's Serbs not to leave, not to be discouraged," Ceku told the AP. "Independence is the time to stay, not leave. Independence is the time to come back."
In an interview with The Associated Press, Agim Ceku condemned a recent spate of bombings -- including an attack late Tuesday that injured four Serbs -- and he blamed Serbian nationalists for using "primitive propaganda" to incite ethnic tensions as the United Nations nears a decision on possible statehood for Kosovo.
Serbs know enough "not to invade Kosovo again," Ceku said, adding: "They have no courage."
"War is past. I'm sure there's no willingness to choose this way of realizing their wishes," Ceku said. "That is all mythology. There's a huge lack of reality in Serbia."
Ethnic Albanians, who make up 90 percent of Kosovo's population of 2 million, want independence. Serbs are willing to grant the province broad autonomy but consider it the heart of their ancient homeland and want it to remain a part of Serbia.
The clash over its future direction has led to bloodshed before: From 1998-99, Serb forces loyal to the late Yugoslav leader Slobodan Milosevic waged a brutal crackdown on ethnic Albanian separatists -- a war that killed 10,000 people, mostly ethnic Albanians, and drove thousands more from their homes.
Ceku spoke in the wake of tough remarks by his Serbian counterpart, Vojislav Kostunica, contending that Kosovo "has always been and forever will remain within Serbia," and a call by Serbian nationalist leader Tomislav Nikolic for that country's army to "stand ready" to go to war if the province gains its independence through U.N. talks.
On Friday, the chief U.N. envoy for Kosovo -- former Finnish president Maarti Ahtisaari -- is expected to brief key members of the Security Council on the province's future path, which many observers believe will lead to statehood by year's end.
Although few expect a renewal of hostilities, particularly since 16,000 NATO-led peacekeepers still patrol Kosovo, there have been fears of a resurgence of violence, and tensions have soared amid the latest spate of bombings. Two of the explosions targeted the cars of top officials, although they were not hurt.
But Ceku conceded the attacks undermine Kosovo's drive to establish itself as "a multiethnic, nonviolent country," and he reassured the province's estimated 100,000 minority Serbs that the authorities would protect them.
Since the war ended seven years ago, about 200,000 Serbs have left Kosovo, fearing reprisal attacks.
"I have encouraged Kosovo's Serbs not to leave, not to be discouraged," Ceku told the AP. "Independence is the time to stay, not leave. Independence is the time to come back."
Kosovo PM: Serbia "Will Never Invade Kosovo Again"
PRISTINA, Serbia (AP)--Kosovo's prime minister Wednesday dismissed Serbia's fierce opposition to the province's drive for independence, insisting that decades of bloodshed in the Balkans are over and Serbs will never dare to invade Kosovo again because "they have no courage."
In an interview with The Associated Press, Agim Ceku condemned a recent spate of bombings - including an attack late Tuesday that injured four Serbs -and he blamed Serbian nationalists for using "primitive propaganda" to incite ethnic tensions as the U.N. nears a decision on possible statehood for Kosovo.
Serbs know enough "not to invade Kosovo again," Ceku said, adding: "They have no courage."
"War is past. I'm sure there's no willingness to choose this way of realizing their wishes," Ceku said. "That is all mythology. There's a huge lack of reality in Serbia."
Ethnic Albanians, who make up 90% of Kosovo's 2-million population, want independence. Serbs are willing to grant it broad autonomy but consider it the heart of their ancient homeland and want it to remain a part of Serbia.
The clash over its future direction has led to bloodshed before: From 1998-99, Serb forces loyal to the late Yugoslav leader Slobodan Milosevic waged a brutal crackdown on ethnic Albanian separatists - a war that killed 10,000 people and drove thousands more from their homes.
Ceku spoke in the wake of tough remarks by his Serbian counterpart, Vojislav Kostunica, contending that Kosovo "has always been and forever will remain within Serbia," and a call by Serbian ultranationalist leader Tomislav Nikolic on that country's army to "stand ready" to go to war if the province gains its independence through U.N. talks.
Friday, the chief U.N. envoy for Kosovo - former Finnish president Maarti Ahtisaari - is expected to brief key members of the Security Council on the province's future path, which many observers believe will lead to statehood by year's end.
Ceku accused the Serbian government of waging what he called a "4-D" campaign to discredit Ahtisaari, delay the process, divide the international community and destabilize Kosovo.
The province's Serbs "are very confused and very worried. This feeling has been imposed by Belgrade," he said.
Although few expect a renewal of hostilities, particularly since 16,000 North Atlantic Treaty Organization-led peacekeepers still patrol Kosovo, there have been fears of a resurgence of violence, and tensions have soared amid the latest spate of bombings. Two of the explosions targeted the cars of top officials, although they were not hurt.
But Ceku conceded the attacks undermine Kosovo's drive to establish itself as "a multiethnic, non-violent country," and he reassured the province's estimated 100,000 minority Serbs that the authorities would protect them.
Since the war ended seven years ago, about 200,000 Serbs have left Kosovo, fearing reprisal attacks.
"I have encouraged Kosovo's Serbs not to leave, not to be discouraged," Ceku told AP. "Independence is the time to stay, not leave. Independence is the time to come back." [ 20-09-06 1552GMT ]
In an interview with The Associated Press, Agim Ceku condemned a recent spate of bombings - including an attack late Tuesday that injured four Serbs -and he blamed Serbian nationalists for using "primitive propaganda" to incite ethnic tensions as the U.N. nears a decision on possible statehood for Kosovo.
Serbs know enough "not to invade Kosovo again," Ceku said, adding: "They have no courage."
"War is past. I'm sure there's no willingness to choose this way of realizing their wishes," Ceku said. "That is all mythology. There's a huge lack of reality in Serbia."
Ethnic Albanians, who make up 90% of Kosovo's 2-million population, want independence. Serbs are willing to grant it broad autonomy but consider it the heart of their ancient homeland and want it to remain a part of Serbia.
The clash over its future direction has led to bloodshed before: From 1998-99, Serb forces loyal to the late Yugoslav leader Slobodan Milosevic waged a brutal crackdown on ethnic Albanian separatists - a war that killed 10,000 people and drove thousands more from their homes.
Ceku spoke in the wake of tough remarks by his Serbian counterpart, Vojislav Kostunica, contending that Kosovo "has always been and forever will remain within Serbia," and a call by Serbian ultranationalist leader Tomislav Nikolic on that country's army to "stand ready" to go to war if the province gains its independence through U.N. talks.
Friday, the chief U.N. envoy for Kosovo - former Finnish president Maarti Ahtisaari - is expected to brief key members of the Security Council on the province's future path, which many observers believe will lead to statehood by year's end.
Ceku accused the Serbian government of waging what he called a "4-D" campaign to discredit Ahtisaari, delay the process, divide the international community and destabilize Kosovo.
The province's Serbs "are very confused and very worried. This feeling has been imposed by Belgrade," he said.
Although few expect a renewal of hostilities, particularly since 16,000 North Atlantic Treaty Organization-led peacekeepers still patrol Kosovo, there have been fears of a resurgence of violence, and tensions have soared amid the latest spate of bombings. Two of the explosions targeted the cars of top officials, although they were not hurt.
But Ceku conceded the attacks undermine Kosovo's drive to establish itself as "a multiethnic, non-violent country," and he reassured the province's estimated 100,000 minority Serbs that the authorities would protect them.
Since the war ended seven years ago, about 200,000 Serbs have left Kosovo, fearing reprisal attacks.
"I have encouraged Kosovo's Serbs not to leave, not to be discouraged," Ceku told AP. "Independence is the time to stay, not leave. Independence is the time to come back." [ 20-09-06 1552GMT ]
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
Serbia revives Milosevic-era policies over Kosovo
BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) - It's all there: nationalist rhetoric, pledges to resist Western pressure, even saber-rattling. As far as Serbia's Kosovo policy is concerned, Slobodan Milosevic is not dead.
The prospect that Kosovo -- the separatist province that has been under U.N. control since 1999 -- might be granted independence in U.N.-brokered talks has unleashed a tide of nationalism in the Balkan republic that is reminiscent of the era of the late Serbian autocrat.
Top Serbian officials, who normally advocate pro-Western reform and European integration, in the past weeks have switched to Milosevic's language of defiance and resistance, to the "evil" world that is plotting to rid Serbia of its sacred territory.
They are even flexing military muscle, making vague threats to use force to keep Kosovo -- where ethnic Albanians represent 90 percent of its 2 million people -- within Serbia's fold.
Serbia's top leaders made a point this past weekend of attending a military parade, the first in over 30 years in downtown Belgrade.
"Kosovo has always been and forever will remain within Serbia," Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica said during the parade that was part of a grandiose graduation ceremony for about 200 cadets from Serbia's Military Academy. "Kosovo is the heart of Serbia."
Earlier this month, the Serbian parliament decided that a future Serbian constitution will refer to Kosovo as an "integral" part of Serbia, whatever the outcome of negotiations, and that a referendum will be held to cement the decision by the "people's will."
The toughening of Serbia's stance has prompted warnings from liberal politicians and analysts that current policies were ominously similar to the ones pursued by Milosevic, who used the Kosovo issue to trigger a series of wars in the former Yugoslavia in the 1990s.
Milosevic, who ruled Serbia for more than a decade before he was ousted in 2000, died in March while in custody of the U.N. war crimes tribunal in The Hague, Netherlands.
Back in 1998, Milosevic also had sought parliamentary backing for his decision to pull out of the talks on Kosovo, and organized a referendum to rally the people behind his defiant policies, which eventually resulted in a NATO assault.
"The concept is the same, only Milosevic is missing," Cedomir Jovanovic, the leader of the Liberal Democratic Party, said of the policies of the Kostunica and President Boris Tadic.
Zoran Ostojic, from the Civic Alliance, said "similarities and continuity with Milosevic's policies are unbelievably obvious."
Milosevic governed restive Kosovo with a heavy hand for years in the 1990s, before the province exploded in violence in 1998, prompting the United States and its allies to intervene on the side of the Kosovo Albanians.
The 1999 NATO air war against Serbia destroyed much of the republic's infrastructure and killed hundreds, before Milosevic agreed to end his crackdown against separatist ethnic Albanians, pull his troops out of Kosovo and relinquish control over the region to the United Nations.
Some seven years later, the U.N. launched negotiations to determine whether Kosovo will become an independent state or remain, at least formally, within Serbia's boundaries. The talks are to conclude by the end of 2006, and most analysts predict Kosovo will gain some form of independence.
Serbia's president, Tadic, upon return from the United States last week acknowledged that Washington, and most of its allies, support granting independence to Kosovo. In Serbia, the news fueled anger and a fresh wave of anti-Western, Milosevic-era rhetoric.
In Parliament, ultra-nationalist leader Tomislav Nikolic, who ruled with Milosevic in the 1990s, urged the army to "stand ready" to go to war in case Kosovo is declared a new state at the U.N. talks. He said Serbia must sever diplomatic ties with all Western states that advocate Kosovo's independence.
Kostunica met Nikolic on Tuesday, and the two urged in a statement that the new Serbian constitution with Kosovo as its integral part should be adopted as soon as possible "to prevent possible (international) attempts to impose a solution for Kosovo."
Cedomir Jovanovic, leader of the Liberals, argued that Serbia's reluctance to let go of Kosovo, despite the province's overwhelming pro-independence drive, will hurt Serbia's future. To counter the current policies, Jovanovic announced a campaign against the new constitution.
"It is not fair to burden future generations in the 21st century with the unfulfilled plans from 19th and 20th century," his party said in a statement.
Miljenko Dereta, a pro-democracy activist and political analyst, said the bravado on Kosovo, amounted to "manipulation with the feelings of the citizens of Serbia, by which incapable leaders hide their own lack of readiness to face reality."
The prospect that Kosovo -- the separatist province that has been under U.N. control since 1999 -- might be granted independence in U.N.-brokered talks has unleashed a tide of nationalism in the Balkan republic that is reminiscent of the era of the late Serbian autocrat.
Top Serbian officials, who normally advocate pro-Western reform and European integration, in the past weeks have switched to Milosevic's language of defiance and resistance, to the "evil" world that is plotting to rid Serbia of its sacred territory.
They are even flexing military muscle, making vague threats to use force to keep Kosovo -- where ethnic Albanians represent 90 percent of its 2 million people -- within Serbia's fold.
Serbia's top leaders made a point this past weekend of attending a military parade, the first in over 30 years in downtown Belgrade.
"Kosovo has always been and forever will remain within Serbia," Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica said during the parade that was part of a grandiose graduation ceremony for about 200 cadets from Serbia's Military Academy. "Kosovo is the heart of Serbia."
Earlier this month, the Serbian parliament decided that a future Serbian constitution will refer to Kosovo as an "integral" part of Serbia, whatever the outcome of negotiations, and that a referendum will be held to cement the decision by the "people's will."
The toughening of Serbia's stance has prompted warnings from liberal politicians and analysts that current policies were ominously similar to the ones pursued by Milosevic, who used the Kosovo issue to trigger a series of wars in the former Yugoslavia in the 1990s.
Milosevic, who ruled Serbia for more than a decade before he was ousted in 2000, died in March while in custody of the U.N. war crimes tribunal in The Hague, Netherlands.
Back in 1998, Milosevic also had sought parliamentary backing for his decision to pull out of the talks on Kosovo, and organized a referendum to rally the people behind his defiant policies, which eventually resulted in a NATO assault.
"The concept is the same, only Milosevic is missing," Cedomir Jovanovic, the leader of the Liberal Democratic Party, said of the policies of the Kostunica and President Boris Tadic.
Zoran Ostojic, from the Civic Alliance, said "similarities and continuity with Milosevic's policies are unbelievably obvious."
Milosevic governed restive Kosovo with a heavy hand for years in the 1990s, before the province exploded in violence in 1998, prompting the United States and its allies to intervene on the side of the Kosovo Albanians.
The 1999 NATO air war against Serbia destroyed much of the republic's infrastructure and killed hundreds, before Milosevic agreed to end his crackdown against separatist ethnic Albanians, pull his troops out of Kosovo and relinquish control over the region to the United Nations.
Some seven years later, the U.N. launched negotiations to determine whether Kosovo will become an independent state or remain, at least formally, within Serbia's boundaries. The talks are to conclude by the end of 2006, and most analysts predict Kosovo will gain some form of independence.
Serbia's president, Tadic, upon return from the United States last week acknowledged that Washington, and most of its allies, support granting independence to Kosovo. In Serbia, the news fueled anger and a fresh wave of anti-Western, Milosevic-era rhetoric.
In Parliament, ultra-nationalist leader Tomislav Nikolic, who ruled with Milosevic in the 1990s, urged the army to "stand ready" to go to war in case Kosovo is declared a new state at the U.N. talks. He said Serbia must sever diplomatic ties with all Western states that advocate Kosovo's independence.
Kostunica met Nikolic on Tuesday, and the two urged in a statement that the new Serbian constitution with Kosovo as its integral part should be adopted as soon as possible "to prevent possible (international) attempts to impose a solution for Kosovo."
Cedomir Jovanovic, leader of the Liberals, argued that Serbia's reluctance to let go of Kosovo, despite the province's overwhelming pro-independence drive, will hurt Serbia's future. To counter the current policies, Jovanovic announced a campaign against the new constitution.
"It is not fair to burden future generations in the 21st century with the unfulfilled plans from 19th and 20th century," his party said in a statement.
Miljenko Dereta, a pro-democracy activist and political analyst, said the bravado on Kosovo, amounted to "manipulation with the feelings of the citizens of Serbia, by which incapable leaders hide their own lack of readiness to face reality."
Explosion in Kosovo wounds four Serbs
PRISTINA, Serbia, Sept 19 (Reuters) - Four elderly Serbs were wounded in an explosion in the western Kosovo town of Klina on Tuesday evening, police said.
A Serb official in the area told Reuters a bomb had been thrown through the window of the victims' apartment in the town centre.
Police spokeswoman Sabrije Kamberi said the four had been sent to hospital but their injuries were not life-threatening.
Police said the victims were former refugees who had returned to Klina a year ago having fled Kosovo after the 1998-99 war.
Legally part of Serbia, the mainly ethnic Albanian province has been run by the United Nations since 1999, when NATO bombs drove out Serb forces accused of ethnic cleansing in a two-year war with Albanian guerrillas.
Negotiations are under way to decide the fate of the territory. Its 90-percent Albanian majority demands independence, but is under Western pressure to improve the rights and security of the 100,000 remaining Serbs.
At least half the Serb population fled a wave of revenge attacks after the war, and those who stayed live mainly in isolated enclaves.
U.N. officials say the rate of attacks against Serbs has fallen, but they fear fresh violence as a decision nears on Kosovo's "final status".
A Serb official in the area told Reuters a bomb had been thrown through the window of the victims' apartment in the town centre.
Police spokeswoman Sabrije Kamberi said the four had been sent to hospital but their injuries were not life-threatening.
Police said the victims were former refugees who had returned to Klina a year ago having fled Kosovo after the 1998-99 war.
Legally part of Serbia, the mainly ethnic Albanian province has been run by the United Nations since 1999, when NATO bombs drove out Serb forces accused of ethnic cleansing in a two-year war with Albanian guerrillas.
Negotiations are under way to decide the fate of the territory. Its 90-percent Albanian majority demands independence, but is under Western pressure to improve the rights and security of the 100,000 remaining Serbs.
At least half the Serb population fled a wave of revenge attacks after the war, and those who stayed live mainly in isolated enclaves.
U.N. officials say the rate of attacks against Serbs has fallen, but they fear fresh violence as a decision nears on Kosovo's "final status".
Kosovo prime minister expects U.N. report to boost independence hopes
SKOPJE, Macedonia (AP) - Kosovo's prime minister said Tuesday he expects a new report by the chief U.N. envoy to pave the way for the Serbian province's independence by the end of this year.
"We expect Martti Ahtisaari to present a report that Kosovo has made progress in the implementation of international standards and minority rights, and that we have enough substance to declare the independence of Kosovo," Agim Ceku said.
Ahtisaari, a former Finnish prime minister, is due to brief the U.N. Security Council on Friday on the course of talks on the future of the predominantly Albanian province.
The latest round of U.N.-brokered talks on the future status of Kosovo last week in Vienna ended in a stalemate. Belgrade is offering the province broad autonomy but wants it to remain part of Serbia.
Ceku was speaking after a meeting in Skopje with Macedonian Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski.
The United Nations has administered Kosovo since 1999, when NATO air strikes drove out Serb troops who had carried out a bloody crackdown on its independence-seeking Albanian population, which accounts for 90 percent of Kosovo's 2 million population.
About 16,000 NATO-led peacekeepers still patrol the province.
Ahtisaari said last month that it was premature to present a proposal on the province's final status months into negotiations between ethnic Albanian representatives and Serbian officials.
U.S. and EU envoys who visited Kosovo this week pressed ethnic Albanian leaders to provide more guarantees that the Serb minority would be protected from violence and discrimination.
An estimated 200,000 Serbs fled Kosovo after the 1988-99 conflict, fearing revenge attacks. Today, only about 100,000 remain, most living in small, isolated enclaves scattered around the province.
"We expect Martti Ahtisaari to present a report that Kosovo has made progress in the implementation of international standards and minority rights, and that we have enough substance to declare the independence of Kosovo," Agim Ceku said.
Ahtisaari, a former Finnish prime minister, is due to brief the U.N. Security Council on Friday on the course of talks on the future of the predominantly Albanian province.
The latest round of U.N.-brokered talks on the future status of Kosovo last week in Vienna ended in a stalemate. Belgrade is offering the province broad autonomy but wants it to remain part of Serbia.
Ceku was speaking after a meeting in Skopje with Macedonian Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski.
The United Nations has administered Kosovo since 1999, when NATO air strikes drove out Serb troops who had carried out a bloody crackdown on its independence-seeking Albanian population, which accounts for 90 percent of Kosovo's 2 million population.
About 16,000 NATO-led peacekeepers still patrol the province.
Ahtisaari said last month that it was premature to present a proposal on the province's final status months into negotiations between ethnic Albanian representatives and Serbian officials.
U.S. and EU envoys who visited Kosovo this week pressed ethnic Albanian leaders to provide more guarantees that the Serb minority would be protected from violence and discrimination.
An estimated 200,000 Serbs fled Kosovo after the 1988-99 conflict, fearing revenge attacks. Today, only about 100,000 remain, most living in small, isolated enclaves scattered around the province.
Two Serbian policemen arrested over Kosovo war crime
Two Serbian policemen have been arrested on suspicion of murdering an ethnic Albanian civilian during the 1998-99 Kosovo war, the Serbian war crimes prosecutor's office said on Tuesday.
The prosecutor's office said in a statement it had demanded an inquiry into the policemen, who are suspected of committing "a war crime against the civilian population in the village of Bukos", in western Kosovo.
It did not release their identity.
The case had been handed over to Serbia's war crime prosecutor by the legal branch of the United Nations mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), the statement said.
Kosovo has been administered by the UN since June 1999, when NATO forces drove Serb forces loyal to then president Slobodan Milosevic out of Kosovo and ended their crackdown on the province's ethnic Albanian majority.
The prosecutor's office said in a statement it had demanded an inquiry into the policemen, who are suspected of committing "a war crime against the civilian population in the village of Bukos", in western Kosovo.
It did not release their identity.
The case had been handed over to Serbia's war crime prosecutor by the legal branch of the United Nations mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), the statement said.
Kosovo has been administered by the UN since June 1999, when NATO forces drove Serb forces loyal to then president Slobodan Milosevic out of Kosovo and ended their crackdown on the province's ethnic Albanian majority.
Serbia revives Milosevic-era policies over Kosovo
BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) - It's all there: nationalist rhetoric, pledges to resist Western pressure, even saber-rattling. As far as Serbia's Kosovo policy is concerned, Slobodan Milosevic is not dead.
The prospect that Kosovo -- the separatist province that has been under U.N. control since 1999 -- might be granted independence in U.N.-brokered talks has unleashed a tide of nationalism in the Balkan republic that is reminiscent of the era of the late Serbian autocrat.
Top Serbian officials, who normally advocate pro-Western reform and European integration, in the past weeks have switched to Milosevic's language of defiance and resistance, to the "evil" world that is plotting to rid Serbia of its sacred territory.
They are even flexing military muscle, making vague threats to use force to keep Kosovo -- where ethnic Albanians represent 90 percent of its 2 million people -- within Serbia's fold.
Serbia's top leaders made a point this past weekend of attending a military parade, the first in over 30 years in downtown Belgrade.
"Kosovo has always been and forever will remain within Serbia," Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica said during the parade that was part of a grandiose graduation ceremony for about 200 cadets from Serbia's Military Academy. "Kosovo is the heart of Serbia."
Earlier this month, the Serbian parliament decided that a future Serbian constitution will refer to Kosovo as an "integral" part of Serbia, whatever the outcome of negotiations, and that a referendum will be held to cement the decision by the "people's will."
The toughening of Serbia's stance has prompted warnings from liberal politicians and analysts that current policies were ominously similar to the ones pursued by Milosevic, who used the Kosovo issue to trigger a series of wars in the former Yugoslavia in the 1990s.
Milosevic, who ruled Serbia for more than a decade before he was ousted in 2000, died in March while in custody of the U.N. war crimes tribunal in The Hague, Netherlands.
Back in 1998, Milosevic also had sought parliamentary backing for his decision to pull out of the talks on Kosovo, and organized a referendum to rally the people behind his defiant policies, which eventually resulted in a NATO assault.
"The concept is the same, only Milosevic is missing," Cedomir Jovanovic, the leader of the Liberal Democratic Party, said of the policies of the Kostunica and President Boris Tadic.
Zoran Ostojic, from the Civic Alliance, said "similarities and continuity with Milosevic's policies are unbelievably obvious."
Milosevic governed restive Kosovo with a heavy hand for years in the 1990s, before the province exploded in violence in 1998, prompting the United States and its allies to intervene on the side of the Kosovo Albanians.
The 1999 NATO air war against Serbia destroyed much of the republic's infrastructure and killed hundreds, before Milosevic agreed to end his crackdown against separatist ethnic Albanians, pull his troops out of Kosovo and relinquish control over the region to the United Nations.
Some seven years later, the U.N. launched negotiations to determine whether Kosovo will become an independent state or remain, at least formally, within Serbia's boundaries. The talks are to conclude by the end of 2006, and most analysts predict Kosovo will gain some form of independence.
Serbia's president, Tadic, upon return from the United States last week acknowledged that Washington, and most of its allies, support granting independence to Kosovo. In Serbia, the news fueled anger and a fresh wave of anti-Western, Milosevic-era rhetoric.
In Parliament, ultra-nationalist leader Tomislav Nikolic, who ruled with Milosevic in the 1990s, urged the army to "stand ready" to go to war in case Kosovo is declared a new state at the U.N. talks. He said Serbia must sever diplomatic ties with all Western states that advocate Kosovo's independence.
Kostunica met Nikolic on Tuesday, and the two urged in a statement that the new Serbian constitution with Kosovo as its integral part should be adopted as soon as possible "to prevent possible (international) attempts to impose a solution for Kosovo."
Cedomir Jovanovic, leader of the Liberals, argued that Serbia's reluctance to let go of Kosovo, despite the province's overwhelming pro-independence drive, will hurt Serbia's future. To counter the current policies, Jovanovic announced a campaign against the new constitution.
"It is not fair to burden future generations in the 21st century with the unfulfilled plans from 19th and 20th century," his party said in a statement.
Miljenko Dereta, a pro-democracy activist and political analyst, said the bravado on Kosovo, amounted to "manipulation with the feelings of the citizens of Serbia, by which incapable leaders hide their own lack of readiness to face reality."
The prospect that Kosovo -- the separatist province that has been under U.N. control since 1999 -- might be granted independence in U.N.-brokered talks has unleashed a tide of nationalism in the Balkan republic that is reminiscent of the era of the late Serbian autocrat.
Top Serbian officials, who normally advocate pro-Western reform and European integration, in the past weeks have switched to Milosevic's language of defiance and resistance, to the "evil" world that is plotting to rid Serbia of its sacred territory.
They are even flexing military muscle, making vague threats to use force to keep Kosovo -- where ethnic Albanians represent 90 percent of its 2 million people -- within Serbia's fold.
Serbia's top leaders made a point this past weekend of attending a military parade, the first in over 30 years in downtown Belgrade.
"Kosovo has always been and forever will remain within Serbia," Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica said during the parade that was part of a grandiose graduation ceremony for about 200 cadets from Serbia's Military Academy. "Kosovo is the heart of Serbia."
Earlier this month, the Serbian parliament decided that a future Serbian constitution will refer to Kosovo as an "integral" part of Serbia, whatever the outcome of negotiations, and that a referendum will be held to cement the decision by the "people's will."
The toughening of Serbia's stance has prompted warnings from liberal politicians and analysts that current policies were ominously similar to the ones pursued by Milosevic, who used the Kosovo issue to trigger a series of wars in the former Yugoslavia in the 1990s.
Milosevic, who ruled Serbia for more than a decade before he was ousted in 2000, died in March while in custody of the U.N. war crimes tribunal in The Hague, Netherlands.
Back in 1998, Milosevic also had sought parliamentary backing for his decision to pull out of the talks on Kosovo, and organized a referendum to rally the people behind his defiant policies, which eventually resulted in a NATO assault.
"The concept is the same, only Milosevic is missing," Cedomir Jovanovic, the leader of the Liberal Democratic Party, said of the policies of the Kostunica and President Boris Tadic.
Zoran Ostojic, from the Civic Alliance, said "similarities and continuity with Milosevic's policies are unbelievably obvious."
Milosevic governed restive Kosovo with a heavy hand for years in the 1990s, before the province exploded in violence in 1998, prompting the United States and its allies to intervene on the side of the Kosovo Albanians.
The 1999 NATO air war against Serbia destroyed much of the republic's infrastructure and killed hundreds, before Milosevic agreed to end his crackdown against separatist ethnic Albanians, pull his troops out of Kosovo and relinquish control over the region to the United Nations.
Some seven years later, the U.N. launched negotiations to determine whether Kosovo will become an independent state or remain, at least formally, within Serbia's boundaries. The talks are to conclude by the end of 2006, and most analysts predict Kosovo will gain some form of independence.
Serbia's president, Tadic, upon return from the United States last week acknowledged that Washington, and most of its allies, support granting independence to Kosovo. In Serbia, the news fueled anger and a fresh wave of anti-Western, Milosevic-era rhetoric.
In Parliament, ultra-nationalist leader Tomislav Nikolic, who ruled with Milosevic in the 1990s, urged the army to "stand ready" to go to war in case Kosovo is declared a new state at the U.N. talks. He said Serbia must sever diplomatic ties with all Western states that advocate Kosovo's independence.
Kostunica met Nikolic on Tuesday, and the two urged in a statement that the new Serbian constitution with Kosovo as its integral part should be adopted as soon as possible "to prevent possible (international) attempts to impose a solution for Kosovo."
Cedomir Jovanovic, leader of the Liberals, argued that Serbia's reluctance to let go of Kosovo, despite the province's overwhelming pro-independence drive, will hurt Serbia's future. To counter the current policies, Jovanovic announced a campaign against the new constitution.
"It is not fair to burden future generations in the 21st century with the unfulfilled plans from 19th and 20th century," his party said in a statement.
Miljenko Dereta, a pro-democracy activist and political analyst, said the bravado on Kosovo, amounted to "manipulation with the feelings of the citizens of Serbia, by which incapable leaders hide their own lack of readiness to face reality."
Monday, September 18, 2006
ANALYSIS-Serbs invoke Bosnia breakup in bid to keep Kosovo
SARAJEVO, Sept 18 (Reuters) - Serbia is invoking the spectre of a breakup of neighbouring Bosnia before elections there, as it battles to block the independence of its southern province of Kosovo.
Bosnia's Serbs are talking of secession in the campaign for the Oct. 1 election because Serbia is using them as a lever, analysts and diplomats say.
"Belgrade has been using Bosnian Serbs in its bargaining, telling them to speak up and say they'll claim independence if Kosovo goes," said a Sarajevo-based diplomat.
Serbia opposes independence for its southern Kosovo province, run by the United Nations since NATO military force compelled Serbia to withdraw its forces in 1999 to end what the West said was Serbian ethnic cleansing during a guerrilla war.
The West opposes the breakup of Bosnia, a two-part state bolted together by Washington from the wreckage of the 1992-95 war under the Dayton Accords -- a deal that forced exhausted, ethnically-cleansed enemies into uneasy partnership.
Western diplomats predict Kosovo's two million ethnic Albanians, representing a 90 percent majority, will get independence by the end of the year, courtesy of the United Nations and against the will of Serbia if the Belgrade government does not change its stance.
More by innuendo than open threat, the Serbs are saying: amputate Kosovo and you can watch Bosnia fall apart too, as 1.4 million ethnic Serbs elect to part company with 2.6 million Muslim Bosniaks and ethnic Croats.
Legally, no party in Bosnia has the right to secede. But then neither does Kosovo, on paper.
"We are the guarantor of peace and the constitution in this state, and it is our responsibility that Bosnia's integrity remains intact," U.S. ambassador Douglas McElhaney told the Bosnian Serb daily Nezavisne Novine earlier this month.
"Anyone who brings into question this integrity should know that we do not forget," warned McElhaney, whose office issued a further statement on Monday saying "there will be no referendum ... and that is the official policy of the U.S. government".
GENIE OUT OF THE BOTTLE
Politically, however, there is at least a theoretical risk that a determined 'people's power' movement to demand an independence referendum could become hard to resist.
EU foreign ministers warned about inflammatory campaign rhetoric last Friday, after Bosnian Serb Prime Minister Milorad Dodik said Serbs "did not see their long-term future" in Bosnia.
Dodik warned secession would be an option if the Serb Republic were scrapped or lost its autonomy, as demanded by some Muslims and Croats who believe Bosnia can never become a unified state as long as half the country demands a separate identity.
Secession rhetoric frothed up in May after Montenegro voted to end ties to Serbia and declare an independent republic, now fully recognised and pursuing European Union membership.
Analysts say it was not surprising that Bosnian Serbs would envy the Montenegrin move and think of copying it, but it remains to be seen how genuine their threat really is.
Bosnia's international peace overseers say the separatist rhetoric is simply an ingredient in an unusually heated general election campaign, inflamed by the Serbs' defiant rejection of international demands to forge a single police force for Bosnia.
Senad Slatina of Sarajevo Center for European Integration Strategies (CEIS) says Dodik's talk can cut both ways. Besides pandering to secessionists, it wards off any threat to an ethnically exclusive Serb Republic.
"It is just a continuation of (Radovan) Karadzic's wartime policies," he said, referring to the fugitive Serb wartime leader wanted by the U.N. war crimes court on genocide charges.
"It is obvious that we are bracing for a very serious political crisis because of the Serbs' attitude," Slatina said.
Instead of completing a Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) with the EU -- the first rung on the ladder to membership -- talks could be blocked by Dodik's opposition to the EU-sponsored police unification plan.
But polls show secession is popular, and Dodik may have let the genie out of the bottle, said Serb analyst Tanja Topic.
"I think he himself has been surprised with the response to all this and he has left himself very little space for manoeuvre. He's very close to the wall," said Topic.
"I think he knows he'll have to abandon this idea at a certain point. But we'll just have to wait and see."
Bosnia's Serbs are talking of secession in the campaign for the Oct. 1 election because Serbia is using them as a lever, analysts and diplomats say.
"Belgrade has been using Bosnian Serbs in its bargaining, telling them to speak up and say they'll claim independence if Kosovo goes," said a Sarajevo-based diplomat.
Serbia opposes independence for its southern Kosovo province, run by the United Nations since NATO military force compelled Serbia to withdraw its forces in 1999 to end what the West said was Serbian ethnic cleansing during a guerrilla war.
The West opposes the breakup of Bosnia, a two-part state bolted together by Washington from the wreckage of the 1992-95 war under the Dayton Accords -- a deal that forced exhausted, ethnically-cleansed enemies into uneasy partnership.
Western diplomats predict Kosovo's two million ethnic Albanians, representing a 90 percent majority, will get independence by the end of the year, courtesy of the United Nations and against the will of Serbia if the Belgrade government does not change its stance.
More by innuendo than open threat, the Serbs are saying: amputate Kosovo and you can watch Bosnia fall apart too, as 1.4 million ethnic Serbs elect to part company with 2.6 million Muslim Bosniaks and ethnic Croats.
Legally, no party in Bosnia has the right to secede. But then neither does Kosovo, on paper.
"We are the guarantor of peace and the constitution in this state, and it is our responsibility that Bosnia's integrity remains intact," U.S. ambassador Douglas McElhaney told the Bosnian Serb daily Nezavisne Novine earlier this month.
"Anyone who brings into question this integrity should know that we do not forget," warned McElhaney, whose office issued a further statement on Monday saying "there will be no referendum ... and that is the official policy of the U.S. government".
GENIE OUT OF THE BOTTLE
Politically, however, there is at least a theoretical risk that a determined 'people's power' movement to demand an independence referendum could become hard to resist.
EU foreign ministers warned about inflammatory campaign rhetoric last Friday, after Bosnian Serb Prime Minister Milorad Dodik said Serbs "did not see their long-term future" in Bosnia.
Dodik warned secession would be an option if the Serb Republic were scrapped or lost its autonomy, as demanded by some Muslims and Croats who believe Bosnia can never become a unified state as long as half the country demands a separate identity.
Secession rhetoric frothed up in May after Montenegro voted to end ties to Serbia and declare an independent republic, now fully recognised and pursuing European Union membership.
Analysts say it was not surprising that Bosnian Serbs would envy the Montenegrin move and think of copying it, but it remains to be seen how genuine their threat really is.
Bosnia's international peace overseers say the separatist rhetoric is simply an ingredient in an unusually heated general election campaign, inflamed by the Serbs' defiant rejection of international demands to forge a single police force for Bosnia.
Senad Slatina of Sarajevo Center for European Integration Strategies (CEIS) says Dodik's talk can cut both ways. Besides pandering to secessionists, it wards off any threat to an ethnically exclusive Serb Republic.
"It is just a continuation of (Radovan) Karadzic's wartime policies," he said, referring to the fugitive Serb wartime leader wanted by the U.N. war crimes court on genocide charges.
"It is obvious that we are bracing for a very serious political crisis because of the Serbs' attitude," Slatina said.
Instead of completing a Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) with the EU -- the first rung on the ladder to membership -- talks could be blocked by Dodik's opposition to the EU-sponsored police unification plan.
But polls show secession is popular, and Dodik may have let the genie out of the bottle, said Serb analyst Tanja Topic.
"I think he himself has been surprised with the response to all this and he has left himself very little space for manoeuvre. He's very close to the wall," said Topic.
"I think he knows he'll have to abandon this idea at a certain point. But we'll just have to wait and see."
Bomb damages four cars in Kosovo
PRISTINA, Serbia (AP) - A bomb exploded in a village in southern Kosovo, damaging cars but causing no injuries, in the third such attack in as many days amid ongoing talks on the province's future status, police said Monday.
The explosion Sunday night was caused by a small bomb placed under a car in a parking lot outside a restaurant in Balaj village, 30 kilometers (18 miles) south of the capital, Pristina, police spokeswoman Sabrie Kamberi said.
Four cars were damaged, Kamberi said, but it was unclear if the restaurant itself was a target.
Police also said they did not yet have evidence to link the explosion to two others over the weekend. Authorities have increased security at public institutions, including schools, Kamberi said, without elaborating.
The blasts raised tensions amid ongoing U.N.-led negotiations on whether Kosovo should become independent -- which the province's ethnic Albanian leadership wants -- or have broad autonomy but remain a part of Serb territory, as Belgrade insists.
Last week, a U.N. envoy to the talks in Vienna, Austria, said the two sides had made little progress in reaching common ground, and that the negotiations were in jeopardy.
Two other bombs exploded, one Friday night and one Saturday night, injuring no one but damaging cars belonging to Kosovo's interior minister and a senior government official in Gnjilane, 40 kilometers (25 miles) east of Pristina.
Kosovo's parliament speaker, Kole Berisha, said he considered both blasts were directed against the talks to undermine stability at a decisive moment.
The top U.N. administrator in Kosovo, Joachim Ruecker, also blamed people wishing to disrupt negotiations for a peaceful and democratic settlement for Kosovo.
Martti Ahtisaari, the chief U.N. envoy for Kosovo, was in New York to brief key members of the U.N. Security Council on the progress -- or lack of it -- in the status talks, which began in February.
The U.N. hopes to resolve the issue by the end of the year, but the failure so far to resolve the stalemate between the two sides has increased the likelihood that the Security Council will impose a solution by declaring Kosovo independent.
Ethnic Albanians, who make up more than 90 percent of Kosovo's 2 million population, have been pushing for independence, but Serbs insist the province is the heart of their ancient homeland and should remain part of Serbia. Serb minority communities in Kosovo also want to remain under Belgrade.
The United Nations has administered Kosovo since 1999, when NATO air strikes drove out Serb troops who had carried out a bloody crackdown on its Albanian population. About 16,000 NATO-led peacekeepers still patrol the province.
The explosion Sunday night was caused by a small bomb placed under a car in a parking lot outside a restaurant in Balaj village, 30 kilometers (18 miles) south of the capital, Pristina, police spokeswoman Sabrie Kamberi said.
Four cars were damaged, Kamberi said, but it was unclear if the restaurant itself was a target.
Police also said they did not yet have evidence to link the explosion to two others over the weekend. Authorities have increased security at public institutions, including schools, Kamberi said, without elaborating.
The blasts raised tensions amid ongoing U.N.-led negotiations on whether Kosovo should become independent -- which the province's ethnic Albanian leadership wants -- or have broad autonomy but remain a part of Serb territory, as Belgrade insists.
Last week, a U.N. envoy to the talks in Vienna, Austria, said the two sides had made little progress in reaching common ground, and that the negotiations were in jeopardy.
Two other bombs exploded, one Friday night and one Saturday night, injuring no one but damaging cars belonging to Kosovo's interior minister and a senior government official in Gnjilane, 40 kilometers (25 miles) east of Pristina.
Kosovo's parliament speaker, Kole Berisha, said he considered both blasts were directed against the talks to undermine stability at a decisive moment.
The top U.N. administrator in Kosovo, Joachim Ruecker, also blamed people wishing to disrupt negotiations for a peaceful and democratic settlement for Kosovo.
Martti Ahtisaari, the chief U.N. envoy for Kosovo, was in New York to brief key members of the U.N. Security Council on the progress -- or lack of it -- in the status talks, which began in February.
The U.N. hopes to resolve the issue by the end of the year, but the failure so far to resolve the stalemate between the two sides has increased the likelihood that the Security Council will impose a solution by declaring Kosovo independent.
Ethnic Albanians, who make up more than 90 percent of Kosovo's 2 million population, have been pushing for independence, but Serbs insist the province is the heart of their ancient homeland and should remain part of Serbia. Serb minority communities in Kosovo also want to remain under Belgrade.
The United Nations has administered Kosovo since 1999, when NATO air strikes drove out Serb troops who had carried out a bloody crackdown on its Albanian population. About 16,000 NATO-led peacekeepers still patrol the province.
Friday, September 15, 2006
U.N. envoy says progress on Kosovo talks looking 'increasingly slim'
VIENNA, Austria (AP) - U.N.-brokered talks on the future status of Kosovo are in jeopardy, the deputy United Nations envoy warned Friday at negotiations clouded by a car bombing that targeted the interior minister of the ethnically divided province.
"We're approaching a moment where by talking alone we won't accomplish the goal," said Albert Rohan, the U.N. official overseeing Friday's latest round of talks in Vienna. "We could talk for another 10 years and not change anything."
Serbian and ethnic Albanian negotiators discussed how to decentralize power in Kosovo to give its minority Serbs more of a voice. But the session -- like the eight others that have preceded it -- ended in a stalemate, increasing the likelihood that an impatient U.N. Security Council will impose a solution by declaring Kosovo independent.
That could trigger a showdown with Serbia, which considers the province the heart of its ancient homeland and insists it should remain within Serbian territory.
Martti Ahtisaari, the chief U.N. envoy for Kosovo, heads to New York this weekend to brief key members of the Security Council on the progress -- or lack of it -- in talks that began in February to reach a negotiated settlement.
"The prospect of progress in these talks is increasingly slim," Rohan told reporters.
Asked when he would be prepared to call it quits, Rohan was evasive, but he conceded it was increasingly unlikely that a solution would be reached by the end of the year -- the target when the negotiations began.
"We cannot extend this infinito," he said.
Underscoring the tensions and lawlessness that still plague Kosovo, a bomb exploded beneath the Kosovo interior minister's car in the province early Friday, but did not injure him. It was not clear whether the attack was meant to kill the recently appointed minister, Fatmir Rexhepi, or whether it was carried out by Serbs or by Rexhepi's ethnic Albanian political opponents.
Kosovo's parliament speaker, Kole Berisha, said he considered the explosion directed against the talks to undermine stability at a decisive moment.
Deputy Prime Minister Lufti Haziri, who led the ethnic Albanian delegation in Friday's round of negotiations, condemned the bombing but played down its impact on the talks.
The United Nations has administered Kosovo since 1999, when NATO air strikes drove out Serb troops who had carried out a bloody crackdown on its independence-seeking Albanian population, which accounts for 90 percent of Kosovo's 2 million population.
About 16,000 NATO-led peacekeepers still patrol the province.
U.S. and EU envoys who visited Kosovo this week pressed ethnic Albanian leaders to provide more guarantees that the Serb minority would be protected from violence and discrimination.
Underscoring the ferocity of Serbia's claim on the province, lawmakers in Belgrade this week decreed that Serbia's new constitution will refer to Kosovo as a "historic and integral part of Serbia" -- even if the U.N. talks result in Kosovo's independence.
Rohan said the two sides deadlocked over how many new municipalities should be set up to give Serbs more influence in day-to-day affairs in areas where they form a local majority.
An estimated 200,000 Serbs fled Kosovo after the 1988-99 conflict, fearing revenge attacks. Today, only about 100,000 remain, most living in small, isolated enclaves scattered around the province.
Friday's talks bogged down over Kosovska Mitrovica, a divided city that was a flashpoint during the war and continues to breed interethnic strife. The Albanians said they resisted Serb efforts to incorporate the mostly Serb north of the town into a new district and to create nearly a dozen new municipalities that Haziri insisted would not be financially sustainable.
"We have reached our limits," Haziri said.
Slobodan Samardzic, leading the Serb delegation, said Kosovo's Serbs were intent on gaining more freedom of movement and guarantees that they would not be persecuted.
"We are faced with daily infringements of human rights," he said.
"We're approaching a moment where by talking alone we won't accomplish the goal," said Albert Rohan, the U.N. official overseeing Friday's latest round of talks in Vienna. "We could talk for another 10 years and not change anything."
Serbian and ethnic Albanian negotiators discussed how to decentralize power in Kosovo to give its minority Serbs more of a voice. But the session -- like the eight others that have preceded it -- ended in a stalemate, increasing the likelihood that an impatient U.N. Security Council will impose a solution by declaring Kosovo independent.
That could trigger a showdown with Serbia, which considers the province the heart of its ancient homeland and insists it should remain within Serbian territory.
Martti Ahtisaari, the chief U.N. envoy for Kosovo, heads to New York this weekend to brief key members of the Security Council on the progress -- or lack of it -- in talks that began in February to reach a negotiated settlement.
"The prospect of progress in these talks is increasingly slim," Rohan told reporters.
Asked when he would be prepared to call it quits, Rohan was evasive, but he conceded it was increasingly unlikely that a solution would be reached by the end of the year -- the target when the negotiations began.
"We cannot extend this infinito," he said.
Underscoring the tensions and lawlessness that still plague Kosovo, a bomb exploded beneath the Kosovo interior minister's car in the province early Friday, but did not injure him. It was not clear whether the attack was meant to kill the recently appointed minister, Fatmir Rexhepi, or whether it was carried out by Serbs or by Rexhepi's ethnic Albanian political opponents.
Kosovo's parliament speaker, Kole Berisha, said he considered the explosion directed against the talks to undermine stability at a decisive moment.
Deputy Prime Minister Lufti Haziri, who led the ethnic Albanian delegation in Friday's round of negotiations, condemned the bombing but played down its impact on the talks.
The United Nations has administered Kosovo since 1999, when NATO air strikes drove out Serb troops who had carried out a bloody crackdown on its independence-seeking Albanian population, which accounts for 90 percent of Kosovo's 2 million population.
About 16,000 NATO-led peacekeepers still patrol the province.
U.S. and EU envoys who visited Kosovo this week pressed ethnic Albanian leaders to provide more guarantees that the Serb minority would be protected from violence and discrimination.
Underscoring the ferocity of Serbia's claim on the province, lawmakers in Belgrade this week decreed that Serbia's new constitution will refer to Kosovo as a "historic and integral part of Serbia" -- even if the U.N. talks result in Kosovo's independence.
Rohan said the two sides deadlocked over how many new municipalities should be set up to give Serbs more influence in day-to-day affairs in areas where they form a local majority.
An estimated 200,000 Serbs fled Kosovo after the 1988-99 conflict, fearing revenge attacks. Today, only about 100,000 remain, most living in small, isolated enclaves scattered around the province.
Friday's talks bogged down over Kosovska Mitrovica, a divided city that was a flashpoint during the war and continues to breed interethnic strife. The Albanians said they resisted Serb efforts to incorporate the mostly Serb north of the town into a new district and to create nearly a dozen new municipalities that Haziri insisted would not be financially sustainable.
"We have reached our limits," Haziri said.
Slobodan Samardzic, leading the Serb delegation, said Kosovo's Serbs were intent on gaining more freedom of movement and guarantees that they would not be persecuted.
"We are faced with daily infringements of human rights," he said.
UN envoy closes in on Kosovo endgame
VIENNA, Sept 15 (Reuters) - U.N. envoy Martti Ahtisaari plans to tell the major powers next week that talks between Serbs and ethnic Albanians on the fate of Kosovo are nearing the end of the line.
"He will tell them: 'Maybe we have reached the stage when both sides have almost exhausted their options and we are at a very difficult period in the negotiations, if not the dead-end yet,'" a senior Western official said on Friday.
Diplomats say that if the two sides fail to agree, major powers will impose a solution, most likely advocating independence for Kosovo.
Ahtisaari leaves on Saturday for New York, where he will brief the U.N. Security Council and the foreign ministers of the major powers on the state of play in talks on Serbia's breakaway province, where 2 million ethnic Albanians demand independence.
"He will brief them on the progress, or the lack of it," the official, who asked not to be named, told Reuters. "He will say: 'This is the situation, what are you going to do about it?'"
Ahtisaari meets the Contact Group -- the United States, Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Russia -- on Sept. 20.
If Moscow agrees, they could give Ahtisaari the green light to propose a solution. Diplomats say this will almost certainly advocate independence, setting up a showdown with Serbia.
Legally part of Serbia, Kosovo has been run by the United Nations since 1999, when NATO bombs drove out Serb forces accused of ethnic cleansing.
Direct talks on the province's future began in February, with little sign of compromise. The focus has been on the rights and security of the 100,000 remaining Serbs, but U.N. mediators say Belgrade has been particularly stubborn.
Talks resumed on Friday in Vienna, but few people involved hold out any hope of the two sides striking a deal.
"INSEPARABLE"
The Contact Group has said a decision should be made this year, mindful of growing Albanian impatience and the risk of fresh violence. As if to underscore the point, a blast overnight destroyed the Kosovo interior minister's car.
A spokeswoman for Ahtisaari said the former Finnish president would brief the Security Council on "the way forward."
"We have to bear in mind the timeframe given to us by the Contact Group. That's the end of the year," she said.
But separately, Russia has cautioned against any "artificial deadlines", backing Belgrade's demand for more time.
Rich in Orthodox heritage, Kosovo holds almost mythic status for Serbs. After an impassioned speech on Tuesday by Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica, parliament agreed to enshrine Kosovo in a new constitution as forever Serbian.
"The entire world must know that as long as the Serbian state exists, Kosovo must be its inseparable province," he said.
Around 10,000 Albanians died and 800,000 were expelled in Serbia's 1998-99 war against Albanian rebels. Eleven weeks of NATO bombing forced Belgrade to pull its troops out, but half the Serb population too fled a wave of revenge attacks.
Analysts say Belgrade knows Kosovo is lost, but could back a breakaway bid by the Serb north. The West argues this might reignite Albanian insurgencies in southern Serbia and Macedonia.
As 2006 starts to close, the European Union is preparing to take over from the U.N. with a smaller police and monitoring operation. NATO will keep at least some of its current 16,000 troops there.
"He will tell them: 'Maybe we have reached the stage when both sides have almost exhausted their options and we are at a very difficult period in the negotiations, if not the dead-end yet,'" a senior Western official said on Friday.
Diplomats say that if the two sides fail to agree, major powers will impose a solution, most likely advocating independence for Kosovo.
Ahtisaari leaves on Saturday for New York, where he will brief the U.N. Security Council and the foreign ministers of the major powers on the state of play in talks on Serbia's breakaway province, where 2 million ethnic Albanians demand independence.
"He will brief them on the progress, or the lack of it," the official, who asked not to be named, told Reuters. "He will say: 'This is the situation, what are you going to do about it?'"
Ahtisaari meets the Contact Group -- the United States, Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Russia -- on Sept. 20.
If Moscow agrees, they could give Ahtisaari the green light to propose a solution. Diplomats say this will almost certainly advocate independence, setting up a showdown with Serbia.
Legally part of Serbia, Kosovo has been run by the United Nations since 1999, when NATO bombs drove out Serb forces accused of ethnic cleansing.
Direct talks on the province's future began in February, with little sign of compromise. The focus has been on the rights and security of the 100,000 remaining Serbs, but U.N. mediators say Belgrade has been particularly stubborn.
Talks resumed on Friday in Vienna, but few people involved hold out any hope of the two sides striking a deal.
"INSEPARABLE"
The Contact Group has said a decision should be made this year, mindful of growing Albanian impatience and the risk of fresh violence. As if to underscore the point, a blast overnight destroyed the Kosovo interior minister's car.
A spokeswoman for Ahtisaari said the former Finnish president would brief the Security Council on "the way forward."
"We have to bear in mind the timeframe given to us by the Contact Group. That's the end of the year," she said.
But separately, Russia has cautioned against any "artificial deadlines", backing Belgrade's demand for more time.
Rich in Orthodox heritage, Kosovo holds almost mythic status for Serbs. After an impassioned speech on Tuesday by Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica, parliament agreed to enshrine Kosovo in a new constitution as forever Serbian.
"The entire world must know that as long as the Serbian state exists, Kosovo must be its inseparable province," he said.
Around 10,000 Albanians died and 800,000 were expelled in Serbia's 1998-99 war against Albanian rebels. Eleven weeks of NATO bombing forced Belgrade to pull its troops out, but half the Serb population too fled a wave of revenge attacks.
Analysts say Belgrade knows Kosovo is lost, but could back a breakaway bid by the Serb north. The West argues this might reignite Albanian insurgencies in southern Serbia and Macedonia.
As 2006 starts to close, the European Union is preparing to take over from the U.N. with a smaller police and monitoring operation. NATO will keep at least some of its current 16,000 troops there.
U.N. envoy closes in on Kosovo endgame
By Matt Robinson
VIENNA (Reuters) - U.N. envoy Martti Ahtisaari plans to tell the major powers next week that talks between Serbs and ethnic Albanians on the fate of Kosovo are nearing the end of the line.
"He will tell them: 'Maybe we have reached the stage when both sides have almost exhausted their options and we are at a very difficult period in the negotiations, if not the dead-end yet,'" a senior Western official said on Friday.
Diplomats say that if the two sides fail to agree, major powers will impose a solution, most likely advocating independence for Kosovo.
Ahtisaari leaves on Saturday for New York, where he will brief the U.N. Security Council and the foreign ministers of the major powers on the state of play in talks on Serbia's breakaway province, where 2 million ethnic Albanians demand independence.
"He will brief them on the progress, or the lack of it," the official, who asked not to be named, told Reuters. "He will say: 'This is the situation, what are you going to do about it?'"
Ahtisaari meets the Contact Group -- the United States, Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Russia -- on September 20.
If Moscow agrees, they could give Ahtisaari the green light to propose a solution. Diplomats say this will almost certainly advocate independence, setting up a showdown with Serbia.
Legally part of Serbia, Kosovo has been run by the United Nations since 1999, when NATO bombs drove out Serb forces accused of ethnic cleansing.
Direct talks on the province's future began in February, with little sign of compromise. The focus has been on the rights and security of the 100,000 remaining Serbs, but U.N. mediators say Belgrade has been particularly stubborn.
Talks resumed on Friday in Vienna, but few people involved hold out any hope of the two sides striking a deal.
"INSEPARABLE"
The Contact Group has said a decision should be made this year, mindful of growing Albanian impatience and the risk of fresh violence. As if to underscore the point, a blast overnight destroyed the Kosovo interior minister's car.
A spokeswoman for Ahtisaari said the former Finnish president would brief the Security Council on "the way forward."
"We have to bear in mind the timeframe given to us by the Contact Group. That's the end of the year," she said.
But separately, Russia has cautioned against any "artificial deadlines", backing Belgrade's demand for more time.
Rich in Orthodox heritage, Kosovo holds almost mythic status for Serbs. After an impassioned speech on Tuesday by Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica, parliament agreed to enshrine Kosovo in a new constitution as forever Serbian.
"The entire world must know that as long as the Serbian state exists, Kosovo must be its inseparable province," he said.
Around 10,000 Albanians died and 800,000 were expelled in Serbia's 1998-99 war against Albanian rebels. Eleven weeks of NATO bombing forced Belgrade to pull its troops out, but half the Serb population too fled a wave of revenge attacks.
Analysts say Belgrade knows Kosovo is lost, but could back a breakaway bid by the Serb north. The West argues this might reignite Albanian insurgencies in southern Serbia and Macedonia.
As 2006 starts to close, the European Union is preparing to take over from the U.N. with a smaller police and monitoring operation. NATO will keep at least some of its current 16,000 troops there.
VIENNA (Reuters) - U.N. envoy Martti Ahtisaari plans to tell the major powers next week that talks between Serbs and ethnic Albanians on the fate of Kosovo are nearing the end of the line.
"He will tell them: 'Maybe we have reached the stage when both sides have almost exhausted their options and we are at a very difficult period in the negotiations, if not the dead-end yet,'" a senior Western official said on Friday.
Diplomats say that if the two sides fail to agree, major powers will impose a solution, most likely advocating independence for Kosovo.
Ahtisaari leaves on Saturday for New York, where he will brief the U.N. Security Council and the foreign ministers of the major powers on the state of play in talks on Serbia's breakaway province, where 2 million ethnic Albanians demand independence.
"He will brief them on the progress, or the lack of it," the official, who asked not to be named, told Reuters. "He will say: 'This is the situation, what are you going to do about it?'"
Ahtisaari meets the Contact Group -- the United States, Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Russia -- on September 20.
If Moscow agrees, they could give Ahtisaari the green light to propose a solution. Diplomats say this will almost certainly advocate independence, setting up a showdown with Serbia.
Legally part of Serbia, Kosovo has been run by the United Nations since 1999, when NATO bombs drove out Serb forces accused of ethnic cleansing.
Direct talks on the province's future began in February, with little sign of compromise. The focus has been on the rights and security of the 100,000 remaining Serbs, but U.N. mediators say Belgrade has been particularly stubborn.
Talks resumed on Friday in Vienna, but few people involved hold out any hope of the two sides striking a deal.
"INSEPARABLE"
The Contact Group has said a decision should be made this year, mindful of growing Albanian impatience and the risk of fresh violence. As if to underscore the point, a blast overnight destroyed the Kosovo interior minister's car.
A spokeswoman for Ahtisaari said the former Finnish president would brief the Security Council on "the way forward."
"We have to bear in mind the timeframe given to us by the Contact Group. That's the end of the year," she said.
But separately, Russia has cautioned against any "artificial deadlines", backing Belgrade's demand for more time.
Rich in Orthodox heritage, Kosovo holds almost mythic status for Serbs. After an impassioned speech on Tuesday by Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica, parliament agreed to enshrine Kosovo in a new constitution as forever Serbian.
"The entire world must know that as long as the Serbian state exists, Kosovo must be its inseparable province," he said.
Around 10,000 Albanians died and 800,000 were expelled in Serbia's 1998-99 war against Albanian rebels. Eleven weeks of NATO bombing forced Belgrade to pull its troops out, but half the Serb population too fled a wave of revenge attacks.
Analysts say Belgrade knows Kosovo is lost, but could back a breakaway bid by the Serb north. The West argues this might reignite Albanian insurgencies in southern Serbia and Macedonia.
As 2006 starts to close, the European Union is preparing to take over from the U.N. with a smaller police and monitoring operation. NATO will keep at least some of its current 16,000 troops there.
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
UN aide warns against delay in Kosovo status talks
UNITED NATIONS, Sept 13 (Reuters) - Delays in talks on whether Kosovo should win independence or remain a part of Serbia would only aggravate tensions in the region, the breakaway province's U.N. governor warned on Wednesday.
U.N.-backed negotiations on Kosovo's future status began in February and U.N. officials hope to wrap them up by the end of this year. But the two sides have so far fiercely resisted compromise, raising fears the talks could drag on.
"We can expect emotions occasionally to spill over when something so vital to people's interests is being determined. But I believe the tensions and difficulties arising from delay in this process would be even greater," Joachim Ruecker, Kosovo's latest administrator, told the U.N. Security Council.
"Delay will not bring reconciliation. Delay will not lead to economic recovery. Delay will only prolong the tensions existing in Kosovo society, which will feed frustration and make the new start, when it does come, even harder to get right," he said.
Ruecker addressed the council a day after U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan pressed Serbia and Kosovo to be more flexible in their talks so a deal could be reached.
"It is the responsibility of the parties to find common ground and a sustainable solution, acceptable to both sides," Annan said in his latest progress report on the course of the "final status" negotiations.
Kosovo has been under U.N. administration since 1999 following a NATO bombing campaign that drove out Serb forces accused of ethnic cleansing. Ninety percent of the southern Serb province's 2 million people are ethnic Albanians.
U.N.-brokered talks are under way to determine whether Kosovo will remain part of Serbia, as sought by the government in Belgrade, or become independent, as the vast majority of Kosovo's residents insist.
But there has been little hint of progress in the process, which has focused so far on the rights and security of the 100,000 Serbs still living in Kosovo.
"All possible efforts should be made to achieve a negotiated settlement in the course of 2006," U.S. envoy Jackie Sanders told the council. "Delay in resolving Kosovo's status benefits neither side and creates further instability."
U.N.-backed negotiations on Kosovo's future status began in February and U.N. officials hope to wrap them up by the end of this year. But the two sides have so far fiercely resisted compromise, raising fears the talks could drag on.
"We can expect emotions occasionally to spill over when something so vital to people's interests is being determined. But I believe the tensions and difficulties arising from delay in this process would be even greater," Joachim Ruecker, Kosovo's latest administrator, told the U.N. Security Council.
"Delay will not bring reconciliation. Delay will not lead to economic recovery. Delay will only prolong the tensions existing in Kosovo society, which will feed frustration and make the new start, when it does come, even harder to get right," he said.
Ruecker addressed the council a day after U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan pressed Serbia and Kosovo to be more flexible in their talks so a deal could be reached.
"It is the responsibility of the parties to find common ground and a sustainable solution, acceptable to both sides," Annan said in his latest progress report on the course of the "final status" negotiations.
Kosovo has been under U.N. administration since 1999 following a NATO bombing campaign that drove out Serb forces accused of ethnic cleansing. Ninety percent of the southern Serb province's 2 million people are ethnic Albanians.
U.N.-brokered talks are under way to determine whether Kosovo will remain part of Serbia, as sought by the government in Belgrade, or become independent, as the vast majority of Kosovo's residents insist.
But there has been little hint of progress in the process, which has focused so far on the rights and security of the 100,000 Serbs still living in Kosovo.
"All possible efforts should be made to achieve a negotiated settlement in the course of 2006," U.S. envoy Jackie Sanders told the council. "Delay in resolving Kosovo's status benefits neither side and creates further instability."
New U.N. envoy seeks Kosovo solution by year's end, urges sides to keep up momentum
UNITED NATIONS (AP) - The new U.N. administrator for Kosovo on Thursday backed a timeline that seeks to determine Kosovo's future by the end of the year, and urged the sides not to lose momentum despite slow progress between Kosovars and ethnic Serbs over the fate of the tiny province.
Joachim Ruecker warned that the lack of a solution could lead to frustration that would only worsen tensions between the two sides. U.N. mediators have been trying to find a compromise between the demand of Kosovo's ethnic Albanian majority for independence, and the demand of the Serb minority and Belgrade that Serbia retain some control over the province.
"Delay will not bring reconciliation," Ruecker told the U.N. Security Council. "Delay will not bring economic recovery. Delay will only prolong the existing tensions in Kosovo society which will feed frustration and make the new start, when it does come, even harder to get right."
The council was meeting to discuss a recent report from U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan which said there had been some progress in implementing a raft of benchmarks for Kosovo, including establishing democratic institutions, protecting minorities and promoting economic development.
Yet significant problems remain, including the issue of minority rights, Ruecker said. In August, Kosovo's Serbs boycotted the negotiations, saying they would not accept being treated as a minority group.
Serbia's envoy Sanda Raskovic-Ivic painted a dire picture of the plight of ethnic Serbians there, saying they can be killed simply for speaking their own language. She said there had been dozens of attacks on ethnic Serbs and warned that it was unwise to go too fast on negotiations.
"Impatience and haste cannot contribute to a sustainable solution to the issue of Kosovo ... or to peace and stability in the region," Raskovic-Ivic told the council.
Even before her remarks, Ruecker said it was simply wrong to portray Kosovo as unsafe for ethnic Serbs, and that doing so was not helpful.
Kosovo's ethnic Albanians took up arms in 1998 to secede from Serbia, triggering a brutal government crackdown that led to NATO military intervention in 1999. The intervention eventually forced Serbia to hand over authority of Kosovo to a temporary U.N. administration and NATO peacekeepers.
Unresolved issues have already been discussed between the ethnic Albanian and Serbian delegations in U.N.-mediated talks held last month in Vienna, Austria, but no agreements have been reached.
The next round of talks will be held Friday in Vienna, Austria, and foreign ministers from several nations planned to meet during the annual U.N. General Assembly session in New York next week on Kosovo as well.
Joachim Ruecker warned that the lack of a solution could lead to frustration that would only worsen tensions between the two sides. U.N. mediators have been trying to find a compromise between the demand of Kosovo's ethnic Albanian majority for independence, and the demand of the Serb minority and Belgrade that Serbia retain some control over the province.
"Delay will not bring reconciliation," Ruecker told the U.N. Security Council. "Delay will not bring economic recovery. Delay will only prolong the existing tensions in Kosovo society which will feed frustration and make the new start, when it does come, even harder to get right."
The council was meeting to discuss a recent report from U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan which said there had been some progress in implementing a raft of benchmarks for Kosovo, including establishing democratic institutions, protecting minorities and promoting economic development.
Yet significant problems remain, including the issue of minority rights, Ruecker said. In August, Kosovo's Serbs boycotted the negotiations, saying they would not accept being treated as a minority group.
Serbia's envoy Sanda Raskovic-Ivic painted a dire picture of the plight of ethnic Serbians there, saying they can be killed simply for speaking their own language. She said there had been dozens of attacks on ethnic Serbs and warned that it was unwise to go too fast on negotiations.
"Impatience and haste cannot contribute to a sustainable solution to the issue of Kosovo ... or to peace and stability in the region," Raskovic-Ivic told the council.
Even before her remarks, Ruecker said it was simply wrong to portray Kosovo as unsafe for ethnic Serbs, and that doing so was not helpful.
Kosovo's ethnic Albanians took up arms in 1998 to secede from Serbia, triggering a brutal government crackdown that led to NATO military intervention in 1999. The intervention eventually forced Serbia to hand over authority of Kosovo to a temporary U.N. administration and NATO peacekeepers.
Unresolved issues have already been discussed between the ethnic Albanian and Serbian delegations in U.N.-mediated talks held last month in Vienna, Austria, but no agreements have been reached.
The next round of talks will be held Friday in Vienna, Austria, and foreign ministers from several nations planned to meet during the annual U.N. General Assembly session in New York next week on Kosovo as well.
UN Security Council Holding Talks on Status of Kosovo
Members of the U.N. Security Council are calling for stronger efforts toward progress at the stalled talks on the status of Serbia's Kosovo province.
In New York Wednesday, the United States said both Serbia and Kosovo's ethnic Albanian majority must be realistic about the outcome of the U.N.-mediated talks. A U.S. official said Kosovo must remain multi-ethnic and any decision must be acceptable to the people of Kosovo.
Russia said the lack of concrete and effective standards for the talks remains one of the factors slowing the pace and progress at the discussions.
U.N. mediators have been trying to narrow differences between representatives of Serbia and of Kosovo's ethnic Albanian majority on the future of the Serbian province. The ethnic Albanians insist on independence, but the Serb minority and Belgrade both want Serbia to retain some control over the province.
On Tuesday, Serbia's parliament voted overwhelmingly to include a declaration in its planned new constitution declaring Kosovo an integral and historic part of Serbia.
The two sides have made little progress in the talks that began in February.
In a report to the Security Council on Tuesday, U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan expressed disappointment in what he says is the lack of common ground between the Kosovo Albanian and Serbian delegations.
Earlier this week, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Moscow may veto any council resolution unless it addresses the rules of international relations to all regions equally. He said it would be wrong to apply one rule for Kosovo, and others for Abkhazia and South Ossetia, two breakaway regions of Georgia.
Meanwhile, in Pristina Wednesday, visiting U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Rosemary DiCarlo said Washington wants Kosovo's status to be resolved through negotiations before the end of this year. Following the U.N. talks Wednesday the next round of talks on Kosovo will be held in Austria on Friday.
Kosovo has been under U.N. administration since 1999, when NATO airstrikes drove out Serbian and Yugoslav security forces that were carrying out a campaign of violence against ethnic Albanians.
In New York Wednesday, the United States said both Serbia and Kosovo's ethnic Albanian majority must be realistic about the outcome of the U.N.-mediated talks. A U.S. official said Kosovo must remain multi-ethnic and any decision must be acceptable to the people of Kosovo.
Russia said the lack of concrete and effective standards for the talks remains one of the factors slowing the pace and progress at the discussions.
U.N. mediators have been trying to narrow differences between representatives of Serbia and of Kosovo's ethnic Albanian majority on the future of the Serbian province. The ethnic Albanians insist on independence, but the Serb minority and Belgrade both want Serbia to retain some control over the province.
On Tuesday, Serbia's parliament voted overwhelmingly to include a declaration in its planned new constitution declaring Kosovo an integral and historic part of Serbia.
The two sides have made little progress in the talks that began in February.
In a report to the Security Council on Tuesday, U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan expressed disappointment in what he says is the lack of common ground between the Kosovo Albanian and Serbian delegations.
Earlier this week, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Moscow may veto any council resolution unless it addresses the rules of international relations to all regions equally. He said it would be wrong to apply one rule for Kosovo, and others for Abkhazia and South Ossetia, two breakaway regions of Georgia.
Meanwhile, in Pristina Wednesday, visiting U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Rosemary DiCarlo said Washington wants Kosovo's status to be resolved through negotiations before the end of this year. Following the U.N. talks Wednesday the next round of talks on Kosovo will be held in Austria on Friday.
Kosovo has been under U.N. administration since 1999, when NATO airstrikes drove out Serbian and Yugoslav security forces that were carrying out a campaign of violence against ethnic Albanians.
Kosovo PM sends letter to UN on independence principles
Text of report in English by independent internet news agency KosovaLive
Prishtina [Pristina], 13 September: Kosova [Kosovo] Prime Minister Agim Ceku has sent today a letter to the United Nations Security Council [UNSC] in which he describes the main principles for an independent Kosova and the functioning of its multiethnic society.
According to the prime minister's spokesperson, Ulpiana Lama, this letter confirms three main principles.
"The only sustainable solution for Kosova and the region is independence and the full sovereignty of Kosova; Kosova is determined to create a multiethnic society and it condemns violence as a mean of reaching the political goals, and that the process of status conclusion should end within this year," reads the letter of Prime Minister Ceku.
On the other hand, the Head of UNMIK Joachim Ruecker will report today in front of the UN Security Council, in a session attended by Kosova's Prime Minister Agim Ceku as well.
Source: KosovaLive website, Pristina, in English 13 Sep 06
Prishtina [Pristina], 13 September: Kosova [Kosovo] Prime Minister Agim Ceku has sent today a letter to the United Nations Security Council [UNSC] in which he describes the main principles for an independent Kosova and the functioning of its multiethnic society.
According to the prime minister's spokesperson, Ulpiana Lama, this letter confirms three main principles.
"The only sustainable solution for Kosova and the region is independence and the full sovereignty of Kosova; Kosova is determined to create a multiethnic society and it condemns violence as a mean of reaching the political goals, and that the process of status conclusion should end within this year," reads the letter of Prime Minister Ceku.
On the other hand, the Head of UNMIK Joachim Ruecker will report today in front of the UN Security Council, in a session attended by Kosova's Prime Minister Agim Ceku as well.
Source: KosovaLive website, Pristina, in English 13 Sep 06
US, EU Officials Want Kosovo's Status Resolved This Year
PRISTINA, Serbia (AP)--Visiting U.S. and European Union officials want Kosovo's status to be resolved through negotiations this year, they said Wednesday, even though there has been little progress so far in the U.N.-led talks.
The next round of talks, meanwhile, will be held Friday in Vienna, Austria.
U.S. State Department official Rosemary DiCarlo and E.U. envoy Stefan Lehne asked for more flexibility from Pristina and Belgrade in the talks. They added ethnic Albanians in the U.N.-run province should provide more guarantees that the Serb minority will be protected from violence and discrimination.
Washington is committed to reaching a negotiated solution "within this year," Dicarlo told reporters in a joint news conference with President Fatmir Sejdiu.
For his part, Lehne said "the progress of recent weeks is promising but more should be done for minorities."
U.N. mediators have been trying to narrow differences between the two sides over how Kosovo should be run in the future. Kosovo's ethnic Albanian majority insists on independence, but the Serb minority and Belgrade both want Serbia to retain some control over the province.
The unresolved issues have already been discussed between the ethnic Albanian and Serbian delegations in U.N.-mediated talks held last month in Vienna, Austria, but no agreements have been reached.
Last month, Kosovo Serbs boycotted a round of talks on minority rights, saying they wouldn't accept being treated as a minority group, as they considered themselves citizens of Serbia, where they are in the majority.
Within Kosovo, however, ethnic Albanians make up some 90% of the 2 million population, while most Serbs live in small, isolated enclaves scattered around the province. Tens of thousands of Serbs fled during the 1999 NATO-led air war to end Serb troops' crackdown on ethnic Albanians seeking independence. The U.N. has administered Kosovo since 1999.
Serbia, meanwhile, toughened its stance on Kosovo Tuesday when its parliament decided a planned new constitution would refer to the disputed province as an "integral" part of Serbia, regardless of U.N.-led negotiations on whether to grant it independence.
The next round of talks, meanwhile, will be held Friday in Vienna, Austria.
U.S. State Department official Rosemary DiCarlo and E.U. envoy Stefan Lehne asked for more flexibility from Pristina and Belgrade in the talks. They added ethnic Albanians in the U.N.-run province should provide more guarantees that the Serb minority will be protected from violence and discrimination.
Washington is committed to reaching a negotiated solution "within this year," Dicarlo told reporters in a joint news conference with President Fatmir Sejdiu.
For his part, Lehne said "the progress of recent weeks is promising but more should be done for minorities."
U.N. mediators have been trying to narrow differences between the two sides over how Kosovo should be run in the future. Kosovo's ethnic Albanian majority insists on independence, but the Serb minority and Belgrade both want Serbia to retain some control over the province.
The unresolved issues have already been discussed between the ethnic Albanian and Serbian delegations in U.N.-mediated talks held last month in Vienna, Austria, but no agreements have been reached.
Last month, Kosovo Serbs boycotted a round of talks on minority rights, saying they wouldn't accept being treated as a minority group, as they considered themselves citizens of Serbia, where they are in the majority.
Within Kosovo, however, ethnic Albanians make up some 90% of the 2 million population, while most Serbs live in small, isolated enclaves scattered around the province. Tens of thousands of Serbs fled during the 1999 NATO-led air war to end Serb troops' crackdown on ethnic Albanians seeking independence. The U.N. has administered Kosovo since 1999.
Serbia, meanwhile, toughened its stance on Kosovo Tuesday when its parliament decided a planned new constitution would refer to the disputed province as an "integral" part of Serbia, regardless of U.N.-led negotiations on whether to grant it independence.
UN Security Council could vote on Kosovo this year, official says
Text of report by Radio-Television Kosovo TV website on 12 September
UNMIK Chief Joachim Ruecker has said that the UN special envoy for Kosova [Kosovo] status talks, Martti Ahtisaari, is in the course of preparing his proposals on Kosovo final status in the next three months. If we continue to assume, and I think it is a good assumption, that Ahtisaari will be able to meet the timelines as intended, then I would not rule out the possibility that we will have a UN Security Council resolution by the end of the year. According to Ruecker, reports over the eventual postponement of the decision on Kosova's status are only speculation. Delaying the process would be equal to destabilization, Ruecker added. Belgrade should be more realistic on the likely outcome. He warned against any Serb attempt to split Kosova in two, Ruecker said.
Source: RTK TV website, Pristina, in Albanian 1053 gmt 12 Sep 06
UNMIK Chief Joachim Ruecker has said that the UN special envoy for Kosova [Kosovo] status talks, Martti Ahtisaari, is in the course of preparing his proposals on Kosovo final status in the next three months. If we continue to assume, and I think it is a good assumption, that Ahtisaari will be able to meet the timelines as intended, then I would not rule out the possibility that we will have a UN Security Council resolution by the end of the year. According to Ruecker, reports over the eventual postponement of the decision on Kosova's status are only speculation. Delaying the process would be equal to destabilization, Ruecker added. Belgrade should be more realistic on the likely outcome. He warned against any Serb attempt to split Kosova in two, Ruecker said.
Source: RTK TV website, Pristina, in Albanian 1053 gmt 12 Sep 06
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
Kosovo premier expresses solidarity with USA on 9/11 anniversary
Text of report in English by independent internet news agency KosovaLive
Prishtina [Pristina], 11 September: Kosova [Kosovo] Prime Minister Agim Ceku said today during his regular radio addressing to citizens that we stay beside the Americans and that on this date all Kosovars feel like Americans.
"Five years ago we have nightmarishly observed one of the most shocking episodes of human tragedy, where 2973 persons died in a single day," said Prime Minister in his speech.
He also said that USA self-restraint and decisive reaction following the attack was a demonstration of grandiosity of US nation and government.
Prime Minister Ceku stated that no-one, including Kosovars, will allow the violent hand to destroy our democratic societies and basic rules of international relations and diplomacy.
At the 5th anniversary of terrorist attacks on the United States, Kosova Assembly Chairman Kole Berisha said that the Kosovar nation and institutions express once again their solidarity with the United States and its readiness to help in preventing terrorist acts in the world.
Source: KosovaLive website, Pristina, in English 11 Sep 06
Prishtina [Pristina], 11 September: Kosova [Kosovo] Prime Minister Agim Ceku said today during his regular radio addressing to citizens that we stay beside the Americans and that on this date all Kosovars feel like Americans.
"Five years ago we have nightmarishly observed one of the most shocking episodes of human tragedy, where 2973 persons died in a single day," said Prime Minister in his speech.
He also said that USA self-restraint and decisive reaction following the attack was a demonstration of grandiosity of US nation and government.
Prime Minister Ceku stated that no-one, including Kosovars, will allow the violent hand to destroy our democratic societies and basic rules of international relations and diplomacy.
At the 5th anniversary of terrorist attacks on the United States, Kosova Assembly Chairman Kole Berisha said that the Kosovar nation and institutions express once again their solidarity with the United States and its readiness to help in preventing terrorist acts in the world.
Source: KosovaLive website, Pristina, in English 11 Sep 06
Kosovo will never be independent for Serbia - Kostunica
BELGRADE, Sept 12, 2006 (AFP) -
Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica said Tuesday that independence-seeking Kosovo would "always be a part of Serbia" despite ongoing UN-sponsored talks over the future status of the province.
In an address to the parliament session debating the course of the talks between Belgrade and Pristina, Kostunica said that Serbia should adopt a new constitution declaring Kosovo an "integral part" of the republic.
"For the state of Serbia, Kosovo will never be independent," Kostunica told the deputies.
With a majority of votes -- 219 of 224 deputies present at the session -- parliament adopted the decision to introduce such a motion in a future constitution, expected to be agreed on by next year.
Negotiations on the future status of Kosovo started in February under UN auspices in Vienna but no concrete results have been reached yet. Though still technically a part of Serbia, predominantly ethnic Albanian populated Kosovo has been administered by the United Nations since 1999.
Kostunica, a moderate nationalist, said Serbia has been "requested to give up Kosovo... and agree on an unprecedented intention to form an independent Albanian state on our territory."
"Kosovo has always been and will be forever Serbia's component part. There will be no other answer from Serbia, as long as it exists," Kostunica told the deputies.
International officials want to finalize the talks on the future status of Kosovo by the end of this year.
But the two sides have remained deeply entrenched in their positions: with Belgrade offering "wide autonomy" within Serbian territory to Kosovo, and resident ethnic Albanians accepting nothing but independence.
Kostunica told the deputies that Serbia would reject "any solution that would not be the result of an agreement and compromise."
Addressing the parliament, Serbian pro-Western President Boris Tadic also ruled out an independent Kosovo, saying Belgrade would use all "legal means to defend our province".
Serbia lost de facto control of the province after a NATO bombing campaign in 1999 that forced troops under the command of then-president Slobodan Milosevic to leave Kosovo and end their crackdown on separatist Albanian rebels.
Some 200,000 Serbs have since fled the province fearing attacks from ethnic Albanian hardliners. Those who have remained live in enclaves under heavy NATO protection.
Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica said Tuesday that independence-seeking Kosovo would "always be a part of Serbia" despite ongoing UN-sponsored talks over the future status of the province.
In an address to the parliament session debating the course of the talks between Belgrade and Pristina, Kostunica said that Serbia should adopt a new constitution declaring Kosovo an "integral part" of the republic.
"For the state of Serbia, Kosovo will never be independent," Kostunica told the deputies.
With a majority of votes -- 219 of 224 deputies present at the session -- parliament adopted the decision to introduce such a motion in a future constitution, expected to be agreed on by next year.
Negotiations on the future status of Kosovo started in February under UN auspices in Vienna but no concrete results have been reached yet. Though still technically a part of Serbia, predominantly ethnic Albanian populated Kosovo has been administered by the United Nations since 1999.
Kostunica, a moderate nationalist, said Serbia has been "requested to give up Kosovo... and agree on an unprecedented intention to form an independent Albanian state on our territory."
"Kosovo has always been and will be forever Serbia's component part. There will be no other answer from Serbia, as long as it exists," Kostunica told the deputies.
International officials want to finalize the talks on the future status of Kosovo by the end of this year.
But the two sides have remained deeply entrenched in their positions: with Belgrade offering "wide autonomy" within Serbian territory to Kosovo, and resident ethnic Albanians accepting nothing but independence.
Kostunica told the deputies that Serbia would reject "any solution that would not be the result of an agreement and compromise."
Addressing the parliament, Serbian pro-Western President Boris Tadic also ruled out an independent Kosovo, saying Belgrade would use all "legal means to defend our province".
Serbia lost de facto control of the province after a NATO bombing campaign in 1999 that forced troops under the command of then-president Slobodan Milosevic to leave Kosovo and end their crackdown on separatist Albanian rebels.
Some 200,000 Serbs have since fled the province fearing attacks from ethnic Albanian hardliners. Those who have remained live in enclaves under heavy NATO protection.
Annan pushes for compromise in Serbia-Kosovo talks
UNITED NATIONS, Sept 12 (Reuters) - U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan pressed Serbia and Kosovo on Tuesday to be more flexible in their talks on the fate of Serbia's breakaway province, to help pave the way toward a compromise.
"It is the responsibility of the parties to find common ground and a sustainable solution, acceptable to both sides," Annan said in his latest progress report to the U.N. Security Council on the course of the "final status" negotiations.
Kosovo has been under U.N. administration since 1999 following a NATO bombing campaign that drove out Serb forces accused of ethnic cleansing. Ninety percent of the southern Serb province's 2 million people are ethnic Albanians.
U.N.-brokered talks are underway to determine whether Kosovo will remain part of Serbia, as sought by the government in Belgrade, or become independent, as the vast majority of Kosovo's residents insist.
The talks began in February and U.N. officials hope to wrap them up by the end of the year.
But there has been little hint of a breakthrough in the negotiations, which have focused so far on the rights and security of the 100,000 Serbs still living in Kosovo.
Annan said he was disappointed that little common ground had been identified between the Serbian and Kosovo delegations, leaving "minimal space for negotiation."
"I again call on both sides to engage in these talks in a spirit of compromise," he said.
In Pristina on Monday, Kosovo's latest U.N. governor, German diplomat Joachim Ruecker, dismissed as "speculation" reports the talks were lagging and said U.N. mediator Martti Ahtisaari was on course to make his proposal on Kosovo's final status within the next three months.
A U.N. Security Council resolution approving the proposal could swiftly follow, he told Reuters.
"It is the responsibility of the parties to find common ground and a sustainable solution, acceptable to both sides," Annan said in his latest progress report to the U.N. Security Council on the course of the "final status" negotiations.
Kosovo has been under U.N. administration since 1999 following a NATO bombing campaign that drove out Serb forces accused of ethnic cleansing. Ninety percent of the southern Serb province's 2 million people are ethnic Albanians.
U.N.-brokered talks are underway to determine whether Kosovo will remain part of Serbia, as sought by the government in Belgrade, or become independent, as the vast majority of Kosovo's residents insist.
The talks began in February and U.N. officials hope to wrap them up by the end of the year.
But there has been little hint of a breakthrough in the negotiations, which have focused so far on the rights and security of the 100,000 Serbs still living in Kosovo.
Annan said he was disappointed that little common ground had been identified between the Serbian and Kosovo delegations, leaving "minimal space for negotiation."
"I again call on both sides to engage in these talks in a spirit of compromise," he said.
In Pristina on Monday, Kosovo's latest U.N. governor, German diplomat Joachim Ruecker, dismissed as "speculation" reports the talks were lagging and said U.N. mediator Martti Ahtisaari was on course to make his proposal on Kosovo's final status within the next three months.
A U.N. Security Council resolution approving the proposal could swiftly follow, he told Reuters.
Monday, September 11, 2006
Kosovo commemorates anniversary of 9/11 terrorist attacks against US
Kosovo commemorates anniversary of 9/11 terrorist attacks against US
Originally uploaded by kosovareport.
Milosevic supporters mark six-month anniversary of his death
POZAREVAC, Serbia, Sept 11, 2006 (AFP) -
More than 500 people gathered on Monday at the family estate of the late Serbian president and war crimes suspect Slobodan Milosevic to mark the six-month anniversary of his death.
The gathering was organised to mark the traditional six-month mourning period according to the Orthodox Christian religion.
Delegations from Milosevic's Socialist party mingled with ordinary people to enter the grounds of the large family villa in the eastern Serbian town of Pozarevac, 70 kilometres (42 miles) from the capital Belgrade, from early morning.
Mostly elderly, the mourners laid flowers at the grave, passing in a procession around it under a linden tree outside the now-vacant villa.
Mira Markovic, Milosevic's widow, and their son Marko, who live in self-imposed exile in Russia, did not attend. Nor did their daughter, Marija, who lives in neighbouring Montenegro.
Only their daughter-in-law Milica Gajic and grandson Marko were present at the villa.
Milosevic, 64, died suddenly on March 11, a few months before the expected end of his mammoth war crimes trial in The Hague over his role in the bloody conflicts in Bosnia, Croatia and Kosovo that tore apart the Balkans in the 1990s.
The former president was indicted on more than 60 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity. He faced separate genocide charges over the ethnic cleansing of Muslims in the war in Bosnia and in particular the 1995 massacre of some 8,000 Muslim men and boys at Srebrenica.
Milosevic was ousted in a popular uprising in October 2000 after more than a decade at the helm of Serbia and the former Yugoslav Federation. He was handed over to the Hague-based UN war crimes tribunal in June 2001.
Concurrently with the ceremony at Milosevic's villa, the late leader's opponents organised a symbolic action in Pozarevac, renaming one of the streets in the town as "Milosevic's victims boulevard."
No incidents were reported between the two groups.
More than 500 people gathered on Monday at the family estate of the late Serbian president and war crimes suspect Slobodan Milosevic to mark the six-month anniversary of his death.
The gathering was organised to mark the traditional six-month mourning period according to the Orthodox Christian religion.
Delegations from Milosevic's Socialist party mingled with ordinary people to enter the grounds of the large family villa in the eastern Serbian town of Pozarevac, 70 kilometres (42 miles) from the capital Belgrade, from early morning.
Mostly elderly, the mourners laid flowers at the grave, passing in a procession around it under a linden tree outside the now-vacant villa.
Mira Markovic, Milosevic's widow, and their son Marko, who live in self-imposed exile in Russia, did not attend. Nor did their daughter, Marija, who lives in neighbouring Montenegro.
Only their daughter-in-law Milica Gajic and grandson Marko were present at the villa.
Milosevic, 64, died suddenly on March 11, a few months before the expected end of his mammoth war crimes trial in The Hague over his role in the bloody conflicts in Bosnia, Croatia and Kosovo that tore apart the Balkans in the 1990s.
The former president was indicted on more than 60 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity. He faced separate genocide charges over the ethnic cleansing of Muslims in the war in Bosnia and in particular the 1995 massacre of some 8,000 Muslim men and boys at Srebrenica.
Milosevic was ousted in a popular uprising in October 2000 after more than a decade at the helm of Serbia and the former Yugoslav Federation. He was handed over to the Hague-based UN war crimes tribunal in June 2001.
Concurrently with the ceremony at Milosevic's villa, the late leader's opponents organised a symbolic action in Pozarevac, renaming one of the streets in the town as "Milosevic's victims boulevard."
No incidents were reported between the two groups.
Kosovo commemorates anniversary of 9/11 terrorist attacks against US
Text of report in English by independent internet news agency KosovaLive
Prishtina [Pristina], 11 September: The representatives of the Kosova [Kosovo] institutions said today that even after five years of terrorist attacks in the United States, continues to promote peace and democracy in the whole world.
These comments came out today during a ceremony organized under the patronage of Kosova Prime Minister Agim Ceku in cooperation with the President's Office, Ministry of Culture, and the Prishtina Municipal Council.
Minister of Culture Astrit Haraqia said that this event shows once again the strong solidarity of Kosovars with the American people.
"Even today, America is proving to be promoter and protector of the world democracy," said Haraqia.
Haraqia said that Kosovar institutions have taken several initiatives to build an obelisk in honour of the 11 September victims.
On the other hand, Prishtina Mayor Ismet Beqiri evaluated that this event is even more painful having in mind that it has been addressed against a country which has done so much about Kosova and the accomplishment of the will of the Kosovar people.
Source: KosovaLive website, Pristina, in English 11 Sep 06
Prishtina [Pristina], 11 September: The representatives of the Kosova [Kosovo] institutions said today that even after five years of terrorist attacks in the United States, continues to promote peace and democracy in the whole world.
These comments came out today during a ceremony organized under the patronage of Kosova Prime Minister Agim Ceku in cooperation with the President's Office, Ministry of Culture, and the Prishtina Municipal Council.
Minister of Culture Astrit Haraqia said that this event shows once again the strong solidarity of Kosovars with the American people.
"Even today, America is proving to be promoter and protector of the world democracy," said Haraqia.
Haraqia said that Kosovar institutions have taken several initiatives to build an obelisk in honour of the 11 September victims.
On the other hand, Prishtina Mayor Ismet Beqiri evaluated that this event is even more painful having in mind that it has been addressed against a country which has done so much about Kosova and the accomplishment of the will of the Kosovar people.
Source: KosovaLive website, Pristina, in English 11 Sep 06
New Serb party in Kosovo pledges readiness to cooperate with Albanian majority
Text of report by Blerim Xhemajli entitled "'Realpolitik' in Serbian without Serbia" published by the Kosovo Albanian newspaper Koha Ditore on 4 September
Llapleselle [Laplje Selo], Prishtina [Pristina], 3 September: With moderate vocabulary and without pomposity, Slobodan Petrovic, founder of the Independent Liberal Party [Serbian: Nezavisna Liberalna Stranka] received the necessary support to lead the party, which was established a month ago with its headquarters in Mitrovice [Kosovska Mitrovica]. At the first working convention held in Llapleselle (central Kosova [Kosovo]) Petrovic received 103 of the 105 attending delegates' votes. It turned out that his party programme was generally acceptable.
Speaking all the time about the future, without making excuses for the past, Petrovic did not make a single reference in his speech and programme to Belgrade or Serbia, nor did he curse the Albanian majority.
"We have not yet destroyed the bridge that links us with the catastrophic past. It still hurts us. If we could have stopped the evil, if we could have prevented the bad people from doing bad things, we would never have reached the unfavourable position that we are in now as Serbs in Kosova," he said during his speech. He also explained to our newspaper why he did not mention Belgrade.
"We do not need to mention Belgrade, because it is known that the Kosova Serbs have a natural connection with Serbia. It is important to say and for it to be known that we live in Kosova, and we want to hear the voice of the people living in Kosova," he said after the convention.
"We have our own policy; we are registered in Kosova, and if we want to implement this [policy], we must take into consideration the people who live here, and this in no way suggests that we are against Prishtina or Belgrade."
Petrovic admits that the Independent Liberal Party is perhaps the only party that equally supports the negotiating teams of Kosova and Belgrade.
"We hope that a comprise solution, for the good of the people living in Kosova and not only for the international community, will be found," he said.
According to him, the Independent Liberal Party has three basic principles in its programme. "Survival of the Serbs in Kosova, no matter what Kosova's status turns out to be; improvement of the living conditions for all in Kosova, which would be a condition for the real return of the people who are outside the territory of Kosova against their own will; and we stand for a multiethnic Kosova: we do not assess people on a national basis but on the basis of what they can do," he said.
"Kosova is a multiethnic place and we are aware that a solution for the Serb community in Kosova cannot be found without the Albanian majority," the Independent Liberal Party leader said, pledging willingness for cooperation with the Albanian political parties "to promote the well-being of all the people living in Kosova".
Despite his insistence on avoiding the topic of day-to-day politics, which now focuses exclusively on the status issue, Petrovic admitted to our newspaper that it is not true that his party is committed to Kosova's independence, though opposing it is unrealistic.
"I have to say that we do not support Kosova's independence, wishing for something different. We want something else, and we definitely expect something else. So, we are a new party, and it is the content, and not the form, that interests us. We are interested in seeing what that independent Kosova will contain. This is much more important than whether Kosova is independent or not," said Petrovic.
"We are the only Serb party that is ready to become involved in elections and institutions, and we want, together with the Albanian majority, to find solutions that will be beneficial for the people in Kosova. There are no problems with this." According to Petrovic, this is the party orientation, whose programme was unanimously approved by the delegates attending the convention.
The Independent Liberal Party convention elected three deputy chairmen, one of which is Ajdar Iljazi, representing the Goran community. A party presidency, a steering council, and a court of honour were also elected. Two representatives of the Goran community are also members of these bodies.
According to Petrovic, this proves that the Independent Liberal Party "is not only a party for the Serbs, but for a multiethnic Kosova".
Attending the convention were mainly young delegates. Oliver Ivanovic, leader of the Serb List for Kosova, who is also chairman of the Kosova branch of the Social Democratic Party of Serbia, addressed the convention. Ivanovic, too, admitted that the time of big words has gone.
Source: Koha Ditore, Pristina, in Albanian 4 Sep 06
Llapleselle [Laplje Selo], Prishtina [Pristina], 3 September: With moderate vocabulary and without pomposity, Slobodan Petrovic, founder of the Independent Liberal Party [Serbian: Nezavisna Liberalna Stranka] received the necessary support to lead the party, which was established a month ago with its headquarters in Mitrovice [Kosovska Mitrovica]. At the first working convention held in Llapleselle (central Kosova [Kosovo]) Petrovic received 103 of the 105 attending delegates' votes. It turned out that his party programme was generally acceptable.
Speaking all the time about the future, without making excuses for the past, Petrovic did not make a single reference in his speech and programme to Belgrade or Serbia, nor did he curse the Albanian majority.
"We have not yet destroyed the bridge that links us with the catastrophic past. It still hurts us. If we could have stopped the evil, if we could have prevented the bad people from doing bad things, we would never have reached the unfavourable position that we are in now as Serbs in Kosova," he said during his speech. He also explained to our newspaper why he did not mention Belgrade.
"We do not need to mention Belgrade, because it is known that the Kosova Serbs have a natural connection with Serbia. It is important to say and for it to be known that we live in Kosova, and we want to hear the voice of the people living in Kosova," he said after the convention.
"We have our own policy; we are registered in Kosova, and if we want to implement this [policy], we must take into consideration the people who live here, and this in no way suggests that we are against Prishtina or Belgrade."
Petrovic admits that the Independent Liberal Party is perhaps the only party that equally supports the negotiating teams of Kosova and Belgrade.
"We hope that a comprise solution, for the good of the people living in Kosova and not only for the international community, will be found," he said.
According to him, the Independent Liberal Party has three basic principles in its programme. "Survival of the Serbs in Kosova, no matter what Kosova's status turns out to be; improvement of the living conditions for all in Kosova, which would be a condition for the real return of the people who are outside the territory of Kosova against their own will; and we stand for a multiethnic Kosova: we do not assess people on a national basis but on the basis of what they can do," he said.
"Kosova is a multiethnic place and we are aware that a solution for the Serb community in Kosova cannot be found without the Albanian majority," the Independent Liberal Party leader said, pledging willingness for cooperation with the Albanian political parties "to promote the well-being of all the people living in Kosova".
Despite his insistence on avoiding the topic of day-to-day politics, which now focuses exclusively on the status issue, Petrovic admitted to our newspaper that it is not true that his party is committed to Kosova's independence, though opposing it is unrealistic.
"I have to say that we do not support Kosova's independence, wishing for something different. We want something else, and we definitely expect something else. So, we are a new party, and it is the content, and not the form, that interests us. We are interested in seeing what that independent Kosova will contain. This is much more important than whether Kosova is independent or not," said Petrovic.
"We are the only Serb party that is ready to become involved in elections and institutions, and we want, together with the Albanian majority, to find solutions that will be beneficial for the people in Kosova. There are no problems with this." According to Petrovic, this is the party orientation, whose programme was unanimously approved by the delegates attending the convention.
The Independent Liberal Party convention elected three deputy chairmen, one of which is Ajdar Iljazi, representing the Goran community. A party presidency, a steering council, and a court of honour were also elected. Two representatives of the Goran community are also members of these bodies.
According to Petrovic, this proves that the Independent Liberal Party "is not only a party for the Serbs, but for a multiethnic Kosova".
Attending the convention were mainly young delegates. Oliver Ivanovic, leader of the Serb List for Kosova, who is also chairman of the Kosova branch of the Social Democratic Party of Serbia, addressed the convention. Ivanovic, too, admitted that the time of big words has gone.
Source: Koha Ditore, Pristina, in Albanian 4 Sep 06
UN vote on Kosovo possible in 2006 -- governor
PRISTINA, Serbia, Sept 11 (Reuters) - The new U.N. chief in Kosovo said on Monday it was possible the U.N. Security Council would vote on the fate of Serbia's breakaway province by the end of the year and reports of delay were "speculation".
German diplomat Joachim Ruecker said U.N. mediator Martti Ahtisaari was on course to make his proposal on Kosovo's "final status" within the next three months. A new U.N. Security Council resolution could swiftly follow, he told Reuters.
Ruecker, who took the reins of the U.N. mission on Sept. 1, said Belgrade should be "more realistic" on the likely outcome, and warned against any Serb bid to split the province in two.
"If we continue to assume, and I think it's a good assumption, that Ahtisaari will be able to meet the timelines as intended, then I wouldn't even exclude that we have a Security Council resolution by the end of the year," said Ruecker.
"Everybody knows that there are risks of delay. Part of our job here is certainly expectation management," said Ruecker, the sixth U.N. governor in Kosovo since 1999.
Kosovo's ethnic Albanian leaders are promising independence from Serbia on Jan. 1, 2007, almost eight years after NATO's first "humanitarian" air war drove out Serb forces accused of ethnic cleansing and the United Nations took control.
The West too says it wants a decision within the year, wary of growing Albanian impatience and the risk of violence in a territory still patrolled by 16,000 NATO-led peacekeepers.
But there has been little hint of a breakthrough in direct talks that began in February in Vienna, focusing so far on the rights and security of the 100,000 remaining Serbs.
Western diplomats say the deadline stands, but shifting international priorities and reports of imminent elections in Serbia have fuelled speculation about a possible delay.
"It would be a real risk if the momentum was lost," said Ruecker, whose previous job was to revive Kosovo's crippled economy and tackle unemployment of more than 50 percent. He said there was "some truth" to what he described as the oft-cited equation: "delay equals destabilisation".
ETHNICALLY DIVIDED
A vote at the U.N. Security Council assumes the support or abstention of veto-holder and traditional Serb ally Russia.
Moscow has cautioned against setting "artificial deadlines".
But as a member of the Contact Group of world powers setting policy on Kosovo it has signed up to a series of guiding principles. They state that the outcome must be acceptable to Kosovo's 2 million people, 90 percent of whom are ethnic Albanians who demand nothing less than independence.
Western diplomats say some form of independence is likely, under European Union and NATO supervision for years to come.
Belgrade has shown little sign of consenting to the amputation of land many Serbs consider the cradle of their nation. Independence is regularly dismissed as a violation of international law and a threat to regional stability.
Ruecker said Belgrade should be "more realistic" in explaining the situation to Serbs. The Contact Group principles, he said, "predetermine to a certain degree the outcome."
Some 10,000 ethnic Albanians died and 800,000 were expelled in Serbia's 1998-99 war against separatist guerrillas. NATO's deployment in June 1999 coincided with a wave of revenge attacks that saw at least half the Kosovo Serb population flee.
Those who remain fear for the future. The risk is that the mainly Serb north may seek partition, a move the West believes could reignite old conflicts in south Serbia and Macedonia.
Ruecker said it was "inconceiveable that the international community would allow an ethnically divided Kosovo to be the outcome of seven years of international administration."
German diplomat Joachim Ruecker said U.N. mediator Martti Ahtisaari was on course to make his proposal on Kosovo's "final status" within the next three months. A new U.N. Security Council resolution could swiftly follow, he told Reuters.
Ruecker, who took the reins of the U.N. mission on Sept. 1, said Belgrade should be "more realistic" on the likely outcome, and warned against any Serb bid to split the province in two.
"If we continue to assume, and I think it's a good assumption, that Ahtisaari will be able to meet the timelines as intended, then I wouldn't even exclude that we have a Security Council resolution by the end of the year," said Ruecker.
"Everybody knows that there are risks of delay. Part of our job here is certainly expectation management," said Ruecker, the sixth U.N. governor in Kosovo since 1999.
Kosovo's ethnic Albanian leaders are promising independence from Serbia on Jan. 1, 2007, almost eight years after NATO's first "humanitarian" air war drove out Serb forces accused of ethnic cleansing and the United Nations took control.
The West too says it wants a decision within the year, wary of growing Albanian impatience and the risk of violence in a territory still patrolled by 16,000 NATO-led peacekeepers.
But there has been little hint of a breakthrough in direct talks that began in February in Vienna, focusing so far on the rights and security of the 100,000 remaining Serbs.
Western diplomats say the deadline stands, but shifting international priorities and reports of imminent elections in Serbia have fuelled speculation about a possible delay.
"It would be a real risk if the momentum was lost," said Ruecker, whose previous job was to revive Kosovo's crippled economy and tackle unemployment of more than 50 percent. He said there was "some truth" to what he described as the oft-cited equation: "delay equals destabilisation".
ETHNICALLY DIVIDED
A vote at the U.N. Security Council assumes the support or abstention of veto-holder and traditional Serb ally Russia.
Moscow has cautioned against setting "artificial deadlines".
But as a member of the Contact Group of world powers setting policy on Kosovo it has signed up to a series of guiding principles. They state that the outcome must be acceptable to Kosovo's 2 million people, 90 percent of whom are ethnic Albanians who demand nothing less than independence.
Western diplomats say some form of independence is likely, under European Union and NATO supervision for years to come.
Belgrade has shown little sign of consenting to the amputation of land many Serbs consider the cradle of their nation. Independence is regularly dismissed as a violation of international law and a threat to regional stability.
Ruecker said Belgrade should be "more realistic" in explaining the situation to Serbs. The Contact Group principles, he said, "predetermine to a certain degree the outcome."
Some 10,000 ethnic Albanians died and 800,000 were expelled in Serbia's 1998-99 war against separatist guerrillas. NATO's deployment in June 1999 coincided with a wave of revenge attacks that saw at least half the Kosovo Serb population flee.
Those who remain fear for the future. The risk is that the mainly Serb north may seek partition, a move the West believes could reignite old conflicts in south Serbia and Macedonia.
Ruecker said it was "inconceiveable that the international community would allow an ethnically divided Kosovo to be the outcome of seven years of international administration."
Sunday, September 10, 2006
Kosovo Serb villagers optimistic about return, coexistence with Albanians
Text of report in English by independent internet news agency KosovaLive
Ferizaj [Urosevac], 8 September: Serbs from the village of Babush [Babus] in Ferizaj told the Kfor [Kosovo Force] commander, General Roland Kather, that that they are optimistic for their return and establishment of coexistence with Albanians.
They evaluated as successful the project for village reconstruction, which is considered to be the biggest project of this kind in Kosova [Kosovo].
"We are satisfied with the rebuilding of the houses, the project was respected, and we can say that 60 to 70 per cent of us will have better and much modern houses," said Miroslav Prlincevic, a local resident from Babush.
But on behalf of other villagers he called on the opening of a police station in the village, which is to consist of Albanians and Serbs.
"Because it is the first time that Serb population is returning to a Serb village in Kosova," said Prlincevic, hoping that this will be an example to other villages as well.
Kfor Commander Kather has promised the Serbs of Babush that he will make all possible efforts to provide security to them, adding that he is aware of their suffering however they should turn towards the future.
Mayor of Ferizaj, Faik Grainca has presented a plan, according to which the return of Serbs will be completed by November 2006.
Source: KosovaLive website, Pristina, in English 8 Sep 06
Ferizaj [Urosevac], 8 September: Serbs from the village of Babush [Babus] in Ferizaj told the Kfor [Kosovo Force] commander, General Roland Kather, that that they are optimistic for their return and establishment of coexistence with Albanians.
They evaluated as successful the project for village reconstruction, which is considered to be the biggest project of this kind in Kosova [Kosovo].
"We are satisfied with the rebuilding of the houses, the project was respected, and we can say that 60 to 70 per cent of us will have better and much modern houses," said Miroslav Prlincevic, a local resident from Babush.
But on behalf of other villagers he called on the opening of a police station in the village, which is to consist of Albanians and Serbs.
"Because it is the first time that Serb population is returning to a Serb village in Kosova," said Prlincevic, hoping that this will be an example to other villages as well.
Kfor Commander Kather has promised the Serbs of Babush that he will make all possible efforts to provide security to them, adding that he is aware of their suffering however they should turn towards the future.
Mayor of Ferizaj, Faik Grainca has presented a plan, according to which the return of Serbs will be completed by November 2006.
Source: KosovaLive website, Pristina, in English 8 Sep 06
UNMIK will no longer be present in Kosovo in a year from now - UNMIK chief
Text of report by Radio-Television Kosovo TV website on 8 September
A solution for the Kosova [Kosovo] issue will be achieved by the end of this year, UNMIK [UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo] chief Joachim Ruecker has said. He assessed that the foundations of a functioning market economy have been laid in Kosova. The post-status international presence in Kosova will be smaller than UNMIK and there will be a continuation of sufficient military presence to prevent possible risks in Kosova for a certain period of time.
Ruecker did not divulge what the status of Kosova will be, but he pointed to the Contact Group principles of no partition, no unification with other states and no return of Kosova to the pre-1999 situation.
Bearing in mind these Contact Group principles, one can foresee how the future status of Kosova will look, Ruecker added. He also reiterated that the decision on status will reflect the will of the majority population in Kosova. The situation in Kosova is stable; of course there are always risks, but generally the democratic process is functioning, UNMIK chief Joachim Ruecker concluded.
Source: RTK TV website, Pristina, in Albanian 8 Sep 06
A solution for the Kosova [Kosovo] issue will be achieved by the end of this year, UNMIK [UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo] chief Joachim Ruecker has said. He assessed that the foundations of a functioning market economy have been laid in Kosova. The post-status international presence in Kosova will be smaller than UNMIK and there will be a continuation of sufficient military presence to prevent possible risks in Kosova for a certain period of time.
Ruecker did not divulge what the status of Kosova will be, but he pointed to the Contact Group principles of no partition, no unification with other states and no return of Kosova to the pre-1999 situation.
Bearing in mind these Contact Group principles, one can foresee how the future status of Kosova will look, Ruecker added. He also reiterated that the decision on status will reflect the will of the majority population in Kosova. The situation in Kosova is stable; of course there are always risks, but generally the democratic process is functioning, UNMIK chief Joachim Ruecker concluded.
Source: RTK TV website, Pristina, in Albanian 8 Sep 06
Friday, September 08, 2006
Montenegro has its favorite son
By Nicholas Wood International Herald Tribune
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2006
PODGORICA, Montenegro With Montenegrins going to the polls on Sunday, few here have any doubt about the winner. For 15 years, Milo Djukanovic, the Balkans' longest-serving political leader, has dominated politics in this tiny state and is likely to keep power as prime minister after the votes for Parliament are counted.
Buoyed by his success in May, when voters opted in a referendum to form an independent state and break away from Serbia, the prime minister's two-party alliance seems likely to win about 45 percent of the vote, well ahead of the rest of the field, according to various opinion polls.
On Sunday, 480,000 people are eligible to vote for 81 parliamentary seats. The margin of victory will dictate the shape of the next government, but whatever the exact composition, most commentators agree that Djukanovic will be in a position to lead Montenegro into a new era, no longer dogged by the issues of the former Yugoslavia.
Separated from Serbia, Montenegro now sees itself free of the problems that have beset its neighbor in its quest for international acceptance, most notably cooperation on the hunt for war criminals, as well as the tricky question of the future of the Serbian province of Kosovo, which the United Nations administers. Instead, Montenegro's next government will be free to focus on the more tedious process of integration into the European Union.
Djukanovic, a young apparatchik in the Yugoslav Communist Party in the late 1980s, weaved his way through the last 15 years, forming alliances with the Serb leader, Slobodan Milosevic, and the West, and all the while he served as either president or prime minister, a position he first held at the age of 29 in 1991.
Now, after a lackluster campaign, so soon after the election on secession, Djukanovic has tried to depict himself as the inevitable leader of a country heading toward membership in the EU.
This election is "the second leg of the match we played up to May 21," he told supporters last month referring to the referendum on independence, adding, "After winning back our home at the referendum, at these elections we should pick a responsible caretaker."
Repeated suggestions he made during the May referendum campaign that he would step down from office before this election appear to have been forgotten.
But while Djukanovic has emphasized that Montenegro is ready to focus on its future, diplomats say it will have a tough time as it seeks to reshape its image as a new European-oriented state. Its tiny size - it has a population of just 650,000 people - has raised a question over its capacity to complete the complex and highly technical EU application process, and its reputation for corruption is an albatross
The government's reputed involvement in organized crime, including extensive cigarette smuggling, earned Montenegro one of the worst reputations for corruption in the Balkans.
Djukanovic's government was named in a European Union suit launched against U.S. tobacco makers for alleged collusion in cigarette smuggling. Philip Morris agreed to pay $1.25 billion in an out-of-court settlement with the EU in 2004 and agreed to crack down on the smuggling.
While Montenegro was an ally of the West pitted against Milosevic's Serbia, scant pressure was brought against it to end the smuggling, which many citizens regarded as a key source of revenue. In 2004 an Italian court issued an arrest warrant for Djukanovic in connection with the smuggling, a warrant that is still outstanding. Djukanovic dismisses the charges as politically motivated.
Now most analysts here agree the smuggling has stopped, but opposition politicians charge that Djukanovic and his allies have grown rich while in power and have little interest in real economic reform.
Nejbojsa Medojevic, the leader of the Movement for Changes, a new opposition party that has campaigned on anti- corruption platform, said: "Djukanovic is directly linked to the financial oligarchy in Montenegro.
"Their interests are opposed to European standards. If Djukanovic wins the elections, EU integration will go very, very slowly."
In a twist to the election campaign, a state prosecutor announced an investigation Thursday into Medojevic's purchase of an apartment in Podgorica, which Medojevic calls that a smear to discredit him before the voting. Opinion polls indicate that Medojevic is popular but is unlikely to win enough votes to rival Djukanovic.
Other Balkan nations have their own corruption problems. Croatia and Macedonia are beset by similar problems, said James Lyon, an analyst with the International Crisis Group, and both countries already have European Union candidate status.
"Basically if you look at the rest of the region it is exactly the same," said Lyon. "The difference in these larger countries it is easier to hide."
The quality of Montenegro's administration is likely to be a tougher problem to tackle. There are, for example, no precise figures on the number of government employees, which range from 5,000 to 30,000.
Vanja Calovic, executive director of MANS, a group that is lobbying for government and administrative overhaul, said, "We are a really small country, so we have a few government employees and on the other side our system of education does not prepare people do their jobs sufficiently well."
But to make progress on reform, said a European Commission official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, "Absolutely the main is issue is administrative capacity.
"They know it, we know it."
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2006
PODGORICA, Montenegro With Montenegrins going to the polls on Sunday, few here have any doubt about the winner. For 15 years, Milo Djukanovic, the Balkans' longest-serving political leader, has dominated politics in this tiny state and is likely to keep power as prime minister after the votes for Parliament are counted.
Buoyed by his success in May, when voters opted in a referendum to form an independent state and break away from Serbia, the prime minister's two-party alliance seems likely to win about 45 percent of the vote, well ahead of the rest of the field, according to various opinion polls.
On Sunday, 480,000 people are eligible to vote for 81 parliamentary seats. The margin of victory will dictate the shape of the next government, but whatever the exact composition, most commentators agree that Djukanovic will be in a position to lead Montenegro into a new era, no longer dogged by the issues of the former Yugoslavia.
Separated from Serbia, Montenegro now sees itself free of the problems that have beset its neighbor in its quest for international acceptance, most notably cooperation on the hunt for war criminals, as well as the tricky question of the future of the Serbian province of Kosovo, which the United Nations administers. Instead, Montenegro's next government will be free to focus on the more tedious process of integration into the European Union.
Djukanovic, a young apparatchik in the Yugoslav Communist Party in the late 1980s, weaved his way through the last 15 years, forming alliances with the Serb leader, Slobodan Milosevic, and the West, and all the while he served as either president or prime minister, a position he first held at the age of 29 in 1991.
Now, after a lackluster campaign, so soon after the election on secession, Djukanovic has tried to depict himself as the inevitable leader of a country heading toward membership in the EU.
This election is "the second leg of the match we played up to May 21," he told supporters last month referring to the referendum on independence, adding, "After winning back our home at the referendum, at these elections we should pick a responsible caretaker."
Repeated suggestions he made during the May referendum campaign that he would step down from office before this election appear to have been forgotten.
But while Djukanovic has emphasized that Montenegro is ready to focus on its future, diplomats say it will have a tough time as it seeks to reshape its image as a new European-oriented state. Its tiny size - it has a population of just 650,000 people - has raised a question over its capacity to complete the complex and highly technical EU application process, and its reputation for corruption is an albatross
The government's reputed involvement in organized crime, including extensive cigarette smuggling, earned Montenegro one of the worst reputations for corruption in the Balkans.
Djukanovic's government was named in a European Union suit launched against U.S. tobacco makers for alleged collusion in cigarette smuggling. Philip Morris agreed to pay $1.25 billion in an out-of-court settlement with the EU in 2004 and agreed to crack down on the smuggling.
While Montenegro was an ally of the West pitted against Milosevic's Serbia, scant pressure was brought against it to end the smuggling, which many citizens regarded as a key source of revenue. In 2004 an Italian court issued an arrest warrant for Djukanovic in connection with the smuggling, a warrant that is still outstanding. Djukanovic dismisses the charges as politically motivated.
Now most analysts here agree the smuggling has stopped, but opposition politicians charge that Djukanovic and his allies have grown rich while in power and have little interest in real economic reform.
Nejbojsa Medojevic, the leader of the Movement for Changes, a new opposition party that has campaigned on anti- corruption platform, said: "Djukanovic is directly linked to the financial oligarchy in Montenegro.
"Their interests are opposed to European standards. If Djukanovic wins the elections, EU integration will go very, very slowly."
In a twist to the election campaign, a state prosecutor announced an investigation Thursday into Medojevic's purchase of an apartment in Podgorica, which Medojevic calls that a smear to discredit him before the voting. Opinion polls indicate that Medojevic is popular but is unlikely to win enough votes to rival Djukanovic.
Other Balkan nations have their own corruption problems. Croatia and Macedonia are beset by similar problems, said James Lyon, an analyst with the International Crisis Group, and both countries already have European Union candidate status.
"Basically if you look at the rest of the region it is exactly the same," said Lyon. "The difference in these larger countries it is easier to hide."
The quality of Montenegro's administration is likely to be a tougher problem to tackle. There are, for example, no precise figures on the number of government employees, which range from 5,000 to 30,000.
Vanja Calovic, executive director of MANS, a group that is lobbying for government and administrative overhaul, said, "We are a really small country, so we have a few government employees and on the other side our system of education does not prepare people do their jobs sufficiently well."
But to make progress on reform, said a European Commission official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, "Absolutely the main is issue is administrative capacity.
"They know it, we know it."
Serbs, Albanians agree on Kosovo churches
VIENNA, Sept. 8 (UPI) -- Serbian officials and ethnic-Albanian leaders say they are satisfied with Friday's talks in Vienna on the protection of churches in Serbia's Kosovo province.
The session on establishing protection zones around Serbian churches and monasteries was one of very few successful rounds of the U.N.-led talks, begun in February in Vienna on the final status of the predominantly ethnic-Albanian Kosovo province.
Serbian and Albanian negotiators were positive about the round of talks on the protection of religious and cultural sites in Kosovo, Belgrade's Beta news agency reported.
Kosovo is formally part of Serbia, but since 1999 ethnic hostilities the province has been under the U.N. administration and NATO troops' protection.
The ongoing talks should decide who will govern Kosovo once U.N. and NATO personnel leave.
Ethnic-Albanians, who make up 90 percent of Kosovo's 1.8 million population, insist on Kosovo independent of the Serbian government in Belgrade. Serbia's leaders, who represent some 100,000 Serbs in Kosovo, reject any independent status and offer a high degree of autonomy for the province.
The session on establishing protection zones around Serbian churches and monasteries was one of very few successful rounds of the U.N.-led talks, begun in February in Vienna on the final status of the predominantly ethnic-Albanian Kosovo province.
Serbian and Albanian negotiators were positive about the round of talks on the protection of religious and cultural sites in Kosovo, Belgrade's Beta news agency reported.
Kosovo is formally part of Serbia, but since 1999 ethnic hostilities the province has been under the U.N. administration and NATO troops' protection.
The ongoing talks should decide who will govern Kosovo once U.N. and NATO personnel leave.
Ethnic-Albanians, who make up 90 percent of Kosovo's 1.8 million population, insist on Kosovo independent of the Serbian government in Belgrade. Serbia's leaders, who represent some 100,000 Serbs in Kosovo, reject any independent status and offer a high degree of autonomy for the province.
UN says time for concessions in Kosovo talks
VIENNA, Sept 8 (Reuters) - The United Nations told Serbia on Friday the time had come to make concessions in talks on the future of its breakaway province of Kosovo, after seven months of near fruitless discussion.
U.N. deputy envoy Albert Rohan made the appeal after the latest round of direct talks between Serbia and leaders of Kosovo's ethnic Albanian majority in Vienna. The West wants a deal this year, with the Albanians pushing for independence.
"The bad news is that not much progress has been achieved," Rohan told a news conference. "We have discussed everything, and the time for concessions has come."
The two-day meeting focused on self-government for the Serb minority and protection for Kosovo's rich Serb Orthodox religious heritage -- so-called technical issues that have dominated discussion so far.
Rohan said the Albanians had "really moved" on these issues. "The same is unfortunately not the case with the other party."
Legally part of Serbia, Kosovo has been run by the United Nations since 1999, when a NATO bombing campaign drove out Serb forces accused of ethnic cleansing in a two-year war with separatist guerrillas.
Some 10,000 Albanians died and 800,000 were expelled. A wave of revenge attacks after the war saw around half the Serb population flee. The 100,000 who stayed feel marginalised and under threat, targeted by sporadic violence.
Under pressure to prove their commitment to minority rights, Kosovo Albanian negotiators have dug deep to offer Serbs the institutional guarantees of a better life, diplomats say.
But Belgrade is demanding more.
Western diplomats say some form of independence for Kosovo is likely, with or without Serbian consent.
In the absence of agreement, chief envoy Martti Ahtisaari hopes to at least have a framework for how to improve life for the 100,000 remaining Serbs and protect scores of Serb Orthodox churches and monasteries.
U.N. officials say the technical talks are stuck on the number, size and powers of proposed new Serb municipalities, and Belgrade's role in supporting them.
"There were a number of minor advances, but no big leap," said Rohan.
Ahtisaari leaves next week for a series of meeting at U.N. headquarters in New York. Sources close to his office say the former Finnish president will make his proposal by November.
The Vienna talks resume on September 15.
U.N. deputy envoy Albert Rohan made the appeal after the latest round of direct talks between Serbia and leaders of Kosovo's ethnic Albanian majority in Vienna. The West wants a deal this year, with the Albanians pushing for independence.
"The bad news is that not much progress has been achieved," Rohan told a news conference. "We have discussed everything, and the time for concessions has come."
The two-day meeting focused on self-government for the Serb minority and protection for Kosovo's rich Serb Orthodox religious heritage -- so-called technical issues that have dominated discussion so far.
Rohan said the Albanians had "really moved" on these issues. "The same is unfortunately not the case with the other party."
Legally part of Serbia, Kosovo has been run by the United Nations since 1999, when a NATO bombing campaign drove out Serb forces accused of ethnic cleansing in a two-year war with separatist guerrillas.
Some 10,000 Albanians died and 800,000 were expelled. A wave of revenge attacks after the war saw around half the Serb population flee. The 100,000 who stayed feel marginalised and under threat, targeted by sporadic violence.
Under pressure to prove their commitment to minority rights, Kosovo Albanian negotiators have dug deep to offer Serbs the institutional guarantees of a better life, diplomats say.
But Belgrade is demanding more.
Western diplomats say some form of independence for Kosovo is likely, with or without Serbian consent.
In the absence of agreement, chief envoy Martti Ahtisaari hopes to at least have a framework for how to improve life for the 100,000 remaining Serbs and protect scores of Serb Orthodox churches and monasteries.
U.N. officials say the technical talks are stuck on the number, size and powers of proposed new Serb municipalities, and Belgrade's role in supporting them.
"There were a number of minor advances, but no big leap," said Rohan.
Ahtisaari leaves next week for a series of meeting at U.N. headquarters in New York. Sources close to his office say the former Finnish president will make his proposal by November.
The Vienna talks resume on September 15.
Serbian president says talks with Cheney as good and analytical
Text of report by Serbian radio on 8 September
Boris Tadic last night met US Vice President Dick Cheney, when the main topic of their meeting was the question of Kosovo-Metohija [Kosmet]. In spite of differences in opinion, Tadic called for a compromise solution to the province's status. Nenad Zafirovic reports from Washington.
[Reporter] Tadic described the discussion as good and analytical. We carefully examined the processes and time limits with regard to the talks on Kosmet, political stability and processes in the Balkans, not only in Serbia, said Tadic. He said his arguments were very well received, but declined to prejudge anything, since the talks in Washington are expected to give results in the period ahead. Tadic expressed concern that in all his meetings in Washington, including that with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, the opinion prevailed that Kosovo should be granted some form of independence. On the other hand, Serbia strongly defends its legitimate position, which is opposition to Kosmet's independence and preservation of the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity, said Tadic. I expect the stances that I expressed on behalf of the state of Serbia will be an object of separate analyses and there is a possibility that Washington's current position might change with regard to the Kosovo status talks, said Tadic.
Source: Radio Belgrade in Serbian 1300 gmt 8 Sep 06
Boris Tadic last night met US Vice President Dick Cheney, when the main topic of their meeting was the question of Kosovo-Metohija [Kosmet]. In spite of differences in opinion, Tadic called for a compromise solution to the province's status. Nenad Zafirovic reports from Washington.
[Reporter] Tadic described the discussion as good and analytical. We carefully examined the processes and time limits with regard to the talks on Kosmet, political stability and processes in the Balkans, not only in Serbia, said Tadic. He said his arguments were very well received, but declined to prejudge anything, since the talks in Washington are expected to give results in the period ahead. Tadic expressed concern that in all his meetings in Washington, including that with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, the opinion prevailed that Kosovo should be granted some form of independence. On the other hand, Serbia strongly defends its legitimate position, which is opposition to Kosmet's independence and preservation of the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity, said Tadic. I expect the stances that I expressed on behalf of the state of Serbia will be an object of separate analyses and there is a possibility that Washington's current position might change with regard to the Kosovo status talks, said Tadic.
Source: Radio Belgrade in Serbian 1300 gmt 8 Sep 06
Serbian president satisfied with "constructive" meetings with US officials
Text of interview with Serbian President Boris Tadic by RTS correspondent Nenad Zafirovic in Washington, broadcast by Serbian TV on 7 September
[Zafirovic] Good evening, Mr President. We have just seen the report on the signing of the SOFA agreement between yourself and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. Could you tell us what SOFA [status of American forces] means?
[Tadic] It is a contract that the United States signs with every country that it wants to develop a strategic partnership with in defence and security. It is a prerequisite for future cooperation between our armed forces and those of the United States.
After this, the entire delegation is leaving for Ohio tomorrow where we will sign a new agreement on cooperation between the National Guard of Ohio and our armed forces. Senator Voinovich contributed a lot to this. It will have a practicable impact on training and new experience for our officers and soldiers, enhance the operability and the quality of our armed forces, and prepare not only for operations at home but for peacekeeping operations all over the world. This way our country will gain new credibility, we will become a country that is not only an importer of security, but an exporter of security as well. Thus we will not be in a situation where someone is always taking care of us, but possibly able to take care about someone else, and thereby boost Serbia's new ratings for foreign investments and finally, this is favourable for the living standards of citizens.
[Zafirovic] In addition to signing the agreement, you spoke with Rice for nearly 40 minutes. I suppose Kosovo-Metohija was the main topic. Yesterday you said that after the talks on Capitol Hill you felt that Washington was gradually forming an opinion that Kosovo should be granted some form of independence. Was this Rice's view and what arguments did you present against this stance?
[Tadic] This kind of opinion prevailed in all my meetings in Washington and we should be frank about this to our public. On the other hand, Serbia is defending its legitimate position with all its strength, which is to oppose the independence of Kosmet and preserve the country's territorial integrity and sovereignty. I said this frankly to our collocutors but I also said that Serbia was more than interested in strategic partnership with the United States, keeping in mind this country's importance in the world, the fact that it accounts for nearly 50 per cent of the world economy, that it manages many crises in the world, and that the word of the United States is very important for future membership of the European Union. I believe it is very much in Serbia's interest to have the best possible relations with Washington, and that is why I am here today, that is why we had state delegations some time ago which also represented Serbia's stance, not only on Kosovo but on bilateral relations with the United States. That was a very constructive meeting, as all the meetings I have had so far. I expect the meeting with Vice President Cheney will be so as well. It was a very forthright discussion, even when we expressed differences, we found constructive solutions for our future relations after the talks on Kosovo.
[Zafirovic] Before your departure from Belgrade, you said clearly that Washington and Belgrade must expand economic and military cooperation regardless of Kosovo. Do you think Washington understands this appeal and message?
[Tadic] I was absolutely assured of it today. It is an important message that I am carrying with me to Belgrade. I said I was not satisfied with the level of US investments in our economy and the number of jobs that have opened, even though US companies are in fact the biggest investors in Serbia, but there is room for much more. I am dissatisfied because a lot more could have been done in the previous period and that we have a lot of work to do in the economic aspect in the future. But in order for all this to happen we must have the closest relations with the United States and the Euro-Atlantic structure in the domain of defence, because no one will invest in a country which does not offer additional security. Today, it is Euro-Atlantic structures that offer this quality of safety and security for investments.
[Zafirovic] Thank you, Mr President.
[Tadic] Thank you.
Source: RTS 1 TV, Belgrade, in Serbian 1730 gmt 7 Sep 06
[Zafirovic] Good evening, Mr President. We have just seen the report on the signing of the SOFA agreement between yourself and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. Could you tell us what SOFA [status of American forces] means?
[Tadic] It is a contract that the United States signs with every country that it wants to develop a strategic partnership with in defence and security. It is a prerequisite for future cooperation between our armed forces and those of the United States.
After this, the entire delegation is leaving for Ohio tomorrow where we will sign a new agreement on cooperation between the National Guard of Ohio and our armed forces. Senator Voinovich contributed a lot to this. It will have a practicable impact on training and new experience for our officers and soldiers, enhance the operability and the quality of our armed forces, and prepare not only for operations at home but for peacekeeping operations all over the world. This way our country will gain new credibility, we will become a country that is not only an importer of security, but an exporter of security as well. Thus we will not be in a situation where someone is always taking care of us, but possibly able to take care about someone else, and thereby boost Serbia's new ratings for foreign investments and finally, this is favourable for the living standards of citizens.
[Zafirovic] In addition to signing the agreement, you spoke with Rice for nearly 40 minutes. I suppose Kosovo-Metohija was the main topic. Yesterday you said that after the talks on Capitol Hill you felt that Washington was gradually forming an opinion that Kosovo should be granted some form of independence. Was this Rice's view and what arguments did you present against this stance?
[Tadic] This kind of opinion prevailed in all my meetings in Washington and we should be frank about this to our public. On the other hand, Serbia is defending its legitimate position with all its strength, which is to oppose the independence of Kosmet and preserve the country's territorial integrity and sovereignty. I said this frankly to our collocutors but I also said that Serbia was more than interested in strategic partnership with the United States, keeping in mind this country's importance in the world, the fact that it accounts for nearly 50 per cent of the world economy, that it manages many crises in the world, and that the word of the United States is very important for future membership of the European Union. I believe it is very much in Serbia's interest to have the best possible relations with Washington, and that is why I am here today, that is why we had state delegations some time ago which also represented Serbia's stance, not only on Kosovo but on bilateral relations with the United States. That was a very constructive meeting, as all the meetings I have had so far. I expect the meeting with Vice President Cheney will be so as well. It was a very forthright discussion, even when we expressed differences, we found constructive solutions for our future relations after the talks on Kosovo.
[Zafirovic] Before your departure from Belgrade, you said clearly that Washington and Belgrade must expand economic and military cooperation regardless of Kosovo. Do you think Washington understands this appeal and message?
[Tadic] I was absolutely assured of it today. It is an important message that I am carrying with me to Belgrade. I said I was not satisfied with the level of US investments in our economy and the number of jobs that have opened, even though US companies are in fact the biggest investors in Serbia, but there is room for much more. I am dissatisfied because a lot more could have been done in the previous period and that we have a lot of work to do in the economic aspect in the future. But in order for all this to happen we must have the closest relations with the United States and the Euro-Atlantic structure in the domain of defence, because no one will invest in a country which does not offer additional security. Today, it is Euro-Atlantic structures that offer this quality of safety and security for investments.
[Zafirovic] Thank you, Mr President.
[Tadic] Thank you.
Source: RTS 1 TV, Belgrade, in Serbian 1730 gmt 7 Sep 06
Kosovo town of Gnjilane seeks resignation of status Negotiating Team
Text of report by Radio-Television Kosovo TV website on 7 September
The town of Gjilane [Gnjilane] is in a state of anxiety over decentralization on ethnic lines in Kosova [Kosovo]. The political parties and entities in the municipality - the LDK [Democratic League of Kosovo], PDK [Democratic Party of Kosovo], AAK [Alliance for the Future of Kosovo], ORA, Self Determination Movement and NGOs - are strongly opposed to the Kosova Negotiation Team and especially Deputy Prime Minister Lutfi Haziri, as the main instigator of the partition of Kosova.
The Protest Council said they are calling for the resignation of the Negotiating Team because they are against the proposal it put forward for the division of Gjilane and the creation of new municipalities based on ethnic lines.
The representatives of political and civil society have called on the citizens to join in a mass protest against decentralization to be held on Saturday [9 September]. Head of PDK in Gjilane Qemajl Mustafa stressed that the proposal for decentralization will wall in Gjilane into 400 sq km with a population of around 130,000, while the municipalities, with around 12,000 dwellers, will get 230 sq km of land. Decentralization will remove from Gjilane a very large piece of its territory, it will take away its arable land and water resources and the town will be left with nothing; in addition to such decentralization plans, the main communication roads will be shut down, Mustafa added.
Source: RTK TV website, Pristina, in Albanian 7 Sep 06
The town of Gjilane [Gnjilane] is in a state of anxiety over decentralization on ethnic lines in Kosova [Kosovo]. The political parties and entities in the municipality - the LDK [Democratic League of Kosovo], PDK [Democratic Party of Kosovo], AAK [Alliance for the Future of Kosovo], ORA, Self Determination Movement and NGOs - are strongly opposed to the Kosova Negotiation Team and especially Deputy Prime Minister Lutfi Haziri, as the main instigator of the partition of Kosova.
The Protest Council said they are calling for the resignation of the Negotiating Team because they are against the proposal it put forward for the division of Gjilane and the creation of new municipalities based on ethnic lines.
The representatives of political and civil society have called on the citizens to join in a mass protest against decentralization to be held on Saturday [9 September]. Head of PDK in Gjilane Qemajl Mustafa stressed that the proposal for decentralization will wall in Gjilane into 400 sq km with a population of around 130,000, while the municipalities, with around 12,000 dwellers, will get 230 sq km of land. Decentralization will remove from Gjilane a very large piece of its territory, it will take away its arable land and water resources and the town will be left with nothing; in addition to such decentralization plans, the main communication roads will be shut down, Mustafa added.
Source: RTK TV website, Pristina, in Albanian 7 Sep 06
Thursday, September 07, 2006
Serb municipalities to cover 15 per cent of Kosovo under decentralization
Text of report in English by independent internet news agency KosovaLive
Prishtina [Pristina], 6 September: Figures presented today during the Kosova [Kosovo] parliament session show that some 85.5 per cent of Kosova's territory will be administered by Albanians, whereas 14.5 per cent will be administered by the Serbs.
According to the minister of environment and spatial planning and member of the Political Strategic Group, Ardian Gjini, the Kosovar plan is not much different from the UNOSEK [UN Office of the Special Envoy of the Secretary General for the future status process for Kosovo] plan.
"Municipalities with majority Albanians in Kosova will manage some 85.62 per cent of the territory or some 9,300 square kilometres," said Minister Gjini, adding that between Kosovar and UNOSEK plan there is a difference of 1 per cent only.
Ardian Gjini also focused on the issue of special protection zones around Orthodox religious sites in Kosova, as well as on the activities which will be allowed to take place in these zones.
Source: KosovaLive website, Pristina, in English 6 Sep 06
Prishtina [Pristina], 6 September: Figures presented today during the Kosova [Kosovo] parliament session show that some 85.5 per cent of Kosova's territory will be administered by Albanians, whereas 14.5 per cent will be administered by the Serbs.
According to the minister of environment and spatial planning and member of the Political Strategic Group, Ardian Gjini, the Kosovar plan is not much different from the UNOSEK [UN Office of the Special Envoy of the Secretary General for the future status process for Kosovo] plan.
"Municipalities with majority Albanians in Kosova will manage some 85.62 per cent of the territory or some 9,300 square kilometres," said Minister Gjini, adding that between Kosovar and UNOSEK plan there is a difference of 1 per cent only.
Ardian Gjini also focused on the issue of special protection zones around Orthodox religious sites in Kosova, as well as on the activities which will be allowed to take place in these zones.
Source: KosovaLive website, Pristina, in English 6 Sep 06
Kosovo parliament criticizes negotiating team's decentralization plan
Prishtina [Pristina], 6 September: Kosova [Kosovo] lawmakers and the representatives of the negotiating team [NT] reconfirmed today that there will be no passing of the Kosova final status documents without "the permission" of the Kosova assembly.
During today's parliamentary session, Kosovar MPs have criticized the negotiating team and the strategic political team for lack of cooperation and transparency.
Parliament Speaker and member of the NT Kole Berisha admitted that during the last period there has been lack of cooperation between the NT and the parliament.
"The UT did not sell Kosova and it will not sell it. It did not do any bargain or sign anything. The first document handed over to [Martti] Ahtisaari reads that there will be no partial agreement without the final agreement on independence," said Berisha.
Berisha said that the status issue has not been discussed so far during the status talks.
He said that what supports the idea of independence is the statement of the Contact Group that there will be no return to the 1999 state, no union with another state and no partition of Kosova's territory.
The MP from the Party of Justice, Ferid Agani, accused the NT of lack of transparency. He said that MPs received more information from media rather than from the NT.
Rame Buja from the Democratic Party of Kosova [PDK] and a member of the parliament presidency evaluates decentralization as a classical form of creating enclaves, which leads towards the establishment of small states within Kosova.
Former Prime Minister Bajram Kosumi evaluated as a mistake the idea of partition of the town of Mitrovice [Kosovska Mitrovica] into two ethnic municipalities. He believed that this leads towards the disintegration of the town.
Deputy Prime Minister Lutfi Haziri described the creation of new municipalities and their future competencies. He said that all minorities, except Serbs, have already accepted the decentralization as an internal process.
Haziri said that the NT has guaranteed four legal competencies, such as economic development, education, healthcare, and property management, whereas police will be a uniform issue for the entire Kosova.
Source: KosovaLive website, Pristina, in English 6 Sep 06
During today's parliamentary session, Kosovar MPs have criticized the negotiating team and the strategic political team for lack of cooperation and transparency.
Parliament Speaker and member of the NT Kole Berisha admitted that during the last period there has been lack of cooperation between the NT and the parliament.
"The UT did not sell Kosova and it will not sell it. It did not do any bargain or sign anything. The first document handed over to [Martti] Ahtisaari reads that there will be no partial agreement without the final agreement on independence," said Berisha.
Berisha said that the status issue has not been discussed so far during the status talks.
He said that what supports the idea of independence is the statement of the Contact Group that there will be no return to the 1999 state, no union with another state and no partition of Kosova's territory.
The MP from the Party of Justice, Ferid Agani, accused the NT of lack of transparency. He said that MPs received more information from media rather than from the NT.
Rame Buja from the Democratic Party of Kosova [PDK] and a member of the parliament presidency evaluates decentralization as a classical form of creating enclaves, which leads towards the establishment of small states within Kosova.
Former Prime Minister Bajram Kosumi evaluated as a mistake the idea of partition of the town of Mitrovice [Kosovska Mitrovica] into two ethnic municipalities. He believed that this leads towards the disintegration of the town.
Deputy Prime Minister Lutfi Haziri described the creation of new municipalities and their future competencies. He said that all minorities, except Serbs, have already accepted the decentralization as an internal process.
Haziri said that the NT has guaranteed four legal competencies, such as economic development, education, healthcare, and property management, whereas police will be a uniform issue for the entire Kosova.
Source: KosovaLive website, Pristina, in English 6 Sep 06
Kosovo status likely settled by end 2006 - UN official
Excerpt from report by German Deutschlandfunk radio on 7 September
Mr Ruecker, the new head of UNMIK, the interim administration mission in Kosovo, assumes that the issue of the status of the Serbian province will be settled by the end of the year. Ruecker said on Deutschlandradio Kultur that the UN administration can be disbanded after a transition period of several months. International aid, including military support, will, however, be necessary also in the future, he added. [Passage omitted]
Source: Deutschlandfunk radio, Cologne, in German 1100 gmt 7 Sep 06
Mr Ruecker, the new head of UNMIK, the interim administration mission in Kosovo, assumes that the issue of the status of the Serbian province will be settled by the end of the year. Ruecker said on Deutschlandradio Kultur that the UN administration can be disbanded after a transition period of several months. International aid, including military support, will, however, be necessary also in the future, he added. [Passage omitted]
Source: Deutschlandfunk radio, Cologne, in German 1100 gmt 7 Sep 06
Serbs seek to swap Kosovo delay for election pact
BELGRADE, Sept 7 (Reuters) - Serbia's two main pro-Western parties, estranged former allies, may be ready to join forces to defeat a rising ultranationalist challenge if the West delays a decision on Kosovo until they win an election.
The daily Blic quoted an unnamed government source as saying Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica and his rival, President Boris Tadic, had sealed a pact to take on the anti-Western, nationalist Radicals and Socialists in a May 2007 ballot.
"The only condition for the plan to start being implemented is support of the European Union and the United States ... Serb authorities want the future status of Kosovo not to be declared before elections in Serbia," the daily said.
A Western diplomat said it sounded like an odd threat from democrats, to let hardline nationalists take over the country unless the West delays a probable decision to give Kosovo's 90 percent ethnic Albanian majority independence by year's end.
There was no official comment on the report. The diplomat said it might be pure speculation or a trial balloon to test Western reaction. Tadic is currently on a trip to Washington in which Kosovo will be a major topic. The next national election in Serbia is not normally due until the end of 2007. But Kostunica's minority coalition is unlikely to survive a U.N. resolution to make Kosovo independent. Serbia's pro-reform parties and Western powers are concerned that the Serb Radical Party, the country's strongest with a steady 30-35 percent poll rating, could win power on a wave of protest votes unless they faced a united front.
There is also concern that Bosnia's Serb Republic might use Kosovo independence as a springboard for a self-determination referendum, to secede from Bosnia and join Serbia -- a move that Radical-led government would applaud and probably support.
RUSSIA SEES NO NEED TO HURRY
The United Nations has been in charge of Serbia's southern province since mid-1999, after a decade of Serb repression in the 1990s culminated in NATO's first "humanitarian" war to halt Serbia's brutal counter-insurgency crackdown.
Some 10,000 ethnic Albanians died and 800,000 were expelled.
Belgrade insists that Kosovo is its cultural heartland, that it cannot secede but must be content with wide autonomy, and that an imposed solution would have very negative consequences.
Western diplomats say independence is nevertheless the likely outcome since 90 percent of the two million people demand it. But there do seem to be worries about the possible fallout. The Blic story followed a report on Wednesday by the Kosovo Albanian daily Koha Ditore, quoting a Western diplomat as saying the decision could be delayed until the first quarter of 2007, citing "internal developments" in Serbia and Kosovo.
The pro-government Serb daily Politika on Thursday also reported a "delay in the solution to Kosovo's status" because the timetable for a solution this year was overly ambitious. Politika cited "diplomatic circles".
The United States and European allies have said repeatedly they want Kosovo resolved this year and so far there has been no public hint of a delay. Talks mediated by U.N. envoy Marrti Ahtisaari of Finland have been taking place in Vienna and his report is expected at the U.N. Security Council in November.
Russia, a traditional friend of Serbia, is also a member of the Contact Group of powers overseeing the resolution of Kosovo and has said unofficially that it sees no need to set "artificial deadlines" for a final decision. (Additional reporting by Beti Bilandzic and Matt Robinson)
The daily Blic quoted an unnamed government source as saying Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica and his rival, President Boris Tadic, had sealed a pact to take on the anti-Western, nationalist Radicals and Socialists in a May 2007 ballot.
"The only condition for the plan to start being implemented is support of the European Union and the United States ... Serb authorities want the future status of Kosovo not to be declared before elections in Serbia," the daily said.
A Western diplomat said it sounded like an odd threat from democrats, to let hardline nationalists take over the country unless the West delays a probable decision to give Kosovo's 90 percent ethnic Albanian majority independence by year's end.
There was no official comment on the report. The diplomat said it might be pure speculation or a trial balloon to test Western reaction. Tadic is currently on a trip to Washington in which Kosovo will be a major topic. The next national election in Serbia is not normally due until the end of 2007. But Kostunica's minority coalition is unlikely to survive a U.N. resolution to make Kosovo independent. Serbia's pro-reform parties and Western powers are concerned that the Serb Radical Party, the country's strongest with a steady 30-35 percent poll rating, could win power on a wave of protest votes unless they faced a united front.
There is also concern that Bosnia's Serb Republic might use Kosovo independence as a springboard for a self-determination referendum, to secede from Bosnia and join Serbia -- a move that Radical-led government would applaud and probably support.
RUSSIA SEES NO NEED TO HURRY
The United Nations has been in charge of Serbia's southern province since mid-1999, after a decade of Serb repression in the 1990s culminated in NATO's first "humanitarian" war to halt Serbia's brutal counter-insurgency crackdown.
Some 10,000 ethnic Albanians died and 800,000 were expelled.
Belgrade insists that Kosovo is its cultural heartland, that it cannot secede but must be content with wide autonomy, and that an imposed solution would have very negative consequences.
Western diplomats say independence is nevertheless the likely outcome since 90 percent of the two million people demand it. But there do seem to be worries about the possible fallout. The Blic story followed a report on Wednesday by the Kosovo Albanian daily Koha Ditore, quoting a Western diplomat as saying the decision could be delayed until the first quarter of 2007, citing "internal developments" in Serbia and Kosovo.
The pro-government Serb daily Politika on Thursday also reported a "delay in the solution to Kosovo's status" because the timetable for a solution this year was overly ambitious. Politika cited "diplomatic circles".
The United States and European allies have said repeatedly they want Kosovo resolved this year and so far there has been no public hint of a delay. Talks mediated by U.N. envoy Marrti Ahtisaari of Finland have been taking place in Vienna and his report is expected at the U.N. Security Council in November.
Russia, a traditional friend of Serbia, is also a member of the Contact Group of powers overseeing the resolution of Kosovo and has said unofficially that it sees no need to set "artificial deadlines" for a final decision. (Additional reporting by Beti Bilandzic and Matt Robinson)
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
Kosovo team to defend decentralization offer at 7-8 Sep meeting in Vienna
Text of report by independent internet news agency KosovaLive
Prishtina [Pristina], 2 September: The Kosovar side has announced that in the forthcoming meetings scheduled for 7-8 September in Vienna, it will provide arguments for its offer on the issues of reforms in the local government and cultural heritage, while, according to team members, the issue of Mitrovice [Kosovska Mitrovica] will be discussed within the decentralization package.
The meetings next Thursday and Friday in Vienna will be headed by the UN Deputy Chief Negotiator Albert Rohan, while the sides have been officially invited to negotiate on decentralization, cultural heritage, and minority rights.
According to an official announcement by the UN Office of the Special Envoy for Kosova [Kosovo] status talks (UNOSEK), "principals of decentralization" and the new municipalities, including Mitrovice, will be discussed on the first day.
Ylber Hysa, member of the Kosova delegation, told KosovaLive on Saturday [2 September] that the Kosovar side would defend the position that the issue of Mitrovice can resolved as part of the decentralization package.
At the Kosova Assembly session that started yesterday (and is expected to resume on Tuesday) the deputies warned the Kosova negotiating team to be very careful with the decentralization issue, and not to allow the process to develop on an ethnic basis.
On the other hand, negotiating team members stated in front of the Assembly deputies that they were on the right course to fulfil the will of the people for an independent and sovereign state. They also assured the country's highest lawmaking body that they will in no way shift from the course that leads to Kosova's independence.
Veton Surroi, chairman of the Hour Reformist Party, said yesterday that the unity team had prepared a document, which he called a "platform" for the protection of minority rights. According to him, the unity team has made its best effort to find a common ground with UNOSEK and Ahtisaari's experts.
According to Surroi, the Kosovar side has agreed that in the process of implementing an agreement on Kosova's status, the actual model of governance will be respected for the next two mandates. He also advised that with regard to the participation of minorities in the Assembly, 10 seats will be guaranteed to the minority communities.
Surroi said the Kosovar side has proposed alternative forms of protection of vital interests through a special panel of the Constitutional Court, which would exclusively deal with the vital rights of minorities.
Source: KosovaLive website, Pristina, in Albanian 2 Sep 06
Prishtina [Pristina], 2 September: The Kosovar side has announced that in the forthcoming meetings scheduled for 7-8 September in Vienna, it will provide arguments for its offer on the issues of reforms in the local government and cultural heritage, while, according to team members, the issue of Mitrovice [Kosovska Mitrovica] will be discussed within the decentralization package.
The meetings next Thursday and Friday in Vienna will be headed by the UN Deputy Chief Negotiator Albert Rohan, while the sides have been officially invited to negotiate on decentralization, cultural heritage, and minority rights.
According to an official announcement by the UN Office of the Special Envoy for Kosova [Kosovo] status talks (UNOSEK), "principals of decentralization" and the new municipalities, including Mitrovice, will be discussed on the first day.
Ylber Hysa, member of the Kosova delegation, told KosovaLive on Saturday [2 September] that the Kosovar side would defend the position that the issue of Mitrovice can resolved as part of the decentralization package.
At the Kosova Assembly session that started yesterday (and is expected to resume on Tuesday) the deputies warned the Kosova negotiating team to be very careful with the decentralization issue, and not to allow the process to develop on an ethnic basis.
On the other hand, negotiating team members stated in front of the Assembly deputies that they were on the right course to fulfil the will of the people for an independent and sovereign state. They also assured the country's highest lawmaking body that they will in no way shift from the course that leads to Kosova's independence.
Veton Surroi, chairman of the Hour Reformist Party, said yesterday that the unity team had prepared a document, which he called a "platform" for the protection of minority rights. According to him, the unity team has made its best effort to find a common ground with UNOSEK and Ahtisaari's experts.
According to Surroi, the Kosovar side has agreed that in the process of implementing an agreement on Kosova's status, the actual model of governance will be respected for the next two mandates. He also advised that with regard to the participation of minorities in the Assembly, 10 seats will be guaranteed to the minority communities.
Surroi said the Kosovar side has proposed alternative forms of protection of vital interests through a special panel of the Constitutional Court, which would exclusively deal with the vital rights of minorities.
Source: KosovaLive website, Pristina, in Albanian 2 Sep 06
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
Pristina spends 50m euros on Serb return to Kosovo
Text of report by Radio-Television Kosovo TV website on 4 September
The donors' conference on minorities has not taken place because the donors first want to know how much the Kosova [Kosovo] government will allocate, and if they cannot meet the set quota of 50 million euros, we will inform the donors and organize a conference to secure the remainder, said Ministry of Returns and Communities spokesman Fatmir Sheholli.
The cost to the Kosova government of implementing the third and fourth Standards - freedom of movement and sustainable return - is 50 million euros, according to assessments made by the Ministry of Returns and Communities, which has asked the government to allocate this amount only for sustainable returns. Over the last two years the Kosova government has spent over 16 million euros on sustainable returns, which has been managed by UNDP and the UNMIK Office for Returns and Communities, Sheholli concluded.
Source: RTK TV website, Pristina, in Albanian 4 Sep 06
The donors' conference on minorities has not taken place because the donors first want to know how much the Kosova [Kosovo] government will allocate, and if they cannot meet the set quota of 50 million euros, we will inform the donors and organize a conference to secure the remainder, said Ministry of Returns and Communities spokesman Fatmir Sheholli.
The cost to the Kosova government of implementing the third and fourth Standards - freedom of movement and sustainable return - is 50 million euros, according to assessments made by the Ministry of Returns and Communities, which has asked the government to allocate this amount only for sustainable returns. Over the last two years the Kosova government has spent over 16 million euros on sustainable returns, which has been managed by UNDP and the UNMIK Office for Returns and Communities, Sheholli concluded.
Source: RTK TV website, Pristina, in Albanian 4 Sep 06
Kosovo: LDK presidency nominates Sejdiu as candidate for party leader
Text of report in English by independent internet news agency KosovaLive
Prishtina [Pristina], 5 September: The presidency of the Democratic League of Kosova [Kosovo] (LDK) in its regular meeting held today, with majority of votes nominated [Kosovo President] Fatmir Sejdiu as a candidate for the head of LDK, who will compete with [former Kosovo Assembly Speaker] Nexhat Daci.
However, Kosova's President Fatmir Sejdiu has still not confirmed on whether he accepts this nomination or not.
Deputy head of LDK Eqrem Kryeziu said that presidency had the legitimacy to make a nomination during the election assembly for the head of LDK.
Whereas, former deputy Prime Minister Adem Salihaj considered the meeting as very hard one, adding that there were tensions as well.
Meanwhile, Kryeziu considers the proposal of President Sejdiu as important. According to him, the Assembly can consider the procedures that were implemented today.
Source: KosovaLive website, Pristina, in English 5 Sep 06
Prishtina [Pristina], 5 September: The presidency of the Democratic League of Kosova [Kosovo] (LDK) in its regular meeting held today, with majority of votes nominated [Kosovo President] Fatmir Sejdiu as a candidate for the head of LDK, who will compete with [former Kosovo Assembly Speaker] Nexhat Daci.
However, Kosova's President Fatmir Sejdiu has still not confirmed on whether he accepts this nomination or not.
Deputy head of LDK Eqrem Kryeziu said that presidency had the legitimacy to make a nomination during the election assembly for the head of LDK.
Whereas, former deputy Prime Minister Adem Salihaj considered the meeting as very hard one, adding that there were tensions as well.
Meanwhile, Kryeziu considers the proposal of President Sejdiu as important. According to him, the Assembly can consider the procedures that were implemented today.
Source: KosovaLive website, Pristina, in English 5 Sep 06
Kosovo: Gjilane parties to protest against decentralization "along ethnic lines"
Text of report by Radio-Television Kosovo TV website on 4 September
All political parties and associations that are active in Gjilane have reached an agreement to form a council to organize protests against decentralization along ethnic lines, which will turn the town of Gjilane into a dead end, surrounded by new municipalities with a Serb majority. Gjilane will hold a united protest against the decentralization process because the Kosova [Kosovo] negotiation team has brought us into a dead end with their lack of information, the seizure and shrinking of our municipality and making Novo Brdo our neighbour, only 3 km from Gjilane town centre, said a representative of the council.
A Self-Determination Movement representative for Anamorava, Hysen Durmishi, said at the meeting that the project for decentralization of Anamorava, which has the support of the Kosova Negotiation Team, fully coincides with the projects that were presented by the Serb state. Gjilane mayor Xhemajl Hyseni said that the council has agreed to hold a peaceful protest and sent a letter to the Kosova Negotiation Team; meanwhile an extraordinary session of the municipal assembly will be held when institutional support will be given to oppose the decentralization process along ethnic lines.
Source: RTK TV website, Pristina, in Albanian 4 Sep 06
All political parties and associations that are active in Gjilane have reached an agreement to form a council to organize protests against decentralization along ethnic lines, which will turn the town of Gjilane into a dead end, surrounded by new municipalities with a Serb majority. Gjilane will hold a united protest against the decentralization process because the Kosova [Kosovo] negotiation team has brought us into a dead end with their lack of information, the seizure and shrinking of our municipality and making Novo Brdo our neighbour, only 3 km from Gjilane town centre, said a representative of the council.
A Self-Determination Movement representative for Anamorava, Hysen Durmishi, said at the meeting that the project for decentralization of Anamorava, which has the support of the Kosova Negotiation Team, fully coincides with the projects that were presented by the Serb state. Gjilane mayor Xhemajl Hyseni said that the council has agreed to hold a peaceful protest and sent a letter to the Kosova Negotiation Team; meanwhile an extraordinary session of the municipal assembly will be held when institutional support will be given to oppose the decentralization process along ethnic lines.
Source: RTK TV website, Pristina, in Albanian 4 Sep 06
Serbian president to press for understanding of Kosovo stance during U.S. trip
BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) - President Boris Tadic said Tuesday he would seek America's understanding for Serbia's stance against an independent Kosovo during his upcoming visit to Washington.
As the U.N.-mediated talks on Kosovo's future status enter a crucial phase, Tadic said he would urge U.S. officials to support Belgrade's position that the province should have broad autonomy but remain within Serb territory.
"I shall ... tell my counterparts in Washington that establishing an independent Kosovo could threaten the stability of the entire Balkans and have serious implications for other countries in the world," Tadic said.
The U.S. is part of a six-nation group helping to negotiate a resolution on Kosovo's status by the end of the year.
Tadic planned to visit Washington from Wednesday to Friday and to meet with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Vice President Dick Cheney and Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld. No meeting was scheduled with U.S. President George W. Bush.
Tadic said Serbia was striving to build closer ties with the "most powerful country" and to purge the "destructive image" left by late autocratic ruler Slobodan Milosevic. "The political echo of 1990s Serbia is still persistent, six years after our democratic changes."
On Kosovo, however, "Serbia's stand and that of the United States differ," Tadic said, without elaborating.
Although officially part of Serbia, Kosovo has been run by the U.N. and NATO since the 1999 alliance air war ended Serbia's crackdown that claimed thousands of mostly Kosovo Albanian lives.
In the U.N.-mediated talks -- being held in Vienna, Austria -- Serbia has offered what it described as a compromise that would include wide autonomy for the southern province.
Kosovo Albanian negotiators, however, insist on full independence from Serbia.
"Our position is that Kosovo is an integral part of Serbia, and that this is Serbia's historical right," Tadic said. "But we have no intention of running the political life of the Kosovo Albanian community, now or in the future. Yet, we do have a right to be a support for Serbs living in Kosovo."
Pro-Western Tadic was elected in 2004 as Serbia was recovering from the Balkan wars under Milosevic, who was ousted in 2000 and extradited a year later to the U.N. war crimes court in The Hague, Netherlands, where he died this year.
Serbia's fledgling democracy has been undermined by its failure to hunt down war crimes suspect Ratko Mladic, a former Bosnian Serb leader, and hand him over to the U.N. court.
That failure led U.S. Congress to withdraw financial aid to the Balkan nation.
"Mladic must answer the charges before the U.N. court," Tadic said. "But it has been most difficult to convince others that we have not been able to find him."
In the U.S., Tadic planned to sign a Status-of-Forces agreement, or SOFA, which defines the legal status of U.S. army personnel and property while on Serbian territory. The U.S. has some 100 such agreements with various nations, and Serbia and Belarus have been the only European countries without them.
Tadic's visit is also to include a stop in the U.S. state of Ohio to discuss Serbia's military cooperation with the U.S. National Guard.
As the U.N.-mediated talks on Kosovo's future status enter a crucial phase, Tadic said he would urge U.S. officials to support Belgrade's position that the province should have broad autonomy but remain within Serb territory.
"I shall ... tell my counterparts in Washington that establishing an independent Kosovo could threaten the stability of the entire Balkans and have serious implications for other countries in the world," Tadic said.
The U.S. is part of a six-nation group helping to negotiate a resolution on Kosovo's status by the end of the year.
Tadic planned to visit Washington from Wednesday to Friday and to meet with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Vice President Dick Cheney and Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld. No meeting was scheduled with U.S. President George W. Bush.
Tadic said Serbia was striving to build closer ties with the "most powerful country" and to purge the "destructive image" left by late autocratic ruler Slobodan Milosevic. "The political echo of 1990s Serbia is still persistent, six years after our democratic changes."
On Kosovo, however, "Serbia's stand and that of the United States differ," Tadic said, without elaborating.
Although officially part of Serbia, Kosovo has been run by the U.N. and NATO since the 1999 alliance air war ended Serbia's crackdown that claimed thousands of mostly Kosovo Albanian lives.
In the U.N.-mediated talks -- being held in Vienna, Austria -- Serbia has offered what it described as a compromise that would include wide autonomy for the southern province.
Kosovo Albanian negotiators, however, insist on full independence from Serbia.
"Our position is that Kosovo is an integral part of Serbia, and that this is Serbia's historical right," Tadic said. "But we have no intention of running the political life of the Kosovo Albanian community, now or in the future. Yet, we do have a right to be a support for Serbs living in Kosovo."
Pro-Western Tadic was elected in 2004 as Serbia was recovering from the Balkan wars under Milosevic, who was ousted in 2000 and extradited a year later to the U.N. war crimes court in The Hague, Netherlands, where he died this year.
Serbia's fledgling democracy has been undermined by its failure to hunt down war crimes suspect Ratko Mladic, a former Bosnian Serb leader, and hand him over to the U.N. court.
That failure led U.S. Congress to withdraw financial aid to the Balkan nation.
"Mladic must answer the charges before the U.N. court," Tadic said. "But it has been most difficult to convince others that we have not been able to find him."
In the U.S., Tadic planned to sign a Status-of-Forces agreement, or SOFA, which defines the legal status of U.S. army personnel and property while on Serbian territory. The U.S. has some 100 such agreements with various nations, and Serbia and Belarus have been the only European countries without them.
Tadic's visit is also to include a stop in the U.S. state of Ohio to discuss Serbia's military cooperation with the U.S. National Guard.
Monday, September 04, 2006
Activist says Serb government trying to incite hostility against her
BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) - A human rights activist on Monday accused the government of inciting hostility against her, and said someone tried to intimidate her after she appeared on a heated television talk show about Kosovo.
Natasa Kandic, the director of the Belgrade-based Humanitarian Law Fund, said she heard two loud bangs as she was leaving the B92 Television late Sunday, where she expressed her views about the U.N.-mediated negotiations to determine whether Kosovo will become independent.
She said the noise sounded like gunshots or firecrackers and was "certainly directed at me." During the broadcast, more than a dozen angry callers and two other participants in the debate accused her of taking an anti-Serb stand on the Kosovo issue.
A police spokeswoman, Dragana Kajganic, said it appeared that someone threw firecrackers from a nearby building as she left the studio, but the TV station's guards said they believed gunshots were fired in the air. No one was hurt.
Kandic, who has received threatening letters in the past, also accused the government of "inciting hostility" against her.
"If someone wanted to hit me, they would have done so. This was just a manifestation of what next steps might be. There will be more intimidation," she said.
Natasa Kandic, the director of the Belgrade-based Humanitarian Law Fund, said she heard two loud bangs as she was leaving the B92 Television late Sunday, where she expressed her views about the U.N.-mediated negotiations to determine whether Kosovo will become independent.
She said the noise sounded like gunshots or firecrackers and was "certainly directed at me." During the broadcast, more than a dozen angry callers and two other participants in the debate accused her of taking an anti-Serb stand on the Kosovo issue.
A police spokeswoman, Dragana Kajganic, said it appeared that someone threw firecrackers from a nearby building as she left the studio, but the TV station's guards said they believed gunshots were fired in the air. No one was hurt.
Kandic, who has received threatening letters in the past, also accused the government of "inciting hostility" against her.
"If someone wanted to hit me, they would have done so. This was just a manifestation of what next steps might be. There will be more intimidation," she said.
NATO looking into possible paramilitary activity in northern Kosovo
Text of report by independent internet news agency KosovaLive
Zubin Potok, 2 September: The NATO commander for Southeastern Europe, US Admiral Harry Ulrich, declared in Zubin Potok on 2 September that Kfor [Kosovo Force] troops are aggressively looking into any kind of evidence about possible activities by parallel military structures because, according to him, this is the first time he has heard that such a group exists in that region.
"I heard today that there is paramilitary activity. I can assure you, and we talked about this with the officials of Zubin Potok, that we are very aggressively looking into all evidence about possible paramilitary activities," Ulrich said.
The US admiral made these comments during a visit to the Zubin Potok Municipal Assembly.
Zubin Potok Mayor Slavisa Ristic said that during the meeting he told Admiral Ulrich that on 30 August, a group of people in black uniforms carried out shooting exercises on Mt Mokra Gora, close to the town. He also said he requested an answer from Admiral Ulrich, because he said he had not yet received an answer from Kfor.
US Admiral Ulrich advised that the purpose of his visit to the municipality was to see how satisfied the residents of the area were with the presence of Kfor and the security situation.
"We also discussed the status talks and my concerns about how the decision at the conclusion of Kosova [Kosovo] status talks will be received by the citizens," Ulrich said.
With regard to the creation of a Kosova army, Ulrich said this is part of the discussions about the status and that this is more of a diplomatic issue.
Municipality Chairman Slavisa Ristic said that the citizens and officials of the municipality are satisfied with the number of Kfor soldiers and the security, but he added that he asked the admiral for an increased presence of peacekeepers in those areas where bombs are hurled at citizens and weapons are fired.
"We very much appreciate Kfor's role in the citizens' security. I can assure you that no threat comes from the administrative boundary with Serbia, because there is no sabre rattling in Serbia, as chief negotiator Martti Ahtisaari has stated," Ristic said.
Admiral Ulrich and Zubin Potok Municipality officials also discussed some projects that will be implemented in the municipality.
Some time ago, municipal officials from Zubin Potok, along with those from some other municipalities in the Serb-dominated north, decided to sever any form of cooperation with the central institutions of Kosova.
Source: KosovaLive website, Pristina, in Albanian 2 Sep 06
Zubin Potok, 2 September: The NATO commander for Southeastern Europe, US Admiral Harry Ulrich, declared in Zubin Potok on 2 September that Kfor [Kosovo Force] troops are aggressively looking into any kind of evidence about possible activities by parallel military structures because, according to him, this is the first time he has heard that such a group exists in that region.
"I heard today that there is paramilitary activity. I can assure you, and we talked about this with the officials of Zubin Potok, that we are very aggressively looking into all evidence about possible paramilitary activities," Ulrich said.
The US admiral made these comments during a visit to the Zubin Potok Municipal Assembly.
Zubin Potok Mayor Slavisa Ristic said that during the meeting he told Admiral Ulrich that on 30 August, a group of people in black uniforms carried out shooting exercises on Mt Mokra Gora, close to the town. He also said he requested an answer from Admiral Ulrich, because he said he had not yet received an answer from Kfor.
US Admiral Ulrich advised that the purpose of his visit to the municipality was to see how satisfied the residents of the area were with the presence of Kfor and the security situation.
"We also discussed the status talks and my concerns about how the decision at the conclusion of Kosova [Kosovo] status talks will be received by the citizens," Ulrich said.
With regard to the creation of a Kosova army, Ulrich said this is part of the discussions about the status and that this is more of a diplomatic issue.
Municipality Chairman Slavisa Ristic said that the citizens and officials of the municipality are satisfied with the number of Kfor soldiers and the security, but he added that he asked the admiral for an increased presence of peacekeepers in those areas where bombs are hurled at citizens and weapons are fired.
"We very much appreciate Kfor's role in the citizens' security. I can assure you that no threat comes from the administrative boundary with Serbia, because there is no sabre rattling in Serbia, as chief negotiator Martti Ahtisaari has stated," Ristic said.
Admiral Ulrich and Zubin Potok Municipality officials also discussed some projects that will be implemented in the municipality.
Some time ago, municipal officials from Zubin Potok, along with those from some other municipalities in the Serb-dominated north, decided to sever any form of cooperation with the central institutions of Kosova.
Source: KosovaLive website, Pristina, in Albanian 2 Sep 06
Saturday, September 02, 2006
UN envoy has "positive" meeting with Contact Group on Kosovo status
Text of report by Radio-Television Kosovo TV website on 1 September
Prishtina [Pristina] has received another positive note from the UN special envoy for Kosova [Kosovo] status talks, Martti Ahtisaari, during a meeting Ahtisaari had with representatives of the Contact Group. According to diplomatic sources, Ahtisaari spoke of the flexibility that the Kosovar side has shown in relation to the issue of minorities.
The same source said that the Contact Group has received a request from Ahtisaari for the ministerial meeting of the Contact Group to come out with a more exact timeframe for the conclusion of the process.
Source: RTK TV website, Pristina, in Albanian 1 Sep 06
Prishtina [Pristina] has received another positive note from the UN special envoy for Kosova [Kosovo] status talks, Martti Ahtisaari, during a meeting Ahtisaari had with representatives of the Contact Group. According to diplomatic sources, Ahtisaari spoke of the flexibility that the Kosovar side has shown in relation to the issue of minorities.
The same source said that the Contact Group has received a request from Ahtisaari for the ministerial meeting of the Contact Group to come out with a more exact timeframe for the conclusion of the process.
Source: RTK TV website, Pristina, in Albanian 1 Sep 06
Serbs Criticize U.N. Mediator, Further Bogging Down Kosovo Talks
LJUBLJANA, Slovenia, Sept. 1 -- Talks on the future of Kosovo, the mostly Albanian-inhabited southern province of Serbia, appeared further complicated this week as their main mediator, the veteran Finnish politician Martti Ahtisaari, was accused by Serbs of bias against them.
In recent days, and with increasing vehemence, Serbian officials have questioned the impartiality of Mr. Ahtisaari, a former Finnish president, because of his comments last month that Serbia needed to take into account the legacy of its late leader, Slobodan Milosevic, while negotiating Kosovo's final status.
Mr. Ahtisaari's remarks, made during negotiations in Vienna, were interpreted by the Serbian negotiating team as a suggestion that the Serbian nation was guilty for crimes committed during the Milosevic era, despite statements to the contrary by Mr. Ahtisaari and United Nations officials.
The Finnish mediator, whose formal title is United Nations special envoy for Kosovo, has led the talks since they began in February. He previously helped peace negotiations in Northern Ireland and in the Aceh region of Indonesia.
The current talks are to determine whether Kosovo should become an independent state, as demanded by its Albanian majority, or remain a part of Serbia, as demanded by the Serbian government and the province's small Serbian community. Kosovo has been administered by the United Nations since 1999, after NATO carried out airstrikes against Serbian forces to end their suppression of Kosovo Albanians.
Many senior Serbian politicians said the remarks attributed to Mr. Ahtisaari indicated that he favored independence for Kosovo.
''In the period that lies ahead, we will certainly clear up the full meaning of Martti Ahtisaari's argument that Serbs are guilty as a nation and that this gives grounds for Kosovo's independence,'' Serbia's prime minister, Vojislav Kostunica, said Tuesday, according to Fonet, a private Serbian news agency.
Mr. Ahtisaari's remarks were made on Aug. 8 during a round of negotiations in Vienna, but they appear to have had a delayed impact. It is only in the last week that criticism of his role has mounted.
On Wednesday, Hua Jiang, a spokeswoman for the United Nations office organizing the talks, tried to dispel the controversy.
''The remarks in question were misrepresented and taken out of context,'' Ms. Hua said. ''The special envoy never referred to 'the collective guilt' of the Serbia nation. He noted, in response to a remark by a member of the Serbian delegation on Aug. 8, that every nation had its own burden to bear and had to live and deal with its past.''
Last Friday, Mr. Ahtisaari sought to clarify his comments, saying that the current government in Belgrade could not be held responsible for the actions of the Milosevic government, but that it had to come to terms with its record.
''The historic legacy cannot simply be ignored, but must be taken into account in a search for a solution of the status question,'' he said.
The controversy comes at a time when Serbia appears increasingly unlikely to prevent the international community from granting Kosovo independence. Western countries that support the talks have accused the Serbs of intransigence, and most diplomats say they expect a solution to be imposed this year.
One Serbian analyst, Dusan Janjic, coordinator of the Forum for Ethnic Relations, a nongovernmental organization, said the Serbian politicians, unable to criticize the Western countries, were now attacking Mr. Ahtisaari to show voters that they were defending Serbian national interests.
In recent days, and with increasing vehemence, Serbian officials have questioned the impartiality of Mr. Ahtisaari, a former Finnish president, because of his comments last month that Serbia needed to take into account the legacy of its late leader, Slobodan Milosevic, while negotiating Kosovo's final status.
Mr. Ahtisaari's remarks, made during negotiations in Vienna, were interpreted by the Serbian negotiating team as a suggestion that the Serbian nation was guilty for crimes committed during the Milosevic era, despite statements to the contrary by Mr. Ahtisaari and United Nations officials.
The Finnish mediator, whose formal title is United Nations special envoy for Kosovo, has led the talks since they began in February. He previously helped peace negotiations in Northern Ireland and in the Aceh region of Indonesia.
The current talks are to determine whether Kosovo should become an independent state, as demanded by its Albanian majority, or remain a part of Serbia, as demanded by the Serbian government and the province's small Serbian community. Kosovo has been administered by the United Nations since 1999, after NATO carried out airstrikes against Serbian forces to end their suppression of Kosovo Albanians.
Many senior Serbian politicians said the remarks attributed to Mr. Ahtisaari indicated that he favored independence for Kosovo.
''In the period that lies ahead, we will certainly clear up the full meaning of Martti Ahtisaari's argument that Serbs are guilty as a nation and that this gives grounds for Kosovo's independence,'' Serbia's prime minister, Vojislav Kostunica, said Tuesday, according to Fonet, a private Serbian news agency.
Mr. Ahtisaari's remarks were made on Aug. 8 during a round of negotiations in Vienna, but they appear to have had a delayed impact. It is only in the last week that criticism of his role has mounted.
On Wednesday, Hua Jiang, a spokeswoman for the United Nations office organizing the talks, tried to dispel the controversy.
''The remarks in question were misrepresented and taken out of context,'' Ms. Hua said. ''The special envoy never referred to 'the collective guilt' of the Serbia nation. He noted, in response to a remark by a member of the Serbian delegation on Aug. 8, that every nation had its own burden to bear and had to live and deal with its past.''
Last Friday, Mr. Ahtisaari sought to clarify his comments, saying that the current government in Belgrade could not be held responsible for the actions of the Milosevic government, but that it had to come to terms with its record.
''The historic legacy cannot simply be ignored, but must be taken into account in a search for a solution of the status question,'' he said.
The controversy comes at a time when Serbia appears increasingly unlikely to prevent the international community from granting Kosovo independence. Western countries that support the talks have accused the Serbs of intransigence, and most diplomats say they expect a solution to be imposed this year.
One Serbian analyst, Dusan Janjic, coordinator of the Forum for Ethnic Relations, a nongovernmental organization, said the Serbian politicians, unable to criticize the Western countries, were now attacking Mr. Ahtisaari to show voters that they were defending Serbian national interests.
Serbia unlikely to take any radical steps over Ahtisaari's remarks - agency
Text of Beta commentary entitled "Ahtisaari under fire" published in English by Serbian news agency Beta's Beta Week service
The authorities in Serbia launched a strong campaign against the international mediator for Kosovo, Martti Ahtisaari, after he stated that the policies of the regime of Slobodan Milosevic would be taken into consideration within negotiations on the status of the province.
However, the government will most likely not take any radical steps.
A pragmatic approach to this issue prevailed during the meeting of the Serbian negotiating team, held at the beginning of this week. The ideas about abandoning negotiations and demanding Ahtisaari's dismissal, advocated by certain radical Kosovo Serb leaders, were not accepted.
The fact is that Belgrade is aware that neither Serbia, nor the Kosovo Serbs have any power in appointing or dismissing the international mediator, so a possible demand for Ahtisaari's dismissal would only be a public declaration of discontentment.
Abandoning negotiations would have even less practical effect, since that step could be labelled as unilateral, and the negotiating process would continue without direct participation of the Serbian side.
The Serbian negotiating team announced it will initiate "a diplomatic offensive" with the aim of proving that Ahtisaari had broken the rules of mediation and in fact took side with the Albanians. If this initiative yields results, a request for Ahtisaari's dismissal could possibly follow. This means that Belgrade would have to convince the leading Contact Group members that its stands are correct, for which there is little chance. Thus, the announcement of the diplomatic initiative is more an attempt to show to the domestic public the decisiveness of the Serbian side, than a planned action from which the leading Serbian parties expect a realistic result.
Messages
Ahtisaari's statement is so far the most direct message to the Serb side that the international community, or a significant part of it at least, view the Kosovo crisis as a consequence of actions of the Milosevic' regime, which now must be "paid for" regardless of the fact that this regime was ousted.
Thus the thesis about Serb liability as a political argument, which in fact is in favour of the Albanians' demands for Kosovo to obtain some form of independence soon.
Ahtisaari has full support of UN Secretary General Kofi Annan. Annan's spokesman Brandon Varma said Ahtisaari's dismissal was not being considered and that he saw nothing bad in his noting that historic "heritage" could not be ignored in the solving of the Kosovo status. It turned out that, in the eyes of the international community, the authorities and leading political parties in Serbia have started "sliding" towards the position in which Milosevic was once in, at least as far as Kosovo is concerned.
It seems that the ruling coalition is not very worried about this, so they are not planning a change of strategy. It is as though they have passively accepted the imposed role of "guilty party" in spite of domestic protests. At this time it is not completely clear whether the Serbian leaders are expecting real support from important members of the Contact Group, like China and Russia, or simply cannot redefine the starting political position, according to which Kosovo has to accept the fact that it is part of Serbia.
Ahtisaari's statement, as it happens, has caused a flood of patriotic rhetoric in the pro-government media. The government brought the bomb-attack on the Dolce Vita cafe in the northern, Serb part of the divided town of Kosovska Mitrovica, in direct contact with Ahtisaari's statement, indirectly marking him as the one who inspired the terrorist act. This campaign is obviously directed towards the Serb voters, to whom the ruling coalition wished to send a message that they would fight for Kosovo decisively and to the end.
Negotiations
Belgrade's fierce reactions will not stop the negotiating process. This is indicated by the fact that the Serbian negotiating team did not only discuss Ahtisaari's statement, but also the continuing of negotiations with Pristina. The office of Martti Ahtisaari (UNOSEK) in Vienna is planning to continue talks in September about non-status issues in Kosovo - decentralization, protection of minority rights, of the Serb religious and cultural heritage and about the economy. Both sides are expected to come forward with more flexible stands regarding the jurisdiction of new majority Serb municipalities in the province.
Last week, Ahtisaari attempted several times to convince the Pristina negotiating team that it had to soften its stands in connection with the Serbs' self-rule in Kosovo. Judging by the reactions of the Pristina side, he advocated the division of Kosovska Mitrovica into two towns, with completely separated local authorities. Pristina disagrees with this view of the future of Mitrovica, insisting on it being a united town, with two municipalities and a joint body, which would be run by a person from the international community for a certain period.
Pristina now proposed for cooperation between the majority Serb municipalities and those in central Serbia to take place through the two governments, i.e. with the mediation of a joint commission. This body would define models of communication between municipalities of the "two sovereign states", Kosovo and Serbia. According to members of the Pristina negotiating team, the municipalities have the right to cooperate with municipalities in neighbouring countries, but cannot cooperate with central authorities of another country apart from inter-state cooperation.
In the entire complex of decentralization issues, the Kosovo side finds much more important how the local administration in the future Serb municipalities would be controlled, than how many of them would be set up. "It is important for all territories to remain within Kosovo because, as long as the territorial integrity and unitary character of Kosovo is preserved, which envisages that central institutions have authority on its entire geographic and administrative territory, there cannot be mention of any major problem, and this is the focus of attention of the negotiating team," members of the Pristina team pointed out.
Pristina adhered to its earlier proposal about the forming of five new and the expansion of one existing majority Serb municipality. Instead of consenting to the increase of the number of new majority Serb municipalities, political representatives of the Kosovo Albanians could allow the uniting of new land-registry zones to the municipalities that will be formed. The total number of Serb municipalities is important for the Serbian negotiating team, but much more important is what authority they would have.
Source: Beta Week, Belgrade, in English 0000 gmt 31 Aug 06
The authorities in Serbia launched a strong campaign against the international mediator for Kosovo, Martti Ahtisaari, after he stated that the policies of the regime of Slobodan Milosevic would be taken into consideration within negotiations on the status of the province.
However, the government will most likely not take any radical steps.
A pragmatic approach to this issue prevailed during the meeting of the Serbian negotiating team, held at the beginning of this week. The ideas about abandoning negotiations and demanding Ahtisaari's dismissal, advocated by certain radical Kosovo Serb leaders, were not accepted.
The fact is that Belgrade is aware that neither Serbia, nor the Kosovo Serbs have any power in appointing or dismissing the international mediator, so a possible demand for Ahtisaari's dismissal would only be a public declaration of discontentment.
Abandoning negotiations would have even less practical effect, since that step could be labelled as unilateral, and the negotiating process would continue without direct participation of the Serbian side.
The Serbian negotiating team announced it will initiate "a diplomatic offensive" with the aim of proving that Ahtisaari had broken the rules of mediation and in fact took side with the Albanians. If this initiative yields results, a request for Ahtisaari's dismissal could possibly follow. This means that Belgrade would have to convince the leading Contact Group members that its stands are correct, for which there is little chance. Thus, the announcement of the diplomatic initiative is more an attempt to show to the domestic public the decisiveness of the Serbian side, than a planned action from which the leading Serbian parties expect a realistic result.
Messages
Ahtisaari's statement is so far the most direct message to the Serb side that the international community, or a significant part of it at least, view the Kosovo crisis as a consequence of actions of the Milosevic' regime, which now must be "paid for" regardless of the fact that this regime was ousted.
Thus the thesis about Serb liability as a political argument, which in fact is in favour of the Albanians' demands for Kosovo to obtain some form of independence soon.
Ahtisaari has full support of UN Secretary General Kofi Annan. Annan's spokesman Brandon Varma said Ahtisaari's dismissal was not being considered and that he saw nothing bad in his noting that historic "heritage" could not be ignored in the solving of the Kosovo status. It turned out that, in the eyes of the international community, the authorities and leading political parties in Serbia have started "sliding" towards the position in which Milosevic was once in, at least as far as Kosovo is concerned.
It seems that the ruling coalition is not very worried about this, so they are not planning a change of strategy. It is as though they have passively accepted the imposed role of "guilty party" in spite of domestic protests. At this time it is not completely clear whether the Serbian leaders are expecting real support from important members of the Contact Group, like China and Russia, or simply cannot redefine the starting political position, according to which Kosovo has to accept the fact that it is part of Serbia.
Ahtisaari's statement, as it happens, has caused a flood of patriotic rhetoric in the pro-government media. The government brought the bomb-attack on the Dolce Vita cafe in the northern, Serb part of the divided town of Kosovska Mitrovica, in direct contact with Ahtisaari's statement, indirectly marking him as the one who inspired the terrorist act. This campaign is obviously directed towards the Serb voters, to whom the ruling coalition wished to send a message that they would fight for Kosovo decisively and to the end.
Negotiations
Belgrade's fierce reactions will not stop the negotiating process. This is indicated by the fact that the Serbian negotiating team did not only discuss Ahtisaari's statement, but also the continuing of negotiations with Pristina. The office of Martti Ahtisaari (UNOSEK) in Vienna is planning to continue talks in September about non-status issues in Kosovo - decentralization, protection of minority rights, of the Serb religious and cultural heritage and about the economy. Both sides are expected to come forward with more flexible stands regarding the jurisdiction of new majority Serb municipalities in the province.
Last week, Ahtisaari attempted several times to convince the Pristina negotiating team that it had to soften its stands in connection with the Serbs' self-rule in Kosovo. Judging by the reactions of the Pristina side, he advocated the division of Kosovska Mitrovica into two towns, with completely separated local authorities. Pristina disagrees with this view of the future of Mitrovica, insisting on it being a united town, with two municipalities and a joint body, which would be run by a person from the international community for a certain period.
Pristina now proposed for cooperation between the majority Serb municipalities and those in central Serbia to take place through the two governments, i.e. with the mediation of a joint commission. This body would define models of communication between municipalities of the "two sovereign states", Kosovo and Serbia. According to members of the Pristina negotiating team, the municipalities have the right to cooperate with municipalities in neighbouring countries, but cannot cooperate with central authorities of another country apart from inter-state cooperation.
In the entire complex of decentralization issues, the Kosovo side finds much more important how the local administration in the future Serb municipalities would be controlled, than how many of them would be set up. "It is important for all territories to remain within Kosovo because, as long as the territorial integrity and unitary character of Kosovo is preserved, which envisages that central institutions have authority on its entire geographic and administrative territory, there cannot be mention of any major problem, and this is the focus of attention of the negotiating team," members of the Pristina team pointed out.
Pristina adhered to its earlier proposal about the forming of five new and the expansion of one existing majority Serb municipality. Instead of consenting to the increase of the number of new majority Serb municipalities, political representatives of the Kosovo Albanians could allow the uniting of new land-registry zones to the municipalities that will be formed. The total number of Serb municipalities is important for the Serbian negotiating team, but much more important is what authority they would have.
Source: Beta Week, Belgrade, in English 0000 gmt 31 Aug 06
Kosovo governing coalition LDK to elect new leader in December
Text of report by Radio-Television Kosovo TV website on 31 August
LDK [Democratic League of Kosovo] deputy chief Eqrem Kryeziu said today that the LDK presidency will decide on the candidate for party chief at its next meeting.
Former Kosova [Kosovo] Assembly Speaker Nexhat Daci has however announced his candidacy for the post and has already finalized his political team. The LDK presidency will name a candidate who will join in the race with Nexhat Daci and Ali Lajci. The electoral process will start on 7 September and is expected to end no later than 7 December when there will be a party congress to elect the party president.
Source: RTK TV website, Pristina, in Albanian 31 Aug 06
LDK [Democratic League of Kosovo] deputy chief Eqrem Kryeziu said today that the LDK presidency will decide on the candidate for party chief at its next meeting.
Former Kosova [Kosovo] Assembly Speaker Nexhat Daci has however announced his candidacy for the post and has already finalized his political team. The LDK presidency will name a candidate who will join in the race with Nexhat Daci and Ali Lajci. The electoral process will start on 7 September and is expected to end no later than 7 December when there will be a party congress to elect the party president.
Source: RTK TV website, Pristina, in Albanian 31 Aug 06
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