UN envoy praises Albanian government's stance on Kosovo status talks

Excerpt from report by Ylber Drazhi, "UN envoy for Kosovo praises Albanian government's position", published by Albanian newspaper Rilindja Demokratike on 27 November

Martti Ahtisaari, the special envoy of the UN secretary-general on the status of Kosova [Kosovo], has said he is pleased with the stance taken by the Albanian government on the question of the settlement of Kosova's final status. He described the behaviour of the Albanian government as the best possible and said he was pleased to see that Tirana is actively following this process and has expressed its readiness to put itself at the disposal of the international community, which is engaged in resolving this problem.

Ahtisaari said that the involvement of other actors in this question would only complicate the work of his group. "I think that the role the Albanian government is playing is very appropriate and I appreciate it. I think that the Albanian government is dealing with this issue in the best possible manner. It is following the situation actively and is ready to place itself at our disposal; I appreciate this very much. Their involvement would have created an impossible situation, because many sides would have asked to become actors in this process. This would have complicated the situation for us a great deal," declared Ahtisaari. [Passage omitted]

Source: Rilindja Demokratike, Tirana, in Albanian 27 Nov 05 pp 2, 3