(italiano / english -- parte 3)


http://www.vor.ru/Exclusive/excl_next9096_eng.html

Voice of Russia - January 20, 2007

THE WORLD IS INCREASINGLY AWARE OF RUSSIA'S POSITION
ON THE PROBLEM OF KOSOVO

Early parliamentary elections are due in Serbia on
Sunday, the first ones following the break-up of the
Serbia-Montenegro state.
Although those running for parliament bitterly attack
each other, they all agree that Kosovo should remain
part of Serbia.
You may remember that Serbia favours a broader
autonomy status for Kosovo, but within a single state.
Now, Kosovo Albanians making up a majority of the
province population are pressing for independence.
Meanwhile the new UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon has
said that a settlement in Kosovo is a major problem
for the international community for this year.
He feels the lack of a solution threatens stability in
the whole of South East Europe. And this is what a
Russian expert on Balkans affairs Peter Iskenderov
thinks on the issue.
The new UN Secretary-General's statement, Peter
Iskenderov says, seem to reflect the world community's
growing concern about the future of the Serbian
province Kosovo.
An ever greater number of international politicians
underscore the importance of a balanced solution that
would meet the interests of all parties to the Kosovo
conflict and general stability in Europe.
In this context it is impossible to ignore the growing
awareness of a Kosovo settlement precedent.
A mere couple of months ago it was only Russia that
warned of this, whereas now ever more European
politicians make similar statements.
The Italian Foreign Minister Massimo d'Alema believes
that if Kosovo gains independence, the entire Balkan
region may be swept over by a wave of nationalist
movements.
The scenario is perfectly real, given the attention
that the numerous separatist forces have been giving
to the process of a settlement in Kosovo.
European politicians have also been increasingly aware
of the importance of another idea that Russian
diplomats have been consistently advocating with
regard to Kosovo, namely the need for finding a
negotiated solution that would suit both the Serbs and
Albanians.
The Greek Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis repeated
the idea actually word-for-word when saying during his
talks with the Serbian President Boris Tadic on
Tuesday that the interested parties should find a
solution to the province status that would prove
acceptable to one and all.
President Vladimir Putin reiterated, for his part,
Russia's position on Kosovo in a recent telephone
conversation with the Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav
Kostunica.
Simultaneously the deputy Russian Foreign Minister
Vladimir Titov told the EU envoy to Kosovo Stefan Lene
in Moscow that a solution to the problem should
provide for guaranteeing the rights of national
minorities, while no efforts should be made to
artificially whip up the negotiating process.
The Russian Foreign Ministry insists that a decision
on a Kosovo status should not be imposed.



http://www.ft.com/cms/s/b2485a3e-a7ec-11db-b448-0000779e2340.html

Financial Times - January 19, 2007

Serbian election highlights the west's fears about Russia
By Quentin Peel

Fears are growing in western European capitals, and
even more clearly in Washington, about the
increasingly assertive role Russia is playing in
international diplomacy.
This time, it is not about the fraught question of the
energy security of the European Union. It is about
Moscow's involvement in the politics of the former
Yugoslavia, and the delicate attempt to broker a deal
between Serbia and its disputed former province of
Kosovo.
On Sunday, the voters of Serbia go to the polls for a
critical election in which the ultra-nationalists and
reformist democrats are running neck-and-neck in the
race to be the largest party.
On the same day, Angela Merkel, the German chancellor
who is currently the chair of the EU, flies to Moscow
for talks with Vladimir Putin, the Russian president,
in which the future of Kosovo will be a key item on
the agenda.
On the face of it, the elections in Serbia will have
little bearing on the international plans for a
"supervised independence" for the territory.
All the main political parties in Belgrade are opposed
to any such move. But the balance of power could still
be a critical factor in the willingness of any future
government at least to negotiate with the United
Nations-appointed mediator, Martti Ahtisaari, the
former Finnish president.
The trouble is that before any plan has been
published, Mr Putin and his ministers have already
made clear they will only back a settlement if it has
the support of Belgrade. A senior Russian diplomat
told an EU colleague recently: "The trouble is that
you are too logical. For us, this is an emotional
question."
"They are flirting with blocking a Kosovo settlement,"
a senior American official travelling with Condoleezza
Rice, the US secretary of state, said this week. "It
is hard to say what the Russians will do."
Officials in Berlin say Mrs Merkel will seek to
persuade Mr Putin to play a positive role over Kosovo,
both in persuading any Serbian government to negotiate
in good faith and in backing, or at least allowing, a
United Nations Security Council resolution to underpin
future independence. But that now seems to be in
doubt.
Diplomats speculate that for Mr Putin to back any
deal, he will demand a price from the US and EU. That
might be for them to turn a blind eye to Russia's
pressure being exerted on its neighbour Georgia to
allow the secession of its rebellious provinces of
Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
German officials say Mrs Merkel will be blunt. "If the
Russians cannot help, then they should get out of the
way," it is said in Berlin. But the mood in Moscow is
scarcely so helpful.
The mood also seems to be getting more hostile in
Washington. "This is an issue of European security,"
the senior US official said. "Messing around with
European security affects Europe immediately and
tangibly. It affects the US too, but less directly. It
affects Russia the least.
"To have Russia messing around in Serbia has a 1914
ring to it," he added, referring to the events leading
to the outbreak of the first world war.
The Europeans are more cautious. They are anxious not
to drive Serbia into a corner and are working on ways
of reopening negotiations with Belgrade for a
stability and association agreement, suspended because
of Serbia's inability to arrest Radko Mladic, the
general wanted to be tried for war crimes at the
International Tribunal in The Hague.
There is also European nervousness at evidence of a
growing Russian presence in Serbia, not merely on the
diplomatic front but also in the Serbian economy,
where Rosneft, the Russian oil company, is stepping up
its investment.
For the time being, EU diplomats are proceeding one
step at a time towards a Kosovo settlement. On Monday
they hope to issue a statement of congratulations on
the outcome of the Serbian election – assuming the
ultra-nationalists have not done too well. They will
try to follow that up with action to re-open channels
of communication.
In early February, Mr Ahtisaari will go to Belgrade
and Pristina, to present his Kosovo settlement
proposals. By the end of March, he hopes to have a
package ready to put to the UN Security Council. That
is when Mr Putin will have to decide if he blocks it
or merely abstains.


KOSOVO: PUTIN, INACCETTABILE SOLUZIONE IMPOSTA DALL' ESTERNO
(ANSA) - MOSCA, 21 GEN - Per Vladimir Putin e' ''inaccettabile''
imporre dall'esterno una soluzione sullo status finale del Kosovo: lo
ha dichiarato il presidente russo in una conferenza stampa a Soci con
il cancelliere tedesco Angela Merkel.(ANSA). SAV
21/01/2007 17:25



KOSOVO: PUTIN, SOLUZIONE DEVE PIACERE A ENTRAMBE LE PARTI
(ANSA) - MOSCA, 21 GEN - ''Vogliamo una soluzione che piaccia sia a
Belgrado che a Pristina'': lo ha dichiarato, parlando del Kosovo, il
presidente russo Vladimir Putin nella conferenza stampa congiunta con
il cancelliere tedesco Angela Merkel. ''Non penso che l'Europa voglia
soluzioni che potrebbero essere imposte ad una parte, soluzioni che
potrebbero essere insultanti per il popolo serbo. Dobbiamo avere
pazienza e trovare soluzione accettabili'', ha osservato, citato
dall'agenzia Interfax. Putin ha definito inoltre un errore bombardare
la Jugoslavia: ''Bombardare nel centro dell'Europa alla vigilia del
XXI secolo, e' normale?'', si e' chiesto il capo del Cremlino.(ANSA). SAV
21/01/2007 19:28


KOSOVO: PUTIN, QUALSIASI CRITERIO COSTITUISCE UN PRECEDENTE
(ANSA) - MOSCA, 21 GEN - Per il presidente russo Vladimir Putin
qualsiasi decisione venga presa sul Kosovo dovrebbe essere applicabile
in casi simili. ''Se prendiamo una decisione sul problema del Kosovo,
tale decisione puo' diventare universale'' e tale soluzione ''puo'
riguardare non solo lo spazio ex sovietico ma anche certi paesi
europei'', ha dichiarato in una conferenza stampa congiunta a Soci con
il cancelliere tedesco Angela Merkel.(ANSA). SAV
21/01/2007 17:52



http://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/Display_news.asp?section=World_News&subsection=Rest+of+the+World&month=January2007&file=World_News2007012214726.xml

Reuters - January 21, 2007

Kosovo status plan must suit Belgrade: Putin

SOCHI, Russia - Russian President Vladimir Putin said
yesterday his country will only back international
proposals on the final status of Serbia's Kosovo
province if it was acceptable to both sides.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel, in talks with Putin
on Russia's Black Sea coast, said she hoped national
elections in Serbia on Sunday would strengthen
democratic forces in the Balkan country.
"Russia thinks it is unacceptable to impose from
outside a decision on the status of Kosovo. A
long-term solution of the problem can be achieved only
if it suits both Belgrade and Pristina," Putin told a
news conference after the talks.
"We think it is not in Europe's interests that one of
the sides, let's say Belgrade, should be forced to
accept a solution that would be demeaning for the
Serbian people."
Russia, historically a close ally of Serbia, is likely
to play an important role in Kosovo's future because
it could use its veto in the United Nations Security
Council to block any proposal on the province's
status.
"Naturally, if in Kosovo we solve the problem, this
approach, this solution must be universal for similar
cases," Putin said.



http://www.civil.ge/eng/article.php?id=14483

Civil Georgia - January 22, 2007

Putin Reiterates that Kosovo should Set a Precedent

Tbilisi - Russian leader Vladimir Putin reiterated
that Kosovo's status should set a universal precedent
applicable to the resolution of conflicts in the
post-Soviet space.
Putin made the remarks at a joint news conference with
German Chancellor Angela Merkel in the Black Sea
resort of Sochi on January 21.
"It seems to me that the problem of the current
international relations is ignorance of fundamental
principles of the international law. There is
increasing desire to solve certain issues and certain
problems based on current political reasonability. And
this is very dangerous. This leads to the situation in
which small states feel insecure," Putin said.
"Naturally, if in Kosovo we solve the problem in
certain way, then this approach, this solution should
become universal for similar situations.
"If we neglect the principles of territorial integrity
of the states and say: `Well, what of it, it happened
so and there is nothing you can do about it' and the
international community does not want to do anything
to restore the territorial integrity of Serbia, other
nations also have the right to say: `We will also
share this approach,'" he added.
"This concerns not only the post-Soviet space,
although this is the most well comparable situation.
"There was collapse of Yugoslavia and here we have
collapse of the Soviet Union. There is no difference.
"But it may also be of concern to other states as
well. It may concern to some of the European states as
well.
"Don't we know problem of separatism in the European
states? There is this problem. No one is interested in
undermining foundations of the international
stability.
"And I think there will be grave consequences, if we
follow this path. There is a huge temptation, like it
was after the World War II – three or four people with
a pencil in their hands were dividing Europe and the
entire world.
"Now the winners in the Cold War, sensing their
innocence and strength, want to re-distribute
everything on their own. There is a huge temptation.
It is very hard to predict the consequences. We offer
to think over it jointly. We are ready to cooperate,"
Putin said.



http://www.focus-fen.net/index.php?id=n103933

Focus News Agency (Bulgaria) - January 22, 2007

NATO Secretary General Summoned Serbia to Show
"Flexibility" on Kosovo Issue

Brussels - The NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop
Scheffer expressed his hope that the new Serbian
cabinet that will be formed after the general
elections will abide to the course of the Euro
Atlantic integration, RIA Novosti reports.
The Alliance will continue its work with the new
cabinet when it will be formed aiming to intensify
co-operation including through Partnership for Peace
program, the statement of the NATO Secretary General
reports.



http://www.vor.ru/Exclusive/excl_next9108_eng.html

Voice of Russia - January 22, 2007

PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS IN SERBIA AND KOSOVO
SETTLEMENT PROSPECTS
Pyotr Iskenderov

The... Serbian Radical Party has won a landslide
victory in the country's parliamentary elections on
Sunday.
An election monitoring group says the Radicals have
taken almost 29% of the vote.
This party actively stands for keeping Kosovo as part
of the republic.
The results of Sunday's elections will make the West
think over its position that East-European countries
[will] obey Brussels at first call.
The Radicals` landslide victory may certainly upset
the plans of those who have already prepared a
scenario for Kosovo's independence.
It is not by chance that Martti Ahtisaari, the
personal UN envoy, has postponed till late January the
date of reporting on the plan to grant Kosovo
independence under surveillance.
It had to pacify the Serbs and support pro-Western
parties.
And a new, West-serving parliament would have
obediently voted for separating Serbia from its native
lands.
But 60% of Serbians have expressed their will.
If the new parliament refuses to grant autonomy to
Kosovo, those who offer easy ways of settling Balkan
problems will face an unpleasant scenario.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has the right of
veto in the UN Security Council, confirmed on Sunday
that Moscow won't accept a decision on the status of
Kosovo if it is imposed from the outside.
Mr. Putin believes that a long-term decision should
meet the interests of both Belgrade and Pristina.
The Russian President also stressed that a decision on
the status of Kosovo should be universal by nature.
A deputy head of the Coordination Centre for Kosovo
and Metojia, Nenad Popovic, has reminded that
Macedonia, Bosnia-Hercegovina, the Basque Country and
other regions with inter-ethnic problems are carefully
following the developments.
Sunday's elections have sent an explicit signal to the
West, showing that the Balkans will accept no
one-sided decisions.



http://www.itar-tass.com/eng/level2.html?NewsID=11177058&PageNum=0

Itar-Tass - January 22, 2007

MP says Kosovo solution cannot be unique.

MOSCOW - Chairman of the State Duma Committee for CIS
Affairs and Relations with Compatriots Andrei Kokoshin
said a decision on Kosovo's independence cannot be
unique.
"It is obvious to any sober-minded politician that a
decision on Kosovo cannot be unique," Kokoshin told
Itar-Tass on Monday.
In his words, "Russia and our friends and partners in
the CIS have a vital interest in that decisions on the
Kosovo issue can be applied to other situations as
well."
He expressed hope that this position would be
supported, including by "relevant Georgian leaders."
At the same time, Kokoshin warned against attempts to
solve the Kosovo issue through interference in
Serbia's internal affairs.
"Attempts to impose upon Serbia decisions on Kosovo
from the outside will be fraught with the most
dangerous consequences for the international
community," he said.


SERBIA: SEGRETARIO NATO, NUOVO GOVERNO DIMOSTRI MODERAZIONE
(ANSA) - BRUXELLES, 22 GEN - Stando ai primi risultati elettorali, la
maggioranza dei serbi ha accordato la preferenza ai partiti riformisti
e la Nato ''guarda con grande attesa alla formazione di un governo che
si impegni ad approfondire l'integrazione euro-atlantica'': lo ha
detto oggi il segretario generale dell'Alleanza atlantica, Jaap de
Hoop Scheffer. Ribadito che la Nato continuera' a lavorare con le
nuove autorita' serbe per stringere relazioni sempre piu' profonde,
Scheffer ha chiesto alla futura compagine governativa di dimostrare
''moderazione, flessibilita' e pragmatismo'', in particolare sul
delicato dossier del Kosovo. De Hoop Scheffer ha poi aggiunto che
l'Alleanza atlantica non smettera' di garantire la sicurezza di tutte
le comunita' kosovare, soprattutto in questo periodo di passaggio,
attraverso la Kfor, la forza che ha dispiegato nel Kosovo dal 1999.
(ANSA). KXN-VS
22/01/2007 17:38


SERBIA: ELEZIONI; PRISTINA, IL RISULTATO NON CAMBIA NULLA

PRISTINA - ''I risultati preliminari delle elezioni svolte ieri in
Serbia, dimostrano che non vi sara' nessun cambiamento sostanziale
sulla scena politica di quel paese'': lo ha dichiarato oggi a Pristina
il governo albanese del Kosovo nel primo commento ufficiale sul voto
di Belgrado.
Pristina aggiunge tuttavia che ''queste elezioni sono una questione
interna alla democrazia della Serbia, e non riguardano in alcun modo
il Kosovo''.
Nella stessa dichiarazione si invita il consiglio di sicurezza delle
Nazioni Unite a chiudere immediatamente dopo la conclusione delle
elezioni, le procedure per la definizione dello status della provincia
''accogliendo le richieste della popolazione per uno Stato
indipendente e sovrano''.
In quanto alla partecipazione dei serbi residenti in Kosovo alle
elezioni di ieri per la composizione del parlamento di Belgrado, il
governo di Pristina ha rivolto un appello ''affinche' essi valutino in
futuro di partecipare piuttosto alle elezioni delle istituzioni del
Kosovo'', invitando il nuovo governo serbo ad esortare la propria
minoranza verso l'integrazione nelle strutture kosovare.
22/01/2007 13:49


http://www.focus-fen.net/?id=n103903

Focus News Agency (Bulgaria) - January 22, 2007

PM Ceku Insisted on Immediate Independence for Kosovo

Pristina - The Prime Minister of Kosovo Agim Ceku
demanded from the international community to recognize
the "immediate independence of Kosovo", the Serbian
Tanjug agency announced.
In his regular weekly appeal to the people Ceku
pointed out that the expected document of the
international envoy for Kosovo Marti Ahtisaari will be
"acceptable only if it reflects the interests of
people of Kosovo".
"The independence is a factual situation", Ceku
announced in his appeal to the Kosovo people
broadcasted on Radio Kosova.


SERBIA: ELEZIONI;PROTESTE KOSOVO,PREME PER INDIPENDENZA/ANSA
(ANSA) - PRISTINA, 22 GEN - Proteste in piazza oggi a Pristina,
all'indomani delle elezioni generali in Serbia. Alcune centinaia di
giovani albanesi aderenti al movimento per l'autodeterminazione hanno
manifestato contro il negoziatore Onu Martti Ahtisaari, che si
appresta ad affidare al Consiglio di sicurezza delle Nazioni Unite le
sue proposte sul futuro status della provincia. Un piano, in gran
parte ancora sconosciuto, ma che secondo informazioni ottenute dai
manifestanti conterrebbe ''nuove proposte negative per il popolo del
Kosovo''. Il movimento per l'autodeterminazione ha sempre seguito
posizioni radicali, arrivando a chiedere una indipendenza della
provincia senza mediazione internazionale e senza negoziato con
Belgrado, eppure la protesta di oggi sembra rispecchiare l'ansia che
rapidamente cresce anche all'interno della leadership albanese,
persino in quella piu' moderata. Le elezioni politiche che si sono
svolte ieri in Serbia venivano considerate da tempo come un traguardo
virtuale superato il quale la questione dello status del Kosovo
sarebbe tornata in testa alle priorita'. ''I risultati preliminari
delle elezioni in Serbia dimostrano che non vi sara' nessun
cambiamento sostanziale sulla scena politica di quel paese'', ha
dichiarato oggi a Pristina il capo del governo albanese Agim Ceku. Un
modo per rimarcare la richiesta albanese di ripartire dal punto in cui
si era giunti alla vigilia del voto, quando molte cancellerie (Stati
Uniti in testa) consideravano l'indipendenza della provincia, ritenuta
irrinunciabile da Pristina, come una questione ormai acquisita. Si
trattava semmai di capire in che modo farla accettare a Belgrado (e
prima ancora a Mosca), e quale gradualita' imprimere alla nuova
sovranita', forse destinata inizialmente ad essere condizionata. Lo
status, che poteva essere deciso in questa forma entro il 2006, era
stato poi fatto slittare a dopo le elezioni del 21 gennaio in Serbia,
ed ora gli albanesi del Kosovo temono che il tempo trascorso possa
avere modificato qualcosa sul tavolo dei negoziati. Anche per questo
oggi il premier Ceku ha sollecitato il negoziatore Martti Ahtisaari e
il Consiglio di sicurezza a chiudere immediatamente dopo la
conclusione delle elezioni le procedure per la definizione dello
status della provincia, ''accogliendo le richieste della popolazione
per uno Stato indipendente e sovrano''. (ANSA) BLL-COR
22/01/2007 18:52


SERBIA: FINI A WASHINGTON, ATTENTI A NON CREARE UMILIAZIONI

(ANSA) - WASHINGTON, 22 gen - Nell'analizzare il voto in Serbia e
decidere l'atteggiamento da tenere con Belgrado, occorre ''fare
attenzione a non creare un sentimento di umiliazione'' per i serbi: e'
il giudizio del leader di An, Gianfranco Fini, espresso nel corso di
un dialogo con analisti americani nella sede a Washington del think
tank Csis. ''Per capire il significato del consenso raccolto da
Nikolic'', ha detto Fini, riferendosi al leader degli
ultranazionalisti del Partito radicale (Srs), occorre tener conto dei
processi e della caccia agli ultimi criminali di guerra serbi. Per il
leader di An, occorre prudenza nel non far provare sentimenti di
umiliazione ai popoli dei Balcani: ''E' un discorso - ha spiegato -
che vale anche per il Kosovo. Il nazionalismo kosovaro e' pericoloso
come quello serbo''. L'equilibrio che e' stato trovato nei Balcani, ha
concluso il leader di An, ''e' importante, ma molto precario''.(ANSA). BM
22/01/2007 20:21

http://www.focus-fen.net/?id=n103915

Focus News Agency (Bulgaria) - January 22, 2007

Koha Ditore: Elections in Serbia were the Last in
Which Kosovo Serbians Took Part

Pristina - All newspapers published in Pristina on
Albanian language, publish materials for the elections
in Serbia, Tanjug reports.
Koha Ditore newspaper claims that these are "the last
elections in which the Kosovo Serbs take part".
The newspaper also points out that Serbs voters
turnout was the "lowest since the UN mission arrival",
Tanjug announced.


KOSOVO: ONU; BAN CONSULTA INVIATO, A GIORNI IL RAPPORTO
(ANSA) - NEW YORK, 22 GEN - Il segretario delle Nazioni Unite Ban
Ki-moon si sta consultando in queste ore con il suo inviato speciale
per il futuro status del Kosovo, Martti Ahtisaari. La portavoce di
Ban, Michelle Montas, ha indicato che ''il segretario generale e' a
consulto con Ahtisaari e lo incontrera' di persona giovedi''', a
margine della conferenza internazionale sul Libano, che si terra' a
Parigi. La Montas ha anche detto che il capo delle Nazioni Unite ha
seguito con attenzione le elezioni di ieri in Serbia, di cui il Kosovo
e' una provincia albanofona. Il rapporto di Ahtisaari sullo status del
Kosovo dovrebbe essere reso pubblico a giorni. (ANSA) YY6-BN
22/01/2007 19:58



http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,3-2560496,00.html

The Times (London) - January 23, 2007

UN braced for clash with Russia on Kosovo
Richard Beeston, Diplomatic Editor

Russia and the West were on a diplomatic collision
course yesterday over the future of Kosovo, which will
soon take a big step towards declaring its
independence from Serbia.
As results from the Serbian election confirmed a
strong showing for the...Serbian Radical Party,
American, British and other Western leaders braced
themselves for what is likely to be a bruising
showdown with the Kremlin.
The dispute centres on the fate of Kosovo, the largely
ethnic-Albanian province of Serbia, which has been
under Nato control since its troops seized the region
from Serbian forces in 1999.
On Friday Martti Ahtisaari, the UN special envoy to
Kosovo, will reveal a plan to grant the province
"supervised independence" that could lead to it taking
responsibility for foreign affairs, defence, and a
seat at the UN.
"The independence of Kosovo is a reality, so we demand
recognition of Kosovo's international subjectivity
without any delays," said Agim Ceku, its Prime
Minister.
The main parties in the elections are opposed to
independence for Kosovo, regarded as the cradle of
Serb history and culture.
Russia... has made it clear that it would not support
any plan for Kosovo that went against Belgrade's
wishes.
"Russia believes it is unacceptable that a decision on
the status of Kosovo be imposed from the outside,"
said President Putin on Sunday.
As a permanent member of the UN Security Council,
Russia could block recognition of Kosovo's
independence.



http://www.focus-fen.net/?id=n104028

Focus News Agency (Bulgaria) - January 23, 2007

Belgrade Hopes Moscow will use their right to veto if
Kosovo issue enter the UN Security Council

Moscow - Belgrade hopes that Moscow will use its right
to veto if the issue about Kosovo status enters the
discussion agenda of the UN Security Council, the
Serbian Chargés d'affaires ad interim in Russia Elica
Kurjak told a news conference, as quoted by Interfax.
At the same time she added that Belgrade also hopes
for a dialogue on the Kosovo issue after UN envoy
Martti Ahtisaari publishes his suggestions for the
future status of the province.



http://www.focus-fen.net/?id=n104026

Focus News Agency (Bulgaria) - January 23, 2007

Macedonia's President: Kosovo independence might bring
risks for Macedonia

Skopje - There are no signals for some more serious
violations of the stability and security so far, nor
such referring to the territorial integrity of the
country, which might be connected in some way to the
issue about the final status of Kosovo, Macedonia's
President Branko Crvenkovski said after the session of
the National Security Council of Macedonia, FOCUS News
Agency's correspondent in Skopje reported.
Crvenkovski specified that there are certain risks
related to the existence of extreme criminal groups,
as well as with the presence of huge quantities of
weapons in Kosovo and the region.
The capacity of the institutions in Kosovo has also
been taken into account, which in Crvenkovski's words
is low for the moment.
"We do not underestimate these risks and we will stay
watchful. The competent institutions have been
assigned the task to monitor the events with a greater
mobility and to provide information, and if the case
requires it, to act preventively", Crvenkovski pointed
out.
....


http://www.b92.net/eng/news/globe-article.php?yyyy=2007&mm=01&dd=23&nav_category=123&nav_id=39225

B92 (Serbia) - January 23, 2007

Macedonia wary of Kosovo status issue

SKOPJE - The Kosovo status solution, "at this time",
has no influence on Macedonian security, Macedonian
Security Council said Tuesday.
"...The Security Council members agreed that at this
particular moment there are no indications that the
Republic of Macedonia's territorial integrity and
sovereignty may be endangered ", a statement from
President Branko Crvenkovski's cabinet read, according
to Makfax.
Council members, however, urged relevant institutions
to remain alert in regard to this issue, the agency
reports.
"Considering the expected unfolding of events in the
region in the near future, the session of the Security
Council has concluded that it is necessary to keep the
current high degree of mobility and engagement of
competent institutions and bodies in following and
informing about the situation, as well as, if
necessary, for preventive action ", the statement
says.
The Security Council of Macedonia is an advisory body
to the state leadership, presided by the head of the
state, who is also the Macedonian Army's supreme
commander, Makfax reminds.


http://en.rian.ru/world/20070124/59628837.html

Russian Information Agency Novosti - January 24, 2007

Russia to veto UN Kosovo resolution if PACE backs independence

STRASBOURG - Russia will veto a United Nations
resolution on Kosovo if Europe's human rights watchdog
supports a draft proposal granting independence to the
historically Serbian province, a senior Russian
lawmaker said Wednesday.
"If today the assembly [the Parliamentary Assembly of
the Council of Europe] gives its backing to proposals
granting Kosovo independence [on certain conditions],
then the Russian delegation will not be able to
support the resolution as a whole," said Konstantin
Kosachev, who heads the Russian delegation to PACE.
Russia has always supported territorial integrity in
the Kosovo issue, he added.
Russia, a veto-wielding member of the UN Security
Council and a traditional ally of Belgrade, has
repeatedly said that sovereignty for the
UN-administered Serbian province of Kosovo, which is
sought by the ethnic Albanian majority but opposed by
Belgrade, could have negative consequences for
unresolved conflicts in the former Soviet Union that
erupted in the early 1990s.
U.S. negotiators earlier signaled that they would back
a draft proposal from United Nations special envoy
Martti Ahtisaari on Kosovo's future, which is expected
to recommend some degree of independence for the
region. The UN Security Council is expected to vote on
a final draft resolution in March.
The Russian politician said PACE should draw a clear
line between the right of a nation for
self-determination and a government's right for
territorial integrity.
Kosachev also said: "It is not within the competence
of the Council of Europe or PACE, but with the
competence of the UN Security Council to determine the
status of Kosovo."
The final status of the province, home to two million,
was to have been determined by the end of last year,
but a decision was put off until after a general
election in Serbia held on January 21.
Last week Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said
that a decision on the sovereignty of Kosovo should
satisfy both Kosovo and Serbian authorities, adding
that a forced decision on the status of Kosovo was out
of the question.
"The decision on Kosovo's status should be balanced
and reached by means of negotiations, and should be
acceptable both for Kosovo authorities and Belgrade,"
Lavrov said.
Last November, thousands of Kosovo Albanians attacked
the United Nations headquarters in the capital,
Pristina, over a delayed decision on their demand for
independence.
The region has been a UN protectorate since NATO's
military campaign against Belgrade to end a war
between Serb forces and Albanian separatists in 1999.

http://www.vor.ru/Exclusive/excl_next9130_eng.html

Voice of Russia - January 25, 2007

PACE STICKS TO CONSERVATIVE STANCE ON KOSOVO
Vyacheslav Solovev

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe
has refused to recognize the independence of the
Serbian province of Kosovo under certain conditions as
stated in the original draft resolution.
The deputy head of the Russian delegation at PACE,
Leonid Slutsky, describes the move as a great victory
of Russia.
The ongoing session of PACE in Strasburg rejected a
proposal by the chief speaker on the issue, British
deputy Lord Russell-Johnston, about granting
independence to largely-Albanian populated Kosovo.
The European deputies attended to a consistent call by
the Russian delegation and agreed that only the United
Nations has the authority to solve the issue.
The Russian delegation believes that the recognition
of Kosovo independence could only upset the situation
in the Balkans and [lead to a] possible escalation of
similar conflicts in the world.
At a recent meeting with the German Chancellor Angela
Merkel, Russian President Vladimir Putin had this to
say concerning the issue.
Vladimir Putin says that the problem in current
international relations is the growing negligence
[neglect] of international law.
This concerns Kosovo, too.
Naturally, a solution to the Kosovo issue should be
universal and applicable for similar cases.
When countries neglect issues or the principle of
territorial integrity of states and say such an
incident occurred and no one could help it.
If the international community fails to restore the
territorial integrity of Serbia, then other people
have the right to say that we will act accordingly,
said the Russian President.
Undoubtedly, the results of the recent parliamentary
election in Serbia had an impact on the PACE move. The
Radical Party that flatly opposes granting
independence to Kosovo won the election.


(3 - continua)

(italiano / english -- parte 4)


http://www.b92.net/eng/news/politics-article.php?yyyy=2007&mm=01&dd=25&nav_category=92&nav_id=39244

B92 (Serbia) - January 25, 2007

Word 'independence' out of Resolution

STRASBOURG, BELGRADE, PRIŠTINA - The Parliamentary
Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) adopted a
resolution on Kosovo yesterday.
The paragraph stating that only independence for
Kosovo can ensure stability in the region was erased
from the text of the resolution on Kosovo yesterday.
The Resolution was adopted with 99 votes in favor, 36
against and 14 in abstention.
The final text of the resolution does not contain the
word `independence'. The part stating that all
interested parties in the region are obliged not to
demand the alteration of borders and to accept current
Kosovo borders as permanent was also erased.
The resolution maintains that the only viable and
undisputable solution is to reach a mutual agreement
from both sides. However, the Council of Europe
asserts that the decision to impose a solution should
be reached if negotiations come to a dead-end.
The resolution calls on Kosovo Serbs to take part in
the social and political life in Kosovo.
Serbian delegation Chief Miloš Aligrudić said
that the delegation members voted against the
resolution as a matter of principle.
"A few of the amendments we suggested, demanding that
the CoE (Council of Europe) Parliamentary Assembly
accept the reality that Kosovo is an integral part of
Serbia as is given in the UN Resolution 1244, did not
pass. Our amendment to erase the part which mentions
the possibility of an imposed solution also lacked
support. That's why we could not vote in favor of the
resolution", Aligrudić said.
The Parliamentary Assembly also adopted a
recommendation to offer strong support to Serbia as it
is going through a very delicate political phase.

Janjić: Defensive position is never good

The head of the Forum for Ethnic Relations thinks that
Russia played a key part in adopting the Resolution
with the word `independence' erased from the text.
Janjić deemed positive the fact that the Council
of Europe did not accept a formulation that would
shape the solution in advance and cause difficulties
during the next stage.
"We shouldn't have come into this kind of situation
where we are compelled to act defensively. Serbia
should have initiated a resolution to elaborate on the
human rights of both Albanians and Serbs in Kosovo,
and create a dialogue to see whether the independence,
advocated by many, could actually solve current
problems. The majority members of the Council of
Europe did not take it for granted that independence
could remove all problems from Kosovo, as if it were a
magic wand", Janjić concluded.

Priština still silent

No one is Priština has reacted to the Resolution so
far. On the contrary, all Albanian politicians who
addressed the public maintained that independence for
Kosovo is the only possible solution.
Even though Marti Ahtisaari's visit to Priština is ten
days off, official Priština only expects independence,
possibly explaining the decision by Kosovo politicians
to not assign much importance to the resolution
adopted yesterday.
The media in Kosovo have thus left to appease the
public.
They have maintained that, even though the word
independence was omitted form the text, the Resolution
itself does not exclude the mere possibility of
independence.

http://www.messenger.com.ge/issues/1282_january_25_2007/n_1282_1.htm

The Messenger (Georgia) - January 25, 2007

Putin stresses Serbian integrity, reaffirms Kosovo precedent
By David Matsaberidze


On January 21 Russian President Vladimir Putin
reiterated his view that the final status of the
disputed Serbian region of Kosovo should serve as a
model for conflict resolution across the former Soviet
Union.
"The problem of Kosovo bears a universal character,
thus it can serve as a basis and precedent for
conflict settlement of post-Soviet ethnic clashes and
disturbances in entire CIS space," Putin declared at a
joint press conference with German Chancellor Angela
Merkel in the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi.
Putin stressed the importance of the recognition of
the rights of ethnic minorities to self determination,
and pointed to the apparent contradiction in
international law between that right and the principle
of territorial integrity.
The fact that the majority of the international
community is in favour of independence for the mainly
Albanian populated province of Kosovo against the
wishes of Serbia "gives the right to other ethnic
minorities to declare: we are in favour of the Serbian
model as a tool of conflict regulation," asserted
Putin, as quoted by Civil Georgia.
However, Putin's insistence on the 'Kosovo precedent'
could stem from Russia's firm commitment to Serbian
integrity, rather than encouragement to separatist
movements in the Georgia and Moldova.
In a telephone conversation with Serbian Prime
Minister Vojislav Kostunica later that day, Putin
confirmed that he was against any settlement on Kosovo
not backed by Serbia proper, Eurasia Daily Monitor
reported.
Putin implied that any status plan not backed by
Belgrade would be vetoed by the United Nations
Security Council, and that the solution must stem from
the principle of territorial integrity.
Georgian experts are divided on Russia's intentions
over the Kosovo issue.
....
Security expert Temur Iakobashvili says that by
stressing the idea of Kosovo as a precedent Russia is
"targeting western countries, rather than threatening
Georgia."

---

http://www.b92.net/eng/insight/opinions.php?nav_id=39202

B92 (Serbia) -- January 22, 2007

America's Kosovo Dilemma
William Montgomery

While the European Union, as well as other European
countries shared U.S. concerns over the treatment of
Kosovo Albanians by the Milošević regime, the
United States was the driving force behind Western
diplomatic activity regarding Kosovo over the past
fifteen years.
In December, 1992 we unilaterally issued the famous
"Christmas warning" to Milošević that any
provocations by his government which caused major
violence in Kosovo would be answered even by military
force.
Envoys such as Robert Gelbard, Richard Holbrooke, Bill
Walker and Chris Hill were prominent in negotiating
with the Serbian government and pressing it to improve
the human rights situation in Kosovo.
It was Secretary of State Madeleine Albright who took
the lead in pressing the case for NATO bombing and
NATO Supreme Commander Wesley Clark that carried it
out.
By the time that UNMIK and KFOR arrived in Kosovo in
1999, certain opinions were locked in stone. Nothing
that has taken place over the past seven years,
including the fall of Milošević and the
democratic transition in Serbia has changed them.
First of all, virtually every Kosovo Albanian is
passionately determined to be irrevocably separated
from Serbia and to have full independence. A
significant number are willing to resort once again to
violence, if necessary, to bring it about.
Secondly, the Kosovo Albanians are grateful to the
United States for its role thus far and more
importantly, because they believe it is the United
States that will ensure that independence in the near
future.
The United States consequently has a stature and
credibility with Kosovo Albanians that no other
country has. Like many in the Balkans, the Kosovo
Albanians are skeptical about the strength and
determination of the European Union.
Finally, there are concrete reasons why this bond with
Americans remains so strong. Namely, it is difficult
to find any influential official, policy maker, or
independent foreign affairs specialist in the United
States who has not publicly or privately indicated
that independence for Kosovo within current borders is
the only possible outcome. Most made no secret of
their views.
Richard Holbrooke in a 2003 visit to Belgrade bluntly
told Serbian leaders that they would have to "choose
between Kosovo and Europe and that if you chose
Kosovo, you will get neither."
The International Crisis Group, various Senators and
Congressmen, and other non-governmental groups have
been equally direct in pressing the case for
independence.
The United States has also been in the forefront of
pressing for resolution of the final status question
quickly, in large part so that the overwhelming
majority of our troops in the Balkans could be
withdrawn.
The European Union members of the Contact Group have
endorsed the scenario of conditional independence for
Kosovo under the supervision of the European Union.
Several months ago they placed the vanguard of their
transitional team in Kosovo with the idea that
following the necessary UN Resolution, the European
Union would replace UNMIK. They have already
delineated the functions that they would perform and
supervise.
While the Serbian political leadership disappointed
the Western members of the Contact Group because of
their unwillingness to either accept this outcome or
to prepare its population for it, this in no way ever
led to any reconsideration by the EU or the United
States about the final status.
The growing strength of the Radicals did sufficiently
concern the West so that they made some accommodations
to Serbia (postponing the date of the final status
recommendations until after the Serbian elections,
admitting Serbia to Partnership for Peace, and
announcing that a fresh look will be taken by the EU
on the visa regime for Serbia).
What has dramatically changed the entire equation is
the growing realization that Russia is likely to
prevent any UN Security Council Resolution which
contains elements unacceptable to Serbia. This has now
been made publicly clear both by President Putin and
Foreign Minister Lavrov.
The latter was just quoted as saying that any solution
had to be acceptable to both Pristina and Belgrade and
that "There can be no imposed solutions."
The reality is that the "correlation of forces" in the
world has changed dramatically since the 1999 Kosovo
Bombing Campaign and the UN Security Council
Resolution 1244 which was passed in its immediate
aftermath.
Now, an assertive Russia is looking for ways to show
its strength and independence. The Kosovo issue is an
easy way to demonstrate it. Given the public comments
now made, it is hard to see how Russia can change
course without losing face.
The United States and some EU members are continuing
to push for resolution of final status in the next few
months with conditional independence as the outcome.
They are still hoping that in negotiations over the
Security Council Resolution, they will be able to
secure wording which will be ambiguous, but sufficient
to then move rapidly to conditional independence.
This remains the U.S. position, strongly supported by
all of the influential foreign policy players in the
United States mentioned above. In other words, the
U.S. Administration is pressed by its domestic
constituency to continue to pursue an option which
looks unlikely to succeed.
The United States is thus faced first of all with the
problem of keeping increasingly skeptical Europeans on
board for this solution while figuring out how to
bring Russia along. It will require very "heavy
lifting" on the part of the United States with Russia
and the EU will be of little help in this process.

Russian intransigence could well lead to the following
scenarios:

a. The potential for no UN Resolution at all. While
the EU is already considering pushing for a simple
resolution strictly limited to permitting it to take
over in Kosovo from the UN, there is absolutely no
guarantee that the Russians will allow even that. They
may well insist on adding language to that resolution
which makes coming to closure on Kosovo far harder
than it already is.
Many Europeans have privately stated their
unwillingness to move into Kosovo to replace UNMIK
without a UN Resolution authorizing it. If they do
not, Kosovo will be left with a depleted, demoralized
UNMIK for the foreseeable future.
Many of its best cadre has already secured new
positions and its authority has diminished due to its
lame duck status. This would leave Kosovo virtually in
limbo. It could also mean that the U.S. objective of
withdrawing its troops from the Balkans could be
frustrated.

b. The virtual certainty of a dramatic rise in
violence in this year, instigated at least initially
by Kosovo Albanian extremists.

The only question is where it will be directed.

Initial targets may well be the Serbian minority and
UNMIK. But it is not to be ruled out that in their
bitter disappointment over the lack of movement on
independence, even the U.S. forces may become a
target. This would be the Bush Administration's worst
nightmare. In any case, KFOR will not be able to
prevent this upsurge of violence and its consequences
can be severe.
c. There is also the possibility of a split between
the European Union and the United States. This could
happen in two ways. The first is EU willingness to
accept wording from the Russians in a Resolution which
is unacceptable to the United States. The second is
European unwillingness to circumvent the UN. It is
obvious that many Europeans do not feel the same
urgency about Kosovo as does the United States.
By our nature, by our focus on events in Iraq and
Afghanistan (and the shortage of troops for those
areas), and due to our domestic constituency, the
United States will be determined to bring the Kosovo
issue to closure. The natural tendency of the European
Union when faced with this sort of controversy is to
delay, to put off decision-making. It is easy to
imagine the United States pressing for action outside
of the UN and the EU resisting such a step.
Moreover, if the United States feels that the EU is
backing away from possible solutions or is willing to
endorse unacceptable ones, it can always threaten to
exercise the option of simply washing its hands of
Kosovo and walking away. As unlikely as this may seem,
the EU and others will be making a big mistake if they
disregard this possibility.

---

http://www.interfax-religion.com/?act=news&div=2511

Interfax-Religion - January 25, 2007

PACE drops independence recommendation from Kosovo
resolution

Strasbourg - The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council
of Europe (PACE) has decided to refrain from any
specific recommendations on the status of Kosovo.
During the debate on the draft resolution on the
current situation in Kosovo a key provision earlier
resisted by many, primarily the Russian delegation,
was dropped by 90 votes against 64, with 11
abstentions.
The provision read as follows: "While respecting
Serbia's interest and right to preserve its
territorial integrity, the Assembly believes that
Kosovo's independence - subject to certain conditions
- is the solution most likely to bring about durable,
long-term peace and stability for Kosovo and the
entire region, in addition to being the one which
corresponds to the will of the majority of Kosovars."


http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/01/25/europe/EU-GEN-Armenia-Nagorno-Karabakh.php

Associated Press - January 25, 2007

Foreign mediators of Armenia-Azerbaijan dispute
diverge on Kosovo precedent

YEREVAN, Armenia - Foreign mediators trying to resolve
a long-standing territorial dispute between Armenia
and Azerbaijan voiced optimism, but appeared to
diverge Thursday on whether the resolution of Kosovo's
final status would be a firm precedent.
Diplomats from Russia, France and the United States
have headed efforts by the Organization for Security
and Cooperation in Europe's so-called Minsk Group to
resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh problem.
The mountainous territory inside Azerbaijan has been
controlled by ethnic Armenian forces since the early
1990s, and tensions remain high between Armenia and
Azerbaijan.
In Kosovo, Russia backs demands by the Serbian
leadership that it should stay part of Serbia while
the United States favors independence for the
province.
President Vladimir Putin has suggested that should
Kosovo be granted independence, that would have a
direct effect on how other lingering separatist
disputes in the former Soviet Union are resolved.
Chief U.N. envoy Martti Ahtisaari plans to disclose
recommendations on Kosovo's future to Western
governments and Russia on Friday.
Following a visit Thursday to Stepanakert, the capital
of Nagorno-Karabakh, Russian diplomat Yuri Merzlyakov
said Kosovo's final status would be a precedent for
the Armenia-Azerbaijani dispute.
"I consider naturally that it will set a precedent.
The decision could be one thing or another because the
talk is about the status of autonomy for a province in
Kosovo. Naturally, there could be other opinions," he
said.
Diplomats from the United States and France disagreed.
"There isn't any sort of universal precedent and each
situation, every conflict differs from every other
conflict," said Matthew J. Bryza,, a U.S. deputy
assistant secretary of state.
"Each conflict has its own difficulties and it's
necessary to resolve conflicts on the basis of the
particular aspects that each has," said French
diplomat Bernard Fassier.
A shaky cease-fire in 1994 ended six years of fighting
in Nagorno-Karabakh that left 30,000 people killed and
about 1 million driven from their homes and left
Karabakh and Armenian forces in control of the
territory. Gunfire breaks out regularly along the
border between the two ex-Soviet countries and in the
regions near Nagorno-Karabakh.
The lack of resolution of the territory's status has
tied up development in the energy-rich South Caucasus.


http://www.radionetherlands.nl/news/international/#5158693
Radio Netherlands - January 26, 2007

Russia sceptical of Kosovo plan

Russia has voiced scepticism about UN mediator Martti
Ahtisaari's plan for the future of the Serbian
province of Kosovo. The main details of the plan have
leaked out ahead of its official announcement.
It proposes self-determination for Kosovo under
international control and a continued NATO presence in
the short term.
The safety of the province's Serb minority remains a
primary concern. The report avoids explicit reference
to independence, something Serbia strongly opposes.
The European Union and Kosovo itself are in favour of
independence.
The plan has now been put to the Contact Group of
Great Britain, France, Italy, Germany, the United
States and Russia and will be presented to Serbia and
Kosovo on 2 February.
Depending on the response, the plan will then be
submitted to the UN for a definitive decision by the
Security Council.
Kosovo came under international control after a NATO
air campaign drove Serbian troops from the province in
1999.


http://www.swissinfo.org/eng/international/ticker/detail/Russia_and_West_divided_on_U_N_Kosovo_plan.html?siteSect=143&sid=7469056&cKey=1169820555000

Reuters - January 26, 2007

Russia and West divided on U.N. Kosovo plan
By Matt Robinson

VIENNA - Russia is sceptical about a plan by United
Nations envoy Martti Ahtisaari that would give
Serbia's breakaway province of Kosovo virtual
independence, a diplomat told Reuters on Friday.
After a meeting in Vienna with the six-member Contact
Group of major powers, the diplomat said Russia had
urged a delay in any U.N. decision on Kosovo until
Serbia had formed a new government following an
inconclusive general election on Jan 21.
"It was a very tough meeting. The Russians are very
sceptical about the plan," said the senior diplomat,
who spoke on condition of anonymity.
"I have never seen the Quint (United States, Britain,
France, Germany and Italy) more united."
Ahtisaari's official spokesman Remi Dourlot told
reporters after the meeting the envoy would travel to
Belgrade and Pristina as planned on February 2 to
present his proposal to officials.
The Contact Group has set policy on Kosovo since the
U.N. took control of the 90-percent ethnic Albanian
province in 1999.
Ahtisaari drafted his plan after more than a year of
shuttle diplomacy and fruitless Serb-Albanian talks.
Diplomatic sources said the Vienna meeting was
intended to be the last step before he presented his
blueprint to officials next Friday.
Ahtisaari is instructed to hold further talks with
Serbs and Albanians in coming weeks, but diplomats
have told Reuters this would be merely finetunning
details of the plan.
Eight years after NATO drove out Serb forces accused
of ethnic cleansing in Kosovo while fighting Albanian
separatists, Kosovo's Albanians demand nothing less
than full independence.
Belgrade is offering only far-reaching autonomy for a
territory it sees as the sacred cradle of the Serb
nation.
Diplomatic sources told Reuters this week the plan
would set Kosovo on the road to independence with
international supervision, giving it the right to
apply for membership of international organisations,
possibly including the U.N., the International
Monetary Fund and the World Bank.
They said it would provide for a right to dual
citizenship, and urge Pristina to establish good
relations with Serbia, but contain no reference to
Serbian sovereignty.

LONG COALITION TALKS

Russia's insistence on waiting for a new government in
Belgrade could mean a delay of weeks or months.
Last weekend's general election in Serbia failed to
produce a clear majority and parties were preparing
for lengthy coalition talks.
The... Radical Party won 28 percent of the vote but
could find no partner that would give it a majority.
The pro-Western Democratic Party came second and is
looking for a deal with the party of moderate
nationalist Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica and a
smaller liberal party.
Kostunica used increasingly hardline rhetoric during
his campaign and has said a common stance on Kosovo is
the key to a coalition deal. It is not clear how easy
it will be for him to agree with the Democrats on how
to handle the potential loss of the province.
Parties have until late May to agree on a coalition,
or a new election would have to be called.
After a meeting in Brussels, NATO, which keeps
16,000-plus peacekeepers in the province, also advised
against a delay.
"There was a strong sense around the table on the need
for a (U.N.) resolution as soon as possible," NATO
spokesman James Appathurai told reporters. "Long
delays risk a lack of clarity, risk fostering
instability," he added.
The alliance is on alert for ethnic tensions caused by
the report and wants to ensure it is not caught
napping by any new violence in Kosovo, as it was in
March 2004 during two days of rioting by ethnic
Albanian mobs.

(Additional reporting by Douglas Hamilton and Mark
John)


http://news.monstersandcritics.com/europe/news/article_1252100.php/NATO_backs_Ahtisaaris_Kosovo_plan

Deutsche Presse-Agentur - January 26, 2007

NATO backs Ahtisaari's Kosovo plan

Brussels - NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop
Scheffer on Friday underlined the 26-nation alliance's
backing for a Kosovo final status plan due to be
unveiled by Martti Ahtisaari, the United Nations
special envoy.
Scheffer said NATO would continue to play 'a full
role' in Kosovo after a settlement on the territory's
political future. There are currently 16,500 NATO
troops serving as peacekeepers in Kosovo.
Following a meeting of NATO foreign ministers in
Brussels, the alliance chief said Ahtisaari could
count on the full support of NATO governments.
He said the question of Kosovo's final status needed
to be resolved as swiftly as possible and called for
bolstering NATO and European Union cooperation in the
coming months.
'What is important is that after a settlement,
everybody knows what they are supposed to do,' said
Scheffer.
NATO troops have been in Kosovo since 1999 when they
fought a war with Serbia....

Since then, Kosovo has been under UN administration.
Ahtisaari on Friday presented his plan behind closed
doors in Vienna to the so-called 'contact group' on
Kosovo which includes the United States, Russia,
Britain, France, Germany and Italy.
The plan, which is due to be made public early next
month, is expected to give Kosovo a limited form of
independence. Serbia, which is backed by Russia,
firmly opposes an independent Kosovo as demanded by
Albanian Kosovars.


KOSOVO: AHTISAARI PRESENTA PIANO A GRUPPO CONTATTO

(ANSA) - VIENNA, 26 GEN - Il negoziatore dell'Onu Martti Ahtisaari
presenta oggi a Vienna ai rappresentanti del Gruppo di Contatto (Usa,
Russia, Germania, Gran Bretagna, Italia, Francia) il suo piano sul
futuro status del Kosovo, la provincia serba a maggioranza albanese
amministrata dal 1999 dall'Onu (Unmik). La riunione si tiene in un
luogo segreto e il piano non sara' ufficialmente reso pubblico. Le
proposte in esso contenute saranno consegnate oggi solo agli emissari
del Gruppo di Contatto (direttori degli uffici dell'Europa sud
orientale nei rispettivi ministeri degli esteri) per essere poi
presentate ufficialmente al pubblico il 2 febbraio dallo stesso
Ahtisaari. In tale data l'ex presidente finlandese presentera' il suo
piano per una soluzione del Kosovo a Belgrado e Pristina. Secondo
ipotesi che circolano a Vienna, il piano potrebbe prevedere una sorta
di indipendenza ''controllata'' o ''condizionata'' per il Kosovo. Dopo
la presentazione del piano sono previsti i commenti dalle due capitali
e non si escludono neanche ulteriori negoziati delle parti a Vienna.
Solo successivamente Ahtisaari presentera' le sue proposte definitive
sul futuro status del Kosovo al Consiglio di sicurezza dell'Onu. I
punti di vista sono diametralmente opposti: mentre Pristina vede
nell'indipendenza il solo principio accettabile, Belgrado insiste per
una permanenza del Kosovo nel suo terrotorio e offre in cambio
un'ampia autonomia. (ANSA). BUS
26/01/2007 12:01

KOSOVO: NATO; MINISTRI APPOGGIANO PIANO AHTISAARI

(ANSA) - BRUXELLES, 26 gen - I ministri degli Esteri della Nato hanno
appoggiato oggi all'unanimita' il piano che verra' presentato
dall'inviato speciale dell'Onu, Marrti Ahtisaari sullo statuto del
Kosovo. Lo ha dichiarato oggi il portavoce generale della Nato a
margine della riunione dei ministri degli Esteri dell'Alleanza in
corso a Bruxelles. I ministri ''hanno espresso un forte senso di
unita' nel sostenere la proposta di Ahtisaari'', ha dichiarato il
portavoce. A quanto si e' appreso, i ministri degli Esteri non hanno
discusso la proposta nel dettaglio, ''ma hanno espresso un appoggio
unanime ai contenuti del documento'', ha concluso.(ANSA). CB/ARS
26/01/2007 14:04

KOSOVO: GRUPPO CONTATTO, PIANO A FINE MARZO A CONSIGLIO ONU

(ANSA) - VIENNA, 26 GEN - Il piano per una soluzione giuridica dello
status del Kosovo, presentato oggi a Vienna dal negoziatore Onu sul
Kosovo, Martti Ahtisaari, ai rappresentanti del Gruppo di Contatto,
arrivera' a fine marzo all'attenzione del Consiglio di sicurezza delle
Nazioni Unite. ''E' una data realistica'', ha dichiarato in chiusura
dell' incontro il portavoce di Ahtisaari, Remy Dourlot. I colloqui nel
piu' importante organo dell'Onu potrebbero ''quindi cominciare dopo
qualche settimana, dopo la fine dei lavori di traduzione'', ha
aggiunto. L'incontro odierno si e' svolto a porte chiuse ed e' durato
un paio di ore. Successivamente Ahtisaari e il suo vice, il
diplomatico austriaco Albert Rohan, sono andati via, come del resto
preannunciato, senza illustrare il piano alla stampa. La consegna
ufficiale del piano alle parti Ahtisaari la fara' a Belgrado e
Pristina fra una settimana, il 2 febbraio. E' stato un ''incontro
regolare'', si e' limitaro a dire in un breve commento in chiusura
all'agenzia Apa. E' stato ''molto buono e positivo'', ha aggiunto
Rohan. (ANSA). BUS
26/01/2007 14:58

KOSOVO: PREMIER CEKU CONTRO PROPOSTA RINVIO RUSSA

(ANSA) - PRISTINA, 26 GEN - Il premier albanese del Kosovo Agim Ceku
si e' detto oggi contrario alla proposta avanzata dalla Russia
all'interno del Gruppo di Contatto di rinviare ogni decisione sullo
status della provincia fino alla formazione del nuovo governo a
Belgrado. ''Non c'e' la necessita' di nessun rinvio'' ha dichiarato
Ceku ai giornalisti. Secondo il premier anche gli altri paesi del
Gruppo di Contatto (di cui fa parte pure l'Italia) e che oggi hanno
ricevuto il piano presentato dal negoziatore Onu Martti Ahtisaari, gli
avrebbero in precedenza assicurato che non ci sarebbe stato nessun
ulteriore rinvio. La comunita' internazionale aveva promesso la
definizione dello status del Kosovo entro la fine del 2006, una data
poi fatta slittare per consentire lo svolgimento delle elezioni
politiche in Serbia, tenute lo scorso 21 gennaio. (ANSA) BLL-COR
26/01/2007 15:28

KOSOVO: PREMIER CEKU CONTRO PROPOSTA RINVIO RUSSA (2)

(ANSA) - PRISTINA, 26 GEN - ''Noi siamo pronti a presentare, difendere
e rispettare solo la volonta' del popolo del Kosovo - ha aggiunto il
premier Agim Ceku - quindi non c'e' nessuna ragione per rinviare il
processo e faremo di tutto perche' questo rinvio non avvenga''. Ceku
si e' invece rifiutato di commentare indiscrezioni di stampa trapelate
sin da ieri sul contenuto delle proposte del negoziatore Onu Martti
Ahtisaari, e che a parere di alcuni osservatori deluderebbero in parte
le aspettative degli albanesi per una immediata e piena indipendenza
del Kosovo. ''Noi dobbiamo aspettare il 2 febbraio quando riceveremo
direttamente dalle mani di Ahtisaari la proposta - ha commentato il
premier - e solo a quel punto potremo considerarla quella ufficiale.
Ma noi non abbiamo dubbi, e credo che nessuno possa avere dubbi, che
il Kosovo sara' indipendente, e non ho dubbi neppure che quando
Ahtisaari andra' davanti al Consiglio di sicurezza delle Nazioni
proporra' la nostra indipendenza''. (ANSA) BLL-COR
26/01/2007 16:51

KOSOVO: PIANO SULLO STATUS, ANTICIPAZIONI PUNTI PRINCIPALI

(ANSA-REUTERS) - VIENNA, 26 gen - L'inviato speciale dell'Onu Martti
Ahtisaari ha presentato oggi a Vienna al Gruppo di contatto il piano
sullo status del Kosovo. Di seguito i punti principali, a quanto
appreso dalla Reuters: - Il Kosovo avra' diritto a entrare nei
trattati internazionali e chiedere di fare parte di organizzazioni e
istituzioni internazionali, incluse potenzialmente le Nazioni Unite,
il Fondo Monetario Internazionale e la Banca Mondiale. - I Kosovari
avranno diritto alla 'doppia-cittadinanza' e si esorta Pristina a
stabilire buoni rapporti con la Serbia e gli altri Stati confinanti. -
Il Kosovo si prendera' la propria parte di beni economici, e debiti,
che erano della ex Yugoslavia e della Serbia. - I 100.000 serbi
rimasti in Kosovo avranno diritto ad un ampio auto-governo, a un
considerevole controllo sulla gestione della polizia locale e avranno
diritto ad alcuni legami diretti con Belgrado. - La Serbia potra'
finanziare le aree serbe, a patto che il denaro passi attraverso
Pristina. - I siti piu' antichi e di maggior pregio della religione
serbo ortodossa saranno protetti. - La NATO lascera' inalterato il
numero delle truppe, 16.500, fino al 2008. - Il piano, frutto di oltre
un anno di diplomazia e di dialogo serbo-albanese, necessita di una
nuova risoluzione Onu per entrare in vigore. Ahtisaari deve
assicurarsi l'appoggio del Gruppo di Contatto ( Usa, Gran Bretagna,
Francia, Italia, Germania e Russia) prima di renderlo
pubblico.(ANSA-REUTERS) I05
26/01/2007 17:33

KOSOVO: UE INCASSA NUOVO NO SERBO A INDIPENDENZA / ANSA

(ANSA) - BELGRADO, 26 GEN - No a ''qualsivoglia forma di indipendenza
... del Kosovo'' e nessun ''piano B'' oltre l'offerta di una sia pur
larga autonomia. Resta rigida, almeno nelle dichiarazioni ufficiali,
la posizione della Serbia sul futuro status della provincia
secessionista a maggioranza albanese del Kosovo, nel giorno della
presentazione a porte chiuse di un piano delineato dal mediatore
dell'Onu Martti Ahtisaari per cercare di superare l'impasse.
Consegnate a Vienna a rappresentanti dei Paesi del Gruppo di Contatto
per i Balcani (Usa, Russia, Francia, Germania, Gran Bretagna e
Italia), le proposte di Ahtisaari saranno rese pubbliche a Pristina e
a Belgrado solo il 2 febbraio. Ma le indiscrezioni che lo anticipano
come un esercizio di acrobazia diplomatica (laddove la prospettiva di
un Kosovo indipendente, per quanto a sovranita' limitata, viene
evocata senza essere menzionata esplicitamente) accendono gia'
reazioni. A Belgrado, per sondare la situazione a pochi giorni dalle
elezioni politiche serbe, e' giunta una delegazione europea composta
dai direttori degli affari politici dei dicasteri degli esteri tedesco
e portoghese e dal loro omologo nella Commissione di Bruxelles.
Delegazione che ha incontrato il presidente della repubblica, il
liberal-riformista Boris Tadic, e il premier uscente, il
nazional-centrista Vojislav Kostunica: i due protagonisti principali
delle consultazioni appena avviate per la formazione di un governo di
coalizione tra le forze moderate e dichiaratamente filo-europee finite
alle spalle dell'opposizione ultranazionalista del Partito radicale
nel voto di domenica, ma forti comunque di una teorica maggioranza
assoluta in parlamento a patto di allearsi e superare le rivalita'. A
tal proposito, Tadic ha rassicurato gli ospiti di voler fare ogni
sforzo per trovare le intese necessarie a dar vita a un esecutivo
deciso ''ad andare avanti nel cammino di integrazione euroatlantica''
intrapreso dalla Serbia del dopo-Milosevic. Ma resta il fatto che
anche questo ipotetico futuro governo non sembra destinato a
discostarsi dalla trincea di una strenua resistenza alle altrettanto
inflessibili pretese indipendentiste albanesi sullo spinoso dossier
kosovaro. Tanto piu' se, come appare inevitabile, restera' determinate
il ruolo del partito del coriaceo primo ministro in carica Kostunica,
convinto piu' che mai di poter contare sul sostegno russo in sede Onu.
Non e' un caso che proprio uno degli uomini piu' vicini al premier, il
ministro dell'economia, Predrag Bubalo, si sia affrettato ad avvertire
in queste stesse ore che non esiste alcun ''piano B'' in grado di
mettere in discussione la rivendicazione sull' inalienabilita' del
Kosovo - simbolo secolare dell' epos nazionale serbo - inserita in
tono solenne nel preambolo della Costituzione postjugoslava del 2006.
Un concetto ripreso in termini analoghi dalla nota ufficiale diffusa
dal ministero degli esteri di Belgrado a margine dei colloqui con la
troika: ''Qualsivoglia forma di indipendenza internazionale del Kosovo
imposta alla Serbia - vi si legge - costituirebbe una violenta
alterazione dei confini riconosciuti di uno Stato membro dell'Onu. E
anche un atto di violenza nei confronti della Carta delle Nazioni
Unite''. (ANSA). LR
26/01/2007 17:50

KOSOVO: GRUPPO CONTATTO, AHTISAARI PRESENTA PIANO/ANSA

(di Flaminia Bussotti) (ANSA) - VIENNA, 26 GEN - L'inviato speciale
delle Nazioni Unite per il Kosovo, l'ex presidente finlandese Martti
Ahtisaari, ha presentato oggi in una riunione a porte chiuse a Vienna
con il Gruppo di Contatto, il suo piano sullo statuto della provincia
meridionale serba a maggioranza albanese amministrata dal '99 dall'Onu
(Unmik). Nessuna dichiarazione ufficiale sul documento fino alla sua
presentazione formale fra una settimana, il 2 febbraio, quando
Ahtisaari lo illustrera' a Belgrado e a Pristina. Da indiscrezioni in
margine alla riunione di Vienna e' emerso pero' un generale consenso
da parte dei rappresentanti occidentali nel Gruppo di Contatto (Usa,
Gran Bretagna, Francia, Italia, Germania) mentre la Russia, che nel
negoziato fa l'avvocato della Serbia, preferirebbe aspettare
l'insediamento a Belgrado di un governo con pienezza di poteri.
L'ufficio del negoziatore Ahtisaari a Vienna (Unosek) ha confermato
tuttavia che il calendario non subira' ritardi a causa
dell'insediamento del nuovo governo in Serbia. Il portavoce Remi
Dourlot ha precisato che il prossimo passo sara' la consegna del
documento alle rispettive parti il 2 febbraio cui potranno seguire
nuovi round di negoziato a Vienna. A fine marzo, ha aggiunto, e'
''realistico prevedere'' che il documento sara' presentato al
Consiglio di sicurezza dell'Onu, dopodiche', qualche settimana dopo,
ultimati i lavori di traduzione, dovrebbero cominciare le
consultazioni per una risoluzione. Positiva anche l'accoglienza dei
ministri degli esteri della Nato durante una riunione oggi a
Bruxelles: il francese Philippe Douste-Blazy l'ha lodato perche'
''parte da un sano buon senso''. L'italiano Massimo D'Alema ha
auspicato da parte sua una soluzione negoziata per il Kosovo ammonendo
a non sottovalutare il rischio di una destabilizzazione dei Balcani.
Sempre secondo informazioni non confermate, il piano dovrebbe
prevedere per il futuro assetto giuridico del Kosovo una specie di
''indipendenza condizionata'' o ''supervisionata'' da parte della
comunita' internazionale. Una volta entrato in vigore il piano, la
presenza Unimik dovrebbe finire ed essere sostituita dall'Ue. Le
stesse indiscrezioni parlano della possibilita' di entrare negli
organismi internazionali, di una cittadinanza doppia per i kosovari e,
per converso, di un ampio auto-governo per i 100 mila servi rimasti in
Kosovo. Sul nodo dell'indipendenza le posizioni fra le parti sono
diametralmente opposte: mentre Pristina considera irrinunciabile il
principio dell'indipendenza, Belgrado lo respinge categoricamente e
propone in alternativa un'ampia autonomia. In dichiarazioni
all'agenzia Apa, l'ambasciatore all'Onu austriaco, e esperto dei
Balcani, Wolfgang Petritsch, ha detto che il piano di Ahtisaari
''mettera' in moto un processo che portera' alla fine nel lungo
periodo alla sovranita' e all'indipendenza del Kosovo''. In
dichiarazioni al termine dei colloqui a Vienna, durata circa due ore,
Ahtisaari si e' limitato a dire che si e' trattato di una ''riunione
regolare'' mentre il suo vice Albert Rohan ha partlato di ''un
incontro molto buono e positivo. ''E' stata una riunione difficile'',
ha dichiarato invece un diplomatico alla Reuters. Secondo la stessa
agenzia la Russia sarebbe ''molto scettica''. In prime reazioni alla
presentazione del piano, il premier serbo Vojislav Kostunica ha
annunciato che non ricevera' Ahtisaari quando lo presentera' il 2
febbraio a Belgrado: l'incontro non rientra nelle competenze del
governo uscente, ha fatto sapere riferendosi alle elezioni
parlamentari svoltesi domenica scorsa in Serbia. Il presidente serbo
Boris Tadic pare invece che ''probabilmente'' lo ricevera'. (ANSA). BUS
26/01/2007 18:36


http://www.focus-fen.net/?id=n104279

Focus News Agency (Bulgaria) - January 26, 2007

Division of Kosovo is Possible, But This Would Mean a
New War: Kosovo MP

Pristina - It is possible to achieve a division of
Kosovo, but this would mean a new war in Kosovo and in
the Balkans, Nain Hasani, from the Democratic Party of
Kosovo [KLA's Hashim Thaci], said in an interview for
Kosova Press.
According to the interview, Hasani has expressed doubt
that the final stature of Kosovo would be determined
in accordance to the will of the majority of people in
the area.


http://www.ft.com/cms/s/1bd7ea66-ac19-11db-a0ed-0000779e2340.html

Financial Times - January 27, 2007

Kosovo: it's not too late to reconsider partition
By Prof Margaret Blunden

Sir, Your editorial "Serbia's chance" (January 23)
suggests that if Serbia is to be persuaded to hold in
check hostility to the prospective independence of
Kosovo, it should be offered in return rapid progress
towards a European Union association deal and future
EU membership.
This alone is an inadequate, and possibly improper,
inducement to Belgrade to abandon the Serbs remaining
in the province, living in fortified enclaves and
separated from the Albanian majority by a wall of
hostility.
The tense political conditions in Kosovo offer no
serious prospects of creating an independent,
harmonious multi-ethnic state. It is not too late for
the international community to reconsider its
categoric opposition to partition. Northern Kosovo,
from the Ibar river to the boundary with Serbia
proper, about 15 per cent of the province and where
the majority of Serbs live, should be allowed to unite
with Serbia.
This is not merely an obvious, face-saving compromise
solution as far as Belgrade is concerned. It would
provide some justice for the much-abused Serbian
minority in Kosovo, avoid a further flood of refugees,
and minimise further bloodshed in an area determined
to retain its links with Belgrade.
Of course, partition would mean breaching the
principle of resisting the break-up of states along
ethnic lines, to which the international community
says it is committed. But then, so was allowing the
former Yugoslavia to disintegrate in the first place.

Margaret Blunden,
London W1G 9PW


http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-01/26/content_5659508.htm

Xinhua News Agency - January 26, 2007

Backgrounder: The status of Kosovo

BEIJING - Representatives from the United Nations
(U.N.) and the Contact Group members of Britain,
France, Germany, Italy, Russia and the United States
met on Friday in Vienna, to discuss the future status
of Serbia's breakaway province of Kosovo.

The following are some basic facts about Kosovo's
status:

Kosovo, with a population of 2 million people of which
more than 90 percent are ethnic Albanians and about 7
percent Serb, was a southern autonomous province
within Serbia before the breakup of the Federal
Republic of Yugoslavia. It was bordered by Albania and
Macedonia to the south.
Under the 1974 Yugoslav constitution, Kosovo enjoyed
autonomous province status within Serbia. The ethnic
Albanian majority, however, has been pursuing the
independence of Kosovo and resorting to violence.
In 1989, the Serbian authorities altered Kosovo's
status and removed its autonomy, igniting strong
opposition from ethnic Albanians. Tensions between
ethnic Albanians and ethnic Serbs were worsened.
In 1992, the Yugoslav Federation disintegrated. The
Serb-dominated Yugoslav parliament approved a
constitution for a new state comprising only Serbia
and Montenegro, and proclaimed the creation of the new
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.
Meanwhile, the Albanian majority in Kosovo announced
the founding of an independent "Kosovo Republic,"
which was not recognized by the international
community. Kosovo was sinking into the mire of
turbulence.
On March 24, 1999, without the approval of the United
Nations (U.N.), NATO launched airstrikes against the
Yugoslav Federation under the pretext of preventing a
"humanitarian crises" in the region, and the Kosovo
war erupted.
On June 9, 1999, Yugoslavia and NATO signed a military
technical agreement on the withdrawal of Serb troops
from Kosovo.
On June 20, NATO Secretary General Javier Solana
announced the formal end of NATO air strikes against
Yugoslavia. And Kosovo has been administered by the
U.N. ever since.
In 2003, the Yugoslav parliament passed a new
constitutional charter, dissolving Yugoslavia and
creating a country named "Serbia and Montenegro."
Serbia, however, hoped to retain sovereignty over
Kosovo while ethnic Albanians demanded its fully
independent status rather than the "maximum autonomy"
Serbian President Boris Tadic had proposed.
In November 2005, negotiations on the future status of
Kosovo were officially launched.
On Feb. 20, 2006, Serbs and Kosovo Albanians sat down
at the same table in Vienna for the first round of
talks on the future of Kosovo.
They have since held eight rounds of technical
discussions in Vienna, but made no substantive
progress due to their divisions on a wide range of
issues, including decentralization and measures to
protect the Serb minority's rights in Kosovo.


(4 -- fine)

From: r_rozoff
Subject: Serbian Elections: Nightmare For Kosovo Separatists And
Western Soulmates
Date: January 24, 2007 10:53:28 PM GMT+01:00


http://en.rian.ru/analysis/20070124/59639608.html

Russian Information Agency Novosti
January 24, 2007

Lessons of parliamentary elections in Serbia

Pyotr Iskanderov*


MOSCOW - Last Sunday's parliamentary elections in
Serbia were indicative in many respects. They cast a
new light on domestic political processes, prospects
of Kosovo settlement and the future of Serbia's
relations with the European Union (EU).

Moreover, they are bound to affect the destiny of
breakaway republics on post-Soviet territory.

Preliminary results of the voting suggest the first
conclusion - it was wrong to talk about voter apathy
in Serbia. Over 60% of eligible voters have turned up
at the polling stations - more than for elections held
in the past few years.

This fact not only attests to the Serbians' high
political activity but also shows that the elections
fairly and legitimately reflect the domestic
situation.

Secondly, two formerly influential forces - the
Socialist Party and the Serbian Renewal Movement (SPO)
- have actually left the political scene. The former
has barely passed a 5% threshold needed to win seats
in parliament. The latter has remained without a
faction in parliament, which is a heavy blow to SPO
leader and current Foreign Minister Vuk Draskovic.

Thirdly, the results of the elections are particularly
alarming for the West. The Serbian Radical Party (SRS)
is still the leading political force in the country.
Its leader Vojislav Seselj has been on trial in the
Hague since February 2003.

It is an open secret that in the past few months, the
West was doing all it could to secure success in the
elections for the loyal parties, first and foremost,
the Democratic Party (DP) headed by the current
President Boris Tadic. UN envoy for Kosovo Martti
Ahtisaari even broke his promise to resolve the Kosovo
problem by the end of 2006.

He delayed the publication of his plan till late
January to prevent the Serbian authorities from having
to choose between Kosovo and European integration.

But this tactic has failed, and in preliminary
estimates the DP has received less than 23% votes,
which is a clear setback considering powerful
propaganda support for its campaign at home and
abroad.

As a result, the parliamentary majority will go to the
fierce opponents of Kosovo's separation from Serbia.

Unlike Boris Tadic, who called on the Serbian voters
to accept Kosovo's potential loss, even his colleague
in the democratic camp, DP leader Vojislav Kostunica,
promised to do all he could against Kosovo's
cessation, and actually sided with the radicals on
this score.

The Socialists, an opposition party, are most likely
to vote against the Ahtisaari plan, all the more so if
it is brought to parliament by the much-hated
President Tadic.

The DP and the other emphatically pro-Western party of
Liberal Democrats (LDP), which has been elected to
parliament, will not have enough votes to let it
approve Kosovo's independence.

Moreover, it may happen that the forces united under
the democratic opposition banner since the times of
Milosevic will not be able to form a valid government.

Despite a relative setback of his party, Vojislav
Kostunica is not going to give up his premiership to a
DP candidate and will need SRS support for this.

A vague situation and political bargaining may last
for three months (this is the term assigned by the
Serbian constitution for the government's formation)
and eventually lead to parliament's dissolution and
new elections, at which the voters, disappointed over
the squabble among the Democrats, are most likely to
give even more support to the opposition Radicals.

To sum up, the Sunday elections in Serbia have
increased the likelihood of a scenario that has been a
nightmare for the Kosovo separatists and their Western
soulmates for a long time.

If the Serbian parliament refuses to recognize
Kosovo's independence, its cessation can only be
imposed on Belgrade by force. This is exactly the case
against which President Vladimir Putin has warned more
than once. He is firmly resolved not to allow the UN
Security Council to pass a decision on Kosovo that
would be unacceptable for Belgrade. It is clear what
he meant as the head of a state with the right to veto
in the UN Security Council.

The leaders of the breakaway republics on post-Soviet
territory should draw their own conclusion from the
elections in Serbia. I think they will become even
more disappointed with the ability of the Western
leaders and international officials to exert effective
influence on the domestic situation in foreign
countries.

Consolidation of the supporters of united Serbia may
provide only a scant relief to Chisinau and Tbilisi.
{Moldova and Georgia]

The Serbians' resolve to determine the destiny of
their country without any outside interference fully
conforms to the aspirations of breakaway republics.

Hence, the idea of national self-determination will
receive a new impetus in Transdnestr, Abkhazia and
South Ossetia.

*Pyotr Iskanderov, Institute of Slavic Studies at the
Russian Academy of Sciences.


SOURCE:

Stop NATO - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/stopnato

Yugoslaviainfo - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/yugoslaviainfo