(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)
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)