http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-02/23/content_7651035.htm
XINHUA (CHINA) More countries respond to Kosovo's declaration of independence 2008-02-23 00:50:26 BEIJING, Feb. 22 (Xinhua) -- Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence from Serbia on Sunday has sparked worldwide repercussions, with Venezuela and Denmark being the latest nations to declare their positions. On Thursday, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said his country would not recognize Kosovo's independence, terming Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence "served to split the sovereign nations in the Balkans." He also asked the United Nations not to recognize Kosovo's independence for it could trigger violence in the Balkans. "These actions could have triggered massive violence in the Balkans, a region that has suffered many wars," said Chavez, adding that the U.S. government is held responsible for what happened in Kosovo. On the same day, Danish Foreign Minister Per Stig Moller said his country would recognize Kosovo's independence, the Danish news agency Ritzau reported. Serbian Ambassador to Norway Vladislav Mladenovic announced Thursday that once Norway formally recognizes Kosovo's independence, he would be recalled by his government in protest of such move. Kosovo, a breakaway province of Serbia, has been under UN administration since 1999. The ethnic Albanian-dominated Kosovo unilaterally declared its independence from Serbia on Feb. 17. Belgrade has said the proclamation is null and void.
