Kosovo: Clinton calls independence 'irreversible'
Pristina, 13 Oct. (AKI) - US secretary of state Hillary Clinton told Kosovo Albanian leaders on Wednesday that Kosovo independence was irreversible and there would be no more talks on its status. Ending her Balkans tour, after visits to Sarajevo and Belgrade, Clinton talked to Kosovo prime minister Hasim Thaci and acting president Jakup Krasnici in Pristina and promised US support in dialogue with Belgrade. “Some issues, like status, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Kosovo will not be discussed,” she added. Kosovo's fate has been sealed by the opinion of the International Court of Justice, which ruled last July that Kosovo declaration of independence wasn’t contrary to international law, she added. Serbia opposes Kosovo independence, but pro-European president Boris Tadic has said he was willing to talk to Kosovo leaders on all issues of vital interest for the people there. But Clinton told Tadic and Thaci that the talks will not include status and territorial issues. The United States supported Kosovo's drive toward independence drive that was declared in February 2008. More than seventy countries, including 22 European Union members, have recognized the Pristina government. In talks with Tadic in Belgrade on Tuesday, Clinton said Washington would lend its support to Serbia and Kosovo in their drive for EU membership. She said the talks between Belgrade and Pristina should start as soon as possible and “would have positive effects on the relations between the US and Serbia”. Tadic concurred, saying that “only through dialogue we can resolve historical problems which date back 150 years”. http://www.adnkronos.com/AKI/English/Politics/?id=3.1.1100836331
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