Agence France Presse February 10, 2007 16:54 GMT
Belgrade ready for compromise but warn against independence
VIENNA, Feb 10, 2007 (AFP) -
Belgrade will accept a compromise solution on the future
status of Kosovo but would regard full independence as a
"gross violation" of a UN charter, a senior Serbian aide said
Saturday.
"We insist only on respect for the current frontiers (of
Serbia)," Vladeta Jankovic, a close advisor to Serbian Prime
Minister Vojislav Kostunica, told the Austrian newspaper
Standard.
"Concerning the degree of autonomy for Kosovo, we are ready to
reach a full compromise. Albanians should have absolute
power," he said.
However Jankovic said that independence for the province's
Albanians would be "a gross violation of the UN charter and
Resolution 1244 (adopted in 1999), which recognised Kosovo as
part of Serbia."
Serb and Kosovan leaders have been told they must resume
negotiations on February 21 in Vienna after the UN on Friday
granted an eight-day postponement to allow Serbian President
Boris Tadic time to organise a new parliament.
Kosovo has been under UN administration since 1999, after a
NATO bombing campaign put an end to a crackdown by Serbian
forces against the ethnic Albanians, who comprise around 90
percent of the province's two million people.
The Albanians seek independence from Serbia, which Belgrade
vehemently opposes.
A recently drafted plan by UN mediator Martti Ahtisaari offers
Kosovo self-governance, a constitution, anthem and flag, as
well as the right to join international organisations.
Although it does not mention independence many see the plan as
leading to the Albanians' separation from Serbia.
"We will be ready to fully accept (the plan), except a UN base
and army" in Kosovo, said Jankovic.
Belgrade he said would "even be ready to accept a compromise
solution which is time limited and renegotiable."
Copyright Agence France-Presse, 2007 All reproduction and
presentation rights reserved.
===============
Group Moderator: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
page at http://magazine.sorabia.net
for more informations about current situation in Serbia http://www.sorabia.net
Slusajte GLAS SORABIJE nas talk internet-radio (Serbian Only)
http://radio.sorabia.net
Yahoo! Groups Links
<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sorabia/
<*> Your email settings:
Individual Email | Traditional
<*> To change settings online go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sorabia/join
(Yahoo! ID required)
<*> To change settings via email:
mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
