http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2007-06-20-kosovo_N.htm?csp=34 *Russia rejects U.N. Kosovo resolution*
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Russia immediately rejected a revised U.N. resolution introduced Wednesday that would delay internationally supervised independence for Kosovo to give the province's majority ethnic Albanians and minority Serbs more time to agree on its future status. The new text, drafted by European Union nations and the United States, would give the two sides four months to reach an agreement. It states that the resolution's provisions, which lead to full independence, will take effect after 120 days "unless the Security Council expressly decides otherwise after conducting an evaluation." The original text would have endorsed independence under international supervision without delay. Russian U.N. Ambassador Vitaly Churkin rejected the new draft as "unacceptable." The new formula "is not going to provide sufficient incentive for the two parties to negotiate seriously" and undercuts the Security Council's responsibility because it would make a decision now on something that will be happening in four months, he said. While Kosovo remains a province of Serbia, it has been under U.N. and NATO administration since a 78-day NATO-led air war that halted a Serb crackdown on ethnic Albanian separatists in 1999. In April, U.N. envoy Martti Ahtisaari recommended that Kosovo be granted internationally supervised independence — a proposal strongly supported by its ethnic Albanians who comprise 90% of the 2 million population but vehemently rejected by its Serb minority, Serbia, and Russia. Under the proposed resolution, U.N. administration of Kosovo would end 120 days after its provisions took effect, and the European Union would take over the province's supervised transition to independence. NATO-led troops would remain to help ensure security and an international civilian representative would oversee the transition. U.S. Deputy Ambassador Alejandro Wolff said the revised text was introduced at a Security Council meeting where Britain and France explained the new elements, "underscoring the importance of the implementation of the Ahtisaari plan, and the expectation that this would result in Kosovo's independence." He said there will probably be consultations on the new draft and the co-sponsors would be deciding "when to move forward" with a vote. Several council diplomats said they do not expect any council action until after the July 2 meeting between U.S. President George W. Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Kennebunkport, Maine. Britain's Deputy U.N. Ambassador Karen Pierce urged the Russians to engage in negotiations. But Churkin said he didn't envision Russia's participation in discussions until the "difference of principle" is overcome. Churkin said he reminded council members that the elements for a rival Security Council resolution that he circulated last month were still on the table. They called for additional talks and stepped-up efforts by Kosovo to meet U.N.-endorsed standards, including protecting minorities and ensuring that Serbs who were forced to flee their homes can return to Kosovo. The new text urges U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon or his representative "to immediately convoke the parties to continue final status negotiations within the 120-day period following adoption of the resolution." It also demands that parties "refrain from making any unilateral declarations regarding final status during that period," an apparent response to rumors that Kosovo Albanians might declare independence if the council didn't act quickly. The draft says the Security Council's evaluation of the negotiations will be made "on the basis of a report by the secretary-general or his representatives." The resolution's backers stress that Kosovo's status must be resolved, and the new text adds a statement "acknowledging that the status quo in Kosovo is not sustainable." But the new draft makes some significant changes to address Russian concerns. The original text would endorse the provisions in Ahtisaari's proposal, which Moscow objected to, while the new text simply expresses appreciation to him. The new draft urges the secretary-general to appoint a new special envoy quickly to report on the situation concerning refugees, internationally displaced people in the region, and missing persons It also urges the international civilian representative when making a determination to end his mandate "to consider carefully Kosovo's achievement of internationally endorsed standards, progress on creating the conditions in which displaced persons can return, resolution of the fate of missing persons, promotion of a spirit of interethnic reconciliation, protection of the rights, security and culture of ethnic minorities and other criteria." The new draft also "demands" — rather than "underscores" — that Kosovo comply fully with obligations in the Ahtisaari plan that Kosovo's parliament overwhelmingly endorsed on April 5, particularly the provisions on human rights and the rights of minorities. Both Russia and China are concerned that having the Security Council grant independence to a province of a sovereign country would set a dangerous precedent. The Americans and Europeans insist Kosovo is "a special case" because of Yugoslavia's violent breakup. /Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. /
