International Radio Serbia -- REACTIONS on Kosovo Secession Trans-Dniester Region Foreign Ministry: Precedent created <http://glassrbije.org/E/index2.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1615&pop=1&page=0&Itemid=26>
February 19, 2008 The Foreign Ministry of non-recognized Trans-Dniester Region, broken away from Moldavia, requested soonest possible recognition of its independence, underlining that proclamation and recognition of Kosmet created precedent for resolution of similar conflicts. Proclamation of Kosmet independence and recognition that followed have principled importance, as they form a new model for resolution of conflicts based on priority of the right of a nation to self-determination, the communiqué reads. Trans-Dniester Region believes that the model should apply to all conflicts with similar political, legal and economic grounds. Ivanov: Kosmet – precedent, international law falling down <http://glassrbije.org/E/index2.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1611&pop=1&page=0&Itemid=26> February 19, 2008 Proclamation of Kosmet’s independence has a character of precedent which destroys the entire system of international law, stated First Deputy of the Russian Prime Minister, Sergey Ivanov. He underlined that declaration of the Kosmet independence is opening Pandora’s box and that the chain reaction is to follow, as other non-recognized territories will also request recognition. Ivanov stated Abkhazia as an example that proclaimed independence from Georgia after the armed conflict. Basesku: Romania closing diplomatic office in Pristina <http://glassrbije.org/E/index2.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1610&pop=1&page=0&Itemid=26> February 19, 2008 The Romanian diplomatic office in Pristina will be closed, since Romania refuses to recognize unilaterally proclaimed independence of the southern Serbian province of Kosmet, stated Romanian President Trajan Basesku. He stated that Romania will not interfere in building of Kosmet’s institutions and that the presence of the Romanian gendarmerie in the Province falls under the UN Resolution. Ban Ki-moon: Recognition of independence – matter of individual states <http://glassrbije.org/E/index2.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1609&pop=1&page=0&Itemid=26> February 19, 2008 After the SC session on Kosmet, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon stated that recognition of proclaimed independence of Kosmet is the matter of individual states, rather than of the UN Secretariat. Recognition of states is a matter of states and not of the UN Secretary General, Ban responded to a question whether he would request of UNMIK Head to disband the Kosmet Assembly as requested by Serbian President Boris Tadic. Ban Ki-moon did not want to comment legality of unilaterally proclaimed independence of Kosmet, but he reiterated that future actions will be in accordance with Resolution 1244. SC remains divided regarding Kosmet issue <http://glassrbije.org/E/index2.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1608&pop=1&page=0&Itemid=26> February 19, 2008 Last night the UN SC held the session convened because of unilateral proclamation of Kosmet’s independence, and the debate following the address of Serbian President Boris Tadic showed that the highest UN body is deeply divided in this respect. Unilateral proclamation of Kosmet’s independence is an illegal act that represents violation of the entire international order that was built for years, Russian Ambassador Vitally Churkin stated at the session and requested annulment of the act. He emphasized that Russia believes that Resolution 1244 is still effective and that Moscow requests that UNMIK Head declares independence invalid, as the illegal act of Pristina represents a dangerous precedent and threatens with escalation of inter-ethnic violence. The Russian diplomat reiterated that the EU mission is also not in accordance with Resolution 1244. Chinese Ambassador with the UN Li Vang Gvangja expressed Beijing’s concern over illegal decision on proclamation of Kosmet’s independence and called for negotiations to continue within Resolution 1244 in order to find a mutually acceptable solution. On the other hand, US Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad assessed that proclamation of Kosmet’s independence is a legitimate reaction to failure to find a solution through negotiations. A similar stance was presented by ambassadors of the UK, France, Belgium, and Italy. Vietnamese Ambassador with the UN Bui The Giang expressed concern over unilateral proclamation of Kosmet’s independence, while his colleague from South Africa Dumisani Kumalo stressed that his country supports the principle of territorial integrity and warned that Kosmet’s unilateral move will have serious consequences on the international plan.
