PanARMENIAN.Net

UN special envoy submitted Kosovo settlement plan
02.02.2007 14:38 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Kosovo will be allowed to separate from Serbia and
use its own national symbols under proposals to end its limbo status
drawn up by the UN’s special envoy. Martti Ahtisaari’s plan does not
mention the word "independence", but that is virtually what is on
offer, Western diplomats said. Mr Ahtisaari is in Belgrade presenting
his proposals to Serbian officials.

The UN has administered Kosovo since a Nato bombing campaign forced
Serbian troops to withdraw in 1999. Talks to determine Kosovo’s final
status have been continuing for years without the two sides coming to
agreement. Ethnic Albanians make up 90% of the province’s two million
people.

According to the United Nations, more than 220,000 non-Albanian
Kosovars are living as internally displaced refugees in Serbia and
Montenegro. The ethnic Albanian majority overwhelmingly want to break
away from Serbia. But Serbs regard the province – which is still
officially part of Serbia – as the cradle of their culture, and oppose
any solution that would lead to its independence.

Mr Ahtisaari’s plan, however, amounts to "independence, subject to
international supervision", said one Western diplomat, who wished to
remain unnamed. Kosovo would be allowed its own national symbols,
including a flag and anthem, and to apply for membership of
international organisations like the United Nations.

It would not be unconditional independence, however. An
"international community representative" would be appointed, with
powers to intervene if Kosovo tries to go further than the plan
allows, while Nato and EU forces would remain in military and policing
roles. Kosovo could not be partitioned between Serbian and ethnic
Albanian areas, nor would Kosovo be allowed to join any other state –
implicitly ruling out the creation of a "greater Albania", reports the
BBC.