KOSOVO LEADERS PLEDGE RESPECT FOR SERB MINORITY

PanARMENIAN.Net
13.03.2008 13:55 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Members of the U.S. Congress say the leaders of
newly-independent Kosovo, as well as the country’s Serbian minority
and the government in Serbia, must work to ensure ethnic tolerance
and protection.

Lawmakers are concerned both that the Kosovo government follows
through with commitments it has made to protect ethnic minorities,
and that Serbia pursue a course that will not encourage unrest.

U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Daniel Fried said recognition of
Kosovo was an exception to the rule of discouraging secession.

He described Kosovo’s leadership as focused on building its new
country, and committed to protecting Serbian rights. "I can report
to you that the Kosovo leaders with whom I met conveyed to me their
intention to see that U.N. special envoy on Kosovo Martti Ahtissari’s
provisions, including the rights and privileges for the Serb community
in Kosovo, are respected," he said.

Fried said U.S. and international financial support for Kosovo’s
economy will be crucial adding that ensuring peace in the new country
will be, in his words, a long term challenge.

He said he has no reason to believe that Serbs will engage in what
he called the most provocative behaviors, adding the hope that the
parliamentary election campaign in Serbia will be about its future
in Europe rather than self-isolation, the VOA reports.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress