December 21, 2005

KiM Info Newsletter 21-12-05

Boris Tadic: "In Kosovo, Each One Will Have To Make Concessions"

20 Dec (Le Figaro)

Tadics Interview for the French Le Figaro.

LF You will require the creation of an autonomous entity for the Serbs of Kosovo?

Tadic Of course. This claim is in conformity with the European principles and the plan of decentralization subjected to the United Nations. It is a question of creating new municipalities where the Serbs will be in a majority and where they will be able to have access to education, health, justice and safety. In each one of these fields, it will be necessary to visualize an institutional mechanism allowing the bonds with Belgrade.

LF Which are your other requirements for Kosovo?

Tadic All the speakers insist much on the statute of Kosovo, but are hardly worried about the living conditions of its inhabitants. It is however most significant! It is necessary that they profit from the European standards and in particular from the freedom of circulation, which is absolutely not the case today.

It will be necessary to ensure the economic development of Kosovo, which must have access to the international financial institutions. On the other hand, Kosovo will not be able to have a seat in the United Nations or to have of an army and an independent defense.

Serbia does not claim to manage the life of the Albanians in Kosovo and recognizes their legitimate rights, but it cannot give up the institutional relationship with the Serb ones living in Kosovo and the defense of its cultural inheritance. Generally, no part with the negotiations can claim to obtain all that she wants. Each one will have to make concessions.

LF By asking autonomy for the Serbs of Kosovo, do you exclude a partition?

Tadic Yes, absolutely. Kosovo must preserve its territorial integrity. It must have institutions allowing all the citizens who are not Albanian nationality to defend their interests while living in Kosovo.

LF What do you think of the idea of a conditional independence?

Tadic This idea implies independence. With a deferment, perhaps. But this independence will lead inescapably to a unification of Kosovo with Albania. We cannot close the eyes in front of such a foreseeable exit.

LF Certain Serb would be ready to accept the independence of Kosovo provided that the Republic of Serbs of Bosnia is annexed in Serbia. What do you answer them?

Tadic I answer them that, if the right to self-determination is recognized to the Albanians of Kosovo, there is no reason that this right is not recognized elsewhere in the area.

However, I am opposed to the partition of Bosnia-Herzegovina because I am against the parceling out of the area. It is besides the reason for which I am opposed to the partition of Serbia-Montenegro.

I would point out to you finally that the independence of Kosovo would mean partition of Serbia and would also contribute to the parceling out of the area.

LF Do you fear that the international pressure leads the government of Mr. Kostunica to break the negotiations on Kosovo?

Tadic No, I do not think that that will arrive. I rely on his direction of the responsibilities.

LF In Montenegro, a referendum envisaged next spring is extremely likely to approve independence, putting an end to a "Serbia-Montenegro Union" which never really shaped. How Belgrade Will It React?

Tadic Serbia has crucial interests within the framework of the Union with Montenegro, which it is of the property or safety. This Union could be very effective if there was a political good-will. In my capacity as president de Serbia, I can ensure you that Serbia and Montenegro will always have privileged relations, whatever the result of the referendum.

LF Would it be possible to solve the problem of Kosovo by forming a confederation of three States with Serbia and Montenegro?

Tadic I do not believe.

LF Taking into account the reserves, in particular in France, that known quote future widening E the European Union, which help do await you Europe?

Tadic I am very conscious of skepticism concerning future widening. If we engage the reforms necessary to our adhesion, envisaged in 2012 or 2013, it is because it is in our own interest to adopt the European system of values. It is also in the interest of the EU and we hope on the support of the European institutions to conclude these reforms.

LF After the arrest in Spain of the Croatian General Ante Gotovina and his appearance before the international Court of The Hague, how to justify that Ratko Mladic and Radovan Karadzic always do run?

Tadic It is very difficult to know where they are. I fear that they are not in Serbia. In this case, their arrest does not depend on us. The same applies to the co-operation with the TPI as for the reforms: we will not cooperate with the TPI to give pleasure with the others but because it is in our own interest.

All the culprits must answer in front of justice; it is the best way for us of preserving the memory of our own victims which were most throughout century last. It is the best way also of fighting for new values.

Do Not Experiment with Borders on the Balkans - Kostunica

During his two-day visit to Bulgaria, Prime Minister of the Republic of Serbia Vojislav Kostunica (R) held talks with his Bulgarian counterpart Sergey Stanishev (L) and also with President Georgi Parvanov. Photo by Yuliana Nikolova (Sofia News Agency)

Kostunica with Bulgarian President Parvenov

SOFIA NEWS AGENCY (BULGARIA)

There is no good to experiment with the borders on the Balkans, as it might open the way of a dangerous adventure, Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica said in Sofia.

After meeting with his Bulgarian counterpart Sergey Stanishev, Kostunica stated Belgrade will advocate for "an enlarged autonomy of Kosovo" and warned that otherwise it could create a precedent to affect the stability of the region.

Bulgarian Prime Minister Sergey Stanishev called for direct talks between Belgrade and Pristina on the future status of Kosovo.

During the two-day visit of Kostunica to Bulgaria, the heads of Bulgarian and Serbian governments opened the railway route Dragoman-Kalotina, connecting the two neighbouring countries.

"I am extremely satisfied with the active political dialogue between Bulgaria and Serbia in the past years," Bulgarian President Georgi Parvanov said at the beginning of his meeting with Kostunica on Monday.

In the words of Kostunica the national minorities should be a bridge between the two neighboring countries. He explained that the government will do what is necessary in order to overcome the technical obstacles for providing conditions for Bulgarians in Bosilegrad to study their mother language in schools.

Bosilegrad is a Serbian town located few kilometers away from the western Bulgarian border where a considerably large Bulgarian minority lives.

Kostunica and Stanishev also discussed the interest of Bulgarian companies to invest in Serbia. "The economic relations between our countries should be at a higher level. They should reach the political relations, which are very well developed," Kostunica noted.

According to Bulgarian premier, the two countries need better infrastructure in order to facilitate and promote the economic relations between the two countries. Stanishev highlighted as a priority for the country - and of their bilateral relations - the Pan-European corridor No. 7 running through Sofia-Nis-Beograd.

French president meets Serbian leader, urges 'spirit of dialogue' over Kosovo

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Released : Dec 19, 2005 4:56 PM

PARIS-France's president called on parties to U.N.-sponsored talks on Kosovo to enter negotiations "without any preconception" and in a spirit of dialogue.

Jacques Chirac, after meeting with Serbian President Boris Tadic in Paris, also urged cooperation in tracking down two top suspects wanted by the U.N.

court in The Hague, Netherlands, Bosnian Serb wartime commander Ratko Mladic and political leader Radovan Karadzic.

The French leader offered "his support to democratic forces in Serbia and Montenegro, the only ones in a position of helping Serbia move closer to Europe," Chirac spokesman Jerome Bonnafont said.

U.N.-mediated talks on Kosovo's future status are expected to formally begin next month. Serbia wants to keep at least formal control while the province's ethnic Albanians insist on gaining independence.

Chirac urged the two sides to "engage in this negotiation without any preconception about how it will end," according to the presidential spokesman.

Although still officially part of Serbia-Montenegro, the United Nations has administered Kosovo since a NATO bombing campaign in 1999 halted a Serbian crackdown on independence-seeking ethnic Albanians.

Tadic, in an interview with Le Figaro daily published Monday, warned of the "dangers" of an independent Kosovo, which could cause Serbs to flee the province.

He added that Serbia does not want to run the lives of Albanians and recognizes their "legitimate rights," and called for all sides to make concessions during the negotiations.

"No party to the talks can expect to obtain everything it wants," Tadic was quoted as saying.

Tadic and Ulrich: Belgrade-NATO Cooperation Essential for Kosovo Status Talks

Tanjug, December 19, 2005

The commander of NATO's joint forces in Naples, US Admiral Harry G. Ulrich III, who met with Serbian President Boris Tadic in Belgrade yesterday, expressed confidence that the situation in Kosovo would fully improve through cooperation between NATO and Serbia & Montenegro (SCG) and, underlying that regional stability, cooperation, economic development and the coexistence of different cultures in Kosovo were in the interest of all sides, he stressed the necessity to complete the fulfillment of standards in the province.

Tadic agreed that Belgrades full and efficient cooperation with NATO and KFOR was of essential importance for a successful completion of the negotiations on Kosovo and stability in the region.

Tadic and Adm. Ulrich in Belgrade

Ulrich In Belgrade

Belgrade, 19 Dec (B92)

After meeting the military leadership and the Serbian president, NATO commander Harry Ulrich will talk to Foreign Affairs Minister Vuk Draskovic.

Ulrich believes the situation in Kosovo will improve with the co-operation of SCG and NATO, but until then a lot has to be done, he said. Ulrich and Tadic said they had full confidence in the 17,000 KFOR soldiers securing the peace in Kosovo. We have to attain regional stability, work on building partnership and on economic development, and we have to allow all the cultural and religious differences between people to surface and let them act of their own free will. President Tadic and I share similar concerns and hopes regarding stability and peace in the region, Ulrich said.

Tadic said that full and most efficient possible co-operation with NATO and KFOR in Kosovo are crucial for bringing the Kosovo status negotiations to a point that is acceptable to both sides, so that their result is stability and a good perspective for the region, not only Serbia and not just Serbs or Albanians.

'There will be painful topics in negotiations over future Kosovo and Metohija status. However, peace and stability in the region and protection of all citizens and their cultural heritage have to be results of these negotiations', Serbia President Boris Tadic said.

'KFOR and NATO are key guarantee for the security of Serbs in KiM. We shall do everything to prevent violence in the province and that is why our telephone lines shall be opened 24 hours a day', Tadic said.

Ulrich said that Kosovo institutions would have to continue fulfilling standards requested by the international community concurrently with the start of negotiations. It is important that all sides support the process of finding a solution for the status of Kosovo and work together in order to make the living conditions of people in Kosovo better. Progress in attaining the standards require co-operation has to continue, because the future status on Kosovo will be developed on the basis of the full implementation of these standards, Ulrich said.

Ulrich also met with the SCG Minister of Defense and his deputy, Zoran Stankovic and Vukasin Maras, and with Army Chief of Staff Ljubisa Jokic, with whom he talked about security issues in Kosovo and Southern Serbia, advancing co-operation between SCG Army and KFOR and matters pertaining to developing co-operation with NATO.

After Meeting with Vuk Drashkovic, the Serbia and Montenegro chief of diplomacy, Ulrich repeated NATO stands ready in providing safety for all living in Kosovo, and that 17th of March cannot repeat.

Draskovic stated he supported the idea of NATO opening a liaison office in Belgrade.

Serbia wants broad-reaching autonomy for Kosovo

SOFIA, Bulgaria (AP)

Kosovo needs broad-reaching autonomy and better protection of minorities, Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica said Monday, but confirmed Belgrade's readiness to seek a compromise with Kosovo's ethnic Albanians.

"The Kosovo issue must be solved by (granting it) broad autonomy ... and not by drawing new borderlines, which create precedents and divide people,'' Kostunica told reporters in Sofia after meeting Bulgarian Prime Minister Sergei Stanishev. "Kosovo needs better protection of all minorities and more powers for the local authorities.''

Kostunica reaffirmed Serbia's readiness ``to find a solution for Kosovo through negotiations, by reaching a mutually acceptable ... compromise.''

The U.N.-mediated talks on Kosovo's future status are expected to formally begin in January.

Although still officially a province of Serbia-Montenegro, the United Nations has administered Kosovo since a 1999 NATO bombing campaign halted the Serbian crackdown on independence-seeking ethnic Albanians.

Serbia wants to retain at least formal control over Kosovo in the future while the province's ethnic Albanians insist on gaining independence.

Bulgaria has said it will agree with any deal that would be mutually acceptable for Serbia-Montenegro and the ethnic Albanians in Kosovo.

On Monday, however, Stanishev appeared to agree with Kostunica that changing state borders would be a step back.

"This sensitive issue should be solved in a way that would bring stability for the whole region, instead of taking us back to the past by creating new division lines,'' Stanishev said.

He also said that international presence, including that of the NATO-led peacekeeping force, KFOR, was still essential for Kosovo's security and stability.

Batakovic: Wrong Message To Serbs And Albanians

Belgrade, Pristina, 19 Dec. (Danas daily, Belgrade)

During last weekend UNMIK and Kosovo interim government announced that it will officially form two new ministries ministry of interior and justice, today. Dusan T. Batakovic member of Belgrade negotiation team and councilor of Serbian president thinks this is a decision which does not have foundation in progress and implementation of the standards.
Taking into consideration fragile security situation, without visible progress since March atrocities last year, lack of freedom of movement for Serbs, increasing danger of attacks on Serbian community, appearance of armed terrorist groups, more logical solution would be increased UNMIK actions on enhancement of very concerning security conditions and complete outlaw attitude towards owners rights of usurped Serbian private and state property. This is wrong message to Albanians, whos interim institutions did not earned such trust measured with their work so far, and to Serbs, whos interests are deliberately neglected with this decision, stated to Danas Dusan T. Batakovic.

Marko Jaksic, member of state team for talks about future status of Kosovo and President of Serbian communities I Kosovo and Metohija, said to Danas that UNMIK with this decision to pass its authorizations to Kosovo Albanians prejudge status of the province and makes independent state of Kosovo and Metohija.

UNMIK decision denies Kai Eides report, UN Special Envoy for estimation of standards implementation, who estimated current security situation in Kosovo and judicial system as bad. Recently OSCE published their report and that organization estimated current situation in Kosovo judicial system as bad. Question is whos directives Petersen carries out, notes Jaksic.

Rada Trajkovic Vice-President of Serbian National Council of Kosovo and Metohija explains that today should start forming base of new ministries, which will take a year and will be under supervision of international community. According to Mrs. Trajkovic, decision was brought by Legal Office of Security Council in New York, although last OSCE report on Kosovo states that Kosovo Albanians do not have institutional capacity. I expect that Belgrade negotiation team, who is fighting for Kosovo and Metohija, will find a way during talks to transfer authorizations of those ministries to Serbian authorities. On the other hand, I think that our state already closed military sections for Kosovo an Metohija, which means giving up from return of the army in the province, have to fight to keep air space over Kosovo and Metohija and demand satellite surveillance of the territory in agreement with NATO, says Rada Trajkovic.

Rice appoints former ambassador as envoy to Kosovo talks

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Released : Dec 19, 2005 9:15 PM

WASHINGTON-A former ambassador to India and Egypt is to become Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice's special representative to international talks over the status of Kosovo, currently patrolled by NATO-led peacekeepers, officially is a province of Serbia-Montenegro.

Rice said Monday she will appoint Frank G. Wisner for the negotiations.

Besides Egypt and India, Wisner has been ambassador to Zambia and the Philippines. The Kosovo

"Wisner will provide American support to the lead international negotiator, U.N. Special Envoy Martti Ahtisaari, in his efforts to bring together Serbian and Kosovar leaders for discussions on Kosovo's future status," Rice said in a statement.

The talks are under U.N. auspices. U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan appointed Athisaari as his envoy in November. Athisaari has said the province's final status will be decided by the Security Council after his report. Kosovo has an Muslim ethnic Albanian majority, and many of its people want to sever the ties with Serbia-Montenegro.

Kosovo remains among the most intractable disputes still unresolved from the ethnic and sectarian wars that led to the splintering of the former Yugoslavia in the 1990s. About 17,500 NATO-led peacekeepers patrol Kosovo, where a NATO air war in 1999 ended a bloody crackdown on the province's Albanian majority by the Serbia's central government.

Kosovo police on raised alert during status talks

Pristina, December 20, 2005 (DPA)

Police will be on a higher alert throughout Kosovo during the entire duration of direct talks with Serbia on the future status of the province, the United Nations administration in Kosovo said Tuesday.

U.N. Police Commissioner Kai Vittroup told reporters that the raised alert level included an increased number of patrols, both of the local Kosovo Police Service and the international police.

Talks on the status of Kosovo formally began in November but direct discussions between Pristina and Belgrade are first planned for January.

There is concern that violence might erupt in the ethnically volatile province during the negotiations. The majority ethnic Albanians in Kosovo want full independence for the province, while the minority Serbs and Belgrade want it to remain under Serbian sovereignty.

Kosovo was the scene of ethnic conflict in the late 1990s which spurred NATO to intervene against Yugoslavia, expel its security forces from the province and bring in a U.N. administration in mid-1999.

Ethnic violence however persists in Kosovo, now with Serbs as the victims. The worst spate occurred in March 2004, when Albanian mobs drove thousands of Serbs from their enclaves by torching homes and churches.

Kosovo Took Major Steps Toward Final Status Negotiations in 2005 By Barry Wood Washington

VOICE OF AMERICA (USA)
18 December 2005

Serbia's Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica, left, and President Boris Tadic, right, shake hands with European Union's foreign policy chief Javier Solana

The year 2005 saw some significant steps toward the launch of final status negotiations for Kosovo, the nominally Serbian, but majority ethnic Albanian-populated province that since 1999 has been administered by the United Nations.

Late in the year, the United Nations Security Council named former Finnish President Martti Ahtisaari as its chief negotiator to determine Kosovo's final status. Mr. Ahtisaari made a familiarization journey to the region in November. Negotiations will begin in January and could continue all year.

U.S. and European Union officials say Kosovo is the major piece of unfinished business from the destructive 1990s wars of Yugoslav succession.
Roughly 95 percent of Kosovo's population is ethnic Albanian and they strongly favor independence. Serbia, with much of its religious and cultural heritage connected to Kosovo, opposes it. Nicholas Pano, an American of Albanian descent, is a professor of European history at Western Illinois University. Mr. Pano says it will be exceedingly difficult to craft a solution acceptable to both Kosovar Albanians and Serbia.

"I think that any settlement short of independence -- and it may not be immediate independence, it could be a process leading to Kosova 's independence -- I think would be unacceptable to the people of Kosova and I think even to some of the surrounding countries," he explained.

Professor Pano believes a settlement will probably have to be imposed as the differences between Serbia and the Kosovo Albanians appear irreconcilable.

That view is shared by Vladimir Matic, a Serbian-born professor of political science at Clemson University in South Carolina. He says the problem is that both Albanians and Serbs view Kosovo's settlement as a zero sum game in which one side wins and the other loses. Therefore, says Professor Matic, a Kosovo settlement will have to be imposed by the international community.

"Yes, of course. It will have to be imposed on both," Mr. Matic said. "What will have to be imposed on Serbia is the loss of sovereignty over Kosovo.
Whether right now, or more likely, in a process gradually. And what will have to be imposed on Albanians is a return of the Serbs and protection and the rights of Serbs as a minority in Kosovo."

Also in 2006, Montenegro, the sparsely populated territory on the Adriatic Sea, is likely to decide whether to retain its loose link with neighboring Serbia.

All of the nations in the western Balkans wish to join the European Union.
Historian Thomas Emmert, a Balkans specialist at Gustavus Adolphus College in Minnesota, says EU membership is the best way to assure stability in the Balkans.

"The only word that is really operable for this whole region is integration, and particularly as we look at Europe as a whole," said Mr. Emmert. "And anything that moves towards that integration is not only necessary, but absolutely and immediately important. We have to move toward integrating this region economically and politically into the greater European arena.
And there is no other alternative."

Professor Emmert says a very positive development in 2005 was the acceptance of measures that will strengthen the weak central government in Bosnia-Herzegovina.

"I think we are seeing serious efforts at resettlement of displaced wartime populations, which was not the case three or four years ago," he added.
"Certainly there is movement towards further integration within Bosnia of all parts of Bosnia."

There was significant progress during 2005 in apprehending people indicted for war crimes from the Yugoslav wars. In December, fugitive Croatian General Ante Gotovina was arrested in Spain and sent to The Hague. Serbia, which earlier in 2005 dispatched several indictees to the Hague, still has not produced the two most wanted fugitives, General Ratko Mladic and former Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadjic.

Two more ministries in Kosovo

B92, Belgrade

December 19, 2005

PRISTINA -- Monday - Prime Minister Bajram Kosumi announced that the government of Kosovo would be enlarged by justice and police ministries.

Leaders of the Serbian National Council of Northern Kosovo said the decision was contrary to Resolution 1244 and the UN Security Council decision on future status negotiations. Milan Ivanovic said this course of action prejudiced the final status and would obstruct negotiations between Belgrade and Pristina, and that it was also contrary to UN special envoy Kai Eide's report, who said that implementing standards should run concurrently with the start of negotiations.

Ivanovic appealed to the authorities in Belgrade, SCG diplomacy and the Co-ordination Centre to break their "somewhat odd" silence and do everything in their power to prevent these decisions from taking effect.

Kosumi's decision violates Resolution 1244

PRAVDA (RUSSIAN FEDERATION)
18:38 2005-12-19

Kosovo Premier Bajram Kosumi's intention to form judicial and police ministries contradicts U.N. Security Council Resolution 1244 and a decision by the Security Council to approve talks on Kosovo's future status, the leaders of the Serb National Council of Northern Kosovo warn.

"The decision pre-defines the future status of Kosovo and Metohija, undermines the Belgrade-Pristina talks and clashes with U.N. special envoy Kai Eide's report, in which he advocated that standards implementation should go hand in hand with the talks," the head of the Serb National Council regional committee, Milan Ivanovic, said at a Dec. 18 news conference in Kosovska Mitrovica.

Ivanovic called on the authorities in Belgrade, Serbia's diplomacy and the Coordinating Center for Kosovo and Metohija to stop "the odd silence" and prevent the illegitimate decisions, Beta News agency reports.

Ramadan Shiti captured by Soldiers in Kosovo

ARMY NEWS SERVICE (USA)
December 19, 2005

CAMP BONDSTEEL, Kosovo (Army News Service, Dec. 19, 2005) - Multinational Brigade East Soldiers captured escaped fugitive Ramadan Shiti and two associates, Mehmet Dalipi and Ahmet Shkret, Dec. 16 near the village of Drobnjak.

Shiti, wanted under both international and Kosovo arrest warrants, was taken into custody at about 9:15 p.m. by military police Soldiers from MNB(E)'s Task Force Dragoon and Kosovo Police Service officers following a nearly six hour pursuit through a rough and remote region of the Kacanik municipality.

KFOR soldiers from the Polish-Ukrainian Peacekeeping Battalion and Task Force Shadow, MNB(E)'s aviation support battalion, also assisted in the pursuit and capture of the fugitives.

Shiti, a member of the Kondovo group, escaped from confinement in Skopje, Macedonia on May 10, 2005. He was being held there awaiting trial for the murder of a taxi driver.

Shiti was first spotted at about 3:30 p.m. Friday afternoon by a MNB(E) leaders' reconnaissance patrol in the vicinity of Melic. After reporting the sighting and requesting assistance, the MNB(E) patrol initiated pursuit of Shiti.

MNB(E) aerial reconnaissance and observation assets, POLUKR battalion quick reaction forces, and additional military police Soldiers were brought in to assist in the chase. The POLUKR battalion also established a wide area cordon and set up vehicle check points throughout the area.

After matching Shiti's identity to the international warrant, KFOR soldiers turned him over to UNMIK-P's special police unit. Dalipi and Shkret were transferred to the Kacanik KPS station for processing.

Belgrade Media Update 18-20 December 2005

Kostunica: Kosovos Independence is not a Compromise Solution

Speaking to the Bulgarian BTA national agency and the Bulgarian national radio station prior to his visit to Bulgaria, Serbian Premier Vojislav Kostunica commented on Saturday that he sees "no compromise in the possibility of Kosovo becoming independent. That is no compromise." He indicated that Serbia would not even accept a conditional independence of Kosovo as independence is not something that could be conditional and either you have independence or you do not. Underlying that the way of solving the Kosovo issue will have great significance and influence on solutions to similar problems in Europe and the world, Kostunica insisted that "a solution needs to be sought within the framework that Serbia-Montenegro and other regional states have oriented themselves toward, which is integration, rather than disintegration," and underlined that "any intention to redraw borders in the Balkans poses a risk."

Batakovic: Announced Kosovo Ministries of Interior and Justice are a Bad Message

In reaction to the announcement of the forthcoming foundation of the two new Kosovo Ministries of Justice and Interior by Kosovos Premier Bajram Kosumi last Friday, subsequently confirmed by UNMIK on Saturday, the Serbian Presidents advisor and member of Belgrades negotiating team for the Kosovo status talks Dusan Batakovic commented that such move was "another in a series of bad judgments that will not produce the desired stabilizing effect on the situation in the province," Danas daily reported. Reminding of the Kosovo Serbs unfavorable living conditions, their lack of freedom of movement and the rising threat of new attacks against them, he emphasized that a more logical solution would be for UNMIK to strengthen its efforts in improving security and protecting the Serb property, both private and state owned, and commented: This is a wrong message, above all for the Albanians, whose provisional institutions have not deserved this trust with their past work, as well as to the Serbs, whose interests are consciously being neglected with this decision. Kosovo Serb representative and another member of Belgrades negotiating team for the provinces status talks Marko Jaksic, commented to the daily that UNMIKs decision denies the report by UN Special Representative Kai Eide, who assessed the situation in the judiciary and security in Kosovo as bad. The recently published OSCE report has also given a negative assessment on the work of the Kosovo judiciary. While the Serb National Council (SNC) for northern Kosovo issued a statement claiming that Kosumis announcement is contrary to UN Security Council (UNSC) Resolution 1244 and the UNSCs decision on the commencement of negotiations on the future status of Kosovo, SNC leader Milan Ivanovic considers that this decision prejudges the future status of Kosovo, and it is contrary to the report by UN Special Representative Kai Eide, who speaks about standards being implemented at the same time with the commencement of talks, Beta news agency reported.

Tadic, Urlich: NATO and KFOR will preserve security in Kosovo (Politika/Tanjug)

Belgrades full and efficient cooperation with NATO and KFOR is of essential importance for successful completion of negotiations on Kosovo and stability in the region, Serbian President Boris Tadic said after talks with the Commander of the NATO Southern Wing, US Admiral Harry Ulrich. Urlich said that Serbia and NATO were partners whose cooperation has defense, security and political dimension. The negotiations should contribute to stability, democracy and protection of all the citizens in the province and the essential guarantee for that are NATO forces, Tadic said, stating as an example the decisive action by KFOR during the March violence in 2004. Urlich said that it is necessary to complete the fulfillment of standards in Kosovo.

Kostunica: Independence is not compromise (Politika/Tanjug)

It is impossible to solve the Kosovo issue without compromise and independence is not compromise, Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica told the Bulgarian media. Stating that even conditional independence of Kosovo is unacceptable for Serbia, Kostunica explained that there is or there is not independence and that independence cannot be conditional. The way of solving the Kosovo issue will have great significance and influence on solutions to similar problems in Europe and the world, he said and assessed that a solution must to be sought in ideas of European integrations, i.e. within the present SCG borders, with the preservation of territorial integrity and sovereignty of the SCG and by reaching an appropriate degree of wide autonomy for Kosovo. Any other solution would lead to further destabilization of the region, Kostunica said.

SNC: Bajram Kosumis decision contrary to UNSCR 1244 (Vecernje Novosti)

The announcement of Kosovo Premier Barjam Kosumi that on Monday he will form two new ministries of justice and of police is contrary to UNSCR 1244 and the Security Councils decision on the commencement of negotiations on the future status of Kosovo, SNC for northern Kosovo emphasized. They called on the authorities in Belgrade, UNMIK Head Sřren Jessen-Petersen and UN Special Envoy Martti Ahtisaari to prevent the implementation of such illegitimate decisions. This decision prejudges the future status of Kosovo, and it is contrary to the report by UN Special Representative Kai Eide who speaks about standards being implemented at the same time with commencement of talks, said SNC member Milan Ivanovic. The CCK and our diplomacy must raise their voice against the intention of PISG to take over the most important state institutions.

Petkovic: Decentralization and standards first topics of talks (Glas)

Kosovo Minister for Return Slavisa Petkovic said that talks on the status of Kosovo would not commence until the issues of decentralization and standards have been solved. It is clear that the standards cannot be fulfilled so quickly and therefore the status issue will not be soon on the agenda, Petkovic said. Petkovic, who is the leader of SDP of Kosovo, said that his party would soon announce its own view of decentralization, since, as he assessed, the Serbian Government plan is not acceptable for the international community, nor is the largest part of the Kosovo government plan.

Tadic: Preparations going smoothly (B92)

Serbian President Boris Tadic has assessed that the negotiations on the future Kosovo status would start in January, right after the New Year holidays. Tadic said that the preparations are underway and that it is necessary to work out a good negotiating platform, adding that so far everything is going smoothly. President Tadic noted that Serbia must fight to ensure its more functional presence in Kosovo, as well as that it must be said quite clearly what is the content of the Serbian negotiating plan. Tadic said that he had told presidents of FYROM Branko Crvenkovski and Bulgaria Georgy Prvanov in Ohrid that Serbia would fight for the protection of its sovereignty and territorial integrity and against the independence of the southern Serbian province, against the idea of granting Kosovo a seat in the UN and against the existence of some kind of Kosovo army.

Scheffer and Terci meet Belgrade leaders (Tanjug)

The political directors of German and Italian foreign ministries Michael Scheffer and Julio Terzi discussed the subject of the upcoming talks on the future Kosovo status with Serbian President Boris Tadic, Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica and SCG FM Vuk Draskovic. Scheffer and Terci have agreed with President Tadic that issues of decentralisation, protection of religious monuments and property should have priority in talks that would start by January in Vienna, the Press Service of the Serbian Presidency announced in a statement. Serbian PM Vojislav Kostunica stressed in a separate meeting with Terzi and Scheffer that in finding a solution to the future status of Kosovo principles of the international law has to be respected and the regional stability must also be taken into account.

Assessing that the way in which this issue will be settled will have its impact on the situation in the region, Kostunica pointed out that any solution must respect Serbian sovereignty and territorial integrity in Kosovo. SCG FM Vuk Draskovic agreed with the Political Directors of German and Italian FM that Belgrade and Pristina should first address some concrete issues and go from the foundations toward the roof and not the other way round. Draskovic added that the recommendations that are contained in the report submitted by the Special Envoy of the UN S-G for the Assessment of the Standards Implementation in Kosovo Kai Eide offer the best guidelines for such an approach.

Sorting out terminology problems (RTS)

The Head of the CCK Sanda Raskovic-Ivic has said that the negotiating platform, which is currently being prepared, will also define a joint terminology to be used by all Belgrades negotiators. Terminology is also a problem. As you know, the Government has been using the terms like decentralisation and autonomy within autonomy, while President Tadic has been mentioning the term - entities and Vuk Draskovic was talking about Z4. This has to be sorted out and we all must use the same terms.

B92 conveys views of the K-Albanian leaders (B92)

President of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) Hashim Thaci told B92: We have one solution and this is an independent and sovereign Kosovo. The people of Kosovo opted for an independent and sovereign state and, since it represents the will of the people, the Assembly has the responsibility to implement it. The responsibility of the Assembly is to integrate the expectations of the citizens into the demands set before the international community. B92 reports that Kosovo Albanian politicians wish to further strengthen their independence bid by stating that their ultimate goal is non-negotiable. I want to be very clear. We dont negotiate over the issue of independence with anyone, but the road towards this independence, or the final status, is something we shall negotiate over intensively with the international community and Belgrade, B92 quotes the Kosovo Assembly Speaker Nexhat Daci as saying. Kosovo Prime Minister Bajram Kosumi says that the people of Kosovo will not negotiate the future status with Belgrade, but with Brussels: We are not going to discuss with Belgrade whether Kosovo should be independent or not, but rather how it should become independent.

Humanitarian assistance and returns CCKs priorities in 2006 (Tanjug)

The continuation of humanitarian assistance to more than 10.000 most endangered families in Kosovo, as well as the implementation of returns projects in the municipality of Istok will be CCKs priorities in 2006, said the Deputy Head of the CCK Zlatan Ribac. As announced in a statement issued by CCKs Information Service, the distribution of food and hygienic packages to the most endangered families is underway and is being performed in the cooperation with the Red Cross of both Serbia and Kosovo.

Bogdanovic: Early elections to strengthen Serbias position in negotiations (Beta)

Mayor of Belgrade and also the Vice President of the Democratic Party (DS) Nenad Bogdanovic said that early elections would strengthen Serbias position in the upcoming negotiations on the future Kosovo status. We would have a stable government with a four-year mandate after the elections and this would strengthen Serbias position in the negotiations on Kosovos future status and its accession to the EU, Bogdanovic said at a DS municipal board meeting in Valjevo.

OUR KOSOVO DISCUSSION FORUM
http://www.kosovo.net/forum/
Take part in discussion on Kosovo related issues. Membership is free. Positions expressed by individual subscribers in the Forum are their own and do not represent official positions of the KIM Info-service.

More News Available on our:
Kosovo Daily News list (KDN)
KDN Archive

RSS KIM Info-service
http://rss.groups.yahoo.com/group/kosovo/rss

Earlier Newsletters can be found at: http://www.kosovo.net/erpkiminfo.html
Photo Galleries of the March pogrom are available at: http://www.kosovo.net/pogrom.html

Our Information Service is distributing news on Kosovo related issues. The main focus of the Info-Service is the life of the Serbian Orthodox Church and the Serbian community in the Province of Kosovo and Metohija.

Disclaimer:
The views expressed by the authors of newspaper articles or other texts which are not official communiqués or news reports by the KIM Info-Service are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of the Serbian Orthodox Church. Translations from local media, reflect personal opinions of individual authors, or opinions of organizations that released the text(s). Please contact the copyright holders for reprinting rights and objections. KIM Info-service is not responsible for accuracy of translated texts, except in case of its own statements and news.

This site may contain copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in our efforts to advance understanding of environmental, political, human rights, economic, democracy, scientific, and social justice issues, etc. We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material.

Additional information on the Church and the life of the Kosovo Serb Community may be found at: http://www.kosovo.net

If you want to unsubscribe go to the page: http://www.kosovo.net/erpkiminfo.html

Copyright 2005, KIM Info-Service