February 03, 2007

KiM Info Newsletter 03-02-07

Martti Ahtisaari presents Comprehensive Proposal for Kosovo Status Settlement

“This is a compromise solution proposal. We call for further consultations to take place in the coming days and I am ready to accept constructive suggestions. The consultations are important, and I call on both sides to put forward their positions, after which I will finalize the proposal and take it to the UN Security Council”, Ahtisaari said.

Martti Ahtisaari with his team in Belgrade, Feb 2, 2007

KIM Info-service
February 3, 2006

UN special Envoy for Kosovo status Martti Ahtisaari presented his proposal for Kosovo status settlement in Belgrade and Pristina yesterday. The final version of the proposal will be submitted to the UN Security Council after additional consultations with Belgrade and Pristina. The KIM Info-service has received through its contacts in Belgrade and Pristina the full copy of the proposal in PDF format, which may be downloaded from the Kosovo.net Server:

Executive Summary of the Proposal is available on the UNOSEK Web-site:

http://www.unosek.org/unosek/index.html

Ahtisaari: UN Security Council to decide status

2 February 2007 | 09:59 -> 14:39 | Source: B92, Beta

BELGRADE, VIENNA -- UN special envoy Martti Ahtisaari met with president Tadić and held a press conference in Belgrade. “I have submitted my proposal to president Tadić as well as the plan for the coming weeks. I did not expect comments, and president Tadić repeated Serbia’s well-known position. The goal of the solution is to place the foundations of the future Kosovo, stable and sustainable”, Ahtisaari told journalists gathered at Belgrade’s Media Center. Asked whether the status proposal envisaged independence for Kosovo, Ahtisaari said he will not deal with the status issue until the final proposal has been submitted. “It is up to the Security Council to decide on the final status. This is just a draft. In a world in which we live I believe it is the politicians’ responsibility to protect their citizens, and if they don’t, then it is up to the international community. That is also one of the principles, not only the respect of sovereignty. I am not a jurist, but I work with them and I am used to their arguments. We need to look at how similar issues were solved in the past”. "The positions of the parties are extremely fixed ... we are giving them one more chance in the month of February”, Ahtisaari said. “The solution provides separate articles to protect non-Albanians, including guaranteed representation in the government, the judiciary and the parliament, a certain degree of self-governance in sectors such as healthcare. The cultural heritage will be placed inside protected zones in order to keep the Serbian Orthodox Church alive and present.” “This proposal is the result of a year of intensive talks, 15 rounds of direct negotiations. The EU and NATO have taken part in the process and support it”. “This is a compromise solution proposal. We call for further consultations to take place in the coming days and I am ready to accept constructive suggestions. The consultations are important, and I call on both sides to put forward their positions, after which I will finalize the proposal and take it to the UN Security Council”, Ahtisaari said. Serbian prime minister Vojislav Koštunica has decided against meeting with Ahtisaari today. His cabinet has announced earlier that the caretaker government he is presiding over has no legitimacy to reach any decisions regarding the issue. It was also announced that yesterday’s government session did not discuss Ahtisaari’s visit. The special envoy’s spokesman Remi Durlot said earlier that the proposal about to be presented to Belgrade and Priština is not the final version of the Kosovo status solution, but rather a document that both sides will comment on. In November last year, Martti Ahtisaari delayed the unveiling of his Kosovo status proposal for after January 21 parliamentary elections in Serbia. BIRN has published key sections of Ahtisaari’s status proposal ahead of today’s official presentation to Belgrade and Priština. Ahtisaari arrives in Priština Martti Ahtisaari has arrived in Priština, where he met with the Kosovo officials. The UN special Kosovo is presenting Kosovo Albanian leaders with his status proposal document. Ahtisaari is also scheduled to meet Serb Orthodox Church and Serb Kosovo community representatives. “The time has come to formally separate Kosovo from Serbia, but, on the other hand, the Serb minority there will enjoy an unprecedented level of autonomy”, a EU diplomatic source told B92 in Priština earlier today. Kosovo’s government will hold a session late this afternoon and is expected to express its support to Ahtisaari’s status proposal. Government spokeswoman Ulpiana Lama said that Belgrade’s opposition to the document “no longer has any effect”. “We demand that the events in Serbia no longer be viewed as connected to those in Kosovo”, Lama concluded. Families of kidnapped Kosovo Serbs stage protest Some 30 members of the Association of the kidnapped Kosovo Serbs families gathered this morning in front of Serbia’s presidency building, where president Tadić is set to meet with UN special Kosovo envoy Martti Ahtisaari. Member of the association are carrying the photographs of their missing family members and two large banners reading, “KLA-- NATO - KFOR – UNMIK are responsible – 2,500 Serbs have been murdered”, and “JNA and MUP generals in jail – NATO and KLA generals at large – terrible”. They have been joined by twenty other protesters carrying placards reading, “Kosovo- the soul of Serbia”. The scene is secured by 50 policemen.     Tadić: Independence unacceptable 2 February 2007 | 14:51 -> 18:36 | Source: B92, FoNet, Beta BELGRADE -- “I told Ahtisaari that Serbia and I, as its president, will never accept Kosovo’s independence”, president Tadić said.   President Tadic: Kosovo independence is unacceptable “Imposed independence for Kosovo would contravene with the basic principles of international law and would represent a very dangerous political and legal precedent”, the Serbian president said in his address. Boris Tadić added that the Kosovo status proposal submitted by UN special envoy Martti Ahtisaari does not specifically mention the word independence, but that it also leaves out the terms sovereignty and integrity, when it comes to Serbia’s jurisdiction over the province. The president said that the proposal also dealt with a number of issues beside Kosovo’s status, such as decentralization, protection of the Serb Orthodox Church and its heritage in Kosovo, and international civilian and military presence there. Tadić said he will ask all the parliamentary parties’ leaders to attend a meeting where he will present Ahtisaari’s blueprint. Drašković: Ahtisaari overstepped mandate Serbia’s outgoing foreign policy chief Vuk Drašković reacted to Ahtisaari’s proposal presented in Belgrade today by saying that the UN special envoy has “overstepped the mandate given to him by the UN secretary-general”. “He turned the Kosovo status negotiations into a change of Serbia’s status, an internationally recognized state”. The foreign ministry press release states that Serbia will point to this it its communication with the Contact Group, the UN Security Council, the EU and NATO. Analyst: No mention of Kosovo army - good news Military analyst Zoran Dragišić believes lack of any mention of Kosovo’s army or armed forces in Ahtisaari’s proposal is a positive development, as those represent “elements of statehood”. “’Lightly armed forces’ are mentioned, but that refers to a kind of gendarmerie rather than an army, set to operate within the police force. That would not be unacceptable since even municipalities have police, which is not an element of statehood”, Dragišić says. He added that Annex VIII of the proposal needed to be studied carefully, as, in his words, “the devil is often in the details”. Dragišić thinks the existence of a Kosovo intelligence agency would be unacceptable for Serbia, since such agencies work as part of a country’s foreign policy, something a province cannot exercise.   Kostunica: Ahtisaari’s Proposal Illegitimate Tanjug in English, 02 Feb 07 Belgrade   Serbian Premier Vojislav Kostunica on Friday rejected the proposal of UN special envoy Martti Ahtisaari, describing it as illegitimate and called on the parliament to determine Serbia's next steps.  ''Ahtisaari did not have the mandate to deal with the state status of Serbia, to interfere with its sovereignty and territorial integrity, to divide the territory of the Republic of Serbia and to redraw it’s internationally recognized borders,'' Kostunica told Tanjug. Kostunica recalled that no one gave Ahtisaari the mandate to do this, least of all Serbia, as a sovereign, democratic and European state. ''Ahtisaari received the mandate to solely focus on the status of the Province of Kosovo and Metohija, and it is clear that his proposal transcends that mandate. His proposal violates the UN Charter and the principles of international law which are the basis for world peace and stability. This means that Ahtisaari's proposal is illegitimate,'' Kostunica said in a statement. ''Now the parliament should act in keeping with the Constitution of the Republic of Serbia and determine all the steps Serbia should take,'' Kostunica stated.     Negotiations Or Consultations B92, Beta & AFP in Serbian 02 Feb 07 Belgrade Martti Ahtisaari did not mention new direct negotiations between Belgrade and Pristina; but just consultations, the representative of the European Commission for Kosovo Leopold Maurer announced that the consultations will be held from 12 to 23 February in Vienna. Maurer claims that the bilateral talks of Belgrade and Pristina will be continued on 12 February when Martti Ahtisaari will again present his proposal of the Kosovo solution, which will last till 23 February.      The period of review will last until 2 March, when the last meeting will be held, stated Maurer. Solution Proposal of the Kosovo Status will, in March be sent to the UN General Secretary and “we hope that in April or May the UN Security Council will reach the resolution”, stated European Commission representative. He is assured that Serbs will have “constructive amendments”, on the negotiations in Vienna.     EU Calls On Belgrade And Pristina To Talk Politika & RTS in Serbian, 02 Feb 07 Belgrade  The European Union presiding body “explicitly supports” Ahtisaari’s intentions in the weeks right after the presentation of the proposal about the status of the province he starts intensive talks with Belgrade and Pristina and between them, announced the press service of the German foreign ministry.  The European Union presiding body “explicitly calls on Belgrade and Pristina to contribute seriously and without any reservations to those talks”.  This presiding body also believes that the Kosovo status solution will have decisive impact over regional stability, as well as that this is a very important step towards bringing this region closer to European and Euro-Atlantic structures.   Solana: Belgrade And Pristina To Work On Compromise  Javier Solana, high EU representative for foreign policy and security issues, called on Belgrade and Pristina that together with Ahtisaari they get actively engaged in finding a realistic compromise solution”.  “I welcome Ahtisaari’s efforts and his presenting of the draft all encompassing proposal for resolving the status of Kosovo,” said Solana. Translated by Aleksandar Stamboliski   International Reactions To Status Proposal B92, FoNet & Beta in English, 02 Feb 07 Brussels Javier Solana and Olli Rehn called on Belgrade to actively participate in the process resolving Kosovo’s future. EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy, Javier Solana, expressed his appreciation for the efforts of the UN Special Envoy Martti Ahtisaari and welcomed the presentation of his draft comprehensive proposal for a Kosovo status settlement. “I strongly encourage both Belgrade and Pristina to engage actively with Martti Ahtisaari on the basis of his proposal. I expect both parties to demonstrate responsibility, flexibility and a recognition of the need for realistic compromise-based solutions”, Solana’s office statement said. The High EU Representative also praised Ahtisaari’s efforts and welcomed his presentation Kosovo status blueprint. European Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn said that he counted on both sides to “show responsibility and flexibility and see the urgency of making a realistic compromise”. He offered support to Ahtisaari’s intention to bring about “an active participation of both sides in finalizing of the permanent and feasible solution”.     NATO Welcomes The Plan B92, FoNet & Beta in English, 02 Feb 07 Brussels  NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer welcomed Ahtisaari’s proposal and assessed that Belgrade and Pristina should co-operate fully with the UN Special Envoy “in a spirit of flexibility and compromise”. He said that the Kosovo status process had entered an important new phase. ”President Ahtisaari has presented a way forward on this issue which offers the prospect of a better, more secure future for the entire region, including through integration into European and Euro-Atlantic structures.“ On behalf of NATO, Scheffer expressed his appreciation to President Ahtisaari for his efforts, and welcomed his proposals. NATO Secretary-General urged all parties to act responsibly during the sensitive period ahead and confirmed that NATO will continue to play its full part in providing a safe and secure environment in Kosovo, through and beyond a status decision. “KFOR will respond firmly to any attempts to use violence to disrupt the political process“, Scheffer concluded in his statement.     Russia: Solution To Be Based On Compromise And Resolution 1244 B92, FoNet & Beta in English, 02 Feb 07 Moscow Russian ambassador to Belgrade Alexandar Alekseyev told Itar-Tass that Moscow remains convinced the final Kosovo status solution must be based on a compromise acceptable to both sides, and the UN Security Council Resolution 1244. Alekseyev added that Russia intends to “maintain its active role” in a search for the solution to Kosovo’s problem. “As for the next step, we support constructive approach to the essence of the problem, without artificial deadlines”, the Russian ambassador said. “Ahtisaari’s proposal practically offers Kosovo an independent state status and will as such hardly contribute to the solution of the problem in the Balkans”, Russian deputy Duma foreign policy committee chairman Leonid Slutsky said. “Moscow cannot accept a unilateral approach to the Balkans. Belgrade’s opinion must be sought while reaching a compromise”, Slutsky told Itar-Tass. He described Ahtisaari’s document as “far from ideal”, adding that imposed solutions to the problem were “wrong and dangerous”. U.S. calls on Belgrade and Pristina to work on the solution Ahtisaari has envisaged “a stable, perspective and multiethnic Kosovo”, said State Department spokesperson Sean McCormack, estimating that the proposed framework for the protection of human rights will contribute to further democratization of Kosovo. “We encourage Martti Ahtisaari to complete his assignment fast so that Kosovo and the whole region could get a clear picture of its future. We remain committed to the solution that will promote regional stability, and multiethnic nature of Kosovo, and the solution acceptable to the people of Kosovo”, McCormack concluded.     Ahtisaari’s Plan Welcomed In Pristina Tanjug in English, 02 Feb 07 Pristina Kosovo President Fatmir Sejdiu and the negotiating team on Friday welcomed a draft plan of UN special envoy Martti Ahtisaari's on the future status of Kosovo, stressing that the ''final stage of resolution of Kosovo's status has started.''  Kosovo negotiating team started to review Ahtisaari's package and his schedule for engagement in the negotiating process, it was said in a statement released after a meeting between the Kosovo negotiators and Ahtisaari in Pristina.     Kosovo Government Supports Ahtisaari’s Plan RTK in Albanian, 02 Feb 07 Pristina   Kosovo’s government supports Ahtisaari’s package, and considers that it opens the way to Kosovo’s independence. This evaluation was made after the meeting of the government, where they reviewed parts of this package.  Prime Minister Agim Çeku also confirmed the participation of Kosovo delegation in the consults announced for February 13 in Vienna, and said that the Kosovo party will submit some remarks on the security issue.  Prime Minister Çeku after the meeting of the government said that this is a good message for the Kosovo citizens and this proves that the international community is determined to resolve Kosovo’s issue without any delays.  “The government of Kosovo is confident this process will be crowned with accomplishing the Kosovo’s people aspiration for an independent and sovereign state, and we call on all the Kosovo citizens to have trust in this process, and continue contributing in achieving this goal”, stated Çeku.  Çeku also confirmed the participation of Kosovo delegation in Vienna consults announced for February 13th. . He said the Kosovo party will present its remarks. “We have quiet a few remarks on the security issue, and we will argue our requests, and we will try this document reflects our request on this field”, said Çeku.  In February 13th, it’s foreseen to discuss the first and second annex of Ahtisaari’s proposal regarding the constitutional issues and minority rights. This process is expected to end in March 2nd.   Meanwhile in late March, Ahtisaari is expected to present his final proposal at the Security Council.     Main Political Parties Of Kosovo Welcomed Ahtisaari’s Package Radio Kosovo in Albanian, 02 Feb 07 Pristina  The main political parties of Kosovo welcomed Ahtisaari’s package, which creates conditions for an independent state of Kosovo. The Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) considers that Ahtisaari’s final proposal will reflect the will of Kosovo people for independence. The Democratic Party of Kosovo has begun to carefully analyze Ahtisaari’s package, and it is expected to soon come out with its suggestions.  The Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) will support the Unity Team by offering the needed comments. AAK considers that Ahtisaari’s package reflects Kosovo’s independence. The Reformist Party ORA is confident that the process of the Kosovo status solution is a delicate process that should be continued in partnership with the international community.     Status Proposition Handed Over To Members Of The Serbian List for Kosovo Tanjug in Serbian, 02 Feb 07 Pristina   Oliver Ivanovic, who represents the Serbian list for Kosovo and Metohija, stated in Pristina that he has received the proposition from the UN Special emissary for Kosovo that he will share with other political representatives of Kosovo Serbs.  Ivanovic stated to Tanjug that Ahtisaari’s plan is very vague, and as he stated, leaves many room for different interpretations.  Ivanovic emphasized that not one political party from Kosovo Serbs can not accept the independence as a solution.     Strong Reactions Of The Kosovo Serbs To Kosovo Status Proposition   Tanjug in Serbian, 02 Feb 07 Pristina   Marko Jakšić a member of the state negotiation team, assessed that the proposition of Martti Ahtisaari for Kosovo and Metohija, gives to Albanians an independent state with all the symbols, and to the Serbs far less that what they have today in Kosovo. “Even if it does happen the Serbs gain more in this suggestion, it would have meant nothing in independent Kosovo state, having in mind how we live since the UNMIK came to this area”, stated Jaksic. President of the Serbian National Council of the Northern Kosmet, Milan Ivanović, stated that Ahtisaari’s proposition “is pro Albanian, because it offers everything to the Albanians, and takes everything from the Serbs “, and that proposition is absolutely unacceptable for the Serbian community that lives in Kosmet.     Mitrovica’s Serbs Dread From Possible Riots Epoka e Re & BIRN in English, 02 Feb 07   Serbian leaders in Kosovo predict unrest may erupt in the mainly Serbian north of the region if Kosovo is granted some form of independence. Warnings came shortly before the UN special envoy, Finnish diplomat Martti Ahtisaari was due to visit Belgrade and Pristina on February 2 to present his proposals on the territory’s final status. According to unofficial reports, his document does not mention the word independence or refer to Serbia’s sovereignty. But many Serbs fear the proposals will lead to some form of independence for the province even if the terminology is disguised. They say if Ahtisaari’s proposal paves the way to independence through a UN Security Council Resolution or through a unilateral declaration of sovereignty in Pristina, northern Kosovo will be the centre of unrest. Negotiations on Kosovo’s status began in Vienna last January. They mainly focused on the formation of new majority-Serbian municipalities, decentralization, the protection of Serbian cultural and spiritual heritage and the division of the municipality of Mitrovica/e into Serbian and Albanian sectors. Kosovo Albanians and Serbs have high expectations of Ahtisaari’s proposal, which is to be presented on February 2. Sources say that while the plan does not mention the word independence, which will anger Albanians, Belgrade will lose sovereignty over the province, angering the Serbs. Kosovo will have its own constitution and symbols: a flag and an anthem. The issue of Mitrovica’s division will be solved by forming two separate municipalities as the Kosovo Serbs demanded. Cooperation between northern and southern Mitrovica will be maintained by means of a joint board. The UN envoy will grant other mainly Serbian municipalities special powers over cultural and religious matters. Albanian and Serbian will be the official languages all over Kosovo. But even without the use of the word “independence”, Serb leaders are likely to react strenuously against anything that confirms Kosovo’s permanent de facto separation from Belgrade. Oliver Ivanovic, leader of the Serbian list for Kosovo, said the Serbian-populated north might even decide to secede and join Serbia. “There might be a chance that northern Kosovo secedes following an unfavorable decision [on final status],” Ivanovic told Balkan Insight, adding that he would be against it. Nebojsa Jovic, deputy president of the Serbian National Council in Northern Kosovo, also said secession was an option. “Cutting of relations between northern Kosovo and the rest of Kosovo is possible,” Jovic told Balkan Insight. “There will be mass protests here if Kosovo is to be declared independent,” said a source from northern Mitrovica. “No one here wants Pristina as a capital. “Thousands would take to the streets and set up barricades, stopping the movement of any vehicles belonging to international or local police as well as the civilian administration.” Bane Krstic, a journalist from northern Mitrovica, agreed. “Serbs would never accept an independent Kosovo regardless of whether self-rule was passed through a UN resolution or through bilateral agreement,” he said. Krstic pointed out that the Serbian government of Vojislav Kostunica had consistently assured local citizens that Kosovo’s independence was out of the question. “People here read the Belgrade press and the message is that Kosovo is to remain part of Serbia,” added Krstic, stressing that local frustration would be very high if another reality kicked in. Apart from the danger of a military confrontation with Kosovo Albanians, local Serb politicians admit secession would be a costly affair. It might benefit the northern part of Kosovo where around 40,000 Serbs live but it would gravely jeopardize the future of another 80,000 Serbs living in enclaves south of the river Ibar. Ivanovic said the secession of the north would seal the fate of the Serbs in the south who might be deported or reduced to living in dire conditions.  “Northern Kosovo is not so important when you take into account that more then two-thirds of the Serbian population lives in the south of Kosovo,” said Ivanovic, noting that all major Serbian cultural and economic assets were also located there. In addition, Ivanovic went on, the concentration of Albanian and Serbian extremists along the river Ibër border meant an armed conflict could not be ruled out. Goran Bogdanovic, head of the Democratic Party in Kosovo and a member of Serbia’s negotiating team on the region, agreed that a territorial division of Kosovo could jeopardize Serb interests. “The division of Kosovo is totally unacceptable to us,” said Bogdanovic, adding that it would be impractical without the consent of the international community. “Serbs living in the south of Kosovo would lose everything while Serbs in the north would not gain much”. “However this is Kosovo and everything is possible”, Bogdanovic went on. While hard-line nationalists like Ljubomir Kragovic, president of Serbian Radical Party in Kosovo, say Serbs must make a pledge to recover the whole of Kosovo if the international community permits some form of statehood, some local Serbian analysts admit Ahtisaari’s proposal is likely only to restate the existing reality. “The situation in the field is that Serbia has not had sovereignty over Kosovo for seven years now,” said Krstic, adding that that many measures had been taken since then to erode Serbian authority over the entity. In the meantime, locals in north Mitrovica live from day to day, trying not to dwell on their worries for the future.  “I fear the Albanians, as I wouldn’t feel comfortable living in an Albanian Kosovo,” said Zivana Kompirovic, a northern Mitrovica local. She would not accept an independent Kosovo but would not leave Kosovo either. “I didn’t leave when it was much worse, so I certainly won’t leave now, unless I am chased out with a rifle,” she said. But others have taken out a form of insurance by buying houses and flats in Serbia proper. Zoran Mihajovic, also from northern Mitrovica, said the issue of Kosovo was a done deal and that there won’t be room for Serbs in it. “Like walking on broken glass - that’s how I would feel in independent Kosovo,” he told Balkan Insight, adding that he had bought an apartment in Belgrade some time ago. It was only a matter of time before he leaves Kosovo for good, he added.   (Igor Milic is BIRN’s Northern Mitrovica correspondent. Balkan Insight is BIRN’s on line publication)     Ahtisaari’s Proposal Unacceptable, Bishop Artemije Tanjug in English, 02 Feb 07 Brussels Bishop of Raska ad Prizren Artemije said in Brussels on Friday, shortly after his talks with European Union (EU) special envoy for Kosovo status Stefan Lehne, that the proposal of (UN special envoy) Martti Ahtisaari was unacceptable for Serbs and Serbia because it viewed Kosovo as being separate from Serbia. We find as completely unacceptable any solution which leads towards Kosovo's disintegration from Serbia, and we shall never acknowledge it, Bishop Artemije said at the Headquarters of the European Union Council. Lehne informed Bishop Artemije of the details of Ahtisaari's plan, at a meeting which was attended by analysts of the Brussels Institute 4S and the American Council for Kosovo, and pointed to the fact that the proposal was yet to be debated on. “We expect that Ahtisaari’ proposal will be subject of further talks which should include both sides,” said Lehne Bishop Artemije called on the EU to make a pressure on Kosovo Albanians in the talks to follow, so as to make it clear to them that independence was not the sole option for Kosovo's future status.     Martti Ahtisaari: Forty Protected Objects Around Serbian Orthodox Churches Sites KIM Radio in Serbian, 02 Feb 07 Pristina   UN Special emissary Martti Ahtisaari, repeated in Pristina most of the stands that could be heard today at the press conference in Belgrade. He persisted in avoiding the answer to the question what would be the Kosovo status, presenting as a goal the sustainable and long term solution which would lead to Kosovo stability. Ahtisaari also avoided answering the question on the division of the region, adding to this a recent stand of the Contact group. As far as the problems of the Serbian community, he stated that there will be 40 protected zones around the sites of the Serbian Orthodox Church, in order to provide normal living conditions for the clergy. Ahtisaari’s deputy, Albert Roan explained that those zones will be different in size. Journalists were mostly interested in the status, his answer was: “I have to refrain from answering the status question. I have been on this job for too long to be made to answer that question. I have been paid to feel like an idiot in front of you”. Answering to the questions on double majority in Kosovo explaining that term, Albert Roan stated: “The whole story is that the minority communities should be protected and not over voted in the vital questions”. Before the press conference in Pristina, Ahtisaari meet with UNMIK chief Joachim Ruecker, KFOR commander Roland Kather and Pristina negotiation teem. He did not meet the representatives of the SOC as he announced earlier in Belgrade. From the long list of Serbian representatives, he only met with Oliver Ivanovic.     KPC’s Future After Ahtisaari’s Proposal RTK in Albanian, 02 Feb 07 Pristina    KPC will be bearers of transformation process into the future Kosovo protection force. But not all KPC members will be part of the new structure.  “The transformation process will be a painful and not an easy process, but it is important for Kosovo to have its own military, and this has been KPC’c vision”, said the KPC Commander, Lieutenant General Sylejman Selimi, after the presentation of Ahtisaari’s plan for the status of Kosovo.  “We expected to have our protection force. This has always been our vision. There will be selection, not everyone will be in the future protection force. The parliament and the institutions should pass a special law for the KPC members”, said Selimi.  “PDK is preparing a draft-law for the KPC members, for this very important substance of our society, and we owe it to them…” said Fatmir Limaj, PDK vice president.    Meanwhile the leaders of the three associations derived from the war, at a meeting with the KPC Commander, were interested about the future of this corpse, which according to them are a continuous corpse of Kosovo Liberation Army.  KPC’s mission will continue until the end of this year, and the transformation process and the process of creating the future protection force will be parallel, in accordance with the NATO standards.  But, will Lieutenant General Sylejman Selimi be in the future protection force? “Whether I will be or not, it doesn’t matter. It is important KPC stays in this transformation process, and it is important Kosovo has its own military”, answered Selimi.   KFOR And KPS: Security Situation In Kosovo Stable Beta in Serbian, 02 Feb 07 Pristina  In preparation of Ahtisaari’s visit to Pristina, Beta was told by KFOR and Kosovo the Police Service that the security situation is peaceful and stable.  “This is just an average day. Just like always KFOR is at an elevated level of readiness,” said Reiner Singer, KFOR spokesperson.     KFOR Ready For Serbian Scenario Glas Javnosti in Serbian, 02 Feb 07 Belgrade     KFOR headquarters in Pristina tells Glas Javnosti that security factors in Kosmet are very serious when it comes to announcements of Serbs from north Kosovo who say they will proclaim independence if Ahtisaari’s plan is looked at as “D” day in the process of resolving Kosovo future status.  “Learning from the experience of March 2004, KFOR has looked at all possible scenarios which might erupt in light of the beginning of the political resolution of Kosmet status. Just like looking at reactions from Albanians we looked at possibilities of Serb secession of north Kosovo. In the summer of last year we already raised the level of readiness and conducted a couple of military exercises. We conducted searches of all suspicious locations among Serb and Albanian inhabited areas and arrested some extremist groups. Our plan is in accordance with other security structures and we will get involved only in cases of mass movements which threaten to evolve into serious riots. Law and order are primarily in the hands of KPS, says the “Glas” co-speaker and adds he does not believe there will be more serious incidents in light of Ahtisaari’s arrival to Pristina   Dragan Velic, SNV president, is of the opinion that announcements for the secession of north Kosovo is the only possible message which Serbs can give as an answer to the international community if Albanians are allowed independence.  “I expect the respect of our internationally recognized borders. This is the only way we see the survival of the Serbian state and Serbs, any other option would be dangerous for everyone, says Velic. Velic says that the manner in which Serbs will gain independence will depend on what happens next in connection with the status. Speculations Neeraj Singh, from UNMIK, recommends that stories about proclaiming independence of north Kosmet are just pure speculations and that UNMIK does not deal with such issues.        Asked whether they look at same manner to Albanian “threats” about proclaiming independence independent of the Security Council Singh says that this is also a “speculative issue”.