Brussels cautious on likely Kosovo PM
EUROBSERVER
November 30, 2004

EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS, Nov 30, By Andrew Beatty - The EU has questioned whether a candidate who looks set to become Kosovo's Prime Minister is the right person for the job.

The likely appointment of Ramush Haradinaj, a former KLA (Kosovo Liberation Army) commander as Prime Minister has prompted Javier Solana, the EU's high representative to question his suitability.

Mr Solana said on Monday that there were reservations about a man who has been interviewed by the International Criminal Tribunal in the Hague.

"Whoever the prime minister is, he has to work on the standards issue", he said - referring to the list of 'standards' that Kosovo has to achieve before final status negotiations begin.

"If in the end the prime minister is somebody who has to go to The Hague, he may not be the most appropriate person to work towards those standards", he told journalists.

Co-operation with ICTY is seen as essential for Kosovo's closer integration with the EU.

It is still unclear if ICTY will recall Mr Haradinaj although the tribunal's chief prosecutor Carla Del Ponte has stated that more indictments are on the way.

This could leave Kosovo without a Prime Minister.

Kosovo's legislators are expected to confirm the new government in December.