Draskovic: Kosovo according to South Tyrol model

Vecernje Novosti daily, Belgrade, May 7, 2005

by Dubravka VUJANOVIC

"Just the difference in formulation - the future and not final status of Kosovo - is very significant and encouraging. Why? Because the Albanian side in the international community has been promoting the meaning of final status as independent Kosmet (Kosovo and Metohija). According to this Albanian strategy, the "final status" can only be independence, and this is not true and the change in terminology confirms it," said Serbia-Montenegro foreign minister Vuk Draskovic in an interview for "Vecernje Novosti".

How does it "confirm" it when the International Crisis Group is claiming that this is in fact the only solution and that Serbian politicians are lying to the public with excuses that it everything is not over...

"That's not true."

On what basis are you making this claim? On the basis of your contacts with representatives of the international community?

"Of course. It's not true that the international community is predisposed to grant Kosovo independence. Nor is it true that independence could be implemented at the drop of a hat, even if the predisposition did exist. Because this is not permitted by the UN Charter, which prohibits the formation by force of sovereign states. And without the acquiescence of Serbia, the proclamation of independence would be by force."

Prime minister Kostunica says that a legal definition of the strategy of "more than autonomy, less than independence" is currently being drafted. Will we find out soon what this relatively abstract formulation means?

"Our request is not abstract at all but on the contrary very clear. We are asking for a European level of protection and guaranteed returns for all those expelled from Kosovo and Metohija since June 1999. There are more than 220,000 people in this category."

BORDER PROTECTION

The question is what would the formulation "more than autonomy, less than independence" mean for the Province in terms of status? What will Belgrade's basic requests be?

"Full protection for the Serbian people and protection of the present international border of our territory with Macedonia and Albania."

How would you explain to a typical resident of Kosmet what "more than autonomy, less than independence" will mean for them in concrete terms?

"It appears that this isn't clear only in Serbia. Because we are not prepared for unusual solutions."

Here's the opportunity to explain to readers of "Novosti" what this unusual solution would entail.

"The manner in which the problem of South Tyrol was resolved could serve as an inspiration. It is something similar to our formula of "more than autonomy, less than independence". I personally would agree with solution. There, the principle of practical sovereignty of the Austrian majority population has been established but in combination with mandatory respect for the Italian minority according to the principle of positive discrimination. This means the highest level of protection for that minority within the framework of existing borders. Such a solution could be applied in Kosmet. What our state leadership is advocating is very similar to this solution."

In the event of this, what would be the extent of Belgrade's influence on Pristina and on the territory of Kosmet?

"Serbian-Albanian talks will produce results only if an agreement is reached right at the start that the Serbian side does not use the word "sovereignty" and the Albanian side does not use the word "independence". The future status of Kosovo must be unconventional, unique because the situation is unique. We are not asking for any sort of imposition of our sovereignty in Kosovo in territories inhabited by Albanians. Serbia doesn't want to meddle in their lives nor their organization of government. Europe will meddle in those things but that's a different story. We only want to protect our people, our cultural and historical monuments, churches and monasteries. What sort a name are we going to give this concept I am describing remains to be agreed upon."

DOUBLE PROHIBITION

Is local self-government the most we should ask for at this time?

"Yes. The central topic of negotiations will be acquiring the right to local self-government, especially for Serbs who live in enclaves. Because the part of our people who live in the north of the Province are territorially homogenous. In the historical sense, this part never belonged to Kosovo but was simply amputated from Serbia by the Communist regime and annexed to the Province. Therefore our priority task is to win local self-government in the enclaves with powers and competencies in education, culture, health, local police and judiciary at the first level. The multiethnic character of Kosovo and Metohija will be defended in these enclaves."

Is there a chance of this northern, homogenous part of the territory being returned to Serbia and getting special treatment?

"The position of the international community is that there can be no division of Kosovo and Metohija, and what you are saying would have that
character."

In various international contacts you've probably learned which of the aforementioned solutions has the greatest chance of being accepted. Is it the model implemented in Bosnia-Herzegovina?

"I have to say that this is also one of the models being considered. There is an idea of applying the B-H model to Kosmet and giving the northern
part a special status while special regulations would protect the Serbian
monasteries and enclaves. What is immediately emphasized in these ideas is that such a solution would have to presume an international contract that would exclude the possibility of any part of the territory at some future point being annexed to either Serbia or Albania. Also prohibited would be the appending to Kosmet of parts of Serbia, Montenegro, Macedonia..."

Nevertheless, which model has the best chances?

"The one advocated by our state leadership."

When will Belgrade and Pristina begin dialogue? How will it be conducted and who will the participants be?

"My appeal is that we participate in all working groups and negotiations at all levels. I think that Serbs from Kosovo must participated in everything and play a leading role. That is why they must re-join the Kosmet parliament as soon as possible so that they can publicly discuss their suffering and troubles. No one in Belgrade knows what they are going through."

How will things unfold now? When will the decision on future status be made?

"Negotiations on status are expected to begin at the end of this year. I doubt that they will be completed by the end of next year. It would even be a good thing for the process to last a little while. Because if in the meanwhile we Europeanize Serbia and enter NATO by 2007, we will find ourselves in a position to enter the EU by shortcut. In that case the future will look completely different, including the perspective on Kosovo and Metohija. Because Europe has made independence projects a part of the past and introduced the principles of interdependence."

YELLOW CARTON

According to your information, will dialogue between Tadic and Rugova take place?

"I favor dialogue at all levels. The international community insists on dialogue and by refusing to talk, the Albanians are accumulating "yellow cartons". We will continue to insist on dialogue."

KOSOVO WITHOUT A FLAG

Would the realization of the Serbian strategy for Kosmet mean the return of the Army to the Province?

"No, it wouldn't. We are advocating a NATO and EU presence in Kosmet for a long, long time as guarantors for the protection of the Serbian minority. Finally, we ourselves will become members of NATO. We believe that this region needs to remain a protectorate of the EU or the UN for a long time."

And would this territory have the right to a seat in the UN, the introduction of a visa regime with respect to Serbia...

"There would be no Kosovo flag in front of the UN building. As far as a currency is concerned, soon we will all be using the euro. And as far as visas are concerned, this would be one of the issues on the agenda. A special visa system is a possibility but that is not the central issue."