Kosovo will be independent by spring 2006 - deputy premier

BBCM, May 31, 2005 5:54 AM

Text of report by Radio-Television Kosovo TV on 30 May

[Announcer] Kosovo will be independent by spring 2006, Deputy Prime Minister Adem Salihaj told Ilyria University students during an address on Standards and status.

[Reporter Blerta Foniqi] Kosovo Deputy Prime Minister Adem Salihaj gave an address to students of the private University of Ilyria on the topic Standard and the Status. He told them that by summer of 2006 Kosovo will be independent. He also told the students that the Standards issue came up suddenly when UNMIK [United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo] had no other ideas about how to continue its mission in Kosovo.

However, the Standards were gradually developed, evolved and assumed an important place in every sector of life in Kosovo. The fulfilment of Standards is a whole justification and proof that Kosovo has matured into an independent country.

Source: RTK TV, Pristina, in Albanian 1830 gmt 30 May 05

BBC Monitoring