UN Security Council to support talks on Kosovo's future

RELIEF WEB (SWITZERLAND)

Source: Deutsche Presse Agentur (DPA)
Date: 21 Oct 2005

New York (dpa) - The U.N. Security Council will back talks on determining the political future of the Serb province of Kosovo, a move a senior U.N. official said Thursday is crucial for negotiations to succeed.

The 15-nation council, under the presidency of Romanian Ambassador Mihnea Ioan Motoc, has invited Serbia-Montenegro's President Vojislav Kostunica or his representative to attend the debate on Monday in New York.

The debate aims at building political momentum to settle the sovereignty issue of Kosovo, which since mid-1999 has been under U.N. administration after NATO warplanes drove out Serb military forces that were accused of repressing ethnic Albanians.

After the debate, the council intends to issue a statement supporting the start of a "political process to determine Kosovo's future status." It will also support the appointment of a special envoy to lead the talks.

"I am convinced that there'll be a solution at the end, no one is prepared to drag it out," the U.N. official said in a background briefing to reporters.

The special envoy, to be appointed by Annan, will work out principles and rules for the negotiations to begin. The U.N. said it would involve all sides in the dispute over Kosovo.

Countries neighbouring Serbia-Montenegro will be invited to contribute in the talks even though the formula of discussion is not yet established.

The U.N. official said there would be direct talks among the parties as well as shuttle diplomacy by the U.N. to move forward the process of settling Kosovo's future.

"There's no need... to rush (the negotiations), there is a need to keep everybody on board," the official said, adding that the goal is to make Kosovo a territory in which the inhabitants and minorities will enjoy full international rights.

He refused to characterize the talks as aiming at making Kosovo an independent or autonomous state.

He rejected also speculation that giving independence to Kosovo would contribute to a "greater Albania." Albania has had historical sight and influence on Kosovo for centuries and the latter's largest population are ethnic Albanians.

"No serious leaders in the region would advocate a greater Albania," the official said.