Parliamentary Assembly of Council of Europe in favor of independent Kosovo?

Glas Javnosti daily, Belgrade, Wednesday, September 20, 2006 By B. V.

Belgrade - The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe's political committee has adopted a draft resolution on the situation in Kosovo and Metohija which in one of its articles foresees the independence of the province. The draft, which is the Parliamentary Assembly will be voting on during its plenary session in October, states that this body believes an independent Kosovo, under certain conditions, is an option that offers the greatest chance for peace in the province and the entire region.

Milos Jevtic, a member of our delegation in the Parliamentary Assembly, said that it's true that one article of the draft resolution proposed by British Lord Russell Johnston (sp?) foresees the independence of Kosovo and Metohija; however, debate on the resolution has still not finished.

"Our delegation proposed an amendment to the article in question at the session of the political committee which foresees the elimination of the entire paragraph in which independent Kosovo is mentioned; however, it did not pass at this session," said Jevtic. He added that another session of the political committee is due to be held before the Parliamentary Assembly plenary session, and that our representatives will resubmit the same amendment, hoping that it will pass because the composition of the committee will be different.

"At the session of the political committee just completed nine amendments proposed by our delegation were adopted; this is the only one that did not," emphasized Jevtic. He also emphasized that if the amendment which foresees the elimination of the entire paragraph in which independent Kosovo is mentioned does not pass at the next meeting of the political committee, either, it is still possible to propose at the plenary session of the Parliamentary Assembly itself.

"We will not give up our efforts to have our amendment adopted because it is unacceptable for us to have the possibility of an independent Kosovo mentioned anywhere in the resolution," said Jevtic. He emphasized that an imposed solution for the future status of Kosovo and Metohija is unacceptable and that only a compromise solution can ensure peace in the province and in the region.