Kosovo reacts to postponement

Kosovo reacts to postponement

Kosovo president Fatmir Sejdiu told reporters that they continue to believe the status solution will be reached quickly in the interest of Kosovo, the region, and the international community.

“We are particularly distressed with the fact this delay is linked to the forthcoming parliamentary elections in Serbia”, the Kosovo president said.

Officials appealed on Kosovo citizens to “face this challenge with a cool head”. Democratic Party of Kosovo leader Hashim Thaci said the first next step in Kosovo should be to secure peace and safety.

“Kosovo must not deviate from its determination to be a partner for the U.S and the EU. We want integrated, not isolated independence”, Thaci said in reaction to the postponement announcement.

UNMIK chief Joachim Ruecker said he hoped all participants in the process will remain committed to the negotiations, and would avoid “one-sided actions that can undermine the support for Kosovo at this crucial moment”.

American Office in Priština, viewed as the most influential diplomatic office in Kosovo, said in a statement that the status process has reached its final phases, and that the U.S. remains convinced that the status solution which UN envoy Martti Ahtisaari will produce will include “adequate arrangements to protect the people of Kosovo.”

Priština press: Decision in March 2007

Priština daily Zeri writes today that Belgrade and Priština will receive Ahtisaari’s proposal in February 2007, and will be asked to state their positions regarding the document.

The newspaper reports that as far as the UN envoy and the Contact Group are concerned, the status negotiations are over, and the decision will be made public in March 2007.

Citing western diplomats, the daily says yesterday’s meeting in Vienna that reached the decision to postpone the status solution proposal was “difficult”.

“They faced a fait accompli and could not disregard the argument that Serbia was to hold a parliamentary election. As of this moment, the Serbian cabinet has resigned and Belgrade does not represent a negotiating party”, diplomats told Zeri.

The same source said that the unveiling of Ahtisaari’s proposal in the middle of the election campaign in Serbia would directly influence the outcome.

“The Radicals would benefit from Ahtisaari’s mission that will make Kosovo an independent state”, the daily writes.