Wisner: UN talks on Kosovo proceeding rapidly

Wisner: UN talks on Kosovo proceeding rapidly

He said the discussions involved a review of the language of the draft in search of phraseology that could lead to acceptance of proposals by UN Kosovo envoy Martti Ahtisaari, adding that the essence of the resolution would remain the same.

The ambassador said “the United States will press hard for acceptance of the envoy's plan for supervised independence of Kosovo.”

"Realization of Martti Ahtisaari’s plan that will lead to Kosovo’s independence enjoys full support of the United States. It remains to be seen whether the UN Security Council will give its blessing to the status settlement or the process would change its course," he said.

When asked whether it meant the U.S. was ready to unilaterally recognized Kosovo’s statehood, Wisner replied that it was too early to open that question.

Italy backs independence for Kosovo

Italy on Thursday voiced support for Kosovo's independence, urging Belgrade to turn the page on "ideas of the past."

"We support the need to recognize Kosovo's independent status, a choice that Serbia may find onerous but that actually represents the finish line in a historic process that is already over," Foreign Minister Massimo D'Alema said, AFP reported.

"A country so strong and vital as Serbia (should) turn towards the future, without remaining attached to ideas of the past," he told Albanian business leaders attending an investment conference in the southern Italian port of Bari.

"Serbia should rethink its role, which will in any case remain crucial, in a region where it is the most populous country and has a long tradition," D'Alema said.

The region "cannot think of reestablishing or defending a federal form which unfortunately was swept away by historical events," he said in reference to the civil wars that broke apart Yugoslavia in the 1990s.

He pointed the finger at "a Serbian ruling class attached to totalitarian and nationalist positions," in a clear allusion to Serbian strongman Slobodan Milošević.

Today's Serbia, however, "is a democratic country with which we want to work to find a solution to this problem," he said.

Wisner: UN talks on Kosovo proceeding rapidly