G8 finds no agreement on Kosovo resolution

G8 finds no agreement on Kosovo resolution

He said the G8 leaders and political directors of the foreign ministries discussed Kosovo until late last night, but failed to make progress.

Sarkozy also said it was Russia that did not agree with his proposal made Friday for a six month period to be set for discussing the future status of the province.

Asked if there was still a threat of a Russian veto over Kosovo, he said: "I think one could say it like that."

The French envoy in Kosovo, Thierry Reynard, said: "The veto was about to kill the resolution. We knew for sure that if we go to a vote today, the Russians will veto."

A source in the Russian delegation said there was "a general understanding" among G8 leaders, that there was "no need to hurry" with a United Nations vote on Kosovo. Sarkozy in particular shared that understanding, the source said.

“After the six months, in which Belgrade and Priština can find a better status solution that will then be implemented, we will either find a solution or adopt UN envoy Martti Ahtisaari’s proposal,” Sarkozy said Friday.

Also Friday, Reuters news agency cited anonymous sources and reported that "an agreement has been reached that the resolution will not be given to the UN for some period of time and that we will work cooperatively to find a solution."

Sarkozy’s proposal unacceptable for Belgrade

Minister for Kosovo Slobodan Samardžić said Friday that Sarkozy’s proposal to delay the decision on Kosovo’s future status for six months was  “completely unacceptable for Belgrade since it is deficient and involves the danger that the Albanian side may try to hinder any new negotiations”, according to the government web site.

In a statement to Tanjug, Samardžić said that “the deficiency of this proposal is that it sets deadlines for possible agreement and talks between Belgrade and Priština”.

He added that Belgrade remained opposed to artificial deadlines, and advocated instead  “a reasonable deadline” for resolving the issue.

Samardžić also said that the proposal provided the Albanian side with “no reason to negotiate seriously”, since they knew that in case of failed negotiations the resolution on the independence of Kosovo would be adopted.

He said that Prime Minister Vojislav Koštunica was set to introduce “additional initiatives”, when he meets Russian President Vladimir Putin Saturday.

Ceku: Do not betray this trust

Kosovo's prime minister urged the West on Friday “not to betray the trust of Kosovo's Albanians” on a UN plan for independence, after the French president suggested a six-month delay on a decision.

Agim Ceku told The Associated Press on Friday that he was waiting for the details of what was agreed at the summit in Germany and that he still hoped that Russia and the other countries could agree "a practical and realistic deal on Kosovo quickly."

"But, I want to say this to the international community: we have trusted you to bring clarity to Kosovo. We have committed to the UN path and we have been very patient," Ceku told AP. "I urge you, do not betray this trust."

Ceku said that every day of delay increased frustration in Kosovo and was hurting the province's communities.

"We cannot wait forever," Ceku said. "Give us clarity, give us freedom and let us go."

The top U.S. diplomat in Kosovo, Tina Kaidanow, said G8 leaders "did not reach any agreement on Sarkozy's proposal or another way forward for Kosovo" and appealed for patience.

She said the U.S. and its European Union partners would continue high-level discussions with Russia and other Security Council members about the need for the Security Council to make a decision soon.

"We believe the best way forward is the adoption of a UN Security Council resolution based on [UN plan's] recommendations," Kaidanow said in a statement. "Intense diplomacy of this kind often takes time. All parties should remain patient."