Press: Intl. community proposes autonomy for N. Kosovo

International representatives have suggested Kosovo institutions to provide a special status for north Kosovo, Pristina press writes. Pristina-based Albanian language daily Zeri has reported that Belgrade is familiar with the proposal. Press: Intl. community proposes autonomy for N. Kosovo Zeri’s sources say that the EU member states in coordination with other factors “have opened up the issue with Kosovo officials”. “We still have nothing for public even though talks about the issue between the international and Kosovo officials are underway. The proposal would preserve Kosovo’s borders and it would at the same time satisfy Belgrade by giving a special status, some sort of autonomy to the northern municipalities,” the daily’s source was quoted as saying. The special status would allow the municipalities in north Kosovo to have higher authorities and some sort of self-government. The daily’s source added that Belgrade was informed and that “reactions from both sides are expected”. One of the ruling Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) officials Xhavit Haliti said recently that “the international representatives have been sending signals for some sort of special status for north Kosovo”. The Kosovo government said, however, that the issue was not being discussed. “We will operate only on the basis of the Ahtisaari plan and Kosovo Constitution,” Kosovo Deputy Prime Minister Hajredin Kuci stressed. International Civilian Office (ICO) Spokesman Andy McGuffie said that the ICO would continue to work on implementing peaceful changes to north Kosovo, including forming of a new municipality of North Kosovska Mitrovica. “Our work is completely based on the Ahtisaari plan which contains principles of decentralization and which specifically focuses on needs and concerns of the Serbian community in Kosovo,” McGuffie pointed out. Kosovo opposition representatives believe that the Kosovo government made clear some time ago that it was ready to accept the special status for north Kosovo. An administrative crossing in Kosovo (Tanjug, file) “Substantial autonomy, not special status” The new mechanism will be called “Regional Council for North” and will be formed based on the Ahtisaari plan. The municipalities will have a special budget line that will be controlled by Pristina, Pristina-based Albanian language Koha Ditore has reported. According to the daily, this would be a substantial autonomy for the north of Kosovo, because international officials are reluctant to use the term special status, when referring to actions aimed at resolving the situation in northern Kosovo. “It's not good to joke about themes such as special status. The offered solution would not be aimed at establishing any status or changing it. It should make life easier for citizens in that part of Kosovo,” Koha Ditore's sources said. The Kosovo government has also confirmed to Koha Ditore that international pressure has been increased for substantial autonomy for the Serbs who live in Zubin Potok, Zvecan, Leposavic and northern Mitrovica. “Our international friends believe that it is impossible to integrate the north after 12 years. In order to avoid armed conflict, they see a special status for north of Kosovo as the best solution,” an unnamed Kosovo government official said to Koha Ditore.

Press: Intl. community proposes autonomy for N. Kosovo

Zeri’s sources say that the EU member states in coordination with other factors “have opened up the issue with Kosovo officials”.

“We still have nothing for public even though talks about the issue between the international and Kosovo officials are underway. The proposal would preserve Kosovo’s borders and it would at the same time satisfy Belgrade by giving a special status, some sort of autonomy to the northern municipalities,” the daily’s source was quoted as saying.

The special status would allow the municipalities in north Kosovo to have higher authorities and some sort of self-government.

The daily’s source added that Belgrade was informed and that “reactions from both sides are expected”.

One of the ruling Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) officials Xhavit Haliti said recently that “the international representatives have been sending signals for some sort of special status for north Kosovo”.

The Kosovo government said, however, that the issue was not being discussed.

“We will operate only on the basis of the Ahtisaari plan and Kosovo Constitution,” Kosovo Deputy Prime Minister Hajredin Kuci stressed.

International Civilian Office (ICO) Spokesman Andy McGuffie said that the ICO would continue to work on implementing peaceful changes to north Kosovo, including forming of a new municipality of North Kosovska Mitrovica.

“Our work is completely based on the Ahtisaari plan which contains principles of decentralization and which specifically focuses on needs and concerns of the Serbian community in Kosovo,” McGuffie pointed out.

Kosovo opposition representatives believe that the Kosovo government made clear some time ago that it was ready to accept the special status for north Kosovo.

“Substantial autonomy, not special status”

The new mechanism will be called “Regional Council for North” and will be formed based on the Ahtisaari plan. The municipalities will have a special budget line that will be controlled by Priština, Priština-based Albanian language Koha Ditore has reported.

According to the daily, this would be a substantial autonomy for the north of Kosovo, because international officials are reluctant to use the term special status, when referring to actions aimed at resolving the situation in northern Kosovo.

“It's not good to joke about themes such as special status. The offered solution would not be aimed at establishing any status or changing it. It should make life easier for citizens in that part of Kosovo,” Koha Ditore's sources said.

The Kosovo government has also confirmed to Koha Ditore that international pressure has been increased for substantial autonomy for the Serbs who live in Zubin Potok, Zvečan, Leposavić and northern Mitrovica.

“Our international friends believe that it is impossible to integrate the north after 12 years. In order to avoid armed conflict, they see a special status for north of Kosovo as the best solution,” an unnamed Kosovo government official said to Koha Ditore.