"EU unity over Kosovo unlikely"

An adviser to the U.S. Congress’s Helsinki Commission doesn't think the EU will reach a consensus over Kosovo by December 10. However, Robert Hand added that a considerable majority would then come out in favor of a particular solution, probably based on UN Envoy Martti Ahtisaari’s plan. "EU unity over Kosovo unlikely" Speaking to Voice of America, he said that “European countries often base their decisions on historical affinities to one side or another, or from the point of view of their own internal problems if, for example, they have separatist movements on their own territory.” “I think that the situation with December 10 is nonetheless sufficiently important, and that if no agreement is reached, a solid majority of EU member-states will come out in favor of a particular solution, most probably in line with the Ahtisaari Plan,” added Hand. As far as the U.S.’s position was concerned, he said that everything up to now had suggested that their stand was fairly firm and came down to the Ahtisaari Plan and supervised independence, along with a series of guarantees for minorities. “I don’t think that position will change… the U.S. and its European allies, faced with threat of the Russian UN veto, consented to an additional 120 days of negotiations” stated Hand. “Once the deadline expires, I don’t think there can be any further justification for postponement. It wouldn’t get us anywhere and would merely lead to greater instability on both sides. I think the U.S. realizes that and that they’re pretty firm on where they think Kosovo should go,” said the Helsinki Commission adviser. Following statements from Democratic Party of Kosovo leader and Prime Minister elect Hasim Thaci that independence would be declared straight after December 10, Hand said that “everyone knows independence cannot be declared in a vacuum,” and that, “it is clear that further efforts will have to be made in order to exhaust all possibilities before we reach a unilateral declaration of independence.” “I think Pristina leaders are aware of this. They are faced with internal pressure to go further… but I think Thaci and others know that they could miss their opportunity if they make the wrong move,” he stressed. The Helsinki Commission adviser added that Russia’s opposition to Kosovo independence and a possible UN resolution accepting independence “rather concerns” the U.S. administration and Congress. “There’s a genuine chance of matters coming to a head over Kosovo. I think that Russia really might block any UN action, though such a move would be wrong,” stressed Hand, adding that if the UN was blocked from taking action, it would considerably undermine the organization’s authority.

"EU unity over Kosovo unlikely"

Speaking to Voice of America, he said that “European countries often base their decisions on historical affinities to one side or another, or from the point of view of their own internal problems if, for example, they have separatist movements on their own territory.”

“I think that the situation with December 10 is nonetheless sufficiently important, and that if no agreement is reached, a solid majority of EU member-states will come out in favor of a particular solution, most probably in line with the Ahtisaari Plan,” added Hand.

As far as the U.S.’s position was concerned, he said that everything up to now had suggested that their stand was fairly firm and came down to the Ahtisaari Plan and supervised independence, along with a series of guarantees for minorities.

“I don’t think that position will change… the U.S. and its European allies, faced with threat of the Russian UN veto, consented to an additional 120 days of negotiations” stated Hand.

“Once the deadline expires, I don’t think there can be any further justification for postponement. It wouldn’t get us anywhere and would merely lead to greater instability on both sides. I think the U.S. realizes that and that they’re pretty firm on where they think Kosovo should go,” said the Helsinki Commission adviser.

Following statements from Democratic Party of Kosovo leader and Prime Minister elect Hasim Thaci that independence would be declared straight after December 10, Hand said that “everyone knows independence cannot be declared in a vacuum,” and that, “it is clear that further efforts will have to be made in order to exhaust all possibilities before we reach a unilateral declaration of independence.”

“I think Priština leaders are aware of this. They are faced with internal pressure to go further… but I think Thaci and others know that they could miss their opportunity if they make the wrong move,” he stressed.

The Helsinki Commission adviser added that Russia’s opposition to Kosovo independence and a possible UN resolution accepting independence “rather concerns” the U.S. administration and Congress.

“There’s a genuine chance of matters coming to a head over Kosovo. I think that Russia really might block any UN action, though such a move would be wrong,” stressed Hand, adding that if the UN was blocked from taking action, it would considerably undermine the organization’s authority.