Ex-UN official says partition is realistic solution

Partition of Kosovo is a realistic solution if the two sides cannot reach any other agreement, says former UN official Gerard Gallucci. “Something like Ahtisaari Plus - special autonomy for the north - might also work,” he told daily Blic. Ex-UN official says partition is realistic solution He added, however, that Pristina was unfortunately trying to resolve issues with force, making partition less likely. “I know people talk about the effects that this would have elsewhere - the Kosovo Albanians regularly play this card - but in 21st Century Europe, borders ought to be able to be adjusted without letting anyone use it as an excuse for more war," Gallucci explained. He pointed out that conflicts in the field would continue if the Quint countries (the U.S., Great Britain, France, Germany and Italy) did not support Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaci in his attempt to find a compromise regarding customs seals with EU facilitator in the Belgrade-Pristina talks Robert Cooper. “But if Pristina refuses to back down from its extreme positions and KFOR makes more mistakes in the north, then things could get out of control,“ the former UN official said.

Ex-UN official says partition is realistic solution

He added, however, that Priština was unfortunately trying to resolve issues with force, making partition less likely.

“I know people talk about the effects that this would have elsewhere - the Kosovo Albanians regularly play this card - but in 21st Century Europe, borders ought to be able to be adjusted without letting anyone use it as an excuse for more war," Gallucci explained.

He pointed out that conflicts in the field would continue if the Quint countries (the U.S., Great Britain, France, Germany and Italy) did not support Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaci in his attempt to find a compromise regarding customs seals with EU facilitator in the Belgrade-Priština talks Robert Cooper.

“But if Priština refuses to back down from its extreme positions and KFOR makes more mistakes in the north, then things could get out of control,“ the former UN official said.