"Independence is foregone conclusion"

Members of the Pristina delegation claim that "Kosovo independence is a foregone conclusion." On their return yesterday from London, they said that December 10 would be the last day of the status talks, and that the mediating Troika had been "very impressed by their document on future Kosovo-Serbia relations." "Independence is foregone conclusion" At a joint news conference held at Pristina Airport, members of the Kosovo Albanian negotiating team had less to say about the London meeting with the Contact Group Troika, concentrating more on the progress of the process, particularly after December 10, when the mandates of the envoys from the U.S., the EU and Russia expire. Kosovo President Fatmir Sejdiu said that the provincial institutions "would not accept responsibility for the consequences of a blockade or any other form of hindrance of the negotiating process," which might arise in the meantime. "There have been calls for talks to continue without any timeframes, aims or limits. We are against that," said Sejdiu. Unlike Sejdiu, who frequently stresses that Pristina will not take any major steps off its own back, without the support of the western powers, Prime Minister Agim Ceku has made it known that Pristina’s political patience has a deadline of December 10, when the talks are supposed to end. "We won’t wait long. We’ll see how things develop after December 10, but we won’t wait long," warned Ceku. Fatmir Sejdiu leaving a meeting with the Contact Group Troika at the Cabinet meeting in London, September 19 (Tanjug/EPA) Dangerous scenario of unilateral independence Balkan Institute Executive Director Ivan Vejvoda told B92’s Poligraf program that September 28, when direct talks are scheduled between Belgrade and Pristina, is a very important date to see whether both sides were being constructive. Vejvoda explained that a unilateral declaration of independence and recognition of an independent Kosovo were dangerous scenarios that could bring stability in the Balkans into question. "The EU, as we can see through the activities of Ischinger, is playing a slightly stronger role than the other two members of the Troika." "The U.S. is listening very carefully to what Europe has to say to them. But in the end, the responsibility, price, and expense of the final solution for Kosovo will be borne by Europe," said Vejvoda.

"Independence is foregone conclusion"

At a joint news conference held at Priština Airport, members of the Kosovo Albanian negotiating team had less to say about the London meeting with the Contact Group Troika, concentrating more on the progress of the process, particularly after December 10, when the mandates of the envoys from the U.S., the EU and Russia expire.

Kosovo President Fatmir Sejdiu said that the provincial institutions "would not accept responsibility for the consequences of a blockade or any other form of hindrance of the negotiating process," which might arise in the meantime.

"There have been calls for talks to continue without any timeframes, aims or limits. We are against that," said Sejdiu.

Unlike Sejdiu, who frequently stresses that Priština will not take any major steps off its own back, without the support of the western powers, Prime Minister Agim Ceku has made it known that Priština’s political patience has a deadline of December 10, when the talks are supposed to end.

"We won’t wait long. We’ll see how things develop after December 10, but we won’t wait long," warned Ceku.

Dangerous scenario of unilateral independence

Balkan Institute Executive Director Ivan Vejvoda told B92’s Poligraf program that September 28, when direct talks are scheduled between Belgrade and Priština, is a very important date to see whether both sides were being constructive.

Vejvoda explained that a unilateral declaration of independence and recognition of an independent Kosovo were dangerous scenarios that could bring stability in the Balkans into question.

"The EU, as we can see through the activities of Ischinger, is playing a slightly stronger role than the other two members of the Troika."

"The U.S. is listening very carefully to what Europe has to say to them. But in the end, the responsibility, price, and expense of the final solution for Kosovo will be borne by Europe," said Vejvoda.