"No new Dayton, no change in Russian position"

Aleksandr Botsan-Kharchenko says that claims of an international conference on Kosovo’s status are untrue. “Rumors that negotiations between the Serbs and Kosovo Albanians will end at the beginning of December with the organization of an international conference, aimed at reaching a decision on the province’s status, are completely unfounded,” the Russian envoy to the international mediating Troika said today. "No new Dayton, no change in Russian position" Kharchenko told daily Vecernje Novosti that “even more false are the claims that Russia’s stand has softened and become more moderate.” “We still believe that discussions should last as long as is necessary for the Serbs and Albanians to reach an agreement, which would be the basis for lasting peace in the Balkans,” he said. Kharchenko said that a number of western diplomats “are purposely propagating talk of Moscow softening its stance’ in an effort to put psychological pressure on Serbia.” “Russian officials have explained on several occasions that our stance on Kosovo is based on our national interests,” Kharchenko reiterated, adding that Moscow’s position had not changed "in the slightest." Asked what he expected from the next round of talks between Belgrade and ethnic Albanian leaders from Kosovo on October 14 in Brussels, the diplomat said the meeting would be an extension of what had already taken place in New York and that he did not expect “any revolutionary changes, rather concrete negotiations.” Meanwhile, the Belgrade negotiating team has received an invitation to the next round of direct Kosovo status talks. Cabinet adviser Aleksandar Simic confirmed the date yesterday. The second round of direct talks between Belgrade and Pristina and mediated over by the international Troika, will be held on October 14 in Brussels. The Belgrade delegation will be led by Kosovo Minister Slobodan Samardzic and Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic. The European Union Ministerial Council stated that this meeting would provide both sides with an opportunity to present their proposals for the province’s future status, and discuss the topic thoroughly. In Kosovo, after returning from meetings with British officials in London, the Pristina delegation said yesterday that the talks in the UK had "only further strengthened their hopes of obtaining independence from Serbia." Kosovo President Fatmir Sejdiu said that British officials had again confirmed their support for Pristina’s goals. “A united stand and a demand to have the status process sped up defined these talks,” Sejdiu said. Pristina delegation member Veton Surroi said that two important issues had arisen during the meetings in London. The first was how seriously the Kosovo side were taking the continuing status negotiating process which is due to end on December 10. A similar seriousness was expected from Belgrade as well, Surroi said. “The second question is a united stand regarding completion of the process. That means that there cannot be any more postponements and no new status negotiations or new alternatives for Kosovo’s status,” Surroi said. Several hours before the Kosovo negotiating team’s return from London, Kosovo students held a peaceful protest in Pristina demanding independence and an end to postponements in the process. Kosovo officials said that the students’ requests were very similar to those of the government. “There can be no more postponements and there is no more need to organize new negotiations,” government spokesperson Avni Arifi said. Aleksandr Botsan-Kharchenko (Tanjug)

"No new Dayton, no change in Russian position"

Kharchenko told daily Večernje Novosti that “even more false are the claims that Russia’s stand has softened and become more moderate.”

“We still believe that discussions should last as long as is necessary for the Serbs and Albanians to reach an agreement, which would be the basis for lasting peace in the Balkans,” he said.

Kharchenko said that a number of western diplomats “are purposely propagating talk of Moscow softening its stance’ in an effort to put psychological pressure on Serbia.”

“Russian officials have explained on several occasions that our stance on Kosovo is based on our national interests,” Kharchenko reiterated, adding that Moscow’s position had not changed "in the slightest."

Asked what he expected from the next round of talks between Belgrade and ethnic Albanian leaders from Kosovo on October 14 in Brussels, the diplomat said the meeting would be an extension of what had already taken place in New York and that he did not expect “any revolutionary changes, rather concrete negotiations.”

Meanwhile, the Belgrade negotiating team has received an invitation to the next round of direct Kosovo status talks.

Cabinet adviser Aleksandar Simić confirmed the date yesterday. The second round of direct talks between Belgrade and Priština and mediated over by the international Troika, will be held on October 14 in Brussels.

The Belgrade delegation will be led by Kosovo Minister Slobodan Samardžić and Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremić.

The European Union Ministerial Council stated that this meeting would provide both sides with an opportunity to present their proposals for the province’s future status, and discuss the topic thoroughly.

In Kosovo, after returning from meetings with British officials in London, the Priština delegation said yesterday that the talks in the UK had "only further strengthened their hopes of obtaining independence from Serbia."

Kosovo President Fatmir Sejdiu said that British officials had again confirmed their support for Priština’s goals.

“A united stand and a demand to have the status process sped up defined these talks,” Sejdiu said.

Priština delegation member Veton Surroi said that two important issues had arisen during the meetings in London.

The first was how seriously the Kosovo side were taking the continuing status negotiating process which is due to end on December 10. A similar seriousness was expected from Belgrade as well, Surroi said.

“The second question is a united stand regarding completion of the process. That means that there cannot be any more postponements and no new status negotiations or new alternatives for Kosovo’s status,” Surroi said.

Several hours before the Kosovo negotiating team’s return from London, Kosovo students held a peaceful protest in Priština demanding independence and an end to postponements in the process.

Kosovo officials said that the students’ requests were very similar to those of the government.

“There can be no more postponements and there is no more need to organize new negotiations,” government spokesperson Avni Arifi said.