Thaci talks of “reconciliation after elections”

Hashim Thaci says that he is prepared to discuss reconciliation with Belgrade after the May 11 elections. “We are aware that the Kosovo question has become part of the Serbian election campaign. Only after the elections can talks begin on the possibility of recognizing Kosovo independence, because that is Serbia’s condition for entering the EU and NATO. I am ready to work with Serbian officials for the better future of both countries,” the Kosovo prime minister told Hungarian daily Nepszabadsag. Thaci talks of “reconciliation after elections” He said that there was no possibility of the reconciliation process starting with an apology to the Serbs for committing war crimes. “The whole world knows who was responsible for the conflict in Kosovo,” Thaci said, claiming that none of the Kosovo Liberation Army’s fighters committed any war crimes, not even Ramush Haradinaj, who was recently acquitted by the Hague Tribunal. The Kosovo prime minister said that “Kosovo independence is a reality,” but that the situation was still “complicated.” “UNMIK is still in Kosovo, and so is EULEX chief Pieter Feith. The United Nations did their job well, and we’ll know how to proceed on June 15, when the recently adopted constitution becomes law,” he explained. Thaci said that Kosovo was “united,” but admitted that the northern part of the province was “problematic.” “We will, in cooperation with NATO and the international community, find the best solution for integrating Kosovska Mitrovica and its residents into the country’s system,” the Kosovo prime minister said. “It is important that minorities, above all the Serbs, are integrated into state institutions and society. The members of my government include two Serbs and a Turk,” he pointed out. Thaci added that he wanted Kosovo to be recognized by as many countries as possible, and to begin the process of Euro-Atlantic integration as soon as possible. Hashim Thaci (FoNet)

Thaci talks of “reconciliation after elections”

He said that there was no possibility of the reconciliation process starting with an apology to the Serbs for committing war crimes.

“The whole world knows who was responsible for the conflict in Kosovo,” Thaci said, claiming that none of the Kosovo Liberation Army’s fighters committed any war crimes, not even Ramush Haradinaj, who was recently acquitted by the Hague Tribunal.

The Kosovo prime minister said that “Kosovo independence is a reality,” but that the situation was still “complicated.”

“UNMIK is still in Kosovo, and so is EULEX chief Pieter Feith. The United Nations did their job well, and we’ll know how to proceed on June 15, when the recently adopted constitution becomes law,” he explained.

Thaci said that Kosovo was “united,” but admitted that the northern part of the province was “problematic.”

“We will, in cooperation with NATO and the international community, find the best solution for integrating Kosovska Mitrovica and its residents into the country’s system,” the Kosovo prime minister said.

“It is important that minorities, above all the Serbs, are integrated into state institutions and society. The members of my government include two Serbs and a Turk,” he pointed out.

Thaci added that he wanted Kosovo to be recognized by as many countries as possible, and to begin the process of Euro-Atlantic integration as soon as possible.