"North to be modeled after South Tyrol"

The Italian autonomous province of South Tyrol could be used as a model for northern Kosovo. This is according to a report in today's Albanian language daily Koha Ditore, published in Pristina. "North to be modeled after South Tyrol" The north of the province is inhabited by Serbs who reject the Kosovo Albanian UDI and the authority of the government in Pristina. But the newspaper cites international sources, and says that this solution has received positive signals from both Pristina and Belgrade. The daily says that the new arrangement would modify the Ahtisaari plan by granting more financial autonomy to the northern part of Kosovo in regards to tax collection, allowing for the recognition of the region's four municipalities as a separate unit and conferring greater competences and autonomy on the north. Serb leader dismisses idea Serb National Council of Northern Kosovo (SNV) President Milan Ivanovic told KIM Radio that the idea was "utterly unacceptable". Ivanovic said it would refer to "autonomy within a state of Kosovo, the existence of which is not acceptable". He also believes that the "Serb question should be solved integrally, without separating the north from other territories in Kosovo where Serbs are, or were a majority". Some parties, such as LDP and the Serbian Renewal Movement (SPO), Ivanovic continued, "which openly speak in favor of an independent Kosovo", might consider the South Tyrol model idea to be good, "but it must not be accepted by Serbia's authorities". "I think that our government must not accept ideas that jeopardize our vital national interests," Ivanovic concluded.

"North to be modeled after South Tyrol"

The north of the province is inhabited by Serbs who reject the Kosovo Albanian UDI and the authority of the government in Priština.

But the newspaper cites international sources, and says that this solution has received positive signals from both Priština and Belgrade.

The daily says that the new arrangement would modify the Ahtisaari plan by granting more financial autonomy to the northern part of Kosovo in regards to tax collection, allowing for the recognition of the region's four municipalities as a separate unit and conferring greater competences and autonomy on the north.

Serb leader dismisses idea

Serb National Council of Northern Kosovo (SNV) President Milan Ivanović told KIM Radio that the idea was "utterly unacceptable".

Ivanović said it would refer to "autonomy within a state of Kosovo, the existence of which is not acceptable".

He also believes that the "Serb question should be solved integrally, without separating the north from other territories in Kosovo where Serbs are, or were a majority".

Some parties, such as LDP and the Serbian Renewal Movement (SPO), Ivanović continued, "which openly speak in favor of an independent Kosovo", might consider the South Tyrol model idea to be good, "but it must not be accepted by Serbia's authorities".

"I think that our government must not accept ideas that jeopardize our vital national interests," Ivanović concluded.