Priština tones down threat of immediate independence

Kosovo Albanian leadership says they have no plans to declare independence immediately after Dec. 10.

Izvor: AP

Monday, 19.11.2007.

18:03

Default images

Kosovo Albanian leadership says they have no plans to declare independence immediately after Dec. 10. They sought to dampen speculation Monday that Thaci's election victory would lead to an immediate declaration of independence when deadlocked talks over the province's future end in three weeks, the AP reported. Pristina tones down threat of immediate independence Hashim Thaci told the agency that if he becomes prime minister, Kosovo's leadership will swiftly declare independence from Serbia. But after a plea by European Union foreign ministers Monday, Thaci said any future decisions would be made in coordination with the United States and Europe. "All our decisions after Dec. 10 will be coordinated with Washington and Brussels," Thaci told reporters before traveling to Brussels, where Kosovo's negotiators will meet international envoys and Serbian officials for another round of talks Tuesday. "We will have a speedy and mutual decision," Thaci said. Kosovo's President Fatmir Sejdiu also struck a conciliatory tone about the future if talks fail. "I insist that this process of consultations be swift because it is in our national interest,' Sejdiu — whose party trails in an unofficial tally behind Thaci — told reporters. "I don't think we will enter another process... There might be consultations; that is normal," Sejdiu said. Thaci's Democratic Party of Kosovo leads still unofficial election results with 34 percent of the vote. Official preliminary results will be announced later Monday. Sejdiu's League of Democratic Kosovo, or LDK — traditionally the province's largest political bloc — trailed with 22 percent. Sejdiu said talks on forming a coalition government should not stall the province's quest for independence. Serbia has warned that unilateral moves that curb its formal sovereignty over the province — such as declaring independence — would endanger the region's stability. Fatmir Sejdiu (Tanjug)

Priština tones down threat of immediate independence

Hashim Thaci told the agency that if he becomes prime minister, Kosovo's leadership will swiftly declare independence from Serbia.

But after a plea by European Union foreign ministers Monday, Thaci said any future decisions would be made in coordination with the United States and Europe.

"All our decisions after Dec. 10 will be coordinated with Washington and Brussels," Thaci told reporters before traveling to Brussels, where Kosovo's negotiators will meet international envoys and Serbian officials for another round of talks Tuesday.

"We will have a speedy and mutual decision," Thaci said.

Kosovo's President Fatmir Sejdiu also struck a conciliatory tone about the future if talks fail.

"I insist that this process of consultations be swift because it is in our national interest,' Sejdiu — whose party trails in an unofficial tally behind Thaci — told reporters.

"I don't think we will enter another process... There might be consultations; that is normal," Sejdiu said.

Thaci's Democratic Party of Kosovo leads still unofficial election results with 34 percent of the vote. Official preliminary results will be announced later Monday.

Sejdiu's League of Democratic Kosovo, or LDK — traditionally the province's largest political bloc — trailed with 22 percent. Sejdiu said talks on forming a coalition government should not stall the province's quest for independence.

Serbia has warned that unilateral moves that curb its formal sovereignty over the province — such as declaring independence — would endanger the region's stability.

Komentari 24

Pogledaj komentare

24 Komentari

Možda vas zanima

Podeli: