Reuters AlertNet Lite - FACTBOX-UN plan puts Kosovo on path to independence

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FACTBOX-UN plan puts Kosovo on path to independence

02 Feb 2007 10:30:00 GMT
Source: AlertNet

Feb 2 (Reuters) - U.N. envoy Martti Ahtisaari delivered his plan for the future of Serbia's breakaway Kosovo province to Serbs in Belgrade and Albanians in Pristina on Friday.

Diplomats have leaked details of the confidential plan over recent weeks, and Reuters has seen a copy of the main text.

Here are the key elements that diplomats say provide the "platform" for a declaration of independence by the Albanian majority and recognition by individual states, if adopted by the U.N. Security Council:

* Contrary to the demands of Serbia, the document makes no reference to Serbian sovereignty, unlike U.N. resolution 1244 governing Kosovo since the 1998-99 war which was ended by NATO intervention and United Nations rule. Neither does it contain the word 'independence', as the Kosovo Albanian majority wanted.

* An international envoy -- a European official mandated by the United Nations and the European Union -- would be appointed, with power to veto legislation and dismiss local officials. Over a transition period of 120 days from the adoption of a new U.N. resolution, this office would take over supervision of Kosovo from the current U.N. mission. The EU would deploy a police mission alongside the current 16,500-strong NATO peace force.

* Kosovo would have the right to enter into international agreements and apply for membership of international organisations, which diplomats say could potentially include the United Nations, World Bank and International Monetary Fund.

* Kosovo would have its own "national" symbols, including a flag and anthem. Albanian and Serbian would be the official languages. It would have its own "security force" with a lightly armed unit, and control of its borders.

* The plan grants Kosovo's 100,000 remaining Serbs and other non-Albanians extensive rights and protections, including guaranteed thresholds of representation in parliament and government, police and civil service. Municipalities, including those with Serb majorities, get broad powers of self-government and the right to "transparent" funding from Belgrade.

* Protection zones would be imposed around the most valuable of scores of Serbian Orthodox religious sites. The Orthodox church would be granted special tax breaks. The flashpoint town of Mitrovica in northern Kosovo would be split into two municipalities -- Serb north, Albanian south -- with a joint board to facilitate cooperation.

* Diplomats say Ahtisaari plans to hold fresh Serb-Albanian talks in February and possibly early March, before sending the final proposal to the U.N. Security Council, where Western powers hope to avoid a veto by Russia, which backs Serbian opposition to independence.

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Last updated:Fri Feb 2 10:33:37 2007