Reuters AlertNet Lite - FACTBOX-U.N. envoy, Serbs, Albanians comment on Kosovo plan

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FACTBOX-U.N. envoy, Serbs, Albanians comment on Kosovo plan

02 Feb 2007 15:20:03 GMT
Source: Reuters

Feb 2 (Reuters) - United Nations special envoy Martti Ahtisaari on Friday presented Serbs and ethnic Albanians with a plan that sets Serbia's breakaway Kosovo province on the path to independence, as its ethnic Albanian majority demands.

Below are quotes from Ahtisaari's news conference in Belgrade, and reaction from Serb and Albanian leaders:

AHTISAARI, ON THE DETAILS OF THE PROPOSAL:

"The settlement provides for an international representative to supervise the implementation of the settlement. And (NATO-led international peacekeeping force) KFOR will continue to provide a safe and secure environment by supporting Kosovo institutions as long as necessary."

"Everyone in Kosovo agrees that the dire economic situation needs most urgent attention. The settlement outlines provisions designed to promote sustainable economic development including Kosovo's ability to apply for membership in international financial institutions."

"The settlement lays out specific provisions for the protection of Kosovo non-Albanian communities".

"More than 40 key religious and cultural sites will have protective zones to ensure that the Serbian Orthodox church will remain a living religious community.

"On the status issue itself I think the positions of the parties are extremely fixed".

"The final process starts when the plan enters the Security Council".

AHTISAARI, ON FURTHER TALKS:

"We are still giving one more chance for parties if they are prepared to come and further engage themselves, I and my colleagues are available to them. I intend to use the month of February for that purpose."

"This consultation phase is important, I want to give both parties a chance once again to make points. I will then finalise my settlement proposal for submission to the Security Council. At that stage I will also elaborate on the status issue."

SERB PRESIDENT BORIS TADIC, AFTER MEETING AHTISAARI:

"Ahtisaari's plan opens the possibility of independence for Kosovo. Serbia and I as its president will never accept the independence of Kosovo. An imposed independence would be against the basic principles of international law and would represent a dangerous political and legal precedent".

KOSOVO PM AGIM CEKU, AFTER MEETING AHTISAARI:

"Ahtisaari's document made the future of Kosovo very clear and opens the way to Kosovo's independence."

KOSOVO PRESIDENT FATMIR SEJDIU, AFTER MEETING AHTISAARI:

"The state of Kosovo with its existing borders, with functional authority, with rights and guarantees for all citizens and communities... is the only sustainable solution".

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Last updated:Fri Feb 2 15:21:25 2007