UN-Truth

Reuters reports that it “has seen a copy of the document the newspaper had planned to print and can confirm, as Western diplomats have already said, that it contains no reference to Serbian sovereignty or to independence. It does, however, include provisions that diplomats say would — if adopted by the U.N. Security Council — open the door to a declaration of independence by Kosovo’s Albanian majority and recognition by individual states. Serbia categorically rejects independence. It is offering ’substantial autonomy’ to Kosovo’s Albanian majority, insisting it must preserve what a senior Serb official this week called a ‘membrane of Serbian sovereignty’. Under the plan drawn up by a U.N. mediator, however, Kosovo would have its own ‘national’ symbols, including a flag and anthem reflecting its multiethnic character…Reuters, citing diplomatic sources, published details of the plan last week, including proposals that Kosovo may seek membership of international organizations. This could include the U.N., World Bank and International Monetary Fund…The document seen in Pristina provides for creation of a professional and multiethnic ‘Kosovo Security Force’ with a lightly-armed component and a civilian body to control it. Kosovo would have its own ‘national’ symbols, including a flag and anthem reflecting its multiethnic character instead of the Albanian double-headed eagle which it currently uses. It would also have control over borders — a red line for Serbia which says its territorial integrity is inviolable. Ahtisaari’s plan will not meet all Albanian aspirations. It provides for creation of an international overseer with powers of veto, and deployment of a European Union police mission. Reuters has not seen annexes to the document. Diplomats say they grant Serb municipalities considerable self-government and financial and other links to Belgrade. Senior U.N. and Albanian officials in the province say the Albanian majority may interpret these provisions as adding up to Serb autonomy under the wing of Belgrade.”
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070131/wl_nm/serbia_kosovo_plan
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Meanwhile, at UNHQ/NY on Wednesday, the UN spokesperson said, according to published notes for the UN’s regular noon briefing, that “Special Envoy Martti Ahtisaari was aware that a portion of the proposal for a Kosovo Status Settlement had been published in the press. As has been indicated, Ahtisaari intends to provide the parties with the Kosovo Status Settlement proposal on 2 February. The Special Envoy will engage the parties during the month of February for more discussions and consultations before finalizing the proposal and sending it to the Secretary-General.”

Filed under: UN Security Council