[AKI-News] AKI NEWSLETTER-- 1/9/03

[Advocates for Kosova Independence]

AKI (ADVOCATES FOR KOSOVA'S INDEPENDENCE)
JANUARY 9, 2003


PM Zoran Djindjic, "independence will no longer be
a taboo subject".

Der Speigel: Djindic Interview

     Kosovo: Serbs bet on pressure from Brussels

For the first time Belgrade is ready to to talk with the Kosovo Albanians
about the independence of the Yugoslav province. The Serbian government even
wishes for a quick start for talks about the future status of the region,
which is still a part of Yugoslavia according to UN Resolution 1244. At
those talks, according to PM Zoran Djindjic, "independence will no longer be
a taboo subject". In the first round of talks the different positions should
be clarified, then a solution should be found with the help of international
mediators. Here Djindjic is counting above all on pressure from the EU,
which lately has wanted to prevent the complete independence of Kosovo. If,
despite the exhortations of the Europeans, the Albanians were to push
through their statehood, says the Serbian PM, then Brussels would also have
to bear the consequences. Djindjic: "That would be a dangerous precedent for
other peoples in the Balkans and would perhaps endanger peace in the
multi-ethnic state of Bosnia." As a solution Djindjic proposes an
arrangement of relations between Serbs and Albanians in Kosovo which would
resemble the Muslim-Croat Federation in Bosnia. There each community has
jurisdiction over its own institutions.But it is hardly to be expected that
the Albanians will agree to such proposals and abandon their independence
demands. In this case Djindjic threatens to demand a new Dayton conference.
Bosnia was divided up in that US city in 1995. Djindjic: "Then the borders
in the region would have to be compltetely redefined." The New Year promises
of Albanian politicians showed how much the Albanians are pressing for
independence. By the end of 2003, thir message said, we will be an
independent state.

translation by Nicholas Whyte
Balkans Program Director, International Crisis Group