[ALBSA-Info] {QIKSH «ALBEUROPA»} NEWS: Kostunica Says He Backs Autonomy for Kosovo (Reuters, Dec 12, 2000)

[Wolfgang Plarre]

http://www.centraleurope.com/yugoslaviatoday/news.php3?id=229162

Kostunica Says He Backs Autonomy for Kosovo

ROME, Dec 12, 2000 -- (Reuters) Yugoslav President Vojislav Kostunica
said on Monday he supported future autonomy for the province of Kosovo
within the borders of federal Yugoslavia.
    "I am for a common state of Serbia and Montenegro, for the essential
autonomy of Kosovo in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia -- a truly
multinational state with all human and minority rights," he said in an
address to Italian parliamentarians during his first official visit to
Rome.
    Former Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic, whom Kostunica
replaced after disputed elections in September, revoked Kosovo's
autonomy in 1989.
    The ethnic Albanian majority in the province, who outnumbered Serbs
by almost nine to one, came under severe repression by Serb military
forces, which led to the bombing of Yugoslavia last year by NATO.
    Referring to the bombing campaign, Kostunica said: "These are things
you cannot forget, but you must live looking to the future."
    A United Nations resolution set up to provide a mandate for Kosovo
stated that the territory remained under Yugoslav sovereignty but said
nothing about it being part of Serbia.
    Three possible solutions have been flagged for Kosovo -- an
independent, mainly ethnic Albanian state, a Yugoslav federal republic
with full autonomy or as a province of Serbia.
    Kostunica did not elaborate on his ideas for Kosovo but vowed to
secure democracy throughout Yugoslavia.
    While Kostunica and his political allies have largely secured
control of Yugoslav institutions, the outcome of Serbian parliamentary
elections slated for December 23 will be the key to cementing his grip
across the federation.
    Kostunica told Italian parliamentarians that his country needed
foreign capital to protect and develop its fledgling democratic
political system.
    "The new democratic institutions in Yugoslavia should be
strengthened with the necessary economic aid," he said, adding that
Italy had understood that need and was helping to meet it.
    Kostunica earlier met President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi and Prime
Minister Giuliano Amato, who welcomed Yugoslavia's transition to
democracy and pledged Italy's support and investment in the country.
    The foreign ministers of both countries signed a raft of economic
deals, including an agreement to protect and promote each other's
economic investments.

KOSTUNICA MEETS POPE

Kostunica, whose country is predominantly Christian Orthodox, also had
an audience with Pope John Paul following his address in the Italian
parliament.
    "(President) Kostunica expressed the desire to work for peace in
Yugoslavia and the Balkans," Chief Vatican spokesman Joaquin
Navarro-Valls said in a statement after the meeting.
    "During the talks, the two men discussed the efforts made by the
Holy See during these difficult and tragic years, and (both) wished that
the situation will reach a meeting of minds and social peace," he added.

(C)2000 Copyright Reuters Limited


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