[ALBSA-Info] {QIKSH «ALBEUROPA»} Albania Says Kosovo Vote Shows Political Maturity

[Nikoll A Mirakaj]

Albania Says Kosovo Vote Shows Political Maturity 

TIRANA, Oct 30, 2000 -- (Reuters) The Albanian government on Monday hailed Kosovo's first free election, saying Kosovo Albanians had demonstrated their political maturity and ability to run their own lives.

Moderate ethnic Albanian leader Ibrahim Rugova claimed victory over guerrilla war veterans in the local elections and said the Yugoslav province should quickly be given independence. European observers described the election as free and fair.

"The end with success of the vote is a clear testimony to the international community that Kosovars have all capacities to govern, all possibilities to run their lives, and all rights to decide on their fate," the government said in a statement.

Many in Kosovo, a Serbian province ruled since mid-1999 by the United Nations, saw the elections organized by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) as a first step towards independence.

Albania said the elections were an important contribution to security in the Balkans.

More than 900,000 Kosovars participated in Saturday's voting but the ballot was shunned by 75,000 Serbs, prompting new Yugoslav President Vojislav Kostunica to call the elections invalid.

(C)2000 Copyright Reuters Limited. 

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