[Prishtina-E] US Denies Backing Republic Status for Kosova

[Uk Lushi]

>From: NAACDC at AOL.COM
>To: NAACDC at aol.com
>Subject: [alb-information] US Denies Backing Republic Status for Kosova
>Date: Wed, 18 Oct 2000 16:30:03 EDT
>
>National Albanian American Council
>2000 L Street, N.W., Suite 200, Washington, DC  20036
>(202) 416-1627    Fax: (202) 416-1628
>Email: NAACDC at aol.com
>______________________________________________________________________
>PRESS RELEASE
>
>
>US Denies Backing Republic Status for Kosova
>
>
>Washington, DC, October 18, 2000:  In a meeting on October 17th with NAAC, 
>US
>Special Envoy to the Balkans Jim O'Brien denied a press report that the US 
>is
>promoting the idea that Kosova should become a third republic within a
>Yugoslav Federation that includes Serbia and Montenegro.
>
>The Associated Press reported on October 15, 2000 that a "western 
>diplomat,"
>speaking on condition of anonymity, said that the US believes this plan
>offers the "best chance for bringing stability to the Balkans and for
>diminishing prospects for more ethnic conflict."
>
>O'Brien denied that the US is backing such a plan: "The US is not promoting
>any plan regarding the final status of Kosova," said O'Brien. "We support
>resolving the question of final status by using the procedures set forth in
>UN Resolution 1244.  We believe that now is not the time to resolve the 
>final
>status issue.  We are focusing instead on helping to build democratic
>institutions, civil societies, and market economies in both Kosova and
>Serbia, and we hope Kosovars and Serbs will do the same."
>
>The Associated Press story created some concern among Albanians, who view 
>the
>United States as its savior and closest ally.  Albanians also believe that
>the American people strongly support independence, after a national poll
>conducted in March by Penn, Schoen and Berland showed that nearly 80 
>percent
>of the American people support creating a democratic, independent Kosova.
>
>"Serbia annexed Kosova by force, held on to it through oppression, and
>finally used mass expulsions, murder, and rape in an effort to cleanse it 
>of
>its indigenous Albanian population," said Ilir Zherka, NAAC President.
>"Given this history, it is understandable why Kosovars will never accept
>anything short of independence.  We are satisfied that the current
>Administration understands this point and that it is not attempting to
>advance any solutions to the final status question that undermines the will
>of the people of Kosova."
>
>
>###
>
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