Post by engers on Dec 3, 2007 10:28:52 GMT -5
Wolfgang Ischinger, EU representative in Troika for ‘Blic’
No new options for compromise
____________________________________________________
‘After intensive efforts made during the past 120 days in finding the common points, I think there are no additional options that would lead towards solution to Kosovo status based on compromise’, Wolfgang Ischinger, EU representative in the mediating Troika that is coming to Belgrade today, says.
‘In direct talks at the highest level, that lasted for hours, we debated about all known models that could help in building bridges of understanding. Neither of them was met by approval by both sides. I regret that the sides failed during negotiations to take the advantage of the opportunity given by the Troika and the international community to agree in advance. For both Belgrade and Prsitina mutual agreement would be far better than any other
Will the report suggest what should be done after December 10? Will you say anything about the cooperativeness of the sides?
‘The report we are going to submit to the UN Secretary General shall contain the whole course of Troika’s participation in the negotiations. It shall be also mentioned in it how and to what extent the parties have cooperated with us. As regards the question how the international community should act towards the status of Kosovo after December 10, you shall get different replies at the capitals of EU, Russia and the USA. It would be very difficult for the Troika to suggest what should be done after December 10. We shall leave that to our governments to decide’.
Are the Albanians cooperative if they speak about independence only?
‘We have to understand the process led by the Troika in the context of negotiations led by the special EU representative Martti Ahtisaari. If you take in consideration the starting positions from November 2005, you shall see that Kosovo has accepted a series of limitations of its independence such as international presence and supervision. Pristina also contributed by its offer for agreement on friendship and cooperation with Belgrade’.
Is enforced solution the only way to reach the solution for the status?
‘Both sides promised to restrain from violence. That obligation is very important’.
Is unilateral proclamation of independence of Kosovo the solution if there is no agreement over the status?
‘Now that is a possible scenario according to which Kosovo would request independence without consent by Belgrade. My impression is that this step shall be coordinated to the possible extent, with EU, USA and other countries. One thing is clear: the status quo is unsustainable and a decision is necessary’.
What should neutral status that you spoke about understand?
‘There were several misinterpretations of that idea. Firstly, that is not a proposal on Kosovo independence. The idea I suggested would make possible for Kosovo and Serbia to cooperate in important spheres of mutual interest such as missing people, return of the refugees, freedom of movement, economy, energy, trade, environment protection and similar. This agreement would not mention the status. It would not understand Kosovo independence and would make possible for Serbia to keep Kosovo within its frame and that is why the status would be neutral. My stance is that such agreement would be good for both sides’.
What is your stance over Belgrade’s proposal on wide autonomy and giving of the example such as the Aland Islands?
‘Serbian delegation suggests very wide autonomy and underlines that such crucial autonomy can function anywhere in the world proving that by the examples of Hong Kong and the Aland Islands. However, for Pristina autonomy is not acceptable solution regardless of the fact that the offered autonomy is wider than the autonomy that has Hong Kong or the Aland Islands’.
____________________________________________________
[ftp]http://www.blic.co.yu/news.php?id=1159[/ftp]
No new options for compromise
____________________________________________________
‘After intensive efforts made during the past 120 days in finding the common points, I think there are no additional options that would lead towards solution to Kosovo status based on compromise’, Wolfgang Ischinger, EU representative in the mediating Troika that is coming to Belgrade today, says.
‘In direct talks at the highest level, that lasted for hours, we debated about all known models that could help in building bridges of understanding. Neither of them was met by approval by both sides. I regret that the sides failed during negotiations to take the advantage of the opportunity given by the Troika and the international community to agree in advance. For both Belgrade and Prsitina mutual agreement would be far better than any other
Will the report suggest what should be done after December 10? Will you say anything about the cooperativeness of the sides?
‘The report we are going to submit to the UN Secretary General shall contain the whole course of Troika’s participation in the negotiations. It shall be also mentioned in it how and to what extent the parties have cooperated with us. As regards the question how the international community should act towards the status of Kosovo after December 10, you shall get different replies at the capitals of EU, Russia and the USA. It would be very difficult for the Troika to suggest what should be done after December 10. We shall leave that to our governments to decide’.
Are the Albanians cooperative if they speak about independence only?
‘We have to understand the process led by the Troika in the context of negotiations led by the special EU representative Martti Ahtisaari. If you take in consideration the starting positions from November 2005, you shall see that Kosovo has accepted a series of limitations of its independence such as international presence and supervision. Pristina also contributed by its offer for agreement on friendship and cooperation with Belgrade’.
Is enforced solution the only way to reach the solution for the status?
‘Both sides promised to restrain from violence. That obligation is very important’.
Is unilateral proclamation of independence of Kosovo the solution if there is no agreement over the status?
‘Now that is a possible scenario according to which Kosovo would request independence without consent by Belgrade. My impression is that this step shall be coordinated to the possible extent, with EU, USA and other countries. One thing is clear: the status quo is unsustainable and a decision is necessary’.
What should neutral status that you spoke about understand?
‘There were several misinterpretations of that idea. Firstly, that is not a proposal on Kosovo independence. The idea I suggested would make possible for Kosovo and Serbia to cooperate in important spheres of mutual interest such as missing people, return of the refugees, freedom of movement, economy, energy, trade, environment protection and similar. This agreement would not mention the status. It would not understand Kosovo independence and would make possible for Serbia to keep Kosovo within its frame and that is why the status would be neutral. My stance is that such agreement would be good for both sides’.
What is your stance over Belgrade’s proposal on wide autonomy and giving of the example such as the Aland Islands?
‘Serbian delegation suggests very wide autonomy and underlines that such crucial autonomy can function anywhere in the world proving that by the examples of Hong Kong and the Aland Islands. However, for Pristina autonomy is not acceptable solution regardless of the fact that the offered autonomy is wider than the autonomy that has Hong Kong or the Aland Islands’.
____________________________________________________
[ftp]http://www.blic.co.yu/news.php?id=1159[/ftp]