Post by engers on Nov 26, 2007 10:34:09 GMT -5
Aleksandr Botcan-Kharchenko, Russian representative in Troika
I do not exclude possibility of greater Albania
I do not expect any break through at the last round of negotiations between Belgrade and Pristina in Austria, however, there are some chances for progress if Albanian delegation returns to normal logics that agreement of status is reached first and then debate about sub-status issue’, Aleksandr Botcan-Kharchenko, Russian representative in the mediating Troika says for ‘Blic’. He also warns that if things go out of control, the possibility of making of greater Albania (union of territories with Albanian population) should not be excluded.
Q: Representatives of Belgrade points out that sovereignty of Serbia is the red line that cannot be crossed. What is Moscow’s red line?
‘Moscow’s red line is adoption of UN SC resolution over Kosovo status exclusively on the basis of agreement reached between Belgrade and Prsitina. Let us define this line as follows: the very solution is the will of the sides and depends on the sides, but for us as mediators, it is important that the solution is reached through negotiations. Legitimate and legal solution can be only the solution adopted by the UN Security Council, taking into account the actual Resolution 1244 that is still in force.
Q: The Troika is expected in Belgrade and Pristina on December 3?
‘The report shall not be officially submitted to UN Secretary General before the Troika’s visit to the region’.
Q: What do you think about Belgrade’s proposal on the crucial autonomy limited for a period of 20 years?
‘All ideas suggested by Belgrade contained interesting and useful elements. All of them are aimed to one goal: reaching of a compromise solution now and if not now, then later. The most important thing that all of these elements insist on is seeking of solution through negotiations. That is in line with Russia’s stance’.
Q: There is impression that Albanians expect unilateral proclamation of independence?
‘Let us wait and focus all our attention that this round shall move the whole matter forward, at least just a little bit’.
Q: Has Albanian delegation made a single concession?
‘They suggested certain things but those things dif not refer to the status. When the status is concerned, as Albanians say officially, there has not been nor be, any change. They say independence, period’.
Q: In one of your interviews you said that they rejected to sign a document by which they give up the idea of greater Albania. They say to have not planned that from the beginning, but they mention ongoing processes that cannot be stopped by a paper. Can you comment on this?
‘I can imagine a process of integration regardless of the Contact Group’s document that stipulates no union of Albanian territories. I do not say this shall happen soon, but in a year, two, or more it could happen. Something like that cannot be excluded’.
Q: You said there were slim chances for progress?
‘The chances for break trough are none objectively speaking, but I very much hope that there is a chance for progress to be made’.
Moscow to insist on continuation of negotiations
Q: If these negotiations fail, will Moscow insist at SC on further negotiations? ‘Yes, we shall insist on continuation of status process within dialog between Belgrade and Pristina’.
[ftp]http://www.blic.co.yu/news.php?id=1115[/ftp]
I do not exclude possibility of greater Albania
I do not expect any break through at the last round of negotiations between Belgrade and Pristina in Austria, however, there are some chances for progress if Albanian delegation returns to normal logics that agreement of status is reached first and then debate about sub-status issue’, Aleksandr Botcan-Kharchenko, Russian representative in the mediating Troika says for ‘Blic’. He also warns that if things go out of control, the possibility of making of greater Albania (union of territories with Albanian population) should not be excluded.
Q: Representatives of Belgrade points out that sovereignty of Serbia is the red line that cannot be crossed. What is Moscow’s red line?
‘Moscow’s red line is adoption of UN SC resolution over Kosovo status exclusively on the basis of agreement reached between Belgrade and Prsitina. Let us define this line as follows: the very solution is the will of the sides and depends on the sides, but for us as mediators, it is important that the solution is reached through negotiations. Legitimate and legal solution can be only the solution adopted by the UN Security Council, taking into account the actual Resolution 1244 that is still in force.
Q: The Troika is expected in Belgrade and Pristina on December 3?
‘The report shall not be officially submitted to UN Secretary General before the Troika’s visit to the region’.
Q: What do you think about Belgrade’s proposal on the crucial autonomy limited for a period of 20 years?
‘All ideas suggested by Belgrade contained interesting and useful elements. All of them are aimed to one goal: reaching of a compromise solution now and if not now, then later. The most important thing that all of these elements insist on is seeking of solution through negotiations. That is in line with Russia’s stance’.
Q: There is impression that Albanians expect unilateral proclamation of independence?
‘Let us wait and focus all our attention that this round shall move the whole matter forward, at least just a little bit’.
Q: Has Albanian delegation made a single concession?
‘They suggested certain things but those things dif not refer to the status. When the status is concerned, as Albanians say officially, there has not been nor be, any change. They say independence, period’.
Q: In one of your interviews you said that they rejected to sign a document by which they give up the idea of greater Albania. They say to have not planned that from the beginning, but they mention ongoing processes that cannot be stopped by a paper. Can you comment on this?
‘I can imagine a process of integration regardless of the Contact Group’s document that stipulates no union of Albanian territories. I do not say this shall happen soon, but in a year, two, or more it could happen. Something like that cannot be excluded’.
Q: You said there were slim chances for progress?
‘The chances for break trough are none objectively speaking, but I very much hope that there is a chance for progress to be made’.
Moscow to insist on continuation of negotiations
Q: If these negotiations fail, will Moscow insist at SC on further negotiations? ‘Yes, we shall insist on continuation of status process within dialog between Belgrade and Pristina’.
[ftp]http://www.blic.co.yu/news.php?id=1115[/ftp]