Post by engers on Nov 28, 2007 9:06:21 GMT -5
1ST LEAD: Independence for Kosovo closer as talks fail
Eds: Updates with comments from Kosovo delegation
Baden, Austria (dpa) - The last round of negotiations between Serbia and Kosovo on the future status of Kosovo failed on Wednesday, setting the stage for the province's independence.
"We regret that Serbia did not find it possible to agree to the independent final state of Kosovo," the province's likely new prime minister, Hashim Thaci, said at the conclusion of three-day talks held in the Austrian spa town Baden.
Throughout the talks, positions remained rigid with Kosovo insisting on full independence and Belgrade only willing to grant substantial autonomy to the province inhabited by more than 90 per cent ethnic Albanians.
Pristina made clear that it had never intended to budge: "We have not sought Belgrade's consent but partnership with Serbia," Kosovo delegation member Veton Surroi told journalists.
Mediators from the European Union, Russia and the United States failed to move the two parties any closer.
Serbia insisted talks had be continued even after a December 10 deadline set by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. A stalemate in the Security Council is likely as Russia is expected to block any decision that does not meet with Belgrade's approval.
Kosovo's President Fatmir Sejdiu made clear that Pristina would not consent to new talks: "We consider this process thoroughly exhausted," he said after the meeting.
Kosovo's leaders said they wanted to declare independence - in consultation with Brussels and Washington - as soon as possible. There would be no violence involved in the process, the Kosovo side stressed. Belgrade had also vowed that any change of status would be peaceful, they added.
[ftp]http://www.eux.tv/article.aspx?articleId=18413[/ftp]
Eds: Updates with comments from Kosovo delegation
Baden, Austria (dpa) - The last round of negotiations between Serbia and Kosovo on the future status of Kosovo failed on Wednesday, setting the stage for the province's independence.
"We regret that Serbia did not find it possible to agree to the independent final state of Kosovo," the province's likely new prime minister, Hashim Thaci, said at the conclusion of three-day talks held in the Austrian spa town Baden.
Throughout the talks, positions remained rigid with Kosovo insisting on full independence and Belgrade only willing to grant substantial autonomy to the province inhabited by more than 90 per cent ethnic Albanians.
Pristina made clear that it had never intended to budge: "We have not sought Belgrade's consent but partnership with Serbia," Kosovo delegation member Veton Surroi told journalists.
Mediators from the European Union, Russia and the United States failed to move the two parties any closer.
Serbia insisted talks had be continued even after a December 10 deadline set by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. A stalemate in the Security Council is likely as Russia is expected to block any decision that does not meet with Belgrade's approval.
Kosovo's President Fatmir Sejdiu made clear that Pristina would not consent to new talks: "We consider this process thoroughly exhausted," he said after the meeting.
Kosovo's leaders said they wanted to declare independence - in consultation with Brussels and Washington - as soon as possible. There would be no violence involved in the process, the Kosovo side stressed. Belgrade had also vowed that any change of status would be peaceful, they added.
[ftp]http://www.eux.tv/article.aspx?articleId=18413[/ftp]