RFE/RL on the future role of Serbs in Kosova

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Subject: RFE/RL on the future role of Serbs in Kosova

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RFE/RL on the future role of Serbs in Kosova



RADIO FREE EUROPE/RADIO LIBERTY, PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC
___________________________________________________________
RFE/RL NEWSLINE Vol. 4, No. 91, Part II, 11 May 2000

A daily report of developments in Eastern and Southeastern Europe,
Russia, the Caucasus and Central Asia prepared by the staff of Radio
Free Europe/Radio Liberty. 

This is Part II, a compilation of news concerning Central, Eastern,
and Southeastern Europe. Part I covers Russia, Transcaucasia and
Central Asia and is distributed simultaneously as a second document.
Back issues of RFE/RL Newsline and the OMRI Daily Digest are online at
RFE/RL's Website: http://www.rferl.org/newsline


...................

KOSOVARS SET TO POSTPONE INDEPENDENCE? Albert Rohan, who is the OSCE's
chief Balkan envoy, told Reuters in Vienna on 10 May that Kosova's
ethnic Albanian political leaders understand that the international
community will not agree to their demand for independence at this
time. He added that the Kosovars also recognize the need for an
interim political settlement to be worked out soon in order to reduce
tensions in the province. Rohan stressed that the Albanians have made
an "important concession" in agreeing to "postpone their desire for a
swift, final settlement" (see "RFE/RL South Slavic Report," 27 April
and 4 May 2000). PM

THACI SEEMS TO SAY 'YES.' Hashim Thaci, who was the leader of the
former Kosova Liberation Army (UCK) and is now one of the province's
top politicians, told Vienna's "Die Presse" of 11 May that an
"independent Kosova is important for the stability of the Balkans." He
added, however, that the time for independence has not yet arrived:
"Independence will come once the Kosovars have decided on it and we
have convinced the world" of the need for it. For now, he said, his
priority is that Kosova remains at peace and that free local elections
will take place, probably in the fall. He urged local Serbs to take
part in the registration process leading up to the elections, saying
that they will not have a voice in the province's future if they do
not. Thaci dismissed as unfounded Serbian fears that many illegal
immigrants from Albania will try to vote in the elections. The former
UCK leader said that he is more worried that Yugoslav President
Slobodan Milosevic will send hard-liners and agents into Kosova to
disrupt the ballot. PM

WHAT ROLE FOR SERBS? Rohan told Reuters in Vienna on 10 May that
representatives of the Serbian minority will join talks on an interim
settlement once they realize that they will "have no say in the
matter" if they boycott the talks. The negotiations will involve
regional and international experts and take place in Kosova. Rohan
stressed that he does not envisage "another Rambouillet." By this, he
presumably means that he does not want a media spectacle with
political grandstanding by some of the participants, as was the case
with the 1999 Rambouillet talks. PM

KOUCHNER HAILS 'HISTORIC AGREEMENT.' Bernard Kouchner, who heads the
UN's civilian administration in Kosova, said in Prishtina on 10 May
that Albanian and Serbian members of his interim council issued a
"historic" statement condemning crimes committed against the other
ethnic group and appealing to all people to shun violence. He called
the session "the most important meeting we have had" since the council
was formed several months ago, Reuters reported. The council called
for the release of the perhaps 1,200 ethnic Albanians being held in
Serbian jails. Its statement did not include an appeal to ethnic
Albanians to help clarify the fate of the perhaps 900 Serbs and other
non-Albanians classified as missing, Reuters added. PM

SERBS, ALBANIANS STAGE PROTESTS. Several hundred relatives of missing
Kosova Serbs demonstrated in Belgrade on 10 May to demand that the
international community and the Serbian authorities help clarify the
fate of their loved ones. Ranko Djinovic, who heads the organization
Families of the Kidnapped, said that a "conspiracy of silence" by the
foreigners and Serbian authorities alike has prevented the relatives
from finding out the truth. Meanwhile in the Kosovar town of Istog,
some 2,000 ethnic Albanians demonstrated against plans by Kosova Serbs
and the international community to return Serbian refugees to the
province (see "RFE/RL Newsline," 3 May 2000). Spokesmen said that the
Serbs will not be welcome until all ethnic Albanians are freed from
Serbian jails and until additional, unspecified conditions are met,
Reuters reported. PM

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