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Goran Svilanovic regarding the solution to the problem in Kosovo and the future of the province
March 07, 2001



Belgrade, March 6 (Tanjug) - Yugoslav Foreign Minister Goran Svilanovic assessed in his interview to Politika Television that a realistic solution to the problem in Kosovo should be based on the inviolability of borders, a special status of Kosovo and reorganization of institutions, and that talks on the province's future should take into account its ties with the rest of Serbia.

Svilanovic as priority issues quoted the return of displaced Serbs to enclaves wherever possible, and the fate of the missing persons.

According to him, solving the status of Kosovo must not be done in haste, and priority should be given to negotiations on elections in Kosovo and the conditions under which they should be held.

Referring to possible participation of Serbs in these elections, the Yugoslav Foreign Minister stressed that this depends on the electoral conditions, adding that a first offer, "which will be discussed in detail", has already been presented to Belgrade by UNMIK chief Hans Haekkerup.

Svilanovic stated precisely that this proposal envisages elections for a Kosovo parliament, which should include between eight and ten percent of Serbian deputies, and for the parliament presidency and the government, which should have one Serb minister.

He stressed that Yugoslavia is insisting on a clear definition of institutions which would be elected and on their authority, and it is especially insisting on providing conditions for Serbs to return, vote and to be elected at the Kosovo elections, regardless of whether they are in Kosovo at present or are only planning to return.

Concerning discussions on the future status of Kosovo, which will be on the agenda in a few years, "whoever will negotiate with us will ask for independence," Svilanovic assessed.

According to him, apart from representatives of Yugoslavia, Serbia, Montenegro and Kosovo Albanians, such negotiations should also be attended by the U.N. representatives, and "in a special status, as guests", representatives of Albania, Bulgaria, Macedonia and Greece.

The Yugoslav Foreign Minister explained that he is insisting on involvement of all governments from the region which are interested in the problem, since Kosovo is "a regional problem" and instability in the region would lead to instability of all neighbouring states, which "are not part of the problem", but are part of the solution".

Claims that Kosovo will seek independence, former leader of Liberation Army of Kosovo Hashim Thaqi, whose short interview had been broadcasted in front of Svilanovic, as a guest in the studio, confirmed that. Answering to the question if Kosovo will stay within Yugoslavia, Thaqi categorically stated: "Never".

Estimating future talks on status of southern Serbian province, Thaqi expressed hope that they will discuss "peaceful secession of Kosovo from Serbia".

Dissociating himself from the terrorist attack on a Serb bus near Podujevo and terrorist actions in the ground safety zone, Thaqi stressed that solution to the problem in southern Serbia should be found in withdrawal of Yugoslav security forces from that area, stressing that "it is good, because (army and police) are no longer in Kosovo".

Yugoslav Foreign Minister stressed that violence which is going on in Kosovo should become the issue of serious talks. "We have very serious arguments to demand from the international community to establish who was committing crimes against Serbs in Kosovo all this time", Svilanovic said.

Comparing the relation of international community towards antiterrorist actions, which Macedonia is allowed to carry out, but not Yugoslavia, he said that there is "a large burden, due to former acts of Army and police, and everything what had happened in Kosovo before, and especially during (NATO) bombardment".

More reasonable solution from military clash with terrorists is to go step by step and to continue negotiations, Minister assessed.


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