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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

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Serbia-Montenegrin Foreign Minister calls for eliminating consequences of ethnic cleansing in Kosovo

Washington, 8 May 2004

Serbia-Montenegrin Minister of Foreign Affairs Vuk Draskovic met with US Secretary of State Colin Powell in Washington yesterday to present the Serbian government’s plan for power decentralisation in Kosovo-Metohija, which calls for establishing local autonomy to protect the local Serb community, their property and rights.

Vuk Draskovic

Draskovic also insisted that all consequences of ethnic cleansing against Kosovo Serbs following June 10, 1999 must be eliminated.

Powell agreed that the consequences of ethnic cleansing must be removed. The US Secretary of State also gave his support for the reconstruction of destroyed Serb houses and churches in the province, and called for creating conditions for the return of over 200,000 displaced Serbs.

The two officials agreed that specific decentralisation forms and solutions call for a dialogue among Kosovo Serbs, ethnic Albanians and international community representatives in the province, as well as for Belgrade-Pristina talks.

Draskovic told Powell that the governments of Serbia and Serbia-Montenegro are open for a dialogue with Pristina, stressing that the UN Security Council Resolution 1244 stipulates that Kosovo-Metohija is an integral part of Serbia and Serbia-Montenegro.

As part of his visit to Washington, Draskovic also met with US Deputy National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley to present the Serbian government’s plan for power decentralisation in the province.

According to the Minister, both of the US top officials said that the plan is acceptable as a starting point for further talks.

Draskovic is scheduled to meet with Senators Chuck Hagel and Richard Lugar, and Congressman Chris Smith on Monday, May 10. Later that day, the Minister is due to give a lecture at the Woodrow Wilson Institute.

On Tuesday, May 11, Draskovic will travel to New York to attend a UN Security Council session on Kosovo-Metohija. The Minister is also expected to meet with UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan and UNMIK head Harri Holkeri.