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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

No compromise over Kosovo's independence

Belgrade, 9 February 2007

President of the Coordinating Centre for Kosovo-Metohija Sanda Raskovic-Ivic said in an interview to today's issue of Vecernje Novosti daily that in order to discuss the proposal of UN Special Envoy for negotiations on the status of Kosovo-Metohija Martti Ahtisaari, it must begin with the sentence that the borders of the Serbian state are inviolable.

Sanda Raskovic-Ivic

The official website of the Serbian government brings excerpts from this interview.

Participation in the negotiations on Ahtisaari's proposal:

- We have to take part in those negotiations in order to tell Ahtisaari to his face that we do not agree with his plan, to explain why and to lay out our proposals which contain the solution.

What Serbia will propose:

- Serbia will propose it's concept of substantial autonomy. The basis is the platform adopted by Serbian parliament in late 2005, supplemented by answers to Ahtisaari's proposal.

Will deputies discuss this at the first session of a new parliament:

- Of course. As soon as the Serbian Electoral Commission declares the final results. We can go to Serbian parliament as soon as tomorrow.

On the resolution to be adopted by parliament:

- The resolution is being prepared. I do not believe there will be great departures in relation to the previous document. The new resolution on Kosovo will not be supported by all parties as before, because there are parties in parliament now that are for Kosovo's independence.

Which parts of Ahtisaari's proposal are unacceptable for Serbia:

- It is unacceptable that each and every topic in that proposal shows that Ahtisaari speaks about an independent state, or something that is about to become independent. For example, in the field of protection of cultural and church heritage, which is the issue best discussed during the negotiations, Ahtisaari does not envisage that any Serbian institution takes part in the protection, which was the case even during the Ottoman Empire. The same goes for the decentralisation topic. Then, in the field of economy and ownership issues, he almost copied the formula from the Agreement on succession of the countries of the former SFRY. Thus he already proclaimed Kosovo-Metohija an independent state.

Is Ahtisaari’s proposal based on compromise?

- It contains no element of compromise because it offers independence. We cannot make a compromise regarding independence. They are trying to deceive the Serbian side here. To be more specific, they are “selling” us human rights for Serbs in exchange for independence. These are rights which everyone should have.

Russia’s veto in the Security Council:

- Russia is a serious country, and its president is a very serious man, who has spoken several times of Kosovo-Metohija very clearly. That is very encouraging. Russian representatives are displaying a very principled stand. Even when they did not use the word “veto”, they spoke of such a move frequently. The most recent events concerning Ahtisaari’s proposal speak of Russia’s role. This proposal did not become a document of the UN because there was no consensus within the Contact Group. Russia did not accept it as a good plan and this for us has opened up the way for negotiations and presentation of our arguments.

The position of other countries regarding the issue:

- Besides Russia, I put my faith in China, which has a firm position that supports the territorial integrity of Serbia, and respects our position of supporting a unified China. The entire US policy towards Kosovo-Metohija is now directed towards “softening” Russia’s position, but I don’t see them making any progress. In the EU there is no consensus on the future status, and none regarding Ahtisaari’s proposal. Apart from the UK, nobody is making haste, except for Tony Blair who seems to be in the biggest hurry.

It has been mentioned that some countries will recognise the new country if the plan for an independent Kosovo does not get support in the Security Council:

- We still have the Resolution 1244, which will remain valid. In that case Kosovo-Metohija would remain an integral part of Serbia according to international law, and any recognition of independence will be null and void. No one with the slightest bit of consideration and responsibility will support such a project. As more time passes, there will be fewer of those who support independence.