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Ahtisaari’s plan already encountering difficulties in UN Security Council

Belgrade/New York, 3 April 2007

Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica gave a statement to the Radio Television of Serbia (RTS), following the UN Security Council session on Kosovo-Metohija, saying it may already be sensed that it will be difficult for UN Special Envoy Martti Ahtisaari’s plan to be adopted.

In a statement to the RTS, Kostunica said he is convinced the plan will not pass the Security Council, adding that his optimism is based on everything that preceded the UN Security Council session, on positions of certain Security Council permanent member countries, as well as on differences displayed within the EU and the fact that he had an opportunity to see for himself how strong the Serbian arguments are, as opposed to Ahtisaari’s plan.

According to Kostunica, Ahtisaari did not answer very important questions at the session, namely, why the UN Charter is being breached, why 15% of a country’s territory is being taken away from it and why there is no other solution respectful of the UN Charter.

Kostunica stressed that Serbia advocated that a solution be found which would enable substantial autonomy for Kosovo, enable the province to create and influence its own future, all the while not bringing into question that which is the foundation and principle of today’s world – Serbia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

He stressed that the UN Special Envoy said at the session that Kosovo status settlement, the way he has proposed it, would give Kosovo a sense of certitude, adding that this certitude may also be achieved through the Serbian proposal – by way of a high level autonomy and ties between Belgrade and Pristina.

“The most striking thing in Ahtisaari’s expostulation is the idea that Kosovo will remain an isolated and unique case in the world. Why bringing that up in advance? It is obvious there are fears that Kosovo might turn into an extremely huge precedent”, noted Kostunica.

Having in mind the “frailty of Ahtisaari’s arguments” and the awareness which is spreading throughout the world as to the dangers of questioning the UN founding principle, I have drawn quite optimistic conclusions on the course the matter will take, said the Prime Minister and voiced belief that all of this will demonstrate how unsustainable Ahtisaari’s plan actually is.