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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

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Visit by UN SC Mission signifies beginning of new negotiations on future status of Kosovo-Metohija

Belgrade, 30 April 2007

President of the Coordinating Centre for Kosovo-Metohija Sanda Raskovic-Ivic said in an interview for today’s edition of the daily “Vecernje Novosti” that the visit by the UN Security Council Mission to Serbia signifies the beginning of new negotiations on the future status of Kosovo-Metohija.

Sanda Raskovic-Ivic

Author: Tanjug

The official website of the Serbian government presents excerpts of the interview.

The Security Council Mission visit:

Serbia warmly welcomed the visit by the Security Council Mission due to the simple reason that for several years now we have heard praise for the implementation of standards in Kosovo-Metohija while our reports present a different picture from the unrealistic reports which are presented to the Security Council by UNMIK chiefs. The differences were so large that it was best that ambassadors come to ascertain and assess the real situation directly.

The visit plan:

I was a bit sceptical because a three-day visit was very short. The choice of places to visit was also not very representative. Very frequently they travelled in a helicopter, and one cannot see the real picture like that, one cannot see the remains of cement structures of Serb houses which were burnt, neither the barbed wire nor the faces of people.

Was the visit by the Mission result of compromise at Russia’s demand?

I don’t believe that it is just a matter of satisfying Russia. Of course, there were such ambassadors, above all the UK Ambassador, but there are diplomats who came to see the real situation on the ground. I would set apart the South African Ambassador who held a lecture to everyone on diplomacy and confronting problems.

Is Serbia counting on the vote by South Africa in the UN Security Council?

It is obvious that South Africa is against hasty solutions. We are talking about a serious country, responsible statesmen and diplomats who think of the consequences which could arise if a decision is brought hastily in violation of the UN Charter and international law. However, South Africa is not an isolated example.

The Mission’s report:

I expect the report to be realistic, because I believe that these are serious and objective people. I know that they cannot give a positive assessment regarding the fulfilment of standards which should be implemented in Kosovo-Metohija, and are not being implemented. That is why I believe that we should continue negotiations, and standards should have priority over status, because it has been proved that the status issue only worsens the matter of standards.

What is implied by the last proposal by Serbia – monitored autonomy?

That is our plan of substantial autonomy. We are not avoiding EU presence for a certain duration which could monitor autonomy. We advocate the demilitarisation of the province and the presence of international military forces as long as it is necessary.

When do you expect actual continuation of negotiations?

The Security Council will discuss the Mission report during May, according to the plans announced. It is realistic that new negotiations could begin in autumn, prior to that it is necessary to appoint a new international representative to replace Ahtisaari. Of course, Serbia cannot dictate the dynamics. That is the job of the UN Security Council.

Will the plan of the great powers, above all the US and UK, to determine the status of Kosovo-Metohija before summer, fail?

I hope that plan will fail. However, I would like to say that the plan in question is something which some government officials in these countries are trying to implement, and not the entire establishment. But it is indicative that the loudest are precisely those who promised independence to Albanians some ten years ago and were then in power in those two countries.

Will Russia veto if it comes to voting on independence?

Russia might not need to use its veto. That would be the best scenario. Because that would mean that the majority is in favour of respecting the UN Charter, international law, and against recognising the secession of Kosovo-Metohija, and I hope that it will really be like that.

On messages from Brussels that one of the solutions for the issue of Kosovo-Metohjia is also status quo:

Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica, during his meeting with the Security Council Mission, clearly said that Serbia is absolutely against status quo, because that means Serbs will not return to Kosovo-Metohija, those responsible for the killings will not be found, those guilty of kidnapping will not be held responsible, and burnt houses and churches will not be renovated. If anyone is against status quo, it is Serbia.

On the possibility of unilateral decision to recognise independence of Kosovo-Metohija:

It cannot be expected from any country to calmly observe how its territory is seized, and then be friends with those who did it. Those countries which recognise the independence of Kosovo-Metohija in opposition to the UN Security Council will be in trouble themselves. They will make two illegal moves – the first is ignoring the UN Charter, the second is violation of the UN SC Resolution 1244. That would be recognition directed against the Security Council and the UN. And finally, if the process of bilateral recognition is opened it could happen that some other countries recognise states in-making. For example, perhaps a major and strong country could recognise Republika Srpska as a new state.

What will the report by the Mission say?

We will see very soon what the stand of the Security Council member countries is. Every ambassador who was in the Mission will report to the Security Council on their observations during the visit to Serbia. Following that a single report will be formed. I believe that the US will not have enough votes to secure a majority for declaring the independence of Kosovo-Metohija.