UN special envoy submitted Kosovo settlement plan

PanARMENIAN.Net - Kosovo will be allowed to separate from Serbia and use its own national symbols under proposals to end its limbo status drawn up by the UN's special envoy. Martti Ahtisaari's plan does not mention the word "independence", but that is virtually what is on offer, Western diplomats said. Mr Ahtisaari is in Belgrade presenting his proposals to Serbian officials.



The UN has administered Kosovo since a Nato bombing campaign forced Serbian troops to withdraw in 1999. Talks to determine Kosovo's final status have been continuing for years without the two sides coming to agreement. Ethnic Albanians make up 90% of the province's two million people.



According to the United Nations, more than 220,000 non-Albanian Kosovars are living as internally displaced refugees in Serbia and Montenegro. The ethnic Albanian majority overwhelmingly want to break away from Serbia. But Serbs regard the province - which is still officially part of Serbia - as the cradle of their culture, and oppose any solution that would lead to its independence.



Mr Ahtisaari's plan, however, amounts to "independence, subject to international supervision", said one Western diplomat, who wished to remain unnamed. Kosovo would be allowed its own national symbols, including a flag and anthem, and to apply for membership of international organisations like the United Nations.



It would not be unconditional independence, however. An "international community representative" would be appointed, with powers to intervene if Kosovo tries to go further than the plan allows, while Nato and EU forces would remain in military and policing roles. Kosovo could not be partitioned between Serbian and ethnic Albanian areas, nor would Kosovo be allowed to join any other state - implicitly ruling out the creation of a "greater Albania", reports the BBC.