UN chief still reluctant over Kosovo
Position of the United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon once again proved to be extremely difficult, as he dogged another set of questions on the volatile question of Kosovo’s future status during the recent visit to Slovenia, which holds the European Union’s Presidency.
(KosovoCompromise Staff) Monday, January 28, 2008
"I will have to closely and carefully assess the situation as it develops," Ban told reporters after talks with Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Jansa.
The UN chief decided to keep quiet over the Kosovo status earlier this year after the great powers pressed his office hoping to gain Ban's support of essentially opposing ideas considering the fate of this province.
However, Ban warned that the current impasse could create the "dangerous situation on the ground".
"As secretary general of the United Nations, my paramount concern is to maintain peace, protect lives, and ensure the safety of the UN staff," said Ban.
The UN chief declined to say whether he would endorse a planned European Union civilian mission to Kosovo, saying he would be taking "the necessary measures, in close cooperation, with the EU, as the situation develops".
Ban also expressed his "concern" over the obvious divisions within the UN Security Council, saying that such a situation could lead to rather dangerous developments in Kosovo.
Ban's decision to refrain from Kosovo-related messages came after months of firm support to a status proposal drafted by his special envoy Martti Ahtisaari and recent contrasting calls for further negotiations between Belgrade and Pristina and appeals to keep the process within the frameworks of the UN.
Initially, Serbian authorities firmly backed by Russia cried foul over Ban's support to the Ahtisaari status proposal, which failed to win support of the Security Council, but the latest pressure came from the West, equally, unsatisfied with Secretary General's call for more talks and solution agreed upon in New York.
