Kosovo Albanians step up preparations for declaration of independence
Kosovo Albanians stepped up preparations for a unilateral declaration of independence with simultaneous security-related promises for Kosovo Serbs and the start of a public debate on province’s future constitution, based largely on the proposal drafted by former Finish President Martti Ahtisaari.
(KosovoCompromise Staff) Wednesday, January 30, 2008
The fresh initiatives, widely seen as a early sign of imminent declaration of independence in Pristina, were launched by Kosovo's Interior Minister Zenun Pajaziti who has said that Serbs should feel part of the wider community.
Almost simultaneously, Kosovo's Deputy Premier Hajredin Kuci launched a two-weeks-long public debate on province's new constitution, which will come into force once parliament in Pristina declares the independence.
The debate will last until February 8 prior to the key parliamentary session loosely scheduled for mid-February.
Kosovo's new constitution has been drafted in accordance with Ahtisaari's proposal, and seeks a legal basis for deployment of the European Union's mission which will supervise the province.
According to the draft, Kosovo will be constituted as "independent republic" with elements of the "Badinter principle" - a legal instrument successfully used in neighboring Macedonia to prevent majorization of Albanian minority.
"We want to make it clear that everybody must feel free to return home," said Pajaziti, who previously coordinated an office which was in charge of implementation of international standards, including controversial return of refugees.
More than 200.000 Serbs and thousands of other non-Albanians were driven out of Kosovo by Albanian extremists since the deployment of international administration and NATO troops in mid-1999.
