Kosovo confrontation looms
Monday, 10 Dec 2007 10:48
Kosovo is still recovering from the violence of the late 1990s
International powers are taking their sides over the independence of Kosovo as a UN deadline ends hopes for agreement.
Talks were abandoned on Friday as the 'troika', a trio consisting of the EU, US and Russia, failed to produce a deal on whether the Balkan province should win full independence from Serbia.
The failed efforts mean the demise of talks begun by UN special envoy Marty Ahtassari in February 2006 to try to negotiate a deal potentially involving substantial autonomy for the province.
Commentators expect Kosovo could declare itself a splinter state in the near future, a move Serbia has pledged to oppose through every measure bar force.
Serbia's main backer in the international arena, Russia, is already making threatening statements on the issue. Foreign minister Sergei Labrov said a unilateral declaration of independence would be illegal and would "naturally have consequences".
"I am positive that such steps will trigger a chain reaction in the Balkans and other regions. Everyone who has such plans must be fully aware of their responsibility," the Interfax news agency quoted him as saying.
Despite such threats leaders in Kosovo are likely to take heart from the EU's expected support.
Foreign policy chief Javier Solana indicated earlier today he believed unity on the issue was close to being reached.
Nato pledged to keep its 16,000-strong peacekeeping force in Kosovo on Friday.
Click here for a summary of the latest developments in the search for Kosovo's final status.