KOSOVO:Kosovo's prime minister Agim Ceku has expressed confidence that a United Nations envoy will propose the region's independence from Serbia today, amid signs Russia might ultimately accept a move that its ally Belgrade deeply opposes.
Martti Ahtisaari, the chief UN envoy for Kosovo, is in Vienna to outline his plans for the future of the province to the so-called Contact Group, which comprises the US, Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Russia.
"I strongly believe that Ahtisaari will propose independence for Kosovo and will propose a concrete mechanism and procedures to guarantee all the rights of the communities that live in Kosovo," Mr Ceku said yesterday. "After his proposal, the minorities, namely Serbs, will have no reason to refuse Kosovo's independence, or to refuse to live in an independent Kosovo."
Diplomats suggest the plan will recommend "conditional" independence for the mostly ethnic Albanian region, which would be allowed to join organisations like the World Bank and Council of Europe, but would still be patrolled by foreign troops and overseen by an international political presence. Kosovo's two million people have been governed by the UN since 1999.
Belgrade has refused to consider the prospect of an independent Kosovo, which is considered the historical heartland of Serbia.
Russia, which could veto a resolution on Kosovo at the UN Security Council, has insisted a decision must be acceptable to Belgrade. But Moscow's envoy to the UN, Vitaly Churkin, said yesterday that a solution was possible if all sides showed flexibility: "If the parties get into a creative discussion of the settlement, then there are all sorts of possibilities."
Mr Ahtisaari has emphasised the need to protect Kosovo's minorities, amid fears many Serbs may leave the region if it is granted independence, and that some Serb strongholds may try to join Serbia proper.