CONTENTIOUS KOSOVO

Date: 19 Feb 2008

Comment:

Kosovo independence "dangerous" says Russia 

Serbia has withdrawn its ambassadors from Washington and other major 
capitals in protest at recognition of Kosovo's independence. Serb 
Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica threatened other countries with 
similar measures if they do the same. Russian Foreign Minister 
Sergei Lavrov said that Kosovo's independence bid was "unacceptable" 
and "dangerous," in an official statement. However, speaking from 
Africa, US President George W. Bush said that despite disagreements 
with Serbia and Russia, Kosovo's independence was a correct move. 
The European Union has failed to act as one in recognising Kosovo. 
The United Kingdom and France announced they would formalise ties 
with Pristina, while Spain and Romania oppose the secession, fearing 
it could set a precedent. 


EU's Solana in Kosovo for talks 

EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana has arrived in Kosovo becoming 
the first leading international figure to visit since it proclaimed 
independence from Serbia. Solana, the European Union's high 
representative for foreign and security policy, immediately made his 
way into Kosovo's capital Pristina for talks with Prime Minister 
Hashim Thaci. Solana's spokeswoman in Brussels said the visit is "a 
clear message of Europe's engagement" in the new state. As Solana 
headed to Pristina, groups of angry Serbs set fire to two crossing 
points on the Kosovo-Serbia border, prompting the first intervention 
by NATO peacekeepers since the independence declaration.
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feb 19, 2008.
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