Differences persist over status of Kosova

Javier Solana, the EU's security and foreign policy chief, told the Prishtina daily "Koha Ditore" that the final status of Kosova will be determined "at the appropriate time" in keeping with UN Security Council 1244, RFE/RL's South Slavic and Albanian Languages Service reported. He added that the leaders in Belgrade and the elected leaders and representatives of institutions of Kosova will be included in the process (see "RFE/RL Newsline," 8 and 9 January 2003). The previous day, Kosova President Ibrahim Rugova and speaker of the parliament Nexhat Daci said any negotiations on the future of Kosova can take place only through the offices of the international community and that the outcome must be approved by the people of Kosova in a referendum. In related news, Serbian Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic said in Belgrade on 10 January that only the elected representatives of the Serbs in Kosova can decide whether they will end their boycott of the parliament. He added, however, that he believes participation in Kosova's joint institutions is the best way to solve problems (see "RFE/RL Newsline," 10 January 2003). PM