Powers warn of tensions in north Kosovo

Powers warn of tensions in north Kosovo
By Matt Robinson

BELGRADE (Reuters) - The major powers voiced concern on Friday at tensions in northern Kosovo, where there are growing signs of Serb resistance as the majority Albanian province pushes for independence from Serbia.
A statement issued by the six-member Contact Group expressed concern at "recent developments" in the mainly Serb north of Kosovo adjacent to central Serbia.
It did not specify which developments. Reports suggest Serbs there are strengthening what they say are self-defence groups made up of former military and police officers.
"Both Belgrade and Pristina should take immediate steps to reduce tensions in northern Kosovo, particularly to encourage responsible leadership and build confidence among communities," said the statement, issued by the U.S. liaison office in Kosovo on behalf of the United States, Britain, Germany, France, Italy and Russia.
Seven years since NATO bombs drove out Serb forces and the United Nations took control, the West is pushing for a decision on Kosovo's fate in 2006. Some Serb leaders have threatened to split it in two if the Albanians win independence.
Three northern Serb municipalities, home to around 50,000 Serbs or almost half Kosovo's Serb population, have already cut what minimal cooperation they had with the Albanian-dominated institutions in Pristina, citing security concerns.
The statement called on "Belgrade, Pristina and Kosovo's residents to take steps to ensure northern Kosovo remains a stable region where the rights of all are respected."
PARTITION
Diplomats say the 90-percent Albanian province is likely to win independence under European Union-supervision. U.N. mediator Martti Ahtisaari is working to propose a settlement to the U.N. Security Council by year-end. He opened talks in February.
The Contact Group, which sets international policy on Kosovo, says the north must remain part of Kosovo. It fears that splitting the province in two would revive separatism in south Serbia and Macedonia, where Albanians took up arms in 2000-01.
The 17,000-strong NATO peace force in June reopened its only base in the north, and the West is mulling a specific international mission to oversee the area's integration.
The province of 2 million has been run by the U.N. since 1999, when NATO bombs drove out Serb forces accused of ethnic cleansing in a war with Albanian rebels. Half the Serb population fled a wave of revenge attacks after the war.
The 100,000 Serbs left lead a grim, ghettoised existence, financially supported and politically guided by Belgrade. Serbs in the north enjoy greater freedom, forming the majority above the Ibar River with a clear land link to the rest of Serbia.
Belgrade says it does not want to partition Kosovo. But Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica said on Monday that, in the event independence is imposed, Belgrade would declare Kosovo an integral part of Serbian territory. Serbs consider Kosovo the cradle of their nation stretching back 1,000 years.
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Last updated: 04-Aug-06 13:09 BST