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Kosovo awaits UN recommendation Kosovo awaits UN recommendation
(about 3 hours later)
The United Nations special envoy to Kosovo, Martti Ahtisaari, is preparing to unveil a long-awaited plan for the Serbian province's future.The United Nations special envoy to Kosovo, Martti Ahtisaari, is preparing to unveil a long-awaited plan for the Serbian province's future.
Mr Ahtisaari's report to the six-nation Contact Group in Vienna will focus on protecting Serb minority rights.Mr Ahtisaari's report to the six-nation Contact Group in Vienna will focus on protecting Serb minority rights.
The report is the first step towards a final status solution for Kosovo, which has been administered by the UN since the Nato military campaign of 1999.The report is the first step towards a final status solution for Kosovo, which has been administered by the UN since the Nato military campaign of 1999.
Mr Ahtisaari will recommend some form of qualified statehood for Kosovo.Mr Ahtisaari will recommend some form of qualified statehood for Kosovo.
In a closed-door meeting in Vienna, Mr Ahtisaari will make his presentation to the six-nation Contact Group of Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Russia and the US.In a closed-door meeting in Vienna, Mr Ahtisaari will make his presentation to the six-nation Contact Group of Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Russia and the US.
He will propose protection for the Serbian minority and the continuation of international involvement in the province's security structures.He will propose protection for the Serbian minority and the continuation of international involvement in the province's security structures.
Mr Ahtisaari began considering his own recommendations when it became clear that direct negotiations between Serb and Kosovo Albanian representatives would not yield a final deal.
The BBC's south-east Europe analyst, Gabriel Partos, says the Finn has sought to allay the fears of Serbs, who have been increasingly concerned that his blueprint will favour the Albanian side.
Yet Kosovo's ethnic Albanians remain implacably opposed to anything short of full independence.
Diplomatic effortDiplomatic effort
Friday's meeting may not result in any of the detail becoming public, says the BBC's Jonny Dymond in Vienna, that may have to wait until next week.Friday's meeting may not result in any of the detail becoming public, says the BBC's Jonny Dymond in Vienna, that may have to wait until next week.
But there could be an opportunity to gauge international reaction, our correspondent says.But there could be an opportunity to gauge international reaction, our correspondent says.
Russia has traditionally stood up for the Serbian cause and has promised to oppose any solution unacceptable to the government in Belgrade.Russia has traditionally stood up for the Serbian cause and has promised to oppose any solution unacceptable to the government in Belgrade.
Diplomats say that Serbia itself, which has pledged never to yield Kosovo, is simply going to have to live with the province's departure.Diplomats say that Serbia itself, which has pledged never to yield Kosovo, is simply going to have to live with the province's departure.
But the recommendation may exclude the word "independence", instead allowing Kosovo the trappings of statehood without physically separating from Serbia.But the recommendation may exclude the word "independence", instead allowing Kosovo the trappings of statehood without physically separating from Serbia.