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Kosovans await word on their fate | Kosovans await word on their fate |
(about 7 hours later) | |
Kosovans are anxiously awaiting the publication of high-level proposals that will reportedly set the Serbian province on the road to statehood. | Kosovans are anxiously awaiting the publication of high-level proposals that will reportedly set the Serbian province on the road to statehood. |
The United Nations special envoy, Martti Ahtisaari, will reveal his plans in Belgrade and Kosovo on Friday. | The United Nations special envoy, Martti Ahtisaari, will reveal his plans in Belgrade and Kosovo on Friday. |
Diplomats say the proposals do not mention "independence", but in effect clear the way for it, Reuters reports. | Diplomats say the proposals do not mention "independence", but in effect clear the way for it, Reuters reports. |
Serbia has so far refused to consider any proposal that would allow the province to break away. | Serbia has so far refused to consider any proposal that would allow the province to break away. |
Kosovo has been under international protection since Nato forces expelled Belgrade's troops from the province in 1999, to prevent atrocities against its ethnic Albanian population. | Kosovo has been under international protection since Nato forces expelled Belgrade's troops from the province in 1999, to prevent atrocities against its ethnic Albanian population. |
Kosovo's Albanians and Serbs tell of hopes and fears for futureIn pictures | |
Talks to determine Kosovo's final status have been continuing for years without the two sides coming to agreement. | Talks to determine Kosovo's final status have been continuing for years without the two sides coming to agreement. |
Ethnic Albanians, who make up 90% of the province's two million people, overwhelmingly want to break away from Serbia. | Ethnic Albanians, who make up 90% of the province's two million people, overwhelmingly want to break away from Serbia. |
But Serbs regard the province - which is still officially part of Serbian territory - as the cradle of their culture, and oppose any solution that would lead to its independence. | But Serbs regard the province - which is still officially part of Serbian territory - as the cradle of their culture, and oppose any solution that would lead to its independence. |
Mr Ahtisaari's plan, however, opens the way for Kosovo to press towards that goal, according to diplomats cited by Reuters news agency. | Mr Ahtisaari's plan, however, opens the way for Kosovo to press towards that goal, according to diplomats cited by Reuters news agency. |
It avoids any reference to Serbian sovereignty or to Kosovan independence, but would allow Kosovo its own "national" symbols, including a flag and anthem, and to apply for membership of international organisations like the UN, the sources said. | It avoids any reference to Serbian sovereignty or to Kosovan independence, but would allow Kosovo its own "national" symbols, including a flag and anthem, and to apply for membership of international organisations like the UN, the sources said. |
This could lead to a declaration of independence by Kosovo, and its recognition by individual states, Reuters said. | This could lead to a declaration of independence by Kosovo, and its recognition by individual states, Reuters said. |
'Will die here' | 'Will die here' |
Slobodan Samardzic, a member of Serbia's negotiating team, has already rejected Mr Ahtisaari's expected conclusions. | Slobodan Samardzic, a member of Serbia's negotiating team, has already rejected Mr Ahtisaari's expected conclusions. |
"Anything that... violates Serbia's internal laws, cannot be a subject to negotiation," he told state-run Serbian TV. | "Anything that... violates Serbia's internal laws, cannot be a subject to negotiation," he told state-run Serbian TV. |
To be honest, I am a bit scared of what we are coming to Hasan BytyqiKosovo Albanian | |
The UN Security Council will have the final say on Mr Ahtisaari's plan. | The UN Security Council will have the final say on Mr Ahtisaari's plan. |
Kosovo Albanians expressed nervousness on Thursday ahead of the formal announcement. | Kosovo Albanians expressed nervousness on Thursday ahead of the formal announcement. |
Saime Maliqi, 47, who lives in Kosovo's capital Pristina, said: "All of us are waiting desperately for Friday to improve our lives." | Saime Maliqi, 47, who lives in Kosovo's capital Pristina, said: "All of us are waiting desperately for Friday to improve our lives." |
Hasan Bytyqi, an ethnic Albanian merchant, told Associated Press: "To be honest, I am a bit scared of what we are coming to." | Hasan Bytyqi, an ethnic Albanian merchant, told Associated Press: "To be honest, I am a bit scared of what we are coming to." |
Aleksandar Spasic, a 76-year-old Kosovan Serb, said: "I don't believe that Ahtisaari will help Kosovo Serbs a lot. But I will never leave Kosovo... I was born here and this is where I want to die." | Aleksandar Spasic, a 76-year-old Kosovan Serb, said: "I don't believe that Ahtisaari will help Kosovo Serbs a lot. But I will never leave Kosovo... I was born here and this is where I want to die." |
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