Envoys seek compromise in Kosovo

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A troika of envoys from the US, EU and Russia are in Kosovo for talks with ethnic Albanian leaders.

They describe the negotiations as the last chance to reach a deal on the breakaway Serbian province's future.

The envoys have already met Serbian leaders, who repeated their vehement opposition to Kosovo's independence.

There are concerns that the increasingly frustrated ethnic Albanian leaders will unilaterally declare independence if a deal is not reached.

The troika wants both sides to resume direct talks - it was asked to lead an initiative after Russia blocked moves at the UN to endorse a plan recommending autonomy virtually amounting to independence.

Independence 'this year'

Ethnic Albanian negotiators presented the envoys with a list of eight negotiating points, while Prime Minister Agim Ceku called for independence by the end of 2007.

"I am working for the recognition of the independence of Kosovo, in its current borders... this year," he said in a statement.

"I do not want to waste the next 120 days talking about things that will not be possible."

The US envoy, Frank Wisner, said on Saturday that "every possible option" for a compromise solution would be explored.

The envoys met Serbia's President Boris Tadic and Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica, who have rejected independence for Kosovo.

Security concerns

The mostly ethnic Albanian Kosovo has been under UN administration since a war in 1998-99 between ethnic Albanian separatists and Serbian forces.

A UN proposal to provide a form of supervised independence was blocked at the UN Security Council last month by Russia, which is a close ally of Serbia.

The current round of talks are due to end in December, but Serbia and Russia have said there should be no time limit.

International officials in Kosovo have expressed concern that if the issue is not resolved in the near future, the security situation in the province could deteriorate.