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| Serbs to vote on new constitution | Serbs to vote on new constitution |
| (about 8 hours later) | |
| Serbs are holding a national referendum on a new constitution which declares the UN-run province of Kosovo an integral part of Serbia. | Serbs are holding a national referendum on a new constitution which declares the UN-run province of Kosovo an integral part of Serbia. |
| If accepted, it will be the first constitution of the Serbian state, following the break-up of Yugoslavia. | If accepted, it will be the first constitution of the Serbian state, following the break-up of Yugoslavia. |
| The draft pre-empts UN-backed talks on the status of Kosovo, which are meant to draft a settlement by the year-end. | The draft pre-empts UN-backed talks on the status of Kosovo, which are meant to draft a settlement by the year-end. |
| Serbia's prime minister urged a "Yes" in this weekend's vote, saying Kosovo was at the heart of Serbian statehood. | Serbia's prime minister urged a "Yes" in this weekend's vote, saying Kosovo was at the heart of Serbian statehood. |
| Serbia became an independent country earlier this year when its union with neighbouring Montenegro was formally dissolved. | Serbia became an independent country earlier this year when its union with neighbouring Montenegro was formally dissolved. |
| No-one in Kosovo is paying any attention to the referendum Azem Vllasi, lawyer href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?threadID=4562&edition=2&ttl=20061028101712" class="">Send us your comments | |
| The draft constitution has already received the backing of the Serbian parliament, but now has to be approved in a national referendum, to be held on Saturday and Sunday. | The draft constitution has already received the backing of the Serbian parliament, but now has to be approved in a national referendum, to be held on Saturday and Sunday. |
| Among its 200 articles are guarantees for minority and human rights and the granting of a form of self-rule for the province of Vojvodina, the BBC's Nick Hawton reports from Belgrade. | Among its 200 articles are guarantees for minority and human rights and the granting of a form of self-rule for the province of Vojvodina, the BBC's Nick Hawton reports from Belgrade. |
| Some political organisations have called for a boycott of the poll, arguing there was not enough consultation over the draft. | Some political organisations have called for a boycott of the poll, arguing there was not enough consultation over the draft. |
| But all the main political parties are appealing for the public to give their approval and vote "Yes". | But all the main political parties are appealing for the public to give their approval and vote "Yes". |
| "It is a new beginning in the sense that in the article one it states that Serbia is a state which is based on European standards and values," senior government adviser Vadetta Yankovic said. | "It is a new beginning in the sense that in the article one it states that Serbia is a state which is based on European standards and values," senior government adviser Vadetta Yankovic said. |
| "[This] is an expression of our commitment to the European Union and our hope to join it in the foreseeable future," he added. | "[This] is an expression of our commitment to the European Union and our hope to join it in the foreseeable future," he added. |
| Kosovo claim | Kosovo claim |
| The most controversial aspect of the draft constitution is the claim that the province of Kosovo remains an integral part of Serbia, our correspondent says. | The most controversial aspect of the draft constitution is the claim that the province of Kosovo remains an integral part of Serbia, our correspondent says. |
| Vojislav Kostunica stresses the historic Serbian presence in Kosovo | Vojislav Kostunica stresses the historic Serbian presence in Kosovo |
| In international law, Kosovo remains a province of Serbia, even though it has been run by the UN since the war ended in 1999. | In international law, Kosovo remains a province of Serbia, even though it has been run by the UN since the war ended in 1999. |
| In the run-up to the referendum, Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica and Patriarch Pavle, head of the Serbian Orthodox Church, jointly appealed to the voters to support the new charter. | In the run-up to the referendum, Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica and Patriarch Pavle, head of the Serbian Orthodox Church, jointly appealed to the voters to support the new charter. |
| Mr Kostunica said the constitution would help Serbia preserve Kosovo which was "the essence, nucleus, and the heart of the state [of Serbia] and the issue of its identity", Serbian media report. | Mr Kostunica said the constitution would help Serbia preserve Kosovo which was "the essence, nucleus, and the heart of the state [of Serbia] and the issue of its identity", Serbian media report. |
| Kosovo Albanians, who make up around 90% of the province's two million population, will not be able to vote as they have not been included on voters lists after boycotting Serbian elections since 1990. | Kosovo Albanians, who make up around 90% of the province's two million population, will not be able to vote as they have not been included on voters lists after boycotting Serbian elections since 1990. |
| "No-one in Kosovo is paying any attention to the referendum," ethnic Albanian lawyer Azem Vllasi told AFP news agency. | "No-one in Kosovo is paying any attention to the referendum," ethnic Albanian lawyer Azem Vllasi told AFP news agency. |
| "Moreover, its outcome cannot in any way prejudice a solution to the final status of Kosovo," he said. | "Moreover, its outcome cannot in any way prejudice a solution to the final status of Kosovo," he said. |
| Around 6.6 million voters will be able to cast ballots The constitution will be approved if it receives the support of more than 50% of the electorate. | Around 6.6 million voters will be able to cast ballots The constitution will be approved if it receives the support of more than 50% of the electorate. |