This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/europe/6097344.stm
The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 5 | Version 6 |
|---|---|
| Serbia backs draft constitution | Serbia backs draft constitution |
| (3 days later) | |
| Serbian voters have approved a new constitution asserting that Kosovo is an integral part of the country. | Serbian voters have approved a new constitution asserting that Kosovo is an integral part of the country. |
| Preliminary results show 51.5% of the total electorate backed the constitution, passing the 50% threshold needed to validate the referendum. | Preliminary results show 51.5% of the total electorate backed the constitution, passing the 50% threshold needed to validate the referendum. |
| However, ethnic Albanians in Kosovo, which has been under UN control since 1999, ignored the poll. UN-sponsored talks on Kosovo's status continue. | However, ethnic Albanians in Kosovo, which has been under UN control since 1999, ignored the poll. UN-sponsored talks on Kosovo's status continue. |
| Elections are now expected in Serbia before the end of the year. | Elections are now expected in Serbia before the end of the year. |
| Once the result was clear, Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica said: "This is a great moment for Serbia. | Once the result was clear, Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica said: "This is a great moment for Serbia. |
| Analysis: Vote creates unity | Analysis: Vote creates unity |
| "By defending Kosovo, we are defending something more than our interests, more than the issue of stability in the region," he went on. | "By defending Kosovo, we are defending something more than our interests, more than the issue of stability in the region," he went on. |
| "We are defending international law." | "We are defending international law." |
| BBC correspondent Nick Hawton said despite broad political consensus in support of the constitution, and a strong publicity campaign, there had been little enthusiasm among the public about the referendum. | BBC correspondent Nick Hawton said despite broad political consensus in support of the constitution, and a strong publicity campaign, there had been little enthusiasm among the public about the referendum. |
| The constitution is Serbia's first following the break-up of Yugoslavia. | The constitution is Serbia's first following the break-up of Yugoslavia. |
| "I expect new elections after this referendum," said President Boris Tadic. | "I expect new elections after this referendum," said President Boris Tadic. |
| "I expect after those elections to see a very strong democratic majority and a democratic government which is going to lead Serbia to the European Union." | "I expect after those elections to see a very strong democratic majority and a democratic government which is going to lead Serbia to the European Union." |
| 'European standards' | 'European standards' |
| 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. |
| About 6.5 million people were entitled to vote in the national referendum. The referendum was held over two days in an effort to attract as many voters as possible. | About 6.5 million people were entitled to vote in the national referendum. The referendum was held over two days in an effort to attract as many voters as possible. |
| PM Kostunica spoke of "defending international law" | PM Kostunica spoke of "defending international law" |
| Among the constitution's 200 articles are guarantees for minority and human rights and the granting of a form of self-rule for the province of Vojvodina. | Among the constitution's 200 articles are guarantees for minority and human rights and the granting of a form of self-rule for the province of Vojvodina. |
| It also calls for the end of the death penalty - and a ban on human cloning. | It also calls for the end of the death penalty - and a ban on human cloning. |
| "It is a new beginning in the sense that in article one it states that Serbia is a state which is based on European standards and values," senior government adviser Vladeta Jankovic said. | "It is a new beginning in the sense that in article one it states that Serbia is a state which is based on European standards and values," senior government adviser Vladeta Jankovic 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. |
| HAVE YOUR SAY The referendum is a clear majority mandate in a nation racked with division and voter apathy Mark, Sydney Send us your comments | |
| Kosovo Albanians, who make up around 90% of the province's two million population, were not able to vote as they were not included on voters lists after boycotting Serbian elections since 1990. | Kosovo Albanians, who make up around 90% of the province's two million population, were not able to vote as they were not 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. |
| The new constitution pre-empts UN-backed talks on the status of Kosovo, which are meant to draft a settlement by the end of this year. | The new constitution pre-empts UN-backed talks on the status of Kosovo, which are meant to draft a settlement by the end of this year. |