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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| EU Kosovo mission to be deployed | EU Kosovo mission to be deployed |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| The EU has approved a civilian police and justice mission to help enforce the rule of law in Kosovo, which is poised to declare independence from Serbia. | The EU has approved a civilian police and justice mission to help enforce the rule of law in Kosovo, which is poised to declare independence from Serbia. |
| The 2,000-strong mission will begin deploying to the region from next week. | The 2,000-strong mission will begin deploying to the region from next week. |
| The US and most EU states are preparing to recognise Kosovo quickly, but Serbia and Russia strongly oppose the move, which is widely expected on Sunday. | The US and most EU states are preparing to recognise Kosovo quickly, but Serbia and Russia strongly oppose the move, which is widely expected on Sunday. |
| Earlier, Kosovo's PM sought to reassure the province's Serbian minority that it would not face discrimination. | Earlier, Kosovo's PM sought to reassure the province's Serbian minority that it would not face discrimination. |
| Speaking to reporters in Kosovo's capital Pristina, Hashim Thaci pledged that the rights of all communities, including Serbs, would be guaranteed. | Speaking to reporters in Kosovo's capital Pristina, Hashim Thaci pledged that the rights of all communities, including Serbs, would be guaranteed. |
| See a map of Kosovo's ethnic breakdown | See a map of Kosovo's ethnic breakdown |
| He said no citizen of an independent Kosovo should feel discriminated against. | He said no citizen of an independent Kosovo should feel discriminated against. |
| "In Kosovo, there will be security for all citizens. The government is committed to looking forward to the future and overcoming the sad past." | "In Kosovo, there will be security for all citizens. The government is committed to looking forward to the future and overcoming the sad past." |
| Clear signal | Clear signal |
| The EU waited diplomatically until Serbia's pro-Western President Boris Tadic was sworn into office on Friday before giving the final green light for the deployment of the mission, says the BBC's Oana Lungescu in Brussels. | The EU waited diplomatically until Serbia's pro-Western President Boris Tadic was sworn into office on Friday before giving the final green light for the deployment of the mission, says the BBC's Oana Lungescu in Brussels. |
| The decision was formalised by a so-called "silent procedure", under which members of the 27-nation bloc had until midnight on Friday to voice objections. | The decision was formalised by a so-called "silent procedure", under which members of the 27-nation bloc had until midnight on Friday to voice objections. |
| The 2,000 EU police and customs officers, judges and prosecutors are tasked with helping to prevent human rights abuses and ensure that Kosovo's fragile institutions are free from political interference. | The 2,000 EU police and customs officers, judges and prosecutors are tasked with helping to prevent human rights abuses and ensure that Kosovo's fragile institutions are free from political interference. |
| Crucially, the mission will be able to intervene in sensitive areas such as fighting corruption and organised crime and catching war crime suspects. | Crucially, the mission will be able to intervene in sensitive areas such as fighting corruption and organised crime and catching war crime suspects. |
| While Germany and Italy are the biggest contributors, all EU members except for tiny Malta will take part, as well as non-EU countries like the United States, Turkey and Croatia. | While Germany and Italy are the biggest contributors, all EU members except for tiny Malta will take part, as well as non-EU countries like the United States, Turkey and Croatia. |
| Our correspondent says it is a clear signal to Serbia and Russia, which fiercely oppose Kosovo's independence and insist the presence of the EU there will be illegal. | Our correspondent says it is a clear signal to Serbia and Russia, which fiercely oppose Kosovo's independence and insist the presence of the EU there will be illegal. |
| Limitations | Limitations |
| Serbia has threatened to use diplomatic and economic measures against Kosovo, though it has ruled out using force. | Serbia has threatened to use diplomatic and economic measures against Kosovo, though it has ruled out using force. |
| There is a festive mood in Pristina, correspondents say | |
| "I will never give up fighting for our Kosovo," Serbian President Tadic said as he took the oath of office on Friday, 10 days after being re-elected for a second term. | |
| The EU mission, known as EULEX, is to be deployed over four months, and is expected to take over from the United Nations by early June. | |
| The UN has administered Kosovo since a Nato bombing campaign in 1999 drove out Serb forces. | The UN has administered Kosovo since a Nato bombing campaign in 1999 drove out Serb forces. |
| The US and a number of EU countries, including the UK, are expected to recognise Kosovo quickly. | The US and a number of EU countries, including the UK, are expected to recognise Kosovo quickly. |
| A UN plan on independence includes limitations on independence. | A UN plan on independence includes limitations on independence. |
| These include supervision by an international presence; limited armed forces; strong provisions for Serb minority protection; commitment to multi-ethnic democracy; and neither Kosovo nor any part of it will be allowed to join another country. | These include supervision by an international presence; limited armed forces; strong provisions for Serb minority protection; commitment to multi-ethnic democracy; and neither Kosovo nor any part of it will be allowed to join another country. |
| Click to return | Click to return |