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Serbia recalls ambassador from US Serbia recalls ambassador from US
(30 minutes later)
Serbia has recalled its ambassador to Washington in protest at US recognition of Kosovo independence and threatened to withdraw other envoys.Serbia has recalled its ambassador to Washington in protest at US recognition of Kosovo independence and threatened to withdraw other envoys.
Its Prime Minister, Vojislav Kostunica, told parliament in Belgrade that America had "violated international law for its own interests".Its Prime Minister, Vojislav Kostunica, told parliament in Belgrade that America had "violated international law for its own interests".
France, the UK, Germany and Italy have also pledged their support for the new state declared on Sunday.France, the UK, Germany and Italy have also pledged their support for the new state declared on Sunday.
In New York, the UN Security Council is beginning a meeting on the move.In New York, the UN Security Council is beginning a meeting on the move.
See a map of Kosovo's ethnic breakdown See a map of Kosovo's ethnic breakdown
Serbian President Boris Tadic is to ask it to annul the independence declaration, and Belgrade is counting on Russia to veto Kosovo joining the UN as a new nation.Serbian President Boris Tadic is to ask it to annul the independence declaration, and Belgrade is counting on Russia to veto Kosovo joining the UN as a new nation.
The leading European states which endorsed independence did so after a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels in which it was agreed that Kosovo should not set a precedent for other states.The leading European states which endorsed independence did so after a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels in which it was agreed that Kosovo should not set a precedent for other states.
Spain and several other member-states have withheld recognition because of concerns about international law and separatism.Spain and several other member-states have withheld recognition because of concerns about international law and separatism.
'First measure''First measure'
Mr Kostunica said the recall of Serbia's ambassador to the US was the "first urgent measure of the government which will be implemented in all countries that recognise unilateral independence".Mr Kostunica said the recall of Serbia's ambassador to the US was the "first urgent measure of the government which will be implemented in all countries that recognise unilateral independence".
KOSOVO PROFILE Population about two millionMajority ethnic Albanian; 10% SerbUnder UN control since Nato drove out Serb forces in 19992,000-strong EU staff to take over from UN after independenceNato to stay to provide security Full text: Kosovo declarationIn pictures: CelebrationsKOSOVO PROFILE Population about two millionMajority ethnic Albanian; 10% SerbUnder UN control since Nato drove out Serb forces in 19992,000-strong EU staff to take over from UN after independenceNato to stay to provide security Full text: Kosovo declarationIn pictures: Celebrations
Speaking to Serbian TV from New York, President Tadic said he intended to "demand from [UN Secretary General] Ban Ki-moon the immediate annulment of the independence proclamation by the non-existent state in Kosovo".Speaking to Serbian TV from New York, President Tadic said he intended to "demand from [UN Secretary General] Ban Ki-moon the immediate annulment of the independence proclamation by the non-existent state in Kosovo".
Russia's ambassador to the EU, Vladimir Chizhov, told the BBC that Kosovo had little to gain from declaring independence.
"There is no way they will get into the United Nations or the OSCE or the Council of Europe," he said.
"So what will they be getting, changing nameplates at the offices of Western countries in Pristina, calling them embassies?"
Serbia's interior ministry has filed criminal charges against Kosovo Albanian leaders instrumental in proclaiming independence, accusing them of proclaiming a "false state" on Serbian territory.Serbia's interior ministry has filed criminal charges against Kosovo Albanian leaders instrumental in proclaiming independence, accusing them of proclaiming a "false state" on Serbian territory.
In Belgrade, about 10,000 students marched in protest at the independence declaration, and Serb enclaves inside Kosovo also saw anti-independence rallies.In Belgrade, about 10,000 students marched in protest at the independence declaration, and Serb enclaves inside Kosovo also saw anti-independence rallies.
Serbian security forces were driven out of Kosovo in 1999 after a Nato bombing campaign aimed at halting the violent repression of ethnic Albanian separatists.Serbian security forces were driven out of Kosovo in 1999 after a Nato bombing campaign aimed at halting the violent repression of ethnic Albanian separatists.
The province has been under UN administration and Nato protection since then.The province has been under UN administration and Nato protection since then.
Pledges of supportPledges of support
On Monday, Washington formally recognised Kosovo as a "sovereign and independent state".On Monday, Washington formally recognised Kosovo as a "sovereign and independent state".
STANCE ON RECOGNITION For: Germany, Italy, France, UK, Austria, US, Turkey, Albania, Afghanistan Against: Russia, Spain, Romania, Slovakia, CyprusSTANCE ON RECOGNITION For: Germany, Italy, France, UK, Austria, US, Turkey, Albania, Afghanistan Against: Russia, Spain, Romania, Slovakia, Cyprus
In Brussels, pledges of recognition came after a meeting of foreign ministers of EU states. In Brussels, EU foreign ministers adopted a compromise proposal from Spain, one of several countries which argue that Kosovo's independence is a breach of international law and will boost separatists everywhere.
UK Foreign Secretary David Miliband said a desire to establish a unified position after "the disunity of the 1990s" had dominated the talks in Brussels. The bloc set aside differences by stressing Kosovo's declaration was not a precedent for separatists elsewhere and pledging that the whole Balkan region would eventually join the bloc.
As for the UK's formal recognition, he added: Unanimous recognition of Kosovo was never at stake at the meeting because the EU has no legal right to recognise new states, BBC European affairs correspondent Oana Lungescu notes.
"The plan is to do it this evening and diplomatic relations will then be established... and in the course of the next days and weeks all the items of full diplomatic representation will be put into place." The question was whether, despite their differences on recognition, Europeans could unite on how to bring stability in their backyard, after almost two decades of seemingly endless Balkan crises.
After a lot of soul-searching, the EU forged a semblance of unity, BBC European Affairs correspondent Oana Lungescu writes.
It adopted a compromise proposal from Spain, one of several countries which argue that Kosovo's independence is a breach of international law and will boost separatists everywhere.
HAVE YOUR SAYThis is an ugly victory for demographic warfareSEQ, LondonSend us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAYThis is an ugly victory for demographic warfareSEQ, LondonSend us your comments
To ease those concerns, the EU's statement says that Kosovo does not set a precedent and leaves it up to each member state to decide on their future relations. It took hours of tortuous negotiations but the EU managed to pass the unity test, our correspondent says.
Most EU countries, led by the biggest among them, will take this as a green light for recognition, our correspondent notes. Kosovo, the ministers agreed, was a unique case and did not call into question international legal principles, such as territorial integrity.
Some of the EU states which did not recognise independence have experienced separatist unrest of their own, such as Spain with its Basque region and Cyprus with its Greek-Turkish division. The bloc's statement said the EU was ready to play a leading role in the Balkans, with a 2,000-strong police and justice mission headed to Kosovo and new measures to promote economic and political development in the region, including a donors' conference by June.
The EU earlier agreed to send about 2,000 police, justice and civil administration officials to oversee Kosovo and help develop the province's institutions. The EU foreign affairs chief Javier Solana said there was a total commitment to bring all the Balkan countries into the EU.
But Kosovo will not be able to get very close until it is recognised by all 27 members, and that may take a long time, our correspondent adds.
Among other countries to recognise Kosovo was Turkey.Among other countries to recognise Kosovo was Turkey.
Correspondents say this has symbolic significance because for centuries the Ottoman Turks ruled the Balkans, including modern-day Serbia and Kosovo.Correspondents say this has symbolic significance because for centuries the Ottoman Turks ruled the Balkans, including modern-day Serbia and Kosovo.
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