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Bush salutes Kosovo independence Bush salutes Kosovo independence
(about 1 hour later)
US President George W Bush has said history will show the independence of Kosovo to be the "correct move". US President George W Bush has said history will prove the independence of Kosovo to be justified.
In a speech in Tanzania, Mr Bush said the US would soon establish full diplomatic relations with Kosovo.In a speech in Tanzania, Mr Bush said the US would soon establish full diplomatic relations with Kosovo.
Earlier, Serbia withdrew its envoy to Washington in protest at the US stance. It says Kosovo's move violates international law. Serbia earlier withdrew its envoy to Washington in protest. It says Kosovo's declaration of independence on Sunday violates international law.
The UN Security Council is divided over how to respond to Monday's declaration, and it has failed to agree any action. The UN Security Council is divided over how to respond to Kosovo's move, and it has failed to agree any action.
See a map of Kosovo's ethnic breakdown See a map of Kosovo's ethnic breakdown
Russia and China supported Serbian President Boris Tadic when he made an impassioned appeal to the Council at Tuesday's meeting.
But Britain's representative said that with no prospect of agreement between Belgrade and Pristina the only way forward was supervised independence for Kosovo.
Britain, France, Germany and Italy have all recognised the new state but others have not.
'Peace''Peace'
In his speech, Mr Bush said there was "a disagreement but we believe as many other nations do that history will prove this to be the correct move".In his speech, Mr Bush said there was "a disagreement but we believe as many other nations do that history will prove this to be the correct move".
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
The president, who was speaking during a tour of Africa, said the US supported Kosovo's independence because "we believe it will bring peace".The president, who was speaking during a tour of Africa, said the US supported Kosovo's independence because "we believe it will bring peace".
Earlier, in a letter to Kosovo's President Fatmir Sejdiu, Mr Bush offered friendship to Kosovo, and said he supported "your embrace of multi-ethnicity as a principle of good governance".Earlier, in a letter to Kosovo's President Fatmir Sejdiu, Mr Bush offered friendship to Kosovo, and said he supported "your embrace of multi-ethnicity as a principle of good governance".
Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica has threatened to withdraw envoys from other countries which recognised the territory's secession. On Monday, the Serbian parliament passed a resolution condemning Kosovo's declaration of 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: CelebrationsAnger mounts in MitrovicaKOSOVO 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: CelebrationsAnger mounts in Mitrovica
France, the UK, Germany and Italy have all recognised the new state but other states have not. The resolution also formally annulled the acts of the government in Pristina, saying Belgrade's sovereignty over Kosovo was guaranteed by the UN and international law.
Both Russia and China supported Serbian President Boris Tadic when he made an impassioned appeal to the UN Security Council at Tuesday's meeting. In a separate move, Serbia recalled its ambassadors to the US, France and Turkey because those countries had recognised Kosovo's independence.
Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica has threatened to withdraw envoys from other countries which backed the territory's secession.
At a meeting in Brussels, the European Union set aside differences over the recognition of Kosovo's independence, by stressing that the breakaway Serbian province was not a precedent for separatists elsewhere.At a meeting in Brussels, the European Union set aside differences over the recognition of Kosovo's independence, by stressing that the breakaway Serbian province was not a precedent for separatists elsewhere.
All 27 EU foreign ministers agreed to leave recognition up to each member state.All 27 EU foreign ministers agreed to leave recognition up to each member state.
Spain and several other member states have withheld recognition because of concerns about separatist movements within their own borders.Spain and several other member states have withheld recognition because of concerns about separatist movements within their own borders.
'False state' Protest rallies
Serbian media report that Belgrade's ambassadors to all states which recognise Kosovo's independence are being ordered home.
The Associated Press news agency quotes the foreign ministry as saying Serbia's envoys to France and Turkey have been withdrawn for "consultation until further notice".
HAVE YOUR SAYKosovo has declared independance from Serbia, legally or illegally it is not for me to say whichPeter, UKSend us your comments
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. class="lp" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/talking_point/default.stm">HAVE YOUR SAYKosovo has declared independence from Serbia, legally or illegally it is not for me to say whichPeter, UK class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?forumID=4305">Send us your comments
In Belgrade, about 10,000 students marched in protest at the independence declaration, and Serb enclaves inside Kosovo also saw big anti-independence rallies.
In Kosovo's divided city of Mitrovica, three cars were damaged in Tuesday's grenade attack near the office of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe.
The incident was the latest in a string of hand-grenade attacks on property of international missions in Kosovo and government offices.
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.
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