Subject: UN envoy Bildt discusses Kosovo with Yugoslav President
Date: Wed, 17 Jan 2001 18:30:23 PST
From: C-afp@... (AFP)
Organization: Copyright 2001 by Agence France-Presse (via ClariNet)
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BELGRADE, 17 jan (AFP) - UN Balkans envoy Carl Bildt made an
unannounced visit to Belgrade Wednesday, with the situation in
Kosovo topping the agenda at talks with Yugoslav President Vojislav
Kostunica, the Tanjug news agency reported.
The meeting centred on "the nsituation in the region after the
Yugoslav and Serb elections and particularly on the situation in
Kosovo," according to a statement from the president's office
published by Tanjug.
Kostunica and Bildt also spoke of "(Belgrade's) co-operation
with the UN's military and civilian mission and the situation in
southern Serbia," the statement continued.
"The international community must help Yugoslavia's efforts to
restore peace and stability in the Balkans," the statement added.
Albanian separatists, calling themselves the Liberation Army of
Presevo-Medvedja-Bujanovac -- three town in southern Serbia with a
strong ethnic-Albanian population -- are seeking to join the area
with an "independent" Kosovo.
The guerrillas want Serbian forces to leave the majority
Albanian Presevo valley and for the region to become a part of
Kosovo, from where they draw much of their support.
Bildt's visit here had not been announced in advance.
Kosovo's new UN administrator Hans Haekkerup said Tuesday he
wanted to open an office in Belgrade to serve as a direct link with
Yugoslav authorities.
The office's aim will be to improve working relations between
the UN mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) and Belgrade so technical and
administrative problems can be solved, like the problems faced by
the Kosovo Serbs, said UNMIK spokesperson Susan Manuel.
Under UN resolutions, Kosovo enjoys autonomy but remains part of
Yugoslavia.