"The United States made it very clear that the issue must be resolved as soon as possible," Kosovo President Fatmir Sejdiu said after talks with Rice,
He said that Washington guarantees that after 120 days of additional negotiations with Belgrade, the United States and EU members states wold start the process of recognising Kosovo's independence, regardless of the opposition from other countries, including Russia
Kosovo Prime Minister also said that the US had confirmed that after the additional 120 days of negotiations with Belgrade, Kosovo would gain independence.
Kosovo told Washington on Monday that it did not plan to unilaterally declare independence from Serbia, senior officials from the
United States and Kosovo said.
Kosovo's leaders gave the assurance during the meeting with Rice, spokesman for the Kosovo delegation Skender Hyseni, said.
Kosovo's PM Ceku suggested he could ask the province's parliament to declare independence from Serbia on November 28.
The United States, while supporting Kosovo's independence, feared any move by Kosovo to act independently could lead to violence in the breakaway province.
"They made clear that the intensity of their desire for independence has not and will not change, but they will not go
off on their own. They will work with the United States and Europe," said a senior Bush administration official who attended the meeting with Rice.