PRISTINA, March 31 (Hina) - Commenting on recent statements by Serbian Vice-Premier Nebojsa Covic, according to whom Kosovo's independence would mean a new conflict in the region, Kosovo Prime Minister Bajram Rexhepi told Radio Free
Europe Monday that the statement was intemperate and aimed at preventing the announced transferral of authority from UNMIK to Kosovo institutions.
PRISTINA, March 31 (Hina) - Commenting on recent statements by
Serbian Vice-Premier Nebojsa Covic, according to whom Kosovo's
independence would mean a new conflict in the region, Kosovo Prime
Minister Bajram Rexhepi told Radio Free Europe Monday that the
statement was intemperate and aimed at preventing the announced
transferral of authority from UNMIK to Kosovo institutions. #L#
Speaking about the final status of Kosovo, Rexepi told RFE that the
process should end as soon as possible, most probably in the period
between 2004 and 2005.
"The time of the Serb threat has gone forever. We are under U.N.
Security Council Resolution 1244 and the only competent authority
for the issue of security in Kosovo are the KFOR and the UNMIK
police," Rexhepi said.
Covic's statement and his threats represent "the further
instrumentalisation of the Serb community in Kosovo to prevent any
development towards Kosovo's statehood," he said.
(hina) lml sb