ICG PROPOSES CIVIC CONTRACT FOR KOSOVO

PRISTINA, May 29 (Hina) - The International Crisis Group (ICG) supports the conditional independence of Kosovo and recommends a "civic contract" under which the majority Albanian population would recognise special rights for minorities, while Serbs and other minorities would acknowledge the authority of Kosovo's institutions, the head of the ICG office in Kosovo, Valeri Persival, said on Thursday. #L# Persival spoke at a news conference at which she presented a report on the situation and inter-ethnic relations in Kosovo. Inter-ethnic relations in Kosovo, particularly between Albanians and Serbs, have been assessed as poor. According to ICG, even after four years of governing by the U.N. Interim Administration Mission (UNMIK) and local institutions, Kosovo still lacks a civic contract. A civic contract exists in many civilised countries, preventing inter-ethnic relations from deteriorating, creating conditions for stability and peace and ensuring the same rights for all, Persival said. Albanians and Serbs have different aspirations, Persival said adding: "The Albanians will accept nothing less than independence, and the Serbs firmly want to remain part of Serbia. Serbs argue that their rights will not be protected in an independent Kosovo." She said that the majority Albanian population had so far not proven efficient with regard to respect for human rights, however, responsibility for that problem lied with the UNMIK as well. (hina) sp rml