BELGRADE CONDEMNS KOSOVO'S PENAL CODE, AGREEMENT WITH ALBANIA

BELGRADE, July 8 (Hina) - The authorities in Belgrade have strongly condemned Monday's signing of a free trade agreement between Kosovo and Albania, as well as the proclamation of a new penal code and a law on criminal procedure, which should go into force next year. The law was proclaimed by the UN civil administrator in Kosovo, Michael Steiner, on Monday, the last day of his mandate. #L# Serbia and Montenegro's Foreign Minister Goran Svilanovic told the news agency Beta on Tuesday the signing of the free trade agreement "is contrary to the UN Resolution and the constitutional framework for Kosovo". He added that Serbia and Montenegro would request an explanation from the U.N. since the matter "is outside the jurisdiction of Kosovo authorities". Beta also reported that Serbia and Montenegro's Ambassador to the U.N., Dejan Sahovic, today lodged a protest with the U.N. Secretariat over the signing of the agreement and the proclamation of the laws, noting that "such acts do not contribute to the creation of a constructive atmosphere of trust ahead of the expected dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina". A number of Serbian officials have condemned Steiner's act as "the promotion of Albanian separatism". (hina) rml sb