COUNCIL OF EUROPE DELEGATION TO KOSOVO

PRISTINA, Aug 24 (Hina) - A parliamentary delegation from the Council of Europe headed by president Rassel Johston arrived on Monday for an official visit to Kosovo. While in Pristina the delegation met with KFOR commander Michael Jackson, moderate leader of the Kosovo Albanians Ibrahim Rugova and deputy Prime Minister of the temporary government Mehmet Hajrizi. The European delegation is to meet with Serb representatives in the next few days. The delegation is investigating the possible alternatives for Kosovo's future. According to Rugova, the future of Kosovo is in its independence and development of a civil, democratic society with a market economy and being open toward regional and European integration. He stressed that after a transition period, the will of Kosovo residents should be confirmed via referendum under international supervision. The official Albanian stance is similar to proposals put forward by Rugova. The CE delegation expressed concern because Serb nationals were leaving Kosovo adding that free elections would not be held until all those Serbs who were not involved in the atrocities against A Albanian nationals, returned to Kosovo. (hina) sp