Kosovo independence could destabilise Bosnia, warns Dodik
Agence France Presse (English) - April 17, 2006 Monday 3:01 PM GMT

BANJA LUKA, Bosnia-Hercegovina, April 17 2006 - Bosnian Serb Prime Minister Milorad Dodik said Monday that granting Kosovo Albanians independence from Serbia could destabilise Bosnia.

"I am not saying that people would take up arms, but it is certain that this decision would result in lasting dissatisfaction and mistrust," the Bosnian Serb news agency, SRNA, quoted Dodik as saying.

Since its 1992-1995 war, Bosnia has been split into two semi-independent entities -- the Serb-run Republika Srpska and the Muslim-Croat Federation.

Dodik's comments were a reference to the feeling among many Bosnian Serbs that Bosnia's borders should be allowed to change if Kosovo becomes independent from Serbia.

Belgrade and Pristina began talks this year on the future status of the majority ethnic Albanian province, which has been run by the United Nations since Serb forces were forced out by NATO-led air war in 1999.

Still technically a part of Serbia, the international community hopes to settle Kosovo's status by the end of this year.

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