“New war if Kosovo denied independence”
B92 - 20 February 2007

ROME -- Anything short of independence for Kosovo will set off "a new Balkan war," a senior Priština negotiator says.

The Washington Post reports from Rome that Ylber Hasa of the Kosovo negotiating team told journalist “Kosovars believe they already have made extensive compromises”.

"That does not leave much room for maneuver. [The] package includes serious compromises in favor of the Serbs ... so if anybody tries to buy time, I don't think anyone will win. We'll just lose the possibility of a political solution", the paper reports.

The Washington Post reminds that some international diplomats have speculated that a watered-down version of Martti Ahtisaari’s proposals may be adopted by the UN Security Council, “lessening the degree of Kosovo's de facto independence”.

"If you want to see a new Balkan war, that is the perfect scenario," Hasa responded.

Hasa gave the interview on the sidelines of an Italian Foreign Ministry conference on Kosovo held in Rome.
 

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