Tadic warns of wide fallout

In Athens, Serbia’s president says independent Kosovo would destabilize region

By Miron Varouhakis - The Associated Press

Serbian President Boris Tadic said yesterday that an independent Kosovo would destabilize the region and create a new wave of refugees that would batter Serbia’s economy.

“For the Serb side, an independent Kosovo is unacceptable,” Tadic said after hour-long talks with Foreign Minister Petros Molyviatis. “It will be something unprecedented in the region and it will destabilize (neighboring) Macedonia.”

The UN says talks aimed at deciding Kosovo’s final status can only start when Kosovo’s administration fully complies with EU standards on minorities and governance. Greece also opposes any changes in Balkan nations’ borders.

“An independent Kosovo would have armed forces which would, of course, be hostile to Serbia and in the future could destabilize Serbia,” said Tadic.

“It would also create another wave of refugees who would settle in Serbia and that would devastate the economy.” He said Belgrade is ready to engage in “very active’ diplomacy on Kosovo, adding that talks on the future of the province should include representatives of the international community and the Serbian government.

Greece, a Balkan European Union member with a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council, has promised to provide stronger backing for the UN efforts on Kosovo.

On Monday, the top United Nations official in Kosovo, Soren Jessen-Petersen, visited Athens and said talks on permanent status could begin this year.

“We believe the participation of Belgrade in all procedures and talks for the future status of Kosovo will contribute in guaranteeing a regional stability,” Molyviatis said yesterday.

He said an evaluation of conditions in Kosovo would be made in July, so that the possible structure of a future Kosovo government could be considered next month.

“The solution of the Kosovo problem must be based on European principles and values — a solution that will help build stability and peace in the area,” Molyviatis said.