PRISTINA (Reuters) - Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica visited Kosovo for Orthodox Christmas yesterday — only the second time a Serb leader has gone there since Serb security forces were evicted by NATO bombing in 1999. Kostunica went to the western city of Pec to offer his Christmas wishes to some 2,000 fellow Orthodox Serbs who live in enclaves around the city amid Kosovo’s majority ethnic Albanian community, which is overwhelmingly Muslim. It was a surprise move, discreetly planned and clearly aimed at symbolizing the conservative leader’s avowed commitment to Kosovo’s minority Serbs, who often feel abandoned by Belgrade.

ISTANBUL (AP) - Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul said yesterday that Turkey planned to intensify its diplomacy to help find a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Gul’s remarks followed his trip this week to the region, where he met with both Israeli and Palestinian leaders. Predominantly Muslim Turkey generally enjoys friendly relations with both sides. “As the (Foreign) Ministry and government, we will intensify” our efforts, Gul said in an interview with private NTV television. “Turkey will increase its visibility in the region.” Gul said Turkey was evaluating requests to help bring peace to the region, but refused to elaborate. However, he left open the possibility that Turkey could act as a mediator between the two sides or host talks toward bringing a settlement — longstanding offers by Turkey.

Bulgaria extradited Yahya Murat Demirel, nephew of former Turkish president Suleyman Demirel, and his wife to Turkey yesterday, after they were caught trying to illegally enter the country last week, police said. Demirel has been charged with fraud in his home country in connection with the 1998 collapse of Turkish Egebank, which he previously owned. Egebank has since gone into receivership by Turkey’s Savings Deposits Insurance Fund. Bulgarian Deputy Interior Minister Boiko Borisov said Turkish authorities had requested their extradition, and his office had complied. (Reuters)

Romania’s public television announced yesterday it will reorganize its news department after its ethics board confirmed journalists’ allegations that the station was biased and reports were censored before last month’s elections. The board reviewed editorial decisions after six journalists complained that their reports were censored by management and that the station often tried to discredit opposition figures such as then-Bucharest mayor Traian Basescu. (AP)

The Albanian Defense Ministry yesterday refused to grant the status of war veteran to late communist dictator Enver Hoxha, who commanded the army during the Italian and German occupations of World War II. “In the file we have been provided, the documents proving Enver Hoxha’s participation in the Albanian army during World War II are missing,” Defense Ministry spokesman Igli Hasani told reporters. (AFP)