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Kosovo: head of UN mission optimistic about joint declaration on Serb vote

Kosovo: head of UN mission optimistic about joint declaration on Serb vote

Commenting on his talks with the Government of Yugoslavia on ways of encouraging Kosovo Serbs to vote in the upcoming elections, the head of the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) today said he and Yugoslav President Kostunica thought they could find areas of cooperation that would "meet the concerns of Kosovo Serbs and improve their situation."

Today in Pristina, Hans Haekkerup briefed members of Kosovo's Interim Administrative Council on his talks with Belgrade authorities concerning the creation of a common document aimed at fostering Kosovo Serb participation in the 17 November elections.

"The situation for Kosovo Serbs is not easy, and we will try to find language to make it possible for President Kostunica to support Kosovo Serb participation in the elections," Mr. Haekkerup told the press after his meetings. "None of what we do will be outside [Security Council resolution] 1244 or in contradiction of the Constitutional Framework. We think we can find areas of cooperation."

The UNMIK chief added that time was running out in terms of organizing elections for the internally displaced persons outside of Kosovo.