Ex-UN official says partition is realistic solution

Source: Blic

BELGRADE -- Partition of Kosovo is a realistic solution if the two sides cannot reach an agreement any other way, says former UN official Gerard Gallucci.

“Something like ‘Antisaari plus plan’ – autonomy for north Kosovo – could be a solution,” he told daily Blic.

He added, however, that Priština was unfortunately trying to resolve issues with force, making partition less likely.

“I know that people are talking about bad effects this could cause in other parts of the world, Kosovo Albanians regularly play that card, but in 21st century Europe borders need to be adjusted and they should not serve as an excuse for a new war to anybody,” Gallucci explained.

He pointed out that conflicts in the field would continue if the Quint countries (the U.S., Great Britain, France, Germany and Italy) did not support Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaci in his attempt to find a compromise regarding customs seals with EU facilitator in the Belgrade-Priština talks Robert Cooper.

“If Priština refuses to abandon its extreme position and KFOR continues to make mistakes, things could get out of hand,“ the former UN official said.