Ahtisaari focus of anger in Kosovo; full independence demanded

An effigy of former Finnish President Martti Ahtisaari is the focus of a good deal of anger in Pristina, the capital of Kosovo.
      The Vetvendosja movement, which opposes anything short of complete and immediate independence from Serbia, has set up an Ahtisaari-themed display in the city to express dissatisfaction with the secret negotiations on the future status of the province. The talks are being carried out in Vienna by Ahtisaari, who is serving as special representative of the United Nations Secretary-General.
      On Friday, Ahtisaari is scheduled to present his plan for Kosovo to the International Contact Group. His task is considered extremely difficult. The Kosovo plan will get its final wording later in the UN.
     
"Ahtisaari’s proposal will certainly lead to demonstrations. If the UN does not take them into consideration, the possibility of violence cannot be ruled out", says economist Shala Shahit, who is looking from a distance at the Ahtisaari dummy.
      The radical Vetvendosja movement, which opposes any compromise on the independence issue, is planning demonstrations against Ahtisaari’s proposal next month. The movement’s press spokesman Glauk Konjufca feels that Ahtisaari is on a "disgraceful mission".
      Supporters of independence for the predominantly Albanian Kosovo feel that such a move would boost economic growth and reduce unemployment. Serbia, and Kosovo’s ethnic Serb minority, staunchly oppose breaking away from Serbia, and are willing to grant limited autonomy at most.
     
A full report from Kosovo by a Helsingin Sanomat journalist Heli Suominen will be published among our weekly features on Tuesday next week.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Ahtisaari proposal on Kosovo to be made public by early February (19.1.2007)
  Ahtisaari: No more negotiations on Kosovo status (15.11.2006)
  Ahtisaari postpones Kosovo settlement proposal until 2007 (13.11.2006)
  Ahtisaari and the fourth chair (1.10.2006)
  Mediator Martti Ahtisaari´s efforts receive full support from West in Kosovo talks (22.9.2006)
  Former President Ahtisaari rejects Serb criticism of Kosovo talks (13.4.2006)
  Serbian President meets Ahtisaari, proposes division of Kosovo (25.11.2005)
  UN special envoy Ahtisaari begins Kosovo mission (22.11.2005)