Kosovo tells envoys expects independence in 2007

PRISTINA,Serbia-Kosovo stressed on Saturday it expected independence from Serbia by the end of 2007 after the West and Russia launched a last-ditch bid for compromise over the fate of the breakaway province.A "troika" of envoys from Russia, the US and the EU met leaders of the 90-percent ethnic Albanian majority after arriving from Belgrade, where they started their diplomatic mission on Friday.The Albanians told the envoys bluntly that statehood was non-negotiable and they expected to achieve it within months."I am working for the recognition of the independence of Kosovo, in its current borders ... this year," said Kosovo Prime Minister Agim Ceku, according to a statement from his office.
"This is not a starting point for negotiation.This is not an offer for discussion."I do not want to waste the next 120 days talking about things that will not be possible."The envoys took on the mission last month after a Western-backed resolution calling for statehood under EU supervision was blocked at the UN by Serbia's ally Russia.The U.N. impasse followed 13 months of fruitless Serb-Albanian dialogue led by U.N. envoy Martti Ahtisaari.Western diplomats admit the latest round of diplomacy and talks stand little chance of success, and might only buy time before Kosovo's 2 million Albanians declare independence unilaterally and seek recognition from the major Western powers...
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As in the days of Noah...