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Says A Political Solution Must Be
Found to Assure Peace in Bosnia
Strained relations between Serbs and Albanians have recently deteriorated in the province, which Serbs regard as the cradle of their civilization, although 90 percent of the two million population is ethnically Albanian. In the latest cycle of violence in Kosovo, two bombs exploded last week, one killing a 12-year-old Albanian boy, and injuring three others. The other damaged a house without causing any casualties.

The explosions followed a spate of shootings which left five Serbs dead and five others wounded, apparently in revenge for the killing of an Albanian student. "Serbia can't be stable, prosperous and harmonious if it does not reconcile the issue of Kosovo. Serbia can't live as a European country with the continuous state of repression in Kosovo. It is simply not possible," Bildt said.

He said United Nations peacekeeping (IFOR) troops in Bosnia were facing problems with the return of refugees to their homes and that the process would take a long time. "Fear, bitterness and suspicion are still very deep among ethnic groups. This year we will have the start of the solution to the problem but not the solution," he said.

Bildt said a huge number of the 60,000-strong IFOR force would withdraw from Bosnia at the end of the year as scheduled. He said the Dayton peace agreement was being hindered by the continuing presence of Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic. "There is a very strong sentiment for peace but there is also political tension. The continuous political presence of Mr Karadzic is clearly working against the interests of Bosnian Serbs. He is isolated and his people pay for it," Bildt said.

Bildt was on a two-day visit to Athens to brief the Greek government on the peace process in Bosnia.


Berserkistan, Apr 29 · Serbia Blocks Albanians' Return
Berserkistan, Apr 25 · Kosovo Deaths Stir Albanian-Serb Issues
Berserkistan, Apr 23 · Four Killed in Kosovo Shootout
Calling Attention to Kosovo
About Kosovo
Kosovo Syndrome and its Political Background
On Political Manipulations with the Albanian Minority in Yugoslavia
The Truth about Kosovo and Metohija Orthodox World News
Kosovo and Metohija Today
The Future of Kosovo
Cultural page about Albania and Kosovo
Albania and Kosovo


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