Interview with Aleksandr Botsan-Kharchenko

26 Nov, 2007 06:28 / Updated 16 years ago

International mediators on Kosovo are meeting on Monday in a final push to reach agreement on the province's future. The Russian envoy to the so-called Troika, Aleksandr Botsan-Kharchenko, spoke to RT about the talks.

Belgrade is offering Kosovo autonomy within Serbian borders.  Pristina rejects this, insisting on internationally supervised independence. Botsan-Kharchenko says Kosovan negotiators have been inflexible: “I see no new elements and no elaboration of their approach,” he said. The diplomat also warned that a unilateral declaration of independence by Kosovo, supported by several Western countries, will create a big problem. The Troika’s mandate will expire on December 10, when they are to give their recommendations to the UN Security Council.