Serb head in stark Kosovo warning
Jonathan Marcus

Serbian President Boris Tadic has warned of an escalation in conflicts if Kosovo declares independence as expected later this month.

Mr Tadic said he could not accept the dismemberment of his country and called for renewed talks on the issue.

The pro-Western leader was speaking at the opening of an annual security conference in Munich.

The US and most members of the EU say they will support independence for Kosovo's ethnic Albanian majority.

"Should Serbia be partitioned against its will... it could in turn result in the escalation of many existing conflicts, the reactivation of a number of frozen conflicts, and the instigation of who knows how many new conflicts," said Mr Tadic.

While he described Kosovan independence as unacceptable, Mr Tadic added that he did not want to see Serbia isolated from the EU.

"There is still time to prevent the situation from spiralling needlessly out of control," he told the gathering of the world's top security officials, urging international talks......Article conts (-)

EU says Serbia agreement on hold

The EU enlargement commissioner has said a political deal due to be signed with Serbia has been postponed because of a political dispute in Belgrade.

Olli Rehn spoke of "the obstruction by certain politicians", in a clear reference to PM Vojislav Kostunica.

And Serbian President Boris Tadic later complained that Mr Kostunica had blocked a cabinet meeting on the issue.

Mr Kostunica has denounced the accord as a trick which will help pave the way for independence in Kosovo.

The EU offer of closer trade relations and relaxed visa requirements was due to be signed on Thursday.

Sovereignty 'undermined'

But the Serbian prime minister said a formal agreement made this week by the EU's 27 member states for a 1,800-strong civilian mission to Kosovo had undermined his country's sovereignty.

Kosovo's leadership is expected to proclaim independence in

the next few weeks.


Mr Kostunica's stance on the EU is strongly at odds with that of President Tadic, who won re-election on Sunday and whose party is part of the same ruling coalition.

He accused Mr Tadic's Democrats of putting Serbia's constitutional order in "grave danger" by refusing to convene a session of parliament.

In a separate development, two allies of the Serbian president - the deputy prime minister and foreign minister - were among 17 ministers who signed a letter to Mr Kostunica calling for a regular government meeting to take place on Thursday.......article conts (-)