Rice Receives Leaders of Newly Independent Kosovo

By Michael Buchanan

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice welcomed top officials from Kosovo in their first visit to Washington, highlighting the new democracy's progress toward strengthening government institutions and protecting Serb communities. She also reaffirmed American support for Kosovo's new administration.

"The people of Kosovo have a long road ahead to build their multiethnic democracy, but if the first few months are any indication, they have the will and the dedication and the commitment and the skill to do so," Rice said. "And as they do so, they will have a strong friend in the United States of America."

Rice's July 18 appearance with the president of Kosovo, Fatmir Sejdiu, and the prime minister, Hashim Thaci, comes after the republic's declaration of independence February 17 and its subsequent recognition by more than 40 countries, including two-thirds of the European Union and a majority of the nations on the U.N. Security Council.

Some of those nations pledged more than $1 billion in developmental assistance for Kosovo at a July 11 donors' conference. The United States, which already has provided more than $1.1 billion for Kosovo's development, has pledged an additional $400 million to support debt relief, judicial reform and improvement in Kosovo's educational and business climates. The assistance will help Kosovo become a nation that, in Rice's words, "can deliver for its people economically." (See "United States Pledges $400 Million at Kosovo Donors' Conference ( http://www.america.gov/st/foraid-english/2008/July/20080711165710esnamfuak0.1193659.html ).")

About 2 million ethnic Albanians and Serbs live in Kosovo. The republic declared independence after nine years as a U.N. protectorate, then quickly adopted a constitution according to a plan proposed by U.N. Special Envoy Martti Ahtisaari. The constitution includes provisions for decentralization and broad minority-rights protections.

Opposing Kosovo's recognition as an independent state is neighboring Serbia, which has expressed concern about the treatment of the Serb minority in Kosovo. President Sejdiu and Secretary Rice said their common goal is improving relations with Serbia.

"And the future of both Serbia and Kosovo are in Europe, in their European identity and their European home, in making the reforms necessary and gaining the stability to be a part of Europe's future," Rice said.

"I think the future of Kosovo will be very bright," she said. "It has determined people, it has determined leadership and it has determined friends."

Sejdiu and Thaci will meet with President Bush on July 21. Bush will discuss his strong support for Kosovo's efforts to build a democratic and inclusive government, according to White House press secretary Dana Perino.

Source: U.S. Department of State

judythpiazza@newsblaze.com

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