Intl body ends supervision of Kosovo

PRISTINA - The West-led International Steering Group (ISG) announced on Monday the termination of its supervision of Kosovo, four and a half years after the territory unilaterally proclaimed independence from Serbia.

The international body, comprising 25 countries including the United States and major European Union (EU) member states, made the announcement in a meeting held here.

"The ISG decided to terminate the period of supervision of Kosovo's independence," International Civilian Representative Pieter Feith told the press, adding the termination was effective immediately.

The supervision was agreed upon in accordance with the Status Settlement Proposal of UN-negotiator Martti Ahtisaari.

Hours before the ISG meeting in Pristina, the Serbian government's Office for Kosovo-Metohija (KiM) called on the international community not to reduce its presence and let the violence against Serbs in KiM go unpunished.

The Serbian Office drew attention to the latest attacks, especially the one that took place in the village of Pasjane in the municipality of Gnjilane on Sunday, when unidentified attackers opened fire on six Serbs who were gathering sticks in the wood in their district.

In a joint press briefing with Kosovo leader Hashim Thaci, Feith said "the ISG is satisfied that the plan proposed by former Finish President Martti Ahtisaari has been substantially implemented" by Kosovo institutions.

"This moment shows a full support by the international community to the commitment of Kosovo institutions to successfully complete the supervised independence," Thaci told the press.

The announcement was followed by a special plenary session in the 120-seat Kosovo assembly.

Kosovo, a southern province of Serbia with a majority Albanian population, unilaterally declared independence in 2008 after the 1999 NATO bombing campaign of Serbia led to nearly 10 years of UN administration.

Serbia steadfastly refuses to recognize the secession of Kosovo, which is regarded as the medieval cradle of the Serbian culture.

Over 90 UN member states have recognized Kosovo so far, mainly the ones that are represented in the ISG. But Serbia and the majority of UN member states still do not recognize an independent Kosovo.