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Leaders hold final Kosovo talks Leaders hold final Kosovo talks
(30 minutes later)
A final round of talks between top Serbian and ethnic Albanian leaders on the future of Kosovo is due to take place in the Austrian capital, Vienna. A final round of talks between top Serbian and ethnic Albanian leaders on the future of Kosovo has begun in the Austrian capital, Vienna.
The negotiations will be chaired by UN special envoy Martti Ahtisaari, who must present his proposals on Kosovo's status to the UN by the end of March. The negotiations are being chaired by UN special envoy Martti Ahtisaari, who must present his proposals on Kosovo's status to the UN by the end of March.
The summit is seen as a last chance for two sides who remain very far apart to present their views on his plan.The summit is seen as a last chance for two sides who remain very far apart to present their views on his plan.
He backs a form of self-rule for Kosovo which stops short of full independence.He backs a form of self-rule for Kosovo which stops short of full independence.
Ethnic Albanian politicians are broadly in favour of the blueprint, which gives Kosovo the trappings of a sovereign state, but Serbia strongly opposes the plan.Ethnic Albanian politicians are broadly in favour of the blueprint, which gives Kosovo the trappings of a sovereign state, but Serbia strongly opposes the plan.
Diplomatic struggleDiplomatic struggle
At the talks in Vienna, which mark the end of a year-long diplomatic process, Serbian President Boris Tadic and Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica are expected to voice their formal rejection of Mr Ahtisaari's proposals. At the talks, which mark the end of a year-long diplomatic process, Serbian President Boris Tadic and Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica are expected to voice their formal rejection of Mr Ahtisaari's proposals.
Q&A Kosovo's futureQ&A Kosovo's future
Kosovan President Fatmir Sejdiu and Prime Minister Agim Ceku are set to give their broad backing for the document.Kosovan President Fatmir Sejdiu and Prime Minister Agim Ceku are set to give their broad backing for the document.
Hashim Thaci of the Kosovan Albanian delegation said that independence for the province was the only feasible option. Before they opened, Hashim Thaci of the Kosovan Albanian delegation said that independence for the province was the only feasible option.
"We want everybody in Kosovo to take the right decision, a decision of independence, and for us as Kosovans, the only solution is to respect the will of the people," he said."We want everybody in Kosovo to take the right decision, a decision of independence, and for us as Kosovans, the only solution is to respect the will of the people," he said.
But in Belgrade, a statement from Mr Tadic's office said that the Serbian president planned to urge Mr Ahtisaari to consider "all damaging consequences that the independence of Kosovo could have in the region and other parts of the world". But in Belgrade on Friday, a statement from Mr Tadic's office said that the Serbian president planned to urge Mr Ahtisaari to consider "all damaging consequences that the independence of Kosovo could have in the region and other parts of the world".
After the meeting, Mr Ahtisaari is expected to forward his final plan to the UN Security Council by the end of March.After the meeting, Mr Ahtisaari is expected to forward his final plan to the UN Security Council by the end of March.
It will then be up to the UN's highest body to decide whether to approve or reject his proposals.It will then be up to the UN's highest body to decide whether to approve or reject his proposals.
But, correspondents say, this could be where the real diplomatic struggle begins.But, correspondents say, this could be where the real diplomatic struggle begins.
Serbia wants veto-wielding Russia to stick to its long-held position that it will not accept a deal on Kosovo's status unless it is agreed by both sides.Serbia wants veto-wielding Russia to stick to its long-held position that it will not accept a deal on Kosovo's status unless it is agreed by both sides.
But the BBC's Gabriel Partos says the US and EU countries argue that if the plan is blocked, Kosovo's overwhelmingly ethnic Albanian population could go ahead with a unilateral declaration of independence, which might lead to a chaotic situation and possibly violence.But the BBC's Gabriel Partos says the US and EU countries argue that if the plan is blocked, Kosovo's overwhelmingly ethnic Albanian population could go ahead with a unilateral declaration of independence, which might lead to a chaotic situation and possibly violence.
Ethnic Albanians comprise some 90% of Kosovo's two million people.Ethnic Albanians comprise some 90% of Kosovo's two million people.
The UN has administered Kosovo since a Nato bombing campaign forced out Serbian troops in 1999.The UN has administered Kosovo since a Nato bombing campaign forced out Serbian troops in 1999.