UN warns Kosovo Albanians against unilateral steps

PRISTINA, Serbia, Nov 14 (Reuters) The United Nations is warning Kosovo against taking any ''unilateral actions'' in response to the UN decision to delay its ruling on the Kosovo Albanians' demand for independence from Serbia.

''Any statements that allude to Kosovo taking unilateral actions are in contradiction to the Contact Group's Guiding Principles,'' said Kosovo's UN governor, Joachim Ruecker.

The Contact Group of six major world powers guiding Balkan diplomacy instructed UN envoy Martti Ahtisaari on Friday to delay his proposal on Kosovo's ''final status'' until after a Serbian parliamentary election on January 21.

The Contact Group, comprising the United States, Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Russia, originally promised to produce a settlement plan by the end of this year.

Kosovo Prime Minister Agim Ceku said last week he might declare independence unilaterally if the UN did not grant it.

''Such statements can undermine support for Kosovo at this crucial time,'' Ruecker said late on Monday after a meeting with Ceku and the commander of the 17,000-strong NATO peace force.

He urged ''understanding at this sensitive stage''.

The decision to delay risks stirring resentment among the 90-per cent Albanian majority, impatient for independence after seven years of limbo as a de facto UN protectorate.

Ceku said he would pursue guarantees that the setback of ''several weeks'' would not be followed by further delays.

''We will not show signs of exhaustion, nervousness or distrust,'' the former guerrilla commander said. ''We will maintain calm and stability.'' ''WITHOUT DELAY'' Kosovo has been under UN control since 1999, when NATO bombed for 11 weeks to drive out Serb forces accused of ethnic cleansing in a two-year war with separatist guerrillas.

A draft settlement, written by former Finnish president Ahtisaari after eight months of almost fruitless Serb-Albanian talks, is reported to set Kosovo on the path to independence, but falls short of recommending direct recognition at the UN Security Council.

At a meeting on Friday in Vienna, held hours after Serbian President Boris Tadic called a parliamentary election that pits democrats against powerful ultranationalists, the Contact Group agreed to postpone a decision on Ahtisaari's proposal.

Ahtisaari told a seminar in Helsinki today he would file his report ''without delay'' after the Jan. 21 election. He said the sides were far apart but talks could not go on forever.

''A decision on Kosovo's status cannot be simply avoided and delayed indefinitely,'' the envoy said.

Some Western powers worry that granting independence to Serbia's religious heartland prior to the Serbian election could carry the ultranationalist Serbian Radical Party to power.

Reuters SY VV2241