Russia hints at flexibility on UN plan for Kosovo

UNITED NATIONS, Jan 25 (Reuters) Russia, which has been hostile to the idea of independence for Serbia's Kosovo province, has hinted day it may be open to a U N plan making it independent in virtually every respect but in name.

A proposal to be presented to major powers in Vienna tomorrow will not explicitly call for independence but will describe a future Kosovo able to conduct its own foreign policy and join international organizations such as the World Bank and the Council of Europe, a diplomat familiar with the plan said.

The plan, which was drafted by U N special envoy Martti Ahtisaari and must be approved by the U N Security Council before it can take effect, would also enable the runaway province to develop its own economy, have its own flag and establish diplomatic ties with governments, the diplomat said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Kosovo has been under U N administration since 1999, when NATO launched bombing raids to drive out Serb forces accused by the West of ethnic cleansing.

While Serbia flatly opposes independence, the province's 90-percent ethnic Albanian majority demands it.

Moscow, a Serb ally with veto power in the 15-nation Security Council, has said there can be no deal on Kosovo's future status that does not satisfy Serbia.

Russia also has expressed concern that independence could fuel separatist drives in some former Soviet states.

But when asked on Wednesday whether Moscow could accept a plan giving Kosovo independence in everything but name, Russian U N ambassador Vitaly Churkin hinted at flexibility.

''I sort of personally think that there are all sorts of possibilities. If the parties get into a creative discussion of the settlement, then there are all sorts of possibilities which can be there,'' Churkin told reporters.

Ahtisaari is expected to hold a final round of talks with Serb and Kosvo officials when he formally presents his package to the two sides at the end of next week, U N officials said.

His goal will be to explore possible last-minute modifications that could persuade the Serbs to accept a deal.

But he also will be aware that Serbia could try to stall the process by holding out hopes of a last-minute compromise via lengthy new negotiations, the diplomat said.

Once the Ahtisaari package is put before the council, the West will seek to persuade Russia to abstain rather than veto the plan, the diplomat said.

The West will argue that Moscow would have to pay a high political price for blocking the proposal, only to risk a possible unilateral declaration of independence by Kosovo in the end, the diplomat said.

REUTERS PDS RN0610