Serbia, Russia say Kosovo plan not ready for UN

BELGRADE, Mar 1 (Reuters) Serbia and Russia warned the UN envoy for Kosovo today not to present the Security Council with a plan for the breakaway Serbian province without the agreement of Serbia and Kosovo's Albanian majority.

At talks in Belgrade, visiting Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Vladimir Titov told Serbian leaders Russia supported their view that a compromise acceptable to both sides in Kosovo was essential.

UN envoy Martti Ahtisaari is due to wind up last-ditch talks between Serbia and Kosovo Albanians in Vienna on Friday, with no indication of a compromise.

Failing a breakthrough, he intends to propose that Kosovo be granted independence this year under European Union supervision.

''Titov particularly stressed that it is not the right moment for Ahtisaari's proposal, as it now stands, without having secured an agreement from the two sides, to be sent to the Security Council,'' according to a statement issued by the office of Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica.

''He stressed that Russia would not support the proposal in the Security Council if both sides do not agree on it,'' it added. Titov himself made no statement.

The Russian visitor also met Serbia's President Boris Tadic and Foreign Minister Vuk Draskovic.

Ahtisaari, whose proposal for de facto independence was presented four weeks ago, has full the backing of the West. Ahtisaari said he could present his proposals to the Security Council by the end of this month.

Serbia is counting on Russia to use its veto if necessary to block the plan.

Kosovo has been under UN rule since 1999 when a NATO bombing campaign drove Serb forces out of the overwhelmingly ethnic Albanian province in 1999.

The province's 90-per cent Albanian majority say they will never accept Serb rule again and the West says there is no viable alternative to granting them self-determination.

NATO allies heading a 16,600-strong peace force in the province are concerned that a long delay could lead to unrest.

Ahtisaari has said he sees no chance of Serbs and ethnic Albanians reaching an agreement on Kosovo's final status.

Reuters SY DB2300