Posted on 04/23/2008 12:40:08 PM PDT by Doctor13
PRISTINA, Kosovo (AP) — Kosovo's former prime minister urged ethnic Albanians on Tuesday to reach out to the Serb minority in an effort to overcome objections to Kosovo's declaration of independence.
Ramush Haradinaj's comments come less than a month since a U.N. war crimes tribunal acquitted him of the murder and torture of Serbs in the 1990s.
In an interview with The Associated Press, the 39-year-old former guerrilla commander said Serbs in Kosovo's north should be given social and economic incentives to join Kosovo's ethnic Albanian-dominated institutions.
"At this stage, we should present a proper offer, as well as interpret that offer in a good way toward the Serbs in the north with the benefits that will come if they join and accept that offer," Haradinaj said.
He did not give any details of what the offer should contain but said Kosovo's authorities should work with international forces based there to try to woo the Serb minority to accept its independence.
Since Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in February, some three dozen countries — including the United States and most EU states — have recognized the new nation, where 90 percent of the 2 million people are ethnic Albanians.
But Serbia, which considers Kosovo the historic cradle of its nation, has rejected the move as illegal under international law.
During the interview in his office in Kosovo's capital, Pristina, Haradinaj also discussed his political ambitions and Kosovo's efforts to get more countries to recognize its independence.
He declined to discuss recent comments by Serge Brammertz, the new chief U.N. prosecutor of the Yugoslav war crimes tribunal, who said his office may appeal Haradinaj's acquittal.
The U.N. tribunal at The Hague, Netherlands, acquitted him this month of 37 counts of murder, torture and rape against Serbs while serving as a commander of the rebel Kosovo Liberation Army during the 1998-99 war.
He returned home a day later to a hero's welcome and promised to help bridge Kosovo's ethnic Albanians and Serbs.
But he also returned to a political scene in which his former comrade in arms — and now bitter political rival — Hashim Thaci is leading a government that has been lauded at home for declaring its independence.
Haradinaj quit his post as prime minister in March 2005 after learning of his indictment and surrendered to authorities in The Hague, vowing to clear his name.
On Tuesday, he accused Thaci and his Cabinet of doing too little to gain recognition of Kosovo's independence from other governments.
"I believe they have to put more efforts for that and that we have to call for more help," said Haradinaj.
Kosovo's independence was quickly recognized by 38 countries, including the United States, Japan, Canada and most member countries in the European Union. But Serbia and Russia oppose Kosovo's independence and hope to prevent more countries from recognizing Kosovo as Europe's newest nation.
Haradinaj has been eyeing a political comeback. Since returning home, he's been touring Kosovo extensively, meeting villagers and criticizing Kosovo's authorities.
"There is a lot to do, and if you don't deliver ... it is not good for any country and especially for a country, newly born, that has high expectations," he said. "I have an offer for Kosovar people. It's not my past, it's my ability to govern a country in a good way."
Sure he wants to help them - right into an early grave.
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