UN Mulls Kosovo Future

The plan -- which was drawn up by UN Special Envoy Martti Ahtisaari of Finland -- would go a long way toward granting Kosovo's majority ethnic Albanian populace independence form Serbia while retaining international supervision over the province.

At the same time, it would also allow Serbian dominated municipalities to govern themselves in many respects and maintain existing ties to Belgrade. The goal is to create a multi-ethnic, democratic state under the rule of law.

Ahead of the closed-door debates in the Security Council, Ahtisaari's blueprint was endorsed by Kosovo's current president, Fatmir Sejdiu, and by the US and the EU, who see it as the only viable way to solve the problem of Kosovo's long-term status.

Kosovo has been under UN control since 1999 when NATO military forces intervened to stop a brutal Serbian crackdown on the ethnic Albanian independence movement in the province.

Russian scepticism

Any decision by the Security Council would be binding. But Russia, which has the power of veto on the council, has criticized the plan, saying any decisions on Kosovo's status must be accepted by all sides of the conflict.

Belgrade has flatly rejected Ahtisaari's blueprint, insisting that Kosovo remain part of Serbia and calling for fresh negotiations under a new UN-appointed arbitrator.

Britain's UN Ambassador Emyr Jones Parry -- currently the Security Council president -- said there was considerable support for the plan. But he added, " I don't think it's likely there will be an early presentation of a Security Council resolution."

Meanwhile, France says the UN must decide on Kosovo's status soon or run the risk that ethnic strife will flare up again.