Serbia calls Kosovo Serbs to boycott elections (Roundup)

Nov 10, 2010, 12:57 GMT

Belgrade - The Serbian government on Wednesday called on compatriots in Kosovo to boycott early elections next month, saying that basic conditions for the process were not in place.

'The government of Serbia today estimated that conditions do not exist for it to call the Serbian population to take part in elections,' it said in a statement.

Elections in Kosovo, initially called for February - six months early - had been set for December 12, following the collapse of Prime Minister Hashim Thaci's coalition.

Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008 and has been recognized by the leading Western powers. Serbia, however, continues to claim sovereignty over what it sees as its heartland province.

Belgrade agreed to hold the first direct talks with authorities in Pristina in September, but the early polls in Kosovo are likely to delay the still unscheduled talks.

The two sides are to focus on issues such as custom controls, police cooperation, energy and transport.

Albanians constitute a 90-per-cent majority among the 2 million Kosovars. In 2007 and 2009 Kosovo Serbs, who are huddled in enclaves, boycotted elections on orders from Belgrade.

Belgrade often accuses Kosovo authorities and the Albanians of violating the basic right of the Serbs.

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