Kosovo declaration 'not imminent'

Kosovo's Prime Minister Hashim Thaci has hinted at a possible delay before an independence declaration, dampening speculation that it may be imminent.

"On independence day, Kosovo will have finished preparing the constitution, as well as the state symbols," Mr Thaci told the BBC's Albanian Service.

Public debate on the constitution had already started, he said, and there was no point talking about days or hours.

Serbia strongly opposes a UN plan for Kosovo independence.

But the US and many countries within the European Union support it.

Mr Thaci told the BBC on Wednesday that the aim was for Kosovo's politicians, institutions and citizens to move into independence as one.

"I believe it is not necessary to discuss whether it [the proclamation of independence] is a matter of hours, days or minutes, or whether it will happen this Sunday, this Tuesday or Thursday," he said.


http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7220119.stm