Brussels, 5 November 2002 (RFE/RL) -- The prime minister of Kosovo, Bajram Rexhepi (pictured), says the province would declare independence if the international community accepts a new draft constitution for former Yugoslavia which describes the UN-ruled province as part of Serbia. Rexhepi made the comment following talks in Brussels today. He was referring to the preamble of a proposed constitution for Serbia and Montenegro as they prepare to establish a new union from the former Yugoslavia.
But the top UN official in Kosovo, Michael Steiner, told Rexhepi that the proposed text would not affect the province's status as a de facto protectorate of the UN Security Council.
Kosovo is still technically a province of Serbia, but it has been under UN Security Council control since NATO's 1999 bombing campaign to end Serb repression of ethnic Albanians.
But the top UN official in Kosovo, Michael Steiner, told Rexhepi that the proposed text would not affect the province's status as a de facto protectorate of the UN Security Council.
Kosovo is still technically a province of Serbia, but it has been under UN Security Council control since NATO's 1999 bombing campaign to end Serb repression of ethnic Albanians.