Yugoslav President: Kosovo remains factor of political instability

Kosovo continues to remain the factor of political instability and the centre of organised criminal groups that spread their activity over both the Balkans and the territory from Central Asia to South America, Yugoslav President Vojislav Kostunica said at the comprehensive political discussion held as part of the 57th session of the General Assembly on Thursday. According to him, these groups are undoubtedly co-operating with extremist and terrorist organisations both in and outside the Balkans.

The Yugoslav President added that "another problem of Kosovo is the desperate situation almost 250,000 Serbs, Montenegrins and other non-Albanians have found themselves in. All of them would like to return home, yet their status is that of displaced persons, especially in central Serbia." In all, less than 1 percent of all displaced people has returned to Kosovo so far. The destiny of 5,000 people kidnapped or missing remains unknown, Kostunica said. He also recalled that over the past 2 years Kosovo's instability had twice spilt over the neighbouring territories - first the Presevo valley and then western Macedonia.