Leader Of Kosovo Albanians Calls On International Community To Recognise Independent Kosovo

During talks with the Swedish Foreign Minister Anna Lindh and Defence Minister Bjorn von Sydow, Chairman of the Democratic Union of Kosovo Ibrahim Rugova called on the international community to recognise "as soon as possible the independence of Kosovo." The Kosovo information centre has reported that, in Rugova's opinion, if the Yugoslavian province were to proclaim independence, then peace and stability would be restored "not only there, but in the whole region." The leader of the Kosovo Albanians said that, with the exception of a few incidents, the current election campaign was proceeding smoothly. He pointed to significant progress in establishing and bolstering security, which, in the main, has come after the introduction of KFOR peacekeepers into the province. The majority of Kosovo's population, said Rugova, were orientating themselves towards western European and Euro-Atlantic organisations. Rugova is due to continue talks with Swedish politicians and parliamentarians on Tuesday.