New constitution entered into force 15 June, transferring main powers from UNMIK to Kosovo govt. UNSG Ban 12 June presented “reconfiguration” plan: status-neutral UNMIK to lead dialogue with Belgrade on 6 areas including police, courts, customs in Kosovo Serb areas; delayed EULEX mission to be deployed under UN umbrella. Italian Lamberto Zannier appointed new special representative. Serbia and Russia objected to proposal in 20 June UNSC debate. Parallel Serb assembly launched 28 June in Mitrovica. NATO member states 12 June agreed KFOR mandate expansion to train Kosovo Security Force. UN 4 June threatened closure of border with Serbia if customs posts burned down Feb not re- established. Some 560 inmates of Dubrava prison in hunger strike 22-25 June demanding better conditions, amnesty law. Low-level violent incidents: PM Thaci’s house attacked 6 June, circumstances unclear; multiple attacks on police in Serb-dominated north left 1 officer dead. Serb, Roma villagers brawled 26 June with ethnic Albanian neighbours building mosque in Berivojce.

Serbian general elections held in some 300 polling stations in Serb-dominated areas 11 May. First time Serbia organised municipal elections in Kosovo since 1996. UNMIK declared municipal results of local elections illegal, violation of UNSCR 1244. Kosovo assembly adopted further 6 “Ahtisaari laws” ahead of 15 June transition of power to govt, entry into force of constitution. Opposition leader Haradinaj increased pressure on govt accusing leaders of corruption 24 May; also 19 May called for UNMIK departure. EULEX mission chief Yves de Kermabon 19 May confirmed 2-3 months delay in deployment of EU mission amid continued uncertainty of UN-EU transition. UN-EU talks ongoing. U.S. 16 May rejected Russia, China, India demands for resumption of Pristina-Belgrade status talks. 48 Serbs quit Kosovo customs service 20 May; Kosovo Police Service 30 May stopped payments to 300 boycotting Serb officers. ICTY chief prosecutor Brammertz 1 May appealed 3 Apr Haradinaj acquittal.

Kosovo leaders, EU Special Representative Feith approved new constitution 7 Apr; adopted by parliament 9 Apr. UNSC closed session 21 Apr discussed 17 March Mitrovica courthouse violence – UN investigation underway; also Belgrade plans to hold general elections 11 May in 16 Kosovo municipalities. UNMIK chief Rücker said only UN had authority to hold elections; proposed later polls in 5 Serb-majority municipalities. UN-EU transition uncertain: EULEX deployment delayed; Rücker 21 Apr acknowledged need to “reconfigure” UNMIK presence but said mission to stay beyond 15 June entry into force of constitution. Former KLA leader and PM Ramush Haradinaj returned to Kosovo after acquitted of war crimes by ICTY 3 Apr; criticised PM Thaci 8 Apr for lack of govt working plan, failure to reach out to Serbs; called for early elections. Kosovo and Macedonia agreed border demarcation protocol 18 Apr; opposed by Belgrade, Russia. Independence recognitions continued: 38 total.

Violence in Mitrovica and Serb efforts to partition underscored fragility of post-independence situation. UNMIK, KFOR forces 17 March conducted operation to remove demonstrators occupying Mitrovica regional court, arrested 53 and attempted transfer to Pristina. Well-organised Serb protestors attacked troops – gunfire grenade attacks left 1 UN police dead, up to 180 police and protesters injured. UNMIK forces briefly withdrew, returned to north 19 March. Belgrade 16 March proposed to UNMIK “functional division” of Kosovo, suggesting control of institutions in Serb-dominated areas; Pristina rejected. Up to 300 Serb officers continue Kosovo Police Service boycott. Belgrade claimed takeover of northern 50km of Kosovo railway. 36 countries recognised Kosovo since 17 Feb independence declaration including Croatia, Hungary, Bulgaria. Belgrade 20 March denounced U.S. decision to provide military assistance to Kosovo. UN and EU continue to discuss transition to EULEX mission; no comprehensive plan agreed.

17 Feb declaration of independence met with celebrations by over 90% of population, limited Serb unrest, but situation in north fragile with Belgrade calling for annulment and resisting deployment of new EU rule-of-law mission (EULEX). In declaration text PM Thaci pledged commitment to protect Serb minorities under the Ahtisaari plan, welcomed planned international civilian and EULEX mission; parliament approved 9 laws of Ahtisaari plan, establishing police force, statehood and diplomatic immunity. U.S., UK, France announced recognition next day; 22 countries recognised including 12 EU member states. Spain, Romania and Cyprus objected, blocking EU common position on recognition 18 Feb. In UNSC emergency session 18 Feb Russia and China led objections to independence, 8 members expressed support. Serbia, Russia rejected declaration as “null and void”; Serbia initiated criminal charges against Kosovo leaders and pledged to continue governing “loyal” citizens. Belgrade ministers visited Kosovo Serb communities to show support. EULEX launched; Dutch Pieter Feith appointed EUSR 16 Feb without formal vote. Feith said 29 Feb Kosovo would not be partitioned, despite Belgrade’s efforts to split off Serb-dominated north. Serb enclaves mostly calm, but protests and sporadic violence north of Ibar river caused withdrawal of Albanian police, customs officials and temporary EU withdrawal 23 Feb. Serb officers ignored orders from Pristina, established “parallel” police stations in east, while Serbian pressure mounted for takeover of UN courts in north. Several incidents at Serb border: KFOR, UNMIK briefly shut crossings 20 Feb, then restricted entry after organised Serb groups destroyed Jarinje and Brnjak border posts 19 Feb, with Belgrade’s retrospective approval; KFOR stopped Serb mob near Albanian village of Cabra 20 Feb; Serbia allowed army reservists through 21 Feb to attack Kosovo police, KFOR forces at Merdare and Mutivode border posts.

Parliament  approved  new  coalition  government 9 Jan led by PM Thaci (Democratic Party of Kosovo, PDK); reappointed President Sejdiu (Democratic League of Kosovo, LDK): PDK senior partner to LDK. Government still not fully formed month-end. Media speculation grew regarding date of independence declaration. Following visit to Brussels, Thaci said declaration “matter of days” 24 Jan, but indicated longer time frame 31 Jan, saying constitution, state symbols to be ready for first day of independence. Public debate on constitution initiated, draft not yet published. U.S., UK, France, Germany said would recognise quickly, but first await 3 Feb Serbian presidential election; Spain urged delay until 9 Mar Spanish election. EU still seeking decision mechanism to deploy 1,800-strong mission for post-UNMIK period; Serbia, Russia again claimed deployment illegal without UNSC endorsement. UNSC met 16 Jan to discuss UNMIK; UNSG Ban Ki-moon “noted” EU willingness to deploy mission. UNMIK deployed extra police into Serb-dominated north 31 Jan.

UN deadline for Kosovo status talks led by EU, U.S., Russia troika passed 10 December without Kosovo-Serbia agreement. EU leaders declared talks exhausted 14 December, discussed preparations for supervised independence based on Ahtisaari plan: agreed to prepare civil mission, 1,800-strong rule of law mission and accelerate Serbian EU membership if it cooperates with war crimes tribunal. EU-U.S. leaders reaching consensus that independence to proceed under Resolution 1244, without new UNSC resolution; Russia, Serbia claim this would be illegal. Up to 3,000 Serbs rallied Mitrovica to protest Kosovo independence and planned EU mission ahead of 19 December UNSC meeting, which again failed to yield status compromise. Post-election coalition talks started after 8 December mayoral run-off vote; Hashim Thaci’s winning Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) struck deal with President Sejdiu’s Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), offering several ministries. Tensions rose amid power cuts, food price rises and Serbian threat of embargo; Kosovo Albanians urged NATO to secure water and electricity supplies against sabotage by Serbs in north. Serbian bank targeted in blast in Dragas, southern Kosovo, 1 January.

Parliamentary, mayoral and municipal elections held 17 November: previous political order upset as opposition Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) led with 34% of parliamentary vote and senior government coalition partner Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) support halved to 22%. 3 other parties, Alliance for a New Kosovo, Democratic League for Dardania, and Alliance for the Future of Kosovo each received 10-12% of parliamentary vote; PDK’s Hashim Thaci likely PM in governing coalition with lead rival LDK. Calm election campaign dominated by social issues, but 45% voter turnout amid wide ethnic Albanian dissatisfaction with political elite and Belgrade’s demand Kosovo Serbs boycott elections. UNMIK to decide status of 5 Serb-majority municipalities notionally won by Albanians following Serb boycott. EU-U.S.-Russia troika due to report on troika-led Pristina-Belgrade talks 10 December; no breakthrough at last set of meetings held 20 and 26-28 November; Pristina dismissed Belgrade’s various autonomy models, insisting on independence. Thaci looking to coordinate independence steps with U.S. and EU allies. Masked self-proclaimed “Albanian National Army” gunmen made appearances near north-east and south-east boundary with Serbia.

Status talks continued in Vienna: U.S.-EU-Russia troika proposed 14-point agenda to govern post-status Kosovo-Serbia relations, modelled on East-West Germany agreement of 1972, avoiding mention of independence, 22, 29 October. Belgrade objected because independence not ruled out. EU agreed additional preparations for 2,000-strong post- status missions 2 October. Kosovo parliamentary, mayoral and municipal assembly elections due 17 November. Concerns raised over Kosovo Serb participation as Belgrade ordered boycott. Serbia PM Kostunica linked Kosovo status process with Bosnia’s Republika Srpska for first time 25 October (see Bosnia above), while FM Jeremic stated planned EU mission would need UNSC approval 29 October. Deputy PM Djelic claim Belgrade wanted Kosovo to take over its share of debt repayment refuted by Minister for Kosovo Samardzic. Local media showed footage 4 October of self-proclaimed Albanian National Army members threatening violent struggle; Serb equivalent, Tsar Lazar Guard militia, prevented from entering Kosovo 14 October. Kosovo police arrested Milazim Bytyqi, suspected of killing 14 Serb civilians in July 1999.

Pristina and Belgrade negotiators met in New York 28 September for first face-to-face talks in current negotiations round. No breakthrough, but sides agreed to meet 14 October in Brussels. Belgrade spokesman suggested use of force in case of Kosovo independence 5 September; but defence minister, army chief and other leaders gave reassurances after hail of international criticism. Still, PM Kostunica warned of “devastating consequences” 22 September. Belgrade also urged Kosovo Serbs to boycott November elections. Washington and several EU capitals signalled would recognise unilateral declaration of independence if no breakthrough by 10 December; Moscow warned any political recognition unacceptable. Bomb attack on Pristina café left 2 dead 24 September; UN police said investigating possible involvement of Kosovo police unit. Shots fired at Serb home, shop in east Kosovo villages Livoc, Klokot 20, 22 September. UNMIK deputy chief Schook announced under internal UN probe for alleged misconduct.