Serbian President's Call for Participation in Kosovo Elections

The U.S. welcomes Serbian President Boris Tadic's October 5 speech supporting participation by the ethnic Serb community in Kosovo's October 23 Assembly elections. The United States will continue to work closely with leaders in Belgrade and Pristina, the UN Mission in Kosovo, and our partners in the Contact Group to address security concerns of Serbs and other non-Albanian communities in Kosovo, particularly in the vital area of decentralization.

The United States remains committed to a Kosovo in which all communities can live safely and at peace. Full participation by Kosovo's Serbs in these elections, and in UN-sponsored working groups on local government, security, returns and other key issues, will further these goals.

We join President Tadic in encouraging Kosovo's Serb community to register and participate in the Assembly elections as its best means to ensure that its concerns are addressed and its voice heard.

2004/1075
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