EU warned over Kosovo violence

ZAGREB, Croatia -- European leaders have welcomed democratic changes in the Balkans at a breakthrough summit in Croatia -- but violence in Kosovo and calls for independence from Montenegro cast ominous shadows.

And the United Nations administrator in Kosovo said European Union leaders were ignoring a commitment to hold general elections in the province next year because of fears of a fresh crisis in Kosovo.

Bernard Kouchner said he had warned EU leaders that there was a risk of a return to conflict unless independence-seeking Kosovo Albanians were given the chance to choose their leaders.

"If they are cornered they will fight," he said.

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Kouchner said EU leaders were ignoring United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244, which made the Yugoslav province a protectorate and called for general elections, and he urged that the polls should happen soon.

New Yugoslav President Vojislav Kostunica said: "The old Balkan story of violence and ethnic cleansing is not over yet.

"Today, Kosovo is Europe's biggest problem, which could activate other, seemingly sleeping flashpoints outside the Balkans."

Kouchner sounded similar warnings, recalling this week's bomb blast at the home of Belgrade's Kosovo representative and an attack on Serb policemen outside the province by Kosovo Albanian guerrillas.

"We do not need any more victims to understand that the conflict in Kosovo is not over," Kouchner said.

But while Kouchner said the U.N. resolution on Kosovo that ended last year's 11 week NATO air war provided an interim solution, Kostunica called it a "dead letter" and noted the exodus of Serbs and spread of violence into Serbia.

Wolfgang Petritsch, the international overseer in Bosnia, also reminded EU heads of state of instability there, where recent elections showed nationalism still has a strong hold.

Other speakers called for the arrest of war crimes indictees, who include former Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic and four of his close aides, saying true reconciliation was impossible while people responsible for past atrocities were still at large.

But French President Jacques Chirac mentioned no conditions when he announced a five-year EU aid package worth $4 billion for the region, which he said would also be offered preferential access to EU markets.

"The Zagreb summit underlines the determination of the European Union in its fight for democracy, peace and reconciliation on our continent," said Chirac, whose country now holds the rotating presidency of the 15-member union.

Albania, Bosnia, Croatia, Macedonia and Yugoslavia agreed to work for regional cooperation in the summit's final declaration, which puts them on a path towards the EU with Slovenia.

Croatian President Stipe Mesic said true reconciliation was impossible until refugees were returned, war criminals were arrested and Belgrade clearly rejected the past.

Some 300 protesters, many of them veterans of Croatia's struggle for independence against Belgrade's forces, staged a noisy demonstration in Zagreb against Kostunica's visit.

Reuters contributed to this report.

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History of Kosovo
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