GOS' "RULES" FOR KOSOVO TALKS

1. The Government of Serbia passed the following letter (translated
from Serbian) from Kosovo Minister Samardzic to the Chiefs of
Mission of Contact Group countries in Belgrade.



2. Begin text of letter:

Your Excellency,

As Ambassador of a Contact Group country, we submit to you the
proposal of the Serbian Government on rules for negotiations on the
status of Kosovo and Metohija.

The state institutions of the Republic of Serbia assess that these
negotiations are extraordinarily important for the determination of
the status of Kosovo and Metohija, and that the spirit of compromise
is predominant for the peaceful, long-lasting and sustainable
resolution of this issue.

For that reason, we are convinced that clear and fair negotiation
rules are the basic precondition for the successful conduction of
negotiations.

With the expectation that the Contact Group will take this proposal
of the Government of Serbia extremely seriously and that we will
have the opportunity to discuss regulations for negotiations during
our first meeting in Belgrade,

Receive the expression of my respect,

Minister for Kosovo and Metohija in the Government of Serbia

/s/

Slobodan Samardzic



RULES FOR CONDUCTING NEGOTIATIONS ON FUTURE STATUS OF KOSOVO AND
METOHIJA
(Proposal of the Government of Serbia)



I. The subject of negotiations is the status of Kosovo and Metohija.
A number of practical and technical issues (position of
communities, decentralization, protection of cultural heritage,
economic issues) could be subjects of negotiation but only within
the primary issue of status.

II. Negotiations are conducted as direct negotiations between both
sides with 'Troika' mediation. All other modalities (shuttle
diplomacy and others) could be only additional and consultative
within the function of direct negotiations.

III. No strict time limitation on negotiations. It is possible and
necessary for the Contact Group ('Troika') to submit to the UN
Security Council occasional and interim reports on the negotiations.


IV. Negotiations are supposed to be open with regards to outcome and
timeframe, with respect to norms, regulations and principles of
international law.



V. Mr. Ahtisaari's proposal cannot be the basis for negotiations.

VI. The entire process has to be conducted under the clear mandate
of the UN, and only the UN Security Council can enact relevant
decisions.

End text.

SIMMONS