January 24, 2008	Thursday	Muharram 14, 1429

TOKYO, Jan 23: Kosovo's leader has said he plans a declaration of independence from Serbia “very soon” despite opposition from Belgrade, a report said on Wednesday.

“I must emphasise it is going to be very soon,” President Fatmir Sejdiu told Japan's Kyodo News in an interview in Pristina.

Kosovo, while still technically part of Serbia, has been under UN administration since 1999 after a Nato bombing campaign forced Belgrade-backed forces to end a crackdown in the predominantly Albanian province.

The United States and most European Union members have signalled they are ready to accept Kosovo's independence and Kosovan media have said that preparations for an announcement have begun.

But Serbia, which views its southern province as a cradle of its civilisation, remains adamantly opposed.

Historic Serbian ally Russia, which wields veto power on the UN Security Council, has warned Kosovo against a unilateral declaration of independence.

Some EU members such as Greece and Cyprus, which share religious affinities with Serbia, have also been wary about Kosovo independence.

“Of course our biggest wish would be to have a unified approach from all the countries in the EU,” Sejdiu said.

“Nevertheless if what happens is that we have a country or two with reservations then they should keep those reservations to themselves because we will move forward with the support of the rest of the countries,” he said.

Sejdiu has been appearing in the Japanese media in hopes that the world's second largest economy will promptly recognise an independent Kosovo and invest.

“We believe such an action, the recognition from Japan, would be extremely beneficial,” he told Kyodo News.—AFP