Serbia To Officially Protest Kosovo Independence In U.N.

February 18, 2008 8:10 a.m. EST

Belgrade, Serbia (AHN) - Serbian President Boris Tadic will elevate his government's protest over Kosovo's declaration of independence to the United Nations Security Council when that body convenes Monday. Tadic is expected to address the council urging it to annul Kosovo's independence and dissolve its interim parliament.

"We insist that the Security Council fully protect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Serbia, as is called for in the U.N. Charter," said Tadic in a letter to the council.

Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaci declared Kosovo independence Sunday during a special session of parliament. Kosovo was under U.N. administration since mid-1999, after NATO forces drove out Serbian military from the province.

The United States and the majority of countries in the European Union have supported Kosovo's independence. Meanwhile, Russia and China, which are key members of the council, strongly oppose Sunday's proclamation.

"Our concern is for the safety of Serbs and other minorities in Kosovo," Russian U.N. ambassador Vitaly Churkin said. "Our position is that this declaration should be disregarded by the international community."

In Beijing on Monday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao expressed grave concern over Kosovo's move for independence.

"Kosovo's unilateral act can produce a series of results that will lead to seriously negative influence on peace and stability in the Balkan region," Liu said. He called on Kosovo and Serbia to seek a solution under international law.

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged all parties "to refrain from any actions or statements that could endanger peace, incite violence or jeopardize security in Kosovo and the region."

The European Union decided Saturday to launch a peace mission of about 2,000 police and lawyers to replace the U.N. mission.