Nigerian Times

19 Feb 2008 09:28 Africa/Lagos Remarks by President Bush on Kosovo WASHINGTON, Feb. 19 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following is a transcript of remarks by President Bush. Kilimanjaro Hotel Kempinski Dar es Salaam, Tanzania 7:24 A.M. (L) THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. Sunday, the people of Kosovo declared their independence. They have asked the United States for diplomatic recognition, and yesterday the United States formally recognized Kosovo as a sovereign and independent nation. In its declaration of independence Kosovo committed itself to the highest standards of democracy, including freedom and tolerance and justice for citizens of all ethnic backgrounds. These are principles that honor human dignity, they are values America looks for in a friend, and soon we will establish full diplomatic relations with the new nation of Kosovo. We will work with the leaders of Kosovo to carry out a smooth and peaceful transition to independence. America welcomes Kosovo's pledges...

Kosovo Albanians celebrating the declaration of Independence last Sunday . Kosovo declared its Independence from Serbia on Sunday, February 17, 2008. But Boris Tadic, the President of Serbia told Ban Ki-moon , the Secretary General of the United Nations , that Kosovo's declaration of independence is a violation of international law and unacceptable. Vojislav Kostunica , the Prime Minister of Serbia, said, Kosovo is a “false state" and Russia is supporting Serbia. The United States of America and most members of the European Union have already accepted the Independence of Kosovo, but not all the members of NATO have agreed to recognize Kosovo. To avoid another civil war, the United Nations must address the disagreement between Serbia and Kosovo.