The Serbian President, Milan Milutinovic, has
strongly criticised the latest American proposals
for the future of Kosovo, saying they violate both
the Serbian and Yugoslav constitutions.
A BBC correspondent in Kosovo says the draft
plan, which would give Kosovo greater autonomy
within the Yugoslav Federation, appears to mean a
corresponding weakening of the province's ties
with Serbia.
It would effectively raise it to the status of a third
republic within Yugoslavia, which now consists of
Serbia and Montenegro.
Mr Milutinovic made his comments during a visit to
Kosovo.
However, the province's ethnic Albanian leaders
continued their boycott of direct talks with Serbian
leaders, saying negotiations can only be held
through international mediators.
18 nov 98 16h44
From the newsroom of the BBC World Service
