PRISHTINA, Dec 4 (KIC) - The situation in Kosova continues to be grave and volatile amidst a still heavy presence of Serbian

forces, the President of the Republic of Kosova Ibrahim Rugova said at the outset of his press conference in Prishtina today

(Friday).

Speaking about the Serb regime violence, Rugova denounced the continued detention of the LDK chapter vice-chairman in

Gjilan, Lutfi Haziri.

Greater security should be created so that people can safely return to their homes, President Rugova said, maintaining that

the deployment of NATO troops would provide a permanent security in Kosova. He urged international organizations to offer

all the care during the winter to thousands of Kosova refugees in northern Albania.

President Ibrahim Rugova reiterated that an independent Kosova, with all guarantees for local Serbs, is the best solution,

pressing for an interim stage international protectorate pending a lasting resolution.

Asked by a foreign reporter to comment on Ambassador Chris Hill's draft plan for an interim solution in Kosova, Rugova said

the Albanian side has been working with the U.S. envoy and experts of the State Department on the drafts. The latest draft

will be discussed by the Kosova negotiating team, he said, adding that the most recent draft [the Kosovar side had] was the

one of November 1st.

Regarding the recent killings in Kosova, Rugova said this is evidence to the fact that the issue of security is still very much a

thing of urgency. "As soon as possible, Kosovar security forces should be created to protect the citizens and bring about an

end to Serbian violence".

The Kosova negotiating team will be completed with new members if and when the need comes, President Rugova said in

reply to a question. "The negotiating team has worked a lot, and with results", he said, adding that the size of the group was

not the most important thing, but rather the position on the Kosova issue.

Given the huge gap between the parties in the Kosova conflict, is there any likelihood for an international conference, a local

newspaper's reporter asked. Work is being done at present on an interim deal, President Rugova said. "Ambassador Hill has

been trying to narrow the differences", he said, adding that work should be done towards an international conference.

The issue of the Ministry of Defense in the Government of the Republic of Kosova is a matter for the Government itself,

President Rugova said when asked to comment about it.

The Government of the Republic said in a statement earlier this week Col. Halil Bicaj had been named Acting Minister of

Defense.