By ISMET HAJDARI Associated Press Writer

PRISTINA, Yugoslavia (AP) -- The chief spokesman for Kosovo's rebels rejected the

latest peace plan for the troubled province today, and called for the removal of its

American architect for alleged pro-Serb bias.

But in Brussels, Belgium, NATO foreign ministers endorsed U.S. diplomatic efforts

to resolve the crisis and called on Serbs and ethnic Albanians to ``move rapidly in a

spirit of compromise and accommodation.''

The ministers also reaffirmed that any settlement must respect the territorial integrity

of Yugoslavia, putting them at odds with the ethnic Albanians who are seeking

independence for the majority Albanian province.

Rebel spokesman Adem Demaci told reporters that the latest peace plan drafted by

U.S. envoy Christopher Hill was unacceptable because it doesn't envisage what will

happen to the rebel Kosovo Liberation Army if it was adopted.

``Mr. Hill either doesn't understand the Albanian problems, or he is leaning toward the

Serbs,'' Demaci said. ``The State Department should reconsider the results of his work

... (and) send us more qualified people.''

Demaci also acknowledged that the KLA was using lull in the fighting to rearm and

prepare for more battles with government troops.

``The KLA has no illusion that the (Serb) regime will democratize overnight and that

it will give up trying to find a solution through force for the Kosovo crisis,'' he said.

``It would be dangerous if the Albanians don't continue arming themselves and

preparing for resistance.''

Hundreds of people were killed and almost 300,000 ethnic Albanians forced from their

homes in a seven-month crackdown on separatists by Serbian forces before an October

peace accord.

In a statement issued in Brussels, NATO foreign ministers deplored the violence in

Kosovo, blaming both Serbs and ethnic Albanians.

``Since the beginning of November, violent incidents provoked in some cases by

Serbian security forces and in others by armed Kosovar elements have increased

tension,'' the ministers said. ``(Both sides) have failed to comply fully with the

requirements set on in U.N. Security Council resolutions.''

The NATO ministers reaffirmed their support for a political solution ``which provides

an enhanced status for Kosovo, a substantially greater degree of autonomy and

meaningful self-administration'' but which ``preserves the territorial integrity'' of

Yugoslavia.

The Americans and Europeans fear independence would lead to similar demands by

other ethnic Albanian communities elsewhere in the southern Balkans.

The U.S.-based Human Rights Watch, meanwhile, claimed today that more than

1,000 Kosovo Albanians were in Serbian prisons and police stations, and said at least

five have died from beatings and torture.

The statement, faxed to The Associated Press bureau in Belgrade, said hundreds of

others have been injured from beatings and torture.

AP-NY-12-08-98 1109EST