The UN mediator in talks to determine Kosovo's political future said Tuesday he received "full support" from the UN Security Council to continue the diplomatic effort, DPA reported. Martti Ahtisaari, a former Finnish president, briefed the council on the first round of negotiations between Serb and Kosovar Albanian representatives in Vienna last month, which focused on decentralizing power in the UN-administered Serbian province. Ahtisaari gave no details of his discussion with council members. He said he remains optimistic that a solution for Kosovo can be found despite the clashing positions held by the two sides in the talks. Serbia is opposed to a secession by Kosovo while Kosovar Albanians want a state of their own. The council has called for an autonomous Kosovo, but the exact nature of the political future of the terrority would be determined by the negotiations. Kosovo is under UN administrative authority since 1999 after NATO warplanes drove out Serb security forces accused of persecuting Albanians.
