U.N. sets out Kosovo autonomy plan

Haekkerup

PRISTINA, Kosovo (CNN) -- The United Nations' special representative in Kosovo has announced measures for the international body to step back from its governing role in the province.

In a televised address Monday night to the people of Kosovo, U.N. Special Representative Hans Haekkerup set November 17 as the date for elections.

Haekkerup also outlined the constitutional framework that will transfer power from the international body to the people of Kosovo.

"It's very important to move the political process forward so that the Kosovars themselves take care of the day-to-day problems of the citizens," Haekkerup told CNN after the announcement. "I think that will actually contribute to reduce violence here."

The announcement is the latest in a series of provisions set up by U.N. Resolution 1244 to provide autonomy for the province.

Under the new step, the people of Kosovo will vote for a 120-member assembly that will choose the president of the region.

"What's really exciting is that there are real provisions made for the minority community," said Stacia Philips-Deshishku, spokeswoman for the U.N. Mission in Kosovo.

Philips-Deshishku said 10 seats on the assembly would be set aside for the Serb community and 10 seats for minority groups, including Ashkali, Egyptian, Turkish, Bosniac and Gorani.

Voters will determine who wins the rest of the 120 seats.

Haekkerup has met with leaders from the Kosovar Albanian and Serb communities to set up the process of government.

AUDIO Hans Haekkerup, UN Special Representative: Kosovo to solve its own problems 980K/90.secs. AIFF or WAV sound

After the new government is formed, the United Nations will retain its role in policing the region.

Kosovo, a province of Yugoslav Federal Republic of Serbia, has been under U.N. and NATO control since 1999, when a bombing campaign by the Western alliance forced Yugoslav troops to end a crackdown on ethnic Albanians.

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United Nations Mission in Kosovo
Human Rights Watch: Kosovo
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
NATO

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