Serbia's ambassador tells Ottawa to exercise caution

Serbia's ambassador to Canada cautioned Ottawa not to rush to recognize Kosovo's declaration of independence, which was issued last weekend.

Dusan Batakovic told CTV Newsnet's Mike Duffy Live Thursday evening that Canadians and others should "consider (the declaration) an illegal act."

He said Kosovo's move is "a very dangerous precedent which will be used by separatists all over the globe."

Batakovic added that Kosovo is an historical, cultural, and emotional part of Serbia.

"Every Serbian has in his identity Kosovo. Kosovo is not just a piece of land," he said.

Ottawa has not yet taken a stand on Kosovo's declaration. Earlier this week, it released a statement saying it was "assessing the situation."

The U.S., Britain, and several European countries have recognized an independent Kosovo. Spain -- which has been fighting an independence movement in the Basque region of the country -- has not followed the lead of its European allies.

Serb rioters protesting Kosovo's move continued to clash with police on Thursday after setting fire to the U.S. embassy. The Canadian embassy, which is nearby to the American facility, was left untouched by demonstrators.

Retired Maj.-Gen. Lewis MacKenzie, who led a UN peacekeeping mission in the former Yugoslavia in the early 1990s, said Canada should be cautious about recognizing Kosovo.

He noted that a majority of the world -- including Russia, China, and India -- has not followed the U.S. lead. On Mike Duffy Live, he said that Canada should consider the effects such a move could have on the stability of countries around the world.

"In the case of China, think of Nepal," he said, adding, "In the case of Russia -- Chechnya."

"In the case of Spain, think of the Basque. In the case of India, think of Kashmir. The Palestinians are already thinking of declaring themselves independent."

Georgiy Mamedov, the Russian Ambassador to Canada, is also warning Canada to tread carefully. Russians have long historical and cultural links with Serbs. Mamedov said Kosovo's separatist move could aid Quebec's separatists.

The U.S. has rejected the argument, stating that Kosovo is a unique case.

"The unusual combination of factors found in the Kosovo situation -- including the context of Yugoslavia's breakup, the history of ethnic cleansing and crimes against civilians in Kosovo, and the extended period of UN administration -- are not found elsewhere and therefore make Kosovo a special case," U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said in a statement on Monday.