Kosovo moves to independence "earlier than May"

By Matt Robinson

PRISTINA, Serbia (Reuters) - Kosovo said on Monday it would immediately start talks with its Western backers on a declaration of independence from Serbia, which would come "much earlier than May".

Leaders of Kosovo's 2 million ethnic Albanians made the announcement as a December 10 deadline for a negotiated deal on the fate of the breakaway province passed without result.

"From today, Kosovo begins consultations with key international partners to coordinate the next steps to a declaration of independence," said Skender Hyseni, spokesman of Kosovo's "unity team" in negotiations with Serbia.

"Kosovo and the people of Kosovo urgently need clarity on their future," Hyseni said.

Kosovo has been in limbo since NATO expelled Serb forces in 1999 to stop the killing of civilians in a counter-insurgency war. Around 10,000 people died, the vast majority Albanians.

The 90-percent Albanian majority reject return to Serb rule. They have promised to coordinate a declaration of independence with the United States and the European Union, which is due to take over supervision of the territory from the United Nations.

Serbia, backed by Russia, opposes independence for land it sees as the historical cradle of the nation. Warnings of chaos in the Balkans appeared to have failed to divide the 27-member EU, which on Monday expressed almost "full unity" on the issue.

Asked to clarify speculation on the timing of a declaration, Hyseni said it would happen "much earlier than May". Diplomats say it could come in January or February, depending on the timing of an expected presidential election in Serbia.