BRIEF: Former Guerilla Leader Claims Victory In Kosovo Election

PRISTINA, Kosovo - Hashim Thaci declared himself victorious today in Kosovo's parliamentary election, although the official results of the voting have yet to be confirmed.  He told a cheering crowd of supporters that "today was a historic day for Kosovo...Today, Kosovan citizens sent a message to the world that we are a democratic society, [and] that we are ready to take our country toward the European Union." 

Thaci is the leader of Kosovo's democratic party, and a former fighter in the Kosovan Liberation Army.  He pledges to declare Kosovo's independence from Serbia on December 10, the UN's deadline for negotiations between Serbians and Albanians.  Ethnic Albanians have long been pushing for an independent Kosovo, but Serbians, supported by Russia, have always resisted. 

Kosovo has been protected by the U.N. since 1999.  It is expected that on December 10, it will become an independent nation. 

For more information, please see:

BBC - Ex-Kosovo fighter claims victory - 18 November 2007