OTTAWA - Serbia is recalling its ambassador after being informed that Canada will announce Tuesday that it is recognizing Kosovo as an independent state.
Serbian Ambassador Dusan Vatakovic told The Canadian Press that Ottawa informed him Tuesday of the decision to recognize Kosovo. The ambassador said he is being temporarily recalled to Belgrade for consultation - a diplomatic move seen as a sign of displeasure.
Recognition of Kosovo's self-declared independence has been a troubling issue for the Canadian government.
About 30 countries have recognized Kosovo since the province declared itself independent of Serbia on Feb. 17.
Another two dozen or so, including Russia, are strongly opposed.
Canada has remained mum on the issue partly because recognizing a unilateral declaration of independence could allow Quebec separatists to claim they could leave Canada the same way - with a one-sided declaration.
There have also been fears it would provoke anger among Canada's small, but vocal, Serbian ethnic community. There have been numerous protests across the country since the declaration.
Canada was part of a NATO force that intervened militarily in the province in 1999 to stop Serbian attacks on the civilian population.
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http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/2008/03/11/4973741-cp.html
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