Kosovo talks end in bitter deadlock

A year of contentious talks on the future status of Kosovo has ended in a bitter deadlock over a UN plan that would set the disputed Serbian province on the road to independence.

Serbia's nationalist Prime Minister, Vojislav Kostunica, warned of "the most dangerous precedent in the history of the UN" if the Security Council which will have the final say approves the plan.

Kostunica said the blueprint, which would grant Kosovo supervised statehood and elements of independence including its own army, flag, anthem and constitution, could encourage other independence-minded regions around the world to break away. Serbian President Boris Tadic said he found the idea of parting with the province "unbearable."