Kosovo's first step to peace

PRESIDENT Slobodan Milosevic and the leader of Kosovo's ethnic Albanians met for the first time yesterday, calling their United States- brokered talks an initial step toward peace in the province.

"It seems there is readiness to move ahead toward a peaceful political solution to the Kosovo issue," Mr Rugova said. In the province, heavy fighting and explosions were reported for a second day in the area south of Pristina, Kosovo's capital; there was no report of casualties. - AP, Belgrade