A week before representatives of six nations hold an important meeting on the future of Kosovo, a prominent think tank called on the countries to push for independence or face the possibility of a new war.

Under its current status as an international protectorate, Kosovo has substantial autonomy from Belgrade but is still considered part of Serbia. The 37-page report by the International Crisis Group asks the convening countries to announce a schedule for independence by 2006.

“Time is running out for Kosovo,” the summary begins.

“The status quo will not hold. ... The Albanian majority expects the international community to begin delivering this year on its independence aspirations. Without such moves it may act unilaterally. In such circumstances, given the dismal record of Kosovo Albanians with regard to minorities, Kosovo’s Serbs may call upon Serbia’s armed forces to protect them, and the region could be plunged into new turmoil.”

The six countries of the Contact Group meeting on Wednesday are the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy and the Russian Federation. The report by the Brussels-based think tank was circulated to the media by the U.S. State Department’s headquarters in Pristina, Kosovo, but was not officially endorsed by the Americans.

“We’ve collectively agreed that we wouldn’t have a reaction to it before the Contact Group meeting next week,” said Larry Corwin, spokesman for the State Department’s office in Pristina.

The report backs programs to protect the Serb minority while recognizing the 90-percent ethnic Albanian country’s thirst for sovereignty. It suggests a constitution should be drafted by mid-autumn and autonomy declared by mid-2006.

Some sort of international monitoring mission, however, would remain in place. Potential obstacles listed in the report are Serbia’s and Russia’s opposition to independence, and how both could keep the United Nations Security Council from approving the plan.

Whatever the case, the report opposes Kosovo joining its ethnic neighbors to create a Greater Albania.

In March, rioting against Serbs inflamed Kosovo, killing 19 people and injuring 900.

Troops serving there today find the province peaceful — for now.

“The environment we’re describing is calm but fragile,” said Army Maj. Eric Larson, spokesman for U.S. forces in Kosovo.

He said soldiers guard places of “historic instability,” including some Serb enclaves and what he called patriarchal sites, such as churches.

“There’s still greater ethnic tension than there was prior to the March events, but there is still less going on than there was,” he said.

“The pursuit now is to do that transition to civil authority, and for all the people to work through their issues. But yes, there is still ethnic tension.”

There are 1,800 American troops in Kosovo. That’s down significantly from 2001, when there were more than 7,000.

When asked what impact an independent Kosovo would have on U.S. operations, Larson paused.

“That’s a very politically loaded question here,” he said.

He believes peacekeeping would continue. “Whatever the final status is, it does not change our mission,” he said.

Despite March violence and the report’s recent alarm, Larson sounded optimistic. Serbs still upset over the NATO bombing campaign nonetheless rely on Kosovo Force peacekeepers to guard them. And the ethnic Albanian majority still views them as liberators.

“This is a rewarding mission for the soldiers,” Larson said. “The people of Kosovo genuinely appreciate us being here.”

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