http://en.rian.ru/world/20071127/89753375.html
Russian Information Agency Novosti
November 27, 2007
Russian FM slams independence bias in Kosovo talks
ANNAPOLIS - Russia's foreign minister said claims that
Kosovo's independence is inevitable were disrupting
collective efforts to find a resolution to the status
of Serbia's breakaway province.
Sergei Lavrov told a briefing following a meeting with
U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice: "We again
reiterate constant statements that Kosovo's
independence is inevitable undermine our joint efforts
by stripping Pristina of any impetus to compromise."
Lavrov reminded journalists that the issue of the
Albanian-dominated region is currently under
discussion in Austria, where Russia, the United States
and the European Union are mediating dialogue between
Belgrade and Pristina. "This is a very important round
of talks, and we will be firm in our drive for
rapprochement and solution through negotiations," he
added.
A crucial round of negotiations between Serb and
Kosovo Albanian leaders opened on Monday in the
Austrian spa town of Baden, as the December 10
deadline set by the UN for a status agreement
approaches.
Kosovo has been a UN protectorate ever since NATO's
bombing of the former Yugoslavia in 1999 ended a
bloody war between Serb forces and Albanian
separatists in the region. Negotiations on the final
status of Kosovo have so far stalled, with Belgrade
offering broad autonomy to the province and Pristina
insisting on full sovereignty.
The U.S. and some EU states have pushed for Kosovo's
independence, while Russia says that security and
humanitarian requirements must be met first and that
independence would set a dangerous precedent,
including for post-Soviet states.
Serbian News Network - SNN
[email protected]
http://www.antic.org/
