http://www.interfax.ru/e/B/politics/28.html?id_issue=11975850
Feb 23 2008 11:53AM
Kosovo's recognition could re-ignite separatism, terrorism in Europe -
Russian diplomat (Part 2) [-- == updated -- n.]
MOSCOW. Feb 23 (Interfax) - The recognition of Kosovo's self- proclaimed
independence has the potential of setting in motion dangerous trends in
Europe, such as an upsurge in separatism and terrorism, a high-ranking
Russian diplomat said.
"In the case of Kosovo, a trigger has been cocked, and nobody knows what
kind of shot is going to be fired and when," Russian presidential envoy
for international cooperation in combating international terrorism and
transnational organized crime Anatoly Safonov told Interfax on Saturday.
"In the situation of Kosovo, there is a danger of unleashing a powerful
destruction machine, whose consequences cannot always be anticipated. It
is too bad that the lessons of the past have been forgotten, including
the lesson of the 1938 Munich Agreement [an agreement between British
Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain, French Prime Minister Edouard
Daladier, German Chancellor Adolf Hitler, and Italian Prime Minister
Benito Mussolini, under which part of Czechoslovakia, the Sudetenland,
was annexed by Germany]," Safonov said.
The developments surrounding Kosovo will inevitably cause an upsurge of
separatist and terrorist manifestations in Europe, he said.
"Many countries believe that separatism and terrorism are links of the
same chain. It is clear that terrorist trends will increase. Trampling
upon international law is bound to lead to such results," Safonov said.
"You also should not forget that, since the times of the active phase of
the Balkan campaign, Jihadists of Terror have settled in Kosovo and a
number of other places and led a semi-legal existence. But at the same
time, they have not lost connection with al-Qaeda and other terrorist
structures. The recognition of Kosovo sends a message to these forces
that they can come out of the underground. Let's see if our partners can
be principled enough toward that underground," Safonov said. va md
Serbian News Network - SNN
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