http://en.rian.ru/russia/20080304/100645553.html
Russia
Russia warns against forcing Kosovo Serbs to accept independence
22:10 | 04/ 03/ 2008
MOSCOW, March 4 (RIA Novosti) - Russia's Foreign Ministry warned on
Tuesday that forcing Serbs living in Kosovo to recognize the province's
independence, declared on February 17, would further destabilize the
situation.
"The Serbian population [of Kosovo] strongly object to the illegitimate
declaration of independence. Their protest actions are on the rise, in
particular in crowded areas of the Serbian province, and in southern
[Serb] enclaves," said spokesman Mikhail Kamynin.
The situation is of "serious concern" to Russia, he added.
Kosovo has been a UN protectorate since NATO bombings ended a conflict
between Serb and Albanian forces in 1999.
Kosovo's independence has been recognized by the United States,
Australia, Japan and major European countries, but Serbia and Russia
have reacted angrily, with Serbia, which sees Kosovo as its historical
heartland, recalling its ambassadors from those countries.
Moscow argues that Kosovo's independence will trigger more secessions
and that it will block it from joining the UN.
Serbian News Network - SNN
[email protected]
http://www.antic.org/
