http://en.rian.ru/rian/index.cfm?prd_id=160&msg_id=5356933&startrow=1&date=2
005-01-29&do_alert=0
Russian Information Agency (Novosti)
January 29, 2005
RUSSIA DISAGREES WITH WAYS OF KOSOVO SETTLEMENT
-"Their implementation is fraught with large-scale outbursts of violence in
Kosovo and neighboring territories and further aggravation of the miserable
situation of national minorities in the region."
MOSCOW - Moscow disagrees with the ways and prospects of the Kosovo
settlement proposed in the International Crisis Group's report, Russian
Foreign Ministry's official spokesman Alexander Yakovenko told journalists
in Moscow on Friday.
"On the basis of just assessments of the complicated and dangerous situation
in the region this document makes wrong conclusions on the mechanisms and
prospects of the Kosovo settlement," Mr. Yakovenko said.
In his words, the report is promoting the idea of the necessity to
artificially boost the implementation of the Kosovo standards and the
transfer to the negotiations on the Kosovo status.
"Moreover, a decision on the future status of the region is to be made with
no account for the UN Security Council in order to implement the
International Crisis Group's temporary schedule," the diplomat said.
Moscow believes such methods are counter-productive and even dangerous for
Kosovo and the Balkans on the whole, Alexander Yakovenko noted.
"Their implementation is fraught with large-scale outbursts of violence in
Kosovo and neighboring territories and further aggravation of the miserable
situation of national minorities in the region," he said.
According to the Russian diplomat, attempts to solve the Kosovo problem with
no account for the position of Balkan countries, in particular, Serbia and
Montenegro, contradicts the general logics of the settlement which aims to
build a democratic multi-ethnic society in the region and provide long-term
stability and security in the western Balkans.
"Russia is still ready for further constructive interaction with partners in
the UN Security Council, Contact Group and in the region in order to find
balanced solutions of all the Kosovo problems," Mr.
Yakovenko noted.
The Russian diplomat said that the development of mutually beneficial
partnership with Serbia and Montenegro fully met Russia's interests "with
due account for civilization and historic relationship between our nations.
The preservation of Serbia and Montenegro is highly important for the
stability of the country and the Balkan region on the whole, Alexander
Yakovenko stressed.
In 2004 the Russian-Serbian and Montenegrin trade turnover exceeded $1.5
billion (the last decade record), he said. The two countries are
implementing a number of major investment projects, Mr. Yakovenko added.
Serbian News Network - SNN
news@antic.org
http://www.antic.org/
