http://www.ruvr.ru/main.php?lng=eng&q=22857&cid=45&p=13.02.2008
Voice of Russia February 13, 2008 Lavrov urges UN Security Council to prevent unilateral proclamation of independence in Kosovo Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov urges all members of the UN Security Council to prevent any unilateral proclamation of independence in Kosovo when they get together to discuss the matter on Thursday. Briefing reporters after talks with the EU mediating troika in Bratislava earlier in the day, Sergei Lavrov said that as the main guarantor of international peace, the Security Council had determined the parameters of Kosovo settlement which the local separatists are trying to redraw. “As long as the matter is hanging, Russia will be doing all it can to prevent a negative development of the situation at hand,” Lavrov said adding that there was still a chance for the resumption of broken off talks between Belgrade and Pristina in line with international law. Lavorv said, however, that Russia would not respond in kind if the EU went ahead to recognize the region’s independent status. ------------------------------------------------------ http://www.itar-tass.com/eng/level2.html?NewsID=12367893 Itar-Tass February 13, 2008 It’s mistake to recognise Kosovo’s independence – Lavrov BRDO - Recognition of Kosovo’s independence will be a mistake, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said. Summing up the results of his meeting with the EU troika on Wednesday, the Russian minister said, “Belgrade and Pristina may continue talks if Kosovar Albanians are not taken by hands and banned to hold talks and state that independence is inevitable.” “Unfortunately, we observed such a position in the past year when the talks had real chances for success. But the West told Pristina leadership that the talks were senseless and that it should not agree with any compromises and demand independence,” Lavrov stressed. “It’s senseless to continue talks under these conditions. But if everyone shows political will and observe fundamental principles of international law and if Europeans and those who live in the other continents respect Europe’s genuine interests, the talks may be resumed,” the Russian foreign minister said. .... Serbian News Network - SNN news@antic.org http://www.antic.org/
