U.S. claim that Russia backs Kosovo independence "wishful thinking"

U.S. claim that Russia backs Kosovo independence "wishful thinking" - source
Interfax - April 17 2007; 12:51PM

MOSCOW. April 17 (Interfax) - Moscow is perplexed over statements by U.S. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Nicholas Burns that the governments of members of the UN Security Council, including Russia, consider the independence of Kosovo as the correct solution.

"This wishful thinking is puzzling, because Burns cannot be accused of lacking information. The United States knows our position, and the positions of other countries, that a legal and stable solution to the Kosovo issue cannot be found without the consent of both parties to the conflict," a high-ranking source in the Russian foreign ministry told Interfax in Tuesday.

"We oppose double standards, when in some situations the principle of territorial integrity is maintained, while in the case with Kosovo it is ignored," the source said.