Russia

Russia: Interests of Minorities in Kosovo Still Ignored
RIA Oreanda - February 9, 2004

New York. While speaking at the meeting of the Security Council, discussing the situation in Kosovo and the activity of the UN in the territory of the country, Russias First Deputy Permanent Representative Gennady Gatilov noted that unfortunately the interests of minorities were still frequently ignored. The key requirements concerning the situation of non-Albanian citizens of Kosovo, the return of refugees and in-migration are not fulfilled. There is no reliable and equal security for the population of the region, no equitable fundamental rights and freedoms, including the right to fair terms of employing people.

Russia s representative also added that ethnic minorities and first of all Serbs were inadequately represented in the bodies of the provisional government. Mr. Gatilov warned that without a radical improvement of the situation the process of building democratic multiethnic society in Kosovo would decelerate further, - according to the UN press-centre.