Russia not to back UN envoy's Kosovo plan without Belgrade, Pristina accord
BBC Monitoring Europe (Political) - March 2, 2007 Friday

Text of report by Serbian radio on 1 March

[Presenter Ana Tomasevic] Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Vladimir Titov had talks today [1 March] in Belgrade with Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica, and is later also to meet with Serbian President Tadic and Foreign Minister Vuk Draskovic.

Vladimir Titov said that it is particularly important for Russia that the current international order be firmly established on unequivocal principles of respect for international law and that a solution for Kosovo and Metohija must be found within the framework of the existing UN Resolution 1244. Titov especially stressed that the moment is not right for [UN envoy Martti] Ahtisaari's proposal, which lacks the support of both sides, to be brought before the UN Security Council. Russia will not support Ahtisaari's plan in the Security Council if it is not accepted by both sides. Titov pointed out that more attention should be devoted to the status and neutral questions, while Ahtisaari's ideas that are acceptable to both sides should be utilized in further talks.

Kostunica warned that Ahtisaari has exceeded his mandate to facilitate and steer the two sides' talks toward an agreement that would respect the principles of international law. Kostunica stressed that Ahtisaari overstepped his mandate by opening the question of Serbia's state status and proposing a reshaping of its internationally recognized borders instead of resolving its southern province's status. That is why Ahtisaari's proposal is illegitimate and unlawful, Kostunica assessed.

Source: Radio Belgrade in Serbian 1400 gmt 1 Mar 07

Copyright 2007 British Broadcasting Corporation
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