Russia's Lavrov warns Western countries not to "blackmail" Serbia over Kosovo
BBC Monitoring Europe (Political) - April 20, 2007, Friday

Text of report by Bosnian Serb news agency SRNA

Podgorica, 20 April: Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov has said that the West is blackmailing Serbia with the stories that the western Balkan region will be destabilized unless Kosovo becomes independent.

"Such statements are really very reminiscent of blackmail; it is difficult to understand a standpoint that a sovereign country can be peacefully torn apart. If someone threatens that violence will erupt unless Kosovo goes independent - that is blackmail," Lavrov said in Podgorica today in response to a question from SRNA's correspondent as to how he would comment on statements by diplomats of Western countries that Kosovo has to be granted independence in order to avoid instability in the region.

He recalled the role and the task of international military forces in Kosovo, primarily Kfor [Kosovo Force]. "These forces have to prevent violence and stop those who commit violence," Lavrov said.

"We shall fight exactly for that kind of solution. To this end, we shall launch an initiative for a UN Security Council mission to visit Belgrade and Pristina. We are hopeful that members of that mission will see how Resolution 1244 is being implemented," Lavrov said.

He added that the resolution of the Kosovo issue may be achieved if it is acceptable to all, i.e. if it is not acceptable to either side, it will be seen as imposition.

Source: SRNA news agency, Bijeljina, in Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian 1200 gmt 20 Apr 07

Copyright 2007 British Broadcasting Corporation
Posted for Fair Use only.