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16 Jan, 2008 16:17

UN Security Council must decide Kosovo’s fate: Russia

The future of Kosovo hangs in the balance as the UN Security Council meets on Wednesday. Russia believes Kosovo’s future can only be decided by the UN, but the U.S. and EU insist on playing a major role.

The head of the Duma Committee on International Affairs, Konstantin Kosachev, told RT there are concerns this meeting might be used to force arguments for independence.

Meanwhile, Kosovo Albanians demand full independence while Serbia is only ready to grant the breakaway republic broad autonomy.

They have held a rally for independence in the capital Pristina on Wednesday, heightening fears the province will declare unilateral sovereignty.

In an interview with Russia Today, Elitsa Kuryak, acting Serbian Ambassador to Russia, explains Serbia's position on the issue. 

“If a national minority – and Albanians are a national minority in Serbia – says they no longer want to be one state with you and just take part of your territory and leave – it's terrible. And it's terrible if the international community agrees to such practice, it means there are no rules to the game,” she said.

“The U.S. position is clear – it's no secret they support Albanians and they promised them independence,” the ambassador noted.

“The EU is more vague. Of course they look up to the United States and moreover realise that Europe cannot be left one on one with such problems as it could lead to more serious problems – Kosovo is not the only troublemaker in Europe – just remember Spain, Belgium, many others. Let's be honest – but for Russia, Kosovo would have been granted independence two years ago,” Elitsa Kuryak said.

“Russia has taken a very tough stance insisting the problem is to be resolved in a civilised way and only by the UN Security Council. But for this tough stance we would be facing anarchy and thanks to Russia we still have an opportunity to come to terms in a civilised manner,” she  added.

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