Russia warns against unilateral independence for Kosova
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on April 19 adopted a diametrically opposed position to that of the United States, warning that "stability could be shattered by any attempt to unilaterally recognize the independence of Kosovo," Reuters reported the same day. Lavrov's statement mirrors one by U.S. Undersecretary of State Nicholas Burns, who on April 16 said Washington would back Kosova if it chose to declare itself independent after failing to secure recognition by the UN Security Council (see "RFE/RL Newsline," April 18, 2007). The Russian news agency Interfax on April 19 quoted Lavrov as telling Serbian state television that "when independence is demanded for Kosovo using the threat of violence, that is sheer blackmail." AG // Copyright (c) 2005. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. RFE/RL
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