Russia warns on Kosovo as G8 ministers meet

[Eugene]

Source: Reuters

Russia warns on Kosovo as G8 ministers meet
Wed May 30, 2007 7:18AM EDT

By Madeline Chambers

POTSDAM, Germany (Reuters) - Russia warned other world powers
on Wednesday not to decide the fate of Kosovo on their own, saying
only talks between Belgrade and Pristina could solve a row over
independence for the Serbian province.

"The fate of Kosovo, the fate of Serbia on the whole should be
decided through their direct talks rather than in New York, Potsdam
or in any other formats," Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said
at the start of a meeting of G8 countries in Potsdam, according to
Russian news agencies.

Serbia, backed by Russia, opposes a plan proposed by United Nations
mediator Martti Ahtisaari offering the Albanian majority province
independence under international supervision.

-snip-

Kosovo has become a major irritant in relations between Russia and
the West and Group of Eight (G8) president Germany is keen that the
issue will not overshadow a G8 summit it is hosting next week in the
Baltic resort of Heiligendamm.

-snip-

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSL3027856920070530

[DRoseDARs]

1. Russia's just whining because they couldn't control the mass-exodus from the USSR. n/t

[Eugene]

2. Russia, U.S. clash on Kosovo, missile shield

Source: Reuters

Russia, U.S. clash on Kosovo, missile shield
30 May 2007 18:04:12 GMT
Source: Reuters

By Sue Pleming and Noah Barkin

POTSDAM, Germany, May 30 (Reuters) - Russia and the United States
clashed over Kosovo and U.S. missile shield plans on Wednesday, souring a
meeting aimed at preparing the ground for next week's Group of Eight summit
on the Baltic coast.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov spoke bluntly on disagreements over
Kosovo, a major irritant in Russia's relations with the European Union and
United States.

-snip-

Rice and Lavrov were courteous to each other, joking about their differences
on several occasions and mentioning that U.S. President George W. Bush had
invited Russia's Vladimir Putin to his family's home in Maine in July.

But differences over Kosovo and U.S. plans to install a missile shield in central
Europe were difficult to hide.

-snip-

Read more: http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L30269285.htm