Still no deal on format of Security Council meeting
The United Nations Security Council failed, for the second straight day on Thursday, to reach a common stance on the format of the next week’s debate on Kosovo amid obvious cracks in relations between Western countries and Russia.
(KosovoCompromise Staff) Friday, December 14, 2007
"There is no agreement yet", Belgian Ambassador to UN Johan Verbeke said after another round of unsuccessful consultations on the next week's meeting which will mark the start of fresh round of Kosovo-related debate in New York.
The main problem of this usually technical issue is the wish expressed by Kosovo's President Fatmir Sejdiu to take part in debate, which has gained the support of western nations, but also faces the stiff opposition by Russia and China.
"We consider that it is critically important that I be given the opportunity to present the position of the Kosovo Unity Team, which I lead, especially following our serious engagement in the Troika-led process, which has just concluded", said Sejdiu.
However, such a request was almost immediately rejected by representatives of Russia and China, who said that such a move would be directly against the provisions of Security Council Resolution 1244 from June 1999, and the Provisional Constitutional Framework of Kosovo.
"As far as we're concerned, the format of the meeting has been decided back in April", Russian Ambassador Vitaly Churkin said, referring to the previous similar occasion, which saw almost identical dispute between Moscow and the West.
However, British Ambassador John Sawers explained that U.S. and the EU believe that "both sides that took a part in negotiations should be given a chance to make their case" in the Security Council.
Serbia also cried foul over the possible Albanian appearance in the Security Council chamber, warning that body to uphold of moves which could have symbolic significance.
