Russia: Kosovo “de facto” partitioned as result of unilateral s secession
Russian ambassador to the UN Vitaliy Churkin said in New York that Moscow’s warnings that the unilateral declaration of secession by Pristina would lead to “de facto” partition in Kosovo have now been proven right.
(KosovoCompromise Staff) Wednesday, March 05, 2008
"That is because it was quite obvious that Serbs in Kosovo were not about to accept unilateral declaration of independence. So this is exactly what is happening there. De facto, we see the situation on the ground, and it is a direct consequence of the unilateral declaration of independence," Churkin told reporters as Moscow took over the Security Council's presidency, with UNMIK chief Joachim Ruecker's report due to be presented to the 15-member body by the end of month.
Meanwhile, the Russian Foreign Ministry warned that forcing Serbs living in Kosovo to recognize the province's independence could lead to more protests in Serbian enclaves throughout the territory and would further destabilize the situation.
"The Serbian population strongly objects the illegitimate declaration of independence. Their protests are on the rise, in particular in the northern part of the Serbian province, and in southern enclaves," Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Mikhail Kamynin said.
Kosovo Serbs oppose any authority of "independent" Kosovo or the EU mission which they consider as illegal. They have vowed to cooperate only with bodies sent under the UN resolution 1244 - Unmik and Kfor.
Washington and Brussels have strongly warned against any partition in Kosovo.
