Moscow expects UNMIK election neutrality

Russia’s UN Ambassador Vitaly Churkin says Moscow expects the UN mission in Kosovo to remain neutral regarding the May elections in Serbia. “Since the UN from the start decided to adopt a neutral position, and not to take sides over the Kosovo independence declaration, it should be consistent and not interfere in matters that could affect the issue of status,” Churkin told journalists at UN headquarters, report Russian agencies. Moscow expects UNMIK election neutrality It was in response to a question concerning the possibility that UNMIK would not allow Serbian elections to be held in northern Kosovo. The ambassador rejected claims that Russia had threatened to bloc the re-election of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon over his position on Kosovo independence. “There have been no threats, hidden nor direct. That is not the way Russia communicates with its foreign partners, including the UN secretary-general,” he stressed. According to Churkin, Moscow had clearly stated its position to Ban that it was “not completely satisfied with his position on the issue of Kosovo.” “We are not entirely satisfied with his position on Kosovo. Clearly many people are trying to exert pressure on him, and he has to take into consideration the positions of the different sides,” explained the Russian ambassador. He said that Ban’s position was that UN Security Council Resolution 1244 remained in force in the absence of any other decision, and that the UN mission in Kosovo would work according to that resolution. The UN chief came to Moscow for a two-day visit last Wednesday, where he met with Russian President Vladimir Putin, President-elect Dmitry Medvedev and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. Speaking about Kosovo, Medvedev, who will replace Putin early in May, told Ban that its recognition by a number of countries, including the U.S. and the majority of EU nations, had violated UN resolutions. Opening talks with Ban, Lavrov pledged to strengthen the UN, admitting that "no other organization will be able to replace it." The UN chief said he was inspired by Lavrov's words and Putin's support for the international organization. Ahead of Ban's visit Lavrov said that in order to stabilize the situation in Kosovo "[UN Security Council] Resolution 1244 should be taken as a guideline." “That position remains, and nobody can interfere with the operation of the UN mission in Kosovo. We’ve honestly explained to him and everyone else that we consider the unilateral declaration of Kosovo independence to be wrong. We also think that putting pressure on the Serbs, who oppose independence, is also unfair,” added Churkin.

Moscow expects UNMIK election neutrality

It was in response to a question concerning the possibility that UNMIK would not allow Serbian elections to be held in northern Kosovo.

The ambassador rejected claims that Russia had threatened to bloc the re-election of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon over his position on Kosovo independence.

“There have been no threats, hidden nor direct. That is not the way Russia communicates with its foreign partners, including the UN secretary-general,” he stressed.

According to Churkin, Moscow had clearly stated its position to Ban that it was “not completely satisfied with his position on the issue of Kosovo.”

“We are not entirely satisfied with his position on Kosovo. Clearly many people are trying to exert pressure on him, and he has to take into consideration the positions of the different sides,” explained the Russian ambassador.

He said that Ban’s position was that UN Security Council Resolution 1244 remained in force in the absence of any other decision, and that the UN mission in Kosovo would work according to that resolution.

The UN chief came to Moscow for a two-day visit last Wednesday, where he met with Russian President Vladimir Putin, President-elect Dmitry Medvedev and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

Speaking about Kosovo, Medvedev, who will replace Putin early in May, told Ban that its recognition by a number of countries, including the U.S. and the majority of EU nations, had violated UN resolutions.

Opening talks with Ban, Lavrov pledged to strengthen the UN, admitting that "no other organization will be able to replace it." The UN chief said he was inspired by Lavrov's words and Putin's support for the international organization.

Ahead of Ban's visit Lavrov said that in order to stabilize the situation in Kosovo "[UN Security Council] Resolution 1244 should be taken as a guideline."

“That position remains, and nobody can interfere with the operation of the UN mission in Kosovo. We’ve honestly explained to him and everyone else that we consider the unilateral declaration of Kosovo independence to be wrong. We also think that putting pressure on the Serbs, who oppose independence, is also unfair,” added Churkin.