Russia wants Ruecker sacked?

Russia called on Thursday for the dismissal of UNMIK chief Joachim Ruecker, the AP reports. Moscow says this demand comes over "his steps to reduce the UN mission" in Kosovo. Russia wants Ruecker sacked? Russia, as does Belgrade, sees the EU mission seeking to take over from UNMIK, EULEX, as illegal, because it has not been approved by the UN Security Council. The Russian Foreign Ministry said it was responding to a question from the media about "information" that Ruecker was taking arbitrary steps to reduce the mission. In a statement, ministry spokesman Andrei Nesterenko said such reports "raise serious concern." A spokesman for Ruecker's office told the agency that "any issues related to reconfiguration we discuss with headquarters in New York." Spokesman Alexander Ivanko said the UN secretary-general had given Kosovo's president a recommendation on how the mission will look in the future. Ivanko did not supply details. In the Foreign Ministry announcement, Nesterenko said, "We are talking about a glaring case of arbitrary action, which must decisively be prevented. We proceed from the assumption that administrative measures will be taken against Joachim Ruecker, up to dismissal from his post." Nesterenko did not say what steps Russia believes Ruecker had taken to curtail or wrap up the UN mission. A duty officer at the Foreign Ministry said he was unaware of the details and that nobody was available for further comment Thursday, a state holiday. But Nesterenko suggested Ruecker was exceeding his authority, stressing that any decisions regarding the mission or changes in the international presence in Kosovo can be made only with the approval of the UN Security Council. "The leaders of the UN Secretariat are well aware of this. As far as we know, Joachim Ruecker has not received any instructions from them," he said.

Russia wants Ruecker sacked?

Russia, as does Belgrade, sees the EU mission seeking to take over from UNMIK, EULEX, as illegal, because it has not been approved by the UN Security Council.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said it was responding to a question from the media about "information" that Ruecker was taking arbitrary steps to reduce the mission.

In a statement, ministry spokesman Andrei Nesterenko said such reports "raise serious concern."

A spokesman for Ruecker's office told the agency that "any issues related to reconfiguration we discuss with headquarters in New York."

Spokesman Alexander Ivanko said the UN secretary-general had given Kosovo's president a recommendation on how the mission will look in the future. Ivanko did not supply details.

In the Foreign Ministry announcement, Nesterenko said, "We are talking about a glaring case of arbitrary action, which must decisively be prevented. We proceed from the assumption that administrative measures will be taken against Joachim Ruecker, up to dismissal from his post."

Nesterenko did not say what steps Russia believes Ruecker had taken to curtail or wrap up the UN mission. A duty officer at the Foreign Ministry said he was unaware of the details and that nobody was available for further comment Thursday, a state holiday.

But Nesterenko suggested Ruecker was exceeding his authority, stressing that any decisions regarding the mission or changes in the international presence in Kosovo can be made only with the approval of the UN Security Council.

"The leaders of the UN Secretariat are well aware of this. As far as we know, Joachim Ruecker has not received any instructions from them," he said.