Russian NATO ambassador talks use of force

Russia's ambassador to NATO Dmitry Rogozin says his country could use force in Kosovo. "If the EU adopts a unified position and NATO oversteps its mandate in Kosovo, that will challenge the UN, so we will then start with the premise that force, brute force, known as armed force, needs to be used, in order for us to be respected," Rogozin told a news conference in Brussels today. Russian NATO ambassador talks use of force Russia has also rejected as "pure lies" the speculation that it had a hand in the riots in Belgrade yesterday – allegations spread by former U.S. Balkans envoy Richard Holbrooke. "These are pure lies. This is an attempt to make Russia responsible for what has clearly been a spontaneous reaction of the Serbian society," Rogozin added. "When a country's heart is ripped out, it will not peacefully watch the blood flow from the body. We would not idly sit by if Vladimirska district was taken from us. Kosovo is the land where the Serbian Orthodox civilization was born," the diplomat continued. "We received hints on numerous occasions that we ought to change our position on the Kosovo issue, but the pressure was useless. The truth is on our side and it allows us to take a clear stand," Rogozin said. "The process of the recognition of the unilaterally proclaimed independence of Kosovo province is possibly financed by the money of the Kosovo drug mafia," Rogozin was heard saying today during a video conference organized by RIA Novosti on a link between Brussels and Moscow. "Kosovo long ago became not just a base for drug trafficking to Europe, but also a massive laboratory. These huge sums could be used for political aims by Kosovo's drug mafia to boost Kosovo's declaration of independence," Rogozin said. "Certain European politicians simply could have been bought," RIA Novosti quoted Rogozin as saying. "Should this information be proved correct, it is not ruled out that there will be a political scandal involving the buying of certain politicians with drug money," Rogozin said. "When extremist forces are coming to power, one should always be looking for dirty money," Rogozin added. "And that dirty money appears in Europe mostly from narcotics", he concluded. Also today, Russia's state news agency Itar-Tass carried a report that said Moscow is ready to support "Kosovo Serbs' drive for independence". "We will support the Serbs in Kosovo who do not wish to live in an independent province," a high government source told the agency on condition of anonymity, and added this was related to the "Kosovska Mitrovica region". At the same time, the source says, "Moscow will not allow Kosovo's international recognition". "We will block any such move at the UN Security Council, and cooperate with those countries who also oppose Kosovo's independence," the source said, and clarified "this was the subject of discussions between the Russian and Serbian presidents when they met". The source also said that "there are no ongoing discussions to deploy the Russian army in Kosovo". Earlier, Russia's UN Ambassador Vitaly Churkin on several occasions at the Security Council "strongly warned" the Western countries not to use repressive measures in case Kosovo's Serbs in the north of the province decide to reject the authority of Pristina. Russia also said this week it deems the EU mission to the province, EULEX, to be illegal.

Russian NATO ambassador talks use of force

Russia has also rejected as "pure lies" the speculation that it had a hand in the riots in Belgrade yesterday – allegations spread by former U.S. Balkans envoy Richard Holbrooke.

"These are pure lies. This is an attempt to make Russia responsible for what has clearly been a spontaneous reaction of the Serbian society," Rogozin added.

"When a country's heart is ripped out, it will not peacefully watch the blood flow from the body. We would not idly sit by if Vladimirska district was taken from us. Kosovo is the land where the Serbian Orthodox civilization was born," the diplomat continued.

"We received hints on numerous occasions that we ought to change our position on the Kosovo issue, but the pressure was useless. The truth is on our side and it allows us to take a clear stand," Rogozin said.

"The process of the recognition of the unilaterally proclaimed independence of Kosovo province is possibly financed by the money of the Kosovo drug mafia," Rogozin was heard saying today during a video conference organized by RIA Novosti on a link between Brussels and Moscow.

"Kosovo long ago became not just a base for drug trafficking to Europe, but also a massive laboratory. These huge sums could be used for political aims by Kosovo's drug mafia to boost Kosovo's declaration of independence," Rogozin said.

"Certain European politicians simply could have been bought," RIA Novosti quoted Rogozin as saying.

"Should this information be proved correct, it is not ruled out that there will be a political scandal involving the buying of certain politicians with drug money," Rogozin said.

"When extremist forces are coming to power, one should always be looking for dirty money," Rogozin added.

"And that dirty money appears in Europe mostly from narcotics", he concluded.

Also today, Russia's state news agency Itar-Tass carried a report that said Moscow is ready to support "Kosovo Serbs' drive for independence".

"We will support the Serbs in Kosovo who do not wish to live in an independent province," a high government source told the agency on condition of anonymity, and added this was related to the "Kosovska Mitrovica region".

At the same time, the source says, "Moscow will not allow Kosovo's international recognition".

"We will block any such move at the UN Security Council, and cooperate with those countries who also oppose Kosovo's independence," the source said, and clarified "this was the subject of discussions between the Russian and Serbian presidents when they met".

The source also said that "there are no ongoing discussions to deploy the Russian army in Kosovo".

Earlier, Russia's UN Ambassador Vitaly Churkin on several occasions at the Security Council "strongly warned" the Western countries not to use repressive measures in case Kosovo's Serbs in the north of the province decide to reject the authority of Priština.

Russia also said this week it deems the EU mission to the province, EULEX, to be illegal.