Outside View: Russia warns West on Kosovo

Outside View: Russia warns West on Kosovo

By MARIANNA BELENKAYA
UPI Outside View Contributor

MOSCOW, July 19 (UPI) -- Russia will not support the new draft resolution on Kosovo submitted to the U.N. Security Council by Britain, France and the United States on July 16.

Moscow objects to the draft because it is still based on the plan of U.N. special envoy Martti Ahtisaari. Since Russia holds a veto at the Security Council, this means either the resolution will have to be drafted a fourth time or a solution be found outside the framework of the United Nations.

Russian Ambassador to the United Nations Vitaly Churkin explained Moscow's position in clear and simple terms: "The draft and related documents are based on Kosovo's independence after a certain period. We cannot accept this approach. The status quo should be defined at the bilateral talks, and their results should be solemnized by the Security Council."

This position is nothing new. Russia has said more than once that it will not support any decision on Kosovo unless it suits both parties to the conflict -- not only Kosovo's Albanians but also Serbs. Belgrade is still against the draft, so Moscow's response is not surprising.

Churkin emphasized that Russia is not boycotting the Security Council's work on the draft resolution on Kosovo's future status. Rather, Moscow believes that the major points should be agreed upon first, while the details could be discussed later.

The draft co-authors are not impressed. They say they have made all possible concessions to Moscow. "This is our last attempt to consider all concerns. We can still change the draft's text but not its gist," said French Ambassador to the United Nations Jean-Marc de la Sabliere, speaking on behalf of the draft's authors.

But Moscow insists on changing the gist. What's the point of juggling with words?

This is the third draft. In working on it, the Western countries proceeded from the Ahtisaari plan, which gives Kosovo independence without considering the Serbian position. Not without pressure from Russia, one of the drafts embraced the idea of new talks between Belgrade and Pristina. But it was assumed from the start that if the talks failed to produce results in 120 days, Kosovo would automatically become independent. This assumption ran against Russia's insistence on a negotiated solution and was omitted in the latest version. But the problem is still there. To quote Ambassador Churkin, "The co-authors of the new draft have not given up a scenario which, after a certain period, would lead to Kosovo's independence without negotiated agreement between Belgrade and Pristina."

At the same time, Russia is not the only Security Council member to urge talks between Serbs and Kosovo Albanians. This fact alone shows that the Ahtisaari plan, involving Kosovar independence, is not the only answer. Moscow is convinced that this plan has failed and suggests that a new go-between should be appointed for the Kosovo talks. There is simply no other option.

Nor is Russia the only nation to reject the draft. A similar position is taken by China, which also has a veto in the Security Council. However, Western policymakers are mostly reproaching Russia for its adamant stance. Appeals, often quoted in the press, are being made to proceed with or without Russian participation.

Russia is also part of Europe, and its security depends directly on European security in general and on the Balkans in particular. Moreover, Moscow has economic interests in the Balkans and the rest of Europe. The European Union's internal policy is another matter, and Russia cannot interfere in it. But Serbia is not yet part of the EU and is obviously counting on Russia's support.

The alternative route -- trying to resolve the Kosovo problem outside the Security Council in order to avoid Moscow's veto -- would create a dangerous precedent and finally discredit this international agency. Already badly damaged by the unilateral action in Iraq, France, Britain and the United States are not likely to sacrifice the Security Council's remaining integrity to Kosovo. They are not rushing to share their privileged status as permanent, veto-wielding members of the U.N. Security Council with others and are still clinging to this agency despite its many shortcomings. They know that if today they do without Moscow and Beijing, tomorrow they may be left out themselves, and not just by Russia or China: There are other claimants to leadership that are rapidly growing stronger and more confident.

The authors of the new draft should think twice before making a final decision. Haste makes waste and leads to armed rather than diplomatic conflicts.

--

(Marianna Belenkaya is a political commentator with RIA Novosti. The opinions expressed in this article are the author's and do not necessarily represent those of RIA Novosti.)

--

(United Press International's "Outside View" commentaries are written by outside contributors who specialize in a variety of important issues. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of United Press International. In the interest of creating an open forum, original submissions are invited.)

http://www.upi.com/International_Intelligence/Analysis/2007/07/19/outside_view_russia_warns_west_on_kosovo/9854/

Powered by ScribeFire.