Posted on 11/17/2006 3:47:20 PM PST by Tailgunner Joe
Kosovar Prime Minister Agim Ceku is to visit Moscow at the end of November, Russia's Foreign Ministry said Friday.
The possible show of rare Russian support for the predominantly Muslim province would buck Moscow's traditional pro-Serbian stance.
Many, however, think Russia may be hoping to use any example of Kosovar independence to advance its own goals of independent states in several post-Soviet breakaway regions.
The meeting, the date of which was not announced, comes amid UN efforts to determine the status of the 90-percent ethnic Albanian region that is part of the majority-Slavic Serbia.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Vladimir Titov, who is to meet with Ceku, said he hoped "a solution to the Kosovo problem is entering a more responsbile phase, and we are more actively working with all sides to find a compromise."
Despite a 1996-99 war of independence from Serbia in which an estimated 12,000 civilians died, Kosovo has remained subject to Belgrade.
A UN commission created to determine the region's status has postponed its findings till March, fearing a decision in favour of Kosovar independence could encourage a pro-nationalist outcome in Serbian elections in January.
While Moscow condemned NATO's intervention against the Serbian predecessor state, Yugoslavia, in 1999, the meeting with Ceku is seen as a potential sign of support for Kosovo - and an about-face for Russia.
Moscow has in recent months said if the UN blesses Kosovar secession, it would set a precent for the independence of the breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia in Georgia, and of Moldova's Transdnestr region.
Russia stands almost completely alone in giving its all-but- official backing to the three regions, all of which are fighting for independence from their post-Soviet states.
Something smells?
So, nowadays, the UN doesn't even bother to look as if they don't want to intervene with individual country's affairs anymore?
FYI
What does Russia have to gain by turning against a traditional ally like Serbia?
["What does Russia have to gain by turning against a traditional ally like Serbia?"]
Russia is not turning against Serbia. Read between the lines.
...an interesting development. Great international political theater.
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