Russia warns U.S. over illegal arming of Kosovo

[December]

This is very dangerous move on the part of America.....

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The violence in Mitrovica began when United Nations police and NATO-led KFOR troops launched an operation this morning to regain control of the UN court building, seized last week by Serbs.

http://en.rian.ru/photolents/20080318/101555478_1.html

[December]

Russia warns U.S. over illegal arming of Kosovo

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Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has warned that the supply of U.S. weapons to Kosovo could further destabilize the Balkans. Speaking in Israel, Lavrov said the only legitimate delivery of arms to Kosovo were those made to the international contingent working under a UN mandate.

“The only legitimate basis for regulating the situation in Kosovo is Security Council resolution 1244. It does not allow Kosovo to have its own army or for anybody to supply military equipment to Kosovo except for supplies to the international contingent working under a UN mandate. Any other supplies are illegitimate,” Lavrov said.

He added that he wouldn’t like to think that supplies there are aimed at forcing Serbs and other minorities to remain within the illegally proclaimed state. “I don't think this will contribute to stability in the Balkans,” Lavrov concluded.
http://www.russiatoday.ru/news/news/22432


Serbia slams, Kosovo welcomes U.S. arms delivery
BELGRADE, March 20 (Xinhua) -- Serbia slammed on Thursday the U.S. decision to deliver arms to the breakaway province of Kosovo, while the Kosovo authorities regarded the move as positively.
Serbian outgoing Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica slammed the move as a "new and gravely mistaken step taken by the U.S. following the illegal recognition of its (Kosovo's) unilateral independence," the official Tanjug news agency reported.
"There are already too many weapons in Kosovo and Metohija and, instead of further arming the ethnic Albanians, it would be much better if America were to return to respect of international law and the United Nations (UN) Charter," Kostunica said in an interview with the Belgrade daily Vecernje Novosti.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-03/21/content_7829935.htm


Bush approves arms delivery to Kosovo
Thu, 20 Mar 2008
The White House says Bush has authorized supplying Kosovo with weapons, signaling the establishment of government-to-government relations.
In a memo made public by the White House, Bush said, "I hereby find that the furnishing of defense articles and defense services to Kosovo will strengthen the security of the United States and promote world peace," AFP reported.
http://www.presstv.com/Detail.aspx?id=48255&sectionid=3510203