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Russia to shore up Serbia support | Russia to shore up Serbia support |
(10 minutes later) | |
The man tipped to succeed Vladimir Putin as Russian president is visiting Serbia, as the two countries continue to oppose Kosovan independence. | The man tipped to succeed Vladimir Putin as Russian president is visiting Serbia, as the two countries continue to oppose Kosovan independence. |
Deputy PM Dmitry Medvedev arrived in Belgrade for talks with Serb President Boris Tadic and PM Vojislav Kostunica. | Deputy PM Dmitry Medvedev arrived in Belgrade for talks with Serb President Boris Tadic and PM Vojislav Kostunica. |
The Russian foreign ministry has accused the United States of "flagrant cynicism" in recognising Kosovo's declaration of independence a week ago. The issue sparked protests in Belgrade last week. | |
Mr Medvedev is being accompanied by Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov | Mr Medvedev is being accompanied by Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov |
The BBC's Bethany Bell in Belgrade says that reports suggest the visit will focus on economic issues, but will be closely watched for statements on Kosovo. | The BBC's Bethany Bell in Belgrade says that reports suggest the visit will focus on economic issues, but will be closely watched for statements on Kosovo. |
See a map of Kosovo's ethnic breakdown | See a map of Kosovo's ethnic breakdown |
Russia has emerged as Serbia's strongest ally in the country's opposition to Kosovo's independence, she says. | |
Serbs have turned against those who recognise the new Kosovo Poll: Russia causes concernsEU fired up by KosovoAnger mounts in Mitrovica "Do support for the Kosovo Albanian side alone, contempt for law for the sake of so-called 'political expediency', and indifference to the fate of 100,000 Serbs who... are effectively being driven into a ghetto, not amount to flagrant cynicism?" Russia's foreign ministry asked in a statement on Sunday. | |
The statement followed a comment by US Assistant Secretary of State Nicholas Burns, who accused Russia of aggravating tensions over the Kosovo issue. | The statement followed a comment by US Assistant Secretary of State Nicholas Burns, who accused Russia of aggravating tensions over the Kosovo issue. |
Correspondents say that, with Mr Medvedev the favourite to win next month's presidential election in Russia, the high-powered nature of Russia's delegation is a sign of the strength of the country's backing for Serbia. | Correspondents say that, with Mr Medvedev the favourite to win next month's presidential election in Russia, the high-powered nature of Russia's delegation is a sign of the strength of the country's backing for Serbia. |
Border posts row | Border posts row |
Belgrade government ministers have arrived in Kosovo, where they were scheduled to visit Serbian communities to press their message that Belgrade still regards Kosovo as its own. | Belgrade government ministers have arrived in Kosovo, where they were scheduled to visit Serbian communities to press their message that Belgrade still regards Kosovo as its own. |
Serbian Minister for Kosovo Slobodan Samardzic is leading the delegation. | |
There had been suggestions that Mr Samardzic might be denied entry until he apologised for comments seemingly condoning violence. | There had been suggestions that Mr Samardzic might be denied entry until he apologised for comments seemingly condoning violence. |
Mr Samardzic described the burning down of two border posts on 19 February by crowds of Kosovan Serbs as "legitimate" acts. | Mr Samardzic described the burning down of two border posts on 19 February by crowds of Kosovan Serbs as "legitimate" acts. |
Two days later, western embassies were attacked in Belgrade, acts which Mr Samardzic blamed on the US for accepting Kosovo's declaration of independence last Sunday. | Two days later, western embassies were attacked in Belgrade, acts which Mr Samardzic blamed on the US for accepting Kosovo's declaration of independence last Sunday. |
"The US is the major culprit for all troubles since 17 February," Mr Samardzic told the state news agency Tanjug. | "The US is the major culprit for all troubles since 17 February," Mr Samardzic told the state news agency Tanjug. |
"The root of violence is the violation of international law." | "The root of violence is the violation of international law." |
Mitrovica fears | Mitrovica fears |
Kosovo remained calm on Sunday, and Prime Minister Hashim Thaci marked the first week of independence with a visit to the grave of Kosovo's late president, Ibrahim Rugova. | Kosovo remained calm on Sunday, and Prime Minister Hashim Thaci marked the first week of independence with a visit to the grave of Kosovo's late president, Ibrahim Rugova. |
Mr Thaci used the occasion to call on Kosovo's Serbian minority to integrate. | Mr Thaci used the occasion to call on Kosovo's Serbian minority to integrate. |
But the ethnically divided town of Mitrovica was bracing itself for more tension. | But the ethnically divided town of Mitrovica was bracing itself for more tension. |
Albanian staff have been prevented from returning to work at the town's UN-administered court on safety grounds, while Serbs who used to work there are demanding their old jobs back. | Albanian staff have been prevented from returning to work at the town's UN-administered court on safety grounds, while Serbs who used to work there are demanding their old jobs back. |
Any attempt by the Serbs to use force to occupy the building would be a test of UN resolve to maintain at least a semblance of multi-ethnic administration in the troubled northern town, says our correspondent. | Any attempt by the Serbs to use force to occupy the building would be a test of UN resolve to maintain at least a semblance of multi-ethnic administration in the troubled northern town, says our correspondent. |
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