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Russia to shore up Serbia support Russia pledges support to Serbia
(about 2 hours 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 become the next Russian president has vowed his country will "stick to" its support for Serbia in opposing Kosovo's independence.
Deputy PM Dmitry Medvedev arrived in Belgrade for talks with Serb President Boris Tadic and PM Vojislav Kostunica. Deputy PM Dmitry Medvedev was 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. The Russian foreign ministry has accused the United States of "flagrant cynicism" in recognising Kosovo's declaration of independence a week ago.
Mr Medvedev is being accompanied by Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov The issue sparked protests in Belgrade last week.
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. "We proceed from the assumption that Serbia is a united country, whose jurisdiction covers the whole of its territory, and we shall stick to this principled stand," Mr Medvedev said during his meeting with Mr Kostunica, Russian news agency Itar-Tass reported.
Mr Medvedev's comments, and the timing of his visit, will be seen as evidence that Russia's foreign policy is unlikely to change once serving President Vladimir Putin steps down.
Mr Putin's term in office has seen a marked deterioration in relations with the West, most recently over the issues of Kosovo and Nato's ambitions in former eastern bloc states like Poland and the Czech republic.
'Strongest ally'
See a map of Kosovo's ethnic breakdownSee 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. Mr Medvedev, who is the favourite to take over from Mr Putin after next Sunday's presidential election in Russia, is being accompanied by Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
A deal was also signed on a planned pipeline in Serbia during the visit, the Associated Press reported.
The BBC's Bethany Bell in Belgrade says Russia has emerged as Serbia's strongest ally in the country's opposition to Kosovo's independence.
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.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 the high-powered nature of Russia's delegation is a sign of the strength of the country's backing for Serbia.
Border posts rowBorder 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.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 fearsMitrovica 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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