15 June 2004 11:42
Peace in Balkans not possible without Russia - lawmaker
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Moscow, 15 June: Col-Gen Viktor Zavarzin, chairman of the State Duma's Defence Committee, thinks that it would
not be possible to stabilize the situation in the Balkans without Russia, and this is what should be primarily taken
into account when trying to settle the region's problems. "After analysing the developments in Kosovo, Russia
must take a firm position, and make the US and NATO member states go back to basic principles in solving the problems in
the Balkans," Zavarzin has told Interfax-Military News Agency. According to him, such a position "will allow
us to participate more actively in crisis management in Kosovo".
Zavarzin added that "we should be firm in demanding negotiations to start with representatives from Serbia and
Montenegro, Kosovo, Russia and NATO". "Moreover, we must provide the soonest support to the peaceful
initiatives by the government of Vojislav Kostunica (Serb prime minister - Interfax-AVN). And we should not allow Kosovo
to be declared an independent republic, which may cause peace to 'collapse' in the Balkans," the
legislator said. "It is ever so important to hold an international conference to adopt the split of the former
Yugoslavia, and determine the borders of newly independent states," Zavarzin added.
[Interfax-AVN military news agency web site] |
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