dcsh 2008-2-15 08:13 PM
Russia links Kosovo with Georgia
Russia links Kosovo with Georgia
[size=2] [table=203] [tr][td] [img=203,152]http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/44073000/gif/_44073582_georgia_map203.gif[/img]
[/td][/tr] [/table] [b]Russia has indicated it may change its policy towards breakawayregions in Georgia if the West recognises the independence of Kosovo.[/b][/size][size=2]Moscow has repeatedly hinted it could recognise South Ossetia and Abkhazia if Kosovo separates from Serbia.[/size]
[size=2]The foreign ministry said Moscow would "take into account" developments in Kosovo, but did not say how.[/size]
[size=2]Kosovo may declare independence this weekend, and the US and most EU states are expected to recognise it quickly.[/size]
[size=2]Kosovo's Prime Minister Hashim Thaci is expected to saylater on Friday that the declaration of independence will be made on 17February, the AFP reports quoting a source in Mr Thaci's office. [/size]
[size=2]Serbia earlier urged the UN Security Council to oppose Kosovo's expected move. [/size]
[size=2]Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic said Belgrade wouldnot use force to stop the secession of the southern province but warnedthat allowing it would give a green light to other separatistmovements. [/size]
[size=2][b]De facto independent[/b][/size]
[size=2]"We will, without doubt, have to take into account adeclaration and recognition of Kosovo independence in connection withthe situation in Abkhazia and South Ossetia," Russia's foreign ministrysaid in a statement.[/size]
[size=2]The statement came after Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov met the leaders of South Ossetia and Abkhazia in Moscow.[/size]
[size=2]Most people in Georgia's two breakaway republics, whichhave enjoyed de facto independence since the early 1990s, already haveRussian citizenship.[/size]
[size=2]Tbilisi accuses Moscow of supporting both regions, inorder to undermine its own attempts to build a strong and independentnation state.[/size]
[size=2]Russia denies the accusations. [/size]
