Russia Considering Military Force on Kosovo
Posted on February 22, 2008 - Filed Under Kosovo |
There is no doubt that the international debate surrounding Kosovo’s independence did not end when the nation was recognized by the US and many European powers. Instead, the rhetoric is now being ratcheted up to a new level.
Russia is not pleased and has issued a warning to the EU and NATO not to breach the terms of their UN mandate.
The Moscow Ambassador to NATO, Dimitry Rogozin, told Russia’s Interfax news agency, “If the EU works out a single position or if NATO steps beyond its mandate in Kosovo, these organizations will be in conflict with the U.N., and then I think we will also begin operating under the assumption that in order to be respected, one needs to use force.”
The implication of this statement is unmistakable. The region could be heading towards a major conflict. This comes a day after Serb rioters broke into the U.S. Embassy and set fire to an office, and police clashed with protesters. The Serb Republic passed a resolution in their parliament late on Thursday to declare the independence illegal and in violation of Serbia’s territorial integrity.
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