Russian FM says Kosovo independence would have "the most negative consequences"

The remarks were Russia's latest criticism of a U.N. plan that envisages supervised statehood for the troubled Balkan province. Lavrov and other officials in Russia, a traditional ally of Serbia, have expressed concern that the plan would give Kosovo independence, and said a deal must be negotiated and acceptable to both sides.

Lavrov reiterated a warning issued in September that Russia could use its veto power in the U.N. Security Council if it disagreed with a proposal by U.N. envoy Martti Ahtisaari, according to remarks reported by the RIA-Novosti news agency. The proposal must be approved by the U.N. Security Council to take effect.

"There exists a fairly insistent idea among our Western partners to swiftly propose a resolution that would approve Ahtisaari's plan," RIA-Novosti quoted Lavrov as saying. He said Russia would only consider such a resolution if the Serbian and Kosovo leaderships agreed on the plan or an amended version.

"As regards Kosovo we are convinced that providing that granting this territory independence will have the most negative consequences for the region and for Europe as a whole," the agency quoted Lavrov as saying. "Our Western partners are convinced of the opposite."

Lavrov apparently did not say what potential consequences he had in mind. Putin has warned the West that granting Kosovo independence would serve as precedent for other nations with similar cases, including pro-Russian breakaway provinces in the ex-Soviet republics of Georgia and Moldova whose sovereignty claims are dismissed by the United States and Europe.

Kosovo has been a U.N. protectorate since 1999, when NATO airstrikes that were adamantly criticized by Moscow stopped Serbia's crackdown on separatist ethnic Albanian rebels. Belgrade insists the province must remain a part of Serbia, whereas its majority ethnic Albanians seek independence.

Serbia's new parliament on Wednesday overwhelmingly rejected Ahtisaari's plan, which envisages internationally supervised self-rule for Kosovo, including a flag, anthem, army, constitution and the right to join international organizations. The Associated Press

/The International Herald Tribune/