In an address to the Russian parliament, Russian Foreign Minister
Igor Ivanov stated that Russia will increase its diplomatic efforts in
the Balkans and that “more and more people in the West are becoming
aware of NATO’s destructiveness against Yugoslavia,” according to
official Russian sources.
The statement comes one day after Ivanov met with Albanian Foreign
Minister Palkal Milo, whose nation is a major player in the region.
Following his meeting with Ivanov, Milo described Russia as “playing
a very important role in the Balkan region,” and said his government
gives “a high priority to Russian effort to find a long-term solution to
the Kosovo crisis.”
Ivanov’s June 9 speech and his meeting with the Albanian foreign
minister were both reported by the Voice of Russia World Service, the
official broadcasting service of the Russian government.
The Balkans remain the “tinder box of Europe,” a term first used
before World War I. Much of the world remains divided over the Yugoslav
province of Kosovo, even after last year’s devastating air war. The
United States is committed to an ongoing troop presence in Kosovo.
Moscow’s position concerning the Balkans in general, and Kosovo in
particular, remains unchanged since last year’s NATO-led air war against
Yugoslavia. Russia is still a firm proponent of independence for a
united Yugoslavia, Yugoslav control over Kosovo and removal of
“anti-Yugoslav” sanctions.
Albania borders Yugoslavia and the NATO-occupied province of Kosovo.
Elements of the leadership of the Kosovo Liberation Army, now operating
as the Kosovo Protection Corps, advocate a “Greater Albania” consisting
of Albania, Kosovo, a portion of Macedonia to the south of Kosovo and a
section of Serbia to the north of Kosovo.
Failure of Albania proper to cooperate with the plans of Kosovo’s
ethnic Albanian leadership would fatally cripple the cause of those
favoring the “Greater Albania” concept.
The meeting of the Russian and Albanian foreign ministers resulted in
plans for actual cooperative action beyond the simple expression of
Albanian appreciation for Moscow’s efforts. “New fields of cooperation
have been outlined” between the two nations, according to the Voice of
Russia report. In particular, negotiations will begin for construction
of a gas pipeline from Russia into Albania. The new pipeline would
contribute significantly to economic expansion in Albania.
In addition, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov has been invited
to visit Albania.
Yugoslavia remains important to Russia. A Yugoslav delegation has
permanent observer status at parliamentary meetings of the Union State
of Russia and Belarus, and Belgrade’s request to join the Union is being
given serious consideration.
Moscow has already
threatened armed intervention in the Balkans should NATO be unable to protect the Serbs in Kosovo.
While Moscow will not yield on the national integrity of Yugoslavia, Russian policy toward Yugoslav president Slobodan Milosevic is not nearly as firm. In early April, the Serb opposition leader, Vuk Draskovic,
visited Moscow for a two-day visit, during which time he met with Ivanov.
While at odds with Milosevic, the Serb opposition leader firmly supports Moscow’s policy in the Balkans.
Related stories:
Russia threatens NATO confrontation
Moscow pulls strings in Yugoslavia
Russia, Belarus plan military build-up
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