Russia lashes out at Ban over Unmik reconfiguration
Russia's ambassador to the UN Vitaly Churkin has accused the United Nations Secretary General of abusing his power by agreeing to changes in the UN's mission in Kosovo.
(KosovoCompromise Staff) Wednesday, July 09, 2008
Churkin says the move violates international law as a resolution on the issue has not been passed in the Security Council. He added that Russia would veto any such resolution.
Russia's ambassador denounced comments by the Eulex chief Yves de Kermabon that he will report only to Brussels - and not to New York -- calling it "illegal and deplorable".
"Under these conditions, it is more than clear that it is impossible to implement the reconfiguration and to increase the authority of a mission which is still illegal and does not understand its responsibility under resolution 1244, and even under the report of the UN Secretary-General, Churkin said.
He said the question must be returned to the UN Security Council.
Moscow's position sets a stage for yet another Kosovo showdown at the UN Security Council session on July 25.
