UNSC united on issue of Pristina's taxes; Pristina: charade

During the debate, held in spite of the previous opposition by a number of members of the UN Security Council, Pristina institutions were unanimously called on to abolish taxes increased by 100 percent last November on goods coming from Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Different views, however, have been expressed when it comes to the future dynamics of holding these sessions dedicated to the situation in Kosovo and Metohija.

Russian Ambassador to the UN Vasily Nebenzya said that Russia shares Serbia's concerns because of the seriousness of the situation in Kosovo.

He told Kosovo Ambassador (to Washington) Vlora Citaku, who referred to this meeting as "a charade" that if this was her opinion, although invited, she had been under no obligation to attend.

He added that Russia does not accept Kosovo being taken off the agenda of the UN Security Council and that it should be under constant control of this body because the situation is unstable and could spiral out of control at any moment.

Nebenzya reiterated Russia's view that Pristina had violated the CEFTA agreement by imposing taxes on Serbian goods and said that Kosovo has since ignored the "unconvincing" demands coming from its western patrons (to revoke the decision).

According to him, the formation of an army in Kosovo represents a violation of UN Security Council Resolution 1244 and there is no guarantee that this army would not move against the Serbs.

He also estimated that statements by Kosovo Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj about stopping communication with UNMIK would constitute a flagrant violation of the UN resolution and reiterated that Russia's position is that Kosovo can be represented only via UNMIK.

China also noted...