Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
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April 2, 2008

Russia Delivers Aid Shipment to Minority Serbs in Kosovo
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=1BBE73B:A6F02AD83191E160994F17371651944E3CF5CDEF8FC051DA& Delivery is first
of at least three shipments promised by Moscow





A Serbian police officer looks at a Russian airplane with humanitarian
aid for the Serbs in Kosovo at the airport in Belgrade, Serbia, 2 Apr
2008The first shipment of Russian aid to minority Serbs in newly
independent Kosovo has arrived in Belgrade, in a show of Moscow's
support for Serbia in its dispute with the West over Kosovo.

A Serbian government minister met the shipment Wednesday, calling it a
demonstration of material and moral support from its traditional
ally.  The delivery is the first of at least three shipments promised
by Moscow.

Kosovo's 90 percent ethnic Albanian majority declared independence
from Serbia in February, in a move strongly opposed by Belgrade and
Moscow. The United States and some 30 other nations have recognized
the action.

In Moscow today, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Russia will
prevent Kosovo from becoming a full member of the United Nations.

Lavrov told Russian lawmakers that Moscow will use its power as a
permanent U.N. Security Council member to block any Kosovo entry bid.


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