(23 Jun 1999) Eng/Russ/Nat
United Nations chief Kofi Annan promised on Wednesday to include Russian officials in a civil administration for Kosovo, and so acknowledging Moscow's help in solving the crisis.
After meeting with Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov, Annan said there would be Russians in the team, but it was too early to say how many.
For the second time this year, U-N Secretary-General Kofi Annan entered Russia's foreign ministry for closed door talks with Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov.
Later he also met with Russian Prime Minister Sergei Stepashin.
This time there was a difference -- no more talk of war.
Peace is foremost on the agenda.
Now that there's a deal with Yugoslavia's government, Annan is looking to wrestle back control from the NATO-dominiated K-FOR peacekeeping force.
The next major task for the U-N's chief will be to set up a civil administration in Kosovo which will tackle the reconstruction of the shattered region.
The U-N is looking to appoint representatives to this administration as soon as possible.
After meeting with Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov, Annan said there would be Russians in the team, but it was too early to say how many.
Under the Kosovo plan the U-N peace-building mission will have four deputies serving under a special representative.
Earlier this week, Annan appointed a French official and a New Zealand refugee expert as deputies to the special representative, who hasn't been named yet.
Annan was keen to assure Russia that its role in securing a peace deal will not be overlooked.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"I have a list of very good names, but I haven't decided on the representatives yet. I hope to do it very shortly. And in putting together the leadership that would manage the civil administration, I will ensure that key governments and governments with particular interest in this crisis are all represented in this leadership".
SUPER CAPTION: Kofi Annan, United Nations Secretary General
Officially the NATO peacekeeping mission is run under the auspices of the U-N.
Russia for its part certainly sees its contribution - the expected deployment of around 3-thousand paratroopers to Kosovo as part of a U-N led operation.
And the country's foreign minister told delegates and reporters that the work of the peacekeepers under U-N auspices was crucial.
SOUNDBITE: (Russian)
"After we succeeded in stopping the war by joint efforts, the main thing now is to deploy the international force according to security council resolution 1244 to solve the problems which confront the region today."
SUPER CAPTION: Igor Ivanov, Russian Foreign Minister
Along with the Balkans, Annan and Ivanov discussed the situation in Iraq, Afghanistan and relations between India and Pakistan.
They also discussed conflicts in the former Soviet republics.
Later Annan held a meeting with Russian Prime Minister Sergei Stepashin.
Stepashin told Annan Russia had been appalled by what it saw as NATO's attempt to take the place of the United Nations to resolve the conflict in Kosovo.
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