(5 May 1999) Russian/Nat
Russia's special envoy to Yugoslavia, Viktor Chernomyrdin, said on Wednesday that he was optimistic about the prospect of a diplomatic solution to the Kosovo crisis.
The former Russian premier said that Moscow and Washington were moving closer together in their attempts to resolve the crisis.
Chernomyrdin made his comments as he returned home from his round of peace talks in the U-S, where he met President Bill Clinton and U-N Secretary General Kofi Annan.
He is due to brief President Boris Yeltsin about progress in the peace discussions later on Wednesday, and the two will plan Chernomyrdin's next mission.
Russia's special envoy to Yugoslavia, Viktor Chernomyrdin, arrived back in Moscow on Wednesday after his round peace talks in the U-S on the Kosovo conflict.
Chernomyrdin has become the main mediator between NATO and Yugoslavia, and all those involved in the war are looking to him as the most likely person to broker a peace deal.
Whilst in the U-S, the former Russian premier met with U-S President Bill Clinton and U-N Secretary General Kofi Annan.
Chernomyrdin has also made two recent trips to the Serbian capital Belgrade where he met the Yugoslav leader Slobodan Milosevic.
Chernomyrdin has sounded consistently upbeat as he shuttles between world capitals to discuss the Kosovo crisis.
But back in Moscow, he told reporters that a lot of work remains for all sides if they are serious about finding a diplomatic way out of the war.
SOUNDBITE: (Russian)
"Unfortunately, it is easy to start a war, but it is very difficult to end it. Immense efforts will be needed. And today, the entire world is waiting intently for a solution to the crisis. People are dying, the country is being destroyed, there is grief and suffering. The solution is not easy to find."
SUPER CAPTION: Viktor Chernomyrdin, Russian Special Envoy for Balkans
The reality is that Chernomyrdin is still a long way from securing any concrete agreement.
But the former Russian premier insisted that as a result of his diplomatic efforts, there is a greater level of understanding between Moscow and Washington on their attempts to resolve the crisis.
SOUNDBITE: (Russian)
"We have reached understanding (with the U.S.) on the problem in the full sense of the word, and outlined actions both on the part of Russia and the United States. Today, President Clinton is leaving for Europe, together with the Secretary of State, for talks."
SUPER CAPTION: Viktor Chernomyrdin, Russian Special Envoy for Balkans
Once out of the airport, Chernomyrdin headed straight for the Kremlin, where he was due to brief President Yeltsin on progress made during his mission to the U-S.
The two are also due to plan Chernomyrdin's next move.
Many are speculating that the Russian envoy will shortly be despatched to Belgrade for further talks with Milosevic.
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