Russia says parts of Kosovo resolution unacceptable

MOSCOW, May 12 (Reuters) Russia said today it could not accept some parts of a draft UN Security Council resolution providing for effective independence for Kosovo.

''Of course, there will be further discussions with the authors of this document but it is clear that the draft resolution contains provisions which cannot be accepted by us,'' Foreign Ministry spokesman Mikhail Kamynin said in remarks published on the ministry's official Website www.mid.ru.

The resolution endorses a plan drawn up by UN envoy Martti Ahtisaari whereby the Serbian province, which has been under UN administration for almost eight years, would be independent under European Union supervision.

Diplomats expected talks between Security Council diplomats to start next week in an attempt to agree a text. Western nations say it is time to end the lengthy stalemate on the breakaway province after talks between Serbs and Kosovo's ethnic Albanian majority on its status led nowhere.

Belgrade's ally Russia says negotiations should continue and has hinted at a possible veto of the resolution, which was circulated by European Union nations and the United States.

''As we had stated before, the real solution of the Kosovo problem may not be enforced but should be based on the will of both sides -- Serbs and Kosovo Albanians,'' Kamynin said.

''We are therefore in favour of joint steps aimed at encouraging the negotiation process in order to find a compromise solution in the interests of international stability,'' Kamynin said.

His statement did not say which parts of the resolution Moscow objected to or make any mention of a veto.

REUTERS SG PM1830