RUSSIA VETOES RESOLUTION TO PROTECT SERBS

NEW YORK, Dec 3, (Hina) - Russia says that the adopting of a resolution which would confirm Security Council resolution 820 only puts more pressure on the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro). The resolution Russia is referring to, is the one which allows goods to pass from Yugoslavia to Bosnia-Herzegovina and Croatia, only with Croatian or Bosnian Government approval. Explaining Russia's veto of the resolution at the Security Council session Friday in New York, ambassador Sergei Lavrov said that adopting the resolution would mean 'additional sanctions against Yugoslavia'. The New Zealand member described Russia's decision as 'unfortunate' and 'odd' because the resolution is not about new sanctions, rather about solidifying what already exists. The resolution is not against Belgrade but the right response to violations of international rights by Knin Serbs. After tonight, the negative consequences would be long felt, the New Zealand member concluded. The United States also regarded the Russian move as unfortunate, adding that the validity of all other resolutions had not changed. Croatia had no reason to be concerned by such a voting result because, according to Croatian and UN diplomats after the session, nothing had changed, the position, if anything, had become clearer. They were not surprised by Russia's sharpening its view (supporting the Serbs,) adding that such a move could have negative consequences for the work of the Contact Group. This is the first veto of a resolution on the former Yugoslavia, until now 70 have been adopted. (Hina) jn sd 031320 MET dec 94