RUSSIAN PREMIER FEELS PAIN WATCHING YUGOSLAVIA COVERAGE

Russia’s premier Mikhail Kasyanov is convinced that the Yugoslav conflict should be solved at a negotiating table, with participation of all parties concerned. Mr. Kasyanov is now on the visit to Astana, Kazakhstan’s capital city where he has a meeting with heads of the council of the Customs Union member countries. “Russia, as always, is guided with the principles of democracy and the people’s freedom to choose their leaders,” said Mr. Kasyanov. Mr. Kasyanov reminded that Moscow was trying to contribute to the Yugoslav conflict’s solution. He said he was feeling pain when watching coverage of the current events in Yugoslavia on television. He reaffirmed Russia’s readiness to render assistance in Yugoslavia’s economic recovery. “But before that it is necessary to normalize the political situation,” Mr. Kasyanov added.