Putin calls for unified approach to Kosovo, Abkhazia, South Ossetia

INTERFAX (RUSSIAN FEDERATION), Sep 13 2006 1:02PM

MOSCOW. Sept 13 (Interfax) - The international community's approaches toward settling the problems of Kosovo, Abkhazia, and South Ossetia should be unified, Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a recent meeting with Western political analysts, the transcript of which is available on the official presidential website.

"You cannot apply one set of standards to Kosovo and another to Abkhazia and South Ossetia," Putin said.

"What is the difference between the situation in Kosovo and that in Abkhazia or South Ossetia? There's no difference at all," he said.

"Once we start manipulating public opinion or try to do so, we will face problems," he said.

"People will feel cheated. Both in Southern Europe and in the South Caucasus. This kind of policy cannot be considered moral. It has no prospects," Putin said.