UN / KOSOVO

STORY: UN / KOSOVO
TRT: 1.39
SOURCE: UNTV
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH / NATS

DATELINE: 31 MAY 2007, NEW YORK CITY

SHOTLIST:

FILE -

1. Wide shot, exterior, United Nations headquarters

31 MAY 2007, NEW YORK CITY

2. Med shot, Russian Ambassador approaching microphone

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Ambassador Vitaly Churkin, Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the United Nations:

"It does not incorporate the main elements, the key elements which the Russian delegation has given to members of the Security Council which reflect our approach so under those circumstances, the introduction of this updated version of the draft has not changed anything as far as we're concerned."

4. Cutaway, reporter writing on notepad

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Ambassador Vitaly Churkin, Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the United Nations:

"Instead of endorsing the proposal of the package of Mr. Ahtasaari which has not been agreed upon by the two sides, we should encourage the parties to continue negotiations. We should continue to implement resolution 1244 and we should show more patience and perseverance."

6.Cutaway, reporter writing on notepad

7. SOUNDBITE (English) Ambassador Vitaly Churkin, Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the United Nations:

" Our position as they are and under those circumstances unfortunately the outcome would be obvious."

8.Med shot, US Ambassador walking to microphone

9. SOUNDBITE (English) Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad, Permanent Representative of the United States to the United Nations:

"Frankly, the ball is in Russia's court to come up with ideas and suggestions, but the process to move forward has started. Kosovo's independence is inevitable, but we will make every effort to accommodate to constructive ideas and suggestions to our Russian colleagues."

FILE -

10.Med shot, UN flag

STORYLINE:

Russia could veto a draft U.N. Security Council resolution on the status of Serbia's breakaway province of Kosovo.

Russian Ambassador Vitaly Churkin told reporters outside the Security Council today that the latest draft does not incorporate key elements which the Russian delegation has given and the updated version of the draft has not changed anything.

He said that instead of endorsing the proposal of the package of Mr. Ahtisaari, there should be encouragement on the parties to continue negotiations. And that under the current circumstances, "the outcome would be obvious."

United State Ambassador Zalmay Khlalilzad said the ball was in the court of the Russians and

that every effort would be made to accommodate constructive ideas and suggestions from Russian colleagues.

The draft resolution, circulated by the United States and European Union countries, endorses a plan drawn up by United Nations envoy Martti Ahtisaari.

The plan shows the Serbian province, under U.N. administration for almost eight years, would be independent under European Union supervision.

Experts will meet tomorrow in New York to discuss the resolution. Ambassador Khalilzad said he hopes to see a vote some time next week.