June 12, 1999
Web posted at: 5:31 a.m. EDT (0931 GMT)

In this story: Ivanov 'quite surprised' Russian troops at Pristina airport Political problems envisioned RELATED STORIES, SITES

MOSCOW (CNN) -- Russia is prepared to participate in all operations provided for resolutions of the U.N. Security Council, President Boris Yeltsin said on Saturday, according to Interfax news agency.

Yeltsin returned to the Kremlin from his countryside retreat Saturday for previously scheduled meetings and discussions with aides about the pre-emptive arrival of the Russian contingent in Kosovo.

Yeltsin's return came amid controversy over the entry of Russian troops into Kosovo ahead of NATO peacekeepers, which caused considerable surprise and embarrassment for Western officials -- a move that stunned the White House, the alliance, the Pentagon and even high-level Moscow officials.

As his motorcade sped through Moscow, the Interfax news agency reported the decision to send the troops into Kosovo -- already characterized by Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov as an "unfortunate mistake" -- was made "at the highest level."

Yeltsin did not address that report. The Interfax report, which was not confirmed by official sources, acknowledged some "technical incorrectness" with the Russian troop deployment.

It was unclear when -- or whether -- talks would resume between U.S. and Russian officials on Russia's peackeeping role in Kosovo. U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Strobe Talbott had met with Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov until 6 a.m.

Ivanov, in an interview on CNN, said the troops' arrival in Pristina at 1:30 a.m. Saturday (7:30 p.m. EDT Friday) before any NATO troops entered Kosovo was an "unfortunate mistake" and that they were being ordered to leave immediately. However, they did not leave immediately, and it was unclear what role the Russian troops would play in Kosovo.

A U.S. official said the incident "makes it a bit messier" to determine Russia's duties in the peacekeeping operation. "There is concern," although NATO is eager to resolve the issue of Russia's role.

Yeltsin was expected to meet with Ivanov and Defense Ministor Igor Sergeyev, among others. He had been scheduled to return to Moscow for Independence Day events and what Kremlin Press Secretary Dmitry Yakushkin described as "other meetings."

The entry of Russian troops into Kosovo amazed Western officials.

When the White House was first informed of the developments, officials refused to believe it until CNN aired video of smiling and waving Russian soldiers, wearing camouflage fatigues, rolling into the Kosovo capital of Pristina.

U.S. officials, sources said, quickly contacted Talbott in Moscow when they received word of the development.

According to senior administration officials familiar with Talbott's consultations in Moscow and national security meetings at the White House, Russian Foreign Minister Ivanov "seemed quite surprised" when Talbott told him Russian troops were in Pristina.

Ivanov called Talbott back a few minutes later and "with a sense of chagrin" said Russian troops indeed had entered Kosovo, described it as regrettable, said the troops had been ordered to leave and pledged Moscow would investigate.

Interviewed on CNN shortly after the troops arrived, Ivanov called it an "unfortunate mistake."

"The reasons for this are being determined. They have been ordered to leave Kosovo immediately and to await further orders," said Ivanov, who just hours earlier assured U.S. officials that Russian troops would wait to enter until NATO peacekeepers arrived in Kosovo.

The Russian troops were still in Pristina hours later, gathered at the capital's airport.

NATO had no official comment on the early entry, but a spokesman who refused to be named said: "Of course, it was a surprise."

In Washington, White House officials told CNN the administration is "pleased" with Ivanov's statement but wants more answers as to how it happened.

One administration source said he thought it was "a publicity stunt" concocted by Moscow. Others added they did not believe the Russian entry was a mistake -- as one source put it, soldiers don't march without orders.

When one official was asked if the action came from a rogue commander's orders or from a higher level, the source said it was most likely the latter.

A senior Pentagon source said the early entry is "militarily insignificant" but cautioned the unexpected move could pose political problems.

State Department spokesman James Rubin said "we will take (Ivanov's) statement at face value" and "will wait to see" if the troops withdraw.

CNN Moscow Bureau Chief Jill Dougherty contributed to this report.

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