Russia hits back at Western 'bias'
PARIS/MOSCOW: A defiant Russia said on Friday that international condemnation of its actions in Georgia was "biased", while the appetite in the European Union for imposing sanctions on Moscow appeared to dwindle.
European diplomats said they had received clear signals from the Kremlin that Russia would retaliate if the European Union imposed punitive measures over Georgia when EU leaders meet for an emergency summit next week.
Russian oil companies and government officials denied a British newspaper report that they were preparing to restrict oil supplies in response to sanctions.
A senior diplomat for EU president France said sanctions would not be adopted at the summit. That message contradicted remarks on Thursday by French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner, who said sanctions were among the options on the table.
Western policy-makers drafting a response to the Kremlin's actions are mindful that Russia supplies more than a quarter of Europe's gas and that its support is vital to maintain pressure on Iran over its nuclear program.
Agencies
(China Daily 08/30/2008 page11)
