Russia denies blocking U.N. chief's term

MOSCOW, April 15 (UPI) -- Russia denied Tuesday that it threatened to block the nomination of U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for a second term because of his position on Kosovo.

Kosovo declared independence from Serbia Feb. 17. Thirty-seven countries recognized the move, but several countries, including Russia and China, have not, calling the unilateral declaration illegal.

Vitaly Churkin, Russia's U.N. ambassador, called media reports Russia would block the second term for Ban "pure and simple fabrication," RIA Novosti reported.

Ban issued a report in early April saying the U.N. would continue -- under a 1999 mandate -- to allow peacekeeping forces to operate in Kosovo, but declined to make an explicit statement regarding the declaration of independence.