MOSCOW. Nov 22 (Interfax) - Russia is not engaged in "intense" intelligence activities in friendly countries such as Serbia, Federation Council Defense and Security Committee member Frants Klintsevich said.
"Russia is not involved in intense intelligence work in regard to friendly countries and countries which can pose no real threat to Russia's security, including Serbia," Klintsevich told Interfax on Friday.
He commented thus on reports that Serbian intelligence agencies had detected exchanges between a Russian serviceman and Serbian army representatives, including instances of cash handover.
Klintsevich said the current information was insufficient. He suggested that some might want to use the situation as an anti-Russian provocation, but ruled out a souring of the relations between Moscow and Belgrade.
"I think this is more about provocations than real affairs. With this provocation today, one should not jump to unnecessary conclusions. What is needed here is to wait a little and investigate. I think our agencies will find out very soon and give a clear explanation on this matter," he said.