ROME. Apr 3: Italy and France backed Russia's proposal for a conference of the world's powers on Kosovo, with Italy's Foreign Ministry saying today it wants a political solution to the conflict, reports AP.

Foreign Minister Lamberto Dini said he also expected 'positive responses' from the United States. Britain and Germany— even though the United States earlier had rejected the request by Russia, which opposes the NATO airstrikes on Yugoslavia.

Italy, with 11 NATO bases, is an essential partner in the allied airstrikes on Yugoslavia.

Premier Massimo D'Alema's centre-left government, under pressure from its Communist partners, has been pushing harder in recent days for diplomatic resolution of the

Dini said in a statement to-

day that lie expects a meeting next week of the so-called Contact Group — the United States and five European powers — on Kosovo.

He said the meeting would take place before a long-scheduled conference Friday of foreign ministry political directors representing the Group of Seven industrialised nations and Russia.

President Boris Yeltsin had asked Thursday for foreign ministers from the G-7 and Russia to meet to discuss halting NATO air attacks on Yugoslavia.

All the G-7 nations except Japan are taking part in the assault. and it had appeared unlikely they would agree to Yeltsin's request.

Dini said he consulted US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and foreign ministers of Britain. Germany and France on the matter by telephone Friday night, getting favorable responses.

In Paris, the office of French Foreign Minister Hubert Vedrine released a statement saying he believes such meetings would be "useful."

Also today. D'Alema made an unscheduled visit to the Vatican. which has made repeated appeals for talks to end the fighting.

Earlier. Russia today condemned NATO attacks that hit targets near a hospital and the Russian Embassy in Belgrade, and warned of grave consequences' if Russian citizens are wounded in future airstrikes.

Russia's Foreign Ministry called the attack 'a barbarous act' because of its closeness to the hospital compound, which was shaken but not damaged. The Russian embassy was also too close for comfort, the ministry said.