Serbs continue to protest over Kosovo
Angry Serbs set off explosions in northern Kosovo today protesting at the newborn republic’s independence.
Three loud blasts shook the ethnically-divided town of Kosovska Mitrovica overnight after Serbs denounced the West and urged Russia to help Serbia hold on to the territory that Serbs consider the birthplace of their civilisation.
One of the blasts damaged several cars near a UN building, while two other hand grenade explosions hit deserted and already destroyed homes belonging to ethnic Albanians who fled this Serb stronghold after the 1999 war.
No injuries were reported.
A UN vehicle was set on fire overnight in a village near Mitrovica as the Serbs apparently launched a bombing campaign against international organisations that have administered the province since 1999 when Nato drove out Serbia’s army after a brutal crackdown on Albanian separatists.
Thousands of angry Serbs demonstrated in Mitrovica yesterday, chanting “This is Serbia” and “Down with America” a day after the territory’s ethnic Albanian leadership declared independence from Serbia.
The recognition of Kosovo’s declaration of independence by Ireland, Britain, the US, Australia and others has widened a split with Russia, China and some EU members who are strongly opposed to letting the territory break away from Serbia.
As word of the recognition spread, ethnic Albanians poured into the streets of Pristina, Kosovo’s capital, to cheer and dance. The republic’s new flag – a blue banner with a yellow silhouette of Kosovo and six white stars representing each of the main ethnic groups – fluttered from homes and offices.
Anti-Western protesters also marched in Belgrade, Serbia’s capital, and Serbia recalled its ambassador to the US to protest at American recognition for an independent Kosovo. The US embassy was shut down Tuesday.
Serbia also ordered the withdrawal of envoys to France and Turkey, which also decided to establish diplomatic ties with Kosovo, the foreign ministry said.
Kosovo Serbs planned more protests today, including a march on a UN-run border post between Kosovo and Serbia, which the Serbs want removed as a symbol of their desire to rejoin Serbia in one state.
Ethnic Albanians, who are mostly Muslim and account for more than 90 per cent of Kosovo’s 2 million people, saw Sunday’s independence declaration as a final victory in the decades-long struggle over the impoverished territory.
Kosovo’s Serbs, mostly Orthodox Christians, vowed to defend the province they consider the ancient cradle of the Serbian state and religion.
At the United Nations, Serbian President Boris Tadic implored the Security Council, on the second day of its emergency session, to intervene as a last resort to block Kosovo’s independence.
“The Republic of Serbia will not resort to force,” he said. “On the other hand, this arbitrary decision represents a precedent, which will cause irreparable damage to the international order.”
The council’s meeting ended without agreement on a resolution or joint statement regarding the declaration of independence.
