Tue, Mar 18, 2008 - Page 1 News List

UN raid on Kosovo courthouse triggers massive riot

MITROVICA MELTDOWN Gunfire was heard as hundreds of Serb protesters clashed with UN police and NATO troops, an incident that drew protests from Serbia and the EU

AGENCIES , MITROVICA, KOSOVO, WARSAW AND BRUSSELS

Serbian Minister for Kosovo Slobodan Samardzic demanded the release of three dozen Serb judges and former court officials arrested in the retaking of the court.

"Disregarding everything, they [UN and KFOR] carried out this action and provoked the citizenry," he said.

"We had an agreement not to undertake any action before I go to Mitrovica," he told the Serbian state news agency Tanjug.

He said he had met US diplomat Larry Rossin on Sunday and offered a plan "for resolving all issues between UNMIK and Serbia and in connection with Serbs in Kosovo."

In Brussels, the European Commission urged restraint.

"We are very concerned about the tense situation in north Mitrovica and we regret attacks against the UN police and KFOR," a spokesman for the EU executive told a regular news briefing.

This story has been viewed 2185 times.
TOP top