YUGOSLAVIA: NATO PEACEKEEPERS OFFICIALLY OPEN FOOTBRIDGE IN MITROVICA

Record ID: 350360

  • Title: YUGOSLAVIA: NATO PEACEKEEPERS OFFICIALLY OPEN FOOTBRIDGE IN MITROVICA
  • Date: 1st April 2000
  • Summary: MITROVICA, KOSOVO, YUGOSLAVIA (MARCH 31, 2000) (REUTERS (A)) 1. GV/LV NEW FOOTBRIDGE ACROSS THE IBAR RIVER 0.10 2. HAS KFOR PEACEKEEPING FORCE SOLDIER CROSSING BRIDGE, BARBED WIRE AROUND BRIDGE ENTRANCE ON RIVER BANK 0.26 3. SLV KFOR PEACEKEEPING FORCES BUILDING FORTIFIED OBSERVATION POST NEAR ENTRANCE TO BRIDGE (3 SHOTS) 0.38 4. SLV
  • Embargoed: 16th April 2000 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: MITROVICA, KOSOVO, YUGOSLAVIA
  • City:
  • Country: Yugoslavia
  • Reuters ID: LVAF2MOP703HI8KW3TJDUBKKT9KY
  • Story Text: NATO peacekeepers have officially opened a footbridge
    in Mitrovica, pushing ahead with plans to create freedom of
    movement in the ethnically divided city.

    The first civilians crossed the new footbridge which
    was opened on Friday (March 31), allowing them to bypass other
    crossing points over the River Ibar.The main bridge across
    the river in Mitrovica became the focus of violent protests by
    both Serb and Albanian communities and is sometimes
    impassable.

    Residents using the pedestrian bridge can now cross from
    the ethnic Albanian southern part of the city to the
    predominantly Serb northern section.Crossing at other points
    is considered difficult and dangerous and frequently means
    running the gauntlet of angry crowds on both sides, despite
    the presence of NATO troops.

    Riots and other clashes have erupted sporadically in
    recent weeks as Serbs protested the return of ethnic Albanians
    to their homes on the north side.NATO troops were forced
    earlier this month to dismantle one bridge due to violence.

    "The situation is calm," said Lt.Fabrice Turco, a
    spokesman for the French KFOR forces."The opening (of the
    footbridge didn't create any troubles."
    The new footbridge links the south with three apartment
    buildings on the north river bank where ethnic Albanians live
    under the guard of NATO troops.The only people allowed to
    use the bridge are Kosovar Albanians who live in three
    apartment blocks on the north bank of the river.They have to
    show a special pass which allows them to cross the new bridge.


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