KOSOVO: Tensions rise in as Serbs rally against rebuilding of destroyed Albanian homes

Record ID: 860891

  • Title: KOSOVO: Tensions rise in as Serbs rally against rebuilding of destroyed Albanian homes
  • Date: 30th April 2009
  • Summary: MITROVICA, KOSOVO (APRIL 27) (REUTERS) KFOR AND EU POLICE ON MITROVICA BRIDGE KFOR SOLDIER IN FRONT OF ARMOURED PERSONNEL CARRIER (APC) KFOR SOLDIER ON THE APC BEHIND THE MACHINE GUN COMMANDER OF EU POLICE TALKING ON HAND HELD RADIO UNMIK POLICEMEN LINE UP ON MITROVICA BRIDGE SERBS IN THE FRONT OF UNMIK POLICEMEN SERBIAN FLAG KOSOVO POLICEMAN LOOKING THROUGH BINOCULARS THE NORTH SIDE OF MITROVICA SERBS GATHERED ON THE NORTH SIDE OF THE VALLEY ALBANIAN WORKERS WITH BULLDOZER/ NATO ARMOURED PERSONNEL CARRIERS NATO APC'S DANISH SOLDIERS RESTING NEAR THEIR APC'S APC'S / MITROVICA ON THE BACKGROUND DANISH TROOPS RESTING VARIOUS OF ALBANIAN CONSTRUCTION WORKERS DIGGING HOUSE FOUNDATIONS SERBS GATHERED ON THE NORTH SIDE OF THE VALLEY SECURITY FORCES STANDING BY VEHICLES FRENCH SOLDIERS ON APC FRENCH TROOPS IN STREET EULEX POLICE IN SERB SIDE OF THE CITY SERBS STANDING IN GROUP NEAR MITROVICA BRIDGE (SOUNDBITE) (Serbian) UNIDENTIFIED SERB WOMEN FROM MITROVICA SAYING: "I worry about the safety of my family and the others in the area which is left to us, their acts convince me that I have reason to fear." KFOR SOLDIER TAKING OFF HIS HELMET VARIOUS OF KFOR TROOPS ON MITROVICA BRIDGE
  • Embargoed: 15th May 2009 13:00
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  • Topics: Crime / Law Enforcement,Domestic Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA5JOBUB56KWFN7UCSMX7W1VMMS
  • Aspect Ratio:
  • Story Text: Hundreds of Kosovo Serbs have staged rallies in recent days against the rebuilding of seven destroyed houses belonging to Albanian returnees near the flashpoint town of Mitrovica.
    Two hand grenades were thrown near a French special police unit serving under the EU police and justice mission (EULEX) on Monday (April 27) but no one was injured, according to EU Police.
    European Union police used tear gas on Monday to disperse about 100 Serbs protesting the return of Albanian refugees in the tense northern part of the country, a spokesman said.
    NATO and EU forces in collaboration with Kosovo police have stepped up their security presence in Mitrovica. NATO armoured vehicles are patrolling the area and Mitrovica bridge has been blocked by security personnel.
    Serbs living in Mitrovica say they are concerned about their safety.

    "I worry about the safety of my family and the others in the area which is left to us, their acts convince me that I have reason to fear,"
    an unidentified Serb women from Mitrovica said referring to the actions of KFOR troops and EU police.
    Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008 but the 120,000 remaining Kosovo Serbs have refused to cooperate with Albanian-run institutions.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2013. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
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