Monday, June 13, 2005

Serbs block Kosovo bridge opening - BBC

More than 200 Serbian protesters turned out to block traffic at the reopening of a bridge between the divided ethnic communities in Mitrovica, Kosovo.

The town was the flashpoint for serious violence between Serbs and Kosovo Albanians in March last year.

For the first time in more than a year private vehicles were allowed to cross between the mainly Serbian half to the north and the southern Albanian side.

Despite the protest, the UN will open the bridge for two hours each day.
Crossing times will eventually be extended. It is a small but symbolic step.
Mitrovica has to a large extent come to embody the ethnic divisions in the province.

On one side of the River Ibar lies the largest single enclave of Serbs in Kosovo, separated from Kosovo Albanians on the other by armed Nato peacekeepers.

The tentative reopening of the bridge came hours before the arrival of Kai Eide, a UN envoy sent to Kosovo to assess its readiness to begin negotiations on its final status.

The majority of the population wants independence but Serbs in the province want it to remain part of Serbia and Montenegro.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

This is reaction is contrary to even Serb interests. Instead of asking to go back to their homes in other parts of Kosova in return for giving up the occupied homes of the dislplaced Albanians, they protect their ghetto. This is very short-sighted and might very well turn out that they lose both like it happenned in Croatia.

Anonymous said...

This shows the true face of the Serbs. Obviously they do not want to live in a multiethnic society. Closing bridges is the best proof there is.

Anonymous said...

Guys, don't you see, they are preventing Kosova from acheaving the "standards".

Instead of being happy as they are in Kosova, Kosovar citizens, which means they will be able to travel through Europe earlier than Serbian citizens...they shouldn't do this.

Anonymous said...

If they looking back whot is hapend to serbs in Albania, they should be very careful staying and living with Albanian Kosovian killers.

Anonymous said...

The poster above obviously lives in an another planet. Hallucinations of a planet called Serbia.

Anonymous said...

The international community tends not to investigate Serbs because:

a) They see them as "civilized" since Serbs are excellent at giving this show
b) Serbs are quite strong and agressive so its better to not bother going into their areas
c) Albanians are too prepared to welcome foreigners, and this is the price we pay for our hospitality. We could say we are naiive.

Anonymous said...

Serbs are such sorry asses. They are true hyenas. First they cry "freedom of movement", and then they block things themselves.

But you know what, there is one man who sees everything. His name is Petersen. He will give them the right stick.

Believe you me, Serbs will live to regret these steps.