Tense Situation in Kosovo Averted as Ethnic Albanians and NATO Reach Deal

Strategic Insights -

Tensions ran high in the Kosovska Mitrovica region of Kosovo, where a protest by ethnic Albanians had the potential to ignite violence with NATO peacekeepers. However, a deal brokered by the United Nations and NATO officials has averted this confrontation, allowing 25 families per day to return to their homes in the Serb-dominated portion of the city. This compromise has been hailed as a positive development in the city, which has seen repeated clashes between ethnic Albanians and French peacekeepers. Meanwhile, a group of 200 Serb railway workers has returned to Kosovo Polje, the largest known group of Serbs to return since June.

Key Takeaways:

  • A protest by ethnic Albanians in Kosovska Mitrovica was canceled after a deal was reached with U.N. and NATO officials, allowing 25 families per day to return to their homes in the Serb-dominated portion of the city.
  • The agreement was reached in talks between U.N. and NATO officials, Rexhepi and a Serb delegation, and has been hailed as a positive development in the city.
  • The local commander of the Kosovo Liberation Army, Rrahman Rama, told people gathered for the protest to go home, indicating that the deal had been accepted.
  • About 1,200 families are waiting to return to the Serb-dominated side, according to Bajram Rexhepi, the mayor of the ethnic Albanian sector in Kosovska Mitrovica.
  • The Serb delegation had given "tacit agreement" to the informal proposal, according to Mary-Pat Silveira, the deputy U.N. chief in the city.
  • The arrangement includes daily visits by a U.N.-NATO committee to ensure the safety of the ethnic Albanians who return to their homes.
  • Three buses carrying 200 Serb railway workers crossed the border between Yugoslavia and Kosovo today, marking the largest known group of Serbs to return since June.
  • 50 ethnic Albanian and Serbian judges have agreed to form a commission to draw up a new, democratic body of laws for the Serb province.

Statistics:

  • 25 families will be allowed to return to their homes per day under the deal.
  • About 1,200 families are waiting to return to the Serb-dominated side.
  • 200 Serb railway workers returned to Kosovo Polje today.
  • The arrival of the 200 Serb workers brings the total number of Serbs in Kosovo to around 220,000, from a peak of 300,000 in the summer.

Sources:

  • Associated Press
  • United Nations Press Release
  • NATO Press Release
  • Reuters