Tensions Rise in Kosovo as Serbs and Albanians Demonstrate in Divided Town

Strategic Insights -

Approximately 2,000 Serbs demonstrated in Kosovska Mitrovica, determined to defend their enclave in the town. A speaker blamed the United States for violence against Serbs, resulting in their exodus from Serbia's southern province. The speaker called on Serbs to come together to recover their homes and demanded that KFOR return their houses, stop bomb attacks, and ensure they receive equal aid as Albanians. Counter-demonstrations by 100 ethnic Albanians were held on the other side of the bridge, while the U.N. authorized international security forces to arrest and expel those jeopardizing the mission or violating law and order.

Key Takeaways:

  • Over 2,000 Serbs demonstrated in Kosovska Mitrovica to defend their enclave, citing blame for the United States for violence against Serbs.
  • A speaker called on Serbs to come together to recover their homes and demanded that KFOR return their houses, stop bomb attacks, and ensure they receive equal aid as Albanians.
  • Counter-demonstrations by 100 ethnic Albanians were held on the other side of the bridge.
  • The U.N. authorized international security forces to arrest and expel those jeopardizing the mission or violating law and order.
  • The U.N. regulation allows officials to remove someone from a site within the province for up to 12 hours if they threaten or jeopardize the rule of law, human rights, public and private property, and the functioning of public institutions.
  • The recent disturbances in Mitrovica were the latest in a series of incidents that had forced the chief U.N. administrator in Kosovo, Bernard Kouchner, to issue the regulation.
  • NATO's supreme commander in Europe, Gen. Wesley Clark, condemned the violence in Kosovo but stated there was no evidence the Kosovo Liberation Army was behind attacks on Serbs.

Statistics:

  • Over 2,000 Serbs demonstrated in Kosovska Mitrovica.
  • 100 ethnic Albanians staged a counter-demonstration on the other side of the bridge.
  • The U.N. authorized international security forces to arrest and expel those jeopardizing the mission or violating law and order.
  • Up to 12 hours can be spent removing someone from a site within the province for threatening or jeopardizing the rule of law, human rights, public and private property, and the functioning of public institutions.
  • The recent disturbances in Mitrovica were the latest in a series of incidents.

Sources:

  • UPI (1999)
  • COMTEX (http://www.comtexnews.com)
  • Radio Pancevo ( reports )