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Video: NATO on standby for unrest in Mitrovica
Euronews - September 15, 2011
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgXSeOj-sj8&feature=player_embedded

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http://www.dverisrpske.com/sr-CS/prenosimo/nase-vesti/KiM/Foto-izvestaj-sa-Jarinja.php

Sullo stesso tema si veda anche l'invio precedente: Resistenza contro la NATO ed i suoi sgherri in Kosovo

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http://www.b92.net/eng/news/politics-article.php?yyyy=2011&mm=08&dd=03&nav_id=75741

Tanjug News Agency - August 3, 2011

“Time for UN to take over northern Kosovo”

BELGRADE: Ex-UN regional representative in Kosovska Mitrovica Gerard Gallucci said sending UN peacekeepers to the Kosovo north might be the only way to preserve peace.
“It is time perhaps for the UN to take over the north and send its peacekeepers back, because this is maybe the only way to keep peace until there is a political settlement,” he stressed.
He said that Priština's attempt to impose its full control of the Brnjak and Jarinje administrative checkpoints was a provocation and added that the act of Priština and the NATO mission in northern Kosovo made the partition of Kosovo much more likely as the line dividing Serbs and Albanians had become clearly marked. 
He said the provocation was aimed at frustrating diplomatic efforts and negotiations. 
“It was a provocation, a way to prevent diplomacy and negotiations. It probably had some sort of quiet support from the major international supporters of Kosovo," he said, adding that “it was a mistake.” 
“I can’t say for sure, and see that the U.S. ambassador in Serbia denied that the US encouraged this move,” Gallucci pointed out. 
"But it is hard to believe that PM [Hashim] Thaci would move in such a provocative manner without some sort of encouragement or a blind eye from the U.S. Ambassador in Priština,” the former UN representative said in an interview posted on the website TransConflict. 
Asked from which countries Priština could have got some “green light” for such an act, Gallucci recalled that at the UN Security Council, the U.S. and the UK had tried to prevent Serbia from taking the issue to the UN Security Council. 
“So, it makes me wonder what Washington and London have to hide,” he said. 
He pointed out that for some reason, the U.S., UK and Germany had consistently been of the opinion that with some strong use of force in the north of Kosovo, the local Serbs would surrender to Priština. 
“They tried that in 2008, they try it now again and it is not working and it is making the situation difficult,” he was quoted as saying. 
Gallucci believes we might see an escalation of the violence in the near future. 
“This provocation has forced Serbia to stand up and take this to the UN, and on the other side you have Thaci not backing down, making difficult for any negotiation in the near future,” Gallucci concluded.

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http://www.b92.net/eng/news/politics-article.php?yyyy=2011&mm=08&dd=03&nav_id=75747

Tanjug News Agency - August 3, 2011

Hashim Thaci incites to war, minister says

BELGRADE: Minister for Kosovo Goran Bogdanović accused Kosovo Albanian PM Hashim Thaci of inciting to war in Serbia's southern province.
Bogdanović stressed that Serbia will not respond to provocations and that it will do everything in its might to resolve the situation in northern Kosovo and Metohija in a peaceful and diplomatic manner.
“Thaci is sending warmongering messages, raising tension and inciting conflicts. His statement that he will not give up on north Kosovo and that no one will prevent him from doing so cannot be interpreted in any other manner but as warmongering,” Bogdanović said in an interview for the Belgrade-based tabloid Press. 
He underlined that Serbia will not go to war, and recalled that he and Head of Belgrade's team in the talks with Priština Borko Stefanović told EU mediator Robert Cooper that “Serbia calls on the EU to help resolve the situation in north Kosovo in a peaceful manner”. 
"We asked from Cooper to talk Pristina into returning the situation at the administrative crossings the way it was prior to July 25, and we underlined that there will be no continuation of the dialogue under Thaci's blackmail," Bogdanović said. 
"Cooper wanted us to resume negotiations with Priština on customs seals and trade. We told him that we cannot talk about this while tension is being raised in northern Kosovo, while threats were made, and the Serb people were at the barricades defending themselves. Cooper understood the gravity of the situation and gave up on the suggestion to negotiate about customs seals," said the minister. 
Serbs will stay at the barricades until their requests are met, Bogdanović said. 
When asked whether he is afraid of new violence, such as those at the Jarinje checkpoint, or conflicts of larger scale, Bogdanović said that such scenarios are not excluded in case of great tension like this. 
However, he underlined that Serbs have to remain dignified, peaceful and united since this just might be the last moment to defend Kosovo. 
A resolution of the north Kosovo crisis depends on Thaci, the EU, NATO and the U.S., Bogdanović concluded, adding that “we will not make a single wrong or unilateral step, but that we will not give up on our goals”.

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http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=130820

Sofia News Agency - August 3, 2011

Kosovo Govt Adviser: Tension with Serbia Could Lead to War

If Serbia intends to break away a part of Kosovo, that could lead to a military conflict, stated Kosovo government adviser for foreign policy Azem Vlasi Wednesday.
Tensions in Northern Kosovo have been flaring for two weeks after the Serbian breakaway province and Serbia entered into a trade conflict, embargoing each other, while the ethnic Serbian population in the north of Kosovo wreaked havoc on border checkpoints, mandating the introduction of Kosovar special police units.
"If Serbia intends to break away by force a part of Kosovo, it will meet the legitimate resistence that each country has the right to exercise, under international and domestic law, in order to defend its territory," said Vlasi, as quoted by the Serbian agency Beta.
Since the start of the tensions, Kosovo authorities have consistently laid the responsibility of the unrest on the Serbian government.
On Wednesday Kosovar Prime Minister Hashim Thaci again put the blame on Serbian authorities for allegedly instigating violence, and stated that Kosovo will not give in, much less accept a partition of its territory.
On his part, Serbian PM Mirko Cvetkovic in return put the blame on Kosovo authorities and international forces in Kosovo for allowing the unrest, and expressed Serbia's desire for the frozen bilateral talks with Kosovo to continue in a healthy climate.
NATO has already decided on a boost of its KFOR military presence in Kosovo, particularly the north, and fresh forces are expected on the ground Thursday.

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http://www.b92.net/eng/news/politics-article.php?yyyy=2011&mm=08&dd=04&nav_id=75763

Tanjug News Agency - August 4, 2011

Entry of goods from Serbia banned at Brnjak

BRNJAK: KFOR soldiers controlling the Brnjak administrative crossing near Zubin Potok banned entry of any type of goods from Serbia on Thursday shortly after 13:00 CET.
Passenger cars and buses that carry no loads are still allowed to enter the territory of Kosovo at the Brnjak checkpoint.
The control at this crossing is carried out by KFOR soldiers from France, Austria and Morocco and "members of the border and local police", according to Tanjug. 
No reason was given for the latest KFOR decision to stop the entry of goods to northern Kosovo.

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http://www.b92.net/eng/news/politics-article.php?yyyy=2011&mm=08&dd=03&nav_id=75753

B92/Beta News Agency/Tanjug News Agency - August 4, 2011

"KFOR to control checkpoints until mid-September"

LEPOSAVIĆ: NATO-led troops in Kosovo, KFOR, revealed on Thursday evening the details of the talks held today in northern Kosovo. 
According to this, KFOR commander Erhard Buehler and Serbian officials Goran Bogdanović and Borislav Stefanović reached a preliminary agreement that would allow KFOR to take over control of the Brnjak and Jarinje checkpoints between Kosovo and central Serbia, and remain there until mid-September.
It was also announced that "if necessary, this deadline can be extended". 
This agreement is envisaged in a draft put together today during the meeting near the town of Leposavić. 
A KFOR statement this evening said that Stefanović and Bogdanović "will coordinate the agreement" with Serbian President Boris Tadić. 
The agreement envisages that KFOR will maintain control over the two posts, and that vehicles, trucks of up to 3.5 tons, and trucks carrying humanitarian aid - including food - will be able to pass after passing security checks. 
In return, local Serbs would remove road blocks in the north, said the statement, adding that the KFOR commander "was given full authority from all institutions taking part". 
According to this, the agreement could be implemented as soon as in the next few days. 
...

After Jarinje was demolished last week, KFOR shut down both checkpoints and cut off local Serbs in the north, leaving them without food and medical supplies from central Serbia. But KFOR today announced they would reopen Jarinje for passage of trucks. 
Previously, Serbian officials said that during the negotiations to resolve the crisis in the north they would demand a return to the arrangement that existed on the Jarinje and Brnjak posts on the administrative line between Kosovo and central Serbia before the Kosovo Albanian authorities sent its police unit Rosu to take them over on July 25. 
The takeover was meant to install Kosovo customs on the two outposts and enforce a ban on goods coming from Serbia. 
Before July 25, EULEX customs and Serb members of Kosovo police, KPS, were present on the checkpoints. After KFOR and Serbian officials negotiated a withdrawal of the Rosu unit, members of the Kosovo customs were transported to Brnjak, which prompted Serbs to put up barricades on the roads leading to the two checkpoints and prevent KFOR vehicles from passing until the crisis has been resolved.

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http://english.ruvr.ru/2011/08/04/54200188.html

Voice of Russia - August 4, 2011

Kosovo: hot spot again

Maria Chupina [Edited by RR]

NATO has sent 700 troops to Kosovo...near the Serbian border as Erhard Bühler, Commander of KFOR, fears that a recent outbreak of border violence can breach bilateral [Serbia-Kosovo] dialogue and hamper Serbia’s integration into the EU.
In late July, Albanian special police forces seized the border posts at Brnjak and Yarin. Armed Serbs pushed them out and burnt the posts, killing one Albanian and several Serbs were injured. Later they built barricades to prevent transport and people getting in.
These local clashes triggered Kosovo’s refusal to stick to an agreement on normalizing border relations signed with KFOR. The latter envisages international control over troubled posts for six weeks until local Serbs dismantle the barriers.
Expert on the Balkans crisis Elena Guskova believes that the return of NATO military presence to the region is a warning sign:

"The global community breached all the rules a long time ago when the Yugoslavia crisis began in 1990. The independence of Kosovo is another violation and Russia sticks to this position together with China their non-recognition of the Republic of Kosovo in the UN. Russia can vote for independence only if Belgrade acknowledges it, but Serbia doesn’t give up whcih is why the Kosovars are resorting to violence. This will negatively affect all international relations and hurt international law and stability in Europe. However this doesn’t stop the US, the Albanians and NATO."

Kosovo is the most painful issue for Serbia, which craves EU membership. The country has already extradited ethnic Serbs accused of war crimes during the 1990s Yugoslav war to the Hague Tribunal for Yugoslavia but refuses to recognize Kosovo’s independence, which is one of the entry conditions. The breakaway region has [only] been recognized by 70 countries, but Serbia can’t relinquish its territory owned in line with the Constitution, and where Serbs are bullied by Albanians.
Serbia’s FM Vuk Jeremic states that Serbia’s position is firm and is based on international law, but the country is ready for talks on Kosovo’s status within the Constitution. The current dialogue was to better the life of ordinary people in Kosovo but now it may be breached. The West is also being troubled by Kosovo which is now the main route for drug traffickers and criminal business and is becoming a bigger pain in the neck.

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http://www.b92.net/eng/news/politics-article.php?yyyy=2011&mm=08&dd=04&nav_id=75761

Tanjug News Agency/Večernje Novosti - August 4, 2011

Russian ambassador in strong criticism of intl. missions

BELGRADE: Russian Ambassador to Serbia Aleksandr Konuzin on Thursday once again addressed the issue of the current crisis unfolding in Kosovo.
He qualified NATO's decision to deploy more soldiers in Kosovo as "yet another proof that the whole Kosovo issue is an anti-Serb campaign".
"It is difficult to understand the logic of NATO partners. Over a number of months KFOR has been systematically reducing its contingent saying that the situation in the province is stabilizing. The mission ignored the warnings that the situation is not like that," Konuzin said for the Thursday edition of the Belgrade-based daily Večernje Novosti. 
"When Priština took the unilateral military action to isolate Kosovo from central Serbia, using the special police units ROSU, KFOR aided them by moving the members of the units to the north of the province by helicopters," the Russian ambassador said. 
"The war-mongering statements by Hashim Thaci about his intent to proceed with attempts to violently regain control over the territory north of the Ibar River have caused no concern among the international security presence. An identical inert reaction ensued even when the security forces in Priština have raised the combat readiness to the highest level," he said. 
"They got alarmed only when the unarmed Serbian civilians, who reacted to the illegal and dangerous operations by Priština, took to the roads in order to protect their families, and also their houses from theft and robbery," said Konuzin. 
"The Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX), which is active in the province, seeing that lawlessness was growing, at first distanced itself from any action and then took the side of Priština. Furthermore, EULEX has the authority to annul decisions that threaten security and public order. In other words, another huge anti-Serb campaign is underway," concluded Konuzin.

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http://www.b92.net/eng/news/society-article.php?yyyy=2011&mm=08&dd=04&nav_id=75765

Tanjug News Agency - August 4, 2011

Serb enclave left without medical supplies

GRAČANICA: A teenager barely escaped death due to lack of oxygen at the Gračanica Health Center. 
Doctors have called on authorities to bring medical supplies as soon as possible. 
Gračanica Health Center doctors have managed to save a 13-year-old Roma boy’s life who suffers from bronchial asthma and had an attack. 
Immediately after he was admitted this morning at 7:15, the boy, who had not been taking his medicines for days, was examined and doctors established that he had a severe asthma attack. He was prescribed oxygen therapy, inhalation and IV fluids. 
“The problem occurred because we did not have any oxygen in the big tank and inhalation medicine dosage was at a minimum, only one milliliter was left. We solved the situation by using an auxiliary oxygen tank, while the remaining inhalation medicine dosage was enough for the child,” the doctors have said. 
The boy was receiving oxygen in the next 15-20 minutes while he was being transported by ambulance to St. King Milutin Pediatric Clinic in Laplje Selo where he was hospitalized. 
“Our staff once again appeals to let all convoys with medicines and oxygen through, because patients’ lives are at risk and consequences of the lack of medicines could soon have a tragic outcome,” the Gračanica Health Center said. 
According to Serbia’s Health Minister Zoran Stanković, a large amount of medical supplies should have been delivered to health institutions in Kosovo on Wednesday. 
Serbs south of the Ibar River live in isolated enclaves, while in the north they form a majority.

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http://english.ruvr.ru/2011/08/04/54212407.html

Voice of Russia - August 4, 2011

Russian Church condemns attacks on Serbian churches in Kosovo

The Russian Orthodox Church’s leaders are deeply concerned about attacks of extremist-minded Albanians on Orthodox churches and monasteries in Kosovo, tough Kosovo is controlled by international peacekeepers.
Recently, some people broke the door of the Church of John The Baptist in the Kosovan village of Samoderza. Earlier, the church had been attacked several times.
In the city of Prizren, somebody has stolen the roof of the ancient Church of the Mother of God.
The Russian Church also qualifies the construction of a highway near the Kosovan monastery of Zočište as illegal.
“These and other similar cases produce an impression that the Kosovan police are incapable of protecting Serbian historic monuments in the country,” a statement released by the Russian Church says.

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http://www.b92.net/eng/news/politics-article.php?yyyy=2011&mm=08&dd=05&nav_id=75771

B92/Beta News Agency - August 5, 2011

Negotiations with KFOR come to halt

ZVEČAN: The negotiations between the Serbian government representatives and KFOR have come to a standstill, B92 has learned.
The negotiations have come to a halt because KFOR insists that only trucks carrying humanitarian aid can go through Jarinje and Brnjak administrative crossings.
At a meeting that Serbian Minister for Kosovo Goran Bogdanović and Belgrade team head Borislav Stefanović had last night with KFOR Commander Erhard Buhler, KFOR proposed changes to the initial draft agreement, which was harmonized on Wednesday. The changes concern trucks passing through the two administrative checkpoints. 
According to the draft agreement, cars, buses and 3.5-ton trucks are allowed through the checkpoints. B92 has learned, however, that KFOR has requested that only trucks carrying humanitarian aid be let through Jarinje and Brnjak administrative crossings. 
Earlier this morning, Zvečan Municipal President Dragiša Milović told Beta news agency that no agreement had been reached on Thursday evening and that the talks would continue on Friday. 
“Borko Stefanović was really optimistic, but there was no agreement,” he said after the meeting that ended around 23:00 CET on Thursday. 
The meeting started around 18:00 CET at Camp Nothing Hill. Participants of the meeting did not want to give any statements. 
The negotiations will continue today and barricades will remain in place until the final solution is found, reporters were told at the scene.

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http://www.b92.net/eng/news/politics-article.php?yyyy=2011&mm=08&dd=05&nav_id=75774

Beta News Agency - August 5, 2011

Daily: Kosovo Albanians set ten conditions

PRIŠTINA: KFOR should demand fulfillment of ten conditions of the Kosovo government in order for Priština to support the agreement between KFOR and Serbia.
According to the Priština-based Albanian language daily Zeri, Kosovo Albanian Prime Minister Hashim Thaci said Thursday that KFOR Commander Erhard Buhler had agreed to the requests.
The first condition is to end blockades of roads in northern Kosovo that lead to Jarinje and Brnjak administrative crossings. Serbs have been blocking the roads ever since Kosovo police special units tried to take control over the crossings. 
The second condition is to maintain the present condition at the checkpoints, which includes them being open for transport of goods. 
The Kosovo government also wants KFOR to be responsible for the checkpoints, which should basically be closed due to security reasons and declaration of restricted military zone. 
Humanitarian aid from Serbia can enter Kosovo in trucks up to 3.5 tons at specific administrative crossings, but only after an international specialized organization has determined that there is need for humanitarian aid... 
According to Zeri, the Kosovo government demands to control and check the identity of all people and vehicles entering Kosovo. 
The Kosovo authorities also want to control Belgrade-Priština trains that go to Zvečan and want all unregistered crossings between Serbia and Kosovo closed.

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http://www.rnw.nl/international-justice/article/kosovo-serbia-nato-reach-border-agreement

Officials say Kosovo and Serbia have reached an agreement in connection with two disputed border crossings that were the scene of deadly violence last week in northern Kosovo.

Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaci said Friday the two sides reached a deal that will allow NATO peacekeepers to remain at the two sites until mid-September, and would designate them military security zones.
Mr. Thaci added that Kosovo will maintain its trade embargo with Serbia, which triggered the crisis. Under the agreement, no commercial goods will move through the border crossings until Kosovo and Serbia resume talks next month.
Tensions in the region have eased after 10 days of turmoil sparked by an attempt by Kosovo's security forces to seize control of the two crossings on Serbia's border to enforce the ban. The international troops stepped in after one of the border crossings was set on fire and one ethnic Albanian police officer was killed in the ensuing clashes.
NATO began deploying additional forces to Kosovo on Wednesday after the commander of NATO forces in Kosovo, Erhard Buehler, asked for an additional 700 troops to help restore order in the region.
Also Wednesday, NATO troops guarding the border permitted entry to Serbian trucks carrying medical aid for the residents of northern Kosovo.
Mr. Thaci has said that his government will not give up on its drive to take control in northern Kosovo, where ethnic Serbs are a majority. Kosovo's ethnic Albanian leaders declared independence from Serbia in 2008, against strong Serbian opposition.
More than 70 nations, including the United States and most European Union members, have recognized the Balkan state. But many, including China and Russia, have not and are blocking Kosovo bid to join the United Nations.

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http://www.wsws.org/articles/2011/aug2011/koso-a09.shtml

By Ante Dotto - 9 August 2011

Tensions remain high after violent clashes broke out again at the end of last month on the Kosovo-Serbia border. On July 25, a special unit of the Kosovo Police launched an unprecedented night raid aiming to take over two posts on the border with Serbia that still remain under international control. In response, Kosovo Serbs set up road blockades the next day, and, as tensions escalated, burnt down one of the border posts on July 27.

The unilateral, NATO-enforced “independence” of Kosovo from Serbia in February 2008 has left fundamental issues like national territory unresolved. As is the case throughout the Balkans, borders that divide people have been deliberately imposed, serving the self-interest of the imperialist powers. That is why every incident like this has the potential to run out of control, threatening wider regional conflagration.
The newly formed western protectorate incorporated many ethnic Serbs, concentrated north of the town of Mitrovica to the border with Serbia and geographically divided from the rest of Kosovo by the river Ibar. The two crossings, and much of the north, have been out of the control of the central government in Pristina since Kosovo declared independence. A virtual Serb self-government operates in the area.

At the time, Serb demonstrators also burnt the posts down, refusing to recognize a border that would separate them from Serbia. They also claimed that the unilateral declaration of independence by Kosovo contravened United Nations Resolution 1244 passed in 1999, which upheld the “territorial integrity” of Yugoslavia.
Since the creation of Kosovo, officials from the European Union Rule of Law Mission (EULEX) and ethnic Serb members of the Kosovo Police have manned the posts, known as Jarinje and Brnjak, or numerically as 1 and 31. Custom duties have not been collected, nor passports stamped at the two crossings. Serbia has banned the entry of products from Kosovo.
In response, the Kosovo government introduced its own ban on imports from Serbia on July 20, in an attempt to prevent goods entering northern Kosovo and forcing the population there to turn to Pristina. The action of July 25 was an attempt to enforce the import ban.
It is also the result of frustration with the European Union (EU) and EULEX on the part of Pristina officials, and their Washington backers. The EU has been split over the issue of Kosovo’s unilateral declaration of independence with five EU member states opposed, fearing its effect on separatist movements in their own countries. As a result, the EULEX mission has remained “status neutral”, rendering it less effective in the eyes of pro-independence elements in Kosovo.

Begim Collaku, an adviser to Kosovo’s Prime Minister Hashim Thaci, said EU inaction over Kosovo’s “lawless north” forced it to take unilateral action. However, former United Nations Regional Representative in Mitrovica, Gerard Gallucci, who is also a member of the advisory board of the mediation organisation Transconflict, said that the operation by the Kosovo Police was “a provocation, a way to prevent diplomacy and negotiations. It probably had some sort of quiet support from the major international supporters of Kosovo.... it’s hard to believe that PM Thaci would move in such provocative manner without some sort of encouragement or a blind eye from the US Ambassador in Pristina.”
The extremely volatile nature of the situation was shown by the remarks of Serbia’s minister for Kosovo, Goran Bogdanovic, who declared, “Thaci is sending warmongering messages, raising tension and inciting conflicts. His statement that he will not give up on north Kosovo and that no one will prevent him from doing so cannot be interpreted in any other manner but as warmongering.”
Serbian Defence Minister Dragan Sutanovac met with US Assistant Defence Secretary Alexander Vershbow on August 4 and said that any unilateral measure that attempts to change the situation in northern Kosovo by force was “completely unacceptable”.

Thaci insisted there can be no return to the state of things prior to July 25 incident—the demand raised by the Serbian protesters. He answered the renewed suggestions that Kosovo should be partitioned with a thinly veiled threat that “every country in the region has its own Mitrovica”, referring to the city divided into a predominantly Serbian north and Albanian south.
An important factor behind Belgrade’s stance is fear of separatist tendencies elsewhere in Serbia. Two most notable examples are the northern autonomous province of Vojvodina, which has a large Hungarian speaking population, and the largely Muslim Sanzdak region.
Serbian foreign minister Vuk Jeremic said that if Serbia gives in to Kosovo’s unilateral declaration of independence, the country’s other regions could follow suit, adding, “If we give in to Albanian separatists, this will not be the last unilateral declaration of independence in Serbia.”
One sign of clearly sharpening tensions is the reinforcement of 700 soldiers, requested by NATO Kosovo Force (KFOR) commander general Erhard Bühler, the first batch of which arrived in Pristina on August 3. There have been talks of another 700-strong reserve battalion preparing for deployment in Kosovo. They will join some 6,000 existing KFOR troops.
At the time of writing there are initial reports that an agreement has been reached regarding the situation in the north between the Kosovo government and KFOR on the one hand, and KFOR and Serbian officials on the other. While details are still not clear, any agreement might at best prevent the escalation of violence but leave fundamental issues, interwoven into the very fabric of Kosovo, unresolved.
Since the unilateral declaration of independence three and a half years ago, Kosovo has been recognized by only 77 countries. Russia, China, India and most states in Africa and South America do not recognise it. In comparison, more UN members recognise the state of Palestine.
Kosovo has been unable to gain admission to many international bodies, with far-reaching consequences for all aspects of daily life and business. Commerce documents are not recognized overseas, insurance for Kosovo is among the most expensive, there are no international postal or telephone codes, there are extra legal barriers and economic fees for exports, athletes are unable to compete abroad, etc. Visa-free travel is only possible in four neighbouring countries and Haiti. As a comparison, Afghan passport holders can cross 22 borders without restrictions.

Kosovo remains one of the poorest regions in Europe. Unemployment is variously put at between 50 and 70 percent and almost 40 percent of people live in poverty. Corruption is widespread. Thaci is now being investigated for operating what amounts to an organized crime syndicate, with allegations of murder, trafficking of women, narcotics and human organs.
Imperialism is wholly responsible for the catastrophe that has been created in the region. The only progressive solution to the mishmash of ethnic and religious identities and imperialist intrigue in the Balkans is the united, international fight by the working class against the twin evils of nationalism and communalism.

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http://www.interfax.com/newsinf.asp?id=264802

Interfax - August 9, 2011

Moscow fears Pristina attempt to forcefully regain control over parts of Kosovo

MOSCOW: Pristina has failed to adhere to agreements to refrain from hostilities in northern Kosovo, Moscow says.
"One should not ignore the concerns voiced by communities in northern municipalities of Kosovo, which due to its bitter experience has no confidence in the promises of the Kosovar Albanian authorities. 
"Unfortunately, it is highly likely that despite the obligation to refrain from further armed operations, stipulated in August 5 agreements, Pristina will yield to the temptation to forcefully install control over the Serb areas of Kosovo," Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexander Lukashevich said in a statement posted on the ministry's website on Tuesday.
The decision on August 5 for Belgrade and Pristina to agree on a provisional plan over the control at the administrative border in northern parts of the Serbian autonomous province of Kosovo is the result of "a forced compromise between Belgrade and Pristina," he said.
"We assume that it aims to relieve tensions in northern Kosovo. At the same time, we are firmly convinced that such agreements must first and foremost meet the expectations of the people for whom they are being made - in this particular case, the residents of the province," Lukashevich said.
The Russian Foreign Ministry has urged the United Nations, NATO and the European Union, which have a presence in the province, to show utmost responsibility to prevent such a scenario.
"The UN Security Council must carry out regular control over the situation under Resolution N1244," the ministry recalled.

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http://en.rian.ru/world/20110809/165650422.html

Russian Information Agency Novosti - August 9, 2011

Russia calls on EU, NATO to prevent military actions in Kosovo north

The Russian Foreign Ministry on Tuesday called on the European Union, NATO and the United Nations to prevent a possible attempt by Pristina to regain control over Serb-populated regions in Kosovo by force.
"Unfortunately, chances are great that despite the August 5 agreements to refrain from military actions, Pristina would fall into temptation of regaining control over Serb-populated areas in Kosovo by force," ministry spokesman Alexander Lukashevich said.
"We call on the EU, NATO and the UN, who have their offices in the region, to show maximum responsibility with the goal of preventing such a scenario," he added. "The concerns of residents in Northern Kosovo municipalities should not be ignored."
Relations between Belgrade and Pristina deteriorated in late July, when Kosovo sent special police forces to its Serbian-populated north to enforce a ban on imports from Serbia, but local Serbs opposed the move. Special units came under attack from local Serbs as they pulled out in the direction of the northern town of Mitrovica.
Serbs in northern Kosovo are the biggest non-Albanian community remaining in the country following the 1998-99 Kosovan war for independence.

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http://www.b92.net/eng/news/politics-article.php?yyyy=2011&mm=08&dd=17&nav_id=75954

Danas - August 17, 2011

NATO labels north Kosovo Serb leaders as “criminals”

BELGRADE: NATO has labeled North Kosovo Serb National Council President Milan Ivanović and Democratic Party of Serbia official Marko Jakšić as organizers of riots.
NATO documents contain files of more than 400 persons from Kosovo. 
Ivanović and Jakšić are in the documents labeled as organized crime leaders who control smuggling and finance extremist groups that provoke riots and violence. 
“Milan Ivanović is a xenophobic person who controls all fuel routes in northern Kosovo, medicine and construction material smuggling,” reads the confidential NATO document that Kosovo media allegedly received from a source close to French KFOR troops, daily Danas has learned. 
Both Ivanović and Jakšić have denied that such files exist, adding that this is nothing but Kosovo media propaganda.

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http://www.b92.net/eng/news/politics-article.php?yyyy=2011&mm=08&dd=17&nav_id=75958

Beta News Agency - August 17, 2011

KFOR violated its mandate, ex-UN official claims

BELGRADE: Ex-UN Regional Representative in Kosovska Mitrovica Gerard Gallucci says that KFOR has violated its UN mandate by closing off administrative crossings.
Gallucci points out that such KFOR actions are illegal and aimed at completely isolating the northern Serb population for purely political ends.
The former U.S. diplomat quoted several UN Security Council Resolution 1244 paragraphs, that, as he said, show that KFOR has gone far beyond its mandate.
“According to UNSCR 1244, NATO has no political mandate, none whatsoever. This means that once order was secured at the northern Kosovo crossing points, responsibility there returned to the civil presence, in this case EULEX under the November 2008 agreement with the UN,” Gallucci stressed. 
“There can be no doubt that KFOR's imposition of Priština's trade blockade is beyond NATO's mandate, as is (KFOR Commander) General (Erhard) Buhler's ‘negotiating’ political agreements,” he added. 
The former UN official explained that “if any UN-mandated element played such a political role, it would be UNMIK or EULEX.” 
“Of course, UN resolutions do not self-enforce. Members either follow their UN commitments or not. In this case, the Quint countries – led by the U.S. and Germany – have disregarded the UN mandate. If any effort were made at the Security Council to reprimand NATO or strip it of its Kosovo mandate, a US veto would prevent its passage. The Quint can have its way. Russia is unlikely to strenuously resist as it will no doubt be glad to pocket the unfortunate precedent set by the Western powers for use elsewhere at its pleasure,” Gallucci points out.

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http://en.trend.az/regions/world/europe/1924846.html

Trend News Agency - August 31, 2011

Serbs in Kosovo block main road in north

Local Serbs blocked the main road in northern Kosovo on Wednesday, opposing investigations by EU Rule of Law (EULEX) police in the village of Zupce, close to Kosovska Mitrovica, Xinhua reported.
Following investigating action by EULEX on the day, "local Serbs gathered in Zupce and blocked the road between Kosovska Mitrovica and Zubin Potok, including some alternative roads in that region," said Kosovo police spokesman Besim Hoti in Kosovska Mitrovica.
EULEX police supported by NATO-led peacekeeping forces (KFOR) searched four houses in the municipality of Zubin Potok related to the killing of Kosovo police officer Enver Zymberi on July 26 and the demolition of a crossing border point with Serbia.
According to Hoti, more citizens of the localities in the vicinity joined the group of protesters.
EULEX officials confirmed the investigation was related to the killing of Kosovo police officer.
"EULEX investigations are conducted together with Kosovo police and supported by KFOR. Four houses were searched, and significant materials, including weapons were confiscated," said Irena Gudeljevic, EULEX spokesperson. She announced further investigations and actions by EULEX in the future.
EULEX operation started after midnight and ended in the morning. None was arrested in the operation.
Trouble in Serb-dominated northern part of Kosovo started on July 25 when Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaci sent Special Police to gain control in two northern crossing border points with Serbia. Local Serbs reacted by barricading roads and in a fire exchange a member of Kosovo special police was killed.
Kosovo unilaterally declared independence in 2008, but Serbia steadfastly refuses to recognize the secession of its southern province and is pursuing an official policy of dialogue to reach a consensus on outstanding issues between Pristina and Belgrade.

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http://www.b92.net/eng/news/politics-article.php?yyyy=2011&mm=09&dd=14&nav_id=76390

Tanjug News Agency - September 14, 2011

Moscow calls on KFOR to prevent provocations

MOSCOW: Russia has voiced serious concern over information that the Kosovo Albanian authorities intend to take unilateral violent actions against Serbs in the north. 
A statement issued by the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday evening said that such a move would be aimed at assuming control over administrative crossings, and called on KFOR to prevent the provocations in line with its mandate.
A similar violent act directed at resolving the "customs issues" in the north of the province in July caused a serious crisis, which put the lives of several hundred people at risk, stressed the statement. 
"We are of the opinion that the international forces stationed in Kosovo (KFOR) which are responsible for security in the province, should resolutely prevent the provocations," the release adds. 
Russia counts on a more active role of EULEX in preventing an escalation of tensions and violence towards civilians, the statement reads. 
All issues relating to the stability and security in Kosovo should be discussed based on fundamental principles of the international law and the UN decisions, particularly UN SC Resolution 1244, as well as within the Belgrade-Priština dialogue, the Russian MFA concluded.

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http://www.rferl.org/content/nato_chief_due_in_kosovo_amid_tensions_/24328807.html

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty - September 14, 2011

NATO Chief Due In Kosovo Amid Tensions 

NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen is due to visit Kosovo today amid rising tensions. 
Ethnic Serbs in the north of Kosovo oppose plans by Kosovo's mainly ethnic Albanian leaders to man two border crossings there. 
Serbian President Boris Tadic has warned the plan could spark violence.  The country has also sent an official complaint to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. 
For his part, Kosovo's Prime Minister, Hashim Thaci, has accused the Serbs of preparing to use violence to block the move.
He also said the plan would go ahead on September 16 with the help of the European Union police force in Kosovo, EULEX, and NATO peacekeepers.
A statement by the head of EULEX, Xavier bout de Marnhac, said "operational work" at the border crossings "will be done by EULEX." 
On September 14, Serbs in the north were reported to have halted a convoy of German NATO soldiers heading north to the border. 
Serbs in the divided town of Mitrovica set up barricades of buses, rocks and trucks loaded with stones.
Kosovo tried in July to station police and customs officials at the two crossings with Serbia.  
Serbs responded by setting up roadblocks and stopped NATO peacekeepers from reaching bases in the north.
With backing from the West, Kosovo unilaterally declared independence from Serbia in 2008.  Today, [only] 80 countries recognize it as an independent country. 
Serbia is under pressure from the EU to work out its problems with Pristina if it wants to gain EU candidate status.

compiled from agency reports 

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http://english.ruvr.ru/2011/09/15/56212560.html

Voice of Russia - September 15, 2011

Russia warns of Kosovo conflict escalation
        
The Kosovo conflict is highly probable to escalate, warns Russia’s UN envoy Vitaly Churkin talking to the Russia Today channel.
He referred to Albanian authorities in Pristina who intend to get North Kosovo under their control saying that it’s in line with customs agreements reached at the volatile border between Serbia and Kosovo.
Albanians are ready to resort to violence to make Kosovo customs officers control border posts. Another point of concern is that peacekeepers seem to support this dangerous plan.
Russia, in its turn supports Serbia’s claim for an urgent UN session preventing further conflict, the envoy said.

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