(italiano / francais / english / srpskohrvatski / deutsch)
UC-K-FOR still killing Kosovo Serbs
0) LINKS
1) NEWS
2) Kosovo : le meurtre d’un Serbe par un Albanais va-t-il raviver les tensions ethniques ? (B92 - 21 octobre 2011)
3) Balkanische Lektionen. Kosovo und die Parteilichkeit der NATO (Sevim Dagdelen, junge Welt, 30.09.2011)
4) Continua la resistenza dei serbi del Kosovo alla NATO... (Enrico Vigna, Kosovo notizie N°5 - Novembre 2011)
5) Sabor podrške srpskom narodu na Kosovu i Metohiji / Support to serbian people in Kosovo and Metohija
[dalla Conferenza sul Kosmet tenuta a Belgrado il 27/9/2011]=== 0: LINKS ===
Source of most following documents in english language is the Stop NATO e-mail list
Archives and search engine:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/stopnato/messages
Website and articles:
http://rickrozoff.wordpress.com
Archives and search engine:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/stopnato/messages
Website and articles:
http://rickrozoff.wordpress.com
---
Per chi vuole, è uscita una mia intervista su Free Lance International Press. Tema: la tragedia del Kosovo (e, aggiungo io, della Metohija...)
http://www.flipnews.org/flipnews/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=4869%3Al
Alessandro Di Meo
http://www.flipnews.org/flipnews/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=4869%3Al
Alessandro Di Meo
---
VIDEO: KFOR razbija barikade kod Jagnjenice - KFOR attacking peaceful Serb civilians in Kosovo province
Caricato da KosMetskeBarikade in data 20/ott/2011
KFOR attacking peaceful Serbian civilians in northern part of southern serbian province of Kosovo and Metohija!
Jedinica Kfora počela kod Jagnjenice uklanjanje barikade koju su pre mesec dana Srbi postavili na putu prema Brnjaku! Kfor zapretio građanima upotrebom sile, ako se ne raziđu, i bacio suzavac u više navrata.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyJriagTHm0
---
VIDEO: KFOR attacking peaceful Serbian civilians at Jarinje - KFOR probija barikade kod Jarinja - La KFOR attacca manifestanti serbi pacifici a Jarinje
9th november 2011 at 2:00 a.m.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BigoBDzqCA
---
VIDEO: Pucnjava na Srbe na Kosovu - 3 Serbs got shot by albanian terrorists in Kosovo province - 3 serbi vittima di attentato nel nord del Kosovo, uno ucciso
3 young Serbian men got shot by albanian terrorists in the northern part of Kosovo province. One of them died in the hospital in Kosovska Mitrovica.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ge9tFDnuYb8
---
Resistenza contro la NATO ed i suoi sgherri in Kosovo
http://it.groups.yahoo.com/group/crj-mailinglist/message/7119
Provocazioni della NATO a Mitrovica Nord (english / italiano)http://it.groups.yahoo.com/group/crj-mailinglist/message/7119
http://it.groups.yahoo.com/group/crj-mailinglist/message/7151
Barricate, scontri, manifestazioni in Kosovo (english / italiano)
http://it.groups.yahoo.com/group/crj-mailinglist/message/7157
http://it.groups.yahoo.com/group/crj-mailinglist/message/7157
KFOR=NATO fires on serb demonstrators, delivers ultimatum
http://it.groups.yahoo.com/group/crj-mailinglist/message/7175
http://english.ruvr.ru/2011/10/16/58807436.html
Voice of Russia - October 16, 2011
NATO issues ultimatum over roadblocks in Kosovo
Ekaterina Kudashkina
NATO has given Serbs time until Monday to remove roadblocks on the border between Kosovo and Serbia, as tensions in the area continue to grow after violence broke up in the region last month, when the Kosovo Albanians placed their customs officers and police troops at the Jarinje and Brnjak checkpoints.
In late July Kosovo made an attempt to seize the checkpoints, which resulted in clashes between the police and local Serbs. (RIAN)
Reason for war
Interview with Borislav Korkodelovic, Serbian journalist based in Belgrade.
American Ambassador Walker, who is now an honorary citizen of Pristina, the capital of so-called independent Kosovo, claimed that Serbian security forces killed during the massacre about 30 to 40 civilians in Racak, but in fact those civilians according to the Serbian police were guerillas or rebels belonging to the Albanian so-called Liberation Army and they were just in civilian clothes.
Without waiting for the final results of the international commission which was headed by Finnish pathologist Helena Ranta, without waiting for that, Mr. Walker issued a statement that such things can happen all over Kosovo. So, that was the direct cause, but good diplomatic exchange was refused by the access of some elements of the plan which was arranged during the Rambouillet Conference which was going on from the end of 1998 to February 1999. So, that was because Serbia could not accept some of the conditions, like allowing NATO troops to enter Kosovo ‑ that was another reason for the attack. Also the Western media were speaking about plans to expel as many as possible of ethnic Albanians from the province and particularly the German government and its minister of defense at that time claimed that concentration camps were established at the football stadium in Pristina, that columns of Albanians – old people, women and kinds ‑ had been touring
towards the borders of Macedonia, which later on happened but when the bombardments started, which lasted 78 days up to the middle of June 1999.
Do I get you right that the cases you have mentioned have been more to justify the NATO aggression against Yugoslavia?
Yes, you are right and also it is because I think more or less during in human history that such incidents were used for wars between countries.
I would just like to draw your attention to the latest such incidents – the so-called “imminent massacre” which was linked to the situation in Libya, “imminent massacre” in Benghazi. So, that was in fact the claim which has its roots in some emotional comments by Colonel Gaddafi; his statements were used as a pretext for the voting in the Security Council of the United Nations and that threat to Benghazi had never materialized and it is still a last thing. So, nobody was massacred in that particular case in Benghazi at that moment, but tens of thousands of people had been killed later on and still lots of people are losing their life in Libya.
NATO has given Serbs time until Monday to remove roadblocks on the border between Kosovo and Serbia, as tensions in the area continue to grow after violence broke up in the region last month, when the Kosovo Albanians placed their customs officers and police troops at the Jarinje and Brnjak checkpoints.
In late July Kosovo made an attempt to seize the checkpoints, which resulted in clashes between the police and local Serbs. (RIAN)
Reason for war
Interview with Borislav Korkodelovic, Serbian journalist based in Belgrade.
American Ambassador Walker, who is now an honorary citizen of Pristina, the capital of so-called independent Kosovo, claimed that Serbian security forces killed during the massacre about 30 to 40 civilians in Racak, but in fact those civilians according to the Serbian police were guerillas or rebels belonging to the Albanian so-called Liberation Army and they were just in civilian clothes.
Without waiting for the final results of the international commission which was headed by Finnish pathologist Helena Ranta, without waiting for that, Mr. Walker issued a statement that such things can happen all over Kosovo. So, that was the direct cause, but good diplomatic exchange was refused by the access of some elements of the plan which was arranged during the Rambouillet Conference which was going on from the end of 1998 to February 1999. So, that was because Serbia could not accept some of the conditions, like allowing NATO troops to enter Kosovo ‑ that was another reason for the attack. Also the Western media were speaking about plans to expel as many as possible of ethnic Albanians from the province and particularly the German government and its minister of defense at that time claimed that concentration camps were established at the football stadium in Pristina, that columns of Albanians – old people, women and kinds ‑ had been touring
towards the borders of Macedonia, which later on happened but when the bombardments started, which lasted 78 days up to the middle of June 1999.
Do I get you right that the cases you have mentioned have been more to justify the NATO aggression against Yugoslavia?
Yes, you are right and also it is because I think more or less during in human history that such incidents were used for wars between countries.
I would just like to draw your attention to the latest such incidents – the so-called “imminent massacre” which was linked to the situation in Libya, “imminent massacre” in Benghazi. So, that was in fact the claim which has its roots in some emotional comments by Colonel Gaddafi; his statements were used as a pretext for the voting in the Security Council of the United Nations and that threat to Benghazi had never materialized and it is still a last thing. So, nobody was massacred in that particular case in Benghazi at that moment, but tens of thousands of people had been killed later on and still lots of people are losing their life in Libya.
---
http://www.b92.net/eng/news/politics-article.php?yyyy=2011&mm=10&dd=17&nav_id=76893
Beta News Agency - October 17, 2011
Serbs in north organize "rehearsal" protest
ZUPČE: Serb gathered this morning near the main barricade in the northern Kosovo village of Zupče to protest against the announced removal of the road blocks.
Local Serbs blocked roads after Kosovo Albanian authorities moved to install their customs and police on the administrative line between central Serbia and Kosovo.
Serbs, who form a majority in northern Kosovo, reject both the authority of the Kosovo Albanian government in Priština, and the ethnic Albanian unilateral declaration of independence made in early 2008.
Zubin Potok Mayor Slaviša Ristić addressed several thousand people gathered today to say that they were not there protecting "beeches and tree trunks", but rather their country, homes, and the future of their children.
Ristić pleaded with the citizens to remain "calm and wise", and called on them to gather again on Tuesday morning at Zupče.
"If members of KFOR try to break through the barricades tomorrow, we will stand calmly, we'll take our chairs too, and sit down. If that's what their justice and freedom is about - then we don't need it," the mayor told the crowd.
"We ask nothing from them, except to be left alone, to stay and live in the state of Serbia. If there is no Serbia here, there will be none in Belgrade either," warned Ristić, and added that the people defending their homes recognize and appreciate the help they are receiving from friends at this difficult time.
Previously, the residents of the Ibarski Kolašin region say that they will spend Monday at the barricades, and that the protest will be peaceful.
Reports said there were women and children at the barricades, while schools are today closed in the area.
The locals said today's events were a "rehearsal" for what Serbs intend to do if KFOR starts removing their barricades.
Farther up north, in Leposavić, Serbs were also ready to peacefully resist Priština's attempts to install its institutions here.
The citizens are saying that if there is no solution that will be acceptable to them, and if KFOR dismantles their road blocks, they will react by putting up new barricades.
Last night, residents of the towns of Kosovska Mitrovica and Zvečan manned the barricades.
...
Beta News Agency - October 17, 2011
Serbs in north organize "rehearsal" protest
ZUPČE: Serb gathered this morning near the main barricade in the northern Kosovo village of Zupče to protest against the announced removal of the road blocks.
Local Serbs blocked roads after Kosovo Albanian authorities moved to install their customs and police on the administrative line between central Serbia and Kosovo.
Serbs, who form a majority in northern Kosovo, reject both the authority of the Kosovo Albanian government in Priština, and the ethnic Albanian unilateral declaration of independence made in early 2008.
Zubin Potok Mayor Slaviša Ristić addressed several thousand people gathered today to say that they were not there protecting "beeches and tree trunks", but rather their country, homes, and the future of their children.
Ristić pleaded with the citizens to remain "calm and wise", and called on them to gather again on Tuesday morning at Zupče.
"If members of KFOR try to break through the barricades tomorrow, we will stand calmly, we'll take our chairs too, and sit down. If that's what their justice and freedom is about - then we don't need it," the mayor told the crowd.
"We ask nothing from them, except to be left alone, to stay and live in the state of Serbia. If there is no Serbia here, there will be none in Belgrade either," warned Ristić, and added that the people defending their homes recognize and appreciate the help they are receiving from friends at this difficult time.
Previously, the residents of the Ibarski Kolašin region say that they will spend Monday at the barricades, and that the protest will be peaceful.
Reports said there were women and children at the barricades, while schools are today closed in the area.
The locals said today's events were a "rehearsal" for what Serbs intend to do if KFOR starts removing their barricades.
Farther up north, in Leposavić, Serbs were also ready to peacefully resist Priština's attempts to install its institutions here.
The citizens are saying that if there is no solution that will be acceptable to them, and if KFOR dismantles their road blocks, they will react by putting up new barricades.
Last night, residents of the towns of Kosovska Mitrovica and Zvečan manned the barricades.
...
---
http://rt.com/news/kosovo-serbs-barricades-ultimatum-065/
RT - October 18, 2011
Kosovo border dispute escalates
NATO forces have extended the deadline for Serbs in northern Kosovo to remove barricades near the Kosovar-Serbian border, delivering them an ultimatum to clear the roadblocks by early Tuesday or face forced removal.
Pristina, the capital of Albanian-dominated Kosovo, wants to erect customs posts between the Serb-dominated part of the self-proclaimed republic and Serbia, tearing the Serb enclave in Kosovo from Belgrade and urging Serbs to leave their homes and depart for Serbia.
That means the clock is ticking for Kosovar Serbs because NATO’s Kosovo Peacekeeping Force (KFOR) is on the side of the Albanians, and they have already shown that they will not hesitate to fire at Serb protesters with live rounds.
But the Serbs who were born in Kosovo do not want to leave their motherland, and they have attempted to prevent Albanian police and customs officials from seizing control of the border crossings to Serbia.
Still, KFOR appears to mean business, and seems intent on delivering Kosovar officials to border checkpoints under the protection of their guns.
But Kosovar Serbs have nowhere to retreat. When RT visited the site of the protests, the roadblocks remained in the same place they have been for the last two months.
With the Tuesday deadline approaching, tensions in the area are boiling.
On Saturday, KFOR Commander General Erhard Drews met with the mayors of four northern Kosovo towns, claiming that KFOR needs the roads cleared in order access northern parts of Kosovo. At the moment, supplies for the KFOR troops stationed there – water, food and fuel – are being delivered by helicopters.
Last month KFOR attempted to bulldoze the Kosovar Serb barricades, but the only result was violence that left 11 Serbs wounded. Despite KFOR’s attempt to cover up the scandal by saying soldiers were only shooting rubber bullets, the doctors who treated the injured confirmed all the wounds were real gunshots. It could be said that blood has already been spilled, and it was Serb blood.
The situation on the border might look peaceful for now, but this could change in the blink of an eye.
VIDEO: http://rt.com/news/kosovo-serbs-barricades-ultimatum-065/
---
http://rt.com/news/stones-firm-kosovo-border-083/
RT - October 18, 2011
Army of stones: Serb barricades stand firm
As the deadline for Serbs in northern Kosovo to dismantle their border barricades nears, they remain firm in their protest. The barricades are meant to stop attempts by Kosovan police, and NATO and EU forces to take over border crossings with Serbia.
Stones and sand of the barricades are the only weapons the Serbs living in Kosovo have in their arsenal to make the others listen to them.
The roadblocks they have set up throughout the northern part of the region are making headlines and getting feedback.
Local resident Voityla is reading a leaflet that KFOR, a NATO-led international peacekeeping force in Kosovo, has been distributing here recently: “We ask you not to participate in any event that may threaten your safety or may have negative consequences for you and for your country!“
He comments: “Bastards! They are talking about us! While they are the only negative here.”
“Look at their propaganda! We will not buy it! We don’t want them here, those occupiers; we don’t even want to talk to them!” he adds as he crumbles the leaflet and throws it into a campfire.
Unlike the barricade sentries, the mayor of the Northern Kosovo town of Leposovic is talking to KFOR. Branko Ninic has been among the four delegates from Serbs to negotiate with the peacekeepers on dates and terms for the barricades’ removal.
KFOR announced a Monday deadline, but then postponed it till Tuesday. The Serbs have claimed they need even more time.
Initially designed to prevent Kosovan customs officers from reaching the checkpoints at the northern border with Serbia, rubble on the roads has made trouble for many.
The KFOR complain they have no land access to their troops in the north. They are using helicopters to transport supplies and soldiers.
And the Serbs themselves are suffering too. They are building new alternative roads to reach Serbia from Kosovo, because the main routes have been blocked – by Serbian barricades – in the last several weeks.
The only other alternative is a train, but it runs only once a day and is always packed, so it is not necessarily a viable option.
New bypass roads appear with phenomenal speed. An RT crew has seen at least seven of them.
“This is stupid. We have many roads but we have to make more! But we have no choice – they make us do that! And we’ll not give up. Never,” says Vladimir, a road engineer, who is involved in constructing bypass roads.
Vladimir is one of the volunteers. He is a Kosovan Serbian and says he speaks for all of them.
“This is our state. It’s ridiculous to think we’ll ever recognize an ‘independent’ Kosovo. We’ll never give up,” he vows.
Back at the barricades people are still waiting. All of them have regular jobs as teachers, engineers or miners, but here they call themselves soldiers and use war rhetoric.
“This is our land. We will not surrender!” they say. “That’s for truth. For the future. For our children and Motherland!”
They say one man cannot win a war, but together people may form a real army. Even if their weapons are just stones and sand.
VIDEO: http://rt.com/news/stones-firm-kosovo-border-083/
---
http://www.rnw.nl/english/bulletin/nato-serbs-standoff-over-kosovo-barricades
Radio Netherlands/Agence France-Presse - October 18, 2011
NATO, Serbs in standoff over Kosovo barricades
Radio Netherlands/Agence France-Presse - October 18, 2011
NATO, Serbs in standoff over Kosovo barricades
Published on 18 October
NATO confronted Serbs manning a roadblock in northern Kosovo on Tuesday but agreed to wait 24 hours for a compromise that will allow its KFOR force to supply troops in the sensitive area, Serb officials said.
A KFOR convoy turned back from one of the main roadblocks on the road to the disputed Brnjak crossing with Serbia after the agreement, the Serb mayor of nearby Zubin Potok told AFP.
The convoy approached the roadblock as a "test" of KFOR's demand that all 16 roadblocks set up by Kosovo Serbs on roads leading to the Bnjak and Jarinje crossings be removed by Tuesday, according to spokesman Uwe Nowitzki.
Tuesday morning the barricades were still all there and Serbs stepped up their numbers to guard them, reporters on the ground said.
Zubin Potok mayor Slavisa Ristic said: "We have agreed with KFOR representatives that they return to their bases and await the outcome of the meeting Wednesday" of the four Serb municipalities in northern Kosovo.
That meeting is set to approve a compromise allowing KFOR to supply their troops in the area occasionally while Serbs maintain the barricades, set up to keep Kosovo Albanian customs and police officials away from the border posts.
There was no immediate comment from KFOR on the reported deal.
...
The local Serbs are angry over a move by the Pristina government in September to put Kosovo Albanian customs and police officials on the border, fearing that their access to Serbia proper will be severely limited.
...
NATO confronted Serbs manning a roadblock in northern Kosovo on Tuesday but agreed to wait 24 hours for a compromise that will allow its KFOR force to supply troops in the sensitive area, Serb officials said.
A KFOR convoy turned back from one of the main roadblocks on the road to the disputed Brnjak crossing with Serbia after the agreement, the Serb mayor of nearby Zubin Potok told AFP.
The convoy approached the roadblock as a "test" of KFOR's demand that all 16 roadblocks set up by Kosovo Serbs on roads leading to the Bnjak and Jarinje crossings be removed by Tuesday, according to spokesman Uwe Nowitzki.
Tuesday morning the barricades were still all there and Serbs stepped up their numbers to guard them, reporters on the ground said.
Zubin Potok mayor Slavisa Ristic said: "We have agreed with KFOR representatives that they return to their bases and await the outcome of the meeting Wednesday" of the four Serb municipalities in northern Kosovo.
That meeting is set to approve a compromise allowing KFOR to supply their troops in the area occasionally while Serbs maintain the barricades, set up to keep Kosovo Albanian customs and police officials away from the border posts.
There was no immediate comment from KFOR on the reported deal.
...
The local Serbs are angry over a move by the Pristina government in September to put Kosovo Albanian customs and police officials on the border, fearing that their access to Serbia proper will be severely limited.
...
---
http://www.b92.net/eng/news/politics-article.php?yyyy=2011&mm=10&dd=19&nav_id=76935
Tanjug News Agency - October 19, 2011
MPs protest U.S. ambassador's presence
BELGRADE: The opposition SRS party protested in parliament today because of a meeting between the Group of Friendship with the U.S. and U.S. Ambassador Mary Warlick.
About ten SRS MPs blocked the entrance to the hall where the meeting with Warlick, in view of 130th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, was due to begin.
After 20 minutes, the Radicals stepped away.
During the brief protest, the Radicals carried banners saying "We will not forgive you our children," "Stop killing Serbs in Kosovo," "NATO = crime," and "Bloody Mary." They also sang the national anthem.
After the incident, SRS MP Boris Aleksić criticized the government for receiving Warlick at the Serbian parliament at the moment when, as he said, NATO is getting ready to attack the Serbs' barricades in Kosovo.
Aleksić accused the government that Warlick arrived at the Assembly to "give them orders to jointly plan the operation against the Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija."
He said this is the reason why SRS MPs gathered in front of the hall, "where the government is celebrating relations with the U.S."
Aleksić stressed his colleagues wish to send a clear message that "the U.S. has been carrying out a crime against the Serbian people for 20 years, and is now preparing to do away with them once and for all."
"They did not allow us to attend the meeting. What is it that they are hiding from MPs," wondered Aleksić.
Tanjug News Agency - October 19, 2011
MPs protest U.S. ambassador's presence
BELGRADE: The opposition SRS party protested in parliament today because of a meeting between the Group of Friendship with the U.S. and U.S. Ambassador Mary Warlick.
About ten SRS MPs blocked the entrance to the hall where the meeting with Warlick, in view of 130th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, was due to begin.
After 20 minutes, the Radicals stepped away.
During the brief protest, the Radicals carried banners saying "We will not forgive you our children," "Stop killing Serbs in Kosovo," "NATO = crime," and "Bloody Mary." They also sang the national anthem.
After the incident, SRS MP Boris Aleksić criticized the government for receiving Warlick at the Serbian parliament at the moment when, as he said, NATO is getting ready to attack the Serbs' barricades in Kosovo.
Aleksić accused the government that Warlick arrived at the Assembly to "give them orders to jointly plan the operation against the Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija."
He said this is the reason why SRS MPs gathered in front of the hall, "where the government is celebrating relations with the U.S."
Aleksić stressed his colleagues wish to send a clear message that "the U.S. has been carrying out a crime against the Serbian people for 20 years, and is now preparing to do away with them once and for all."
"They did not allow us to attend the meeting. What is it that they are hiding from MPs," wondered Aleksić.
---
RT - October 20, 2011
Tear gas at the barricades: NATO sprays Serb protests
Boris Malagurski and John Laughland on RT
NATO peacekeepers have used tear gas against Serb protesters in northern Kosovo. They dispersed the crowd in order to start dismantling barricades erected in a protest against deployment of customs checkpoints on the border.
Some 300 Serbs tried to prevent the Kosovo peacekeeping force (KFOR) from tearing down the barricades, but the soldiers were armed with anti-riot equipment to cordon off the barricaded area, reports RT’s Maria Finoshina.
KFOR used loudspeakers to try to convince the Serb to go home, but it failed to help. There was a lot of shouting from both parties, but otherwise the conflict was not violent.
NATO soldiers fired tear gas grenades at the protesters and managed to disperse them, says AFP. RT's Maria Finoshina says it was more likely pepper spray than tear has. She adds KFOR is erecting a barbed wire fence to isolate Serbs from the barricade and threatens to use force against them.
At least 100 armed transport vehicles are involved in the operation, which is aimed at removing the 16 barricades on the border. KFOR is also using a number of drones, which are circling over the area of the conflict.
No injuries were immediately reported. The actual dismantling of the barricades has not started yet and Serbs are watching KFOR actions closely.
The situation remains tense with fears high that it could escalate into violence.
NATO action follows a week of tense negotiations with the protesters, which failed to produce a peaceful solution.
Serbs living in northern Kosovo had blocked two cross-border roads into Belgrade-controlled Serbian territory in July. The move was in a protest by Pristina’s plan to take over checkpoints at the crossings.
This was meant to enforce a ban on imports from Serbia, which was part of a trade dispute with Belgrade. Officials in Pristina said ethnic Serbian customs officers had sabotaged the ban and planned to replace them with ethnic Albanians.
Northern Kosovo is home to some 40,000 Serbs, who constitute a majority in several towns in the area. They do not recognize the Albanian government in Pristina. Many of them complain of persecution by Albanians.
Some 300 Serbs tried to prevent the Kosovo peacekeeping force (KFOR) from tearing down the barricades, but the soldiers were armed with anti-riot equipment to cordon off the barricaded area, reports RT’s Maria Finoshina.
KFOR used loudspeakers to try to convince the Serb to go home, but it failed to help. There was a lot of shouting from both parties, but otherwise the conflict was not violent.
NATO soldiers fired tear gas grenades at the protesters and managed to disperse them, says AFP. RT's Maria Finoshina says it was more likely pepper spray than tear has. She adds KFOR is erecting a barbed wire fence to isolate Serbs from the barricade and threatens to use force against them.
At least 100 armed transport vehicles are involved in the operation, which is aimed at removing the 16 barricades on the border. KFOR is also using a number of drones, which are circling over the area of the conflict.
No injuries were immediately reported. The actual dismantling of the barricades has not started yet and Serbs are watching KFOR actions closely.
The situation remains tense with fears high that it could escalate into violence.
NATO action follows a week of tense negotiations with the protesters, which failed to produce a peaceful solution.
Serbs living in northern Kosovo had blocked two cross-border roads into Belgrade-controlled Serbian territory in July. The move was in a protest by Pristina’s plan to take over checkpoints at the crossings.
This was meant to enforce a ban on imports from Serbia, which was part of a trade dispute with Belgrade. Officials in Pristina said ethnic Serbian customs officers had sabotaged the ban and planned to replace them with ethnic Albanians.
Northern Kosovo is home to some 40,000 Serbs, who constitute a majority in several towns in the area. They do not recognize the Albanian government in Pristina. Many of them complain of persecution by Albanians.
John Laughland from the Paris-based Institute for Democracy and Co-operation blames KFOR for igniting the border tension.
“What’s happening today in northern Kosovo is the direct result of this ridiculous idea that Kosovo can be an independent state. KFOR and EULEX, the European Union authorities, which now run Kosovo – illegally, by the way, because only the UN has authority in Kosovo – are determined to push this policy through to its logical conclusion. I’m afraid it’s a very bad sign for those Serbs who are hanging on to the north of the province,” he told RT.
“What’s happening today in northern Kosovo is the direct result of this ridiculous idea that Kosovo can be an independent state. KFOR and EULEX, the European Union authorities, which now run Kosovo – illegally, by the way, because only the UN has authority in Kosovo – are determined to push this policy through to its logical conclusion. I’m afraid it’s a very bad sign for those Serbs who are hanging on to the north of the province,” he told RT.
VIDEO: http://rt.com/news/nato-tear-gas-kosovo-259/
Serbian-Canadian documentary filmmaker Boris Malagurski views the protests as a fight for survival by the Serbs of northern Kosovo.
"They are living in horrible conditions, basically in a ghetto, so their presence on the barricades is a form of silent protest against what NATO has planned for Kosovo. And Serbs have no intention of giving up. If this was organized by a regime that is supported by the West, they would have been hailed as freedom fighters," Malagurski told RT.
"They are living in horrible conditions, basically in a ghetto, so their presence on the barricades is a form of silent protest against what NATO has planned for Kosovo. And Serbs have no intention of giving up. If this was organized by a regime that is supported by the West, they would have been hailed as freedom fighters," Malagurski told RT.
VIDEO: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vN8P4jeuDlg
SEE ALSO: http://tv.globalresearch.ca/2011/10/serb-protesters-kosovo-face-armed-nato-forces
---
http://www.b92.net/eng/news/politics-article.php?yyyy=2011&mm=10&dd=21&nav_id=76957
B92/Beta News Agency/Tanjug News Agency - October 21, 2011
KFOR headed toward barricades, Serbs say
ZUBIN POTOK: Serbs at the barricades have been told that two KFOR combat vehicles equipped with water cannons are headed to the village of Jagnjenica.
Zubin Potok Mayor Slaviša Ristić claims he has information that KFOR’s combat vehicles left from an Albanian-populated village of Čabar and that they are headed to Jagnjenica.
The Serbs at the barricades were informed around 11:00 CET that Portuguese and German KFOR troops were on their way to the barricade in the village of Zupče and that they had removed the barbed wire which had been placed in front of the barricade that had been set up by the local Serbs.
According to Beta news agency reporter, residents of the Ibarski Kolašin region headed to Zupče a little after 10:00.
Several hundred Serbs have gathered at the barricades in the Ibarski Kolašin region, including mayors of Serb towns, priests and local monks.
The situation in northern Kosovo is at the moment peaceful but tense. The Albanian media reported on Friday morning that KFOR had removed the barricades from the roads leading to the Brnjak administrative crossing.
Night passes peacefully at barricades
Northern Kosovo Serbs spent the night in their cars, tents and around the fire on several locations in the villages of Jagnjenica and Zupče.
KFOR troops did not take any actions last night.
Local self-government representatives and Kosovska Mitrovica District Head Radenko Nedeljković spent the night with the local Serbs.
Four loaded trucks are separating the local Serbs from KFOR troops. The trucks are blocking a KFOR convoy which attempted to get to the Brnjak administrative crossing.
KFOR troops are still located around 150 meters from the barricades that Serbs set up in the village of Zupče and they still have not tried to remove them.
---
http://rt.com/news/kosovo-barricades-stand-off-477/
RT, 22 October, 2011
Border disorder: Kosovo stand-off continues
RT, 22 October, 2011
Border disorder: Kosovo stand-off continues
As months of tension between Serbs and ethnic Albanian Kosovans continue, roads in Northern Kosovo remain closed, for some. Serbs are fortifying their barricades and see themselves again as victims of history.
At least a thousand Serbs and NATO soldiers in riot gear remain in a face-off on the Kosovo border. The Serbs have been ordered once again to remove the barricades and roadblocks they have erected at the Rudare crossing.
Local Serbs compare the NATO-led peacekeeping force in Kosovo, KFOR, with the fascist occupiers of the past.
Cartoons which are being passed from hand to hand read “We defeated your granddads, we defeated your fathers – we will win again!”
“Why do they think they can come and take our land?” one local man wonders. “Serbia is our home! We don’t want to live in Albania!”
As one local woman says, local Serbs “have nothing, but a flag and faith in God,” against well-armed forces.
And some 200 meters away, NATO-KFOR soldiers keep watching.
“I would prefer a peaceful solution by talks, by an agreement,” says KFOR Commander General Erchard Drews. “But if that is not to be reached, I will have to be on my own. I will have to fall back on my own means. Some of them are behind me.”
No surprise that the general’s “own” means are military ones.
The status quo in Northern Kosovo remains. The standoff between KFOR soldiers and local Serb civilians is no closer to resolution, but people from both sides of the barricades are glad to avoid any further violence.
But away from the media glare, hostility is commonplace.
Dobrivoje Putnik, a 23-year old Serb, was with his father when he was shot dead just three weeks ago, while visiting an Albanian village in Kosovo’s South. Serbs are a minority there, living in tiny enclaves.
“I was waiting for him in a car,” Putnik said. “I saw him coming out of the Albanian cafeteria. Then I heard two gunshots and my dad fall down. I rushed to him, but I was late. He died immediately, I didn’t even say goodbye to him.”
Dobrivoje was shot too, when his father’s killers tried to eliminate the only witness.
“I will never return to that place,” he said. “They will chase me... I’m worrying about my family and myself.”
In a separate incident, just last week, another unarmed Serb, the father of a large family, was killed in a confrontation with a local. Miodrag, together with two his friends, went to see what used to be Serb land, now owned by ethnic Albanians since Serbs fled after NATO’s 1999 bombing of Yugoslavia.
They were stopped by the new occupier.
“We talked for five minutes,” said Dejan Bodicevic, a friend of the killed Serb. “Then [the occupier] said he needed to come back to his car to take his cell phone, but came back instead with a Kalashnikov. ‘Do you want your land back?' he shouted and started firing at us. Miodrag was killed at the scene.”
The men who just lost their friend say there is only one reason he was killed: “That’s just because we are Serbs. Period.”
Eleven years after the end of major conflict, and despite the presence of international peacekeepers, violence seems to be still part of everyday life for some in this troubled breakaway province. And there is little sign that is likely to change.
At least a thousand Serbs and NATO soldiers in riot gear remain in a face-off on the Kosovo border. The Serbs have been ordered once again to remove the barricades and roadblocks they have erected at the Rudare crossing.
Local Serbs compare the NATO-led peacekeeping force in Kosovo, KFOR, with the fascist occupiers of the past.
Cartoons which are being passed from hand to hand read “We defeated your granddads, we defeated your fathers – we will win again!”
“Why do they think they can come and take our land?” one local man wonders. “Serbia is our home! We don’t want to live in Albania!”
As one local woman says, local Serbs “have nothing, but a flag and faith in God,” against well-armed forces.
And some 200 meters away, NATO-KFOR soldiers keep watching.
“I would prefer a peaceful solution by talks, by an agreement,” says KFOR Commander General Erchard Drews. “But if that is not to be reached, I will have to be on my own. I will have to fall back on my own means. Some of them are behind me.”
No surprise that the general’s “own” means are military ones.
The status quo in Northern Kosovo remains. The standoff between KFOR soldiers and local Serb civilians is no closer to resolution, but people from both sides of the barricades are glad to avoid any further violence.
But away from the media glare, hostility is commonplace.
Dobrivoje Putnik, a 23-year old Serb, was with his father when he was shot dead just three weeks ago, while visiting an Albanian village in Kosovo’s South. Serbs are a minority there, living in tiny enclaves.
“I was waiting for him in a car,” Putnik said. “I saw him coming out of the Albanian cafeteria. Then I heard two gunshots and my dad fall down. I rushed to him, but I was late. He died immediately, I didn’t even say goodbye to him.”
Dobrivoje was shot too, when his father’s killers tried to eliminate the only witness.
“I will never return to that place,” he said. “They will chase me... I’m worrying about my family and myself.”
In a separate incident, just last week, another unarmed Serb, the father of a large family, was killed in a confrontation with a local. Miodrag, together with two his friends, went to see what used to be Serb land, now owned by ethnic Albanians since Serbs fled after NATO’s 1999 bombing of Yugoslavia.
They were stopped by the new occupier.
“We talked for five minutes,” said Dejan Bodicevic, a friend of the killed Serb. “Then [the occupier] said he needed to come back to his car to take his cell phone, but came back instead with a Kalashnikov. ‘Do you want your land back?' he shouted and started firing at us. Miodrag was killed at the scene.”
The men who just lost their friend say there is only one reason he was killed: “That’s just because we are Serbs. Period.”
Eleven years after the end of major conflict, and despite the presence of international peacekeepers, violence seems to be still part of everyday life for some in this troubled breakaway province. And there is little sign that is likely to change.
VIDEO: http://rt.com/news/kosovo-barricades-stand-off-477/
---
http://english.ruvr.ru/2011/10/22/59181727.html
Itar-Tass - October 22, 2011
Kosovo Serbs protect barricades on border with Serbia
Kosovo Serbs have prevented the attempts of NATO’s KFOR servicemen to remove the barricades and roadblocks they built on the entries to the check points on the border with Serbia in the north of the region.
Earlier this week KFOR soldiers used tear gas to disperse the crowd of Serbs protecting barricades on the way to Brnjak check point. In clashes eight peacekeepers and 2- protesters were wounded.
The Albanian authorities of Kosovo are trying to get full control over the check points on the border with Serbia.
Itar-Tass - October 22, 2011
Kosovo Serbs protect barricades on border with Serbia
Kosovo Serbs have prevented the attempts of NATO’s KFOR servicemen to remove the barricades and roadblocks they built on the entries to the check points on the border with Serbia in the north of the region.
Earlier this week KFOR soldiers used tear gas to disperse the crowd of Serbs protecting barricades on the way to Brnjak check point. In clashes eight peacekeepers and 2- protesters were wounded.
The Albanian authorities of Kosovo are trying to get full control over the check points on the border with Serbia.
---
http://www.rferl.org/content/serb_nationalist_flyers_decry_kfor_occupation_alleged_killings/24370932.html
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty - October 26, 2011
Serb Nationalist Flyers Decry KFOR 'Occupation,' 'Killings'
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty - October 26, 2011
Serb Nationalist Flyers Decry KFOR 'Occupation,' 'Killings'
Leaflets in German and Serbian have been targeting German troops serving in the NATO-led Kosovo Force
...
The... organization Nasi has begun distributing leaflets in German and Serbian, targeting German troops serving in the NATO-led Kosovo Force (KFOR) contingent in Kosovo.
The leaflets show photographs of German soldiers from World War I, World War II, and KFOR with the captions: "We killed your great-grandfather. We killed your grandfather. We will defeat you as well." And under it all is the general slogan: "Kosovo Is Serbia!"
In an October 20 press release announcing the new propaganda campaign, Nasi said its purpose is to "encourage the Serbian people to resist the occupation of NATO forces."
The group said the campaign was "accelerated" because of recent clashes between KFOR troops and ethnic Serbs in northern Kosovo.
"The aim of the German-language posters is to influence German soldiers to understand they are making the same mistake and committing an injustice against Serbs and their ancestors and to remind them that Serbia will not be conquered," the press release states.
Earlier this month, Nasi launched a "1,001 Candles" campaign to remember what the group claims are "the 1,001 ethnic Serbs who have been killed in Kosovo since the beginning of the occupation."
-- Robert Coalson
...
The... organization Nasi has begun distributing leaflets in German and Serbian, targeting German troops serving in the NATO-led Kosovo Force (KFOR) contingent in Kosovo.
The leaflets show photographs of German soldiers from World War I, World War II, and KFOR with the captions: "We killed your great-grandfather. We killed your grandfather. We will defeat you as well." And under it all is the general slogan: "Kosovo Is Serbia!"
In an October 20 press release announcing the new propaganda campaign, Nasi said its purpose is to "encourage the Serbian people to resist the occupation of NATO forces."
The group said the campaign was "accelerated" because of recent clashes between KFOR troops and ethnic Serbs in northern Kosovo.
"The aim of the German-language posters is to influence German soldiers to understand they are making the same mistake and committing an injustice against Serbs and their ancestors and to remind them that Serbia will not be conquered," the press release states.
Earlier this month, Nasi launched a "1,001 Candles" campaign to remember what the group claims are "the 1,001 ethnic Serbs who have been killed in Kosovo since the beginning of the occupation."
-- Robert Coalson
---
http://rt.com/politics/russia-blasts-kosovo-authorities-281/
RT - November 1, 2011
Russia blasts Kosovo over national policy
The provocative actions of the authorities in the north of Kosovo lead to a deterioration of the human rights situation, especially for Serbs and other non-Albanians, a top Russian diplomat has said.
The plenipotentiary of the Russian Foreign Ministry for Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law, Konstantin Dolgov, told reporters on Tuesday that Kosovo authorities’ actions were not improving the already difficult situation in the region.
“We insist on a large-scale investigation of all blatant violations of human rights in Kosovo including the facts of illegal trade in human organs that were covered in the report by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe,” the Russian official said.
Dolgov also added that intimidation of Serbs and other non-Albanians, such as Bohniaks and Gypsies [Roma], but the situation with Serbs is the most dangerous as they now have to live is isolated enclaves resembling ghettoes.
The diplomat noted that the Russian view is shared by other nations and leading NGOs such as Human Rights Watch.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has earlier said that the stabilization in the Balkans was impossible without an objective investigation into crimes relating to the illegal trade in human organs in Kosovo.
"It is difficult to expect reconciliation in Kosovo or overall normalization in the Balkans without an in-depth and impartial investigation into crimes involving the illegal trade in human bodies in Kosovo and punishment of the culprits, regardless of their high positions," Lavrov said in an interview with the Serb newspaper Vecernje Novosti. "We intend to continue promoting appropriate initiatives and closely following the modern and unconditional implementation of the decisions being made," Lavrov said.
Speaking about the situation in Kosovo, Russia’s top diplomat said it should be resolved in line with Resolution 1244 of the UN Security Council. "Any attempt to go around this resolution is a major violation of international law and would lead to the destabilization of the situation in the Balkans," the Russian minister said.
The Russian comments came after a fresh wave of tensions hit Kosovo earlier this month. KFOR soldiers attempted to remove the barricades built by Kosovo Serbs near two border posts separating Kosovo and Serbia. The border posts appeared in September this year and the policies of Albanian law enforcers caused outrage among the mostly Serbian local population. The removal of the barricades sparked a riot in which eight KFOR soldiers and 25 civilians were wounded.
Russia has criticized NATO for provoking the Serbs in Kosovo. “When NATO suddenly starts dismantling barricades between the Kosovo and Serb sides, when NATO vehicles filled with Kosovo Albanian policemen start cruising the streets with the clear aim of severing the last remaining communication channels between Serbia and Kosovo Serbs, then it becomes clear that NATO is exceeding its mandate. No one is going to like that,” Russia’s envoy to NATO, Dmitry Rogozin said as the riots began.
The Republic of Kosovo unilaterally announced its independence from Serbia in 2008. Russia and over 100 other UN member-states refuse to recognize Kosovo’s independence. This would mean changes in European borders as it violates the principle of unchanging state borders in Europe. Besides which, the authorities of the Kosovo Republic, comprised of warlords who fought against Serbian forces during the civil war, are accused of numerous human rights violations and crimes, including the trafficking of human organs.
RT - November 1, 2011
Russia blasts Kosovo over national policy
The provocative actions of the authorities in the north of Kosovo lead to a deterioration of the human rights situation, especially for Serbs and other non-Albanians, a top Russian diplomat has said.
The plenipotentiary of the Russian Foreign Ministry for Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law, Konstantin Dolgov, told reporters on Tuesday that Kosovo authorities’ actions were not improving the already difficult situation in the region.
“We insist on a large-scale investigation of all blatant violations of human rights in Kosovo including the facts of illegal trade in human organs that were covered in the report by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe,” the Russian official said.
Dolgov also added that intimidation of Serbs and other non-Albanians, such as Bohniaks and Gypsies [Roma], but the situation with Serbs is the most dangerous as they now have to live is isolated enclaves resembling ghettoes.
The diplomat noted that the Russian view is shared by other nations and leading NGOs such as Human Rights Watch.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has earlier said that the stabilization in the Balkans was impossible without an objective investigation into crimes relating to the illegal trade in human organs in Kosovo.
"It is difficult to expect reconciliation in Kosovo or overall normalization in the Balkans without an in-depth and impartial investigation into crimes involving the illegal trade in human bodies in Kosovo and punishment of the culprits, regardless of their high positions," Lavrov said in an interview with the Serb newspaper Vecernje Novosti. "We intend to continue promoting appropriate initiatives and closely following the modern and unconditional implementation of the decisions being made," Lavrov said.
Speaking about the situation in Kosovo, Russia’s top diplomat said it should be resolved in line with Resolution 1244 of the UN Security Council. "Any attempt to go around this resolution is a major violation of international law and would lead to the destabilization of the situation in the Balkans," the Russian minister said.
The Russian comments came after a fresh wave of tensions hit Kosovo earlier this month. KFOR soldiers attempted to remove the barricades built by Kosovo Serbs near two border posts separating Kosovo and Serbia. The border posts appeared in September this year and the policies of Albanian law enforcers caused outrage among the mostly Serbian local population. The removal of the barricades sparked a riot in which eight KFOR soldiers and 25 civilians were wounded.
Russia has criticized NATO for provoking the Serbs in Kosovo. “When NATO suddenly starts dismantling barricades between the Kosovo and Serb sides, when NATO vehicles filled with Kosovo Albanian policemen start cruising the streets with the clear aim of severing the last remaining communication channels between Serbia and Kosovo Serbs, then it becomes clear that NATO is exceeding its mandate. No one is going to like that,” Russia’s envoy to NATO, Dmitry Rogozin said as the riots began.
The Republic of Kosovo unilaterally announced its independence from Serbia in 2008. Russia and over 100 other UN member-states refuse to recognize Kosovo’s independence. This would mean changes in European borders as it violates the principle of unchanging state borders in Europe. Besides which, the authorities of the Kosovo Republic, comprised of warlords who fought against Serbian forces during the civil war, are accused of numerous human rights violations and crimes, including the trafficking of human organs.
---
http://english.ruvr.ru/2011/11/07/59951133.html
Itar-Tass - November 7, 2011
Kosovo checkpoint conflict unresolved
The Parliament of the Serb municipalities of Kosovo and Metohija on Sunday urged citizens not to accept the conditions proposed by Pristina on two checkpoints on the border.
The final document states that "the agreement would mean the recognition of the independence of Kosovo, which contradicts the Serbian constitution."
Pristina offered to place Kosovar customs officers at checkpoints. According to their plan each of them will also be manned by a “few” Serbs.
In addition, Kosovo Serb MPs intend to seek a criminal complaint against the head of the delegation of Serbia Bronistala Stefanovic and charge him with treason.
According to him, Belgrade and Pristina are close to solving the problems of border controls but the Kosovo Serbs believe that such an agreement would be a "stab in the back" to all who fight for the maintaining the integrity of the country.
Itar-Tass - November 7, 2011
Kosovo checkpoint conflict unresolved
The Parliament of the Serb municipalities of Kosovo and Metohija on Sunday urged citizens not to accept the conditions proposed by Pristina on two checkpoints on the border.
The final document states that "the agreement would mean the recognition of the independence of Kosovo, which contradicts the Serbian constitution."
Pristina offered to place Kosovar customs officers at checkpoints. According to their plan each of them will also be manned by a “few” Serbs.
In addition, Kosovo Serb MPs intend to seek a criminal complaint against the head of the delegation of Serbia Bronistala Stefanovic and charge him with treason.
According to him, Belgrade and Pristina are close to solving the problems of border controls but the Kosovo Serbs believe that such an agreement would be a "stab in the back" to all who fight for the maintaining the integrity of the country.
---
http://www.b92.net/eng/news/politics-article.php?yyyy=2011&mm=11&dd=07&nav_id=77213
Beta News Agency/Tanjug News Agency - November 7, 2011
Serbs in north stop several KFOR vehicles
ZVEČAN: Serbs in northern Kosovo early on Monday stopped and turned back several KFOR vehicles on the road leading to the Jarinje administrative checkpoint.
Their local representatives said the passage of NATO troops was "not harmonized with heads of local self-governments in northern Kosovo".
The vehicles included two Hummers, one crane, and a pickup truck carrying American soldiers.
They came from the southern, ethnic Albanian part of the divided town of Kosovska Mitrovica.
The vehicles were stopped in the Zvečan municipality and went back after a short while via northern Kosovska Mitrovica, Suvi Do, and further toward southern Kosovska Mitrovica.
Reporters said there were no incidents.
Earlier, KFOR announced its members would continue work on Monday on repairing a bridge on the road between Zvečan and Leposavić, that leads to Jarinje.
They said they needed "full freedom of movement" in order for their heavy machines to reach the bridge near Ložište.
Member of the local crisis committee Časlav Sofronijević said that KFOR too must respect procedures and receive a permit to conduct this type of work from the Zvečan Department of Urbanism.
But he also remarked that KFOR's real intention was an attempt to transport heavy machines to the north "so they could tear down barricades", which were put up in this part of the province by Serbs.
Meanwhile, the night was peaceful at the barricades near Jarinje and Brnjak, where Serbs have been keeping watch for more than three months - ever since the Kosovo Albanian authorities from Priština tried to take over the checkpoints.
Serbs form a majority north of the Ibar River in Kosovo. They reject the authority of the government in Priština, as well as the unilateral declaration of independence made by ethnic Albanians in early 2008.
http://www.b92.net/eng/news/politics-article.php?yyyy=2011&mm=11&dd=07&nav_id=77213
Beta News Agency/Tanjug News Agency - November 7, 2011
Serbs in north stop several KFOR vehicles
ZVEČAN: Serbs in northern Kosovo early on Monday stopped and turned back several KFOR vehicles on the road leading to the Jarinje administrative checkpoint.
Their local representatives said the passage of NATO troops was "not harmonized with heads of local self-governments in northern Kosovo".
The vehicles included two Hummers, one crane, and a pickup truck carrying American soldiers.
They came from the southern, ethnic Albanian part of the divided town of Kosovska Mitrovica.
The vehicles were stopped in the Zvečan municipality and went back after a short while via northern Kosovska Mitrovica, Suvi Do, and further toward southern Kosovska Mitrovica.
Reporters said there were no incidents.
Earlier, KFOR announced its members would continue work on Monday on repairing a bridge on the road between Zvečan and Leposavić, that leads to Jarinje.
They said they needed "full freedom of movement" in order for their heavy machines to reach the bridge near Ložište.
Member of the local crisis committee Časlav Sofronijević said that KFOR too must respect procedures and receive a permit to conduct this type of work from the Zvečan Department of Urbanism.
But he also remarked that KFOR's real intention was an attempt to transport heavy machines to the north "so they could tear down barricades", which were put up in this part of the province by Serbs.
Meanwhile, the night was peaceful at the barricades near Jarinje and Brnjak, where Serbs have been keeping watch for more than three months - ever since the Kosovo Albanian authorities from Priština tried to take over the checkpoints.
Serbs form a majority north of the Ibar River in Kosovo. They reject the authority of the government in Priština, as well as the unilateral declaration of independence made by ethnic Albanians in early 2008.
---
http://www.b92.net/eng/news/politics-article.php?yyyy=2011&mm=11&dd=09&nav_id=77242
Beta News Agency/Tanjug News AgencyNovember 9, 2011
KFOR takes over barricade in northern Kosovo
JARINJE: Situation is currently peaceful at the Jarinje administrative crossing where KFOR troops took over a barricade early on Wednesday.
KFOR used tear gas against the local Serbs who had set up the original road block near the administrative line checkpoint.
Leposavić Mayor Branko Ninić has called for restraint and on the citizens to fight for their legitimate rights with peaceful means only and on KFOR not to use force.
He believes that KFOR troops used the tear gas to disperse citizens who gathered at the Jarinje checkpoint without any reason.
The tear gas was used to disperse the Serbs who were standing about 30 meters from the barbed wire that the soldiers had set up near Jarinje. KFOR took over control of the barricade about two hours earlier.
During the operation U.S. KFOR troops detained two Serbs but they were released about an hour an a half later.
KFOR also blocked two alternative roads near the Jarinje crossing and the Ibar River leading to Leposavić and Raška.
The northern Kosovo Serbs unloaded several truckloads of gravel for a new barricade after KFOR troops had used tear gas.
The group of Serbs then moved several hundred meters down the road and ambulance arrived to help those who needed medical attention due to tear gas inhalation.
“KFOR betrayed Serbs’ trust”
Kosovska Mitrovica District Head Radenko Nedeljković said on Wednesday morning that KFOR had betrayed northern Serbs’ trust by taking over the barricade at the Jarinje administrative crossing.
He told Beta news agency that KFOR had also betrayed the good will showed by the Serbs who allowed normal supplies and rotation of soldiers at the administrative crossing and the base in the town.
“It is not KFOR’s mandate to block the alternative roads and hermetically seal off this part of the province. A lesson needs to be learned from this. Regardless of how many soldiers KFOR has, a solution cannot be imposed by force,” Nedeljković pointed out.
He added that the policy and strategy needed to be changed “when it comes to the international community and they need to accept the facts and reality in the field, meaning that the Serbs from northern Kosovo do not want so-called Kosovo institutions”.
---
http://www.b92.net/eng/news/politics-article.php?yyyy=2011&mm=11&dd=09&nav_id=77253
Tanjug News AgencyNovember 9, 2011
Kosovo minister: KFOR intervention wrong step
BELGRADE, PRIŠTINA: Minister for Kosovo Goran Bogdanović stated on Wednesday that KFOR intervention and use of tear gas was "a wrong step which aggravates tensions".
It creates an atmosphere of uncertainty and does not contribute to defusing the situation, said he.
For this reason, Bogdanović called on KFOR to refrain from use of force and stay within the limits of their status-neutral mandate, while Serbs in northern Kosovo-Metohija should avoid responding to provocations and fight for their interests by peaceful means instead, Bogdanović told Tanjug.
The minister noted that nobody is opposed to traffic and passenger control but the way in which checks are performed triggers new tensions and new problems.
He expressed belief that an exit from and a solution to the existing situation with regard to administrative crossings Jarinje and Brnjak can and has to be found through dialogue only, and added that a sustainable solution for the crossings cannot be imposed by force.
He once more called on international missions to respect the specific nature and sensitivity of the situation in the north and invited northern Kosovo Serbs to remain consistent in the search for a solution through a dialogue.
The dialogue, in this and any other situation, has no alternative, the minister underscored.
He added that Belgrade is ready to continue the talks in Brussels because Serbian authorities believe that only the dialogue can render a solution to the existing problems in northern Kosovo-Metohija.
The date when the dialogue would be re-opened does not depend solely on us, it also depends on the international community, but for our part, we are ready and we have certain ideas as to how the problem of Jarinje and Brnjak can be resolved, Bogdanović said.
The state secretary in Bogdanović's ministry, Oliver Ivanović, said earlier today that although NATO troops closed one of the so-called alternative roads between northern Kosovo and central Serbia, "this will not prevent the Serbs from building another alternative road".
The locals have already started building a new barricade near the checkpoint.
KFOR members took over the old barricade near Jarinje with the help of tear gas early on Wednesday and are currently controlling the area.
KFOR soldiers exited their camp near the town of Leposavić afterwards, using several vehicles, and are positioned on the main road to Kosovska Mitrovica.
...
KFOR issued a statement on Wednesday, saying its troops had set up "a new vehicle checkpoint south of Gate 1", near the Jarinje administrative crossing in northern Kosovo.
...
According to the release, KFOR put up the new checkpoint "as support to EULEX in order to prevent vehicles from using alternative routes", and also has blocked the bypass around "Gate 1", i.e., Jarinje.
Tanjug News AgencyNovember 9, 2011
Kosovo minister: KFOR intervention wrong step
BELGRADE, PRIŠTINA: Minister for Kosovo Goran Bogdanović stated on Wednesday that KFOR intervention and use of tear gas was "a wrong step which aggravates tensions".
It creates an atmosphere of uncertainty and does not contribute to defusing the situation, said he.
For this reason, Bogdanović called on KFOR to refrain from use of force and stay within the limits of their status-neutral mandate, while Serbs in northern Kosovo-Metohija should avoid responding to provocations and fight for their interests by peaceful means instead, Bogdanović told Tanjug.
The minister noted that nobody is opposed to traffic and passenger control but the way in which checks are performed triggers new tensions and new problems.
He expressed belief that an exit from and a solution to the existing situation with regard to administrative crossings Jarinje and Brnjak can and has to be found through dialogue only, and added that a sustainable solution for the crossings cannot be imposed by force.
He once more called on international missions to respect the specific nature and sensitivity of the situation in the north and invited northern Kosovo Serbs to remain consistent in the search for a solution through a dialogue.
The dialogue, in this and any other situation, has no alternative, the minister underscored.
He added that Belgrade is ready to continue the talks in Brussels because Serbian authorities believe that only the dialogue can render a solution to the existing problems in northern Kosovo-Metohija.
The date when the dialogue would be re-opened does not depend solely on us, it also depends on the international community, but for our part, we are ready and we have certain ideas as to how the problem of Jarinje and Brnjak can be resolved, Bogdanović said.
The state secretary in Bogdanović's ministry, Oliver Ivanović, said earlier today that although NATO troops closed one of the so-called alternative roads between northern Kosovo and central Serbia, "this will not prevent the Serbs from building another alternative road".
The locals have already started building a new barricade near the checkpoint.
KFOR members took over the old barricade near Jarinje with the help of tear gas early on Wednesday and are currently controlling the area.
KFOR soldiers exited their camp near the town of Leposavić afterwards, using several vehicles, and are positioned on the main road to Kosovska Mitrovica.
...
KFOR issued a statement on Wednesday, saying its troops had set up "a new vehicle checkpoint south of Gate 1", near the Jarinje administrative crossing in northern Kosovo.
...
According to the release, KFOR put up the new checkpoint "as support to EULEX in order to prevent vehicles from using alternative routes", and also has blocked the bypass around "Gate 1", i.e., Jarinje.
---
http://www.dvidshub.net/news/79772/us-army-europe-preps-latest-kosovo-forces-rotation#.TrqZbkNclEo
U.S. Army Europe - November 9, 2011
U.S. Army Europe preps latest Kosovo Forces rotation
http://www.dvidshub.net/news/79772/us-army-europe-preps-latest-kosovo-forces-rotation#.TrqZbkNclEo
U.S. Army Europe - November 9, 2011
U.S. Army Europe preps latest Kosovo Forces rotation
Story by Lynn Davis
HOHENFELS, Germany: Crowd control, roadblocks and high tensions have recently become part of the daily scene for NATO peacekeepers in Kosovo.
Fortunately for the next KFOR rotation, that’s also the scene at U.S. Army Europe’s Joint Multinational Training Center in Hohenfels, Germany. Expert planners and observer controllers have made it a number one priority to ensure soldiers are ready to face the current situation.
“We sent several OCs from different teams over to Kosovo to observe the latest (tactics, techniques and procedures) and understand the operational environment there,” said Capt. John Denney, an OC at JMRC.
That information is then given to scenario writers who develop the events that soldiers will be challenged with during their training, Denney said.
National Guard soldiers from more than 10 states make up the U.S. element of KFOR 15, and they noticed JMRC’s efforts to make training as realistic as possible right away.
“Early on in our training, the focus was on a relatively steady state and calm environment in Kosovo,” said Col. Jeffrey Liethen, KFOR 15 commander. “Things have drastically changed. It’s very obvious that the training program here at Hohenfels has been modified to replicate what is actually going on in Kosovo right now so that will definitely be a help in us conducting our mission.”
The guard soldiers also have the unique opportunity to train with partner nations they will be working alongside during their deployment.
...
Another advantage is the prior deployments and skills set these Guard soldiers bring to the table that will aid them in the KFOR mission.
“What we are hoping to do is take a lot of the experience these soldiers already have out of Iraq or Afghanistan,” Denney said. “We use those basics they have used and put a Kosovo polish on it specific to the deployment they are going to be seeing here shortly.”
The transfer of authority to KFOR 15 is scheduled for December, where these soldiers will have a chance to implement the training they’ve received and further the peacekeeping mission in Kosovo.
HOHENFELS, Germany: Crowd control, roadblocks and high tensions have recently become part of the daily scene for NATO peacekeepers in Kosovo.
Fortunately for the next KFOR rotation, that’s also the scene at U.S. Army Europe’s Joint Multinational Training Center in Hohenfels, Germany. Expert planners and observer controllers have made it a number one priority to ensure soldiers are ready to face the current situation.
“We sent several OCs from different teams over to Kosovo to observe the latest (tactics, techniques and procedures) and understand the operational environment there,” said Capt. John Denney, an OC at JMRC.
That information is then given to scenario writers who develop the events that soldiers will be challenged with during their training, Denney said.
National Guard soldiers from more than 10 states make up the U.S. element of KFOR 15, and they noticed JMRC’s efforts to make training as realistic as possible right away.
“Early on in our training, the focus was on a relatively steady state and calm environment in Kosovo,” said Col. Jeffrey Liethen, KFOR 15 commander. “Things have drastically changed. It’s very obvious that the training program here at Hohenfels has been modified to replicate what is actually going on in Kosovo right now so that will definitely be a help in us conducting our mission.”
The guard soldiers also have the unique opportunity to train with partner nations they will be working alongside during their deployment.
...
Another advantage is the prior deployments and skills set these Guard soldiers bring to the table that will aid them in the KFOR mission.
“What we are hoping to do is take a lot of the experience these soldiers already have out of Iraq or Afghanistan,” Denney said. “We use those basics they have used and put a Kosovo polish on it specific to the deployment they are going to be seeing here shortly.”
The transfer of authority to KFOR 15 is scheduled for December, where these soldiers will have a chance to implement the training they’ve received and further the peacekeeping mission in Kosovo.
---
http://rt.com/news/serbia-world-pavic-kosovo-957/
RT - November 9, 2011
'Serbia is one flashpoint in a new world disorder’
NATO peacekeepers have used tear gas to take control of one of the barricades in Northern Kosovo, built by local Serbs several months ago in an ongoing border dispute. Political analyst Aleksandar Pavic insists KFOR forces act as occupiers.
But the success of the KFOR troops was short-lived, after a new block was put up further down the road. The crackdown comes just days after the head of the UN drew attention to the increasing number of attacks on Serbs living in Northern Kosovo.
NATO troops were deployed to the region to keep the peace and separate the conflicting sides. However, by bulldozing barricades they seem to have taken a particular side. And as Aleksandar Pavic says, the alliance has been doing this for years, while there is a bigger picture behind its actions in Serbia.
“They’ve broken their mandate, actually. They are doing the job of the Albanian-controlled government in Pristina, and they are doing it openly, in spite of their mandate from the UN, which is supposed to be a peace-keeping mandate, to keep the warring sides separated,” he told RT.
Speaking of the latest events around the barricades, Pavic notes that the KFOR action is an “aggressive show of force”. “They are acting like an occupier, instead of peace-keeping,” he added.
With all that, it is not just about Kosovo, the political analyst pointed out.
“This is part of a larger picture, and I think people should be very much aware of that,” Pavic said. “The same powers that are controlling NATO are controlling what is happening in Greece. They are behind the crisis in Greece, they are behind the crisis in Iran. What we are seeing right now is the sign of a new world disorder, and Serbia is one of the flashpoints.”
“All the people who are active in all Occupy Wall Street and all the other streets throughout the Western world right now – the Kosovo Serbs are the forefront of this fight,” Aleksandar Pavic concluded.
http://rt.com/news/serbia-world-pavic-kosovo-957/
RT - November 9, 2011
'Serbia is one flashpoint in a new world disorder’
NATO peacekeepers have used tear gas to take control of one of the barricades in Northern Kosovo, built by local Serbs several months ago in an ongoing border dispute. Political analyst Aleksandar Pavic insists KFOR forces act as occupiers.
But the success of the KFOR troops was short-lived, after a new block was put up further down the road. The crackdown comes just days after the head of the UN drew attention to the increasing number of attacks on Serbs living in Northern Kosovo.
NATO troops were deployed to the region to keep the peace and separate the conflicting sides. However, by bulldozing barricades they seem to have taken a particular side. And as Aleksandar Pavic says, the alliance has been doing this for years, while there is a bigger picture behind its actions in Serbia.
“They’ve broken their mandate, actually. They are doing the job of the Albanian-controlled government in Pristina, and they are doing it openly, in spite of their mandate from the UN, which is supposed to be a peace-keeping mandate, to keep the warring sides separated,” he told RT.
Speaking of the latest events around the barricades, Pavic notes that the KFOR action is an “aggressive show of force”. “They are acting like an occupier, instead of peace-keeping,” he added.
With all that, it is not just about Kosovo, the political analyst pointed out.
“This is part of a larger picture, and I think people should be very much aware of that,” Pavic said. “The same powers that are controlling NATO are controlling what is happening in Greece. They are behind the crisis in Greece, they are behind the crisis in Iran. What we are seeing right now is the sign of a new world disorder, and Serbia is one of the flashpoints.”
“All the people who are active in all Occupy Wall Street and all the other streets throughout the Western world right now – the Kosovo Serbs are the forefront of this fight,” Aleksandar Pavic concluded.
VIDEO: http://rt.com/news/serbia-world-pavic-kosovo-957/
=== 2 ===
http://balkans.courriers.info/article18462.html
Kosovo : le meurtre d’un Serbe par un Albanais va-t-il raviver les tensions ethniques ?
B92 - 21 octobre 2011
Traduit par Simon Rico
Jeudi, un Serbe a été tué et deux autres blessés près de Peć/Peja. Selon le témoignage de l’un des blessés, ils se seraient fait tirer dessus par un Albanais ayant accaparé un terrain appartenant à la victime. L’enquête a été confiée à Eulex, mais la police du Kosovo a déjà arrêté un suspect. Selon le ministre serbe en charge du Kosovo, ce fait divers montre que les Albanais ne veulent pas vivre avec les Serbes.
L’enquête sur la fusillade qui a coûté la vie à un Serbe et blessé deux autres à Dobruša, un village près de Peć/Peja, a été confiée à Eulex. Voilà ce qu’a déclaré Goran Bogdanović, ministre serbe pour le Kosovo.
Miodrag Komadina, 64 ans, a été tué par balles tandis que Draško Ojdanić et Dejan Bogićević ont été blessés. Draško Ojdanić a expliqué aux journalistes que les trois hommes se trouvaient à Dobruša pour visiter un terrain appartenant à la victime. Sur place, se trouvait un Albanais, qui s’était approprié la parcelle.
« Après une courte discussion, l’homme a dit qu’il avait quelque chose à faire et qu’il allait revenir. Il s’est dirigé vers sa voiture, a pris un fusil et a commencé à nous tirer dessus. »
« Ce fait divers prouve une nouvelle fois que les événements du nord du Kosovo ont une influence directe sur ce qu’il se passe au sud de l’Ibar », a estimé Goran Bogdanović au micro de la Radio Télévision serbe (RTS). Pour le ministre, cet incident montre que les Albanais ne veulent pas vivre ensemble avec les Serbes.
De son côté, la Présidente kosovare, Atifete Jahjaga a condamné ce crime qui « met en péril les relations entre les habitants du Kosovo et menace la stabilité ». Le gouvernement kosovar a lui aussi condamné crime et transmis ses condoléances à la famille de la victime.
Un suspect a été arrêté ce matin selon le porte parole de la police du Kosovo (KPS), Xhavit Ibraj. L’homme, qui se cachait à Istok, s’est rendu vers 8h. « L’individu se trouve sous les verrous », a ajouté Xhavit Ibraj, précisant qu’il est originaire de Lukavac. Son nom n’a pas été révélé.
Selon le porte parole de la KPS, une histoire de propriété serait à l’origine du meurtre. La police poursuit son enquête pour identifier tous les détails. Les deux blessés ont été transportés à l’hôpital, mais leurs jours ne sont pas en danger.
Miodrag Komadina, 64 ans, a été tué par balles tandis que Draško Ojdanić et Dejan Bogićević ont été blessés. Draško Ojdanić a expliqué aux journalistes que les trois hommes se trouvaient à Dobruša pour visiter un terrain appartenant à la victime. Sur place, se trouvait un Albanais, qui s’était approprié la parcelle.
« Après une courte discussion, l’homme a dit qu’il avait quelque chose à faire et qu’il allait revenir. Il s’est dirigé vers sa voiture, a pris un fusil et a commencé à nous tirer dessus. »
« Ce fait divers prouve une nouvelle fois que les événements du nord du Kosovo ont une influence directe sur ce qu’il se passe au sud de l’Ibar », a estimé Goran Bogdanović au micro de la Radio Télévision serbe (RTS). Pour le ministre, cet incident montre que les Albanais ne veulent pas vivre ensemble avec les Serbes.
De son côté, la Présidente kosovare, Atifete Jahjaga a condamné ce crime qui « met en péril les relations entre les habitants du Kosovo et menace la stabilité ». Le gouvernement kosovar a lui aussi condamné crime et transmis ses condoléances à la famille de la victime.
Un suspect a été arrêté ce matin selon le porte parole de la police du Kosovo (KPS), Xhavit Ibraj. L’homme, qui se cachait à Istok, s’est rendu vers 8h. « L’individu se trouve sous les verrous », a ajouté Xhavit Ibraj, précisant qu’il est originaire de Lukavac. Son nom n’a pas été révélé.
Selon le porte parole de la KPS, une histoire de propriété serait à l’origine du meurtre. La police poursuit son enquête pour identifier tous les détails. Les deux blessés ont été transportés à l’hôpital, mais leurs jours ne sont pas en danger.
=== 3 ===
www.jungewelt.de
Balkanische Lektionen
Gastkommentar: Kosovo und die Parteilichkeit der NATO
Von Sevim Dagdelen
Diese Woche wurde ein Kronzeuge in einem Kriegsverbrecherprozeß gegen den kosovo-albanischen Parlamentarier Fatmir Limaj in einem Park in Deutschland tot aufgefunden. Auswärtiges Amt und Bundeskriminalamt verweigern mit Verweis auf die Zuständigkeit des jeweils anderen weitere Auskünfte. Es steht zu vermuten, daß Agim Zogaj keines natürlichen Todes starb und die Informationen über den im Zeugenschutzprogramm in der BRD untergebrachten Mann direkt aus der ermittelnden EU-Mission in Pristina (EULEX) kamen.
Zugleich haben deutsche und US-amerikanische Truppen die Situation im Nordkosovo massiv eskaliert. Auch wenn es unterschiedliche Darstellungen zum Tathergang gibt, steht fest, daß am Dienstag Soldaten der NATO-geführten KFOR auf serbische Demonstranten geschossen haben. Den Serben werden Steinwürfe und »versuchte Provokationen« zur Last gelegt. Dies rechtfertigte offenbar, daß die Soldaten mit scharfer Munition gegen Zivilisten vorgingen. KFOR verweigert sich allen Forderungen nach einer internationalen Untersuchung der Vorfälle.
Was haben diese beiden Ereignisse miteinander zu tun? Die NATO und die Mehrheit der EU-Staaten, die die einseitige Unabhängigkeitserklärung des Kosovo anerkannt haben, stehen unverbrüchlich an der Seite der kosovo-albanischen Untergrundbewegung UCK. Während mutmaßliche kosovo-albanische Kriegsverbrecher gedeckt werden, schießt man auf serbische Demonstranten. Serbien, obwohl von neoliberalen Sozialdemokraten regiert, wird regelrecht gedemütigt. Die EU-Beitrittsperspektive wird inzwischen direkt mit dem Verzicht auf das Kosovoverbunden. Zu wichtig ist die Rolle eines willfährigen NATO-Staates im Herzen des Balkans für dessen Neuordnung.
Es wird immer deutlicher, daß die völlige Kontrolle des Kosovo nur ein erster Schritt sein wird, um mit dem Spielen der albanischen Karte die Völker des Balkans noch weiter aufeinanderzuhetzen. Frei nach dem bewährten imperialen Prinzip »Teile und herrsche«. Dafür wird jetzt offenbar auch noch eine ethnische Säuberung des Nordkosovo mit befördert. Serben sollen demnach nur bleiben dürfen, wenn sie sich dem Völkerrechtsbruch beugen. Wer »provoziert«, auf den wird geschossen. Die Bundeswehr steht dabei in der ersten Reihe und handelt in der Tradition von 2004, als sie bei den ethnischen Säuberungen gegen Serben im Kosovo einfach wegschaute. Parteilichkeit ist oberste Maxime.
Eine friedliche Zukunft der Völker auf dem Balkan wird es nur gegen die imperialen Mächte geben. Wer auf Fairneß bei den EU-Beitrittsverhandlungen hofft, macht sich im besten Falle Illusionen. Und wer die NATO nicht als Kriegsführungsbündnis mit Neuordnungsinteressen auf dem Balkan wahrnimmt, ist im besten Falle naiv. Das sind die balkanischen Lektionen dieser Zeit.
Sevim Dagdelen ist Sprecherin der Bundestagsfraktion Die Linke für internationale Beziehungen
junge Welt, 30.09.2011
=== 4 ===
http://www.resistenze.org/sito/te/po/se/posebm07-009920.htm
www.resistenze.org - popoli resistenti - serbia - 07-11-11 - n. 384
Editoriale di Kosovo notizie N°5 - Novembre 2011
Forum Belgrado per un Mondo di Eguali - Italia
Continua la resistenza dei serbi del Kosovo alla NATO...
In un assordante silenzio ed indifferenza generali
La resistenza della minoranza serba in Kosovo non si ferma: nuove barricate sono state erette in alcune località della zona settentrionale, nella quale si concentra la popolazione serba, dopo i gravi incidenti che avevano causato una ventina di manifestanti feriti. L’amministrazione kosovara aveva inviato agenti kosovari albanesi, appoggiati dalle truppe della KFOR, a controllare le frontiere con la Serbia, ma la popolazione serba locale e’ scesa in piazza per opporsi a questa prevaricazione, fuori dalla Risoluzione 1244 dell’ONU. I serbi non si sono fatti intimidire dai ricatti e dalle minacce della KFOR e dall’EULEX, ogni giorno il numero dei manifestanti serbi che effettuano i blocchi, aumenta: " ...Resteremo qui e siamo pronti a ver
(Message over 64 KB, truncated)
(Message over 64 KB, truncated)