Nine injured in Kosovo clashes

NINE PEOPLE have been injured in clashes between hundreds of Serbs and Albanians in Kosovo, just days after western powers hailed a diplomatic breakthrough on the future of the fledgling state.

Trouble flared in ethnically divided Mitrovica when Albanians – who dominate the southern half of the town – gathered at a bridge crossing the Ibar river to taunt Serbs on the northern side about Serbia’s dramatic 83-82 defeat to Turkey in the World Basketball Championships.

Both sides threw stones at each other and gunfire and explosions were heard as local police and members of the European Union’s security and justice mission (Eulex) moved to keep the mobs apart and close the bridge.

Five civilians, two soldiers serving with the Nato peacekeeping mission (Kfor) and a local policeman were hurt, along with a French police officer serving with Eulex who was shot in the leg.

“Kfor strongly condemns the violent clashes in Mitrovica,” said Kfor chief Mjr Gen Erhard Buhler.

“Kfor will not tolerate any violence in Kosovo and I ask the population in Kosovo to help that the troublemakers can be arrested.” The head of Eulex, Yves de Kermabon, condemned the “senseless hooliganism”. He insisted that the EU police mission “is ready to take whatever measures are required . . . to ensure that any repetition of such events will be vigorously dealt with.”

The clashes highlighted the tension that continues to effect Kosovo 2½ years after the government representing its 90 per cent ethnic-Albanian majority declared independence from Belgrade, following nine years of United Nations administration.

The United States and 22 of the EU’s 27 members are among the 70 countries that recognise Kosovo’s sovereignty, while Serbia, China and Russia are among those that do not.

Serbia agreed last week to enter EU-brokered dialogue with Kosovo to improve relations and solve practical problems without questioning its independence.

Belgrade hopes the move will accelerate its bid for EU membership.