European Forum

Kosovo: tensions rise as KFOR troops remove roadblocks

In the early hours of Thursday October 20, KFOR-troops in Kosovo have started removing roadblocks set up by Kosovo Serbs at two border checkpoints. The Serbs were outraged that Kosovarian officials would be manning the stations; They see Kosovo as an integral part of Serbia. Small-scale fighting has left at least eight KFOR-soldiers wounded. In north-western part of Kosovo, close to the town of Pec, one Serb civilian was killed and two wounded in what seems to be an isolated incident. The police has arrested an ethnic Albanian.

The NATO Kosovo Force (KFOR) unilaterally decided to demolish the barricades after talks with representatives of the Serbian minority failed earlier this week. Sixteen roadblocks had been erected by Serbs in northern Kosovo, and KFOR was allowed through with a minimal number of troops and at specified times. KFOR command announced its mission was to ensure the free movement of all goods and people, and it would thus remove the blockades. The local population was warned not to demonstrate, but around six hundred Serbs were present at five A.M. this morning when KFOR troops arrived at the first roadblock. In the riots that followed, tear gas was used and eight KFOR soldiers were injured. The severity of their injuries is unknown.

Support from Belgrade for the Serbians living in northern Kosovo is waning, with Serbian President Boris Tadic calling on both parties to refrain form violence. The EU has made tacit approval of the breakaway region an accession prerequisite for Serbia. However, The EU can and does not want to ask formal recognition of Kosovo as some members of the 27-nation bloc do not recognize Kosovo.

Sources: B92, BalkanInsight, Euronews, NRC Handelsblad, RFE/RL, Image.