Two
die in Muslim violence in Kosovo
February 11, 2007 2:08 PM
PRISTINA, Serbia-Two protesters injured in a violent weekend clash with
police in Kosovo died of their wounds, as ethnic Albanian leaders called
for calm Sunday in the troubled province.
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violence in Kosovo leaves two dead. |
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A protest against the U.N. plan for Kosovo turned violent Saturday,
and riot police fired rubber bullets and tear gas at thousands of ethnic
Albanians who had broken through a security cordon and were marching toward
a government building in Pristina, the provincial capital.
The crowds were protesting against the U.N. plan on Kosovo's future
status, which they say does not go far enough. Kosovo's ethnic Albanians
demand full independence from Serbia, while the U.N. plan calls for internationally
supervised self-rule.
Two other people remained in serious condition after being injured in
the clashes. About 70 protesters sought medical assistance, mainly for
the effects of tear gas.
A government statement identified the two dead as Man Balaj and Arben
Xhelali. NATO-led peacekeepers said an investigation was under way to determine
the circumstances of their death.
"It is totally regrettable that two lives were lost as a result of wanton
breach of security at the government buildings," U.N. police commissioner
Stephen Curtis said. "The demonstrators at the government buildings compelled
the police to take defensive measures to restore order. Any death is disheartening
and saddens us greatly."
Curtis said he invited Kosovo's police inspectorate "to maintain an
independent overview of the investigation into the deaths to ensure transparency."
Kosovo's Prime Minister Agim Ceku said "the death of two citizens is
enough of an indication that could lead to the conclusion that there has
been excessive use of force."
In a joint statement, ethnic Albanian leaders said the protest created
tensions that "go against the stability and Kosovo's general interests."
The leaders also expressed their condolences to the families of those killed.
"Events such as yesterday's could bear negative consequences for the
process of Kosovo's state-building," they said.
Diplomats from United States, Britain, Germany, Italy, France and Russia
in Kosovo condemned the violence.
"There is no place in Kosovo now or in the future for violence as a
means to secure political objectives," the statement said. "Those who resort
to violence and provocation only damage their own cause in the eyes of
world opinion, and we can see first hand the tragic results that ensue
here in Kosovo."
Dozens lit candles in Pristina's downtown, the scene of Saturday clashes,
to pay tribute to the victims in an event organized by protest group Self-determination.
Kosovo has been run by the U.N. since mid-1999, when NATO launched an
air war to halt the Serb crackdown on ethnic Albanian separatists. The
conflict in Kosovo left some 10,000 people dead, most of them ethnic Albanians.
Tensions are running high in Kosovo with ethnic Albanians impatient
to conclude the process they hope will result in Kosovo becoming an independent
state and a Serb minority warning of secession in the north of the province.
Kosovo is one of the poorest regions in Europe, with a high unemployment
rate and a young population.
There were fears that the unveiling of the U.N. plan could spark violence
in the ethnically tense province.
An estimated 3,000 people, many carrying banners reading "No negotiation,
Self-determination", took part in the rally on Saturday.
Chief U.N. envoy Martti Ahtisaari unveiled his proposal for Kosovo's
future a week ago. The plan does not explicitly call for Kosovo's independence
from Serbia, but spells out conditions for self-rule, including a flag,
anthem, army, constitution and the right to apply for membership in international
organizations.
Kosovo's Serb minority would have a high degree of control over its
own affairs.
The plan, which needs approval by the U.N. Security Council to come
into force, was endorsed by Kosovo's ethnic Albanian leaders but rejected
by Serbian officials in Belgrade who refuse to give up the province, considered
Serbia's historic heartland.
The leader of the protest, Albin Kurti, said Saturday the plan did not
reflect the will of Kosovo's ethnic Albanian majority for independence
and privileged the Serb minority. He said protesters were opposed to ethnic
Albanian leaders who made "many concessions to Serbia without bringing
independence."
The protesters also said the plan could lead to the creation of a separate
Serb entity within the province. Police arrested Kurti several hours after
the protest ended.
Talks on the plan are set to continue between ethnic Albanian and Serbian
officials on Feb. 21.
Ceku visited the families of the dead and insisted that the political
process his government followed was the only way to achieve Kosovo's independence.
"Unfortunately, it appears we haven't convinced everyone," he said.
