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Serbia Softens Threats Over Kosovo

Posted Feb 15, 08 5:43 PM CST in World 

(Newser) – After earlier threatening to sever ties with countries recognizing an independent Kosovo, Serbia softened somewhat today in announcing it would merely pulls its ambassadors in those nations, the Guardian reports. Kosovo is likely to make official its break from Serbia—a move that worries the province's ethnic Serbs—on Sunday, and diplomatic recognition from EU states and the US would soon follow.

"No citizen will be discriminated upon or feel left aside," said Kosovo's prime minister in creating an office to ease fears of Serb minorities. Both sides are looking to ease tensions and avoid violence as Sunday’s declaration looms, but Kosovar Serbs said they would hold protests on Monday. "The monster state will never be imposed and grow here," one said.

Source Guardian (UK)

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Kosovo Albanians display Albanian and American flags on their car as they celebrate Kosovo's expected declaration of independence in downtown Pristina, Kosovo, Friday, Feb. 15, 2008. Kosovo's predominantly...   (Associated Press)
Ethnic Albanians celebrate in the suburbs of Pristina, Kosovo, Serbia, on Friday, Feb. 15, 2008. Kosovo's predominantly ethnic Albanian leadership is expected to proclaim independence from Serbia in...   (Associated Press)
Kosovo Albanians display an Albanian flag while driving their car celebrating the upcoming independence of Kosovo in downtown Pristina, Kosovo, Serbia, Friday, Feb. 15, 2008. Kosovo's predominantly ethnic...   (Associated Press)
A Belgium soldier serving in KFOR warms his hands on a fire on the bridge over Ibar river dividing southern Albanian populated and northern Serbian dominated part of ethnically divided town of Kosovska...   (Associated Press)
Ethnic Albanians celebrate in the suburbs of Kosovo's capital Pristina, Friday, Feb. 15, 2008. Kosovo's predominantly ethnic Albanian leadership is expected to proclaim independence from Serbia in the...   (Associated Press)
Belgium soldiers serving in KFOR watch a woman in a wheelchair moving to cross the bridge over the Ibar river dividing the southern Albanian populated and northern Serbian dominated part of ethnically...   (Associated Press)
An Albanian flag flying on a car in the rush hour traffic in downtown Prishtina, Kosovo, Friday, Feb. 15, 2008. Kosovo's predominantly ethnic Albanian leadership is expected to proclaim independence from...   (Associated Press)
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Russia • Serbia • Kosovo • Kosovar independence • Vojislav Kostunica • Belgrade • Hashim Thaci


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