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December 2, 2008 10:49:28 AM CST

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EU Force Set for Kosovo on Eve of Independence

Posted Feb 16, 08 9:39 AM CST in Crime & Courts,  World 

(Newser) – As Kosovo stands poised to declare independence from Serbia, the European Union is preparing to send a civilian police and justice mission to help enforce the rule of law in the fledgling country. The US and most of the EU support Kosovar independence; Serbia and Russia oppose it, but will not intervene with the EU mission, BBC reports.

Excitement is building in Kosovo, where many expect the declaration of independence to come tomorrow, to the strains of "Ode to Joy," the EU anthem, AFP reports. The 2,000-strong EU force, which will begin arriving next week, seeks to prevent human rights abuses, fight corruption and organized crime, and track down suspected war criminals.

Sources BBC, AFP

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Ethnic Albanians celebrate in the suburbs of Kosovo's capital Pristina on Friday, Feb. 15, 2008. Kosovo's predominantly ethnic Albanian leadership is expected to proclaim independence from Serbia on...   (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 on Sunday...   (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)
Graphic shows events in Kosovo?s history; 3c x 4 1/2 inches; 146 mm x 114.3 mm   (Associated Press)
An ethnic Albanian boy sits on a rooftop as a firework explodes behind Albanian flags in Pristina, Kosovo, Serbia, on Friday, Feb. 15, 2008. Kosovo's prime minister on Friday announced the creation of...   (Associated Press)
Serbs carrying a banner that reads "It will remain ours", referring to the breakaway province of Kosovo, attend a protest in downtown Belgrade, Serbia, Saturday, Feb. 16, 2008. Hundreds of Serb nationalists...   (Associated Press)
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Russia • European Union • corruption • Serbia • Kosovo • war crimes • Kosovar independence • human rights abuse


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