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Kosovo Declares Independence

Posted Feb 17, 08 10:30 AM CST in World 

(Newser) – Kosovo's parliament declared independence from Serbia today by a unanimous vote, the BBC reports. "We have waited for this day for a very long time,” said PM Hashim Thaci, before reading the declaration, which promised respect for the Serbian minority. Serbia’s PM, meanwhile, slammed the US and other western nations for their plans to recognize Kosovo, saying they had created a “false state.”

"Kosovo is Serbia," said PM Vojislav Kostunica, quoting a popular nationalist saying. After today’s ceremony, Kosovar politicians are set to sign their names to a giant iron sign that says “newborn” and join the thousands celebrating in the streets for fireworks and parades.

Source BBC

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Kosovo's Prime Minister Hashim Thaci, center, sits in front of the declaration of independence, foreground left, during the parliament session in Pristina, Kosovo, Sunday, Feb. 17, 2008. Kosovo declared...   (Associated Press)
Protesters with Serbian flag shout slogans during a protest rally against Kosovo's independence, in front of the Government building, in Belgrade, Serbia, on Sunday, Feb. 17, 2008. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)   (Associated Press)
Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica speaks at the press conference in Belgrade, Serbia, on Sunday, Feb. 17, 2008. Reacting to a declaration of independence by the ethnic Albanian-dominated assembly...   (Associated Press)
Kosovo Albanians from France and Germany, waving a flag, a black double-headed eagle on a red background, celebrate in front of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, eastern France, Sunday, Feb. 17, 2008....   (Associated Press)
Kosovo's Prime minister Hashim Thaci speaks during the parliament session in Pristina, Kosovo, Sunday, Feb. 17, 2008. Kosovo declared itself a nation on Sunday, mounting a brash and historic bid to become...   (Associated Press)
Albanians watch as thousands of fellow Albanians celebrate ahead of an announcement by the Kosovo government that it would declare independence from Serbia, from the statue of the national hero Skanderbeg...   (Associated Press)
Kosovar Albanians dance with an Albanian flag in the streets of the Albanian side of the ethnically divided town of Kosovska Mitrovica, Kosovo while celebrating the upcoming independence of Kosovo, Sunday,...   (Associated Press)
Kosovar Albanians wave U.S. and Albanian flags on the Albanian side of the ethnically divided town of Kosovska Mitrovica to celebrate the upcoming independence of Kosovo, Sunday, Feb. 17, 2008. Kosovo's...   (Associated Press)
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Serbia • Kosovo • Kosovar independence • Vojislav Kostunica • Hashim Thaci


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