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Body Found After Embassy Riot

Protesters upset over Kosovo set fire to US mission in Belgrade

By Erin Mendell,  Newser User

Posted Feb 21, 2008 5:25 PM CST
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(Newser) – Serb protesters angry about Kosovo independence set the US embassy in Belgrade on fire today, and at least one charred body has been found, the Los Angeles Times reports. The victim apparently is a protester because all US personnel have been accounted for. The fire, now under control, came after an estimated 150,000 marched through the city to protest Kosovo's declaration of independence Sunday.

"As long as we live, Kosovo is Serbia," Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica told cheering crowds. "Kosovo belongs to the Serbian people." Ultra-nationalist leader Tomislav Nikolic accused the US and EU of trying to steal Kosovo, which most Serbs consider their religious and cultural heartland. Earlier on the border, Serb army reservists attacked Kosovar police with stones and burned tires.

Czech NATO soldiers in riot gear provide additional security as Serb protestors, not seen, face Kosovo police at the Merdare border crossing between Serbia and Kosovo, Thursday, Feb. 21, 2008. Hundreds of Serbian army reservists chanting Kosovo is ours! Kosovo is Serbia! hurled stones at police and NATO-led peacekeepers as...
Czech NATO soldiers in riot gear provide additional security as Serb protestors, not seen, face Kosovo police at the Merdare border crossing between Serbia and Kosovo, Thursday, Feb. 21, 2008. Hundreds...   (Associated Press)
A protester holds a picture of war crimes fugitive Bosnian Serb army commander Ratko Mladic, during a mass protest rally against Kosovo's declaration of independence in Belgrade, Serbia, Thursday, Feb. 21, 2008. At least 150,000 Serbs gathered in central Belgrade on Thursday in a massive protest against Kosovo's declaration...
A protester holds a picture of war crimes fugitive Bosnian Serb army commander Ratko Mladic, during a mass protest rally against Kosovo's declaration of independence in Belgrade, Serbia, Thursday, Feb....   (Associated Press)
The U.S. embassy in Belgrade burns after masked attackers broke into the building and set an office on fire at the end of a massive protest against Western-backed Kosovo independence, in the Serbian capital, Thursday, Feb. 21, 2008. (AP Photo)
The U.S. embassy in Belgrade burns after masked attackers broke into the building and set an office on fire at the end of a massive protest against Western-backed Kosovo independence, in the Serbian capital,...   (Associated Press)
The U.S. embassy in Belgrade burns after masked attackers broke into the building and set an office on fire at the end of a massive protest against Western-backed Kosovo independence, in the Serbian capital, Thursday, Feb. 21, 2008. More than 150,000 Serbs gathered at the rally vowing to...
The U.S. embassy in Belgrade burns after masked attackers broke into the building and set an office on fire at the end of a massive protest against Western-backed Kosovo independence, in the Serbian capital,...   (Associated Press)
Protesters attend a during mass protest rally against Kosovo's declaration of independence in Belgrade, Serbia, Thursday, Feb. 21, 2008. At least 150,000 Serbs gathered in central Belgrade on Thursday in a massive protest against Kosovo's declaration of independence. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)
Protesters attend a during mass protest rally against Kosovo's declaration of independence in Belgrade, Serbia, Thursday, Feb. 21, 2008. At least 150,000 Serbs gathered in central Belgrade on Thursday...   (Associated Press)
The U.S. embassy in Belgrade burns after masked attackers broke into the building and set an office on fire at the end of a massive protest against Western-backed Kosovo independence, in the Serbian capital, Thursday, Feb. 21, 2008. More than 150,000 Serbs gathered at the rally vowing to...
The U.S. embassy in Belgrade burns after masked attackers broke into the building and set an office on fire at the end of a massive protest against Western-backed Kosovo independence, in the Serbian capital,...   (Associated Press)
Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica speaks during a mass protest rally against Kosovo's declaration of independence in Belgrade, Serbia, Thursday, Feb. 21, 2008. At least 150,000 Serbs gathered in central Belgrade on Thursday in a massive protest against Kosovo's declaration of independence, raising fears of street violence. (AP Photo/Darko...
Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica speaks during a mass protest rally against Kosovo's declaration of independence in Belgrade, Serbia, Thursday, Feb. 21, 2008. At least 150,000 Serbs gathered...   (Associated Press)
Protesters shout slogans during a mass protest rally against Kosovo's declaration of independence in Belgrade, Serbia, Thursday, Feb. 21, 2008. At least 150,000 Serbs gathered in central Belgrade on Thursday in a massive protest against Kosovo's declaration of independence, raising fears of street violence. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)
Protesters shout slogans during a mass protest rally against Kosovo's declaration of independence in Belgrade, Serbia, Thursday, Feb. 21, 2008. At least 150,000 Serbs gathered in central Belgrade on Thursday...   (Associated Press)
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The case for Kosovo's independence
Council on Foreign Relations

The case against independence
Japan Times (Japan)

 
Serbia • Kosovo • protests • Belgrade • Yugoslavia • US Embassy • Kosovar independence • Tomislav Nikolic • Vojislav Kostunica

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