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US Rips Serbian 'Thugs' in Embassy Attack

Government officials accused of sanctioning deadly violence

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted Feb 22, 2008 6:35 AM CST
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(Newser) – The UN and US have strongly condemned attacks on the American and Croatian embassies in Belgrade during riots that erupted yesterday at a state-sponsored demonstration against Kosovo's independence. "Our embassy was attacked by thugs," said a White House spokeswoman. Rioters torched the embassies and had running battles with police in violence that killed one and injured more than 100. Some local politicians have accused members of the nationalist Serbian government of inciting the attacks, AP reports.

"We have seen a lot of disturbing reports about statements by Serbian government officials, even including a minister, about incitement to violence. This has to cease," said a spokesman for the US State Department, who added that a formal protest has been filed with the Serbian government.

Police vehicles pass by as rioters throw stones at the U.S. embassy in Belgrade, Serbia, Thursday, Feb. 21, 2008. Serb rioters set fire to an office inside the U.S. Embassy Thursday and police clashed with protesters outside other embassy buildings after a large demonstration against Kosovo's declaration of...
Police vehicles pass by as rioters throw stones at the U.S. embassy in Belgrade, Serbia, Thursday, Feb. 21, 2008. Serb rioters set fire to an office inside the U.S. Embassy Thursday and police clashed...   (Associated Press)
Protesters set an American flag on fire 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...
Protesters set an American flag on fire 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...   (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, left, and Serbian ultra-nationalist Radical Party leader Tomislav Nikolic attend a prayers in the St. Sava temple, after 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...
Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica, left, and Serbian ultra-nationalist Radical Party leader Tomislav Nikolic attend a prayers in the St. Sava temple, after a mass protest rally against Kosovo's...   (Associated Press)
A rioter throws a street sign into the burning U.S. Embassy in Belgrade, Serbia, Thursday, Feb. 21, 2008. Serb rioters set fire to an office inside the U.S. Embassy Thursday and police clashed with protesters outside other embassy buildings after a large demonstration against Kosovo's declaration of independence....
A rioter throws a street sign into the burning U.S. Embassy in Belgrade, Serbia, Thursday, Feb. 21, 2008. Serb rioters set fire to an office inside the U.S. Embassy Thursday and police clashed with protesters...   (Associated Press)
A police officer arrests a rioter in front U.S. embassy in Belgrade, Serbia, Thursday, Feb. 21, 2008. Serb rioters set fire to an office inside the U.S. Embassy Thursday and police clashed with protesters outside other embassy buildings after a large demonstration against Kosovo's declaration of independence. (AP...
A police officer arrests a rioter in front U.S. embassy in Belgrade, Serbia, Thursday, Feb. 21, 2008. Serb rioters set fire to an office inside the U.S. Embassy Thursday and police clashed with protesters...   (Associated Press)
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Bush spokeswoman: embassy was 'attacked by thugs'
Times (UK)

 
Serbia • Kosovo • Belgrade • riots • Vojislav Kostunica • Belgrade riots

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