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Serb Protests Rock Kosovo

Independence stokes tensions between Russia and West

By Jane Yager, Newser Staff

Posted Feb 23, 2008 7:29 AM CST

(Newser) – Mobs of Serb nationalists chanting "Kosovo is ours!" threw stones, bottles, and firecrackers at UN police yesterday as a bridge in northern Kosovo separating Serbs from ethnic Albanians became a flashpoint for conflict over the fledgling independent state. The State Dept. meanwhile ordered non-essential diplomats and all dependents of US personnel to leave Serbia after rioters torched the US Embassy in Belgrade Thursday.

Russia warned that recognition of Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence sets a precedent for the use of force: if the EU takes a unified position in favor of Kosovo, Russia will "proceed on the basis that in order to be respected we need to use brute force," a Russian ambassador told the BBC. The US called Russia's policy "cynical" and "unhelpful."

[Images (4)]

[Videos (2)]

A Serb nationalist wearing a traditional cap provokes a US soldier serving in KFOR, as NATO peacekeeping forces temporarily closed the checkpoint at Jarinje, on the border between Serbia and Kosovo, Friday,... (Associated Press)

Serb nationalists wave the national flag, as Polish soldiers serving with KFOR, and other NATO peacekeeping forces, temporarily close the Jarinje checkpoint, on the border between Serbia and Kosovo, Friday,... (Associated Press)

A Serb nationalist flashes a 3-fingers salute behind barbed wire as NATO peacekeeping forces temporarily close the checkpoint of Jarinje, on the border between Serbia and Kosovo, Friday, Feb.22, 2008.... (Associated Press)

A US soldier serving in KFOR stands guard in front of Serbs displaying Russian and Serbian flags together, as NATO peacekeeping forces temporarily closed the checkpoint of Jarinje, on the border between... (Associated Press)

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Serb Protests Rock Kosovo