NEWS ABOUT: Kosovar independence
Kosovar independence stories: 14 news briefs
New nation resents being stuck with Serbian dialing code
Wall Street Journal Mar 27, 08 10:23 AM CDT
(Newser Summary) -
Kosovo has won recognition as an independent state from three dozen countries, but a call to the world's newest nation is a reminder of its history. Telephone numbers in Kosovo still begin with the old Serbian dialing code, and the breakaway republic now wants its own international prefix. It's not an isolated case, writes the Wall Street Journal : from Palestine to Taiwan, a country code can inspire as much patriotic fervor as a flag.
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Angry crowd clashes with UN police, occupies buildings in divided town
AFP Mar 15, 08 8:11 AM CDT
(Newser Summary) -
Hundreds of Serbs smashed down gates at two United Nations-run courthouses in northern Kosovo yesterday and stormed the buildings, AFP reports. The mob, opposed to Kosovo's independence, hauled down the UN flag and hoisted the Serbian one. They clashed with UN police, pelting them with rocks and metal objects. NATO's secretary-general condemned the violence as an unacceptable provocation.
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Leaders meet in Belgrade as tensions over Kosovo continue
BBC Feb 25, 08 4:46 AM CST
(Newser Summary) -
Unrest and uncertainty marked the one-week anniversary of Kosovo's independence as ethnic Serbs within Kosovo and around the world continued to protest, and Serbian ally Russia deployed top officials to Belgrade to meet with Serbian leaders, BBC reports. Serb protesters in northern Kosovo brandished posters of Vladimir Putin and a sign reading: "Russia Help!"
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UPDATED
Protesters upset over Kosovo set fire to US mission in Belgrade
Los Angeles Times Feb 21, 08 5:25 PM CST
(Newser Summary) -
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.
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Troops called in after mobs burn border posts
BBC Feb 20, 08 5:07 AM CST
(Newser Summary) -
NATO peacekeepers have sealed off Kosovo's northern borders after angry mobs torched border posts, the BBC reports. US troops have blocked the main road to Serbia, and French and Estonian troops have cut off the crossing to Montenegro. The move is bound to infuriate Serbs both in Kosovo and Serbia, where the foreign minister yesterday vowed that Kosovo would be a part of his nation forever.
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New country 'inches away from partition'
Reuters Feb 19, 08 10:25 AM CST
(Newser Summary) -
Hundreds of Serbs torched government and UN buildings in Kosovo today in the worst violence since the country declared independence on Sunday, raising fears of an ethnic split, Reuters reports. Seemingly well-organized gangs rampaged near the border, driving off peacekeepers who tried to intervene. No injuries were reported. “We are inches from partition,” said one Western official.
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PM vows to pull diplomats from all nations that support Kosovo independence
BBC Feb 18, 08 8:26 PM CST
(Newser Summary) -
Serbia called home its US ambassador today to protest America's recognition of Kosovo's independence, the BBC reports. Serbian PM Vojislav Kostunica called the move Serbia's "first urgent measure," and warned that envoys in other countries that recognize Kosovar autonomy will soon be withdrawn.
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UPDATED
Spain withholds nod; prez gets ahead of US State Dept.
Reuters Feb 18, 08 11:41 AM CST
(Newser Summary) -
The US and major European states recognized Kosovo as an independent state today, reports Reuters. Condoleezza Rice issued an official statement several hours after President Bush jumped the gun by saying in a speech in Africa that Kosovo is "now independent." His Secretary of State said later: "We congratulate the people of Kosovo on this historic occasion."
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Serbia enraged as US, EU expected to recognize new country tomorrow
BBC Feb 17, 08 10:30 AM CST
(Newser Summary) -
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.”
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2,000 police and judges to help smooth transition
BBC Feb 16, 08 9:39 AM CST
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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.
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Belgrade won't sever ties with countries that recognize new state
Guardian (UK) Feb 15, 08 5:43 PM CST
(Newser Summary) -
After earlier threatening to sever ties with countries recognizing an independent Kosovo, Serbia softened somewhat today in announcing it would merely pulls its ambassadors in those nations, the Guardian reports. Kosovo is likely to make official its break from Serbia—a move that worries the province's ethnic Serbs—on Sunday, and diplomatic recognition from EU states and the US would soon follow.
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Serbia won't cooperate, Putin hits 'hypocrasy'
of Western support
Guardian (UK) Feb 14, 08 1:09 PM CST
(Newser Summary) -
Serbian and Russian leaders today lambasted Kosovo's imminent declaration of independence from Serbia, the Guardian reports. Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica declared the move illegal, and said his government won't cooperate with European efforts to keep Kosovo running. Russian President Vladimir Putin blasted as "immoral and illegal" Western nations' plans to recognize the province's independence.
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Looming declaration of independence may sway presidential voting
Guardian (UK) Jan 21, 08 11:11 AM CST
(Newser Summary) -
On the verge of declaring independence, Kosovo is the key in this year’s Serbian election, the Guardian reports. Tomislav Nicolic, a Russian-aligned Serbian nationalist, won the first round of the presidential elections last night, defeating moderate incumbent Boris Tadic 39% to 35%. Seven other candidates, many pro-Western, are out of the race, which will be decided in a Feb. 3 run-off.
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Promises independence from Serbia by Dec. 10
Los Angeles Times Nov 18, 07 5:54 AM CST
(Newser Summary) -
A one-time rebel leader promising independence from Serbia surged to victory in yesterday's parliamentary elections in Kosovo. Prime Minister-elect Hashim Thaci, formerly a head of the Kosovo Liberation Army, vowed as he cast his ballot that he will declare Kosovo independent "immediately" if United Nations mediation fails to deliver independence by Dec. 10, reports the Los Angeles Times.
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