Kosovo Breaks Free

Kosovo Mediator Wins Nobel

Associated Press  |  Oct 10, 08 4:44 AM CDT

(Newser) - This year's Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Martti Ahtisaari, the former president of Finland who mediated peace talks in Indonesia and Kosovo. Ahtisaari has also mediated conflicts in Namibia, Northern Ireland, and Iraq, often working on behalf of the United Nations. In its citation the Norwegian committee praised his "important efforts, on several continents and over more than three decades, to resolve international conflicts." More »

In Kosovo Visit, Gates Walks a Fine Line With Russia

New York Times  |  Oct 8, 08 8:06 AM CDT

(Newser) - The US will maintain its current troop levels in Kosovo until at least the end of 2009, according to Defense Secretary Robert Gates. His trip to Kosovo is the first by an American cabinet member since the republic declared independence in February. The move of support is meant to show Russia—which does not recognize Kosovo's independence—that its actions in Georgia have had consequences, writes the New York Times . More »

Gift Cows Give Hope to Kosovo War Widows

Radio Free Netherlands  |  Jul 12, 08 8:28 PM CDT

(Newser) - A Dutch organization is helping steer Kosovo's war widows toward a brighter future, Radio Free Netherlands reports. Many were left to fend for themselves after losing loved ones in the war against Serbia; now the Dutch group The Bridge is giving them cows to put food on the table and earn money by selling milk. Each is obliged to give their cow's first-born calf to another woman. More »

Pro-West Bloc Claims Win in Serbia

BBC  |  May 11, 08 7:00 PM CDT

(Newser) - Serbia's president declared victory today as voters favored his pro-West bloc by 10 points in early returns, BBC reports. President Boris Tadic called the election a vote for EU integration but maintained his stand against an independent Kosovo. If Tadic's party wins, it still must forge a wider coalition—which rivals say they can beat with a larger nationalist alliance. More »

Former Kosovo Leader Acquitted of War Crimes

New York Times  |  Apr 4, 08 4:30 AM CDT

(Newser) - The UN's tribunal in the Hague has acquitted a former commander of the rebel Kosovo Liberation Army of all charges of war crimes. Ramush Haradinaj, who also briefly served as the breakaway province's prime minister, was cleared of murder, persecution, rape and torture of Kosovo Serb civilians. The verdict threatens to inflame anti-Kosovo sentiment in Serbia, writes the New York Times . More »

Kosovo Eager for Freedom's Ring

Wall Street Journal  |  Mar 27, 08 10:23 AM CDT

(Newser) - 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. More »

UN Cop Killed in Kosovo Riots

AFP  |  Mar 18, 08 6:51 AM CDT

(Newser) - A Ukrainian UN police officer has been killed and at least 40 UN or NATO personnel were injured as Serbs continued to exchange gunfire with NATO and UN forces, reports AFP. Some 70 Serbs were also wounded as yesterday's fighting in ethnically charged Mitrovica spilled over to today, including a man who fell into a coma after being shot in the head. More »

UN Forces Withdraw From Kosovo Town

BBC  |  Mar 17, 08 9:55 AM CDT

(Newser) - UN police trying to retake a courthouse were forced to withdraw from the Kosovo city of Mitrovica after clashes with ethnic Serbs, reports the BBC. NATO troops were left in charge of security after the worst violence since Kosovo declared independence; AFP reported at least 100 police and protesters were injured in struggles that included rocks, tear gas, and at least one grenade blast. More »

Serbs Storm UN's Kosovo Courthouse

AFP  |  Mar 15, 08 8:11 AM CDT

(Newser) - 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. More »

Serbia Set for Snap Elections After Kosovo Spurs Collapse

Reuters  |  Mar 13, 08 10:25 AM CDT

(Newser) - The president of Serbia dissolved parliament today, paving the way for early elections on May 11 that many are calling the country's most critical vote since the fall of strongman Slobodan Milosevic. Serbia's government collapsed over the weekend due to infighting over the fate of Kosovo and the country's prospect of membership in the European Union, reports Reuters. Early polls suggest the election will be close. More »

Serbia's PM Dissolves Government

Bloomberg  |  Mar 8, 08 11:47 AM CST

(Newser) - Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica dissolved the government today, saying it had become paralyzed over disagreements on how to deal with Kosovo and EU membership. He proposed new elections for May. "We are lacking government unity,” said Kostunica, charging that his pro-Western coalition partners aren't being adamant enough about rejecting Kosovo's recent independence. More »

US Mission Reopens in Belgrade

Reuters  |  Feb 27, 08 12:56 PM CST

(Newser) - Workers were still cleaning up damage from last week’s violent demonstrations when the US embassy in Belgrade reopened today, Reuters reports. Protesters set fire to and ransacked the building last Thursday to protest the US’ support of Kosovo in the province's declaration of independence. Now, though the building still bears scars, it is once again open for business. More »

Russia Steps Up Support for Serbia

BBC  |  Feb 25, 08 4:46 AM CST

(Newser) - 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!" More »

Looting Serbian 'Riot Girls' a YouTube Hit

Reuters  |  Feb 24, 08 8:00 AM CST

(Newser) - After the violence and looting that gripped Belgrade on Thursday night, a video available on YouTube has become a Serbian phenomenon—and provoked near-universal disapproval. The clip features two female looters grabbing everything from chocolates to designer handbags and shoes while the American embassy burned. Entitled "Swapping Kosovo for a pair of sneakers," the video heaps scorn on the "Belgrade bimbos" who "are so greedy they even have to carry things in their teeth." More »

Serbia Blames US as Rallies Continue

Associated Press  |  Feb 23, 08 4:25 PM CST

(Newser) - Thousands protested peacefully in the streets of Kosovo today, chanting “Kosovo is Serbia” as officials blamed the US for the violence that has marred earlier demonstrations. “The United States is the main culprit for all those violent acts,” said Serbia's minister for Kosovo. Meanwhile the US cleared out its embassy, inviting other Americans to join staffers in a convoy fleeing Belgrade. More »

Serb Protests Rock Kosovo