New Kosova Report

Serbian protesters target U.S. Embassy

Monday, 18 February 2008

Serbian protesters target U.S. Embassy

Angry over Kosovo's declaration of independence on Sunday, protesters threw rocks and homemade firebombs as they clashed with police outside the U.S. Embassy in the Serbian capital of Belgrade.

One policeman was injured during scuffles as riot police fought to keep the protesters away from the building, witnesses said. An embassy window was smashed.

A large majority of people in Kosovo are ethnic Albanian, but there is a significant Serb minority, and both Serbia and Russia regard Kosovo as historically part of Serbia.

Russia demanded an urgent UN Security Council meeting on Sunday afternoon to "annul" the Kosovo declaration. But there was little that could be done for Russia because Kosovo has the support of the EU and the U.S., the CBC's Neil Herland reported shortly after the meeting.

Following the closed-door session, Russia called for an open debate Monday at the UN Security Council, Herland said.

In Pristina, the capital of Kosovo, there was a different atmosphere as thousands took to the streets to cheer their parliament's vote to declare a formal secession from Serbia.

Tens of thousands of people gathered in the streets for celebrations that began several days ago.

The declaration of independence, unanimously approved by Kosovo's elected leaders, was greeted with a chorus of fireworks, firecrackers and bursts of celebratory gunfire. Many of the revellers danced with joy and waved flags.

"It's wonderful. We can't believe it," said one man in the crowd. "It means so much."

"We have been waiting so long for this day. It means freedom," said a woman.

From the start, Kosovo leaders have stressed that this will be a peaceful state, inclusive toward its minorities and friendly toward its neighbours.

Celebrations held in Canadian cities

Big rallies were held in Toronto and Ottawa as well as smaller events in Winnipeg and Halifax to celebrate Kosovo's independence day.

Canada accepted thousands of ethnic Albanian as refugees in the 1990s after the UN assumed administration of Kosovo from Serbia.

Organizers of the Toronto rally said the president and prime minister of Europe's newest sovereign state would be addressing the crowd by phone.

They also sent a letter to Prime Minister Stephen Harper on Sunday, urging his government to recognize the Republic of Kosovo. The Department of Foreign Affairs said it's considering the situation and is expected to issue a statement within 24 hours, Herland reported.