Self-Determination demands referendum

PRISTINA Several hundred marched through Pristina Saturday to protest a UN plan on Kosovo, demanding release of their jailed leader. Self-Determination activists chanted anti-UN slogans and demanded a referendum to settle the province's future status. Saturday's demonstration was the latest in their opposition to the plan, drafted by U.N. envoy Martti Ahtisaari. Self-Determination demands referendum The group says Ahtisaari's plan falls short of granting the province full independence by limiting Kosovo's sovereignty. They also complain that it offers too many concessions to Kosovo's Serb minority and would effectively divide the province along ethnic lines. The movement has already staged two protests. The first one took place on February 10, 2007, when two persons were killed and more than 80 wounded in a clash between protestors and police. Numerous activists were detained in police custody afterwards, including movement leader Albin Kurti, who is due to be released on April 10. The second protest held on March 3 was carried out peacefully and without incidents. Albin Kurti reportedly went on a hunger strike, refusing to eat meals made from Serbian food products he was supposedly served with. "This is not the status of Kosovo that the citizens wanted," Kurti said in a letter that was read to the protesters Saturday. Police said no incidents were reported during Saturday's protest.

Self-Determination demands referendum

The group says Ahtisaari's plan falls short of granting the province full independence by limiting Kosovo's sovereignty. They also complain that it offers too many concessions to Kosovo's Serb minority and would effectively divide the province along ethnic lines.

The movement has already staged two protests. The first one took place on February 10, 2007, when two persons were killed and more than 80 wounded in a clash between protestors and police.

Numerous activists were detained in police custody afterwards, including movement leader Albin Kurti, who is due to be released on April 10.

The second protest held on March 3 was carried out peacefully and without incidents.

Albin Kurti reportedly went on a hunger strike, refusing to eat meals made from Serbian food products he was supposedly served with.

"This is not the status of Kosovo that the citizens wanted," Kurti said in a letter that was read to the protesters Saturday.

Police said no incidents were reported during Saturday's protest.