KFOR removes minor road blocks, Serbs still protest

The NATO-led KFOR announced in Pristina today that its troops removed three road blocks on the Kosovska Mitrovica-Zupce road. A statement from KFOR said that the removal of the road blocks, which consisted of "gravel, stone, sand and trunks and poles" was "successful and met with no resistance". KFOR removes minor road blocks, Serbs still protest The statement did not specify if people were present at any of the locations. The press release asserted that there was "threat of criminal snipers and armed resistance by radical elements equipped with rifles, pistols or explosives". For that reason, KFOR dispatched "a sufficient force of armored infantry" to the area, adding that there was now access to the boundary crossing point at Brnjak. In its statement, KFOR called "on all peaceful citizens in Zubin Potok to resist radical and criminal elements and to give up the last two road blocks which still hinder the traffic in the town", saying that these "radical elements" were "preventing food and medicament supplies to be transported into the town", as well as that they would be "held responsible for any casualties". Meanwhile, Tanjug news agency is describing the road blocks that have been removed as "minor", and says a number of KFOR vehicles are now close to the main barricade near the village of Zupce, on the road toward Ribaric, which leads to Brnjak. The number of citizens gathered there is growing, and currently stands at some 400 people. The news agency's reporter says that they are standing at the barricade peacefully, awaiting further developments. Kosovo Serb Ljubinka Jovanovic, who has been spending the past days at the barricades, says she does so in order to defend her home and protest peacefully. "They should leave us alone and stop disturbing us. We wish to take a vacation in August, like other people, go to the seaside, instead of spending time in the road because of them. Have they not already taken enough of Kosovo from us? They would not be doing it unless they had the support of the West," said Jovanovic. Vlajko Vlaskovic is also at the main Zupce barricade, and says he is motivated by his desire to show the world that Serbs do not accept Pristina's ultimatums, and that they are tied to Serbia. Zvecan Mayor Slavisa Ristic pointed out that Serbs are demanding for KFOR to return to activities within their mandate, defined by the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244. Local Serbs in the north of the province have been blocking roads ever since the Kosovo Albanian government last week tried to take over the Brnjak and Jarinje checkpoints by force. KFOR last week shut down both checkpoints, cutting off Serbs in the north and leaving them without food and medical supplies coming from central Serbia. Late on Sunday, both posts were reopened for cars, buses and vans, but not for trucks.

KFOR removes minor road blocks, Serbs still protest

The statement did not specify if people were present at any of the locations.

The press release asserted that there was "threat of criminal snipers and armed resistance by radical elements equipped with rifles, pistols or explosives". For that reason, KFOR dispatched "a sufficient force of armored infantry" to the area, adding that there was now access to the boundary crossing point at Brnjak.

In its statement, KFOR called "on all peaceful citizens in Zubin Potok to resist radical and criminal elements and to give up the last two road blocks which still hinder the traffic in the town", saying that these "radical elements" were "preventing food and medicament supplies to be transported into the town", as well as that they would be "held responsible for any casualties".

Meanwhile, Tanjug news agency is describing the road blocks that have been removed as "minor", and says a number of KFOR vehicles are now close to the main barricade near the village of Zupče, on the road toward Ribarić, which leads to Brnjak. The number of citizens gathered there is growing, and currently stands at some 400 people.

The news agency's reporter says that they are standing at the barricade peacefully, awaiting further developments.

Kosovo Serb Ljubinka Jovanović, who has been spending the past days at the barricades, says she does so in order to defend her home and protest peacefully.

"They should leave us alone and stop disturbing us. We wish to take a vacation in August, like other people, go to the seaside, instead of spending time in the road because of them. Have they not already taken enough of Kosovo from us? They would not be doing it unless they had the support of the West," said Jovanović.

Vlajko Vlašković is also at the main Zupče barricade, and says he is motivated by his desire to show the world that Serbs do not accept Priština's ultimatums, and that they are tied to Serbia.

Zvečan Mayor Slaviša Ristić pointed out that Serbs are demanding for KFOR to return to activities within their mandate, defined by the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244.

Local Serbs in the north of the province have been blocking roads ever since the Kosovo Albanian government last week tried to take over the Brnjak and Jarinje checkpoints by force.

KFOR last week shut down both checkpoints, cutting off Serbs in the north and leaving them without food and medical supplies coming from central Serbia. Late on Sunday, both posts were reopened for cars, buses and vans, but not for trucks.