KFOR Clashes with Serbs in North - EULEX Mandate Extended to 2014

On Friday, 1 June, KFOR clashed with Serb demonstrators in the North of Kosovo when KFOR attempted to remove a barricade.  Four Serbs and two German KFOR soldiers were injured in the clashes.  KFOR responded with live fire after coming under fire in addition to using tear gas and rubber bullets.  Following the clash, the Serbian Headquarters for Emergency Situations in the North stated that it would not allow EULEX members to travel in the North while the spokesperson for the outgoing Serbian government said that the decision to cooperate with EULEX will be taken by the incoming Serbian government. 

In other news, it was announced today that the mandate of EULEX will be extended until 14 June 2014.  The initial budget for 2012-2013 is Euro 111 Million.  The mission is currently undergoing a reconfiguration over the summer for an overall reduction of 25% of its staff with an increased focus on justice and customs.

Vetevendosje Clashes with Police

Kosovo Police clashed with Vetevendosje demonstrators as the Self-Determination Group gathered to block two Kosovo borders, protesting reciprocity measures against Serbia, on Saturday, 14 January.  Many people were injured, reportedly Vetevendosje leader Albin Kurti, as protestors hurled rocks at the police and the police responded with pepper spray, water cannons, and tear gas.  More than 140 people were arrested and around 50 people, mostly police, were injured during the protest.

After the protests concluded, the blame game began with Kosovo politicians criticizing Vetevendosje's methods and Vetevendosje accussing the police of brutality and Prime Minister Haschim Thaci of encouraging the crackdown.  Protesting the use of force against the Vetevendosje demonstartion, 50 NGOs gathered outside the Kosovo government building today.

Many have criticized Vetevendosje's actions likening them to intimidation used in the 1999 war and the EU Rapporteur for the Western Balkans calls them a "provocation promoting isolation "

KFOR Begins Removing Roadblocks

KFOR has confronted angry groups of Serbs in the North of Kosovo as they begin to remove barricades.  Using pepper spray, tear gas, and loudspeakers requesting the groups to disperse, KFOR has acted on the Serb's refusal to agree on removing the roadblocks which have been impeding movement of EULEX and KFOR in the North of Kosovo for the past three months.  Stating that the protestors were in a KFOR protected zone, people were warned to go home or else force could be used.

KFOR Warms Serbs to Remove Roadblocks

Two days ago on Monday KFOR reportedly was going to forcibly remove the roadblocks impeding movement in the North of Kosovo.  It was then announced that the mayor of the North had reached an agreement to remove the roadblocks themselves and KFOR extended the deadline until Tuesday but convoys were still stopped.  Yesterday it is reported that the schools in the North were closed and women/children were sent to reinforce the roadblocks to prevent their removal.  Today, Wednesday, KFOR has warned that the roadblocks should be removed or else KFOR will start removing them tomorrow. 

Kosovo Serbs Dig In

Little it seems has changed in the north of Kosovo since the bloody protests that left 10 people injured last week.  Reports are that Kosovo Serbs are digging in, NATO will not investigate the actions of KFOR personnel, and EULEX is investigating the local population for allegedly trying to ram a vehicle through the KFOR barriers and other incidents.  The protestors continue to man barricades and reinforce roadblocks with a total of 18 barricades in the north.  The New York Times runs an interesting look at the situation of the Kosovo Serbs to join Kosovo and end their push for autonomy as international pressure strengthens and support from Belgrade has weakened.

Tuesday evening, the vehicle of a Serb interpreter working for EULEX was blown up outside the EU office in Mitrovica.  EULEX has condemned the attack and called it a "clear attempt at intimidation".

Yesterday, EULEX raided the Ministry of Internal Affairs whose head has been at odds with EULEX recently saying "God save us from EULEX" over allegations of corruption into tenders for supplying the Kosovo Police Service with equipment.  One ministry official, three businessmen, and two officials from the Kosovo Police Service.

Meanwhile, the death of Witness X, Agim Zogaj, was confirmed as a suicide by the German authorities.  The Zogaj family received the body on Saturday and was expected to hold a funeral in Prizren on the same day.  The family continues to blame EULEX, stating that they kidnapped him, and still questions if his death was actually suicide.  It is expected that the trial will proceed without the key witness and debate has ensued over whether or not EULEX will be able to use recorded testimony in the trial as the defense will not be afforded the opportunity to cross-examine the witness.  Another potential witness is reported to have informed EULEX that he is not willing to testify now due to safety reasons.  There have been calls for EULEX to review its witness protection although details of the protection afforded Zogaj has not been released by EULEX.

Serbs Clash with KFOR in North Kosovo

At approximately 1300hrs today, a group of Serb protestors clashed with KFOR at the Jarinje border crossing in the North of Kosovo.  KFOR reportedly responded to the demonstrators with tear gas and rubber bullets after coming under fire by rocks and guns.  Serbian media also states that KFOR used live ammunition and lists one of the injured as being in a coma and the other in serious condition.

It is reported that four (4) members of KFOR were injured and 10 Serb protestors were injured in the clash.  The peacekeepers were reportedly injured by makeshift pimp bombs were thrown at their position at the border and one soldier is said to be in critical condition.

Some Serb leaders are urging calm while a group of angry demonstrators attacked and damaged two police vehicles in the North and Serbia's Minister for Kosovo, Goran Bogdanovic, is blaming KFOR for the violence .  EULEX and KFOR have deployed reinforcements to the south of the Ibar river.

Earlier today, KFOR used bulldozers to remove mounds of gravel placed as roadblocks in the North.  Demonstrators responded by recreating roadblocks in various areas.

In unrelated news, Romania, which has not recognized Kosovo's declaration of independence, has announced that it would be withdrawing its force from EULEX when their contingent members reach the end of their secondment.  Currently Romania contributes around 170 police officers and gendarmerie to EULEX.

Two (or Three?) Dead Following Protest

1200 CET:  Two people injured during yesterday's protest have died.  A crowd of 3000 Albanians tried to break through security barricades near the municipal government building, throwing sticks and rocks at the police.  Police responded by using tear gas and rubber bullets.  The international police commissioner, Stephen Curtis, made a public statement that the deaths were regrettable and urged the local police to conduct a fair and independent inquiry into the deaths.  He called the action of the protestors who tried to go past the police barricade a "wanton breach of security" and that the police were compelled to "take defensive measures to restore order".  Two other people are still in serious condition and have been transferred to KFOR facilities for medical treatment.
Kosovo leaders have been condemning the protest yesterday saying that the group's actions may have negative consequences on the process of forming a new Kosovo state.  The leaders have also asked Kosovo's citizens to remain calm and contribute to the stability of Kosovo.
An international worker from New Jersey, with possible Kosovo roots, has a large number of photos of the demonstration on Flickr.

1730 CET:  A candle lighting ceremony is being held at government building for the two people who died as a result of their injuries.  The road has been closed and it has been advised for UN staff to avoid the area.
1800 CET:  A demonstration has been announced in front of the student center.  About 100 people (although other agencies are reporting hundreds) are reported to have gathered for the candlelight ceremony on Mother Theresa.

2030 CET:  A demonstration appears to be occurring near the University as the intersection nicknamed "Suicide Junction" for its frequent accidents.  It is possible that the demonstration that started at 1800 CET may be progressing though town.  It has been said that a third person has died of their injuries.

Protest Day

1300 CET:  The main roads (Police Avenue, Mother Theresa) around downtown Pristina have been closed off to traffic for the Vetevendosje demonstration today.  Reportedly, the group is bussing in protesters from all over Kosovo (quite a few villages).  Quite frequently, groups will "purchase" supporters from the villages, paying them to come to the capital to participate in the protests.  Whether or not Vetevendosje has employed this tactic is not know but it has occurred in previous Pristina protests by other groups.
The demonstration is expected to begin by the municipal government building at the beginning of Mother Theresa street.  Often the group will gather around the building and the Skenderbeq statute in the square.  The protest is then expected to go from the government building down to the Grand Hotel and loop down to the UN Mission HQ.  The important thing to remember about the protests is that the Vetevendosje group has never actually filed for the right to demonstrate as required by law.  President Fatmir Sedjiu said that the group had the right to demonstrate but not the right to "destabilize" Kosovo...however, it probably wouldn't be a bad idea if the government starts making political groups follow the rules for demonstrations.  Why the local government does nothing to stop the group that often turns violent, is a question on many minds but no one seems to know the answer.  Because the paperwork to demonstration has never been filed, it is difficult to actually know what the organizers have planned and the path of the crowd.

1545 CET:  Tear gas and rubber bullets were fired at the thousands of Albanian protestors as they tried to break through a police barricade.  One person was reported to be injured according to Reuters but there is no official count of protestors or injured persons yet.  The roads to UNMIK Mission HQ was sealed off from the protestors, perhaps to prevent any damage to the building like during the Flag Day demonstration.  International Civpol officers and Italian Carabinieri sealed off the roads with armored personnel carriers.  Approximately 500 riot police are reported to have been armed with water cannons near the government building.  I have to give it to those that planned the security for today...they did an awesome job of containing the protest to the government building area :)  It made my blood boil when I saw the face of my Mission HQ after the Flag Day demonstration...such tactics are unwarranted and immature :-P

1640 CET:  A crowd of protestors has attacked a UN vehicle parked on the street near Te Komiteti restaurant and is reported to be "trying to destroy it completely".  A couple minutes later, the car is reported to be damaged and KFOR responded to the scene.  UN Security had instructed staff to move their vehicles to "safe areas" this morning but I guess not everyone listened to the many, many messages that were sent out.  Security has again instructed the staff to remove their vehicles, particularly from the streets around the government building and OSCE HQ.

Movement in Pristina has been restricted and all staff have been instructed to stay at home.  So I guess there will be no trying out the new Home Restaurant in Sunny Hill :(  I guess tonight would be a good time to try one of my new recipes for desserts.  Forget dinner, life is short and I am way better at cooking cakes, brownies, and pretty much any kind of dessert.  One of my favorite recipes is for what I call "Death by Chocolate" which is a thick, small chocolate cake with a layer of dark chocolate frosting :oD

1745 CET:  Reports are coming out about the protest.  At least 20 people are reported to have been treated at the hospital after the crowd waving sticks tried to break through police lines.  Dozens of people are said to have been arrested in the demonstration as hundreds of Albanians started hurling rocks and bottles at UN police.  After the planned demonstration broke up due to the police action, smaller groups began to go around and attack vehicles.

1815 CET:  A count of 3000 Albanians has been estimated.  The demonstrators chanted "No negotiation, self-determination" and waved banners with the slogan of the Vetevendosje (Self-Determination in English) group.  The movement has stated that the plan does not meet the demands of the local population which they say deserves outright independence, not the package of statehood that special envoy Ahtisaari has proposed.  The group has stated that "freedom does not come in packages" and is criticizing Albanian politicians for participating in the next round of talks with Belgrade.

1900 CET:  USA Today reports that 70 people required medical assistance, most from being exposed to tear gas, although four persons are reported to be seriously injured.  The KPS spokesperson says that 15 people were arrested during the demonstration and eight officers were injured.  We still are under restricted movement and I can hear helicopters flying around since this afternoon.  While I was out with Smokey a little bit ago I heard a burst of gunfire.  At least one UN vehicle was turned over and had the windows smashed out following the demonstration when protestors broke into smaller groups and started going through the side streets.

2100 CET:  One of the people arrested in today's demonstration is rumored to be the leader of Vetevendosje, Albin Kurti.  This would not be the first time that Kurti has been arrested following a demonstration or prior to one.  A week or two before Flag Day, the offices of Vetevendosje were raided by police and Kurti was arrested for failing to appear in court to answer charges for a previous demonstration.  Most likely, if Kurti was arrested, he will be released tomorrow.  Breaking the law does not seem to carry the same kind of consequences that one might be accustomed to see in Western countries.

Upcoming Demonstrations

There will be a series of demonstrations this weekend.  The first is set to occur on Friday in the Serbian enclaves.  From what I know, each one of the enclaves will have a demonstration against the Ahtisaari proposal.  The one in Gracanica is likely to interrupt the traffic to Gjilane for the day and if there is a good sized one in Caglavica or Lapje Selo, it may mean that Skopje Highway will be closed down.  The one in Mitrovica will be the most problematic though because the demonstrations usually end up with some sort of damage to UN property...but we will see!
On Saturday, Vetevendosje is calling for massive protests in Pristina.  From previous news articles, I believe that their goal is to again blockade the UN Mission HQ and prevent people from entering/exiting the compound.

There are reports of some rather nasty occurrences around Kosovo following the revelation of the status proposal.  A group of Albanians (unknown affiliation) are reported to have harassed Serbian residents of the Crvena Vodica village.  The group supposedly threatened forced expulsion stating that they were going to send all "Serbs to Serbia".  In Obilic, Serbian residents and police were allegedly intimidated by a group of Albanians whose slogan was "how much more do we have to pay you for independence".

Meanwhile, the round of talks between Belgrade and Pristina have been scheduled for 13 February.  However, acting President Boris Tadic has requested a delay of at least 10 days.  Currently Serbia does not have a negotiation team as it was disbanded due to the expiration of their mandate

Albanian High School Students Stone Serbian Elementary School

A group of Albanian high school students returning from classes stoned and broke windows in a Serbian elementary school.  In a separate and unrelated incident, a Serbian woman was stabbed in North Mitrovica and the perpetrators were seen fleeing to an ethnically mixed neighborhood.  The woman was stabbed outside the Red Cross building where she worked.  The stabbing incident is still being looked into by KPS and it is not yet known if the attack was personal, economic or ethnically motivated.  In another unrelated but ethnically motivated incident in Peja, an Albanian male assaulted a Bosniak male. 
Meanwhile, following the unveiling of the status proposal, Serbia rejected the proposal almost immediately following Ahtisaari's presentation in Belgrade.  Pristina's Albanian government has for the large part accepted the proposal which puts them on the road to independence. However, approximately 200 members of the LDK party gathered to draft a document against certain parts of the proposal (most likely the decentralization portion). While the "I" word is not actually mentioned in the proposal as thought, the proposal does give Kosovo all the characteristics of an independent and sovereign state.
Approximately 30 Albanian members of the national party, registered in Albania, held a peaceful demonstration in Podejevo that called for unification with Albania, with the slogan "one language, one flag, one nation".  The group displayed both Albanian and American flags during the demonstration.  An additional 40 Albanians joined the march after it had begun.

The Vetevendosje (Self-Determination) group is calling for protests on 10 February in Pristina.  I still have to find the Ahtisaari mannequin.  I haven't gotten up to the government building before dark yet :)  The group has been seen around Kosovo handing out pamphlets calling for support for the demonstrations.  In addition to calling for the demonstrations, Vetevendosje has also been handing out information and hanging up posters against the proposed decentralization.  The group held a peaceful protest in Mitrovica in front of the OSCE headquarters denouncing the lack of sovereignty in the proposal and criticizing the protection of Orthodox heritage and minorities.

Ticking Time Bomb?

One might wonder if they are sitting on a ticking time bomb in Kosovo.  The Finish Helsingin Samonat reports that impatience is growing in Kosovo and local residents who are interviewed seem upset both at local politicians and the UN.  The Vetevendosje group has set up some sort of effigy of Martii Ahtisaari (I believe by the government building...will try to visit and photograph!) and is preparing to demonstrate, possibly tossing rocks, at UN and government buildings.  The goal of the "Self-Determination" group is to prevent employees from doing their work.  While a spokesperson does say that they are not looking to harm anyone, with flying rocks and windows being smashed, it is likely that someone either innocent employee or demonstrator may be injured.  Additionally, Albin Kurti, leader of the Self-Determination group, is quoted as saying that he expects more bloodshed in Kosovo following the release of Ahtisaari's proposal.
The NGO Mercy Corps says that Kosovo's Future is looking bright but cautions that the status agreement must be implemented correctly or we risk the chance of returning to instability.

Meanwhile, countries from Russia to Finland are asking the question of what does Kosovo's independence mean to us?  In Finland, the question is of the independent Aland Islands...will their status need to be looked at again?  In the former Soviet Union, there are many break-away provinces and the issue of Chechnya (which Russia thinks is different than the others, meaning they support the breakup of other countries but not Russia.).

Pushing Fake Travel Documents in Kosovo

The Balkan Investigative Reporting Network published an article about the illegal document peddling that goes on in Kosovo and surrounding countries.  The problem stems mostly from the inability of Albanians to travel to other countries using the UNMIK Travel Document as most countries require a visa.  With old ex-Yugoslav documents, people are able to easily travel to neighboring countries such as Bulgaria, Croatia, Bosnia without a visa. 
Meanwhile, Kosovo PM Ceku has been on a tour to promote independence in Kosovo.  He has visited Russia, Romania, and Croatia in the past weeks to try to build partnerships and gain support for an independent Kosovo.  The visit that received the most press was naturally his visit to Moscow which was dubbed "informal".  Russia is still holding to their statements that they will veto any move for independence in the Security Council and insists that any solution found must be acceptable to Serbia and Kosovo.  That's easier said than done with Albanians insisting on nothing short of independence and Serbia insisting that Kosovo remain part of Serbia.

And yesterday, five Albanians were arrested in connection with the violent demonstrations on 28 November where the government and UNMIK Mission HQ suffered damage.  The figures of how many demonstrators there were depends on the source.  Local media reports that there were 5000 people, UN Security stated that there were 4000, some international media says 3000, and one UNMIK police spokesperson said 2000 demonstrators.  While always difficult to judge the size of a crowd, from what I've seen and have been told, the crowd was around 3000-4000 people...so maybe everyone should settle on the amount of 3500 :o)

Albanian Flag Day

2230 Hours:  Finally the "All Clear" has been given by Security for people to go back to Mission HQ.  Earlier people called to ask if it was okay and security said that things were calm around 1800hrs.  The official tally according to the UN is that the demonstration had 4000 people.  The demonstration was a combination of the Self-Determination group, students from the University of Prishtine, and the War Veterans Association.  The crowd chanted anti-negotation, anti-negotiation team, anti-decentralization, and of course, anti-UNMIK slogans during the demonstration.  Both the government building and UNMIK Mission HQ had windows broken out with bottles filled with red paint.  The crowd also managed to topple on of the concrete blocks that makes up a blast barrier in front of UNMIK MHQ.  The total damage is at 80 windows, 3 government vehicles, and a partridge in a pear tear (just kidding about the bird!) 
An interesting note that I found was that the gate to UNMIK MHQ was chained shut.  Now from reading, it appears that the protesters actually did the chaining.  During that time, the blast barrier was pulled down.  It was a rather smart tactic because no one inside the compound would have been able to see much and it would have taken them a couple minutes to respond once they found out because the main entrance was chained shut.

1700 Hours: Things are quiet now.  The radio has fallen silent so that means that Security is busy taking care of other problems.  The protestors reportedly tried to storm MHQ causing riot police to fire tear gas on the crowd.  So far we still haven't been told that it is okay to go downtown so we may camp out in the offices until we hear something.  Several of my colleagues work in a two block radius to MHQ so going home for them might not be easy if there are still crowds on the streets.  Even living up the hill in Dragodan, I'm ready for anything with my sleeping bag, a couple changes of clothing, and toothbrush.  I can easily camp out in my office for a couple days comfortably should anything major happen.

 1430 Hours:  The demonstration has begun.  UNMIK sent all the staff working downtown home at 1330 hours with the instruction that they were not to return until the "All Clear" has been given.  Wish I was still downtown so I could be off too! :o)  The demonstration is quite large, reported to be around 5000 people which is bigger than I expected.  But then they did bring a lot of people from outside town (I've heard rumors that the villagers are sometimes paid to come to the demonstrations...and some are paid to cause trouble).
The demonstration started at the Government Building where windows were smashed out by thrown rocks.  The crowd has now proceeded to UN Mission HQ and tried to destroy the blast barrier that sits on the street outside the gate in front of the main building.  Security is going crazy with announcements about movement restrictions every few minutes...makes me think that some staff members haven't been paying much attention to the previous warnings!

1000 Hours:  I won't call it Kosovo Flag Day because it really isn't.  Kosovo does not have a flag of its own yet.  The Albanians here are "borrowing" the flag of another country and politicians or the public cannot agree on what kind of flag they want for their own.  Kosovo should it become independent will probably become the first country without its own flag.  Each political party has its own idea what the flag should look like and just like the status negotiations, there is no compromise!

Mission Increases Security

UNMIK officials have officially announced that the mission was increasing security due to unspecific but serious threats against its personnel and property.  Stress-levels have been rising on the lead up to tomorrow's Flag Day mass protests in the streets of Pristina by the Self-Determination group and a recent spate of threats and tampering of UN vehicles (slashing tires or removing lug nuts). 
The Self-Determination group seems to have recruited young men of high-school age to plaster posters calling for the protests.  I drove past a couple groups that were hanging up posters around and they couldn't have been old enough to shave (maybe around 15-16 years-old).  From speaking to many of my local friends, they don't think there will be a very large turn-out as most of the population doesn't agree with the group's tactics.  There seemed to be popular support in the beginning but as I've seen, each protest seems to be with fewer and fewer people.  In fact the group seems to be losing quite a bit of respect lately and last week their headquarters was raided and Kurti was arrested for failing to show up in court to answer for previous civil disturbance charges

Self-Determination Leader Arrested

Albin Kurti of the Self-Determination group (Vetenvendosje in Albanian) was arrested yesterday by Kosovo police for failing to show up in court to answer charges of civil unrest.  In addition to recent protests against UNMIK and decentralization, the group has claimed responsibility for vandalizing UN vehicles by painting or putting stickers on the body or removing the lug nuts from the wheels.  The group is reportedly planning mass street demonstrations on 28 November calling for the parliament to unilaterally declare independence from Serbia.
Meanwhile, a report has been released stating that Kosovo needs to have a multi-ethnic defense force if granted independence.  The force of around 2500 would be responsible for national security and upon its creation, the UN-group suggests that the Kosovo Protection Corp (TMK in Albanian, KPC in English) is disbanded.  The report that was previewed at a recent forum hosted by the US Institute for Peace goes on to state that TMK members should not be barred from applying for positions in the new Kosovo force but that there should be no guarantees that they will be allowed to transition.  TMK currently has about 5000 "national guardsmen" and is nearly all Albanian.

And in the run-up to the first elections since the death of Rugova, internal party conflict is threatening to split the LDK (Democratic League of Kosovo) party.  The current president, who must resign if he takes the position, and the former speaker are both running campaigns to take over as leader of the party.  The internal conflict has created even further divisions in the party that was struggling to keep things together before Rugova's death.  In the last elections, LDK did not gather enough votes to rule alone so they had to form a coalition government.

And finally, the power!  In one word...BAD!  The new power schedule is 3:3 (three on - three off) in A-areas, 2:5 in B-areas, and 1:5 in C-areas.  Only two of the generators of both power plants are working and Kosovo is already importing nearly 70MW from outside.  With the temperatures still in the 40-50's, the colder part of the winter is looking pretty miserable for everyone in Kosovo.

Let the Games Begin!

It has long be forecasted that should the UN not give the Albanians what they want, the population would basically rise up and "bite the hand that feeds" them.  And while groups have been against UNMIK before, I think now things have gotten a bit more serious and troublesome.  Distributing flyers or putting toilets in front of the gate is fine...but now the Self-Determination group has threatened to put explosive devices on UN vehicles prompting Security to go crazy with warning staff members to check vehicles and some individuals are starting to tamper with the vehicles creating potentially deadly consequences. 
Also few days ago, the entire wheel of one of the UNMIK 4Runners came off while a staff member was driving.  After investigating the incident, it was discovered that the wheel had been tampered with and the bolts removed.  This coincides with another threat against UN vehicles where the Self-Determination Group said they would deflate tires and otherwise vandalize the vehicles (nothing new.)

Another recent activity of the Self-Determination Group has been in the Gnjilane region.  Members of the group have been stepping in front of moving UN vehicles forcing the drivers to apply emergency braking procedures and then either accosting the drivers or attempting to put stickers on the vehicles.  Reports are also coming that members of the group have been attempting to spit on international staff members while walking or driving.

This weekend I also noticed a new poster hanging up around Pristina.  Every once in a while for American holidays, a group hangs up posters to celebrate the holiday.  The new posters say "Thank you USA.  We <heart> You!  Happy Thanksgiving".  I can't think of anywhere else in the world that celebrates the US holidays like they do in Kosovo.  In fact, I think that we Americans should go on strike because the Kosovo-Albanians are celebrating three days of Thanksgiving and we only have one!

Self Determination Group in Macedonia?

Posters from the Kurti's Self-Determination group have turned up on the windows of shops in Macedonia.  One would ask the question as to why the group that pushing for a referendum in Kosovo for independence would hang up signs in Macedonia?! The signs urge the boycott of Serbian products stating that the money made by companies is used to finance the army and police...which I guess leads on to the argument that the army and police abuse the citizens and continue from there.  Of course the Serbian police and army haven't been in Kosovo for the past seven years...but we won't go there :)
Looking back, I noticed that I forgot to mention the Self-Determination group's protest last Friday where they threw bags of ink over the UN fence at vehicles and left a toilet with a bow around it in front of the main gate.  The group also distributed anti-UNMIK, anti-1244, and anti-decentralization pamphlets that littered the street near the Kukri/Phoenix bar.  There was only about 50 people at this demonstration...I'm not sure if the group is losing interest or if the demonstrations are losing strength due to crackdowns by the KPS.  

Serbian Schoolteacher Beat in Multiethnic Community

A Serbian schoolteacher was severely beaten by two Albanians in broad daylight yesterday.  Vuko Danilovic was escorting 30 children for OSCE's multiethnic community program in Decani when he was approached by two Albanians in the main square after buying ice-cream for the children.  The first man allegedly began cussing at Danilovic and started striking him.  The second soon joined in and beat Danilovic to the ground in an apparent ethnically-motivated attack.  Danilovic and the schoolchildren were taking part in an OSCE program aimed at bridging the gap between Albanians and Serbs who live in secluded enclaves.  After the attack, the schoolchildren, out of fear for their safety, and Danilovic, for medical treatment, were taken to Montenegro.  Danilovic is reported to have suffered severe bodily harm and is now deaf in one ear.
In other news, Albin Kurti and 64 members of the "Self-Determination" group were arrested yesterday after barring entry to the Assembly Building in protest against the UN Special Envoy Marttii Ahtisaari's visit to Pristina to meet with Albanian leaders.  Ahtisaari is visiting with leaders ahead of the next round of talks in the hopes that some progress can be made after repeated failures in talks on decentralization, minority rights, and protection of religious/cultural heritage.

Serbian PM visits Kosovo

The Serbian Prime Minister made a historic visit today to Serbian enclaves for the Vidovdan (St. Vitus) celebrations.  This is only the second visit by the PM since the end of the war in 1999.  Members of the "Self-Determination" activist group attempted to blockade the road during the visit so the route was tightly secured by KPS and KFOR soldiers.  Reports are that 116 activists were arrested near Mitrovica on the road leading to Merdare border crossing.
There was an article in the China Post about the US engagement in Kosovo and how the US should plan to be in it for the long-haul in order to ensure stability in the region.  Many recent events are concerning analysts ranging from the recent independence of Montenegro to talks of referendums in Bosnia and the status negotiations in Kosovo.

KPS Break-up Demonstrations - 81 Arrested

The "Self-Determination" group's demonstration in front of the UNMIK Mission HQ has ended today after KPS (Kosovo Police Service) riot police intervened, arresting 90 people.  Nine people were released after discovering that they were minors.  For the past two days, the group has blocked the entrances to MHQ with sheer number of people and concrete barricades.  The protesters set up tents along Police Avenue and camped overnight on the main street of downtown Pristina.  Protesters are complaining now that the police used excessive force and state that dozens were injured when the police started making arrests around 0300CET.
The SRSG, Soren Jessen-Petersen, had described those in the "Self-Determination" group as being "lost people" who are not contributing to the peaceful, positive progress of Kosovo.  The Albanian Prime Minister, Agim Ceku, said that the protests only serve the enemies of Kosovo's independence.  The "Self-Determination" group in turn accuses the Albanian government officials of being puppets of the UN and continue to demand an immediate vote for independence (referendum), the annulment of UN Security Council Resolution 1244, and that UN leave Kosovo.