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Kosovo Leaders Appeal For Calm In Mitrovica
KOSOVSKA MITROVICA, Yugoslavia, Feb 1 (News Agencies) - The United Nations administrator in Kosovo and ethnic Albanian political leaders appealed for calm in the northern town of Kosovska Mitrovica on Thursday where more than 50 people have been hurt in four days of violence.
"We call on all citizens to remain calm and renounce new acts of violence," said U.N. administrator Hans Haekkerup as he read a joint declaration issued with the commander of the NATO-led peacekeeping force, KFOR, and political leaders.
Tensions have been high in the town since Monday, when ethnic Albanian youths began attacking peacekeepers after a teenager was killed by a grenade in a clash with a group of Serbs.
In what has become a daily ritual, Kosovo Albanian youths threw stones and petrol bombs at a French military base in the town and launched attacks on peacekeepers guarding a bridge separating the Serb northern part of Mitrovica from the predominantly Albanian south.
KFOR called in reinforcements when 26 of its personnel were injured over two days - one peacekeeper was evacuated to Skopje in Macedonia after being wounded in the legs by a grenade.
Fewer attacks were reported on Thursday, but a local doctor said he treated 32 ethnic Albanian youths and a press photographer who were injured in clashes with peacekeepers, mainly by fragments from stun grenades.
"No KFOR soldiers were seriously injured, there were only superficial injuries," said KFOR's press officer Lieutenant-Colonel Alban Desgrees du Lou.
KFOR said its soldiers used stun grenades and tear gas near the French base to disperse what was a very well organized group of protestors.
"It's the first time that Albanians from the province have taken to KFOR in such a violent manner," Desgrees du Lou said.
In Oslo, NATO Secretary General George Robertson said KFOR was determined to create a multi-ethnic democracy in Kosovo despite the violence.
"Another flashpoint has taken place and that is regrettable. It is being handled, it is under control, reinforcements have been sent to Mitrovica," Robertson said at a news conference after talks with the Norwegian prime minister Jens Stoltenberg.
"I hope that all of those who are responsible for that violence will reflect carefully on what it means for their future and will desist from creating trouble," he said.
"KFOR will remain determined to create a multi-ethnic democracy in Kosovo and will continue to be robust in dealing with those who seek to challenge law and order in that part of the world," he added.
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