Protest in Kosovo against UN plan

10/02/2007| IslamWeb

Thousands of ethnic Albanians have demonstrated in Pristina, Kosovo's capital, protesting against a UN proposal for Kosovo they say does not go far enough in granting the province independence. 
 
Riot police fired tear gas to break up the protest after demonstrators tried to charge a security cordon and head towards a government building on Saturday.
 
About 3,000 people - many carrying banners reading "No negotiation. Self determination" - were taking part in the rally on a main street. 
 
Organisers say the self-rule envisioned for Kosovo's Serb minority could lead to the creation of a separate Serb entity within Kosovo.
 
Activists also rejected parts of the plan that call for the establishment of a new international mission that would have powers to annul decisions or laws that run against the plan itself.
 
The group also criticised ethnic Albanian leaders for negotiating with Serbia. Talks between the two sides are to resume February 21.
 
Tear gas
 
Barnaby Phillips, Al Jazeera's correspondent in Pristina, said that many people were hospitalised after protesters waving sticks tried to break through a police barricade and were met with tear gas, one of which struck a protester in the stomach.
 
Martti Ahtisaari, chief UN envoy, unveiled his proposal for Kosovo's future status a week ago.
 
The plan does not explicitly call for Kosovo's independence from Serbia, but spells out conditions for self-rule - including a flag, anthem, army and constitution, and the right to apply for membership in international organisations.
 
Kosovo's Serb minority would have a high degree of control over their own affairs.
 
The plan, which needs approval from UN Security Council to come into force, was endorsed by Kosovo's ethnic Albanian leaders but rejected by Serbian officials in Belgrade who refuse to give up the province, considered Serbia's historic heartland.

Photo caption

Ethnic Albanian Protesters in Pristina on 10 February 2007