Kosovo police intended to use force against Serbs in Kosovo: Official
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The head of the Serbian Office for Kosovo says Kosovar police deployed hundreds of armored cars carrying special operation troops in the north.
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Kosovo police (Credits: Sputnik)
Kosovar police deployed hundreds of armored cars carrying special operation troops in the north of the self-proclaimed republic and had plans to use force against the Serbian population residing in those areas, Petar Petkovic, the head of the Serbian Office for Kosovo, pointed out on Monday.
The Kosovo authorities announced on Friday that starting August 1, Serbian-issued documents would be invalid and their owners would receive temporary certificates when entering Kosovo.
At the same time, Kosovo was going to start mandatory re-registration of vehicles with Serbian license plates, which would affect Serbians in the northern part of Kosovo and several other towns. This caused tensions at the border, prompting Kosovo to postpone the entry restrictions until September 1.
"[Kosovar Prime Minister Albin] Kurti and Pristina wanted conflict. They deployed hundreds of armored vehicles and special forces equipped to the teeth to the Belvedere base in southern [part of the disputed border town of] Kosovska Mitrovica, who wanted to deal with the Serbian people. This is a dramatic situation that we have been warning about for weeks and months," Petkovic told Radio Television of Serbia broadcaster.
EU monitoring events in Kosovo "with concern"
In the same context, European Union Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Peter Stano, said that the EU is troubled by the unfolding events in Kosovo and keeps tabs on the situation, urging both Pristina and Belgrade to refrain from any actions that would violate the freedom of movement of citizens.
"The EU and the member states are following the events and developments, especially in North Kosovo, very closely and with concern, but it is important to say on behalf of the EU that everyone involved in this needs to remain calm and any uncoordinated and unilateral actions which jeopardize the stability and security on the ground, which impede the freedom of movement of all citizens there, need to stop immediately," Stano told a briefing.
Kremlin: Russia stands by Kosovo Serbs
Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov affirmed that Russia supports Serbia's stance amid the current tensions on borders with Kosovo.
"We, of course, absolutely support Serbia. We stand by the Kosovo Serbs. We believe that these [demands of Kosovo authorities] are absolutely unreasonable demands," Peskov told reporters.
The Russian spokesperson indicated that "Of course, we believe that those countries that have recognized Kosovo and acted as guarantors should use all their influence to warn the Kosovo authorities against taking any ill-considered steps that could lead to further escalation of tension."
Peskov underlined that Moscow demands respect for the rights of Serbs living in Kosovo.
"Now, thank God, we managed to avoid some aggravation overnight, but this situation is only postponed for one month, so it is very important to show prudence on all sides all the same," he said.
The Kremlin spokesperson added that "We support the peace-loving, constructive position [of Belgrade] in this context, and the calls for peace and constructivism which were voiced by the Serbian president."
Russian official: "Washington is to blame for the conflict"
On his part, Speaker of the Russian State Duma, Vyacheslav Volodin, blamed the conflict on the Serbia-Kosovo border on the US.
"Washington is to blame for the conflict on border between Serbia and Kosovo. Its goal is quite obvious - to weaken countries daring to take an independent position. The methods are quite typical. Nothing new. First, the United States supports nationalist moods, fuel them, and then, it pushes to armed conflicts," Volodin said explained.
The Russian official considered that the conflict is developing under the passive eye of the United Nations and the OSCE, which are supposed to "defend security in Europe and in the world."
"They must have condemned the United States’ actions when it was bombing former Yugoslavia. They have been silent for eight years when the LPR and DPR (Lugansk and Donetsk People’s Republics) were shelled. And now they are turning a blind eye on the crimes of nationalists who have seized power," Volodin indicated.
It is noteworthy that in February 2008, Kosovo unilaterally declared independence from Serbia and nearly 100 UN member states have since recognized its independence. Several countries, including Serbia, Russia, China, Greece, and some others, do not recognize it.
