Kosovo: NATO and Serbs wage “war of leaflets”

Pristina, 20 Sept. (AKI) - NATO and Kosovo Serbs have engaged in a “war of leaflets” over barricades set up in protest against Kosovo Albanian policemen and customs officers placing at two northern border crossings with Serbia.

As the blockade entered its second week, NATO forces stationed in Kosovo (KFOR) on Monday dropped leaflets from helicopters, written in English and Serbian, saying KFOR had nothing against peaceful protests, but the blockade of traffic didn’t fall into that category.

“Road blockades are illegal and therefore aren’t a part of peaceful demonstrations,” the leaflet said. “Road blockades represent a danger for everyone in emergency situations, because the help can’t reach those in need,” it added.

Belgrade and Kosovo Serbs oppose independence and don’t recognize Pristina authority. Kosovo has meanwhile been recognized by over eighty countries, including the United States and 22 out of 27 members of the European Union.

Kosovo Serbs responded with a leaflet of their own Monday evening, citing a UN resolution that officially treats Kosovo as part of Serbia saying "according to the resolution 1244 Kosovo is a part of Serbia, there are no Kosovo customs, no Kosovo border”.

“The road blockade represents a protest of Serbian people against Kosovo customs and violation of the resolution 1244,” the Serb leaflet said. “It’s better to defend ourselves by blockades and barricades than by armed resistance and you, gentlemen from the KFOR, assess whether we are right,” the Serbs said.

Because of road blocks, KFOR and European Union police (EULEX) are unable to travel in northern Kosovo and use helicopters to supply their units in the north.

Kosovo police minister Bajram Redzepi said his government would discuss ways to remove barricades with KFOR and Eulex this week. “If there will be violent demonstrators, we will return by the same measures,” he said.

The first attempt by Kosovo police to take over border crossings of Brnjak and Jarinje on 25 July resulted in clashes in which one Kosovo policeman was killed. Police and customs then withdrew, but returned to the border posts again this week by KFOR helicopters.