Thousands converge on Belgrade to protest Kosovo

BELGRADE -Thousands of Serbs headed to Belgrade yesterday to attend a rally protesting Kosovo’s independence, raising fears that the gathering could trigger street violence.

Schools were closed and the state railway company made free trains available to transport protesters. Local media reports yesterday said crowds of thousands were already making their way to the capital for the afternoon rally.Organisers say the “Kosovo is Ours” event will demonstrate Serbia’s commitment to keeping the province of 2 million people, most of whom are ethnic Albanian.Kosovo declared independence on Sunday and more than a dozen nations have recognised it so far.They include the United States, Britain, France and Germany.But the move has been rejected by Serbia’s nationalist government along with the ethnic Serbians who populate northern Kosovo.Russia, China and numerous other nations also have condemned the move, saying it sets a precedent that separatist groups around the world will seek to emulate.There were fears that the rally could spark renewed rioting by ultra-nationalists who attacked the US Embassy, McDonald’s restaurants and other Western interests in the capital earlier this week.They also attacked the offices of the pro-Western Liberal Democratic Party in several towns.”We are convinced that the state organs are behind these attacks,” the party said in an open letter to the government published Thursday.Critics say attacks could be a prelude to the silencing of the opposition and pro-Western politicians in the Balkan republic, reminiscent of the era when the country was run by Slobodan Milosevic.His regime also organised giant rallies by busing in supporters and children to demonstrate public support for the wars Serbia waged in Croatia, Bosnia and Kosovo.- Nampa-APLocal media reports yesterday said crowds of thousands were already making their way to the capital for the afternoon rally.Organisers say the “Kosovo is Ours” event will demonstrate Serbia’s commitment to keeping the province of 2 million people, most of whom are ethnic Albanian.Kosovo declared independence on Sunday and more than a dozen nations have recognised it so far.They include the United States, Britain, France and Germany.But the move has been rejected by Serbia’s nationalist government along with the ethnic Serbians who populate northern Kosovo.Russia, China and numerous other nations also have condemned the move, saying it sets a precedent that separatist groups around the world will seek to emulate.There were fears that the rally could spark renewed rioting by ultra-nationalists who attacked the US Embassy, McDonald’s restaurants and other Western interests in the capital earlier this week.They also attacked the offices of the pro-Western Liberal Democratic Party in several towns.”We are convinced that the state organs are behind these attacks,” the party said in an open letter to the government published Thursday.Critics say attacks could be a prelude to the silencing of the opposition and pro-Western politicians in the Balkan republic, reminiscent of the era when the country was run by Slobodan Milosevic.His regime also organised giant rallies by busing in supporters and children to demonstrate public support for the wars Serbia waged in Croatia, Bosnia and Kosovo.- Nampa-AP