UN cautions Albanians after revolt talk, blast

UN cautions Albanians after revolt talk, blast

http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w_articles_world_3687186_21/09/2006_74457

PRISTINA (Reuters) - An attack on Kosovo’s minority Serbs triggered a sharp warning from the United Nations to ethnic Albanian leaders yesterday to watch their words, after one forecast a “revolt” if they are denied independence from Serbia.
The comments by Kosovo’s parliamentary speaker Kole Berisha outraged Serbia, which accused him of blackmail ahead of a decision on Kosovo’s fate.
The remarks also struck a nerve with UN officials trying to guide Kosovo through talks on its future without the violent meltdown many observers have predicted.
“If our aim of independence is not realized then citizens’ revolts are expected in Kosovo,” he said.
“We don’t want revolts, but we cannot exclude them if our aim is not realized.” Berisha first made the statement on Monday in Slovenia, and repeated it upon his return to Kosovo late on Tuesday.
Hours after Berisha spoke, a hand grenade was lobbed through the window of an apartment in the western town of Klina, wounding four elderly Serbs. They were former refugees who had returned to Kosovo last year having fled after the 1998-99 war. UN deputy Steven Schook said violence was “not in the interests of Kosovo.”
“I hope the leaders of the government, unity [negotiating] team and local leaders are very careful with the phrases they use and the messages they direct to public opinion and the people right now,” the American diplomat told reporters after meeting with Berisha yesterday.
Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica, spearheading Serbia’s bid to keep the province, condemned the attack.
“It is absolutely unacceptable that Serbs are killed and Albanian separatists publicly threaten violence and blackmail the international community,” Kostunica said in a late-night statement.
Serbia last week enshrined Kosovo in the preamble of a new constitution as forever Serbian.