Mitrovica worries over Kosovo's independence

Saturday 16 February 2008

As the world awaits the declaration of Kosovo's independence, Serbs in the village of Mitrovica feel betrayed by Europe and are worried about the future. (Report: F. Berruyer)

Saturday 16 February 2008

By France24.com with wire services

The Mitrovica bridge: one of the frontiers between Kosovo Serbs and Albanians.
At the city’s marketplace north of the Ibar river, few people celebrate the announced independence.

“The whole world may recognise Kosovo’s independence. But we won’t. Even if Belgrade recognises Kosovo,” says a Serb in Kosovo

The Serbs in Mitrovica do not want an independent Kosovo with an Albanian majority. They feel betrayed by Europe.

“Have you ever been betrayed by a friend? That is how we feel today. We didn’t expect this of Europe.”

The Mitrovica bridge, surveyed by French soldiers, will undoubtedly become a real ethnic frontier between the two countries

Independence details to be finalised Sunday

Details of Kosovo's declaration of independence from Serbia -- in coordination "with our international partners" -- will be finalized Sunday morning, Prime Minister Hashim Thaci said Saturday.

"The constitution is ready and national symbols are ready," said Thaci in a television interview, as tens of thousands of Kosovars filled the streets of the provincial capital Pristina in anticipation of independence on Sunday.

"Tomorrow morning I will meet with the president (Fatmir Sejdiu) and speaker of the parliament (Jakup Krasniqi) to take a decision on the date and the hour of the declaration of independence," he said.

He also said: "I want to make clear that independence is a closed chapter. We have to focus on the future."

Earlier in the day, Thaci confirmed that independence would be declared on Sunday, telling reporters: "Tomorrow will be a day of calm, of understanding and of state engagements for the implementation of the will of the citizens of Kosovo".

Local media reports Saturday published what they depicted as the official timetable for the declaration of independence that would be made in parliament at around 3:00 p.m. (1400 GMT).

Alluding to the United States and the European Union, Thaci told RTK public television: "Every step will be coordinated with our international partners... Things are going in the direction set by our citizens."

The one-time commander of the separatist Kosovo Liberation Army dismissed Serbia's rejection of an independent Kosovo, saying "Belgrade's influence on Kosovo is definitely over".

He went on to pledge that he would protect Kosovo's jittery Serb minority "in all circumstances".

He also said that immediately upon the declaration of independence, his government would set up a foreign ministry and a defense ministry, and that it would apply to join all international institutions.

Thaci gave his television interview as Pristina came alive with music, fireworks and flag-waving by cheerful crowds of ethnic Albanians.