  NATO peacekeepers in Kosovo will deal firmly with any violence in territoryMarch 18, 2008 - 14:50 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - NATO peacekeepers in Kosovo will deal firmly with any violence in the territory in line with the UN mandate for the operation, an alliance spokesman said on Monday, B92 radio reported."NATO condemns in the strongest form the violence we have seen in northern Kosovo today," NATO spokesman James Appathurai said by telephone after alliance troops came under fire during Serb riots in the flashpoint town of Mitrovica. "(The NATO-led force) KFOR will respond firmly to any acts of violence, as is its mandate from the United Nations," he said of incidents that were the worst violence in the territory since the Albanian majority declared independence last month. Serbs opposed to Kosovo's independence battled UN and NATO forces Monday in the divided town of Mitrovica, stoking fears of a new regional conflict in the Balkans. The clashes forced lightly armed United Nations police to withdraw from the town in northern Kosovo. With their helicopters circling overhead, NATO troops riding in armored personnel carriers and firing tear gas moved in under a hail of stones and Molotov cocktails. NATO and UN personnel were also shot at, officials said, and in some instances returned fire. Later, Serbs attacked a U.N. convoy that was taking away detainees, enabling several to escape, police said. North Atlantic Treaty Organization troops were occupying a sliver of northern Mitrovica late Monday, amid a tableau of burned UN vehicles and debris. Serb leaders accused the international troops of using excessive force. Dozens of people were hurt in Monday's incidents, the worst violence in Kosovo since the ethnic Albanian-dominated province announced its secession from Serbia on Feb. 17. On Feb. 21, Serb rioters in Belgrade, the Serbian capital, torched the U.S. Embassy in similar protests that left one demonstrator dead and nearly 100 people injured. Washington and several European countries have recognized the new state of Kosovo.   Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads.   Partner news |  Related sections Topic Latest news The Power of One Dram to benefit Road of Life charity  The companies inform that the May beneficiary of The Power of One Dram is the “Road of Life” charitable organization.Ucom General Director gives lecture at French University in Armenia The General Director of Ucom Ralph Yirikian delivered a lecture at the French University of Armenia.Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty.Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. |
