Albania Blames Kosovo Chaos on Hardline Serbs

Prime Minister Sali Berisha accused Serb ultranationalists of being responsible for the flare-up of violence in Kosovo, while backing Pristina’s drive to regain control of its volatile northern sliver.

Besar Likmeta

Tirana

Albania's Sali Berisha | Photo courtesy of www.km.gov.al

“The burning of the border post and the attacks on KFOR troops have been all backed, inspired and paid for by ultranationalist circles in Belgrade,” Sali Berisha said on Thursday.

“Backing the Kosovo government's decision to guarantee constitutional order and exert full control over its territory, the Albanian government condemns the criminal acts of the phalanges of greater Serbia,” the premier added.

Clashes erupted in Serb-run north Kosovo after Kosovo police special units tried to take control of two border checkpoints and enforce a recent embargo on Serbian goods.

On Wednesday, a mob of angry Serbs from the town of Mitrovica burned down the Jarinje border crossing, prompting intervention by KFOR troops, which have since taken control of the two border checkpoints between Serbia and Kosovo.

Belgrade has maintained an embargo on Kosovo exports for the past three years since the former province of Serbia declared independence in 2008. Negotiations sponsored by the EU have so far failed to find a solution to the trade dispute.