Thaci blasts "flower box barricade" in K. Mitrovica

Source: B92

PRIŠTINA -- Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaci has expressed "deep disappointment over the shameful act of placing of barricades on the bridge in (Kosovska) Mitrovica."

(Tanjug, file)

In a statement issued on Thursday, Thaci said he spoke on behalf of his government, and added:
"As the prime minister of this country, yesterday morning I welcomed the voluntary removal of a barricade that was done by the citizens of Serb nationality, hoping it was a sign of civic maturity. Unfortunately, it took only a few hours for me and Kosovo's citizens to be once again disappointed, by the disgraceful act of placing a barricade on the bridge on the River Ibar."

He urged local leaders in northern Kosovo "to demonstrate their will" and remove "the barricade."

"This a shameful and dangerous game, and above all an illegal game that is unacceptable to the social values ​​of our democratic state. Those responsible for these illegal acts will sooner or later face the law. Freedom of movement is a fundamental right and it should not be violated by anyone. Therefore, I urge local leaders of Serb nationality to show they respect that, and to remove the barricade. The disgrace that these roadblocks represent cannot be hidden behind flower boxes that are put in the wrong place," said Thaci.

"This disgrace will be removed only by removing the barricade," he said.

Thaci was referring to concrete flower boxes placed on Wednesday in middle of the main bridge in Kosovska Mitrovica, after a barricade that was there for three years was removed. Mayor of Northern Mitrovica Goran Rakić said that the idea was to create "a peace park" there.

KFOR welcomed the removal of the barricade on the bridge in Kosovska Mitrovica, which took place in the night between Tuesday and Wednesday, saying it was "a positive step that can be beneficial to reconciliation."