Kosovo police seize weapons and ammunitions in region bordering Macedonia
The Associated Press - April 28, 2008 Monday 10:33 AM GMT

By NEBI QENA, Associated Press Writer

PRISTINA Kosovo - Police stopped a car carrying weapons and ammunition from Kosovo toward Macedonia on Monday and arrested four Kosovo Albanians, authorities said.

The weapons, which were given to NATO-led peacekeepers responsible for securing Kosovo's borders, apparently were intended for extremists in neighboring Macedonia, police said.

The cargo contained high-caliber weapons and ammunition, including rocket-propelled grenades, mortar rounds and anti-aircraft machine guns, police said.

Kosovo and Macedonia have formed working groups to try to settle a border dispute concerning about 5,000 acres of land given to Macedonia in a 2001 border deal between Serbia and Macedonian authorities. Kosovo leaders oppose the deal, claiming that Serbia had no control over the territory and no right to give it to Macedonia.

Kosovo news reports say masked ethnic Albanians have been seen brandishing weapons in the region bordering Macedonia and pledging to fight for the contested territory. NATO-led peacekeepers and Kosovo police have denied any knowledge of armed groups operating there.

Macedonia's leaders have linked the border dispute to their recognition of Kosovo's declaration of independence from Serbia in February. In Macedonia, tensions between ethnic Albanians and the Slav majority continue about 7 1/2 years after an ethnic Albanian insurgency.

Ethnic Albanians make up more than a quarter of Macedonia's population, and they fought a brief war against government forces in 2001. They demand an immediate recognition of Kosovo's independence, greater use of the Albanian language and flag, and benefits for veterans of the guerrilla insurgency.

Posted for Fair Use only.