ETHNIC ALBANIAN REBELS REPORTEDLY TAKE OVER KOSOVO ROAD
BBC Monitoring International Reports - November 8, 2005

Text of report in English by Belgrade-based Radio B92 text website on 8 November

Pristina, 8 November: Uniformed and armed individuals were stopping vehicles and asking travellers for identification on Sunday [6 November] night on the road leading to the southern Kosovo village of Dubrava, according to Albanian language daily Koha Ditore.

Eyewitnesses told the daily that on Sunday night, between 2300 [2200 gmt] and 2330, these armed units set up control point on the road leading to Dubrava.

Witnesses say that the unit members told travellers that they could freely tell the police about them. Urosevac police official Agim Demiri confirmed that several reports came in from people claiming that unidentified soldier asked them for identification on Sunday night near Dubrava.

Sources tell the daily that the unit responsible for these actions is made up of former members of the Kosovo Liberation Army [KLA, UCK in Albanian].

There has been speculation that the reason for the activity of this group is to let local and international politicians know that they are ready to resort to military actions if the Kosovo status discussions veer of the direction that the former members of the KLA and the people of Kosovo wish for the talks to move in; towards independence.

Source: Radio B92 text website, Belgrade, in English 1137 gmt 8 Nov 05

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