Report says security deteriorating in Kosovo

Report says security deteriorating in Kosovo
BBC Monitoring Europe (Political) - October 6, 2005, Thursday

Text of report by Lj. Staletovic: "Albanian gangs cruising Kosmet", carried by Serbian newspaper Glas javnosti on 1 October

Belgrade: Security is deteriorating in Serbia's southern province while Kai Eide, who is in charge of assessing the fulfilment of standards in Kosovo and Metohija, makes his latest diplomatic tour prior to submitting a report to UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, probably on Monday [3 October].

While supporters of Albin Kurti, former leader of a student movement, protest and demand independence, armed Albanian groups in uniform, resembling the former OVK [Kosovo Liberation Army - UCK in Albanian], appeared in the vicinity of Pec, patrolling roads.

Pristina Express reported that several members of a paramilitary formation calling itself the "army for independent Kosovo" had been arrested. Glas's source from Pristina claims that the organization numbers 378 members and has given the Kosovo Assembly until 5 October to declare independence. Glas has learned that similar groups have appeared in the vicinity of Srbica, plundering and intimidating Albanians, while the declaration of their political motives is to their benefit. The OVK employed the same technique at the beginning.

Oliver Ivanovic, head of the Serb List for Kosovo and Metohija, criticized Kfor [Kosovo Force] for failing to respond.

"I asked for a meeting with Kfor commander to discuss the problem and I expect we will meet next week. Kfor must react, but Albanian politicians would have to state their position clearly on the emergence of this self-styled army. The international public will have to face the political hypocrisy of Kosovo Albanians who conduct one policy during the day, and another at night," Ivanovic told Glas, openly showing concern for the security of Serbs who could be the most threatened.

The fear is justified, considering that mass Albanian protests have been announced in October throughout Kosovo and Metohija, and could escalate into unrest of greater proportion than the riots on 17 March 2004, and the prime targets would be members of the international mission.