Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
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February 21, 2008

EU Launches Kosovo Mission Amid Tensions
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=1B50201:A6F02AD83191E160CE3C263A0883D881D937473925D9872C& Operation needs
support of NATO-led peacekeepers, following attacks by Serbs opposing
Kosovo's breakaway The European Union has begun setting up its
2,000-member police and judicial mission in Kosovo, to oversee the
region's independence.  But as Stefan Bos reports for VOA from
Budapest, the operation will need support of NATO-led peacekeepers,
following attacks by Serbs opposing Kosovo's breakaway from
Serbia.     







Ethnic Serb students wearing medical uniforms protest against Kosovo's
declaration of independence in Mitrovica, Kosovo, 20 Feb 2008

European Union envoy Pieter Feith, who heads the EU international
civilian mission, officially opened his office after talks with
Kosovo's government in the capital, Pristina.

Feith says about 2,000 police and judicial experts under his
leadership will help Kosovo to function as an independent democratic
state, with a fair judiciary and respect for minority rights.

"We are particularly attached because this is part of the European
Union values, to respect human rights, freedoms [and] minority rights
for all citizens here in Kosovo, including the Serb community," he
said.

But his mission needs support from NATO peacekeepers, amid growing
tensions in Kosovo.

The NATO-led force in Kosovo (K-FOR) has stepped up patrols after two
key border crossings with Serbia were blown up this week by Serbs
opposed to Kosovo's independence.

A French NATO officer told France-24 television through an
interpreter, that K-FOR will not tolerate violent protests.







K-FOR soldiers check vehicles from Serbia entering Kosovo after
reopening a checkpoint recently demolished and burnt by angry Kosovo
Serbs on Serbia-Kosovo border, 20 Feb 2008

"For K-FOR this is an unacceptable act," he said.  "A line has been
crossed and we will do everything in our disposal to confront this
violence."

Russia views international recognition of Kosovo's independence as "a
breach of international law" and has warned that it will open a
"Pandora's Box" of separatist tensions across Europe.

Serbian President Boris Tadic has appealed for calm, calling for a
peaceful rally on Thursday in Belgrade to protest Kosovo's
independence declaration.

Despite Serbia's opposition, the United States and a growing number of
EU nations, including Britain and Germany, are recognizing Kosovo's
sovereignty.  Serbia says it will withdraw its ambassadors from
nations establishing diplomatic ties with Kosovo.


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