Posted on 02/21/2008 11:04:42 AM PST by 11th_VA
BELGRADE, Serbia - Serb rioters broke into the U.S. Embassy Thursday and set fire to an office after a massive protest against Kosovo's independence that drew an estimated 150,000 people.
Masked attackers broke into the building, which has been closed this week, and tried to throw furniture from an office. A blaze broke out inside one of the offices and parts of the facade also caught fire.
Authorities drove armored jeeps down the street and fired tear gas to clear the crowd. The protesters dispersed into side streets where they continued clashing with authorities.
The neighboring Croatian Embassy also was attacked by the same group of protesters.
In Washington, State Department spokesman Sean McCormack strongly urged the Serbian government to protect the U.S. Embassy. He said the U.S. ambassador was at his home and was in contact with U.S. officials.
More than a dozen nations have recognized Kosovo's declaration of independence on Sunday, including the United States, Britain, France and Germany.
But the declaration by Kosovo's ethnic Albanian leadership has been rejected by Serbia's government and the ethnic Serbians who populate northern Kosovo. Russia, China and numerous other nations have also condemned the declaration, saying it sets a precedent that separatist groups around the world will seek to emulate.
Kosovo, which is 90 percent ethnic Albanian, has not been under Belgrade's control since 1999, when NATO launched airstrikes to halt a Serbian crackdown on ethnic Albanian separatists. A U.N. mission has governed Kosovo since, with more than 16,000 NATO troops and KFOR, a multiethnic force, policing the province.
But Serbia — and Kosovo's Serbs, who make up less than 10 percent of Kosovo's population — refuse to give up Kosovo, a territory considered the ancient cradle of Serbs' state and religion.
Earlier Thursday, police estimated that about 150,000 people had attended a rally in the Serbian capital. The crowd waved Serbian flags and carried signs reading "Stop USA terror." One group set fire to a red-and-black Albanian flag.
The U.S. embassy in Belgrade burns after masked attackers broke into the building and set an office on fire at the end of a massive protest against Western-backed Kosovo independence, in the Serbian capital, Thursday, Feb. 21, 2008. More than 150,000 Serbs gathered at the rally vowing to retake the territory which is viewed as Serbia's religious and national heartland. (AP Photo)
Here’s what Bolton has said:
“However, some terrorism experts believe Islamic states like Saudi Arabia want to export their strict brand of Wahhabi Islam to Kosovo.
They warn that Kosovo’s moderate Muslims, angry at high unemployment, organized crime, and drug smuggling, would welcome a Taliban-type rule.
Prior to this week’s declaration, John Bolton, the former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, told Russian television that Kosovo is a potential target for takeover by radical jihadists.
“I think it’s very risky if it’s granted recognition by the U.S. and other European countries,” Bolton told the Russian interviewer. “I don’t think it is economically viable. I think its instability risks attracting Islamic extremists from around the world.”
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1974123/posts
The U.S. Embassy in Belgrade burned after masked attackers broke into the building Thursday. In Washington, State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said the U.S. ambassador to Serbia was at his home and in contact with U.S. officials.
Wow! Who is this talking on FNC? First one I’ve heard saying we are helping to create a new Islamic state.
Said he sees us possibly having major probs there within 5 years time.
Personally, I don't see it taking nearly that long.
“..would be as great as Ronald Reagan..”
I once agreed with that prediction.
I soon put on sackcloth and ashes a kept on mumbling, “Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa.”
What is even more depressing is what is happening today with the choice of candidates for POTUS.
Yup. It is going to be chechnya the second...slave trading and drug smuggling, run by gangs with some infighting. Wahabbism moves in and bingo!
Happy border state, Europe.
Kosovo's declaration of independence is a direct slap in the face of Russia. Our quick un-negotiated recognition of Kosovo's independence is also a slap in the face of Russia.
Putin cannot let this stand. If he does not marshall his army and march it into Kosovo alongside the Serbians, then he will lose face for his entire nation and Russia's influence in Eastern Europe and it's status as a power will be reduced to nothing.
This is a test of Russia's resolve. I anticipate a bloody war that may directly involve American Troops if we do not abandon our bases in Kosovo before the Russian tanks move across the border.
Recognizing Kosovo was probably the single most profoundly stupid act this administration has done. We had absolutely nothing to gain and we have everything to lose by doing it.
We could literally have Russian troops and American troops engaged in direct bloody conflict before Summer. That will not be a Cold War.
I think that the Bear may be awakened from its slumber. I pray that it doesn't happen, but I don't see how it can't. Russia has too much to lose by allowing this to stand.
Gee, aren't you the classy one? Why the animosity? And who do you think you are to call me an "idiot"? An apology is in order for your rudeness.
You don't approve of that link? Here's another:
Crucified Kosovo/ Shame In The Face Of Christian Europe
And another:
Despite Tales, the War in Kosovo Was Savage, but Wasn't Genocide
Take note of one of the authors of the above piece. HE found out what Jihad was all about in a most violent and tragic way...
And one more video:
Dang you beat me to it...
So you're complaining that Clinton handed it off to Bush, but not that Bush will do the same to Obama or McCain?
Bolton is right. Why didn’t Bush listen to him? Or are we just playing both sides? (as usual)
lol! Thanks for posting it, though. I hadn’t read it.
>>No, it doesn’t, but he’d rather have a few angry Serbs that have body bags coming home from a real war with the Albanians. Someone else will have to deal with the mess in the future!<<
Isn’t the worst case combat between the U.S. and Russia over something that isn’t even a key interest for us?
They lost a battle in 1389.
There were 12,985 Serbian dwellings and 46 Albanian dwellings in the Kosovo area based on the 1455 Turkish census.
It took 500 years of genocide before the Albanian population exceeded that of the Serbs.
What is much more likely is that Russia will now seek to legitimize the secessionism of Trans-Dneister, Abkhazia, and South Ossetia as well as Nagorno-Karabakh, a Christian Armenian enclave surrounded by Azeri Muslims who btw, are American allies :)
“And if Bush keeps it up at his current pace we’ll end up with a whole damned Caliphate.”
Why not? Isn’t he convinced that Islam is a ROP?
I”m afraid that Jorge Bush is nothing other than a globalist working to merge the US with the rest of the world into the much-feared one-world conglomerate ruled by the UN. I trusted him, voted for him, but by his second term I had serious doubts. This development, the swift and sure recognition of Kosovo, is proof of what he is. God help us.
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