Post by Bozur on Oct 14, 2008 21:11:08 GMT -5
Montenegro opposition: police incited violence
By Predrag Milic
ASSOCIATED PRESS
8:42 a.m. October 14, 2008
PODGORICA, Montenegro – Montenegrin opposition leaders furious at the country's recognition of Kosovo accused the government on Tuesday of inciting violence at a protest rally in the capital.
The pro-Serb opposition rally Monday night in Podgorica turned violent toward the end when protesters pelted police with rocks and flares and chanted “Treason! Treason!” and “Kosovo is Serbia.” The police responded with tear gas and rubber bullets. They said 11 protesters and 23 police were injured, none seriously.
It was the most serious unrest in Montenegro since the tiny nation split from Serbia in 2006. About 35 percent of its 650,000 people declare themselves Serbs. The Serbian province of Kosovo, with its mainly ethnic Albanian population, declared itself independent in February with the backing of the United States and key European Union nations.
The opposition leaders accused the Montenegrin government of provoking Monday's clashes so it could ban future gatherings.
“The last night attack was initiated by those who profited from it, and that is the government of Montenegro,” opposition leader Andreja Mandic said.
Police on Tuesday banned a pro-Serb rally that was scheduled for Thursday, and Mandic said the Serb supporters have canceled it.
Montenegrin opposition leaders said they will not give up their demand that the government revoke its decision to recognize Kosovo.
“The government decision has led to a serious crisis in Montenegro,” said Mandic. “But we will not give up.”
Montenegrin parliament speaker Ranko Krivokapic rejected the opposition demand Tuesday and praised the work of the security services. He described the clashes as an “attempt by the opposition to break into the parliament.”
The Montenegrins who declare themselves as Serbs call the recognition of Kosovo treason and a stab in Serbia's back.
The opposition have demanded that the government revoke the decision and call a referendum on the issue, or schedule an early general election.
www.signonsandiego.com/