In the turbulent Northern Kosovo
05/08/2011 15:30
State nurse is paid without going to work, instead sells drugs from the pharmaceutical warehouse with the support of the director in Bushat 18/04 21:24
The agreement achieved between KFOR and Serbian officials apparently has not been communicated to Northern Kosovo Serbians.
The freedom of movement in that area is allowed only to those citizens who participate in the mission of Parallel Structures for blocking the extension of Kosovo institutions in the area.
Even a Serbian taxi driver doesn’t feel safe to travel under this tense situation. While accompanying the Top-Channel crew towards north, he was forced to avoid the main roads, driving through the center of northern Mitrovice. The driver says that he has never been part of the persons how placed roadblocks, and will never be.
Dozens of Serbs with “Kosovo is Serbia” signs have blocked the road to Jarinje, in the Rudare village, for the ninth day. The Serbians seem prepared for any kind of situation. They have food supplies with them and an ambulance that stands by in case of emergency.
The border checkpoint no.1 is 50 km ahead, now declared a restricted military area by KFOR. The few signs in Albanian language now have been completely removed. Along the road there are posters with the portrait of the Russian Prime Minister, Vladimir Putin, and the Champion of Wimbledone, Novak Djokovic.
Five Red Cross trucks crossed the Jarinje checkpoint this Thursday at 13:00, transporting humanitarian aid for the Serbs. This action was undertaken despite the fact that Northern Kosovo is not suffering any food crisis, since the shops are full of goods, and this is also confirmed by the Serbian taxi driver.
Jarinje border checkpoint no.1, which was burned some days ago, today is controlled by US forces. After opening it only a few days ago, the soldiers have allowed the movement of the vehicles, but there are strict searches by the soldiers.
The Kosovo Minister of Trade and Industry in Prishtina, Mimoza Kusari Lila, declared that after installing the infrastructure in Jarinje, the government will also send Kosovo Customs employees and police.
Kosovo police officials are situated in the main road of Iber River. They say that the situation seems calm, although there are many flyers thrown around the bridge, which warn for tensions.
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