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Serbia protests terror against Serbs, prays for Kosovo victims
Belgrade,
19 March 2004
Tens of thousands of citizens, led by Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica, officials of the Serbian government, Serbian Orthodox Church dignitaries and representatives of political parties, gathered outside Saint Sava Church in central Belgrade where Metropolitan Amfilohije held a prayer for victims of the recent violence in Kosovo-Metohija.
A protest walk, which the government organised in protest over armed terror against Serb population in the province, started from the government building at 12 noon.
Following a session yesterday, the government said that the protest rally will urge UN forces to immediately restore peace and guarantee safety for Kosovo Serbs, and called on all citizens, political parties, workers, students and public figures to join in the protest walk.
Metropolitan Amfilohije appealed to citizens to start raising funds for the people of Kosovo-Metohija and urged the remaining population in the province not to give up and not to leave their homes, the Beta news agency reported.
He went on to say that Kosovo is witnessing a Bartholomew night and a pogrom of a nation and its dignity, rather that ethnic clashes as Europe and the United Nations call it. He added he expects the international community to call Kosovo events by their real name and help bring justice to the province.
Metropolitan Amfilohije condemned the burning of monasteries in Kosovo-Metohija, stressing that as many as 15 monasteries were destroyed in a single day. He also urged participants in Belgrade protest rallies, particularly young people, not to attack holy places and police.
Following a government appeal, all TV networks and radio stations in Serbia suspended broadcasting for three minutes at 12 noon to protest the violence in Kosovo. Churches across the country rang their bells.
Protest rallies were held in a number of other cities across Serbia today.
Following a session yesterday, the government said that the protest rally will urge UN forces to immediately restore peace and guarantee safety for Kosovo Serbs, and called on all citizens, political parties, workers, students and public figures to join in the protest walk.
Metropolitan Amfilohije appealed to citizens to start raising funds for the people of Kosovo-Metohija and urged the remaining population in the province not to give up and not to leave their homes, the Beta news agency reported.
He went on to say that Kosovo is witnessing a Bartholomew night and a pogrom of a nation and its dignity, rather that ethnic clashes as Europe and the United Nations call it. He added he expects the international community to call Kosovo events by their real name and help bring justice to the province.
Metropolitan Amfilohije condemned the burning of monasteries in Kosovo-Metohija, stressing that as many as 15 monasteries were destroyed in a single day. He also urged participants in Belgrade protest rallies, particularly young people, not to attack holy places and police.
Following a government appeal, all TV networks and radio stations in Serbia suspended broadcasting for three minutes at 12 noon to protest the violence in Kosovo. Churches across the country rang their bells.
Protest rallies were held in a number of other cities across Serbia today.
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