KOSOVO: MITROVICA: SERB PROTESTS

(25 Feb 2000) Eng/Serbo-Croat/Nat Some four thousand angry Serb residents of the ethnically divided town of Mitrovica gathered on Friday to protest the proposed move by Nato peacekeepers to resettle ethnic Albanians who had fled their homes back in northern Mitrovica. As a first step to going back, ethnic Albanians reported today to a U-N office. They had to show proof that they owned the apartments on the Serb side and that all family members who intend to return were legal residents there before they fled. Serb leaders have strongly objected to UN and NATO plans to begin relocating ethnic Albanian families to about 120 apartments in three high-rises on the north bank of the Ibar River next week. In anticipation of the rally, NATO reinforced security on the main bridge linking the two rival communities. Danish troops with plastic shields and wearing full riot gear could be seen milling around the bridge. NATO's governing council decided on Friday to wait until next week to deal with a request for additional troops for Mitrovica. At least four allied nations - France, Italy, Spain and Britain - expressed willingness at a special meeting of the North Atlantic Council to provide more troops for the troubled Serbian province, and others said they would be ready to do more if required, NATO officials said. SOUNDBITE:(English) "And we need more time to study this agreement. The second point we expect that they will consider about our objection yesterday, and they will put our objection in this plan, and this plan will be final plan monday in the next session." SUPERCAPTION: Protester speaking at rally Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...