Serb rioters set fire to US embassy

The US branded Serbia’s behaviour as 'unacceptable' and condemned the country’s government for what it said was the incitement of violence after scores of protesters broke into the US embassy in Belgrade, 21 February 2008 and set part of it ablaze. The violence comes as a contrast to the US’s hopes of a smooth resolution to the long-running dispute over Kosovo, which declared independence from Serbia on the 17 February 2008d which the US and leading European Union countries have recognised. It also underlines the obstacles facing Washington and Brussels as they seek to strengthen Belgrade’s ties with the rest of Europe.

Serbia: Government: Press Release, 21.2.08: Mass protest held against unilateral declaration of independence by Kosovo http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/RWB.NSF/db900SID/EDIS-7C2R8M?OpenDocument

United States: State Department: Press Releases, 21.2.08: On-The-Record Briefing: The Situation At U.S. Embassy Belgrade http://www.america.gov/st/texttrans-english/2008/February/20080221194905bpuh0.3222315.html

United Nations: Security Council: Press Release, 21.2.08: Security Council condemns mob attacks against embassies in Serbian capital http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=25708&Cr=kosovo&Cr1=

BBC News, 22.2.08: Storm over Serbia embassy attacks http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7258153.stm

Deutsche Welle, 21.2.08: Amid Renewed Kosovo Violence, EU Says Balkans Under Control http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,2144,3141889,00.html

Russia Today, 22.2.08: Belgrade violence unacceptable – Serbian government http://rt.com/news/

Council of the European Union: Press Release, S073/08: Javier Solana ... appeals for calm and restraint following violent incidents in Belgrade http://www.consilium.europa.eu/ueDocs/cms_Data/docs/pressData/en/declarations/98851.pdf

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