Serbia reclaims control of rail line in northern Kosovo, Church orders clergy to cut links with EU
After a period of nine years, Serbia reclaimed control of a 50-kilometer strech of rail line in northern Kosovo, making clear that it would not relinquish its state property in the province despite a unilateral declaration of secession in Pristina.
(KosovoCompromise Staff) Tuesday, March 04, 2008
The takeover took place after a few dozen Serbian railroad workers blocked passage of a
freight train on the line, saying they would not work for Kosovo's rail company and demanding to be transferred to Serbia's state-owned railroad.
The objective of the takeover is to improve the rail line between Kosovska Mitrovica and Belgrade.
Meanwhile, the head of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Kosovo, Archbishop Artemije, ordered his clergy to cease all contacts with the Kosovo Albanian authorities and with the EU mission.
The Church should "not have contact or hold any kind of discussion with representatives of these institutions or countries, nor receive them or respond to their invitations," Bishop Artemije wrote.
Serb policemen throughout Kosovo also continued their boycott of the Kosovo Police Force and pledged to cooperate only with UN police.
