In the News August 4

Another Effort to Provoke Russia

U.S./NATO Forces Again Causing Conflict in the Balkans

“Border” crossing between Serbia and Kosovo blocked, in protest against provocative measures by Kosovar authorities, July 31, 2022.

The U.S. and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) are again stirring up conflict in the Balkans, pitting Kosovo against Serbia and attempting to provoke Russia. Both Kosovo and Serbia, with their existing borders, were brought about by the brutal U.S./NATO bombing and dismemberment of Yugoslavia in 1999. The U.S./NATO bombardment was carried out from March 24-June 10, 1999, in the name of “humanitarian intervention.” It destroyed civilian infrastructure like hospitals, schools, bridges, communications, cultural institutions and more. Large numbers of refugees, both Kosovars and Serbians, were forced to flee. Afterwards, the U.S./ NATO forces established the borders and an occupation “peacekeeping” force in Kosovo, know as the Kosovo Force (KFOR), which remains to this day. The U.S. has a large base in Kosovo, which houses NATO’s KFOR headquarters and is home to about 7,000 troops.

Kosovo declared independence in 2008, which Serbia and many other countries in Africa, Asia, and the Americas do not recognize, including Russia and China. The UN does not recognize Kosovo either. Serbia still considers the area a province.

With the U.S./NATO-instigated conflict in Ukraine, Kosovo is asking to become a NATO member and have the U.S. base permanently occupy Kosovo, which also means occupying Serbian territory. Like NATO expansion to encircle Russia, this is meant to undermine and further provoke Russia as an ally of Serbia.

It is in this context of continued U.S./NATO interference in the region, using Kosovo and backed by thousands of troops, that the most recent conflict is occurring. The artificial border imposed by the U.S./NATO forces is being used to fan the flames.

The northern portion of Kosovo, said to be “on the border with Serbia,” is home to about 50,000 Serbs. As part of an earlier NATO “compromise,” they were permitted to continue crossing “the border” unimpeded and to secure license plates and documents from Serbia. A deadline to end this was imposed for August 1, 2022 which now the NATO-led Kosovo is pushing to enforce by demanding they secure both licenses and travel documents from Kosovar authorities. Serbians wishing to visit their relatives in Kosovo are now also obliged to seek travel documents from the Kosovar authorities.

In protest, people in the area set up blockades near border crossings, using trucks filled with gravel. Two border crossings, Jarinje and Brnjak, were shut down and seven other roads blocked. U.S./NATO-backed officials in Kosovo, sent a large police force to the area, along with NATO’s KFOR and 30-40 vehicles. KFOR said it would “take whatever measures are necessary to keep a safe and secure environment in Kosovo at all times.” It is reported that Kosovar police fired on the protesters and injured civilians. Officials from Serbia described the situation as very “complex and difficult” and opposed the violent efforts to enforce the changes. They did not send armed forces across the border.

CPC(M-L) denounces these provocations which fuel the fire of U.S.-led NATO provocations in Europe in their vain effort that seeks to isolate and crush Russia. These same forces also think they can make China capitulate to U.S. takeover of the Asia Pacific.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova on July 31, called on the U.S./NATO forces and the government in Kosovo to stop their provocations and respect the rights of Serbs in Kosovo. Zakharova said that Kosovo, with U.S. backing was “deliberately escalating” the situation to justify a further armed crackdown against the Serbs in Kosovo and against Serbia itself. The possibility that the current efforts are a means to “neutralize” Serbia using the Kosovars as proxies was raised. Russia warned against escalating the conflict.

Seeing the failure of their provocation and continued resistance, the U.S./NATO forces had Kosovo delay implementation of the new rules for 30 days. On August 1 the roadblocks were removed by NATO forces, backed by helicopters. This show of force shows the U.S./NATO forces will likely attempt to cause more trouble in the 30-day period and after that.

No to the Use of force to Sort Out Conflicts!
Hands Off Serbia and the Peoples of the Balkans!
Dismantle NATO!
All U.S. Bases and Troops Go Home!

(TML Daily, posted August 4, 2022)