KOSOVO: GRACANICA: ANGRY SERBS BLOCK MAIN ROAD

Описание: (2 Sep 1999) English/Nat

Angry Serbs have blocked the main road in Gracanica, Kosovo, protesting the disappearance of a Serb man two days ago.

The Serbs are also demanding that NATO troops protect them from Albanians seeking revenge.

NATO troops said Serbs on Wednesday roughed up six people as they tried to drive through the village.

And on Thursday about 20 Serbs and a handful of Gypsies stood beside vehicles preventing all but NATO cars and trucks from passing.

Local Serbs said they erected the barricade in Gracanica on Wednesday after Milorad Popovic, 41, disappeared while driving a truckload of lumber to a nearby village.

Gracanica, in the British sector, is the site of a Serbian Orthodox monastery - one of several religious shrines threatened by ethnic Albanians, the majority of whom are Muslim.

A detachment of Irish Guards is stationed in the area.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"This is the outskirts of Gracanica where the Serbs have made a road block. They are protesting against the kidnapping of one of their villagers two days ago and they are hoping that he is soon going to be found."
SUPERCAPTION: NATO Soldier

The blockade is a further sign of ethnic divisions that have hampered efforts by the NATO-led peacekeeping force to bring peace to this Yugoslav province.

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