World news – Embassy 5 – February 2008

Serbia probes attacks

Serbia's top-level security body met this week to investigate why police failed to stop angry riots, sparked by Kosovo's Western-backed independence, from torching the US embassy last week.

A meeting of the National Security Council was called by pro-Western President Boris Tadic after masked youths went on the rampage during an anti-Kosovo independence demonstration.

The attack on the US Embassy drew sharp criticism from America that Serbia had failed in its obligations under the Vienna Conventions to protect the diplomatic mission.

One person, a young Serb who fled Kosovo after its 1998-1999 war, was killed in the US embassy blaze and 130 people were injured in other violence.

Police also failed to protect several other embassies, including those of European Union members Belgium, Britain and Germany, as well as contains widespread rioting and looting.

The violence erupted during the peaceful 'Kosovo is Serbia' protest of more than 150,000 in Belgrade, which came after Kosovo's parliament unilaterally declared independence from Serbia on 17 February.

As well as the US, most EU member states have either formally recognised Kosovo or declared their intention to do so, the latest being Poland, which temporarily closed its embassy after the announcement. Cyprus, Romania, Slovakia and Spain remain opposed, while Greece has also expressed doubts.

Washington evacuated non-essential staff from Belgrade last Friday, but staff were scheduled to return to the Serbian capital and resume work this week. However, the US State Department has issued a travel alert to US citizens visiting Serbia.