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Violence erupts at anti-Kosovo protest in Montenegro

(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-10-14 10:18

The protest, called by four opposition parties in favor of closer ties with Serbia, set a deadline of Wednesday at 11:00 am (0900 GMT) for the government to revoke its "illegal decision" and for parliament to call a referendum on whether Montenegro should recognise the independence.

Montenegro riot policemen clash with protesters in the centre of Podgorica October 13, 2008. Montenegro's police used tear gas on Monday against demonstrators protesting the government's decision to recognise Kosovo, which many see as a stab in the back for Serbia. [Agencies]

Protesters chanted "Treason, Treason" and "Kosovo is Serbia" as well as slogans against Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic, accusing him of "betraying Kosovo."

"This is the most shameful decision in the history of Montenegro," Bishop Amfilohije Radovic of the Serbian Orthodox Church said.

There is a strong Serb community in Montenegro, with more than 30 percent of the 650,000 population declaring themselves as Serb.

Montenegro separated from Serbia and proclaimed independence in 2006 after a majority of Montenegrins approved the move in a referendum.

Kosovo proclaimed independence in February and has so far been recognised by 50 nations, including the United States and most EU countries.

The latest to do so were Serbia's neighbours bordering Kosovo, Montenegro and Macedonia, sparking an angry reaction from Belgrade, which in turn asked ambassadors of the two former Yugoslav republics to leave Serbia.

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