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Show WbrW&Nation Page 14 Monday, Feb. 25, 2008 Serbs protest Kosovo's new independence A CROWD OF SEVERAL HUNDRED SERBS gather in front of the European Union institutions in Brussels, chanting and holding orthodox pictures and placards to protest against the independence of Kosovo. AP photo PR1STINA, Kosovo (AP) — Kosovo marked its first week of independence in quiet celebration Sunday, as angry Serbs protested in the fledgling nation's tense north and in capitals across Europe. The Russian envoy to NATO, meanwhile, unleashed a torrent of criticism on countries that recognized Kosovo's split from ally Serbia, including the United States. Up to 1,000 people protested peacefully in the ethnically divided northern town of Kosovska Mitrovica. Protesters at the demonstration — the smallest in seven days of rallies — listened to a Serbian rock band playing on a stage decorated with a poster of Russian President Vladimir Putin and a sign reading: "Russia Help!" Russia has staunchly supported Serbia's resistance and has declared Kosovo's independence illegal. Putin's likely successor— First Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedyev — planned to visit the Serbian capital Belgrade on Monday. The past two days of muted protests in Kosovska Mitrovica followed Thursday's rioting in Belgrade, where demonstrators stormed the U.S. Embassy and set part.of it ablaze. The U.S. ambassador in Belgrade demanded Serb leaders ensure there would be no future violence against diplomatic missions. "I'm very angry at what happened. It had better not happen again," Ambassador Cameron Munter told The Associated Press Sunday. Ethnic Albanians in Kosovo remained jubilant with their new status. "People keep celebrating every night," Artan Dedushaj said. "This is something that all Albanians have waited centuries for — and changes will come soon." In the capital, Pristina, people gathered around a graffiti-covered sculpture of letters spelling out "NEWBORN." One person had scribbled in English: "We love you Kosovo!" The vast majority of Kosovo's population is ethnic Albanian. Serbs represent just 10 percent of the region's 2 million people, but they view Kosovo as the cradle of their culture and of their Orthodox Christian faith. The territory had remained a part of Serbia even though it has been administered by the U.N. and NATO since 1999, when NATO airstrikes ended former Yugoslav leader Slobodan Milosevic's crackdown on ethnic Albanian separatists, which killed 10,000 people. Thousands of Serbs held demonstrations in European capitals Sunday. In Vienna, Austria, more than 5,000 protesters waved pro-Serbia banners, and a few burned, spit or stomped on American flags. Later, demonstrators across the city smashed bottles and the windows of a cafe. Two police officers were injured and four people were arrested, officials said. In Geneva, up to 4,000 people gathered peacefully outside U.N. oflices, and in Brussels, several hundred Serbs chanted "Kosovo is Serbia" outside EU offices. Russia's ambassador to NATO said Sunday that Kosovo's independence bid was a result of an imperialistic American effort to "divide and rule," which would lead to Russia's boosting its military to ensure its own security. New South Korea president vowes to strengthen relations with the U.S. SEOUL, South Korea (AP) -Hard-charging former businessman Lee Myung-bak took the oath of office as South Korea's new president Monday, vowing to revitalize the economy, strengthen relations with the U.S. and deal with nuclear-armed North Korea. The conservative, pro-U.S. Lee, nicknamed "The Bulldozer" for the can-do image he honed as a construction company CEO and later as mayor of Seoul, was sworn into office in a colorful outdoor ceremony at the National Assembly in the presence of tens of thousands of onlookers. Now Hiring crew leaders & members. Camp out, build trails, and work to restore Utah's national parks and forests! www.usu.edu/ucc "Economic revival is our most urgent task," Lee said in his inauguration speech. Lee also vowed to boost ties with the United States and called for summits with North Korea as needed, according to an advance copy of the speech. Lee's presidency ends a decade of liberal rule that critics say hindered economic growth, was too soft on communist North Korea and fomented tension with traditional close ally Washington. Officials and ordinary citizens attended the inauguration in near-freezing temperatures, along with foreign dignitaries including Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda. Lee, the 10th man to be South Korea's president and the first to come from a business background, overwhelmingly won December's election on a promise to make the economy his top priority. He has promised to achieve annual growth of 7 percent, double the country's per capita income to $40,000 over a decade and make South Korea one of the world's top seven economies. He calls this his "747" pledge, meant to evoke a soaring jumbo jet. Lee, 66, says he will slash regulations, initiate tax reforms. \m Western Wats Western Wats has increased wages, and we are still willing to work around your schedule. We still offer weekly pay, a fun work environment, and we'll give you time off for school events, tests, and holidays. Call Cody 753-1303 or apply online at surveynetwork.com/application. streamline government and draw in more foreign investment. South Korea's economy grew 4.9 percent last year and 5 percent the year before, but Lee says it has underperformed. Though Lee has vowed to broadly continue Seoul's policy of detente with the North, he says he will maintain a more critical eye. His liberal predecessors — Roh Moo-hyun and Kim Dae-jung — gave unconditional aid and concessions as part of reconciliation efforts. Lee says if leader Kim Jong II abandons his nuclear programs, the South will launch massive investment and aid projects in the impoverished North to increase its per capita income to $3,000. Park Beop-ryeol, chief monk at a Buddhist temple, said it was time for a change in South Korea's approach to the North. "Kim Dae-jung and Roh Moohyun poured our taxpayers' money into North Korea," Park, dressed in gray Buddhist robes, said before attending the inauguration. "But think about what we get in return. I believe that Lee Myung-bak will surely resolve the North Korean nuclear dispute." Lee also said he will bolster Seoul's strategic ties with the U.S. to help resolve the nuclear issue. SOUTH KOREAN PRESIDENT elect Lee Myung-bak smiles during a meeting with former Indian President Abul Kalam at his office in Seoul. Korea's new president on Monday marks a fresh start in his bid to upgrade national development on the basis of market economy and spread pragmatic ideals across society. AP photo Winners of the 80th Academy Awards Best Motion Picture: "No Country for Old Men." Cinematography: "There Will Be Blood." Sound Mixing: "The Bourne Ultimatum." Lead Actor: Daniel Day-Lewis, "There Will Be Bipod." Sound Editing: "The Bourne Ultimatum " Lead Actress: Marion Cotillard, "La Vie en D Rose. —" Original Score: "Atonement," Dario Mananelli. Supporting Actor: Javier Bardem, "No Country for Old Men." Original Song: "Falling Slowly" from' "Once," Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova. Supporting Actress: Tilda Swinton, "Michael Clayton." Costume: "Elizabeth: The Golden Age." Director: Joel Coen and Ethan Coen, "No Country for Old Men." Foreign Language Film: "The Counterfeiters," Austria. Adapted Screenplay: Joel Coen and Ethan Coen, "No Country for Old Men." Original Screenplay: Diablo Cody, "Juno " Documentary Feature: "Taxi to the Dark Side." Documentary Short Subject: "Freeheld." Film Editing: "The Bourne Ultimatum." Makeup: "La Vie en Rose." Animated Short Film: "Peter & the Wolf." Animated Feature Film: "Ratatouille." Live Action Short Film: "Le Mozart des Pickpockets ('The Mozart of Pickpq^kets')." Art Direction: "Sweeney Todd the Demon Barber of Fleet Street." Visual Effects: "The Golden Compass." v . |