Sat, Nov 21 2009
At least 51 police officers and 34 civilians have been injured in Serb protests that have followed the proclamation of Kosovo's independence over the past 2 days, the Serbian interior ministry said, as quoted by Bulgarian news agency BTA and Dnevnik daily on February 20.
The Serbian interior ministry called upon all citizens to express their discontent with Kosovo's self-proclaimed independence "in a peaceful and dignified manner", sending a special appeal to sports clubs and their fans, notorious for their violent outbursts, to cooperate with the police in keeping order and protecting private property.
The Serb demonstrations damaged several buildings, including the diplomatic and consular representations of the USA, Canada, Slovenia, Turkey and Iran, but also 10 McDonald's restaurants, 52 shops and four party headquarters. Dozens of cars have also been vandalised, Dnevnik daily reported.
Prime Minister Vojislav Kotunica and President Boris Tadić have both called for an end to street violence, which they say is detrimental to the country, Serbian radio station B92 reported.
The European Commission is taking Bulgaria to court for delays in providing Sofia with adequate waste disposal facilities.
James Warlick is the spouse of Mary Warlick, director of the office of Russian affairs at the US state department, who has been nominated to serve as ambassador to Serbia
Bulgaria’s Health Ministry announced on November 20 2009 that the flu epidemic declared two weeks earlier is at an end as rates of infection decline. The announcement coincides with reports of two deaths from A (H1N1) flu in Bulgaria.
Acting on allegations by Democrats for a Strong Bulgaria leader Ivan Kostov, prosecutors and Government officials are to probe deals by which Movement for Rights and Freedoms leader Ahmed Dogan acquired various properties.
Prosecutors allege that a deal agreed by the former defence minister caused losses of 12.9 million leva.