Serbs plan mass tantrum over Kosovo independence

Reuters/NY Times:

Serbia rallied its people on Thursday for a mass protest against Kosovo's declaration of independence to show the world its anger at the loss of its religious heartland.

Organizers expect hundreds of thousands to attend the "People's Rally" in the Serbian capital Belgrade, in what would be the biggest demonstration since half a million filled the streets in 2000 to oust nationalist autocrat Slobodan Milosevic.

Belgrader Milan Vukosavljevic said it was important to show the strength of Serbian felling against Kosovo's independence, which most see as an illegal move despite Western backing.

"It's an invented state, shame on Europe and on the whole world," he said.

A three-storey-high stage was being erected in front of the 100-year-old Yugoslav parliament building, with Serb flags and a giant banner reading "Kosovo is Serbia."

The government condemned hooded rioters who stoned the U.S. and EU embassies right after Kosovo said it was seceding on Sunday, but is firmly behind Thursday's march.

State television RTS said 5,000 buses would be mobilized along with free trains to bring people from across Serbia to the 5 p.m. (11 a.m. EST) rally, followed by prayers in the city's biggest Orthodox cathedral.

...

If the purpose is to show they have an emotional attachment to Kosovo, it is unnecessary. We understand that. Perhaps they see this as some "Gates of Vienna" moment, but the Kosovo Muslims just don't fit the picture of an Islamic horde threatening to overwhelm Europe. They are what they are and do not appear to have any designs on ruling Serbia. If the Serbs had not acted so beastly toward them in the past, perhaps this split could have been avoided.