(7 Jan 2000) Eng/Serbo-Croat/Nat
United Nations police and Yugoslav media report that ethnic Albanians attacked Serbs in a series of scattered incidents as the dwindling Serbian community in Kosovo celebrated Orthodox Christmas.
The U-N and NATO have been unable to stop the attacks by ethnic Albanians against Kosovo's Serbs, despite the presence of about 50-thousand international peacekeepers.
In an effort to promote peaceful relations the top international official in the province, Bernard Kouchner, joined Serbian church leader Bishop Artemije for a celebratory lunch at Kosovo's main Serbian Orthodox monastery.
Bishop Artemije said lasting peace could only be achieved if both sides worked together.
It should have been a celebration but the mood was hardly festive.
As Kosovo Serbs prepared to celebrate Orthodox Christmas day, many amongst them vowed revenge on ethnic Albanians and NATO-led forces which launched the air attack on Yugoslavia last spring.
UPSOUND: (Serbian)
"The Serbian army and police are going to come here sooner or later and there won't be any Albanians left here."
SUPER CAPTION: Vox Pop
Serbs from all over Kosovo travelled to the town of Gracanica to join the 5-thousand strong Serb community there for the low-key festivities.
Their numbers now smaller than ever after their defeat by NATO air power, the Serbs gathered here, their one remaining stronghold, for Orthodox Christmas mass.
They used to celebrate their Christmas in Pristina - but with the ongoing tensions with the ethnic Albanian community, the main festivities have shifted
In the streets of Gracanica, the presence of Swedish peacekeeping soldiers betrayed the truth that it was no ordinary Christmas for the Kosovo Serbs.
Gracanica is the site of Kosovo's main Serbian Orthodox monastery, where the top international official in the province, Bernard Kouchner, joined Serbian church leaders for a celebratory luncheon.
There Bishop Artemije asked both sides to put the past behind them.
SOUNDBITE: (Serbian)
"Peace on earth is only possible if all the sides would want to and wish to accomplish this aim."
SUPER CAPTION: Bishop Artemije
Kouchner attended the luncheon in an attempt to promote peace amongst the divided people of Kosovo.
He said the Serb population needed political representation at all levels.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"My deep concern is that we need them (the Serbs) as a representation at the Serb national council in the joint administrative council. Without them we can't work and rebuild an administration."
SUPER CAPTION: Bernard Kouchner, UN representative for Kosovo
People flocked in their hundreds to the monastery to light candles, pray and receive communion.
Like homes and places of worship throughout Serbia, this church has been decorated with dried oak branches - a symbol of the Yule log.
Presents were handed out to children - but overall, the mood was somber, with memories of past years haunting those who came to pray.
SOUNDBITE: (Serbian)
"Last year we celebrated Christmas in Pristina and we hope that we are going to celebrate the same next year in peace and I appeal the people to forget the all terrible things that happened to us in Kosovo. We have to celebrate the Serb Christmas in all parts of Kosovo, not only in Gracanica where we are now isolated."
SUPER CAPTION: Father Eogomir, Orthodox priest
Extra K-FOR troops have been drafted into Gracanica to avoid any trouble between the Serbs and the majority Muslim population of ethnic Albanians.
The legacy of the Kosovo war remains - even at Christmas.
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