Mitrovica, Kosovo; 8 March 2000 (RFE/RL) - At least 40 people
were reported injured -- including 16 French NATO peacekeepers -- when a street fight between Serbs and ethnic Albanians led to gunfire and grenade explosions in the divided city of Mitrovica.
A NATO spokesman said that of the civilians injured in the violence yesterday, 20 were Serbs and at least four were ethnic Albanians. NATO said four ethnic Albanians had been arrested in connection with the violence.
Peacekeepers conducted door-to-door searches and imposed an early curfew as part of efforts to return the city, which has seen frequent outbreaks of violence, to calm.
NATO Supreme-Commander General Wesley Clark spoke separately with leaders of the Serb and ethnic Albanian communities to urge them to call for responsible behavior by members of their groups.
Peacekeepers conducted door-to-door searches and imposed an early curfew as part of efforts to return the city, which has seen frequent outbreaks of violence, to calm.
NATO Supreme-Commander General Wesley Clark spoke separately with leaders of the Serb and ethnic Albanian communities to urge them to call for responsible behavior by members of their groups.