Kosovo’s ethnic Serb police, lawmakers resign en masse

By ZENEL ZHINIPOTOKU and LLAZAR SEMINI
Associated Press

PRISTINA, Kosovo (AP) — Representatives of the ethnic Serb minority in Kosovo have resigned from their posts to protest the dismissal of a senior Serb police officer who did not respect the government’s decision to change vehicle license plates. Kosovo authorities said enforcement of the requirement to have local Kosovo license plates would be gradual until April 21, after which no more old plates will be allowed. The shift has ignited volatile issues about Kosovo’s sovereignty, especially among its Serb minority, many of whom still want Kosovo to be part of Serbia and not independent. Ethnic Serbs have a government minister, 10 parliamentarians and other top posts in governing, police and judiciary in their four local communities. Kovoso’s prime minister asked them not to resign.