BELGRADE - Minister for Kosovo-Metohija Goran Bogdanovic called on the KFOR and Serbs in Kosovo-Metohija to refrain from violence.

In his statement Bogdanovic cautioned that the KFOR attempt to forcibly remove the barricade at Jagnjenica, situated on the road from Kosovska Mitrovica to Zubin Potok, had been yet another wrong move, which will not solve the problem in the north but would rather contribute to the deepening of the gap between the KFOR and the Kosovo Serbs.

"Nothing can justify the use of stun grenades and rubber bullets," said Bogdanovic, adding that it was obvious that this is yet another time that the KFOR obviously stepped out of its mandate.

Bogdanovic said that the KFOR uses the excessive force wishing to intimidate the Serbs in the north, but that this fact also indicates who the KFOR is siding with currently.

"It is indicative that the KFOR retried to unilaterally remove the barricades on the Flag Day, the Albanian national holiday, and the Serbs had every right to form the impression that the KFOR has sided with the Albanians. It is very dangerous in times of dialogue, the next round being scheduled for November 30, to resort to violent methods of dealing with the barricades," Bogdanovic told the Tanjug.

According to Bogdanovic the today’s action of the KFOR is yet another wrong move that would not solve the problem in the north of Kosovo and Metohija, nor does it contribute to defusing the situation. Instead it further escalates tensions and compounds the lack of trust of Serbs towards the KFOR and other international organizations.

"I believe that this present action, which unfortunately involved injuries, leads to further deepening of the gap between the KFOR and the Kosovo Serbs. I think we have to give the dialogue a chance, as it has no alternative. We must use dialogue to reach a solution that is viable and would yield results in the long run, "said Bogdanovic.

According to him, no one is happy with the barricades in the north of Kosovo and Metohija, and Serbs are aware of it, but barricades are the way they had chosen to oppose the intentions of Pristina to forcefully install its own institutions.

"I demand that both the KFOR and the Kosovo Serbs exercise caution and steer clear from resolving the problem forcefully. KFOR has to guarantee safety to all citizens. In my opinion it's time to stop the violence and give the dialogue the opportunity to achieve a solution acceptable to all," said Bogdanovic.