ICJ Today

I will try to update the blog as much as possible today, and I'll do more of reporting and a bit of analysis if I can.

So far right now in Mitrovica things are quiet, but there are two KFOR and EULEX vehicles on the south side of the bridge., which you can see in the picture above. Both are preparing for protests in Mitrovica, which will most likely happen according to an article in Koha Ditore. No one is sure when the protests will happen, and if they truly will go on, but it will perhaps be in the afternoon closer to 3pm when the ICJ issues its statement. There is one report that the judges will vote 8-6 for Kosovo's independence, but in reality it'll go 50-50 for both Kosovo and Serbia.

Two translated articles are below:

1,000 protesters expected today to enter Kosovo from Serbia (Koha Ditore)

Koha Ditore reports that over one thousand protesters from Serbia area expected today to march in the streets of north Mitrovica, on the day when the International Court of Justice is expected to announce its opinion on the legality of the declaration of Kosovo independence. The news was announced by relevant international sources, well informed about the situation there, who also emphasized that those protesters will be arriving prepared by officials in Belgrade. “Belgrade will send around 1000 protesters from Serbia tomorrow in Mitrovica, a demonstration whose purpose is to pressure Brussels to act in the north”, said the source of the newspapers in anonymity.

KFOR ready for ICJ decision (Infopress)

KFOR Commander Markus Bentler said KFOR is ready to react to any situation that may arise in Kosovo following the ICJ decision. “We have no indications of a threat. However, we will be ready. We do not wish to scare anyone but we are ready to respond to any violence,” said Bentler.