The United States, pressured by NATO to produce an intimidating show of force to restore order, last weekend dropped its ban on U.S. troops in Mitrovica. On Sunday, about 350 heavily armed U.S. troops in armored personnel carriers came under an angry Serb barrage. Two soldiers were slightly injured. To the taunts of the Serbs, the Americans withdrew. On Wednesday, they were back, hunting for hidden arms.
Tensions show no sign of abating.
Look for Congress, where many from both parties have warned about the escalating risks of Kosovo peacekeeping, to seize on the Mitrovica situation as proof of their concerns. The approximately 5,300 American troops now on peacekeeping duty in Kosovo are in a U.S.-controlled sector in the southeastern part of the Serb province, where the ethnic tension is less intense. Eight Americans have died since peacekeeping began in June, but none of the deaths resulted from hostile action.