Minding cows just part of job in tense Kosovo

Minding cows just part of job in tense Kosovo
By Nebi Qena - The Associated Press
Posted : Sunday Jan 6, 2008 16:05:38 EST

VITINA, Serbia — Staff Sgt. Nathan Pike grew up on a dairy farm in Minnesota. The other day he was feeding cows in Kosovo.

The ethnic strife in the Kosovo town of Vitina underscores the challenge that confronts NATO-led peacekeepers as the southern Serbian province prepares to declare independence.

Nearly a decade after Kosovo’s 1998-99 war, tensions still run high between its ethnic Albanian majority and Serbian minority — and the Western military alliance hopes its “boots on the ground” approach will make both sides feel safer as they face an uncertain future.

“We’re not here for this side of town or that side of town. We’re here for everybody,” said Pike, 37, a native of Spring Valley, Minn.

On a recent foot patrol aimed at boosting the visibility of the 16,000-strong NATO force, Pike tried to ease Serb farmer Miroslav Rajkic’s deep-seated suspicions by helping to feed his livestock.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/01/ap_kosovo_080106/