Vucic: 2004 pogrom had only one goal - independence of so-called Kosovo

BELGRADE - The March 17-18, 2004 pogrom against Serbs in Kosovo-Metohija had only one goal - independence of the so-called Kosovo, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Sunday evening.

"It was an organised, prepared and pre-conceived action, and not some kind of fury or anger of people who had seen injustice happen to boys from Cabar near Zubin Potok. No - it was all well-prepared, well-organised and well-coordinated so that, right after that, they (Kosovo Albanians) could get the Ahtisaari plan, the Vienna negotiations and full independence of 'Kosovo,'" Vucic said at a ceremony at the National Theatre in Belgrade that commemorated the 20th anniversary of the pogrom.

Sixteen Serbs were killed and hundreds of others were injured in the pogrom.