Hundreds of thousands expected at 'Kosovo is Serbia' rally 3 hours ago BELGRADE (AFP) — Hundreds of thousands of protestors from across Serbia are expected in the capital Belgrade Thursday in a show of unity against Kosovo's independence. Shell-shocked by the loss of its spiritual heartland Kosovo, Serbia has called on "workers, farmers, clerks, everybody" to attend the rally as part of its vow to bring the territory back diplomatically. Celebrities including tennis star Novak Djokovic and film director Emir Kusturica are expected to give their support to the "Kosovo is Serbia" protest. The government has urged demonstrators to keep it peaceful. On Sunday, Kosovo's ethnic Albanian-dominated parliament unilaterally declared independence from Serbia, which vehemently opposes the move. That proclamation, and its prompt recognition by the United States and major European powers, sparked several protests in which many Western embassies and businesses were stoned. Tensions have grown across Serbia since Kosovo split away, while nationalist feelings have enflamed fears of more outbreaks of unrest. Both President Boris Tadic and Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica have appealed for a peaceful demonstration, which ultra-nationalists hope will be "the biggest in recent Serbian history." The rally is to start at 5:00 pm (1600 GMT) in front of the old Yugoslav parliament building in central Belgrade. Tomislav Nikolic, leader of the ultra-nationalist Radical Party, was due to deliver speech "on behalf of the parliament," Beta news agency reported. Serb leaders from neighbouring Montenegro and Bosnia have also been invited to take part. Acclaimed Serbian film director Kusturica, the winner of two Golden Palm awards at Cannes, would be among the other speakers, said the report. Australian Open tennis champion Djokovic, whose father's side of his family hails from Kosovo, was expected to address the gathering from abroad by telephone. Following the rally, the crowd is to proceed to Belgrade's biggest church, the Temple of Saint Sava, where "prayers for Kosovo" were to be led by Serbian Orthodox archbishops. State-owned public transport companies have said Belgrade-bound rail and bus rides will be free of charge for the day from all over the country. The government has ordered schools to be closed, "to enable teachers and professors from all around Serbia to join the protest," it said in a statement. Employees in a number of public companies were granted the day off to attend, said local media, which have been encouraging people to show up. Several newspapers have published half-page government advertisements about the rally, while national television RTS has interrupted normal programming to broadcast Kosovo talk shows and patriotic films. "I am confident that we will send an important message on Thursday in a way all of us ... workers, farmers, clerks, everybody ... show we reject Kosovo independence," Deputy Prime Minister Bozidar Djelic said ahead of the protest. Premier Kostunica has said the demonstration would be the first of many throughout the country.
