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GLOBE AND MAIL (CANADA) Protests planned for Canadian cities JAMES BRADSHAW Globe and Mail Update February 23, 2008 at 1:31 AM EST Organizers of a pair of weekend demonstrations against Kosovo's declaration of independence say they are working to make sure the rallies stay peaceful after a chaotic scene erupting at a protest in Belgrade on Thursday has police prepared for violence in Toronto and Vancouver. In the Toronto protest, organized by five Canadian-Serbian university students and scheduled for 5 p.m. today, up to 10,000 people are expected to gather across the street from the U.S. Consulate on University Avenue to urge the Canadian government not to recognize Kosovo's declaration, according to organizer Jovan Filipovic, a student at Ryerson University. "It is of the utmost importance for us that this is peaceful," Mr. Filipovic said. "There's a large number of people who take things like this to heart, but we're Canadians first, and then we're Serbs." Mr. Filipovic said he is "fairly confident" the crowd can be kept calm. Organizers will urge restraint over loudspeakers and a candlelight vigil is planned. Mr. Filipovic tried to dispel fears that displays of photographs of churches and monasteries allegedly burned or vandalized by Kosovo Albanians will cause tensions to escalate. "We're saying, 'Canadians, we cannot allow this to happen,' " he said. "If anything, it will bring awareness." Toronto Police Staff Sergeant Shaun Narine, who will patrol today's protest, said police are worried about a potential standoff between the Serb protesters and Albanian agitators. "I think it's going to be a peaceful rally, but if an Albanian side shows up, that's where we're going to have to look at safety options," he said, adding that response units are available if problems arise. A spokesperson for the U.S. Consulate said no staff will be in the building today, and the RCMP has been working with Toronto police to ensure security. Police warned last night that the demonstration could disrupt traffic on University Avenue. The Toronto group shares a website with planners of the second demonstration, scheduled for 1:30 p.m. tomorrow outside the Vancouver Art Gallery. About 300 Canadian-Serbians held a smaller protest on Feb. 17, the day Kosovo declared its independence. Organizer Boris Malagurski, a University of British Columbia student, said he was encouraged by the first rally's peaceful nature, even though some disruptors attended. "Our protesters were very responsible, they behaved in a very mature manner, and everything was peaceful even though there were provocations," Mr. Malagurski said. "I think our people realize that in order to send our message across, we need to send it peacefully." Tread carefully on Kosovo, Chrétien says Former prime minister Jean Chrétien spoke out about Canada's potential recognition of an independent Kosovo yesterday, urging Canadian officials to be careful because of the impact a decision could have on Quebec separatists. "Canada has to be careful because people want to separate from Canada," Mr. Chrétien told reporters yesterday after he was asked for his thoughts about Kosovo's independence. However, he added that the situation in Canada is less ambiguous than in Kosovo because the Clarity Act outlines the rules for separation from the country. Kosovo's declaration of independence from Serbia less than a week ago has prompted strong reactions around the world. Serbia signalled it will withdraw its ambassador from any country that recognizes the new state. Many of Canada's most important allies - including the United States, the United Kingdom and France - have already recognized Kosovo's independence. However, Ottawa has been silent on the issue so far. Mr. Chrétien spoke about Kosovo with reporters in Rideau Hall, moments after being inducted into the highest rank of the Order of Canada at a ceremony headed by the Governor-General. While Mr. Chrétien was forthcoming with his thoughts on Kosovo, he was less so on the issue of a possible federal election call next week. The former prime minister said the decision to have an election rested with the opposition parties, and he would not act as a "Monday morning quarterback" on the issue. With files from Omar El Akkad __._,_.___
