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Kosovo Condemns Any Involvement Of Citizens In Macedonia Clashes (RFE)

Kosovo's leaders have condemned "any involvement" of the territory's citizens in a weekend gunbattle in neighboring Macedonia that left eight police officers and 14 suspected gunmen dead.

Kosovo's President Atifete Jahjaga and Prime Minister Isa Mustafa issued the condemnation in a joint statement on May 11, as Macedonia was observing a second day of national mourning after the shoot-out in the town of Kumanovo.

The battle, which began early on May 9, was the worst violence in Macedonia since its 2001 interethnic conflict.

Authorities have brought terrorism-related charges against about 30 of the gunmen who surrendered.

Macedonian President Gjorge Ivanov has said the gunmen were "extremists and criminals with remarkable military training and skills."

Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski named five alleged leaders of the armed group, all citizens of Kosovo.