Quelling rumbles of rebellion

The prime minister of Kosovo, Bajram Rexhepi, has promised to appoint an inspection group to monitor standards in the kitchens of the University of Pristina after an outbreak of food poisoning. Some 160 students were taken ill in the recent outbreak and many of their companions - perhaps prudently - went on hunger strike. The premier is wise to act.

Back in March 1981, Pristina student demonstrations over poor canteen and hostel conditions escalated within weeks to demands for independence for Kosovo - and so triggered 20 years of confrontation.