As we have learnt from UN in past 20 years, it is very weak and gutless so i wouldnt put too much hope in Russia coming to aid serbia. if everyone recognises Kosovo, what can russians do.
Anthony Shelmerdine'Boskovicu, you need to wake up my friend and become a real English, if you are who you claim you are. I am fraid from your comments above I have e feeling you have been captured by a Serbain nationalistic mentality which won't let you see the reality. A same thing had happended to your former country men and women- and we all know the outcome, most of Serbs in tne world today are ashamed to reveal their national identity. I have meet many Serbs in the diaspora who say they come from Ballkans, or from Former Yugoslavia, or from Belgrade, or even from Banat, but I am afraid I have not met Serbs who would say they were from Serbia.
You made a very intersting statement, that Kosovo demographicaly is Albanian but its land is Serbian. Very regressive. It sounded like an old fossilistic Nazi German saying "Serbia is Serbian in demographics but it is a German land because we had occupied it for four years during the WW2" or like an old Turkish lunatic saying "Serbia is Serbian demographically, but the land is Turkish because we had occupied it for close to 5 centuries".
You should abandon your compfort in England and take a trip to Serbia and Kosovo, live a bit with people there and see how it feels to live in hatred. You should visit schools there and see that the main topics in chidrens' paintings there are warplanes and tanks, you should mingle with youth there and see that their only drseams aand aims are to flee their country and live somwhere were they see prosperity. Only after you have seen these and get to realising that hatred and dogma bring nothing good you can decisde whether to cite whatever number in UN resolution which seems to be outdated anyway.
I don't think Kosovo solution should be rushed. Maybe there is still chance for some positive outcome from Belgrade and Pristina. I read most of the comments written on this theme. Both sides of the argument make a valid point for their aim. However, some commentators really show despicable angriness by repeating pointless historical occurrences that do little if any good here.
Who is this Xhafer guy anyway for making such explosive comments that serve no peaceful purposes?
Who is this Mike gentleman who want to outlast a neighbor rather than throw couple of good tips on how to find a peaceful solution to two nations that have no choice but leave next to each other for centuries to come?
And who is this Boskovic man who just muddles about the 1244 resolution that most of the west have already abandoned.
I don't really care personally how Albanians are as people or how they live in their communities. My visit to Pristina was not such a good experience two years ago, but I can't hate 2 million people for that.
I just hope few people read those comments. Because it looks like hate streams from both sides.
As a Polish of Serbian origin, I am disgusted by the way hatred is passed from one generation to the other.
We know the truth, who was in Kosovo before the 6 century, we know the truth, who was in Kosovo in 13 century, and we know the truth who is in Kosovo now. Unfortunately, with decreasing of Serbian population for whatever reasons, Serbia has lost its authority to rule there. And I see this battle of words rather pointless to continue.
The best way in my view is secure enough freedom and international recognition for our Serbian brothers and Sisters there, and stop this madness against 90% of people who want a legitimate divorce.
(Though it hurts me dearly the envisioned outcome my friends, but the sequence of events is set in such a motion that there is no way to stop Kosovo from becoming independent.)
I believe many peace-loving Serbs are tired from this topic, and so are our peace-loving Albanian friends.
I don't usually write comments, but seeing you slam a man for his name and the grasp of his English is laughable.
Joe Singelton is correct as it is written. Just place that name on Yahoo or Google and hundreds if not thousands of names will appear written that way.
I am not a linguist, but I see a lot more originality in Joe Singelton's English than yours. An apology to the man would make you a gentleman.
The UN resolution 1244, was signed by the criminals who are in Hague. I don't believe the west puts any weight on it. That is a blunder by the west, or should I say a shameless resolution that even the current Serbian government very rarely talks about. I am not surperised that you mention it too often. I guess that is the only card nationalists are left to play with.
(Laughable?) "real problems they face, corruption, poverty, delapitated infrastructure and an incompetent leadership accross the board. How sad!"
I assume you are a albanian and this is the kind of posting I read that I know the albanians are only fooling them selfs. Where does a albanian have a say in corruption or crome and ECONOMY being the poorest country in europe I would keep my mouth shut before others start laughing at this ....laughable comment.
Further "Even Macedonia and Montenegro have a better chance of joining the EU" You put to much trust in the EU for one thing ...your only setting your self up to be disapointed, Besides where are macedonia or montengro since they left (good that they did)NOWHERE no economy (Montengro at least as a SMALL chance but only if they work hard) Serbia is by far the most succesful in the Balkans..."For gods sake" were richer than Romania and their accepted by the EU, so no worrries from SERBS but thanks for you concern.
Look back at all my contributions and i do not 'dictate' Kosovo and Metohija's future from England.
a) I'm Anglo-Serb... and as many seem to have difficulty with English, this means half English and half Serbian.
b) I merely want international boundaries to be respected and protected by existing international laws. Without them there is only anarchy and this would suit Albanians greatly as they have come down from their highland wastelands and settled in Macedonia, Serbia, Montenegro, Greece... and in the last 30 years... the UK, Germany, Switzerland etc
c) Lets not go down the avenue of Albanians are Illyrians and therefore inheriters of the land. This arguement is pointless and Illyrians is a blanket term for many seperate tribes with no common national identity or centralised state.
d) Made up statistics? Hmmmm, Thats odd. I admit that as far back as modern records began Albanians have been in the majority in Kosovo and Metohija but to the extent of 90%? It is more gratious to admit the the rough with the smooth and you would have to be very blinkered not to accept that Albanians did not form 90% of Kosovo and Metohija's population 50 years ago.
It almost seems pointless contributing as passions run high and people start making idiotic, sometime personal, attacks.
I stand by my comments. Kosovo and Metohija is legally and internationally recognised as part of the soveriegn state of Serbia. This is protected by UN resolution 1244.
Perhaps now i've said my bit i can expect more wild accusations of my ethnic origin and dictator like contributions to this site.
Wow, Kostunica won't rush the solution of the final status of Kosovo, because it's up to Kostunica when the status is decided upon...lol... laughable.
I feel bad for the average Serb in Serbia and Kosovo and the average Albanian in Kosovo and southern Serbia because those are the people that are paying the price for this type of political manipulation to maintain power. Kosovo is de-facto independent so it needs to become de-jure independent so both Kosovo and Sebia can move towards the EU and forget about thousand year old fairy tales and myths. Look at the Bulgarians and Romanians for God's sake. Even Macedonia and Montenegro have a better chance of joining the EU than Serbia or Kosovo do, all because of an unrealistic desire of the Serbian people to keep another nation within their borders against their will, and a ready and willing leadership in Belgrade to play up these desires so they can distract the Serbian people from the real problems they face, corruption, poverty, delapitated infrastructure and an incompetent leadership accross the board. How sad!
Kosovo is no more Serbia's problem since 1999.Serbia is Serbia's problem.No Kostunica nor 100 others like him can't stop the independence of Kosovo.Remember my words dear friends.
It is really interesting to read this lines from the Serbian man living in UK. Bisides this make up stories about the population increase, how in the hell do you think that you living in UK want to dicide about my fate, my future in Kosovo!? You think that your votes out of Kosovo will have credibility on the Kosovo future? No my darling Kosovo will be led by it People, Dardans, Illyrians.By the wahy why my name is given Ilir(Illyrian) or 100 of names Dardan (Dardany). Look a bit an old Balkan map and see what these names mean!
Xhafer..Who cares where you are from. Is San Diego your next target...change the demographics of that city and call it San Diegova? Joke!
The Serbian nation need to take a step back from Kosovo and look at the long term picture...We may loose Kosovo, we may not, but judging from the tone of our Albanian guests on a free Serbian website, they seem desperate. Like a child anxiously awaiting chocolate from mother (West), whales tears are forming if this child's demands are not met. Threats of violence, intimidation, what else is new.
Serbia has a proud history. Let's this newly spoiled child rant and rave, the West will slap this child eventually, we need not do this..for now. This child will be breast feeding from the nipple of the west for decades to come...For example, does anyone actually think Tourism is going to flourish in Pristina? Perhaps if they turn it into a heroin den with brothels on every corner, then maybe? The people will be deprived or real economic growth, jobs, security, and most importantly dignity and honor. This is their future.
Let us devolve our industry, let us invest in our country and people. With strategic positioning along the Danube, agriculture, textile, minerals and educated population, we will be amongst the leaders in southern Europe. From a position of real strength, we will eventually dictate terms back into Kosovo, we know it..and they know it. This is all temporary and short term...even if it is for 20 years..We outlasted the Ottomans...a formidable foe...we'll outlast the Albanians for sure.
Those who support independence for Kosovo are dreaming: Russia and China will NEVER allow Kosovo to become an independent state. China's claim to Taiwan is wholly dependent on the principle that China's sovereignty over its entire territory is inviolable. Russia and China did not support military action against Serbia in the Security Council in 1999. They will not support an independent Kosovo in the Security Council today.
yes yes everything has to be taken slowly. everything has to be dicusssed to death only to go back to beginning again. noone is in a rush to do anything. very much communist thinking and given that kostunica was had picked by milosevic, sounds like he cant really preach democracy. Makes him sound like a wise man, however he in reality has lost touch with reality. i dont think there is ever enough time for any decision in serbia, thats why unfortunately its still behind the times.
Also comparing the situation in England and Leicester to Serbia and Kosovo is looking at things way too simplistically.
Finally I have a comment on this: "drastic change in demographics due to intimidation, poverty and birth rate is no basis for the changing of international borders." I would ask you to tell me what to you would actually be a basis for changing of borders? may i also remind you that mass graves of kosovars have been found around belgrade (although im sure this will be dismissed as lies, trickery, a set up or even as kosovars killing their own people). Didnt milosevic plan to cleanse kosovo of kosovars and re-populate it with people from Krajina. what a lovely man milosevic was (which im sure tudjman agreed to, however it was war and he didnt really care). too much bad blood for kosovo to stay in serbia. there is no respect from belgrade. at best in my opinion, the serbs can hope for is the country changing its name to serbia and kosovo and have two federal states. I cant see Kosovo agreeing to anything less and given that its not run by belgrade anyway at the moment, i cant see how kosovo would agree to be run by belgrade.
I'm actually clueless? The last comment is bizarre. I have never implied that everyone is using false surnames? I merely thought that a certain contributer is perhaps not of the nationality he claims to be.
I cannot believe that you profess to know the true feelings of my kinsmen. In 2004 during the violent pogrom the Italian Peacekeepers helped members of my family. I know they were grateful as they were with the Italian Peacekeepers in 2000. However, they are not happy with their life in Metohija at all.
It is cynical that you state you know what my family think. You dont even know my family name (it isn't Boskovic).
I may also add that your grasp of English appears poor for someone with and English (or at least American or Canadian name?). Singelton is actually an incorrect form of the English name Singleton. Notice your 'l' and 'e' are the wrong way around. I would hazard a guess that your Albanian is better than your English.
Shanks: What Kostunica is doing is far more intelligent than you give him credit for. He has truly built a legal obstacle to K independence. You should read between the lines a little more thoroughly.
It is an almost laughable argument that you have cobled together. I think that 78 days of illegal bombings across Serbia and Montenegro by NATO was the reason why Serbia had to allow the UN to administer Kosovo and Metohija. The Serbs did not invite the UN to do this task.
I was born in the UK and i do indeed live in England. However, i was born here, as was my mother and as you may have noticed by my surname... i am half English. I am not having a 'nice stay' in the UK. I hold full British passport and pay income tax. This, however, doesn't mean that i cannot argue the cause for my Serbian family in Belo Polje whose houses have been burnt twice (2000 and 2004) by their Albanian neighbours.
Ops ,sorry Anthony
I got some good news for you; Your family in Belo Polje is very happy and agrees with Kosovo govermant. For your information , i was present when the keys to newly renovated house were handed over to each head of household in addition an envilope with over 2000 euros , and this happend after March riots. Most of villagers are employed in Village Italia (Italian Military Base) which is right next to the village.
The representative from that village just recently wrote a letter to UNMIK thanking KPS and Municipal officials for job well done. I am in the mission and work in this area.
Kostunica may not be in any position to decide upon Kosovo and Metohija but that is due to the blatent disregarding of international laws in relation to the borders of soveriegn nations.
Kosovo and Metohija is part of the soveriegn state of Serbia. It is protected under UN resolution 1244. I cant understand why you believe that his is being dishonest with the Serbian nation. The demographics of Kosovo and Metohija have changed but the land is still Serbian. A drastic change in demographics due to intimidation, poverty and birth rate is no basis for the changing of international borders.
Here in the UK the city of Leicester has become the 1st city to have a majority 'minority' population. That is to say Asians now outnumber indigenous people. The response to a call for independence or even a shift towards automony would be met with a resounding 'no'. It would also stoke up English nationalism.
The referendum may be seen as a feeble token gesture but what else can 'little' Serbia do? Better this form of peaceful protest than the massing of Serbian forces along the border of our own land.
Boskovic why would you allow UN to run part of your sovern teritory. That is a bad omen for Serbia, and it prooves that is part of Serbia if is run by someone else. forget aboutKosovo and have a nice stay in whereever you are living, it sounds like England.
Kostunica is in no position to decide anything when it comes to definition of status for Kosovo/a. He could serve his people better by being truthful to them.He is asking peole to vote "Yes" on referendum for the new constitution, but this is not new at all is the same as Milosevic's but with very minor modifications. what esle is new???
Kostunica is in no position to decide anything when it comes to definition of status for Kosovo/a. He could serve his people better by being truthful to them.He is asking peole to vote "Yes" on referendum for the new constitution, but this is not new at all is the same as Milosevic's but with very minor modifications. what esle is new???
Kostunica may not be in any position to decide upon Kosovo and Metohija but that is due to the blatent disregarding of international laws in relation to the borders of soveriegn nations.
Kosovo and Metohija is part of the soveriegn state of Serbia. It is protected under UN resolution 1244. I cant understand why you believe that his is being dishonest with the Serbian nation. The demographics of Kosovo and Metohija have changed but the land is still Serbian. A drastic change in demographics due to intimidation, poverty and birth rate is no basis for the changing of international borders.
Here in the UK the city of Leicester has become the 1st city to have a majority 'minority' population. That is to say Asians now outnumber indigenous people. The response to a call for independence or even a shift towards automony would be met with a resounding 'no'. It would also stoke up English nationalism.
The referendum may be seen as a feeble token gesture but what else can 'little' Serbia do? Better this form of peaceful protest than the massing of Serbian forces along the border of our own land.
Boskovic why would you allow UN to run part of your sovern teritory. That is a bad omen for Serbia, and it prooves that is part of Serbia if is run by someone else. forget aboutKosovo and have a nice stay in whereever you are living, it sounds like England.
It is an almost laughable argument that you have cobled together. I think that 78 days of illegal bombings across Serbia and Montenegro by NATO was the reason why Serbia had to allow the UN to administer Kosovo and Metohija. The Serbs did not invite the UN to do this task.
I was born in the UK and i do indeed live in England. However, i was born here, as was my mother and as you may have noticed by my surname... i am half English. I am not having a 'nice stay' in the UK. I hold full British passport and pay income tax. This, however, doesn't mean that i cannot argue the cause for my Serbian family in Belo Polje whose houses have been burnt twice (2000 and 2004) by their Albanian neighbours.
Ops ,sorry Anthony
I got some good news for you; Your family in Belo Polje is very happy and agrees with Kosovo govermant. For your information , i was present when the keys to newly renovated house were handed over to each head of household in addition an envilope with over 2000 euros , and this happend after March riots. Most of villagers are employed in Village Italia (Italian Military Base) which is right next to the village.
The representative from that village just recently wrote a letter to UNMIK thanking KPS and Municipal officials for job well done. I am in the mission and work in this area.
Shanks: What Kostunica is doing is far more intelligent than you give him credit for. He has truly built a legal obstacle to K independence. You should read between the lines a little more thoroughly.
I cannot believe that you profess to know the true feelings of my kinsmen. In 2004 during the violent pogrom the Italian Peacekeepers helped members of my family. I know they were grateful as they were with the Italian Peacekeepers in 2000. However, they are not happy with their life in Metohija at all.
It is cynical that you state you know what my family think. You dont even know my family name (it isn't Boskovic).
I may also add that your grasp of English appears poor for someone with and English (or at least American or Canadian name?). Singelton is actually an incorrect form of the English name Singleton. Notice your 'l' and 'e' are the wrong way around. I would hazard a guess that your Albanian is better than your English.
I'm actually clueless? The last comment is bizarre. I have never implied that everyone is using false surnames? I merely thought that a certain contributer is perhaps not of the nationality he claims to be.
yes yes everything has to be taken slowly. everything has to be dicusssed to death only to go back to beginning again. noone is in a rush to do anything. very much communist thinking and given that kostunica was had picked by milosevic, sounds like he cant really preach democracy. Makes him sound like a wise man, however he in reality has lost touch with reality. i dont think there is ever enough time for any decision in serbia, thats why unfortunately its still behind the times.
Also comparing the situation in England and Leicester to Serbia and Kosovo is looking at things way too simplistically.
Finally I have a comment on this: "drastic change in demographics due to intimidation, poverty and birth rate is no basis for the changing of international borders." I would ask you to tell me what to you would actually be a basis for changing of borders? may i also remind you that mass graves of kosovars have been found around belgrade (although im sure this will be dismissed as lies, trickery, a set up or even as kosovars killing their own people). Didnt milosevic plan to cleanse kosovo of kosovars and re-populate it with people from Krajina. what a lovely man milosevic was (which im sure tudjman agreed to, however it was war and he didnt really care). too much bad blood for kosovo to stay in serbia. there is no respect from belgrade. at best in my opinion, the serbs can hope for is the country changing its name to serbia and kosovo and have two federal states. I cant see Kosovo agreeing to anything less and given that its not run by belgrade anyway at the moment, i cant see how kosovo would agree to be run by belgrade.
Those who support independence for Kosovo are dreaming: Russia and China will NEVER allow Kosovo to become an independent state. China's claim to Taiwan is wholly dependent on the principle that China's sovereignty over its entire territory is inviolable. Russia and China did not support military action against Serbia in the Security Council in 1999. They will not support an independent Kosovo in the Security Council today.
Xhafer..Who cares where you are from. Is San Diego your next target...change the demographics of that city and call it San Diegova? Joke!
The Serbian nation need to take a step back from Kosovo and look at the long term picture...We may loose Kosovo, we may not, but judging from the tone of our Albanian guests on a free Serbian website, they seem desperate. Like a child anxiously awaiting chocolate from mother (West), whales tears are forming if this child's demands are not met. Threats of violence, intimidation, what else is new.
Serbia has a proud history. Let's this newly spoiled child rant and rave, the West will slap this child eventually, we need not do this..for now. This child will be breast feeding from the nipple of the west for decades to come...For example, does anyone actually think Tourism is going to flourish in Pristina? Perhaps if they turn it into a heroin den with brothels on every corner, then maybe? The people will be deprived or real economic growth, jobs, security, and most importantly dignity and honor. This is their future.
Let us devolve our industry, let us invest in our country and people. With strategic positioning along the Danube, agriculture, textile, minerals and educated population, we will be amongst the leaders in southern Europe. From a position of real strength, we will eventually dictate terms back into Kosovo, we know it..and they know it. This is all temporary and short term...even if it is for 20 years..We outlasted the Ottomans...a formidable foe...we'll outlast the Albanians for sure.
It is really interesting to read this lines from the Serbian man living in UK. Bisides this make up stories about the population increase, how in the hell do you think that you living in UK want to dicide about my fate, my future in Kosovo!? You think that your votes out of Kosovo will have credibility on the Kosovo future? No my darling Kosovo will be led by it People, Dardans, Illyrians.By the wahy why my name is given Ilir(Illyrian) or 100 of names Dardan (Dardany). Look a bit an old Balkan map and see what these names mean!
Kosovo is no more Serbia's problem since 1999.Serbia is Serbia's problem.No Kostunica nor 100 others like him can't stop the independence of Kosovo.Remember my words dear friends.
Wow, Kostunica won't rush the solution of the final status of Kosovo, because it's up to Kostunica when the status is decided upon...lol... laughable.
I feel bad for the average Serb in Serbia and Kosovo and the average Albanian in Kosovo and southern Serbia because those are the people that are paying the price for this type of political manipulation to maintain power. Kosovo is de-facto independent so it needs to become de-jure independent so both Kosovo and Sebia can move towards the EU and forget about thousand year old fairy tales and myths. Look at the Bulgarians and Romanians for God's sake. Even Macedonia and Montenegro have a better chance of joining the EU than Serbia or Kosovo do, all because of an unrealistic desire of the Serbian people to keep another nation within their borders against their will, and a ready and willing leadership in Belgrade to play up these desires so they can distract the Serbian people from the real problems they face, corruption, poverty, delapitated infrastructure and an incompetent leadership accross the board. How sad!
Look back at all my contributions and i do not 'dictate' Kosovo and Metohija's future from England.
a) I'm Anglo-Serb... and as many seem to have difficulty with English, this means half English and half Serbian.
b) I merely want international boundaries to be respected and protected by existing international laws. Without them there is only anarchy and this would suit Albanians greatly as they have come down from their highland wastelands and settled in Macedonia, Serbia, Montenegro, Greece... and in the last 30 years... the UK, Germany, Switzerland etc
c) Lets not go down the avenue of Albanians are Illyrians and therefore inheriters of the land. This arguement is pointless and Illyrians is a blanket term for many seperate tribes with no common national identity or centralised state.
d) Made up statistics? Hmmmm, Thats odd. I admit that as far back as modern records began Albanians have been in the majority in Kosovo and Metohija but to the extent of 90%? It is more gratious to admit the the rough with the smooth and you would have to be very blinkered not to accept that Albanians did not form 90% of Kosovo and Metohija's population 50 years ago.
It almost seems pointless contributing as passions run high and people start making idiotic, sometime personal, attacks.
I stand by my comments. Kosovo and Metohija is legally and internationally recognised as part of the soveriegn state of Serbia. This is protected by UN resolution 1244.
Perhaps now i've said my bit i can expect more wild accusations of my ethnic origin and dictator like contributions to this site.
(Laughable?) "real problems they face, corruption, poverty, delapitated infrastructure and an incompetent leadership accross the board. How sad!"
I assume you are a albanian and this is the kind of posting I read that I know the albanians are only fooling them selfs. Where does a albanian have a say in corruption or crome and ECONOMY being the poorest country in europe I would keep my mouth shut before others start laughing at this ....laughable comment.
Further "Even Macedonia and Montenegro have a better chance of joining the EU" You put to much trust in the EU for one thing ...your only setting your self up to be disapointed, Besides where are macedonia or montengro since they left (good that they did)NOWHERE no economy (Montengro at least as a SMALL chance but only if they work hard) Serbia is by far the most succesful in the Balkans..."For gods sake" were richer than Romania and their accepted by the EU, so no worrries from SERBS but thanks for you concern.
The UN resolution 1244, was signed by the criminals who are in Hague. I don't believe the west puts any weight on it. That is a blunder by the west, or should I say a shameless resolution that even the current Serbian government very rarely talks about. I am not surperised that you mention it too often. I guess that is the only card nationalists are left to play with.
I don't usually write comments, but seeing you slam a man for his name and the grasp of his English is laughable.
Joe Singelton is correct as it is written. Just place that name on Yahoo or Google and hundreds if not thousands of names will appear written that way.
I am not a linguist, but I see a lot more originality in Joe Singelton's English than yours. An apology to the man would make you a gentleman.
I don't think Kosovo solution should be rushed. Maybe there is still chance for some positive outcome from Belgrade and Pristina. I read most of the comments written on this theme. Both sides of the argument make a valid point for their aim. However, some commentators really show despicable angriness by repeating pointless historical occurrences that do little if any good here.
Who is this Xhafer guy anyway for making such explosive comments that serve no peaceful purposes?
Who is this Mike gentleman who want to outlast a neighbor rather than throw couple of good tips on how to find a peaceful solution to two nations that have no choice but leave next to each other for centuries to come?
And who is this Boskovic man who just muddles about the 1244 resolution that most of the west have already abandoned.
I don't really care personally how Albanians are as people or how they live in their communities. My visit to Pristina was not such a good experience two years ago, but I can't hate 2 million people for that.
I just hope few people read those comments. Because it looks like hate streams from both sides.
As a Polish of Serbian origin, I am disgusted by the way hatred is passed from one generation to the other.
We know the truth, who was in Kosovo before the 6 century, we know the truth, who was in Kosovo in 13 century, and we know the truth who is in Kosovo now. Unfortunately, with decreasing of Serbian population for whatever reasons, Serbia has lost its authority to rule there. And I see this battle of words rather pointless to continue.
The best way in my view is secure enough freedom and international recognition for our Serbian brothers and Sisters there, and stop this madness against 90% of people who want a legitimate divorce.
(Though it hurts me dearly the envisioned outcome my friends, but the sequence of events is set in such a motion that there is no way to stop Kosovo from becoming independent.)
I believe many peace-loving Serbs are tired from this topic, and so are our peace-loving Albanian friends.
Anthony Shelmerdine'Boskovicu, you need to wake up my friend and become a real English, if you are who you claim you are. I am fraid from your comments above I have e feeling you have been captured by a Serbain nationalistic mentality which won't let you see the reality. A same thing had happended to your former country men and women- and we all know the outcome, most of Serbs in tne world today are ashamed to reveal their national identity. I have meet many Serbs in the diaspora who say they come from Ballkans, or from Former Yugoslavia, or from Belgrade, or even from Banat, but I am afraid I have not met Serbs who would say they were from Serbia.
You made a very intersting statement, that Kosovo demographicaly is Albanian but its land is Serbian. Very regressive. It sounded like an old fossilistic Nazi German saying "Serbia is Serbian in demographics but it is a German land because we had occupied it for four years during the WW2" or like an old Turkish lunatic saying "Serbia is Serbian demographically, but the land is Turkish because we had occupied it for close to 5 centuries".
You should abandon your compfort in England and take a trip to Serbia and Kosovo, live a bit with people there and see how it feels to live in hatred. You should visit schools there and see that the main topics in chidrens' paintings there are warplanes and tanks, you should mingle with youth there and see that their only drseams aand aims are to flee their country and live somwhere were they see prosperity. Only after you have seen these and get to realising that hatred and dogma bring nothing good you can decisde whether to cite whatever number in UN resolution which seems to be outdated anyway.
As we have learnt from UN in past 20 years, it is very weak and gutless so i wouldnt put too much hope in Russia coming to aid serbia. if everyone recognises Kosovo, what can russians do.
Kostunica is in no position to decide anything when it comes to definition of status for Kosovo/a. He could serve his people better by being truthful to them.He is asking peole to vote "Yes" on referendum for the new constitution, but this is not new at all is the same as Milosevic's but with very minor modifications. what esle is new???
Kostunica may not be in any position to decide upon Kosovo and Metohija but that is due to the blatent disregarding of international laws in relation to the borders of soveriegn nations.
Kosovo and Metohija is part of the soveriegn state of Serbia. It is protected under UN resolution 1244. I cant understand why you believe that his is being dishonest with the Serbian nation. The demographics of Kosovo and Metohija have changed but the land is still Serbian. A drastic change in demographics due to intimidation, poverty and birth rate is no basis for the changing of international borders.
Here in the UK the city of Leicester has become the 1st city to have a majority 'minority' population. That is to say Asians now outnumber indigenous people. The response to a call for independence or even a shift towards automony would be met with a resounding 'no'. It would also stoke up English nationalism.
The referendum may be seen as a feeble token gesture but what else can 'little' Serbia do? Better this form of peaceful protest than the massing of Serbian forces along the border of our own land.
Boskovic why would you allow UN to run part of your sovern teritory. That is a bad omen for Serbia, and it prooves that is part of Serbia if is run by someone else. forget aboutKosovo and have a nice stay in whereever you are living, it sounds like England.
It is an almost laughable argument that you have cobled together. I think that 78 days of illegal bombings across Serbia and Montenegro by NATO was the reason why Serbia had to allow the UN to administer Kosovo and Metohija. The Serbs did not invite the UN to do this task.
I was born in the UK and i do indeed live in England. However, i was born here, as was my mother and as you may have noticed by my surname... i am half English. I am not having a 'nice stay' in the UK. I hold full British passport and pay income tax. This, however, doesn't mean that i cannot argue the cause for my Serbian family in Belo Polje whose houses have been burnt twice (2000 and 2004) by their Albanian neighbours.
Ops ,sorry Anthony
I got some good news for you; Your family in Belo Polje is very happy and agrees with Kosovo govermant. For your information , i was present when the keys to newly renovated house were handed over to each head of household in addition an envilope with over 2000 euros , and this happend after March riots. Most of villagers are employed in Village Italia (Italian Military Base) which is right next to the village.
The representative from that village just recently wrote a letter to UNMIK thanking KPS and Municipal officials for job well done. I am in the mission and work in this area.
Shanks: What Kostunica is doing is far more intelligent than you give him credit for. He has truly built a legal obstacle to K independence. You should read between the lines a little more thoroughly.
I cannot believe that you profess to know the true feelings of my kinsmen. In 2004 during the violent pogrom the Italian Peacekeepers helped members of my family. I know they were grateful as they were with the Italian Peacekeepers in 2000. However, they are not happy with their life in Metohija at all.
It is cynical that you state you know what my family think. You dont even know my family name (it isn't Boskovic).
I may also add that your grasp of English appears poor for someone with and English (or at least American or Canadian name?). Singelton is actually an incorrect form of the English name Singleton. Notice your 'l' and 'e' are the wrong way around. I would hazard a guess that your Albanian is better than your English.
I'm actually clueless? The last comment is bizarre. I have never implied that everyone is using false surnames? I merely thought that a certain contributer is perhaps not of the nationality he claims to be.
yes yes everything has to be taken slowly. everything has to be dicusssed to death only to go back to beginning again. noone is in a rush to do anything. very much communist thinking and given that kostunica was had picked by milosevic, sounds like he cant really preach democracy. Makes him sound like a wise man, however he in reality has lost touch with reality. i dont think there is ever enough time for any decision in serbia, thats why unfortunately its still behind the times.
Also comparing the situation in England and Leicester to Serbia and Kosovo is looking at things way too simplistically.
Finally I have a comment on this: "drastic change in demographics due to intimidation, poverty and birth rate is no basis for the changing of international borders." I would ask you to tell me what to you would actually be a basis for changing of borders? may i also remind you that mass graves of kosovars have been found around belgrade (although im sure this will be dismissed as lies, trickery, a set up or even as kosovars killing their own people). Didnt milosevic plan to cleanse kosovo of kosovars and re-populate it with people from Krajina. what a lovely man milosevic was (which im sure tudjman agreed to, however it was war and he didnt really care). too much bad blood for kosovo to stay in serbia. there is no respect from belgrade. at best in my opinion, the serbs can hope for is the country changing its name to serbia and kosovo and have two federal states. I cant see Kosovo agreeing to anything less and given that its not run by belgrade anyway at the moment, i cant see how kosovo would agree to be run by belgrade.
Those who support independence for Kosovo are dreaming: Russia and China will NEVER allow Kosovo to become an independent state. China's claim to Taiwan is wholly dependent on the principle that China's sovereignty over its entire territory is inviolable. Russia and China did not support military action against Serbia in the Security Council in 1999. They will not support an independent Kosovo in the Security Council today.
Xhafer..Who cares where you are from. Is San Diego your next target...change the demographics of that city and call it San Diegova? Joke!
The Serbian nation need to take a step back from Kosovo and look at the long term picture...We may loose Kosovo, we may not, but judging from the tone of our Albanian guests on a free Serbian website, they seem desperate. Like a child anxiously awaiting chocolate from mother (West), whales tears are forming if this child's demands are not met. Threats of violence, intimidation, what else is new.
Serbia has a proud history. Let's this newly spoiled child rant and rave, the West will slap this child eventually, we need not do this..for now. This child will be breast feeding from the nipple of the west for decades to come...For example, does anyone actually think Tourism is going to flourish in Pristina? Perhaps if they turn it into a heroin den with brothels on every corner, then maybe? The people will be deprived or real economic growth, jobs, security, and most importantly dignity and honor. This is their future.
Let us devolve our industry, let us invest in our country and people. With strategic positioning along the Danube, agriculture, textile, minerals and educated population, we will be amongst the leaders in southern Europe. From a position of real strength, we will eventually dictate terms back into Kosovo, we know it..and they know it. This is all temporary and short term...even if it is for 20 years..We outlasted the Ottomans...a formidable foe...we'll outlast the Albanians for sure.
It is really interesting to read this lines from the Serbian man living in UK. Bisides this make up stories about the population increase, how in the hell do you think that you living in UK want to dicide about my fate, my future in Kosovo!? You think that your votes out of Kosovo will have credibility on the Kosovo future? No my darling Kosovo will be led by it People, Dardans, Illyrians.By the wahy why my name is given Ilir(Illyrian) or 100 of names Dardan (Dardany). Look a bit an old Balkan map and see what these names mean!
Kosovo is no more Serbia's problem since 1999.Serbia is Serbia's problem.No Kostunica nor 100 others like him can't stop the independence of Kosovo.Remember my words dear friends.
Wow, Kostunica won't rush the solution of the final status of Kosovo, because it's up to Kostunica when the status is decided upon...lol... laughable.
I feel bad for the average Serb in Serbia and Kosovo and the average Albanian in Kosovo and southern Serbia because those are the people that are paying the price for this type of political manipulation to maintain power. Kosovo is de-facto independent so it needs to become de-jure independent so both Kosovo and Sebia can move towards the EU and forget about thousand year old fairy tales and myths. Look at the Bulgarians and Romanians for God's sake. Even Macedonia and Montenegro have a better chance of joining the EU than Serbia or Kosovo do, all because of an unrealistic desire of the Serbian people to keep another nation within their borders against their will, and a ready and willing leadership in Belgrade to play up these desires so they can distract the Serbian people from the real problems they face, corruption, poverty, delapitated infrastructure and an incompetent leadership accross the board. How sad!
Look back at all my contributions and i do not 'dictate' Kosovo and Metohija's future from England.
a) I'm Anglo-Serb... and as many seem to have difficulty with English, this means half English and half Serbian.
b) I merely want international boundaries to be respected and protected by existing international laws. Without them there is only anarchy and this would suit Albanians greatly as they have come down from their highland wastelands and settled in Macedonia, Serbia, Montenegro, Greece... and in the last 30 years... the UK, Germany, Switzerland etc
c) Lets not go down the avenue of Albanians are Illyrians and therefore inheriters of the land. This arguement is pointless and Illyrians is a blanket term for many seperate tribes with no common national identity or centralised state.
d) Made up statistics? Hmmmm, Thats odd. I admit that as far back as modern records began Albanians have been in the majority in Kosovo and Metohija but to the extent of 90%? It is more gratious to admit the the rough with the smooth and you would have to be very blinkered not to accept that Albanians did not form 90% of Kosovo and Metohija's population 50 years ago.
It almost seems pointless contributing as passions run high and people start making idiotic, sometime personal, attacks.
I stand by my comments. Kosovo and Metohija is legally and internationally recognised as part of the soveriegn state of Serbia. This is protected by UN resolution 1244.
Perhaps now i've said my bit i can expect more wild accusations of my ethnic origin and dictator like contributions to this site.
(Laughable?) "real problems they face, corruption, poverty, delapitated infrastructure and an incompetent leadership accross the board. How sad!"
I assume you are a albanian and this is the kind of posting I read that I know the albanians are only fooling them selfs. Where does a albanian have a say in corruption or crome and ECONOMY being the poorest country in europe I would keep my mouth shut before others start laughing at this ....laughable comment.
Further "Even Macedonia and Montenegro have a better chance of joining the EU" You put to much trust in the EU for one thing ...your only setting your self up to be disapointed, Besides where are macedonia or montengro since they left (good that they did)NOWHERE no economy (Montengro at least as a SMALL chance but only if they work hard) Serbia is by far the most succesful in the Balkans..."For gods sake" were richer than Romania and their accepted by the EU, so no worrries from SERBS but thanks for you concern.
The UN resolution 1244, was signed by the criminals who are in Hague. I don't believe the west puts any weight on it. That is a blunder by the west, or should I say a shameless resolution that even the current Serbian government very rarely talks about. I am not surperised that you mention it too often. I guess that is the only card nationalists are left to play with.
I don't usually write comments, but seeing you slam a man for his name and the grasp of his English is laughable.
Joe Singelton is correct as it is written. Just place that name on Yahoo or Google and hundreds if not thousands of names will appear written that way.
I am not a linguist, but I see a lot more originality in Joe Singelton's English than yours. An apology to the man would make you a gentleman.
I don't think Kosovo solution should be rushed. Maybe there is still chance for some positive outcome from Belgrade and Pristina. I read most of the comments written on this theme. Both sides of the argument make a valid point for their aim. However, some commentators really show despicable angriness by repeating pointless historical occurrences that do little if any good here.
Who is this Xhafer guy anyway for making such explosive comments that serve no peaceful purposes?
Who is this Mike gentleman who want to outlast a neighbor rather than throw couple of good tips on how to find a peaceful solution to two nations that have no choice but leave next to each other for centuries to come?
And who is this Boskovic man who just muddles about the 1244 resolution that most of the west have already abandoned.
I don't really care personally how Albanians are as people or how they live in their communities. My visit to Pristina was not such a good experience two years ago, but I can't hate 2 million people for that.
I just hope few people read those comments. Because it looks like hate streams from both sides.
As a Polish of Serbian origin, I am disgusted by the way hatred is passed from one generation to the other.
We know the truth, who was in Kosovo before the 6 century, we know the truth, who was in Kosovo in 13 century, and we know the truth who is in Kosovo now. Unfortunately, with decreasing of Serbian population for whatever reasons, Serbia has lost its authority to rule there. And I see this battle of words rather pointless to continue.
The best way in my view is secure enough freedom and international recognition for our Serbian brothers and Sisters there, and stop this madness against 90% of people who want a legitimate divorce.
(Though it hurts me dearly the envisioned outcome my friends, but the sequence of events is set in such a motion that there is no way to stop Kosovo from becoming independent.)
I believe many peace-loving Serbs are tired from this topic, and so are our peace-loving Albanian friends.
Anthony Shelmerdine'Boskovicu, you need to wake up my friend and become a real English, if you are who you claim you are. I am fraid from your comments above I have e feeling you have been captured by a Serbain nationalistic mentality which won't let you see the reality. A same thing had happended to your former country men and women- and we all know the outcome, most of Serbs in tne world today are ashamed to reveal their national identity. I have meet many Serbs in the diaspora who say they come from Ballkans, or from Former Yugoslavia, or from Belgrade, or even from Banat, but I am afraid I have not met Serbs who would say they were from Serbia.
You made a very intersting statement, that Kosovo demographicaly is Albanian but its land is Serbian. Very regressive. It sounded like an old fossilistic Nazi German saying "Serbia is Serbian in demographics but it is a German land because we had occupied it for four years during the WW2" or like an old Turkish lunatic saying "Serbia is Serbian demographically, but the land is Turkish because we had occupied it for close to 5 centuries".
You should abandon your compfort in England and take a trip to Serbia and Kosovo, live a bit with people there and see how it feels to live in hatred. You should visit schools there and see that the main topics in chidrens' paintings there are warplanes and tanks, you should mingle with youth there and see that their only drseams aand aims are to flee their country and live somwhere were they see prosperity. Only after you have seen these and get to realising that hatred and dogma bring nothing good you can decisde whether to cite whatever number in UN resolution which seems to be outdated anyway.
As we have learnt from UN in past 20 years, it is very weak and gutless so i wouldnt put too much hope in Russia coming to aid serbia. if everyone recognises Kosovo, what can russians do.
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