Koštunica: Russia and China would block Kosovo independence

So long as Serbia itself refuses any sort of compromise on independence, Russia and China will NEVER agree to carve out a portion of a sovereign state (particularly when it will have been achieved by a NATO military action). The consequences of Kosovo independence to the Russian position on Chechnya and, more importantly, the Chinese position on Taiwan, are unaimaginable for them. This fact has been in plain sight since 1999, but the Kosovo Albanians and their (Western) U.N. protectors have allowed themselves to dream. That dream is about to end.

I can't wait to read the comments on this one...

The Russians could care less about issues of sovereignty, international law or Serbia. Once there is a closed door agreement between Russia and the West on the contested territiories in the Caucasus and Moldova then Kosovo will be granted independence. My guess- two weeks.

There will be no independence for Kosovo that is very clear now.Only question is how Albanian leaders gonna explain that to their people?Albanians will probably proclame independence alone but without SC UN that is just a empty shot. Kosovo problem will drag for generations.....

Serbs still believe, well its not bad to keep the faith, but.. Reality is June of 1999. I remember when serbs said that Russia would block Kfor and veto 1244 at the UN. They did not Veto then and they will NOT Veto now either. Wake up to reality. Kosovo will Be INDEPENDENT.

I agree with Mike... think i'll watch this one from the sidelines.

Triumphent Serbs and disappointed Albanians ahoy!

Kosovo will be independent?? Kosovo IS already independent...I'm wondering why no one has come up with the idea of setting up an inter-ethnic betting scheme on whether independence will occur. I can literally guarantee that it would smash the 'rational economic agent' theories...as, despite very clear evidence, you would have LOADS of Serbs saying it would NOT happen. Come on, why not make some money while arguing about it. If we can't be rational, let's be creative at least. In addition to leading to profit for a lot of Albanians (and other right betters), if statistics were used I am almost certain it would expose a very simple truth: that, while Serbs boast about 'independence NEVER happening', they would be scared to put their money on a cause they know is lost forever. Lets roll the ball n make some money outta it.

To, C

Man I love you. This is the best idea that I've ever heard. I hope B92 read this message and makes this possible. Why not putting your money where your mouth is. I can't wait to read their responses. They will quietly avoid this by attacking with nonsense arguments. Michael and Boskovic don't let you emotions talk, let the truth.
Accept this because i really need to pay my tuitions from this.

C, thanks again for this wonderful idea.

I would love to here all the comments if Kosovo does stays within Serbia and the Albania language is adapted as the second language with the President or the Prime Minister being Albanian!!! If you thank that poverty and the economy is bad known in Serbia, Imagine adding 1.5 Million unemployed Albanians in the Serbian economy!!! And if the Albanians having a VETO power (one third vote) in Parliament, Serbia will not be able to function!!!

Just an empty shot of Kostunica, nothing more

Russia, China, US don't care about the people, Serbian or albanian. The independence or no independce is driven by much bigger plans. If the Serbs want to keep Kosovo they will need to unite on all levels. The albanians have done all they can. Dependence or independence is still uncertain. But independence would be wrong.

After chiding Milosevic for failing to convince the West and side with China and Russia, Kostunica is doing the same.

What a betrayal to Serbs aspiration to move towards the West.

What a ugly way to feed his people with naive scenarios just to stay in power for another term.

I think will be very difficult to come to a good solution for both parties.It is very sad that someone else has to decide about this.I think Kosovo depends on US and Great Britain,but is very sad that Serbia is hopping Russia and China would help.A lot of politicians sad that the situation won't be the same like before 1999,Kosovo will not join another country and Kosovo borders won't change.People are wrong to compare Kosovo with other countries to be.Kosovo is a unique case.Serbia's 100 years lease on Kosovo is running out and hopefully Kosovans will be the ones to decide about their future,we like it or not.It will be very hard for serbs in Kosovo but I think Kosovan Albanians in few years time will learn to forgive!!!Peace on Earth.

Russia is stronger now then it was when the USSR collapsed obviously, this United States administration seems willing to restore traditional great ties with Serbia and Serbian people, and China will not set a legal precedent for Taiwan to secede, Tibet, and northwestern regions being settled slowly by Islamic Fundamentalists.

I think what will happen is conditional independence / autonomy which will be moved to full independence upon acceptance to the EU.

That will never happen George...

Lat me just be as brief as possible.
I think everyone of you know that 1990 the U.S seretary of state, James Baker went to former Yugoslavia advocating that Yugoslavia should be preserved, which statement kind of gave a green light to Serbia to atack anyone of the republics if they tried to breakaway. Serbia ate the bait, and attacked, first Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia, Kosovo. When the war broke out, U.S and interanional community realized the serbia's intentions, and decided to act, and stop the madness.
U.S and the west did not forget the double standard of the then Yugoslavia was holding towards Russia and the west. By blackmailing the west, that they would side with Russia if they wouldn't get billions of dollars in help, especially by U.S. The west and the U.S did give to Yugoslavia the funds they were requesting just because they did not want the Russian, and Warsaw pact influence in the Balkans.After Warsaw pact and Russia collapsed, the west and U.S did not need Yugoslavia anylonger, therefore the green light for the Serbia was a bait.
Now let me tell you why Kosova will be Independent.
First of all Albanians are seen by the west, especially the U.S as the most trustworthy and a firm ally in Iraq and Afghanistan than any other nation in the Balkans. As you might know U.S is beggining to lose faith in Greece, and the slavic countries are not as reliable as the Albanians, due to the fact that the slavic countries if anything they tend to lean toward Russia at any given moment.
U.S, and the west are looking for relaible support in the region, and best choice are Albanians, that is why the Bondstil is built in Kosova for that purpose.
Now i think you have a clear understanding why U.S will try to defeat the Russian veto. If the Russian veto will work for the Serbs, that means the Serbs will owe big to Russia, therfore in the future they would side with Russia first before they would side with U.S and the west, the west is aware of that.

1) To all who oppose Kosovo independence, did you know that there is estimated to be 4 - 5 million Albanians living in Yugoslavia if 30 - 50 years if Kosovo do not become a independent state.

2) Russia and China don't have time neither with Serbs nor with Albanians, the only thing that Balkan have offered them is war and they want $$ not war, and secondly they do not have a better solution themselves and the cold war is over long ago it it 2006. money rules.

3) I don't think that Albanians expect to be rich and famous by independence but at least they know that they do not need to leave their homes again so they can build their future together with Europe and the free world and not be stuck in this backwardness created by sick politics that only result in death and poverty both for Serbia and Kosovo.

I also would like to hear someone tell if they have an better alternative than independence for Kosovos people. If you have one please let me know.

Of course Russia and China would seek to block Kosovo's independence. They have their own breakaway provinces of Taiwan, Chechnya, and even Tibet to worry about. But what happens if Kosovo remains a part of Serbia? Another March 2004? Is NATO really up to the task in engaging in aggressive peace keeping? Not likely. How will Serbia absorb 1.5 million Albanians who don't want to be attached? And of course, seeing as how K-Albanians have basically ignored all sovereign laws since 1981 and pretended they were independent since, what makes anyone think the K-Albanians are just going to roll with this? Is Europe ready for a protracted guerrilla war with gun runnings and Albanian "haiduks" moving between Kosovo and Albania? Do we really need another Balkan war on our hands to enforce such a tactic? You can be sure that any remaining Serb community and Serb monastery will be destroyed in the crossfire. Unless extreme force is used to quell Albanian uprisings - and I really don't envision Europe having the stomach to do that - Kosovo will go up in flames, dragging Serbia, Montenegro, Macedonia, and Albania with it.

Difference between serbia and kosovo and china and Taiwan etc is that we are dealing with areas inside very powerful countries. I would hardly call serbia a big player on world stage. Russia is not scared of Chechnya because they know they have a veto in UN. I think serbs think too much that russians will come to their aid. Russia is sick of serbia and dont want too much attachment to them because of what happened in 90's.

And as I have said in forums, a country doesnt really need the security council at UN to recognise a country. Kosovo wants to deal with west and if west recognises it, who cares if russia does. west has alot of power and there are only a few russian allies who would follow russian lead in this regard. bosnia, croatia etc were recognised by everyone prior to UN even considering independence so whats the difference now. There is an expression that describes what Kostunica is saying and that is "pissing in the wind." My bet is he is looking for someone to blame if kosovo is independent and lack of help from russia is perfect as it will add further to the serb victimisation psyche.

my opinion is that china and russia are trying to have a grip in south eastern europe and having an ally is one solution. the secret agenda is that they dont want the west to have full control of the world, particularly the balkans due to its strategic importance. lets wait and see on this infinitely dragging issue of kosovo independence. lets hope it would be a fair result.

Russia has already lost all the former Warsaw Pact and Baltic countries to Nato. I think the Russians will prefer to have a Serbia that feels so indebted to them. Especially when Serbia is the only country left standing in the way of the Danube becoming a purely Nato river from Germany all the way to the Black Sea. Don't underestimate geo-strategic considerations.

Who cares if Russia and China will veto Kosovo's independence in the ONU Security Council?
If the western countries will recognise and grant an independent Kosovo, than Kosovo will be an independent state and, sooner or later, China and Russia will accept the situation.
That said, I would like to know how Serbia could put in place again a control of Kosovo and restore a whatever level of sovereignity in the area.
After all, If I would be a Serbian I would fear the presence of 2 millions Albanians inside my country: Serbia will be litterally submerged by Albanian speakers in 25/30 years.

Russia and China saving the sovereignity of Serbia is the same as saying "We might find water on the surface of the moon."

Russia's and China's comments are merely for domestic consupmtion in their countries, or to say, to their citizens our influence in the world is in equal bases with the states.

But in the end, I project, Russia will vote for the resollution and China will abstain.

Keep dreaming Mr. Kostunica! I hope at least the honest citizens of Serbia don't share that same empty dream.

It may be that Russia and China may veto the Pro-Independence resolution. But the question is for how long?

Even if they vetoed it, that doesn't necessarily mean, that Serbia is immediately granted a permission to enter Kosovo.

I believe KFOR troops will be in Kosovo for a long time to come. And If this happens, I mean the resolution fails in the UN, then Albanians will really go on a revenge spree, you'll be lucky to find one Serb in Kosovo in 5 years from now. The reason why they haven't done it so far, is that simple hope of Independence. However, if that hope is broken, then, they are left with nothing to look forward to, and that is very dangerous to do to a nation that can affect Macedonia, Monte Negro, and South Serbia Itself.

The best scenario would be: The Kosovo Parliament unanimously declares Independence after of course some sort of referendum, And luckily is recognized by US, and its friends. I assume that would be at least half of the world.

The worst scenario would be: There is no agreement between the contact group, and Serbia is returned its presumed sovereignty over Kosovo as its spelled under so-called 1244 resolution. That would certainly start a bloody war.

And this time will ruin the entire Balkans. It's believed that 70 % of Albanian households have privately bought weapons during the last 7 years. So, I don't think Serbia will find unarmed population when they try to reclaim that sovereignty.

I believe both Albanians and Hungarians from Vojvodina ought to be allowed to choose their future destiny through referendums. And if they choose a divorce from Serbia, then so be it.

It's uncivilized to go against the will of people; Especially if one believes in DEMOCRACY!

I too was going to sit on the sidelines on this one, but after reading some of the dumbest and most childish posts to date, i had to put my 2 cents in. I dont mean to be personal, but Agnes, you really shouldnt be involved in arguments you have no idea about. (Not to mention the rest) You go as far as to say that the hungarians in Vojvodina should also be granted independance if Kosovo is seperated! And you speak of democracy?? Ripping apart a sovereign nation and re-designing its borders based on ethnicity totaly contradicts the very principles of democracy! Ignoring and trampling over International law is also pretty un-democratic. And you mention the 'will of the people'? You must have got this line out of some B grade American film. Instead of using cliches and by-phrases to make a point, try using real arguments which have some validity. And who's 'will' exactly are you speaking of? Im sure its not the 'will' of the Serbian people to have a large part of their country being torn away from them and handed over to an minority ethnic group just because they want to. Does this mean that the Slovak minority in Hungary can claim independance as well?? All these ethnic groups which make up Serbia's population, why do they continue classify themselves as being purely Albanian, Hungarian etc. If they have been living in Serbia for generations, then are they not Serbian? If they were born, schooled and raised in that country, their allegance should be to that country. This is not isolated to Serbia though, it is a worldwide issue. Ethnic minorities are present in most counries worldwide, from Europe to the America's, if each of these minorities were to start claiming independance, the world would be a total mess.
The fact of the matter is, the albanians have absolutely NO claim over Kosovo. No historical claim, and definately no legal claim.
To use the argument that Kosovo should be given independance in order to prevent further violence is hypocritical because it is violence alone that has carried the independance drive this far. The albanians primary tool was, and still is, violence.
The new face of democracy . .

Max, thanks for your comments. You're one of the few on here who knows what he's talking about.

Not a problem Miki, is'nt it funny though that albanians are given the freedom of speach to preach their propaganda, and brandish Serbs as being intolerant and racist, on a Serbian media outlet! Bit hypocritical don't you think? I wonder whether 'pro-Serb' comments, or anything slightly opposite pro-albanian, would see the light of day on an albanian site or in any albanian media outlet? I doubt it . .

Max,

Thank you for your comments. I don't need to write a book to convince you that you are wrong! I can see that you base everything on your personal convictions.

If 2 million people, who have nothing in common with your culture are not the majority in their land (Kosovo) and if their will is not accepted because Serbia lost a humiliating battle there in the 14th century, then without a doubt your belief in democracy as much as my believe in comunism.

Agnes,

To say that ethnic Albanians have no history in Kosovo would be to deny historical fact. Albanians are descended from Illyrians who are an ancient local tribe - history shows almost 1,000 years of such history in the region. And, modern history shows that ethnic Albanians have been the majority in Kosovo for at least 60 years. Rewriting the facts does not make new truths, no matter how you want to spin it.

Agnes,
Please, i would be delighted if you would write a book for me! Enlighten me
You criticise me for using my 'personal convicitons', and yet nowhere in your post is there anything but YOUR 'personal convicitons'.
"Serbia lost a humiliating battle"?? If sacrificing your entire army, sacrificing your land, and sacrificing the very existence of your people for the freedom of entire europe, then yes, the Serbs were humiliated. They fought a battle at great odds, and for your information the battle itself was a draw.
But this is not relevant, nowhere in your posts did you even come close to providing any kind of factual argument. Or do you even have one??

So long as Serbia itself refuses any sort of compromise on independence, Russia and China will NEVER agree to carve out a portion of a sovereign state (particularly when it will have been achieved by a NATO military action). The consequences of Kosovo independence to the Russian position on Chechnya and, more importantly, the Chinese position on Taiwan, are unaimaginable for them. This fact has been in plain sight since 1999, but the Kosovo Albanians and their (Western) U.N. protectors have allowed themselves to dream. That dream is about to end.

I can't wait to read the comments on this one...

The Russians could care less about issues of sovereignty, international law or Serbia. Once there is a closed door agreement between Russia and the West on the contested territiories in the Caucasus and Moldova then Kosovo will be granted independence. My guess- two weeks.

There will be no independence for Kosovo that is very clear now.Only question is how Albanian leaders gonna explain that to their people?Albanians will probably proclame independence alone but without SC UN that is just a empty shot. Kosovo problem will drag for generations.....

Serbs still believe, well its not bad to keep the faith, but.. Reality is June of 1999. I remember when serbs said that Russia would block Kfor and veto 1244 at the UN. They did not Veto then and they will NOT Veto now either. Wake up to reality. Kosovo will Be INDEPENDENT.

I agree with Mike... think i'll watch this one from the sidelines.

Triumphent Serbs and disappointed Albanians ahoy!

Kosovo will be independent?? Kosovo IS already independent...I'm wondering why no one has come up with the idea of setting up an inter-ethnic betting scheme on whether independence will occur. I can literally guarantee that it would smash the 'rational economic agent' theories...as, despite very clear evidence, you would have LOADS of Serbs saying it would NOT happen. Come on, why not make some money while arguing about it. If we can't be rational, let's be creative at least. In addition to leading to profit for a lot of Albanians (and other right betters), if statistics were used I am almost certain it would expose a very simple truth: that, while Serbs boast about 'independence NEVER happening', they would be scared to put their money on a cause they know is lost forever. Lets roll the ball n make some money outta it.

To, C

Man I love you. This is the best idea that I've ever heard. I hope B92 read this message and makes this possible. Why not putting your money where your mouth is. I can't wait to read their responses. They will quietly avoid this by attacking with nonsense arguments. Michael and Boskovic don't let you emotions talk, let the truth.
Accept this because i really need to pay my tuitions from this.

C, thanks again for this wonderful idea.

I would love to here all the comments if Kosovo does stays within Serbia and the Albania language is adapted as the second language with the President or the Prime Minister being Albanian!!! If you thank that poverty and the economy is bad known in Serbia, Imagine adding 1.5 Million unemployed Albanians in the Serbian economy!!! And if the Albanians having a VETO power (one third vote) in Parliament, Serbia will not be able to function!!!

Just an empty shot of Kostunica, nothing more

Russia, China, US don't care about the people, Serbian or albanian. The independence or no independce is driven by much bigger plans. If the Serbs want to keep Kosovo they will need to unite on all levels. The albanians have done all they can. Dependence or independence is still uncertain. But independence would be wrong.

After chiding Milosevic for failing to convince the West and side with China and Russia, Kostunica is doing the same.

What a betrayal to Serbs aspiration to move towards the West.

What a ugly way to feed his people with naive scenarios just to stay in power for another term.

I think will be very difficult to come to a good solution for both parties.It is very sad that someone else has to decide about this.I think Kosovo depends on US and Great Britain,but is very sad that Serbia is hopping Russia and China would help.A lot of politicians sad that the situation won't be the same like before 1999,Kosovo will not join another country and Kosovo borders won't change.People are wrong to compare Kosovo with other countries to be.Kosovo is a unique case.Serbia's 100 years lease on Kosovo is running out and hopefully Kosovans will be the ones to decide about their future,we like it or not.It will be very hard for serbs in Kosovo but I think Kosovan Albanians in few years time will learn to forgive!!!Peace on Earth.

Russia is stronger now then it was when the USSR collapsed obviously, this United States administration seems willing to restore traditional great ties with Serbia and Serbian people, and China will not set a legal precedent for Taiwan to secede, Tibet, and northwestern regions being settled slowly by Islamic Fundamentalists.

I think what will happen is conditional independence / autonomy which will be moved to full independence upon acceptance to the EU.

That will never happen George...

Lat me just be as brief as possible.
I think everyone of you know that 1990 the U.S seretary of state, James Baker went to former Yugoslavia advocating that Yugoslavia should be preserved, which statement kind of gave a green light to Serbia to atack anyone of the republics if they tried to breakaway. Serbia ate the bait, and attacked, first Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia, Kosovo. When the war broke out, U.S and interanional community realized the serbia's intentions, and decided to act, and stop the madness.
U.S and the west did not forget the double standard of the then Yugoslavia was holding towards Russia and the west. By blackmailing the west, that they would side with Russia if they wouldn't get billions of dollars in help, especially by U.S. The west and the U.S did give to Yugoslavia the funds they were requesting just because they did not want the Russian, and Warsaw pact influence in the Balkans.After Warsaw pact and Russia collapsed, the west and U.S did not need Yugoslavia anylonger, therefore the green light for the Serbia was a bait.
Now let me tell you why Kosova will be Independent.
First of all Albanians are seen by the west, especially the U.S as the most trustworthy and a firm ally in Iraq and Afghanistan than any other nation in the Balkans. As you might know U.S is beggining to lose faith in Greece, and the slavic countries are not as reliable as the Albanians, due to the fact that the slavic countries if anything they tend to lean toward Russia at any given moment.
U.S, and the west are looking for relaible support in the region, and best choice are Albanians, that is why the Bondstil is built in Kosova for that purpose.
Now i think you have a clear understanding why U.S will try to defeat the Russian veto. If the Russian veto will work for the Serbs, that means the Serbs will owe big to Russia, therfore in the future they would side with Russia first before they would side with U.S and the west, the west is aware of that.

1) To all who oppose Kosovo independence, did you know that there is estimated to be 4 - 5 million Albanians living in Yugoslavia if 30 - 50 years if Kosovo do not become a independent state.

2) Russia and China don't have time neither with Serbs nor with Albanians, the only thing that Balkan have offered them is war and they want $$ not war, and secondly they do not have a better solution themselves and the cold war is over long ago it it 2006. money rules.

3) I don't think that Albanians expect to be rich and famous by independence but at least they know that they do not need to leave their homes again so they can build their future together with Europe and the free world and not be stuck in this backwardness created by sick politics that only result in death and poverty both for Serbia and Kosovo.

I also would like to hear someone tell if they have an better alternative than independence for Kosovos people. If you have one please let me know.

Of course Russia and China would seek to block Kosovo's independence. They have their own breakaway provinces of Taiwan, Chechnya, and even Tibet to worry about. But what happens if Kosovo remains a part of Serbia? Another March 2004? Is NATO really up to the task in engaging in aggressive peace keeping? Not likely. How will Serbia absorb 1.5 million Albanians who don't want to be attached? And of course, seeing as how K-Albanians have basically ignored all sovereign laws since 1981 and pretended they were independent since, what makes anyone think the K-Albanians are just going to roll with this? Is Europe ready for a protracted guerrilla war with gun runnings and Albanian "haiduks" moving between Kosovo and Albania? Do we really need another Balkan war on our hands to enforce such a tactic? You can be sure that any remaining Serb community and Serb monastery will be destroyed in the crossfire. Unless extreme force is used to quell Albanian uprisings - and I really don't envision Europe having the stomach to do that - Kosovo will go up in flames, dragging Serbia, Montenegro, Macedonia, and Albania with it.

Difference between serbia and kosovo and china and Taiwan etc is that we are dealing with areas inside very powerful countries. I would hardly call serbia a big player on world stage. Russia is not scared of Chechnya because they know they have a veto in UN. I think serbs think too much that russians will come to their aid. Russia is sick of serbia and dont want too much attachment to them because of what happened in 90's.

And as I have said in forums, a country doesnt really need the security council at UN to recognise a country. Kosovo wants to deal with west and if west recognises it, who cares if russia does. west has alot of power and there are only a few russian allies who would follow russian lead in this regard. bosnia, croatia etc were recognised by everyone prior to UN even considering independence so whats the difference now. There is an expression that describes what Kostunica is saying and that is "pissing in the wind." My bet is he is looking for someone to blame if kosovo is independent and lack of help from russia is perfect as it will add further to the serb victimisation psyche.

my opinion is that china and russia are trying to have a grip in south eastern europe and having an ally is one solution. the secret agenda is that they dont want the west to have full control of the world, particularly the balkans due to its strategic importance. lets wait and see on this infinitely dragging issue of kosovo independence. lets hope it would be a fair result.

Russia has already lost all the former Warsaw Pact and Baltic countries to Nato. I think the Russians will prefer to have a Serbia that feels so indebted to them. Especially when Serbia is the only country left standing in the way of the Danube becoming a purely Nato river from Germany all the way to the Black Sea. Don't underestimate geo-strategic considerations.

Who cares if Russia and China will veto Kosovo's independence in the ONU Security Council?
If the western countries will recognise and grant an independent Kosovo, than Kosovo will be an independent state and, sooner or later, China and Russia will accept the situation.
That said, I would like to know how Serbia could put in place again a control of Kosovo and restore a whatever level of sovereignity in the area.
After all, If I would be a Serbian I would fear the presence of 2 millions Albanians inside my country: Serbia will be litterally submerged by Albanian speakers in 25/30 years.

Russia and China saving the sovereignity of Serbia is the same as saying "We might find water on the surface of the moon."

Russia's and China's comments are merely for domestic consupmtion in their countries, or to say, to their citizens our influence in the world is in equal bases with the states.

But in the end, I project, Russia will vote for the resollution and China will abstain.

Keep dreaming Mr. Kostunica! I hope at least the honest citizens of Serbia don't share that same empty dream.

It may be that Russia and China may veto the Pro-Independence resolution. But the question is for how long?

Even if they vetoed it, that doesn't necessarily mean, that Serbia is immediately granted a permission to enter Kosovo.

I believe KFOR troops will be in Kosovo for a long time to come. And If this happens, I mean the resolution fails in the UN, then Albanians will really go on a revenge spree, you'll be lucky to find one Serb in Kosovo in 5 years from now. The reason why they haven't done it so far, is that simple hope of Independence. However, if that hope is broken, then, they are left with nothing to look forward to, and that is very dangerous to do to a nation that can affect Macedonia, Monte Negro, and South Serbia Itself.

The best scenario would be: The Kosovo Parliament unanimously declares Independence after of course some sort of referendum, And luckily is recognized by US, and its friends. I assume that would be at least half of the world.

The worst scenario would be: There is no agreement between the contact group, and Serbia is returned its presumed sovereignty over Kosovo as its spelled under so-called 1244 resolution. That would certainly start a bloody war.

And this time will ruin the entire Balkans. It's believed that 70 % of Albanian households have privately bought weapons during the last 7 years. So, I don't think Serbia will find unarmed population when they try to reclaim that sovereignty.

I believe both Albanians and Hungarians from Vojvodina ought to be allowed to choose their future destiny through referendums. And if they choose a divorce from Serbia, then so be it.

It's uncivilized to go against the will of people; Especially if one believes in DEMOCRACY!

I too was going to sit on the sidelines on this one, but after reading some of the dumbest and most childish posts to date, i had to put my 2 cents in. I dont mean to be personal, but Agnes, you really shouldnt be involved in arguments you have no idea about. (Not to mention the rest) You go as far as to say that the hungarians in Vojvodina should also be granted independance if Kosovo is seperated! And you speak of democracy?? Ripping apart a sovereign nation and re-designing its borders based on ethnicity totaly contradicts the very principles of democracy! Ignoring and trampling over International law is also pretty un-democratic. And you mention the 'will of the people'? You must have got this line out of some B grade American film. Instead of using cliches and by-phrases to make a point, try using real arguments which have some validity. And who's 'will' exactly are you speaking of? Im sure its not the 'will' of the Serbian people to have a large part of their country being torn away from them and handed over to an minority ethnic group just because they want to. Does this mean that the Slovak minority in Hungary can claim independance as well?? All these ethnic groups which make up Serbia's population, why do they continue classify themselves as being purely Albanian, Hungarian etc. If they have been living in Serbia for generations, then are they not Serbian? If they were born, schooled and raised in that country, their allegance should be to that country. This is not isolated to Serbia though, it is a worldwide issue. Ethnic minorities are present in most counries worldwide, from Europe to the America's, if each of these minorities were to start claiming independance, the world would be a total mess.
The fact of the matter is, the albanians have absolutely NO claim over Kosovo. No historical claim, and definately no legal claim.
To use the argument that Kosovo should be given independance in order to prevent further violence is hypocritical because it is violence alone that has carried the independance drive this far. The albanians primary tool was, and still is, violence.
The new face of democracy . .

Max, thanks for your comments. You're one of the few on here who knows what he's talking about.

Not a problem Miki, is'nt it funny though that albanians are given the freedom of speach to preach their propaganda, and brandish Serbs as being intolerant and racist, on a Serbian media outlet! Bit hypocritical don't you think? I wonder whether 'pro-Serb' comments, or anything slightly opposite pro-albanian, would see the light of day on an albanian site or in any albanian media outlet? I doubt it . .

Max,

Thank you for your comments. I don't need to write a book to convince you that you are wrong! I can see that you base everything on your personal convictions.

If 2 million people, who have nothing in common with your culture are not the majority in their land (Kosovo) and if their will is not accepted because Serbia lost a humiliating battle there in the 14th century, then without a doubt your belief in democracy as much as my believe in comunism.

Agnes,

To say that ethnic Albanians have no history in Kosovo would be to deny historical fact. Albanians are descended from Illyrians who are an ancient local tribe - history shows almost 1,000 years of such history in the region. And, modern history shows that ethnic Albanians have been the majority in Kosovo for at least 60 years. Rewriting the facts does not make new truths, no matter how you want to spin it.

Agnes,
Please, i would be delighted if you would write a book for me! Enlighten me
You criticise me for using my 'personal convicitons', and yet nowhere in your post is there anything but YOUR 'personal convicitons'.
"Serbia lost a humiliating battle"?? If sacrificing your entire army, sacrificing your land, and sacrificing the very existence of your people for the freedom of entire europe, then yes, the Serbs were humiliated. They fought a battle at great odds, and for your information the battle itself was a draw.
But this is not relevant, nowhere in your posts did you even come close to providing any kind of factual argument. Or do you even have one??