Preševo Albanians remove Serbian, display Albanian flag

I remember during a cinco de mayo celebration a few years ago we replaced a US flag over a municipal courthouse in san diego with a mexican one. It was much fun.

I'm Serbian, and i dont see anything wrong with Albanians celebrating Albanian holidays wherever they may be. I just dont think it was appropriate for them to REMOVE the serbian flag and replace it with their own. That is provacative in my opionion especially condsidering the circumstances of the situation in Serbia right now. Flying an Albanian flag alongside a serbian one in Serbia is fine though. Imaging if an Iraqi in America replaces an American flag on a state building with an Iraqi one.

Today was a special today for all albanians in the world. Just a little reminder, there are albanians in Albania,Kosova,Macedonia,Montenegro,Greece,Preshevo-Serbia,UK,Sweden,Germany,USA,Switzerland,Austria,Italy and many more countries.As a nation you have a right to celebrate your flag day,your existence.Miloshevic's era is gone,minorities should have more rights.By replacing serbian flags with albanian ones wasn't a crime,people everywhere in the world like to be recognised.I think Albanians living in Preshevo like living in Serbia and it's very good that Serbia is looking after them.I don't get it about so much fuss created about this.Lets respect all citizens equaly and everything will be OK.Happy Flag Day to all Albanians in the world.

It is all about freedom of expression. Albanians in Serbia, in the same way as Serbians in Kosovo, Bosnia and other countries, have the right to use and show their symbols.

Only undemocratic countries do not allow this.

It is said that some Serbians apparently living abroad have not learned anything about the most basic human rights.

I hope people in the Balkans learn to respect each other; otherwise there is no place for them in the European Union.

Jose,

Remeber one thing, General John c. Fremont purchased las Mariposas from the Mexican goverment here in California. The Anglos bought the land from your goverment we did not take it. The Serbs should not be so worried by a flag, here in L.A. the Mexicans display the Mexican flag on their homes instead of the country they live in. The Mayor of Los Angeles is a member of La Rasa, it's an organization that supports taking back what they believe was part of Mexico. As far as I am concerned why should I worry about people such as Jose when my goverment isn't worried about it. So when I go to Home Depot and they play music in Spanish to everyone I don't care, when I order a burger at a fast food place and I can't understand them , I live. Remeber, this is a brave new world and we all have to adapt to this " New World Order" even though it makes no sense to most of us.

A comedian of Hispanic decsent said in his monologue...when people display the flag of another nation, it's like telling your significant other that your ex was better than they are. In his opinion, they should go back to their ex. I feel the same way about the Albanians. If you want to display your flag, go ahead. But, do it with respect to the country that you live in. Just like all the Serbs in the US display the American and Serbian flags proudly.

I live in California and I very much enjoy the Mexican culture here. However, I have to disagree with a couple comments here. First off, the US did take Texas/Mexico by force, the fact that the US paid for the land (and not much) doesn't excuse the fact that we bought it at gunpoint. I actually can't wait till California has an Hispanic majority, I do suggest the Right to Self Determination as often as I can for them here, I think it'd be funny to be part of Mexico, I'd love it!

In addition, YES here in Democratic USA it is illegal in some towns to fly a foreign flag, so even the US suffers from Nationalism.

Funny to think that Serbia is more democratic than the US.

Jose's comments cannot be true. I think that what he is describing is a US federal offense.

OK, so P-Albanians want to celebrate Flag Day. No problem. The same accord should be given to Serbs to fly whatever flag they want in Mitrovica, Gracanica, or Herceg Novi too. I'm not being cynical in any way, I just believe that fair should be fair.

this is kid's stuff.

ALBANIANS: fly your flag anywhere you want but on public buildings. otherwise you are terribly immature.

SERBS: let albanians celebrate their ethnic identity.

Serbs and Albanians are like two brothers who are fighting with each other. what an irony of fate. the want the same things, the same rights, and the same reciprocity from each other, but no one makes the first move, but instead the stay ready to fight

to Milan, i agree with you that the serbian flag not to be removed, it doesnt show any thing reconciliatory towards the serbs, but also the serbs must reach to albanians and accept the war they did towards albanians, which where forced to use force to stop miloshevic policies.
Plus it needs time to regain the trust lost. And this let say provocation as you say, helped a lot to see what the serbian reaction will be?
And i think it was quite good, plus some congratulated albanians for the flag day.

Mike wrote:

OK, so P-Albanians want to celebrate Flag Day. No problem. The same accord should be given to Serbs to fly whatever flag they want in Mitrovica, Gracanica, or Herceg Novi too. I'm not being cynical in any way, I just believe that fair should be fair.
-------------------

I agree with you. But Serbs in Kosovo do not allow even UN flags on Government building where they have majority.

Yes I agree with Milan to fly the Albanian flag ALONG side the Serbian is fine, BUT TO REMOVE it is INSULTING and has NO place IN Serbia. Here in Canada people hardly ever fly their own flag but IF they do the always certainly place the Canadian flag along side it.

It is a crime to remove a National Flag from a Public or Municipal building.
In any other country the culprits would be charged.
Serbia must keep laws in place that forbid removing a National Symbol from a Public Building or Place.
Permission must be given for any other symbol or flag to fly alongside the Serbian flag on Special Celebration days.

I agree 100% with you Milan. Absolutely no problem with the celebration, but as you said alittle provocative and disrepectful in removing the Serbian flag. Why did they have to do that? I know, here in Australia you have to have the Australian flag alongside your own nationalities one. I think it just shows respect for the new country you call home now.

I absolutely agree, the albanians should be allowed to celebrate their ethnic minority status. they are equal citizens of serbia. but i only wished they wouldnt have taken the serbian flag down. if they didnt do that, they would have shown some sort of respect for the country they live in, been giving out a lot more peaceful message that way.

Louie wrote!
(Today was a special today for all albanians in the world. Just a little reminder, there are albanians in Albania,Kosova,Macedonia,Monte negro,Greece,Preshevo-Serbia,UK,Sweden,Germany,USA,S witzerland,Austria,Italy and many more countries.) Did any albanian dare to replace a flag of any of theas countries? Except Serbias.Didn't think so.

Dont wory Mike Serbs living in Mitrovica and Gracanica have their flags all over their parallel institutions ever since. They even drive with YU car plates which are illegal in Kosova/o but that does not bother us. I think it was unnecessary to remove the Serbian flag in preshevo but it has happened and its not a big deal.

RE:

I think it was unnecessary to remove the Serbian flag in preshevo but it has happened and its not a big deal.
(Arber, 29 November 2006, 16:59

Are you so chauvinistic you can't admit that removing the Serbian flag is against all international and diplomatic protocal in democratic societies.

I would love to see the reaction of any Albanian minority in the USA to remove the USA flag and replace it with the Albanian flag in Washington, DC, Ottawa, Canada, Berlin, Germany, Athens, Greece.

The reaction would be swift and those individuals who removed the flags would be in jail.

Imagine for one second if you will, if the Albanian flag was removed in Tirana and replaced by the Serbian flag. I dare say that another 100 Serbian Orthodox churches would be razed to the ground.

You want to reconcile, start respecting the Serbian State.

What's all this fuss about? Albanian flag used to fly in public buildings from 1974 until Milosevic took over. Albanian flag has been down for more than 10 years, and only one day Serbian flag is down and everyone is acting as if it's the end of the world. Don't forget Albanian majority in Presevo posseses more than 99%. I believe both flags should fly next to each other all the time.

Xhafer,

I remember during a cinco de mayo celebration a few years ago we replaced a US flag over a municipal courthouse in san diego with a mexican one. It was much fun.

It is all about freedom of expression. Albanians in Serbia, in the same way as Serbians in Kosovo, Bosnia and other countries, have the right to use and show their symbols.

Only undemocratic countries do not allow this.

It is said that some Serbians apparently living abroad have not learned anything about the most basic human rights.

I hope people in the Balkans learn to respect each other; otherwise there is no place for them in the European Union.

Jose,

Remeber one thing, General John c. Fremont purchased las Mariposas from the Mexican goverment here in California. The Anglos bought the land from your goverment we did not take it. The Serbs should not be so worried by a flag, here in L.A. the Mexicans display the Mexican flag on their homes instead of the country they live in. The Mayor of Los Angeles is a member of La Rasa, it's an organization that supports taking back what they believe was part of Mexico. As far as I am concerned why should I worry about people such as Jose when my goverment isn't worried about it. So when I go to Home Depot and they play music in Spanish to everyone I don't care, when I order a burger at a fast food place and I can't understand them , I live. Remeber, this is a brave new world and we all have to adapt to this " New World Order" even though it makes no sense to most of us.

A comedian of Hispanic decsent said in his monologue...when people display the flag of another nation, it's like telling your significant other that your ex was better than they are. In his opinion, they should go back to their ex. I feel the same way about the Albanians. If you want to display your flag, go ahead. But, do it with respect to the country that you live in. Just like all the Serbs in the US display the American and Serbian flags proudly.

I live in California and I very much enjoy the Mexican culture here. However, I have to disagree with a couple comments here. First off, the US did take Texas/Mexico by force, the fact that the US paid for the land (and not much) doesn't excuse the fact that we bought it at gunpoint. I actually can't wait till California has an Hispanic majority, I do suggest the Right to Self Determination as often as I can for them here, I think it'd be funny to be part of Mexico, I'd love it!

In addition, YES here in Democratic USA it is illegal in some towns to fly a foreign flag, so even the US suffers from Nationalism.

Funny to think that Serbia is more democratic than the US.

Jose's comments cannot be true. I think that what he is describing is a US federal offense.

OK, so P-Albanians want to celebrate Flag Day. No problem. The same accord should be given to Serbs to fly whatever flag they want in Mitrovica, Gracanica, or Herceg Novi too. I'm not being cynical in any way, I just believe that fair should be fair.

this is kid's stuff.

ALBANIANS: fly your flag anywhere you want but on public buildings. otherwise you are terribly immature.

SERBS: let albanians celebrate their ethnic identity.

I'm Serbian, and i dont see anything wrong with Albanians celebrating Albanian holidays wherever they may be. I just dont think it was appropriate for them to REMOVE the serbian flag and replace it with their own. That is provacative in my opionion especially condsidering the circumstances of the situation in Serbia right now. Flying an Albanian flag alongside a serbian one in Serbia is fine though. Imaging if an Iraqi in America replaces an American flag on a state building with an Iraqi one.

Serbs and Albanians are like two brothers who are fighting with each other. what an irony of fate. the want the same things, the same rights, and the same reciprocity from each other, but no one makes the first move, but instead the stay ready to fight

to Milan, i agree with you that the serbian flag not to be removed, it doesnt show any thing reconciliatory towards the serbs, but also the serbs must reach to albanians and accept the war they did towards albanians, which where forced to use force to stop miloshevic policies.
Plus it needs time to regain the trust lost. And this let say provocation as you say, helped a lot to see what the serbian reaction will be?
And i think it was quite good, plus some congratulated albanians for the flag day.

Mike wrote:

OK, so P-Albanians want to celebrate Flag Day. No problem. The same accord should be given to Serbs to fly whatever flag they want in Mitrovica, Gracanica, or Herceg Novi too. I'm not being cynical in any way, I just believe that fair should be fair.
-------------------

I agree with you. But Serbs in Kosovo do not allow even UN flags on Government building where they have majority.

Yes I agree with Milan to fly the Albanian flag ALONG side the Serbian is fine, BUT TO REMOVE it is INSULTING and has NO place IN Serbia. Here in Canada people hardly ever fly their own flag but IF they do the always certainly place the Canadian flag along side it.

It is a crime to remove a National Flag from a Public or Municipal building.
In any other country the culprits would be charged.
Serbia must keep laws in place that forbid removing a National Symbol from a Public Building or Place.
Permission must be given for any other symbol or flag to fly alongside the Serbian flag on Special Celebration days.

Today was a special today for all albanians in the world. Just a little reminder, there are albanians in Albania,Kosova,Macedonia,Montenegro,Greece,Preshevo-Serbia,UK,Sweden,Germany,USA,Switzerland,Austria,Italy and many more countries.As a nation you have a right to celebrate your flag day,your existence.Miloshevic's era is gone,minorities should have more rights.By replacing serbian flags with albanian ones wasn't a crime,people everywhere in the world like to be recognised.I think Albanians living in Preshevo like living in Serbia and it's very good that Serbia is looking after them.I don't get it about so much fuss created about this.Lets respect all citizens equaly and everything will be OK.Happy Flag Day to all Albanians in the world.

I agree 100% with you Milan. Absolutely no problem with the celebration, but as you said alittle provocative and disrepectful in removing the Serbian flag. Why did they have to do that? I know, here in Australia you have to have the Australian flag alongside your own nationalities one. I think it just shows respect for the new country you call home now.

I absolutely agree, the albanians should be allowed to celebrate their ethnic minority status. they are equal citizens of serbia. but i only wished they wouldnt have taken the serbian flag down. if they didnt do that, they would have shown some sort of respect for the country they live in, been giving out a lot more peaceful message that way.

Louie wrote!
(Today was a special today for all albanians in the world. Just a little reminder, there are albanians in Albania,Kosova,Macedonia,Monte negro,Greece,Preshevo-Serbia,UK,Sweden,Germany,USA,S witzerland,Austria,Italy and many more countries.) Did any albanian dare to replace a flag of any of theas countries? Except Serbias.Didn't think so.

Dont wory Mike Serbs living in Mitrovica and Gracanica have their flags all over their parallel institutions ever since. They even drive with YU car plates which are illegal in Kosova/o but that does not bother us. I think it was unnecessary to remove the Serbian flag in preshevo but it has happened and its not a big deal.

RE:

I think it was unnecessary to remove the Serbian flag in preshevo but it has happened and its not a big deal.
(Arber, 29 November 2006, 16:59

Are you so chauvinistic you can't admit that removing the Serbian flag is against all international and diplomatic protocal in democratic societies.

I would love to see the reaction of any Albanian minority in the USA to remove the USA flag and replace it with the Albanian flag in Washington, DC, Ottawa, Canada, Berlin, Germany, Athens, Greece.

The reaction would be swift and those individuals who removed the flags would be in jail.

Imagine for one second if you will, if the Albanian flag was removed in Tirana and replaced by the Serbian flag. I dare say that another 100 Serbian Orthodox churches would be razed to the ground.

You want to reconcile, start respecting the Serbian State.

What's all this fuss about? Albanian flag used to fly in public buildings from 1974 until Milosevic took over. Albanian flag has been down for more than 10 years, and only one day Serbian flag is down and everyone is acting as if it's the end of the world. Don't forget Albanian majority in Presevo posseses more than 99%. I believe both flags should fly next to each other all the time.

Xhafer,