Jovanović: I would sign independence

and this guy wants to win the election? what foolish commentary by a guy with 2% of the vote (mostly comprised of the female population). dream on!

This guy is 100% Deserter

“The fact is that Kosovo has been independent for eight years now."

Technically Kosovo is currently not independent but administered by UN.

Okay. Let me first acknowledge that as a Serbian, Jovanovic has more right to comment on this than me who is not a citizen of Serbia.

But I just want to pen my thoughts on a few world examples:

1. South Vietnam was de facto independent )ie. under US control) for almost 20 years until Hanoi forces finally kicked the Americans out in 1973.

2. Northern Cyprus has been so called independent since 1975. Today this "country" remains unrecognized by the UN.

3. Taiwan has been independent of China and supported by USA since 1949. It was kicked out of the UN in 1972.

Transnistria and Nagorno-Karabakh are also, by Jovanović's definition, also "independent" countries.

Real political courage, while many in Serbia will view this comment that of a traitor, I say this is a political courage of a visionary people that Serbia unfortunatly has been missing in the last era.
I surely hope people will wake up and realize that things have changed, Kosova is independent de facto, and only as independent countries they will meet together in EU.
Everything else is a waste of time and more disaster for the region.

Uranik B.

This man will not win the election I can garuante but I love hes comment.

Kosova will be independent in april 2007.

hey guys!

just to inform you: since the albanians do not even have an own name for that region,

( unless you would call it illyria or dardania, what would be completely ridiculous, since you would take something that has no connection to the albanians from a historical point of view )

it is KosovO with an O at the end!
you´ll certainly know that kos is the serbian term for the blackbird, but even if you don´t, now you should know it.

so, by constantly writing it with an "a" at the end...you are only showing your lack of legal and moral justification.

as to the commentator who reffered to Jovanovic as a politician who is "realistic"...or was it "responsible"?

come on, don´t be naive! he´s a simple opportunist, one who knows that his only chance to have some political meaning Serbia ( even more after Djnidjics widow is entering the political scene and destroying his tactics of playing the "democrat"-card ) is to offer something no other sound person would even think of.
in fact, who actually should wake up and consider legal premises and requirements, the rule of law and sound before writing comments?
please, think it over.

I take my hat off to you Mr. Jovaovic.

You are a true Serb patriot.
I admire your courage and honesty in a country where such statements can cost you your life.

I know that all my Serb friends will vote for you.

God bless you.

humm..Arben! actually you don´t have to admire him!

at least in all the other regions of Serbia, one can say what ever he or she wants...that´s called freedom of speech!
perhaps the reason why you think you have to admire him is that you live in the serbian province of kosovo, where those albanians who would also agree to live within a democratic Serbia cannot say that openly, since THEY WOULD RISK THEIR LIVES, and...it´s rather a problem of the albanian community this killing each other, remember the "kanun"?

so, don´t worry for this opportunist, if someone wanted to endanger or even assassinate Mr.Jovanovic, it would probably be someone who wants to see Serbia to be blamed for it as undemocratic and whatsoever...

no no no Kos means yogurt in albanian language!(due to the cows producing milk and kos!)
so what about ovo?
how do you explain it"in serbian " language?
you know that your explication of the serbian origin of kosova doe not even follow the rules of your language!

Jovanovic is entitled to voice his opinion after all Serbia is a democratic state. As someone once said 'opinions are like bottoms, everyone has one'.

For the misguided: I think you will find that 'Kosov' is a slavic name. Quite honestly, some of the comments on this site that attempt to redefine Kosovo as in some way Albanian border on the juvenile.

Lili, how wrong you are my friend. Kos means black bird in Serbian yes. Ovo does have a complete serbian gramtical reasoning within it. "ovo" is a suffix added to a word to show possession. For example, my name, Srdjan's car in Serbian is Srdjanovo Auto. Kosovo Polje means Field belonging to the Blackbirds. Thank you for listening to my Serbian Grammer lesson of the day, I hope to teach you more sometime.

even if kosovo is a serbian name, it means nothing. lot of countries around the world today are named by the names they were given by the occupying nations. and over time they were adopted by the local population.

albanians at the time lived a tribal life and were not unified as a nation in the same sense as today. They probably only named their local village and region and not the whole wide region.

A remark in the RIGHT direction. Pure realism. After the resolution this position will gain more and more ground. Some events are just irreversible, it'not a question of patriotism/nationalism or else. Cheers!

Had Chadmir Jovanovich been in charge, the proces would have enroled in a lot more civilized way. Kostunica's government has succeded making us Kosmet Serbs feel foreigners in our own land. If they had from the outset worked vigorously to insure the rights of Kosmet's Serbs and accepted the loss of Kosmet after a bruttal war, We Serbs living here would have accepted that reality as well and many tragedies could have been avoided such as revenge and rage killings, Church burning, and even the riots of 2004. No wonder why many Serbs here believe that we can't stay in Kosmet after the official Independence, and no one can say because UNMIK and Kosmet temporary authorities are refusing to grant us the minority rights according to EU standards, but for the total neglect, lack of understanding, and the arrogance of Kostunica's governmet. All this historical lessons Serbs and Albanians are placing on this site have nothing to do with the reality on the ground. Whether we like it or not, Albanian population has outnumbered us 9 to 1. This number will not change unless Kostunica plans to drop a nuke which he doesn't have, or continues his catastrophic policies of creating fear and animosity until the last Serb has left. I for one thing, will never leave Kosmet, is very dear to me, and will find a way to live amongst the people who have suffered a lot as well.

Someone said Mr. Jovanovic is a traitor here. What more traitors can there be than some Belgrade career politicians using the issue to further their advances on their poll numbers.

Chedomir Jovanovic is a realist and if some of us Serbs adopted his approach here in Kosmet, some Albanian extremists would be exposed, would be closely watched by peace keeping authorities, and gradually the situation would calm down.

It's been 7 years since the bruttality ended from both sides, and it will take courage, humility, and understanding to truly make things work.

Decentralised multi-Etnic Independent Kosmet supervised by EU until both Serbia and Kosmet join the EU is the only way, anything else, the tragedy will never end.

OK, Let's try to get back on topic here. Jovanovic is neither a traitor, nor a visionary. He's a politician. And a marginal politician at that. If his party gets more than 5% of the vote, it will be a surprise. I kind of liken him to some of the marginal politicians in America - say, like Dennis Kucinich (who has a better chance of winning an election in Tehran than in Washington). Jovanovic could probably do better in Pristina than Belgrade too.

I think Jovanovic is not seen as a traitor so much as he is seen as a quitter. So he wants Kosovo to be independent based on the realities of the last 8 years. OK, fine. That's his platform, and it shows that politicians of all stripes can work in Belgrade. However, I have not heard him say what his strategies are for dealing with the region and its Serb minority the morning after independence. Not only that, by not documenting the decades of abuse Albanians have committed against Serbs, he easily slips into being a sympathizer for the other side. Same as Rep. Kucinich in the US who overlooks acts of terrorism, but constantly harps on abuses in Guantanamo Bay, in Iraq. By only looking at one side of a very complicated story, it's not a surprise that neither Jovanovic or Kucinich have any popular support in their respective countries.

Chedo brother, I would like to buy you a gift and a certificate of citizenship in Independent Kosova.

Anyone can furnish me with his address?

you guys are really pathetic with this OCCUPIER mentality. at the very least a thoughtful man would look around and say... look at all these serb monuments and churches. certainly they have been here a very, very, very long time. and that bit about them originally being albanian catholic churches is hogwash as well since they are built in the byzantine style not romanesque style... nor does rome confirm that preposterous idea.

humm...sentences like this one, just show me how unteachable some of the posters here are.

"even if kosovo is a serbian name, it means nothing."

my dear kreshnik, if it does not mean a anything to you, okay, I am fine with that.

but it means a lot for all of those, who are looking for truth, verification and sound argmentation.

you are mentioning something about "probability" of albanian tribal presence...well, as far as I have learned, there aren´t any, really, ANY ancient traces of those tribal albanians in kosovo ( reffering to american archeologists, not serbian ones ) so, if this also doesn´t mean anything to you, you just can´t be helped.

albanian propaganda works very well, as I have the impression. thanks god, others rather rely on science and historical facts.

regards,
J.

i have heard some turks say the the name 'kosovo' is turkish since their word for bird is kush.

However, this is not correct, since in serbian it is common to name animals, especially birds, after the sounds they make (as is common in many many other cultures). Kos is a slavic avified version of the sound a crow makes ("KO...KO...KO"), thus the name of this type of loud blackbird (a type of crow in reality).

The OVO prefix in serbian means 'it is full of them.' Kosovo Polje means field full of blackbirds, and a masculine form of the word kosovo is taken since it characterizes a 'polje,' which is a masculine word in serbian.

I have just read Lili´s comment, and I am really stunned.

so, if I understand you properly, you want to tell me and the others here that, in case that the albanians "gave" that region the name, ... you honestly want to tell us that they named that region after "yogurt"???
how implausible is this, please???
and, let me say just one thing in addition: It is in no way my intention to belittle or deride the albanians, I have absolutely no reason to do so, I am even a reader of Ismail Kadare and am also interested in albanian history, but I am also opposing those far-fetched theories that were constructed in order to serve a certain political goal, namely a greater albania.

so, please don´t call me a nationalist or occupator or propandist, that would simply not be true.

kind regards,
J.

Jovan,
Since when the nationality of a country get recognise by the linguistic name!!
What the hell are you going on about?
So, let me get this right, New York is an english land because is got the name from england!
Sorry, you just don't make sense! I understand as a serb you don't like what's going on but get some other method to make propaganda!
As an albanian i like the Kosovo status to end so we can oll get over with it!
Oll you hear in the news is about serbs making the "World Trip", going on about Kosovo.
Personally i think the problem with the serb is that they are a lot like the greeks! They never got over the turks. Becouse they can do nothing against the turks for some strange reason (the albanians never get this) they pick on albanians.
I am sorry but i think is a bit pathetic that the serb keep asking help from 'Mother Russia."

Boris wrote:
"Decentralised multi-Etnic Independent Kosmet supervised by EU until both Serbia and Kosmet join the EU is the only way, anything else, the tragedy will never end."

Very eye opening words for a Serb from Kosovo..
Unfortunately for "Outsiders", we don't see Kosovo as a multiethnic community dancing around the May flagpole, but rather, an attempt for Albanians to create an "Albanian Kosovo", with no European leanings (only on paper). And of course a step towards a Greater Albania.

The Albanians haven't given any indication of this..
Please, Serbian faults aside, can somebody tell me otherwise??

I do agree with you..Politicians have been playing puppets with the Serbian population outside Belgrades' outskirts since Ottoman days.
Unfortunately, it's people like you that end up paying their price.

Jovan The thing is in Turkish Kos is also a black bird...and ova is plain...so in Turkish it means "plain of black birds". There are many words in many slavic languages that are in fact Turkish. We have Turkish words too (and don't have any complex about it), after 5 long centuries of Turkish rule it is no wonder.
he name Kosova appeared after the Turkish conquest of the area. It is most likely a Turkish word for the place and not Serbian. Examples Tetova in Serbian is Tetovo. But the name Tetova...just like the name Gjakova or Kosova...are most likely all Turkish names or names based on Turkish words...and therefore their correct ending is "ova". Gjakova for example is a combination of an Albanian word with a Turkish ending and it means Gjak( blood IN ALB)+ova (place or plain. History is booring. Independent Kosova soon, G-D willing.

A few months ago I asked "and who is Jovanovic"!!
Now I know; jovanovic has seen he has absolutely no chance of winning, and as a bad loser,"done a dirty" on his party and his Nation.

The Demo's of Serbia are preparing for the big "told you so" when everything is said and done. Things are very clear:

1. Serbia cannot hope to control the territory of Kosovo with 2 million people wanting independence.
2. Serbia, by voting something like radical, is going to alienate the entire European world. This isnt an act of bravery but rather one of stupidity.
3. Serbia does not have the economical power to handle Kosovo the way it wants to.

- Reality is reality and the reality is that most people in the world(US, England, and most of EU) are for a finally to this issue with the vast majority leaning towards independence. By making such statements, Jovanović is preparing his people for the EU, for prosperity and intergration. Unfortunately many seem more content with myths and delusions.

First it was Croatia. Now its Kosovo. Then it will be Republika Srpska. Finaly it will be Vojvodina.

Before you know it, there are 8,000,000 Serbs displaced in Central Serbia.

Hello from Kosova
I don't think is so important the name and it's origin at all, what is important is the current situation and the balance of the population in the ground and the content as well as their willingness towards certain process they're going thru.
People (including every one in Balkans) have to understand the new reality and new circumstances, based on that comments should be made I think, otherwise their credibility is on question.
Mrs.Jovanovic most likely won't win in elections, cause he said the tru, apearently reading the comments above everything has faced significant changes besides the mentality of the ones who are damaging themselves and their country holding out to something that will never work.
We, albanians of Kosova, are focused on building a democratic state which will head to European integration, peace and order, reffering to Serbia as a partner to those processes.

To Srdja and Billy:
Black Crow.
That's the name that antialbanians use to call black two head eagle on our nationall flag.
It seems that the name Kosovo (black crow possesion) shows that serb use to call in ironical way the land that belongs to the people which nationall flag is two head eagle-albanians.

there won´t be un-recognition (russia and, no one knows why they are never mentioned, china, which has a similar problem of us-soldateska creating pseudo-states like taiwan).

ther won´t be eu-recognition, because kostunica splitted them succesfully (greece, spain and romania had the courage to say it openly that there won´t be recognition).

and there won´t be us-recognition (because eu is divided an us needs their help for other corners of the world and because they will never change kosovo for that half of georgia that would get russian but unfortunatly has the only pipelines that are - until now - surpassing russian terretory).

the only chance for recognition is with serbias ok, that is, when traitors like jovanovic (luckily that won´t ever happen) or tadic get influencial political jobs.

that´s also the reason why war criminal ceku is urging albanians in serbia to vote or the banal reason for delaying of the proposal (let´s wait and hope the party of letter-writer tadic fixes it for us).

while russia made clear-talk on highest level (putin said no recognition without serbias ok), i couldn´t hear any talk on high-us-level about indiependence.

so you don´t have to be nostradamus to foresee the outcome.

Dear Serbians,
It is too harmful for you to keeping 2 millions Albanians inside Serbia.
The Serbian population is shrinking and, by contrary, the Albanians are increasing. In the next decades Serbia will become an Albanian country.
Since Serbia cannot expel the Albanians from Kosovo/a, the only solution left is to accept that the "de facto" independence become "de jure".

Finally even Jovanovic understood that Kosova it’s going to be independent. Now is very late, if you will ask him 3 or 4 years ago he will say the opposite. He should say that in 1999.

Fita - PR

Theodore,

"…- Reality is reality and the reality is that most people in the world (US, England, and most of EU) are for a finally to this issue with the vast majority leaning towards independence…"

Reality is:
1. US, England and most of EU are not most of the people in the world.
2. Citizens of US, England and most of the EU don't have a clew about Kosovo, Balkan or South Europe in general and they don't give a damn. All they "know" are "information's" served each evenings in form of the short TV sound bights, pure propaganda, designed by their political elite's to create support for whatever elite's agenda of that moment is. (Not that will of majority counts very much any way - in one of rare occasions when masses actually showed interest in the foreign policy - demonstrations against attacking Iraq, the biggest UK demonstrations of all times - will of the people was simply ignored, so much for democracy).
3. Territorial integrity, (borders), of all states is guarantied by International law.
4. According to International law, national minorities rights are clearly defined and quite extensive, but they don't have a right do declare independence.

"…By making such statements, Jovanović is preparing his people for the EU, for prosperity and integration. Unfortunately many seem more content with myths and delusions…"
(Theodore, 15 January 2007, 09:45)

Well, as things developed since nineties, maybe prosperity which EU brings to the peoples is actually big delusion and myth.

The only period in the long, turbulent and troublesome history of this part of the world when we actually had a chance to manage our own affairs without much interference from foreign powers, (1941 - 1991), we did quite all right. Troubles started with a involvement of US and EU who in the name of democracy and freedom supported all kinds of right wing nationalists in project of destroying YU and replacing it with a whole bunch of poor, dependant, easily manageable, banana republics. Even now, 12 years after and of the war, quality of the life in the Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia, (states which are following most of the economic measures dictated by west), is far cry from the pre-war ex-YU period. Only Slovenia managed to stay on the same level. What does Europe actually does have to offer to us? As always, West uses a double standards. They ask us to make major sacrifices, to give away big chunks of our territory (they would never give their own territory), to open our economy to concurrence from a broad, (while they are still protecting their own economy), to "reform" our economy in the way that makes them reach, and us poor, they are destroying our Army, our defence capabilities, they want's as to give away our independence and suvernity. They ask everything and they give nothing in return. No thanks, it's much better for us to say NO, stay independent, and seek markets else where. World is a big place.

As for mister Jovanovic, he has a right to his opinion but fortunately, he doesn't have the right to give our territory away. I think that in none of those sophisticated western states such politician would be much popular, on the contrary, he would be probably considered traitor. Or maybe I'm wrong and Texas will soon be returned to Mexico, Florida given to Cubans, North Ireland to Irish, Scotland to Scots, Basks land to Basks, Belgium will split in two e.c.t. all in the name of "prosperity and intergration"?

Could someone please tell me what Kosovo Albanians have done to deserve independence? So far 250,000 non-Albanians have been ethnically cleansed from Kosovo and a further 200,000 are living in constant fear, not even allowed to exit their homes without being beaten or killed.

So why do Kosovo Albanians think they deserve gaining independence?

You may not agree with Jovanovic but you have to admit he is brave.
It takes guts to say what he said and what Serbia needs is exactly a leader with guts.
Unfortunately, in the Balkans we have a weakness for leaders who are cowards and liars.
Good thing Jovanovic is young. He can still run for office when Kostunica and the others will be meeting Milosevic and Arkan in hell.
There is more Jesus in him than in all the cross-bearing, beard-rearing, smelly old people that resides in all the Serbian churches combined.
Crucifying Jovanovic in Jan 21 will only enhance the possibilities that his fresh vision and spirit eventually triumph in Serbia.

dear operator- im sure the three comments i have posted are to hurtfull to post in here for people to read the truth.
just shows how shallow minded you are!
i didnt call anyone any names i didnt swear, simply speaking the truth......

Albanians have never sent soldiers to kill serbs in their homes. But this is done by Serbia time-after-time generation after generations, in kosova and in albania (namely till Kukes, where 1200 serb soldiers were killed by albanian civillians in 1912). So, European power have seen this and are trying to rectify their mistake on helping/assissting Serbia to expand, in this way they rectify it by giving indipendence at least to Kosova ...not taking into account south of serbia which is inhabited by Albanian popullation.
Just to say smthg about names, Nish means 1 in Albanian. The word serb is used insted of devil in north of albania, does that mean that it's from there that they've got their name???
You can all be a bit more realistic on you discution ...not just to say your own feelings on this matter.

to srdja iz canada!
it was a joke about your toponomic manie! just to say you how this kos-ovo_ polje can become as signifiant in albanian kos e vo (yogurt and eggs,du to the rich prairies of the place! so why your interprétation should be the right one and give you the "owner ship" if i can say so, of this land?
OK ,kosovo pojle means lands of the birds,but kosovo without polje,what does it means! possessions of the birds? are you black birds?

well, it´s amazing how little you understand about the background of that toponymy...

okay, let´s call Kosovo the Burger-King-Country or ...ham and egss, instead?

lili...it´s just a joke, it makes no sense answering on your remarks. sorry.

and this guy wants to win the election? what foolish commentary by a guy with 2% of the vote (mostly comprised of the female population). dream on!

This guy is 100% Deserter

“The fact is that Kosovo has been independent for eight years now."

Technically Kosovo is currently not independent but administered by UN.

Okay. Let me first acknowledge that as a Serbian, Jovanovic has more right to comment on this than me who is not a citizen of Serbia.

But I just want to pen my thoughts on a few world examples:

1. South Vietnam was de facto independent )ie. under US control) for almost 20 years until Hanoi forces finally kicked the Americans out in 1973.

2. Northern Cyprus has been so called independent since 1975. Today this "country" remains unrecognized by the UN.

3. Taiwan has been independent of China and supported by USA since 1949. It was kicked out of the UN in 1972.

Transnistria and Nagorno-Karabakh are also, by Jovanović's definition, also "independent" countries.

Real political courage, while many in Serbia will view this comment that of a traitor, I say this is a political courage of a visionary people that Serbia unfortunatly has been missing in the last era.
I surely hope people will wake up and realize that things have changed, Kosova is independent de facto, and only as independent countries they will meet together in EU.
Everything else is a waste of time and more disaster for the region.

Uranik B.

This man will not win the election I can garuante but I love hes comment.

Kosova will be independent in april 2007.

hey guys!

just to inform you: since the albanians do not even have an own name for that region,

( unless you would call it illyria or dardania, what would be completely ridiculous, since you would take something that has no connection to the albanians from a historical point of view )

it is KosovO with an O at the end!
you´ll certainly know that kos is the serbian term for the blackbird, but even if you don´t, now you should know it.

so, by constantly writing it with an "a" at the end...you are only showing your lack of legal and moral justification.

as to the commentator who reffered to Jovanovic as a politician who is "realistic"...or was it "responsible"?

come on, don´t be naive! he´s a simple opportunist, one who knows that his only chance to have some political meaning Serbia ( even more after Djnidjics widow is entering the political scene and destroying his tactics of playing the "democrat"-card ) is to offer something no other sound person would even think of.
in fact, who actually should wake up and consider legal premises and requirements, the rule of law and sound before writing comments?
please, think it over.

I take my hat off to you Mr. Jovaovic.

You are a true Serb patriot.
I admire your courage and honesty in a country where such statements can cost you your life.

I know that all my Serb friends will vote for you.

God bless you.

humm..Arben! actually you don´t have to admire him!

at least in all the other regions of Serbia, one can say what ever he or she wants...that´s called freedom of speech!
perhaps the reason why you think you have to admire him is that you live in the serbian province of kosovo, where those albanians who would also agree to live within a democratic Serbia cannot say that openly, since THEY WOULD RISK THEIR LIVES, and...it´s rather a problem of the albanian community this killing each other, remember the "kanun"?

so, don´t worry for this opportunist, if someone wanted to endanger or even assassinate Mr.Jovanovic, it would probably be someone who wants to see Serbia to be blamed for it as undemocratic and whatsoever...

no no no Kos means yogurt in albanian language!(due to the cows producing milk and kos!)
so what about ovo?
how do you explain it"in serbian " language?
you know that your explication of the serbian origin of kosova doe not even follow the rules of your language!

Jovanovic is entitled to voice his opinion after all Serbia is a democratic state. As someone once said 'opinions are like bottoms, everyone has one'.

For the misguided: I think you will find that 'Kosov' is a slavic name. Quite honestly, some of the comments on this site that attempt to redefine Kosovo as in some way Albanian border on the juvenile.

Lili, how wrong you are my friend. Kos means black bird in Serbian yes. Ovo does have a complete serbian gramtical reasoning within it. "ovo" is a suffix added to a word to show possession. For example, my name, Srdjan's car in Serbian is Srdjanovo Auto. Kosovo Polje means Field belonging to the Blackbirds. Thank you for listening to my Serbian Grammer lesson of the day, I hope to teach you more sometime.

even if kosovo is a serbian name, it means nothing. lot of countries around the world today are named by the names they were given by the occupying nations. and over time they were adopted by the local population.

albanians at the time lived a tribal life and were not unified as a nation in the same sense as today. They probably only named their local village and region and not the whole wide region.

A remark in the RIGHT direction. Pure realism. After the resolution this position will gain more and more ground. Some events are just irreversible, it'not a question of patriotism/nationalism or else. Cheers!

Had Chadmir Jovanovich been in charge, the proces would have enroled in a lot more civilized way. Kostunica's government has succeded making us Kosmet Serbs feel foreigners in our own land. If they had from the outset worked vigorously to insure the rights of Kosmet's Serbs and accepted the loss of Kosmet after a bruttal war, We Serbs living here would have accepted that reality as well and many tragedies could have been avoided such as revenge and rage killings, Church burning, and even the riots of 2004. No wonder why many Serbs here believe that we can't stay in Kosmet after the official Independence, and no one can say because UNMIK and Kosmet temporary authorities are refusing to grant us the minority rights according to EU standards, but for the total neglect, lack of understanding, and the arrogance of Kostunica's governmet. All this historical lessons Serbs and Albanians are placing on this site have nothing to do with the reality on the ground. Whether we like it or not, Albanian population has outnumbered us 9 to 1. This number will not change unless Kostunica plans to drop a nuke which he doesn't have, or continues his catastrophic policies of creating fear and animosity until the last Serb has left. I for one thing, will never leave Kosmet, is very dear to me, and will find a way to live amongst the people who have suffered a lot as well.

Someone said Mr. Jovanovic is a traitor here. What more traitors can there be than some Belgrade career politicians using the issue to further their advances on their poll numbers.

Chedomir Jovanovic is a realist and if some of us Serbs adopted his approach here in Kosmet, some Albanian extremists would be exposed, would be closely watched by peace keeping authorities, and gradually the situation would calm down.

It's been 7 years since the bruttality ended from both sides, and it will take courage, humility, and understanding to truly make things work.

Decentralised multi-Etnic Independent Kosmet supervised by EU until both Serbia and Kosmet join the EU is the only way, anything else, the tragedy will never end.

OK, Let's try to get back on topic here. Jovanovic is neither a traitor, nor a visionary. He's a politician. And a marginal politician at that. If his party gets more than 5% of the vote, it will be a surprise. I kind of liken him to some of the marginal politicians in America - say, like Dennis Kucinich (who has a better chance of winning an election in Tehran than in Washington). Jovanovic could probably do better in Pristina than Belgrade too.

I think Jovanovic is not seen as a traitor so much as he is seen as a quitter. So he wants Kosovo to be independent based on the realities of the last 8 years. OK, fine. That's his platform, and it shows that politicians of all stripes can work in Belgrade. However, I have not heard him say what his strategies are for dealing with the region and its Serb minority the morning after independence. Not only that, by not documenting the decades of abuse Albanians have committed against Serbs, he easily slips into being a sympathizer for the other side. Same as Rep. Kucinich in the US who overlooks acts of terrorism, but constantly harps on abuses in Guantanamo Bay, in Iraq. By only looking at one side of a very complicated story, it's not a surprise that neither Jovanovic or Kucinich have any popular support in their respective countries.

Chedo brother, I would like to buy you a gift and a certificate of citizenship in Independent Kosova.

Anyone can furnish me with his address?

you guys are really pathetic with this OCCUPIER mentality. at the very least a thoughtful man would look around and say... look at all these serb monuments and churches. certainly they have been here a very, very, very long time. and that bit about them originally being albanian catholic churches is hogwash as well since they are built in the byzantine style not romanesque style... nor does rome confirm that preposterous idea.

humm...sentences like this one, just show me how unteachable some of the posters here are.

"even if kosovo is a serbian name, it means nothing."

my dear kreshnik, if it does not mean a anything to you, okay, I am fine with that.

but it means a lot for all of those, who are looking for truth, verification and sound argmentation.

you are mentioning something about "probability" of albanian tribal presence...well, as far as I have learned, there aren´t any, really, ANY ancient traces of those tribal albanians in kosovo ( reffering to american archeologists, not serbian ones ) so, if this also doesn´t mean anything to you, you just can´t be helped.

albanian propaganda works very well, as I have the impression. thanks god, others rather rely on science and historical facts.

regards,
J.

i have heard some turks say the the name 'kosovo' is turkish since their word for bird is kush.

However, this is not correct, since in serbian it is common to name animals, especially birds, after the sounds they make (as is common in many many other cultures). Kos is a slavic avified version of the sound a crow makes ("KO...KO...KO"), thus the name of this type of loud blackbird (a type of crow in reality).

The OVO prefix in serbian means 'it is full of them.' Kosovo Polje means field full of blackbirds, and a masculine form of the word kosovo is taken since it characterizes a 'polje,' which is a masculine word in serbian.

I have just read Lili´s comment, and I am really stunned.

so, if I understand you properly, you want to tell me and the others here that, in case that the albanians "gave" that region the name, ... you honestly want to tell us that they named that region after "yogurt"???
how implausible is this, please???
and, let me say just one thing in addition: It is in no way my intention to belittle or deride the albanians, I have absolutely no reason to do so, I am even a reader of Ismail Kadare and am also interested in albanian history, but I am also opposing those far-fetched theories that were constructed in order to serve a certain political goal, namely a greater albania.

so, please don´t call me a nationalist or occupator or propandist, that would simply not be true.

kind regards,
J.

Jovan,
Since when the nationality of a country get recognise by the linguistic name!!
What the hell are you going on about?
So, let me get this right, New York is an english land because is got the name from england!
Sorry, you just don't make sense! I understand as a serb you don't like what's going on but get some other method to make propaganda!
As an albanian i like the Kosovo status to end so we can oll get over with it!
Oll you hear in the news is about serbs making the "World Trip", going on about Kosovo.
Personally i think the problem with the serb is that they are a lot like the greeks! They never got over the turks. Becouse they can do nothing against the turks for some strange reason (the albanians never get this) they pick on albanians.
I am sorry but i think is a bit pathetic that the serb keep asking help from 'Mother Russia."

Boris wrote:
"Decentralised multi-Etnic Independent Kosmet supervised by EU until both Serbia and Kosmet join the EU is the only way, anything else, the tragedy will never end."

Very eye opening words for a Serb from Kosovo..
Unfortunately for "Outsiders", we don't see Kosovo as a multiethnic community dancing around the May flagpole, but rather, an attempt for Albanians to create an "Albanian Kosovo", with no European leanings (only on paper). And of course a step towards a Greater Albania.

The Albanians haven't given any indication of this..
Please, Serbian faults aside, can somebody tell me otherwise??

I do agree with you..Politicians have been playing puppets with the Serbian population outside Belgrades' outskirts since Ottoman days.
Unfortunately, it's people like you that end up paying their price.

Jovan The thing is in Turkish Kos is also a black bird...and ova is plain...so in Turkish it means "plain of black birds". There are many words in many slavic languages that are in fact Turkish. We have Turkish words too (and don't have any complex about it), after 5 long centuries of Turkish rule it is no wonder.
he name Kosova appeared after the Turkish conquest of the area. It is most likely a Turkish word for the place and not Serbian. Examples Tetova in Serbian is Tetovo. But the name Tetova...just like the name Gjakova or Kosova...are most likely all Turkish names or names based on Turkish words...and therefore their correct ending is "ova". Gjakova for example is a combination of an Albanian word with a Turkish ending and it means Gjak( blood IN ALB)+ova (place or plain. History is booring. Independent Kosova soon, G-D willing.

A few months ago I asked "and who is Jovanovic"!!
Now I know; jovanovic has seen he has absolutely no chance of winning, and as a bad loser,"done a dirty" on his party and his Nation.

The Demo's of Serbia are preparing for the big "told you so" when everything is said and done. Things are very clear:

1. Serbia cannot hope to control the territory of Kosovo with 2 million people wanting independence.
2. Serbia, by voting something like radical, is going to alienate the entire European world. This isnt an act of bravery but rather one of stupidity.
3. Serbia does not have the economical power to handle Kosovo the way it wants to.

- Reality is reality and the reality is that most people in the world(US, England, and most of EU) are for a finally to this issue with the vast majority leaning towards independence. By making such statements, Jovanović is preparing his people for the EU, for prosperity and intergration. Unfortunately many seem more content with myths and delusions.

First it was Croatia. Now its Kosovo. Then it will be Republika Srpska. Finaly it will be Vojvodina.

Before you know it, there are 8,000,000 Serbs displaced in Central Serbia.

Hello from Kosova
I don't think is so important the name and it's origin at all, what is important is the current situation and the balance of the population in the ground and the content as well as their willingness towards certain process they're going thru.
People (including every one in Balkans) have to understand the new reality and new circumstances, based on that comments should be made I think, otherwise their credibility is on question.
Mrs.Jovanovic most likely won't win in elections, cause he said the tru, apearently reading the comments above everything has faced significant changes besides the mentality of the ones who are damaging themselves and their country holding out to something that will never work.
We, albanians of Kosova, are focused on building a democratic state which will head to European integration, peace and order, reffering to Serbia as a partner to those processes.

To Srdja and Billy:
Black Crow.
That's the name that antialbanians use to call black two head eagle on our nationall flag.
It seems that the name Kosovo (black crow possesion) shows that serb use to call in ironical way the land that belongs to the people which nationall flag is two head eagle-albanians.

there won´t be un-recognition (russia and, no one knows why they are never mentioned, china, which has a similar problem of us-soldateska creating pseudo-states like taiwan).

ther won´t be eu-recognition, because kostunica splitted them succesfully (greece, spain and romania had the courage to say it openly that there won´t be recognition).

and there won´t be us-recognition (because eu is divided an us needs their help for other corners of the world and because they will never change kosovo for that half of georgia that would get russian but unfortunatly has the only pipelines that are - until now - surpassing russian terretory).

the only chance for recognition is with serbias ok, that is, when traitors like jovanovic (luckily that won´t ever happen) or tadic get influencial political jobs.

that´s also the reason why war criminal ceku is urging albanians in serbia to vote or the banal reason for delaying of the proposal (let´s wait and hope the party of letter-writer tadic fixes it for us).

while russia made clear-talk on highest level (putin said no recognition without serbias ok), i couldn´t hear any talk on high-us-level about indiependence.

so you don´t have to be nostradamus to foresee the outcome.

Dear Serbians,
It is too harmful for you to keeping 2 millions Albanians inside Serbia.
The Serbian population is shrinking and, by contrary, the Albanians are increasing. In the next decades Serbia will become an Albanian country.
Since Serbia cannot expel the Albanians from Kosovo/a, the only solution left is to accept that the "de facto" independence become "de jure".

Finally even Jovanovic understood that Kosova it’s going to be independent. Now is very late, if you will ask him 3 or 4 years ago he will say the opposite. He should say that in 1999.

Fita - PR

Theodore,

"…- Reality is reality and the reality is that most people in the world (US, England, and most of EU) are for a finally to this issue with the vast majority leaning towards independence…"

Reality is:
1. US, England and most of EU are not most of the people in the world.
2. Citizens of US, England and most of the EU don't have a clew about Kosovo, Balkan or South Europe in general and they don't give a damn. All they "know" are "information's" served each evenings in form of the short TV sound bights, pure propaganda, designed by their political elite's to create support for whatever elite's agenda of that moment is. (Not that will of majority counts very much any way - in one of rare occasions when masses actually showed interest in the foreign policy - demonstrations against attacking Iraq, the biggest UK demonstrations of all times - will of the people was simply ignored, so much for democracy).
3. Territorial integrity, (borders), of all states is guarantied by International law.
4. According to International law, national minorities rights are clearly defined and quite extensive, but they don't have a right do declare independence.

"…By making such statements, Jovanović is preparing his people for the EU, for prosperity and integration. Unfortunately many seem more content with myths and delusions…"
(Theodore, 15 January 2007, 09:45)

Well, as things developed since nineties, maybe prosperity which EU brings to the peoples is actually big delusion and myth.

The only period in the long, turbulent and troublesome history of this part of the world when we actually had a chance to manage our own affairs without much interference from foreign powers, (1941 - 1991), we did quite all right. Troubles started with a involvement of US and EU who in the name of democracy and freedom supported all kinds of right wing nationalists in project of destroying YU and replacing it with a whole bunch of poor, dependant, easily manageable, banana republics. Even now, 12 years after and of the war, quality of the life in the Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia, (states which are following most of the economic measures dictated by west), is far cry from the pre-war ex-YU period. Only Slovenia managed to stay on the same level. What does Europe actually does have to offer to us? As always, West uses a double standards. They ask us to make major sacrifices, to give away big chunks of our territory (they would never give their own territory), to open our economy to concurrence from a broad, (while they are still protecting their own economy), to "reform" our economy in the way that makes them reach, and us poor, they are destroying our Army, our defence capabilities, they want's as to give away our independence and suvernity. They ask everything and they give nothing in return. No thanks, it's much better for us to say NO, stay independent, and seek markets else where. World is a big place.

As for mister Jovanovic, he has a right to his opinion but fortunately, he doesn't have the right to give our territory away. I think that in none of those sophisticated western states such politician would be much popular, on the contrary, he would be probably considered traitor. Or maybe I'm wrong and Texas will soon be returned to Mexico, Florida given to Cubans, North Ireland to Irish, Scotland to Scots, Basks land to Basks, Belgium will split in two e.c.t. all in the name of "prosperity and intergration"?

Could someone please tell me what Kosovo Albanians have done to deserve independence? So far 250,000 non-Albanians have been ethnically cleansed from Kosovo and a further 200,000 are living in constant fear, not even allowed to exit their homes without being beaten or killed.

So why do Kosovo Albanians think they deserve gaining independence?

You may not agree with Jovanovic but you have to admit he is brave.
It takes guts to say what he said and what Serbia needs is exactly a leader with guts.
Unfortunately, in the Balkans we have a weakness for leaders who are cowards and liars.
Good thing Jovanovic is young. He can still run for office when Kostunica and the others will be meeting Milosevic and Arkan in hell.
There is more Jesus in him than in all the cross-bearing, beard-rearing, smelly old people that resides in all the Serbian churches combined.
Crucifying Jovanovic in Jan 21 will only enhance the possibilities that his fresh vision and spirit eventually triumph in Serbia.

dear operator- im sure the three comments i have posted are to hurtfull to post in here for people to read the truth.
just shows how shallow minded you are!
i didnt call anyone any names i didnt swear, simply speaking the truth......

Albanians have never sent soldiers to kill serbs in their homes. But this is done by Serbia time-after-time generation after generations, in kosova and in albania (namely till Kukes, where 1200 serb soldiers were killed by albanian civillians in 1912). So, European power have seen this and are trying to rectify their mistake on helping/assissting Serbia to expand, in this way they rectify it by giving indipendence at least to Kosova ...not taking into account south of serbia which is inhabited by Albanian popullation.
Just to say smthg about names, Nish means 1 in Albanian. The word serb is used insted of devil in north of albania, does that mean that it's from there that they've got their name???
You can all be a bit more realistic on you discution ...not just to say your own feelings on this matter.

to srdja iz canada!
it was a joke about your toponomic manie! just to say you how this kos-ovo_ polje can become as signifiant in albanian kos e vo (yogurt and eggs,du to the rich prairies of the place! so why your interprétation should be the right one and give you the "owner ship" if i can say so, of this land?
OK ,kosovo pojle means lands of the birds,but kosovo without polje,what does it means! possessions of the birds? are you black birds?

well, it´s amazing how little you understand about the background of that toponymy...

okay, let´s call Kosovo the Burger-King-Country or ...ham and egss, instead?

lili...it´s just a joke, it makes no sense answering on your remarks. sorry.