Russian ambassador storms out of UN Security Council

I guess Ruecker won't want anyone mentioning a report by fellow Germans stating the actual reality of UNMIK's failure these past 8 years;
The Failure of the West's 'Ostrich' Policy

http://www.spiegel.de/international/0,1518,471178,00.html

"The planned "construction of a multi-ethnic society" has "failed" and does not exist "outside the bureaucratic statements of the international community," says the report, released by the Institute for European Politics (IEP) in Berlin."

Hopefully they may even discuss who might become the new mediator - anyone got any suggestions?

About Mediators
I don't know if he is available, but it seems to me that the insights and skills of Professor Noam Chomsky would be useful.

princip,

u r the funniest debater in this site. only people that have lost their concept of time and space may hope that western diplomacy will accept the serbian/russian request to launch new negotiation process, and moreover with a new mediator.

serbian diplomacy, including u, fails to understand one thing: it is 21st century, neither 19th nor 20th (the concept of time). you also fail to understand that serbian (yagoslavia) kingdom does not exist any more either (the concept of space).

serbia is at this state as it is because of being lead by politicians like kostunica and draskovic (am not mentioning here nikolic and co), that still operate with the cubrilovi’s ideology, a pure national-chauvinistic philosophy.

i understand that you, princip, despite the fact that you live in UK (as you pretend!), share the same philosophy. nobody can stop u using the old-fashioned slogans and stereotypes used in cubrilovic’s era – k&m is the cradle of serbia, serbia is the heart of serbia, etc. the good thing is that no one pays attention what you are talking about.

the time of colonialism has gone.

of course, i’m not here to tell u what u have to do, but if i were u, i would patronize mr jovanovic. he is real patriot.
he and his political party has a clear and contemporary vision. only through such vision serbia and the entire region would find its place within the modern europe.

otherwise, u can keep singing the same extremely boring song. your role is resembling in a very small "screw" of an obsolete machinery, which fortunately has died with milosevic.

cheers,

Kosovo is far better in their standards than the way it is being interpreted.
Kosovo has achieved what is achievable, and we should not under estimate the will of the Kosovo institutions to work on standards. I think it is the time to move to the next level now, where Kosovo gets its independence and starts interacting with international organizations as a legal entity. 1244 has not given much of a chance to Kosovar institutions to take lead on some fields such as Privatization, which is a key to a sustainable economy. And on the other hand Kosovo institutions had to face difficulties that were created by Belgrade in the return process, where the returnees were played by their political leaders in Belgrade. Also the influence of Belgrade institutions played a great role on non-integration of the Serb minority in Kosovo. The Parallel Structures on the other hand tolerated by UNMIK have just created a blockade in the integration of Serb minority. Being said that the Kosovo institutions have achieved something that is far more EU oriented than the other states in the region.

All the best to all of you

Ivan

amerikanac I think you will agree that Hugo Chavez is a better fit!
your leftist, social-communist, liberal , conspiracy driven world view is ignored by every single western democracy.
I hope you understand why the world ignores Serbian politicians.

Right... Mr. Jovanovic is a good person because he wants to sell out KiM?
For albanians the good people are only those who support their desires.

It is foolish to say to someone they have to listen to Jovanovic just because he's saying what you support. Jovanovic doesn't speak for Serbia but rather for himself. This is why he will never lead Serbia.

Just when a person thought they have seen and heard it all!! I mean you have got to be kidding me..are you for real "Kosovo has good standards.." Has anyone ever been there. It is a total basket-case. Kosovo's GNP is so low that they have to calculate gastarbeiter return money just to boost their figures. Kosovo has the most people per square foot in Europe and an approximate 70 per cent joblessness rate. Where are you getting your facts from? Even if Kosovo gets independence that won't improve the economic disaster that it faces. There are 0 functioning industries there. I mean lets be realistic, Albania has a better future and we are talking about the poorest country in Europe. Kosovo is a basket case with no future.

Adi sounds quite desperate...

didn´t he never learn that there was no "colonization" ...what has he learned at all?

KiM is serbian land...you are only living on that land, do not forget that, please.
if you really go on with claiming it to be yours.. come to reason, and wake up from your illusions.

Laki - I love your idea! Why not have Hugo Chaves be the mediator. He is looking for a greater presence on the international stage, the US would love to keep him busy and not ambushing US policy, and his skewed view on reality is what these talks really need. Basically - it would take all the skills that a nut job without an ICG agenda to muster a new approach.

You just might be onto something! As one of our posters regularly claims - a win-win indeed!

lollee

well done man, at least someone admits and speaks out as they see it. That is your view on this matter.
My view on this matter, let us worry about it and you can sleep through the night without letting yourself on the dreams how Kosovars are going to feed.
A reflection of Serbias infrastructure remains on the villages and parts of towns where populated by Serbs , where is the Kosovar Albanians villages and towns have worked towards improving the infrastructure for the people who live there. This clearly demonstrates the will of Kosovars for their own states.
Whether is good or bad, after the independence we can compare the Kosovan and Serbian economy.
Pity, how easy you let yourselves to believe on myths, but i must comment on the ability to daydream form the Serbian counterparts is well enhanced and combined with your nationalism is letting you down.

Peace be with you.

Jovan, Kosovo is absolutely not Serbian and belongs to those who have lived there since 3000 BC, and the majority of them were and are Illyrians/Albanians.

Serbs came to Kosovo first at 12 century AC. Albanians lived there 4 000 years before you.

Where are you from Jovan? Are you Kosovo Serb? If not you should not discuss Kosovo since Kosovo is not your homeland.

????

what will you be saying next that your so called Ilyrian/Albanian history can also trace your family tree back to Alexander the Great? Probably suggest this as the reason for ethnic-Albanians in FYR Makedonia's claim [sic] to all of the western portion.

RE: Standards

Kosovo Serbs are living in virtual enclaves protected only the the Serbian Orthodox Church and UNMIK Forces. They have no freedom of movement without the fear of retribution.

How do you expect a "multi-cultural" Ahtisaari plan to be implemented when the reality is far different on the ground.

As an American and as a Solider who has served with KFOR, I care to make an unbiased assessment of my time on the ground as a neutral broker. I was with the CIMIC team and my missions put me daily at the local level with both Serbs and ethnic Albanians. I have spent time working with everyone from local Serb and Albanian Priests, to NGO heads, to Municipal Leaders, etc.

Regardless of what happened during the conflict, in which both sides committed crimes, the belligerent party now is the ethnic – Albanians. You never ever here of Serbs stoning a bus or shooting at one that runs from Pristina/Prishtine to Gnjilane/Gjilan. The rout runs right through Gracanica/Gracanice, the ‘radical heart of Serbs in Kosovo outside of Kosovoska Mitrovica/Mitrovice. NATO has done a poor job here to protect the minority population as well as dismantling ethnic- Albanian mafia rings. The population of Kosovo is held captive by about 5-10% of the population involved in illegal activity. They are lying to the ethnic – Albanians that independence is their key and gateway to prosperity and Europe. Independence is the smoke screen in which these black market thugs will continue to operate. After independence is achieved, at some level, these parties will continue to blame the Serb presence in Kosovo as the cause of the problems.

KFOR has the political clout amongst the ethnic Albanian population to dismantle these terror, drug, and human trafficking rings. What KFOR/NATO lacks is the political will. My government along with the rest of the world intervened in an internal low-level conflict with no clear political goals. NATO/KFOR has been sold to the ‘transfer to civil authority’ nonsense in which we have left basic police actions to the KPS. I believe the ethnic – Albanian population would be grateful to KFOR for such a move.

KPS while though motivated at the ‘cop on the beat level’ have their hands tied by corruption and upper management who are in the pockets or afraid of local gangsters. The KPS can not tackle the black market in Kosovo. The UN’s solution is the same as KFORs. It is also a failure when the UN or the EU send ‘monitors’ to a place who are from the most despotic, backwater, undemocratic nations of the world to teach locals how to ‘live, police, and be tolerant.’ That my friends are a farce.

Kosovo’s claims for independence are false based on numerous reasons. One, ‘Kosovars’ are not a distinct people, ethnicity, language or culture, nor defined by any sort of boundaries. The size of the province of Kosovo, Kosovo i Metohija or the Vilayet of Kosovo has changed over the years and is not stable. There is no legal precedence to make this land with in definitive boundaries its own nation.

Any sort of claims of ethnic genocide as a reason for independence also are short sited. If we were to reward every ‘repressed minority’ in the world we should be looking elsewhere to the Republika Srpska, Northern Ireland (ERIN GO BRAGH!), Basque region of Spain, etc. If this were they case Jews would have their own nation in Germany.

The world is being black mailed by a rabid nationalism not seen since WWII. This fervor that has taken the ethnic – Albanians by storm is as bad as National Socialism. I do not buy the Serb line either that the ethnic – Albanians are radical Moslems. There is the potential for this, but on a large scale it has yet to come to fruition. 200 mosques built since ’99, whabbi schools, etc is a threat but it is not prevalent yet. The ethnic – Albanian aggression against Serbs, especially their cultural sites, are purely ethnic in nature. The 200 Churches desecrated or destroyed, as sad an as disgusting as it has been, is not Islamic aggression. It might at some levels been directed by these powers, but it was conducted by the rapid nationalist youth. The world is hoping for a ‘land for peace deal’, which has never worked. If you give a mouse a cookie he will ask for a glass of milk. The land for peace scheme in the 20th century has failed, the Sudetenland for Hitler failed, just as Gaza or the Sinai desert has failed to keep the Arabs happy.

Just as Hitler rolled across Poland after he was appeased, the ethnic – Albanians did the same in Serbia proper as well as Macedonia. There are now rumblings the Vetevendosije wish to ‘destabilize Macedonia’. The world has a quite a spot here in the Balkans and the world should not be so quick to appease.

The situation for Serbs in Kosovo has definitely improved in some ways but it is far from being anything close to good or acceptable, and that guarantees of rights for Serbs are seen as a painful concession by Kosovo Albanians is deplorable. Unfortunately, Serbs do not understand that almost no one in the West really cares about Kosovo Serbs (sometimes it seems like Belgrade does not care either). I was talking to a Sudetan German whose family had been evicted after WWII the other day and even he did not sympathize with their plight.

It is completely disappointing that Serbs do not understand public opinion in the West. All the arguments: that Kosovo is the heart of Serbia, that Kosovo serbs are now victims, Operation Storm, that Serbia is a sovereign nation, etc just ring so empty. Given this, it is depressing that Serb politicians are still bent on gambling with Kosovo the way they are--expecting to keep Kosovo without losing anything just because 1244 says it is theirs, and refusing to negotiate in any way that introduces something NEW to the talks. If they keep playing they way they do, I would not be shocked if they lose Kosovo full and fast. Instead of looking for a better deal, they expect the Albanians to keep quiet and the Russians to bring them a miracle. A train collision is probably more likely, and Serbia will be the loser.

I think the Ahtissari plan is really not fair but the Serb attitude and the Serb positions and rhetoric probably did not gain much of his sympathy, or for that matter, that of the West. He is not alone to blame.

I have enormous respect for the Serbs and I bring these points to provoke new approaches for those that would like to help Serbia and bring peace and stability to the Western Balkans.

Anthony,
You were doing great until this paragraph-then your true ID came out. I find it hard a soldier from US would use the word "Vilayet"
I think you are a soldier from serbia.

"Kosovo’s claims for independence are false based on numerous reasons. One, ‘Kosovars’ are not a distinct people, ethnicity, language or culture, nor defined by any sort of boundaries. The size of the province of Kosovo, Kosovo i Metohija or the Vilayet of Kosovo has changed over the years and is not stable. There is no legal precedence to make this land with in definitive boundaries its own nation"

Anthony,

I don't know if you're going to read this, but I applaud you for your comments. They are well thought out and well-placed. It reaffirms what I have been arguing for some time on this site: independence in Kosovo will HAVE to come with extreme international involvement in bringing the entire region up to standards in order to allow the state to function on its own. Whether these mafia/drug rings operate in spite of or as a result of a lack of infrastructure and development in the region, they will be the main problems in Kosovo for a long time, and many of these groups will be very resilient in giving up their power. I'd even liken the situation to Afghanistan and the obstacle of regional warlords there. The specter of Belgrade is a thin veil that covers the real dangers of extreme fragmentation of Albanian society once they get their own state.

Pristina's new enemy will be their fellow citizens. Albanian mafia gangs will not give up power and territory and Serb municipalities will not participate if they see they are not being treated as equals.

Lastly, if independence comes with the collective expectation that Kosovo will suckle Europe for money and aid, the state will go bankrupt within a year. The vast majority of K-Albanians are, I think, forward thinking, and eager to live a better life. No one should deny them this. But you're absolutely right, the 10 - 15% of society that makes a living off of the instability and misfortune of the region will be a source to reckon with. Only this time, Albanians will not have the Serb to blame.

But Holbrooke is already setting the stage to blame it all on the Russians, right? :)

Anthony,

You did not serve in Kosovo. If you were a US soldier in Grancanica you would have been out of your area of operation. What were you doing there? Your unit? Company? Just so you know and everyone else here knows, Gracanica is in the outskirts of Prishtina, the capital, and was and is under British sector. Furthermore the road between Prishtina and Gnjilane/Gjilan was not blocked by rabid Albanian nationalists but by Serbs themselves and each time this happened there was a British and Swedish contingent sent to operate there in order to prevent further escalation.

As for Albanians being Muslim fundamentalists, everyone that believes such things should ask all Islamic charities (that operated in Kosova prior to Sept. 11th and that left soon afterwards): Why did they leave? Why KFOR and UN could not guarantee their safety? From whom they could not guarantee their safety?

So there is no need for you to try and trick everyone, it is the level of intensity of your accusations that tells me that you are not an American to begin with and let alone that you served with US military in Kosova. Nice try buddy!

I feel pity for the Serbs of Kosova. Not only their leadership in Kosova is leading them nowhere but they are being played by Belgrade and even Moscow for their political games. This all is reminiscent of the Storm operation in Croatia as well as the year 1999. What did Serbia gained from living in the bubble? I wish not to see anymore refugees, displaced people no matter who they are and what they are. But it is unfortunate that a leadership and a nation that wants to keep Kosova as its part cannot offer anything to Kosova's people and hints directly or indirectly that it cares more about the land rather then people. And from the small number of delusional posters here that think that they still live in the time of Mr. Milosevic, that is prior to NATO intervention, I send this question:

Do you ever read the Serbian section of this site? How about the comments generated there? Do you realize that for the common Serbs this issue does not matter? They don't care about Kosova and what happens to it? They are more worried about jobs, economy and future in Serbia ,since the direction their leaders are chosing is not much better than the one chosen by Milosevic himself, and certainly don't bother with this nationalistic rhetoric here.

Leave Kosova and its people live in peace.

Hahaha, I can't believe people are still using history to justify their arguments for a political settlment on Kosovo.

Guys, get real: it doesn't matter who arrived there first, nor does it matter whose 'land' it has been in the past.

Fact is Kosovo Albanians make more than 90% of the country's population. Colonized or not, occupied or not, the majority of people are Kosovo Albanians and the West has agreed to settle the political status in favor of the majority population.

Now, I'll surely have Serb nationalists running after me with arguments like 'Albanians are a minority', 'no ethnic minority has been given the right to self-determination','what would happen to other ethnic conflicts elsewhere?'

Guys, it's pointless. There's loads of discussion in international relations area that humanitarian interventionism is a legitimate philosophy when a state is grossly abusing the human rights of its people. That's what happened in 1999 with Belgrade's genocidal crackdown. You can come to question it, but that's how the Albanians saw it; that's how the West saw it.

Now, after that intervention, Kosovo was effectively cut off from Serbia. Serbia has absolutely NO political, economic, administrative control over Kosovo.

Implication? Facts on the ground matter. You can't abuse international law by killing your own citizens (e.g. 1999) and then claim that that very same international law entitles you to a part of a territory. It's 21st century, wake up!

So, facts on the ground are that UNMIK has established a Kosovo administration that now is taking more responsibility by the day to run the territory. To go back and turn the clock to 1999 is impossible, inconceivable! You can claim Kosovo is a Serbian land; fine, your entitled to hold on to any such opinions. You can even claim that China is yours, for that matter. But, there's NO going back; everyone understands that (everyone = rational people!).

Being a western project, the Kosovo political settlement will be done on the West's term. Its stupid to think Russia can derail a Western project, in which it has no financial or military muscle to flex. Sorry guys, it's all Russian rhetoric! The Russians want to sound important, relevant...fine! But, that's where it stops!

So, it so happens that the West wants to solve Kosovo's status based on the will of the majority. If you ain't convinced, see Contact Group principles, also see what diplomats from US, UK, Germany, France and Italy have been saying. You get the idea...

I don't care whose land Kosovo is. The idea of owning a land is a medieval concept. Serbian politics is still a medieval rhetoric; it's too obsessed with territories and land.

But, Albanians are a step ahead. Fine, its a poor country (what else would you expect from a region that has been so severelly neglected during the entire 1990s, and then experienced a devastating war!). But, poverty has never been a precondition to seek political independence. If we go by that argument, all the non-performing African countries should be re-colonized by their former European masters. Come on, get real!

I said Albanians are a step ahead because once they get their long-awaited dream of independence (and, seriously, there's no stoping at this point!) they will move on to build institutions based on the civic, not nationalistic concept! Fine, there will be many challenges (look at Serbia; unable to arrest Mladic because the security apparatus of Milosevic era is too entrenched into the power structure!) to overcome but the independence will create the POLITICAL CLARITY with which a more sustainable basis can be built. It can't get any worse than it already is.

Guys, whether you embrace it or not, whether you agree with it or not, whether you like it or not...its OVER!

Independence is around the corner, you will have to live with it.

Just do remember these sentences the day Kosovo declares independence and is swiftly recognized by the West.

It won't be as traumatic for Serbs as it is argued it will. They're much better off with a neighbor like Kosovo than 2 million people who are deadly against living in Serbia.

The new map of Serbia will look fractured and amputated, but, the less obsessed you become about territory the less it will hurt. It takes changing a whole worldview...and it will take time.

The Balkan Club is about to welcome a new member state: Kosovo!

There has not been concrete proof that Albanians are the oldest people in Europe. There is speculation that they are and Albanains only wish that they were the first inhabitants of Europe. Albanians claim that they are Illyrs because there is no other explenation or proof of their background. Even if it is true that Albanians are Illyrs does that mean that they can have all of Europe? Illyrs were inhabitants of DALMATIA not Kosovo! If Albanians claim that Kosovo is theirs becuase they were first inhabitsnts that is absolutely not true and they are knocking on the wrong door. Croatia is what you should be after. Kosovo has historic and religous significance to the Serbs because Kosovo was the first modern Serbian state until the Ottomans came. Albanians are a majority in Kosovo today because of crooked policies by TITO who tired to dilute the Serbian population within Yugoslavia. Look at the statistics and you will see that an unnaturally high birth rate exists in Kosovo, proof that Albanians had a plan to steal Kosovo from the Serbs before Milosevic ever came to power. How can two people live together when one side has intentions that of Albanians, to dominate a whole region? Albanians are lucky that they were sly enough to start their lobby against Serbs. This unjust Western dominated world will come to an end just like every other empire and sadly that is when payback will be administered.

I think the politicians in Serbia will wake up; they will then call back on Ahtisari’s proposal and demand the treatment of the Serb community in Kosovo as a minority with special status

Avni Gjoni
(Avni Gjoni, Monday, 19 March, 2007, 15:40)

Avni,

When the Ahtisaari Plan is rejected in it's current form in the UN, it would be well advised for Agim Ceku to NOT declare unilateral independance because it would be political suicide.

(1) Half of Europe if not more will not recognize an illegal Kosovo Albanian state.

(2) Serbia will have every right to exercise UNSC 1244 and seize the borders and religious sites as cited by that agreement if UNMIK decides to leave the province.

The Kosovar Albanians would be best to negotiate in good faith, something they have not done. Vitaly Churkin stormed out of a UN meeting to make that message crystal clear.

????

From what you are saying the americans must leave the USA because the red indians were there first or the english leave england cause the celts were there first. Why not go further and we all kill ourselves so the neanderthal man can return.

Anthony:

I can't know if you are for real, but what you claim as fact has been intuitively clear to many for quite some time. It's not 100% what either side wants to hear, and for this reason I would be wiling to bet it's close to the truth. Thanks for the lesson.

Reminds me of when Chernomyrdin turned his plane around when he was headed for negotiations in europe, when nato started the criminal bombing of Serbia. Hopefully this time the Russians have a little more backbone in defending international law than they had back in 1999. I think Putin is the man to stand up to the partisan politics of the west and their quest for global hegemony. Good luck Serbia from Britain, I think fate is smiling on you this time to preserve your sovereign country.

Blame the Russians for the blood that K-Albanaians shed? Have you lost what is left of your mind? Why don't you then blame Americans for the blood shed by Serbs?

What else you would expect from the russian officials!Instead of asking for arguments,he walks out! This meeting is about Kosova/o and Serbia,what is in for you?!

Anthony,

just read your post, and must admit, regardless of your actual opinion of whether Kosovo should be protected as a integral part of Serbia or not, your lines were very impressive because of it´s neutrality and above all because it sounded really like someone knows what he´s talking about, not like those wannabees talking about "4000 years of albanian history" ( 4000 years ago, poeple were living in caves all around europe... once more a good example that the Americans are not that dumb, as often portrayed in several european countries...

hope to read more of that sound level by non-serbian posters here...

really, I appreciate it.

To Anthony,

Your comment simply doesn't match your alledged indentity. I have served and still do in US military for many years. First, your writing skills exceed the abilities of a US soldier. Secondly, your biased portrayel of Kosovo Albanians and the Serbian type slogans in your comment go totally against US policies towards peaceful solution to Kosovo. So, you should be glad US has provided you with a job and an opportunity to contribute to US interests abroad.

Anthony,

As an American and as a Solider who has served with KFOR, I care to make an unbiased assessment of my time on the ground as a neutral broker.

You are talking nonsense, can't say more as B92 won't PUblish pro-independence arguments.

Look guys, the International Community is making a disaster of the situation. Honestly, I believe this is something we should work out between our two peoples, as difficult as that may seem, any solution agreed upon between us has the most chance of success. Ahtisaari's plan isn't good for either of us, and the International Community only seems interested in stealing what little economic value the region has. Look at how they've privatized everything. First off, they took the only viable industry, the Trepeca mines and sold them off to foreign interests. What did they do with the proceeds? They used them to pay off Milosevic's debts!?!?!?!?!?!? Just recently, B92 ran an article about how the international community is auctioning off the property in Kosovo owned by Croatia. Its disgusting what they are doing there to both of us.

Personally, I believe there is no reason to rush to a decision on Independence. If there is a chance of violence as a result of delay, that is all the more reason to postpone any decision. Standards need to be in place on the ground to ensure a safe and smooth transition to whatever final status is in store for Kosovo. I know the West promised you Independence, and you most probably will get it. However, no matter what happens, we need to learn to work together and we need to learn to talk and compromise and negotiate, or the larger more developed European countries are going to gobble us both up. I realize many Kosovars are short on patience, and don't feel the need to talk about something they've already been promised, but we must proceed carefully if we are to avoid a messy situation. Do not forget your brothers in Presevo, compromise and negotiation would have a good chance at improving their lot in life as well. To me it seems a little shortsighted and a little selfish not to consider the needs of other Albanians living elsewhere. There will be no further changes of borders after this. Are you really willing to deny your Albanian brothers the same freedom which you seek? And for what? To hold onto some worthless areas of northern Kosovo where Serbs live? Partition as an option must be considered now and discussed while it could still be accomplished without bloodshed and violence. This is a train wreck waiting to happen. Are you all not sick of violence and death by now? Unilateral recognition of Independence will surely lead to a messy partition with Russia recognizing the Northern areas of Kosovo as Serbian. Is all of this really worth dying for when we are all so close to joining the EU anyway. Doesn't it seem a little senseless and a great waste to lose one's life for the ideal of freedom and independence merely to join the EU and be in the same country with Serbia again?

That being said, Serbia must reward Russia for their support. If somehow Russia is able to pull a rabbit out of a hat and save Kosovo for us, we would need to completely reevaluate who our true friends and allies are. Sure our future eventually will be in a United Europe, but didn't it occur to anyone that the same future is true for Russia as well? They will be our biggest allies in such a situation, and we should look realistically at the future.

The "American Soldier" seems to know a lot about Serbian history but very little of the Albanians. I would suggest next time try your luck with rather native Slavic background because your spelling suits it better! I have just got back form Kosovo. I’m confused why everyone here has extremely negative views about Kosovo. I can confirm that 99% of the aren't true. Everyone there minds their own business; they don’t seem to be bothered about the Serbs. I think the phase of Serbian hatred has faded away fairy quickly in Albanians view. Also everyone here should consider including the positive side of Kosovo this way it will get Serbs somewhere. Unless Serb mobs keep pouring gas on the blaze it will just get worst, perhaps Serbian know better 4 wars in the last decade 4 lost. You should update your ancient policies, its 2007 for Serbian sake. I was happy to see everyone obeying the rule of law back there. Good Job Kfor and Unmik. Proud to be Kosovan.

Anthony, you have hit the nail on the head. For the first time i read something from someone other than myself that has lived in Kosovo since 99. Well said i dont see anymore comments after this one because the truth hurts in some ways. Now we all have heard from an unbias source.

Anthony, the so called "soldier" who was in Kosova makes some numerous times the problem with drugs and traficking in Kosova but he forgets that every single country in the world has problems with drugs. I live in USA and I know it very well how drug dealings go on here. But because Anthony the american "SOldier" made those negative comments about Kosova, I will not go on and accuse his country of being bad because still USA is the greatest country in the world and of course the ONLY SUPER POWER IN THE WORLD.
Anthony is referring to some stones that are being thrown into the buses around Kosova now after the war, But Anthony was not in Kosova before and during the war to see how serbs used to stop buses and trucks and simply rampage through the convoy of Albanians who were ordered to leave their houses. ANthony did not see that these serbs before and during the war used to kill children in front of their parents stopped in buses or trucks. Anthony the "soldier" did not see how an infant babe gets taken from the hands of the mother and gets her head cut off. ANthony did not witness any of these horrible acts done by Serbs to the albanian population so therefore he does not know why these buses get stoned.
Anthony mentions some churches that are destroyed but he forgets to mention the hundreds of catholic churches and muslim mosques that are destroyed and that are PROVEN AS FACT BY A GROUP OF HARVARD UNIVERSITY PROFESSORS, not by albanians.
I am not saying that Kosova is a heaven when it comes to drugs and traficking, but the majority of drugs comes through Serbia as based on the fact even mentioned by B92 news few days ago that SERBIA IS THE CENTER OF DRUG DEALINGS IN BALKANS.
I still thank mr. Anthony the "soldier" for serving as a soldier in Kosova,I thank his country USA for doing the right thing as always, but I have to remind to him that all the american politicians who were in Kosova advocate independence as the only working solution in the ground. I would suggest to Mr. ANthony to contact the wise man Ambassador William Walker who was in Kosova even during the war and he has seen some horrors during the war that you did not see and you should be happy that you did not see.
I hope the soldier does not misunderstand me, but i have high doubts that he is a real american soldier, or just someone trying to act like he is an american but talking negative things about the reality in Kosova.
Thanks very much.

I remember almost 8 years ago I contacted the Serbian Caucus in the US on how to effectivly counter the Albanian Caucus and how to disable their financing as well. Instead of that I was ridiculed they never heard the proposal and the Albanian Caucus is continuing their campaign with great effect.

Serbia's problem is Belgrade and the fact that people get appointed for positions because of their friends instead of their qualifications.

Either Serbia gets its act together or Kosovo is gone.

As for the Albanians, time is their friend. They just need to wait untill Belgrade screws up(again).

Why he didn't stay to defend serbia?
he didn't have enough evidence.

talking of econmy, i don't think that rucker or atishari knows the reality on the ground. in government construction contracts, all the contractors are albanians. reason??? tenders are advertised only in albanian gazzettes. the albanians are monopolizing the economy. what can you expect of the life of serbians then? they even boycott serbian products.

Now this string of comments speaks miles. Albanians have practically worshipped the ground Americans walk on since 1999. We're their saviors. They've renamed a main boulevard in Pristina after Bill Clinton. They are some of the most pro-American people in Europe, if not the world.

And then Anthony writes a comment.

Suddenly, he's not a real American soldier. Suddenly his views are lambasted by Albanian nationalists on this site because it hurts their precious little ears to hear such "lies". Suddenly, the American soldier is branded a buffoon, an idiot, and a Neanderthal. He's talking "nonsense" (without any evidence to prove that he is), and it's not that he's a soldier, but a "soldier" in quotes, meaning many Albanians don't believe him.

So I guess your overwhelming generosity towards Americans only goes as far as us agreeing with you 100%? You're pinning all your hopes on Uncle Sam bailing you out, yet you trash one of Uncle Sam's citizens AND soldiers on this site. Oh yeah, "Kosova" is going to become a real haven for democracy and development. I really wonder if some people here take themselves as seriously as they claim.

What does Russia and Serbia want with this? If new resolution is not passed by SC by June, Kosova will unilaterally declare the independence that will be recognized by many European and Word’s countries, regardless of the Serbian and Russian stands. This will follow with peacefully “expelling” the remaining Serbs from Kosova (mainly urging Albanians from south Serbia to buy Serb property in Kosova – with high prices), after what, only monasteries and churches will be “Serbians” as Albanians do not want them as their religion doesn’t match (Albanians in Kosova are mainly Muslim and Roman Catholic). Question is: Who will then benefit from this unavoidable scenario? Serbs!!!??? No.

Ladies and gentleman,

I am pleased to see the open and candid debate can still be conducted without reverting to slander and personal attacks. I am indeed a Solider, still am a Solider and will address all your ‘valid points’ one at a time.


Tony,

The reason in which I quoted the ‘Vilayet Period’ is because it has been presented to me by an ethnic – Albanian from Ferizaj/Urosevac as reasoning for independence. He claimed to me that Kosovo was granted autonomy under the Ottoman Empire during that period. All I was pointing out the region of Kosovo, under its various titles and names, has expanded and retracted. The case I was making is that Kosovo is not a well defined area.

James,

I have most certainly done time in Gracanice/Gracanica. I am a Civil Affairs Solider (38 B MOS, job skill) and have had cooperating with other CIMIC/LMT elements. We have done numerous projects in Gracanice/Gracanica to include, supporting ‘a special needs clinic’ for mentally handicapped and sexually abused children as well as a Roma Youth center run by an NGO, Balkan Sunflowers. Also it is not the British sector in MTNF – C it is shared on a rotational basis between Irish, Swedish, Finish forces.

If you actually ready my report I make the point that ethnic-Albanians are Moslem fundamentalists buy Nationalists. As for your point that Islamic charities are still not operating in Kosovo you are sadly mistaken my friend.

Albert,

I really take offense to the fact that you would discredit my service, especially as a fellow service member. Or that I am far too ‘eloquent’ in my writing abilities to be an American Soldier. It is also shocking that because I as a Solider have made my own opinions in regards to American foreign policy, even if it goes against current American thought, that manes I can not be a Soldier. I am not some robot or sheep like a Marine, I am a Soldier with my own opinions.

Noel,

If you support the independence of Kosovo so much tell your government to ends its 1,000 year occupation and repression of the Irish. Up the ‘ra!

Afrim,

I have never made the claim that Serb forces never committed crimes against Albanians, nor did I say Serbs never block a road in protest. If you and the others would actually have read my post as opposed to jumping to conclusions you would not be making accusations or even asking questions.

What I did say is that POST 99 ethnic- Albanians have been the belligerent party against the Serbs. I did post that Serbs do not make attacks against ethnic-Albanians even thought they pass through their villages of Kllokot/Klokot, Partesh/Partes, Gracanice/Gracanica, among others that are on the main roads of the province.

I personally know and frequent a pastry shop in Gracanice/Gracanica that is run by ethnic- Albanians from the Municipality of Kline/Klina. They have been operating there for over 20 years and have received no threats or intimidation. Tell me know who is intolerant?

So for all the people who do not believe that I am a Soldier that’s fine, I attend BCT (basic combat training) in Fort Knox Kentucky from July – September 2004, I then attend AIT (advanced individual training) for my MOS 38B ( Civil Affairs Specialist) at the John F Kennedy Special Warfare Center in Ft. Bragg, NC. I attend Airborne/ Jump School in April 2004.

If there are any further doubts to my nationality or job, post your email here and I will send you two years worth of photos form my time in Kosovo.

I guess Ruecker won't want anyone mentioning a report by fellow Germans stating the actual reality of UNMIK's failure these past 8 years;
The Failure of the West's 'Ostrich' Policy

http://www.spiegel.de/international/0,1518,471178,00.html

"The planned "construction of a multi-ethnic society" has "failed" and does not exist "outside the bureaucratic statements of the international community," says the report, released by the Institute for European Politics (IEP) in Berlin."

Hopefully they may even discuss who might become the new mediator - anyone got any suggestions?

About Mediators
I don't know if he is available, but it seems to me that the insights and skills of Professor Noam Chomsky would be useful.

princip,

u r the funniest debater in this site. only people that have lost their concept of time and space may hope that western diplomacy will accept the serbian/russian request to launch new negotiation process, and moreover with a new mediator.

serbian diplomacy, including u, fails to understand one thing: it is 21st century, neither 19th nor 20th (the concept of time). you also fail to understand that serbian (yagoslavia) kingdom does not exist any more either (the concept of space).

serbia is at this state as it is because of being lead by politicians like kostunica and draskovic (am not mentioning here nikolic and co), that still operate with the cubrilovi’s ideology, a pure national-chauvinistic philosophy.

i understand that you, princip, despite the fact that you live in UK (as you pretend!), share the same philosophy. nobody can stop u using the old-fashioned slogans and stereotypes used in cubrilovic’s era – k&m is the cradle of serbia, serbia is the heart of serbia, etc. the good thing is that no one pays attention what you are talking about.

the time of colonialism has gone.

of course, i’m not here to tell u what u have to do, but if i were u, i would patronize mr jovanovic. he is real patriot.
he and his political party has a clear and contemporary vision. only through such vision serbia and the entire region would find its place within the modern europe.

otherwise, u can keep singing the same extremely boring song. your role is resembling in a very small "screw" of an obsolete machinery, which fortunately has died with milosevic.

cheers,

Kosovo is far better in their standards than the way it is being interpreted.
Kosovo has achieved what is achievable, and we should not under estimate the will of the Kosovo institutions to work on standards. I think it is the time to move to the next level now, where Kosovo gets its independence and starts interacting with international organizations as a legal entity. 1244 has not given much of a chance to Kosovar institutions to take lead on some fields such as Privatization, which is a key to a sustainable economy. And on the other hand Kosovo institutions had to face difficulties that were created by Belgrade in the return process, where the returnees were played by their political leaders in Belgrade. Also the influence of Belgrade institutions played a great role on non-integration of the Serb minority in Kosovo. The Parallel Structures on the other hand tolerated by UNMIK have just created a blockade in the integration of Serb minority. Being said that the Kosovo institutions have achieved something that is far more EU oriented than the other states in the region.

All the best to all of you

Ivan

amerikanac I think you will agree that Hugo Chavez is a better fit!
your leftist, social-communist, liberal , conspiracy driven world view is ignored by every single western democracy.
I hope you understand why the world ignores Serbian politicians.

Right... Mr. Jovanovic is a good person because he wants to sell out KiM?
For albanians the good people are only those who support their desires.

It is foolish to say to someone they have to listen to Jovanovic just because he's saying what you support. Jovanovic doesn't speak for Serbia but rather for himself. This is why he will never lead Serbia.

Just when a person thought they have seen and heard it all!! I mean you have got to be kidding me..are you for real "Kosovo has good standards.." Has anyone ever been there. It is a total basket-case. Kosovo's GNP is so low that they have to calculate gastarbeiter return money just to boost their figures. Kosovo has the most people per square foot in Europe and an approximate 70 per cent joblessness rate. Where are you getting your facts from? Even if Kosovo gets independence that won't improve the economic disaster that it faces. There are 0 functioning industries there. I mean lets be realistic, Albania has a better future and we are talking about the poorest country in Europe. Kosovo is a basket case with no future.

Adi sounds quite desperate...

didn´t he never learn that there was no "colonization" ...what has he learned at all?

KiM is serbian land...you are only living on that land, do not forget that, please.
if you really go on with claiming it to be yours.. come to reason, and wake up from your illusions.

Laki - I love your idea! Why not have Hugo Chaves be the mediator. He is looking for a greater presence on the international stage, the US would love to keep him busy and not ambushing US policy, and his skewed view on reality is what these talks really need. Basically - it would take all the skills that a nut job without an ICG agenda to muster a new approach.

You just might be onto something! As one of our posters regularly claims - a win-win indeed!

lollee

well done man, at least someone admits and speaks out as they see it. That is your view on this matter.
My view on this matter, let us worry about it and you can sleep through the night without letting yourself on the dreams how Kosovars are going to feed.
A reflection of Serbias infrastructure remains on the villages and parts of towns where populated by Serbs , where is the Kosovar Albanians villages and towns have worked towards improving the infrastructure for the people who live there. This clearly demonstrates the will of Kosovars for their own states.
Whether is good or bad, after the independence we can compare the Kosovan and Serbian economy.
Pity, how easy you let yourselves to believe on myths, but i must comment on the ability to daydream form the Serbian counterparts is well enhanced and combined with your nationalism is letting you down.

Peace be with you.

Jovan, Kosovo is absolutely not Serbian and belongs to those who have lived there since 3000 BC, and the majority of them were and are Illyrians/Albanians.

Serbs came to Kosovo first at 12 century AC. Albanians lived there 4 000 years before you.

Where are you from Jovan? Are you Kosovo Serb? If not you should not discuss Kosovo since Kosovo is not your homeland.

????

what will you be saying next that your so called Ilyrian/Albanian history can also trace your family tree back to Alexander the Great? Probably suggest this as the reason for ethnic-Albanians in FYR Makedonia's claim [sic] to all of the western portion.

RE: Standards

Kosovo Serbs are living in virtual enclaves protected only the the Serbian Orthodox Church and UNMIK Forces. They have no freedom of movement without the fear of retribution.

How do you expect a "multi-cultural" Ahtisaari plan to be implemented when the reality is far different on the ground.

As an American and as a Solider who has served with KFOR, I care to make an unbiased assessment of my time on the ground as a neutral broker. I was with the CIMIC team and my missions put me daily at the local level with both Serbs and ethnic Albanians. I have spent time working with everyone from local Serb and Albanian Priests, to NGO heads, to Municipal Leaders, etc.

Regardless of what happened during the conflict, in which both sides committed crimes, the belligerent party now is the ethnic – Albanians. You never ever here of Serbs stoning a bus or shooting at one that runs from Pristina/Prishtine to Gnjilane/Gjilan. The rout runs right through Gracanica/Gracanice, the ‘radical heart of Serbs in Kosovo outside of Kosovoska Mitrovica/Mitrovice. NATO has done a poor job here to protect the minority population as well as dismantling ethnic- Albanian mafia rings. The population of Kosovo is held captive by about 5-10% of the population involved in illegal activity. They are lying to the ethnic – Albanians that independence is their key and gateway to prosperity and Europe. Independence is the smoke screen in which these black market thugs will continue to operate. After independence is achieved, at some level, these parties will continue to blame the Serb presence in Kosovo as the cause of the problems.

KFOR has the political clout amongst the ethnic Albanian population to dismantle these terror, drug, and human trafficking rings. What KFOR/NATO lacks is the political will. My government along with the rest of the world intervened in an internal low-level conflict with no clear political goals. NATO/KFOR has been sold to the ‘transfer to civil authority’ nonsense in which we have left basic police actions to the KPS. I believe the ethnic – Albanian population would be grateful to KFOR for such a move.

KPS while though motivated at the ‘cop on the beat level’ have their hands tied by corruption and upper management who are in the pockets or afraid of local gangsters. The KPS can not tackle the black market in Kosovo. The UN’s solution is the same as KFORs. It is also a failure when the UN or the EU send ‘monitors’ to a place who are from the most despotic, backwater, undemocratic nations of the world to teach locals how to ‘live, police, and be tolerant.’ That my friends are a farce.

Kosovo’s claims for independence are false based on numerous reasons. One, ‘Kosovars’ are not a distinct people, ethnicity, language or culture, nor defined by any sort of boundaries. The size of the province of Kosovo, Kosovo i Metohija or the Vilayet of Kosovo has changed over the years and is not stable. There is no legal precedence to make this land with in definitive boundaries its own nation.

Any sort of claims of ethnic genocide as a reason for independence also are short sited. If we were to reward every ‘repressed minority’ in the world we should be looking elsewhere to the Republika Srpska, Northern Ireland (ERIN GO BRAGH!), Basque region of Spain, etc. If this were they case Jews would have their own nation in Germany.

The world is being black mailed by a rabid nationalism not seen since WWII. This fervor that has taken the ethnic – Albanians by storm is as bad as National Socialism. I do not buy the Serb line either that the ethnic – Albanians are radical Moslems. There is the potential for this, but on a large scale it has yet to come to fruition. 200 mosques built since ’99, whabbi schools, etc is a threat but it is not prevalent yet. The ethnic – Albanian aggression against Serbs, especially their cultural sites, are purely ethnic in nature. The 200 Churches desecrated or destroyed, as sad an as disgusting as it has been, is not Islamic aggression. It might at some levels been directed by these powers, but it was conducted by the rapid nationalist youth. The world is hoping for a ‘land for peace deal’, which has never worked. If you give a mouse a cookie he will ask for a glass of milk. The land for peace scheme in the 20th century has failed, the Sudetenland for Hitler failed, just as Gaza or the Sinai desert has failed to keep the Arabs happy.

Just as Hitler rolled across Poland after he was appeased, the ethnic – Albanians did the same in Serbia proper as well as Macedonia. There are now rumblings the Vetevendosije wish to ‘destabilize Macedonia’. The world has a quite a spot here in the Balkans and the world should not be so quick to appease.

The situation for Serbs in Kosovo has definitely improved in some ways but it is far from being anything close to good or acceptable, and that guarantees of rights for Serbs are seen as a painful concession by Kosovo Albanians is deplorable. Unfortunately, Serbs do not understand that almost no one in the West really cares about Kosovo Serbs (sometimes it seems like Belgrade does not care either). I was talking to a Sudetan German whose family had been evicted after WWII the other day and even he did not sympathize with their plight.

It is completely disappointing that Serbs do not understand public opinion in the West. All the arguments: that Kosovo is the heart of Serbia, that Kosovo serbs are now victims, Operation Storm, that Serbia is a sovereign nation, etc just ring so empty. Given this, it is depressing that Serb politicians are still bent on gambling with Kosovo the way they are--expecting to keep Kosovo without losing anything just because 1244 says it is theirs, and refusing to negotiate in any way that introduces something NEW to the talks. If they keep playing they way they do, I would not be shocked if they lose Kosovo full and fast. Instead of looking for a better deal, they expect the Albanians to keep quiet and the Russians to bring them a miracle. A train collision is probably more likely, and Serbia will be the loser.

I think the Ahtissari plan is really not fair but the Serb attitude and the Serb positions and rhetoric probably did not gain much of his sympathy, or for that matter, that of the West. He is not alone to blame.

I have enormous respect for the Serbs and I bring these points to provoke new approaches for those that would like to help Serbia and bring peace and stability to the Western Balkans.

Anthony,
You were doing great until this paragraph-then your true ID came out. I find it hard a soldier from US would use the word "Vilayet"
I think you are a soldier from serbia.

"Kosovo’s claims for independence are false based on numerous reasons. One, ‘Kosovars’ are not a distinct people, ethnicity, language or culture, nor defined by any sort of boundaries. The size of the province of Kosovo, Kosovo i Metohija or the Vilayet of Kosovo has changed over the years and is not stable. There is no legal precedence to make this land with in definitive boundaries its own nation"

Anthony,

I don't know if you're going to read this, but I applaud you for your comments. They are well thought out and well-placed. It reaffirms what I have been arguing for some time on this site: independence in Kosovo will HAVE to come with extreme international involvement in bringing the entire region up to standards in order to allow the state to function on its own. Whether these mafia/drug rings operate in spite of or as a result of a lack of infrastructure and development in the region, they will be the main problems in Kosovo for a long time, and many of these groups will be very resilient in giving up their power. I'd even liken the situation to Afghanistan and the obstacle of regional warlords there. The specter of Belgrade is a thin veil that covers the real dangers of extreme fragmentation of Albanian society once they get their own state.

Pristina's new enemy will be their fellow citizens. Albanian mafia gangs will not give up power and territory and Serb municipalities will not participate if they see they are not being treated as equals.

Lastly, if independence comes with the collective expectation that Kosovo will suckle Europe for money and aid, the state will go bankrupt within a year. The vast majority of K-Albanians are, I think, forward thinking, and eager to live a better life. No one should deny them this. But you're absolutely right, the 10 - 15% of society that makes a living off of the instability and misfortune of the region will be a source to reckon with. Only this time, Albanians will not have the Serb to blame.

But Holbrooke is already setting the stage to blame it all on the Russians, right? :)

Anthony,

You did not serve in Kosovo. If you were a US soldier in Grancanica you would have been out of your area of operation. What were you doing there? Your unit? Company? Just so you know and everyone else here knows, Gracanica is in the outskirts of Prishtina, the capital, and was and is under British sector. Furthermore the road between Prishtina and Gnjilane/Gjilan was not blocked by rabid Albanian nationalists but by Serbs themselves and each time this happened there was a British and Swedish contingent sent to operate there in order to prevent further escalation.

As for Albanians being Muslim fundamentalists, everyone that believes such things should ask all Islamic charities (that operated in Kosova prior to Sept. 11th and that left soon afterwards): Why did they leave? Why KFOR and UN could not guarantee their safety? From whom they could not guarantee their safety?

So there is no need for you to try and trick everyone, it is the level of intensity of your accusations that tells me that you are not an American to begin with and let alone that you served with US military in Kosova. Nice try buddy!

I feel pity for the Serbs of Kosova. Not only their leadership in Kosova is leading them nowhere but they are being played by Belgrade and even Moscow for their political games. This all is reminiscent of the Storm operation in Croatia as well as the year 1999. What did Serbia gained from living in the bubble? I wish not to see anymore refugees, displaced people no matter who they are and what they are. But it is unfortunate that a leadership and a nation that wants to keep Kosova as its part cannot offer anything to Kosova's people and hints directly or indirectly that it cares more about the land rather then people. And from the small number of delusional posters here that think that they still live in the time of Mr. Milosevic, that is prior to NATO intervention, I send this question:

Do you ever read the Serbian section of this site? How about the comments generated there? Do you realize that for the common Serbs this issue does not matter? They don't care about Kosova and what happens to it? They are more worried about jobs, economy and future in Serbia ,since the direction their leaders are chosing is not much better than the one chosen by Milosevic himself, and certainly don't bother with this nationalistic rhetoric here.

Leave Kosova and its people live in peace.

Hahaha, I can't believe people are still using history to justify their arguments for a political settlment on Kosovo.

Guys, get real: it doesn't matter who arrived there first, nor does it matter whose 'land' it has been in the past.

Fact is Kosovo Albanians make more than 90% of the country's population. Colonized or not, occupied or not, the majority of people are Kosovo Albanians and the West has agreed to settle the political status in favor of the majority population.

Now, I'll surely have Serb nationalists running after me with arguments like 'Albanians are a minority', 'no ethnic minority has been given the right to self-determination','what would happen to other ethnic conflicts elsewhere?'

Guys, it's pointless. There's loads of discussion in international relations area that humanitarian interventionism is a legitimate philosophy when a state is grossly abusing the human rights of its people. That's what happened in 1999 with Belgrade's genocidal crackdown. You can come to question it, but that's how the Albanians saw it; that's how the West saw it.

Now, after that intervention, Kosovo was effectively cut off from Serbia. Serbia has absolutely NO political, economic, administrative control over Kosovo.

Implication? Facts on the ground matter. You can't abuse international law by killing your own citizens (e.g. 1999) and then claim that that very same international law entitles you to a part of a territory. It's 21st century, wake up!

So, facts on the ground are that UNMIK has established a Kosovo administration that now is taking more responsibility by the day to run the territory. To go back and turn the clock to 1999 is impossible, inconceivable! You can claim Kosovo is a Serbian land; fine, your entitled to hold on to any such opinions. You can even claim that China is yours, for that matter. But, there's NO going back; everyone understands that (everyone = rational people!).

Being a western project, the Kosovo political settlement will be done on the West's term. Its stupid to think Russia can derail a Western project, in which it has no financial or military muscle to flex. Sorry guys, it's all Russian rhetoric! The Russians want to sound important, relevant...fine! But, that's where it stops!

So, it so happens that the West wants to solve Kosovo's status based on the will of the majority. If you ain't convinced, see Contact Group principles, also see what diplomats from US, UK, Germany, France and Italy have been saying. You get the idea...

I don't care whose land Kosovo is. The idea of owning a land is a medieval concept. Serbian politics is still a medieval rhetoric; it's too obsessed with territories and land.

But, Albanians are a step ahead. Fine, its a poor country (what else would you expect from a region that has been so severelly neglected during the entire 1990s, and then experienced a devastating war!). But, poverty has never been a precondition to seek political independence. If we go by that argument, all the non-performing African countries should be re-colonized by their former European masters. Come on, get real!

I said Albanians are a step ahead because once they get their long-awaited dream of independence (and, seriously, there's no stoping at this point!) they will move on to build institutions based on the civic, not nationalistic concept! Fine, there will be many challenges (look at Serbia; unable to arrest Mladic because the security apparatus of Milosevic era is too entrenched into the power structure!) to overcome but the independence will create the POLITICAL CLARITY with which a more sustainable basis can be built. It can't get any worse than it already is.

Guys, whether you embrace it or not, whether you agree with it or not, whether you like it or not...its OVER!

Independence is around the corner, you will have to live with it.

Just do remember these sentences the day Kosovo declares independence and is swiftly recognized by the West.

It won't be as traumatic for Serbs as it is argued it will. They're much better off with a neighbor like Kosovo than 2 million people who are deadly against living in Serbia.

The new map of Serbia will look fractured and amputated, but, the less obsessed you become about territory the less it will hurt. It takes changing a whole worldview...and it will take time.

The Balkan Club is about to welcome a new member state: Kosovo!

There has not been concrete proof that Albanians are the oldest people in Europe. There is speculation that they are and Albanains only wish that they were the first inhabitants of Europe. Albanians claim that they are Illyrs because there is no other explenation or proof of their background. Even if it is true that Albanians are Illyrs does that mean that they can have all of Europe? Illyrs were inhabitants of DALMATIA not Kosovo! If Albanians claim that Kosovo is theirs becuase they were first inhabitsnts that is absolutely not true and they are knocking on the wrong door. Croatia is what you should be after. Kosovo has historic and religous significance to the Serbs because Kosovo was the first modern Serbian state until the Ottomans came. Albanians are a majority in Kosovo today because of crooked policies by TITO who tired to dilute the Serbian population within Yugoslavia. Look at the statistics and you will see that an unnaturally high birth rate exists in Kosovo, proof that Albanians had a plan to steal Kosovo from the Serbs before Milosevic ever came to power. How can two people live together when one side has intentions that of Albanians, to dominate a whole region? Albanians are lucky that they were sly enough to start their lobby against Serbs. This unjust Western dominated world will come to an end just like every other empire and sadly that is when payback will be administered.

I think the politicians in Serbia will wake up; they will then call back on Ahtisari’s proposal and demand the treatment of the Serb community in Kosovo as a minority with special status

Avni Gjoni
(Avni Gjoni, Monday, 19 March, 2007, 15:40)

Avni,

When the Ahtisaari Plan is rejected in it's current form in the UN, it would be well advised for Agim Ceku to NOT declare unilateral independance because it would be political suicide.

(1) Half of Europe if not more will not recognize an illegal Kosovo Albanian state.

(2) Serbia will have every right to exercise UNSC 1244 and seize the borders and religious sites as cited by that agreement if UNMIK decides to leave the province.

The Kosovar Albanians would be best to negotiate in good faith, something they have not done. Vitaly Churkin stormed out of a UN meeting to make that message crystal clear.

????

From what you are saying the americans must leave the USA because the red indians were there first or the english leave england cause the celts were there first. Why not go further and we all kill ourselves so the neanderthal man can return.

Anthony:

I can't know if you are for real, but what you claim as fact has been intuitively clear to many for quite some time. It's not 100% what either side wants to hear, and for this reason I would be wiling to bet it's close to the truth. Thanks for the lesson.

Reminds me of when Chernomyrdin turned his plane around when he was headed for negotiations in europe, when nato started the criminal bombing of Serbia. Hopefully this time the Russians have a little more backbone in defending international law than they had back in 1999. I think Putin is the man to stand up to the partisan politics of the west and their quest for global hegemony. Good luck Serbia from Britain, I think fate is smiling on you this time to preserve your sovereign country.

Blame the Russians for the blood that K-Albanaians shed? Have you lost what is left of your mind? Why don't you then blame Americans for the blood shed by Serbs?

What else you would expect from the russian officials!Instead of asking for arguments,he walks out! This meeting is about Kosova/o and Serbia,what is in for you?!

Anthony,

just read your post, and must admit, regardless of your actual opinion of whether Kosovo should be protected as a integral part of Serbia or not, your lines were very impressive because of it´s neutrality and above all because it sounded really like someone knows what he´s talking about, not like those wannabees talking about "4000 years of albanian history" ( 4000 years ago, poeple were living in caves all around europe... once more a good example that the Americans are not that dumb, as often portrayed in several european countries...

hope to read more of that sound level by non-serbian posters here...

really, I appreciate it.

To Anthony,

Your comment simply doesn't match your alledged indentity. I have served and still do in US military for many years. First, your writing skills exceed the abilities of a US soldier. Secondly, your biased portrayel of Kosovo Albanians and the Serbian type slogans in your comment go totally against US policies towards peaceful solution to Kosovo. So, you should be glad US has provided you with a job and an opportunity to contribute to US interests abroad.

Anthony,

As an American and as a Solider who has served with KFOR, I care to make an unbiased assessment of my time on the ground as a neutral broker.

You are talking nonsense, can't say more as B92 won't PUblish pro-independence arguments.

Look guys, the International Community is making a disaster of the situation. Honestly, I believe this is something we should work out between our two peoples, as difficult as that may seem, any solution agreed upon between us has the most chance of success. Ahtisaari's plan isn't good for either of us, and the International Community only seems interested in stealing what little economic value the region has. Look at how they've privatized everything. First off, they took the only viable industry, the Trepeca mines and sold them off to foreign interests. What did they do with the proceeds? They used them to pay off Milosevic's debts!?!?!?!?!?!? Just recently, B92 ran an article about how the international community is auctioning off the property in Kosovo owned by Croatia. Its disgusting what they are doing there to both of us.

Personally, I believe there is no reason to rush to a decision on Independence. If there is a chance of violence as a result of delay, that is all the more reason to postpone any decision. Standards need to be in place on the ground to ensure a safe and smooth transition to whatever final status is in store for Kosovo. I know the West promised you Independence, and you most probably will get it. However, no matter what happens, we need to learn to work together and we need to learn to talk and compromise and negotiate, or the larger more developed European countries are going to gobble us both up. I realize many Kosovars are short on patience, and don't feel the need to talk about something they've already been promised, but we must proceed carefully if we are to avoid a messy situation. Do not forget your brothers in Presevo, compromise and negotiation would have a good chance at improving their lot in life as well. To me it seems a little shortsighted and a little selfish not to consider the needs of other Albanians living elsewhere. There will be no further changes of borders after this. Are you really willing to deny your Albanian brothers the same freedom which you seek? And for what? To hold onto some worthless areas of northern Kosovo where Serbs live? Partition as an option must be considered now and discussed while it could still be accomplished without bloodshed and violence. This is a train wreck waiting to happen. Are you all not sick of violence and death by now? Unilateral recognition of Independence will surely lead to a messy partition with Russia recognizing the Northern areas of Kosovo as Serbian. Is all of this really worth dying for when we are all so close to joining the EU anyway. Doesn't it seem a little senseless and a great waste to lose one's life for the ideal of freedom and independence merely to join the EU and be in the same country with Serbia again?

That being said, Serbia must reward Russia for their support. If somehow Russia is able to pull a rabbit out of a hat and save Kosovo for us, we would need to completely reevaluate who our true friends and allies are. Sure our future eventually will be in a United Europe, but didn't it occur to anyone that the same future is true for Russia as well? They will be our biggest allies in such a situation, and we should look realistically at the future.

The "American Soldier" seems to know a lot about Serbian history but very little of the Albanians. I would suggest next time try your luck with rather native Slavic background because your spelling suits it better! I have just got back form Kosovo. I’m confused why everyone here has extremely negative views about Kosovo. I can confirm that 99% of the aren't true. Everyone there minds their own business; they don’t seem to be bothered about the Serbs. I think the phase of Serbian hatred has faded away fairy quickly in Albanians view. Also everyone here should consider including the positive side of Kosovo this way it will get Serbs somewhere. Unless Serb mobs keep pouring gas on the blaze it will just get worst, perhaps Serbian know better 4 wars in the last decade 4 lost. You should update your ancient policies, its 2007 for Serbian sake. I was happy to see everyone obeying the rule of law back there. Good Job Kfor and Unmik. Proud to be Kosovan.

Anthony, you have hit the nail on the head. For the first time i read something from someone other than myself that has lived in Kosovo since 99. Well said i dont see anymore comments after this one because the truth hurts in some ways. Now we all have heard from an unbias source.

Anthony, the so called "soldier" who was in Kosova makes some numerous times the problem with drugs and traficking in Kosova but he forgets that every single country in the world has problems with drugs. I live in USA and I know it very well how drug dealings go on here. But because Anthony the american "SOldier" made those negative comments about Kosova, I will not go on and accuse his country of being bad because still USA is the greatest country in the world and of course the ONLY SUPER POWER IN THE WORLD.
Anthony is referring to some stones that are being thrown into the buses around Kosova now after the war, But Anthony was not in Kosova before and during the war to see how serbs used to stop buses and trucks and simply rampage through the convoy of Albanians who were ordered to leave their houses. ANthony did not see that these serbs before and during the war used to kill children in front of their parents stopped in buses or trucks. Anthony the "soldier" did not see how an infant babe gets taken from the hands of the mother and gets her head cut off. ANthony did not witness any of these horrible acts done by Serbs to the albanian population so therefore he does not know why these buses get stoned.
Anthony mentions some churches that are destroyed but he forgets to mention the hundreds of catholic churches and muslim mosques that are destroyed and that are PROVEN AS FACT BY A GROUP OF HARVARD UNIVERSITY PROFESSORS, not by albanians.
I am not saying that Kosova is a heaven when it comes to drugs and traficking, but the majority of drugs comes through Serbia as based on the fact even mentioned by B92 news few days ago that SERBIA IS THE CENTER OF DRUG DEALINGS IN BALKANS.
I still thank mr. Anthony the "soldier" for serving as a soldier in Kosova,I thank his country USA for doing the right thing as always, but I have to remind to him that all the american politicians who were in Kosova advocate independence as the only working solution in the ground. I would suggest to Mr. ANthony to contact the wise man Ambassador William Walker who was in Kosova even during the war and he has seen some horrors during the war that you did not see and you should be happy that you did not see.
I hope the soldier does not misunderstand me, but i have high doubts that he is a real american soldier, or just someone trying to act like he is an american but talking negative things about the reality in Kosova.
Thanks very much.

I remember almost 8 years ago I contacted the Serbian Caucus in the US on how to effectivly counter the Albanian Caucus and how to disable their financing as well. Instead of that I was ridiculed they never heard the proposal and the Albanian Caucus is continuing their campaign with great effect.

Serbia's problem is Belgrade and the fact that people get appointed for positions because of their friends instead of their qualifications.

Either Serbia gets its act together or Kosovo is gone.

As for the Albanians, time is their friend. They just need to wait untill Belgrade screws up(again).

Why he didn't stay to defend serbia?
he didn't have enough evidence.

talking of econmy, i don't think that rucker or atishari knows the reality on the ground. in government construction contracts, all the contractors are albanians. reason??? tenders are advertised only in albanian gazzettes. the albanians are monopolizing the economy. what can you expect of the life of serbians then? they even boycott serbian products.

Now this string of comments speaks miles. Albanians have practically worshipped the ground Americans walk on since 1999. We're their saviors. They've renamed a main boulevard in Pristina after Bill Clinton. They are some of the most pro-American people in Europe, if not the world.

And then Anthony writes a comment.

Suddenly, he's not a real American soldier. Suddenly his views are lambasted by Albanian nationalists on this site because it hurts their precious little ears to hear such "lies". Suddenly, the American soldier is branded a buffoon, an idiot, and a Neanderthal. He's talking "nonsense" (without any evidence to prove that he is), and it's not that he's a soldier, but a "soldier" in quotes, meaning many Albanians don't believe him.

So I guess your overwhelming generosity towards Americans only goes as far as us agreeing with you 100%? You're pinning all your hopes on Uncle Sam bailing you out, yet you trash one of Uncle Sam's citizens AND soldiers on this site. Oh yeah, "Kosova" is going to become a real haven for democracy and development. I really wonder if some people here take themselves as seriously as they claim.

What does Russia and Serbia want with this? If new resolution is not passed by SC by June, Kosova will unilaterally declare the independence that will be recognized by many European and Word’s countries, regardless of the Serbian and Russian stands. This will follow with peacefully “expelling” the remaining Serbs from Kosova (mainly urging Albanians from south Serbia to buy Serb property in Kosova – with high prices), after what, only monasteries and churches will be “Serbians” as Albanians do not want them as their religion doesn’t match (Albanians in Kosova are mainly Muslim and Roman Catholic). Question is: Who will then benefit from this unavoidable scenario? Serbs!!!??? No.

Ladies and gentleman,

I am pleased to see the open and candid debate can still be conducted without reverting to slander and personal attacks. I am indeed a Solider, still am a Solider and will address all your ‘valid points’ one at a time.


Tony,

The reason in which I quoted the ‘Vilayet Period’ is because it has been presented to me by an ethnic – Albanian from Ferizaj/Urosevac as reasoning for independence. He claimed to me that Kosovo was granted autonomy under the Ottoman Empire during that period. All I was pointing out the region of Kosovo, under its various titles and names, has expanded and retracted. The case I was making is that Kosovo is not a well defined area.

James,

I have most certainly done time in Gracanice/Gracanica. I am a Civil Affairs Solider (38 B MOS, job skill) and have had cooperating with other CIMIC/LMT elements. We have done numerous projects in Gracanice/Gracanica to include, supporting ‘a special needs clinic’ for mentally handicapped and sexually abused children as well as a Roma Youth center run by an NGO, Balkan Sunflowers. Also it is not the British sector in MTNF – C it is shared on a rotational basis between Irish, Swedish, Finish forces.

If you actually ready my report I make the point that ethnic-Albanians are Moslem fundamentalists buy Nationalists. As for your point that Islamic charities are still not operating in Kosovo you are sadly mistaken my friend.

Albert,

I really take offense to the fact that you would discredit my service, especially as a fellow service member. Or that I am far too ‘eloquent’ in my writing abilities to be an American Soldier. It is also shocking that because I as a Solider have made my own opinions in regards to American foreign policy, even if it goes against current American thought, that manes I can not be a Soldier. I am not some robot or sheep like a Marine, I am a Soldier with my own opinions.

Noel,

If you support the independence of Kosovo so much tell your government to ends its 1,000 year occupation and repression of the Irish. Up the ‘ra!

Afrim,

I have never made the claim that Serb forces never committed crimes against Albanians, nor did I say Serbs never block a road in protest. If you and the others would actually have read my post as opposed to jumping to conclusions you would not be making accusations or even asking questions.

What I did say is that POST 99 ethnic- Albanians have been the belligerent party against the Serbs. I did post that Serbs do not make attacks against ethnic-Albanians even thought they pass through their villages of Kllokot/Klokot, Partesh/Partes, Gracanice/Gracanica, among others that are on the main roads of the province.

I personally know and frequent a pastry shop in Gracanice/Gracanica that is run by ethnic- Albanians from the Municipality of Kline/Klina. They have been operating there for over 20 years and have received no threats or intimidation. Tell me know who is intolerant?

So for all the people who do not believe that I am a Soldier that’s fine, I attend BCT (basic combat training) in Fort Knox Kentucky from July – September 2004, I then attend AIT (advanced individual training) for my MOS 38B ( Civil Affairs Specialist) at the John F Kennedy Special Warfare Center in Ft. Bragg, NC. I attend Airborne/ Jump School in April 2004.

If there are any further doubts to my nationality or job, post your email here and I will send you two years worth of photos form my time in Kosovo.