Ahtisaari’s approach “unacceptable”

Fried's brain must be fried or something. He is warning of violence in Kosovo province, but he neglects to mention the there has been violence, killing, and destruction in Kosovo since 1999, when NATO came in to do very little to prevent it. Fried is playing at politics, and the US are not honest brokers or middlemen in this matter and they should not pretend to be. If NATO cannot do the job they allegedly came in to do, they should admit it.

What he forgot to tell us is who is going to start violence? Not Serbs that is for sure. Initiators are going to be Albanians that were "disarmed" in September of 1999, but now have half a million of weapons. Hm - who was supposed to pacify them - NATO of course. NATO also had mandate from
SC to implement resolution 1244.
What were the reasons that this resolution was not implemented - such as Serbian police protecting border and monasteries?
NATO failed in task given to it by UN SC.

Has Fried forgotten that there are 17,000 NATO troops in KiM - ae they not capable of keeping order in the future? It is clear that they have been failing in the past and if they don't seem to be able to in the future as Fried insinuates, then what are these so called guarantees that Ahtisaari has worked so hard on???

The US have got themselves in a trap of their own making and unless they assert the "obligation" to 1244 that Wisner suggested in February then they can only blame themselves for what follows when no new resolution is adopted. In any case 1244 would still stand and the US with NATO still have an obligation to implement it fully!!!

The Serbs need to send troops into Northern Kosovo. With or without veto the Albanians are prepared to create violence against the Serbs. The resolution 1244 allows Serbian troops back into Kosovo and they need to take advantage of it before it's to late. They need to protect their own don't expect the U.N. to do it, they created this problem after all!

Jack;

Seems you would like to see another war, you think we are just going to watch while the Serbian army roll in and occupy our state? Wake up!

I have never seen my government act so irresponsibly as it has in Kosovo. First Holbrooke warns that any violence in Kosovo will be blamed on the Russians, now Fried warns that a status must come "quickly" and without delay. These officials, whether they know it or not, are essentially giving the green light to Albanian extremists in the region to riot if they don't get their way. Such statements effectively legitimize violence and will pass the blame to someone else if violence errupts - either the Serbs, the Russians, or the Eskimos. It's therefore no surprise that acts of violence have already been done - the grenades in Mitrovica, the shelling on Decani, and now even the assault of a Serbian farmer in Medvedja. Not to mention the barely contained vioence of Kurti's Self-Determination movement in Pristina.

In all other scenarios around the world where a society is restless for some form of independence of self-determination, the US has been trying to keep them within their larger country:

Kurds, Tibetans, Palestinians, Ossetians, etc,

But only here for some reason does the US not only support secession, it supports it in such a frenzied "DO IT NOW" way that pretty much gives the Albanians the belief that they can do whatever they want, and Uncle Sam will back them up. We truly have lost our minds in the Balkans once again and I'm personally ashamed at the irresponsibly way my government has acted so far.

In other words...
Independence any way you look at it, with full UNSC approval or not

Serbia/Russia, you pick the way you like it

Of course Ahtisaari's approach is unacceptable simply because what he is suggesting is ILLEGAL. Russia is right, the US is wrong on this matter.

The albanians and US is to blame for any violence in Kosovo and Metohija not anybody else.

The one that is breaking the law is guilty. If I steal a car I cannot blame the owner of the car for my wrongdoings.

Mike please do not speak in plural. Do not pretend that US
citizens think like you and the handfull of Serbs in the US. They fully approve the official policy, granting supervised independence to Kosovo. Me too I am proud of this just US position. If you are not happy with it you have a choice. You can return ANYTIME to your old country.

"We can't keep going on like this, with Kosovo in limbo. After eight years of rule and administration by the United Nations they deserve more clarity about their future and further delay will destabilize the situation," he said.

"After 8 years...they deserve more clarity about their future..."
We have a situation with South Ossetia where they have been in limbo for much longer then Kosovo. OSCE Mission there was established in 1992.
In this diplomat's oppinion, obviously, Ossetians don't deserve more clarity about their future.
While determining their future we should, of course, take into account will of the majority of the population of South Ossetia. That will was clearly expressed recently, when they voted for independance.
We have yet to see a single Western diplomat to say that their limbo situation can't go on forever, that they deserve clarity about their future, etc.
Or perhaps, they think that Ossetians don't deserve it.
Let's not be fooled here, there are other motives behind this.

Mike, so 8 years is like a minute to you huh?

Think about it...take a day or two.

Ahtisaari`s approach is honest and realistic. It is time to go forward, and concentrate something else than a dirty piece of ground in the middle of Balkans!

Live in the real democratic world guys and not with myths.
Real life is beautiful! Serbia hystorically has lost every war it started and will lose again and again. You should know by now that your "greatest" leader Slobodan Millosevic was behind the last wars. Do you really think that your current government can not catch Karadzik and Mlladic? I really feel sorry for those who really believe so. Kosova will be independent whether you like it or dislike it because is is natural, realistic and offers peace and stability for the whole region and Europe. The independence preferebly with the support of the United Nations will guarantee the legitimate rights of Serbian and other minorities otherwise God save the region.
Any further excuses and delays to "compromise" on the Statute of Kosova are unproductive and ill-intended aiming to destibilise the region. The conflicting parties had more than one year to compromise during negotiations led by Ahtisari.

It would be a bad idea to send in the Serbian army. Whatever happens the serbs would be blamed.

It is far better to let the albanians attack NATO and KFOR instead. Then maybe, just maybe this will be reported in western media and slowly the western antiserbianism will decay. And maybe one day we will see something closer to objective reports about Serbia and Kosov@.

So, Mr. Fried is promissing violence for K-Serbs if US fail to have it their way. American diplomacy in its best edition!

Joe, you asked me not to speak in plurals, so what gives you the right to do so? Who are you to claim collective attitudes, and who are you to speak on behalf of what the American people want? Having seen your limited knowledge of the Balkans or Serbia with your comments in the past, I really need to know what gives you the right to think you know more about the region than I do? Do you study the region? Do you speak any of the languages? Have you been to the region? Are you from the region? Me?I'm a full-blooded American, born here. I have not a drop of Serbian blood in me. So before you decide to give me that "Team America" spiel, make sure you first know that you're talking to a fellow American, and more importantly, make sure you don't shoot yourself in the foot with your own advice.

And as for US opinion on the matter, I'd be curious to see what American attitudes would really be if asked. Most Americans don't even know where Kosovo is, or what the situtation is. So unless you're someone with access to the U.S. government, or any polling research data that suggests everyone does agree with your assertions, your opinions are simply your own.

To Art: I never said Kosovo should not be independent, and I hold no illusions that it won't happen. I am simply saying that the US is not acting as a proper international arbiter in this matter and seems to be putting an inordinate amount of trust and dependency on both the leadership of the K-Albanian community, and that the promises that have been blindly given for the past 8 years will be given without exception. Not only that, any violence and unrest (which will occur, no doubt) is no longer US responsibility. That is irresponsible. For 8 years the province sat in relative limbo, and now the US wants to make this mad dash towards independence. These past 8 years should have been better spent developing the instititions of Kosovo, trying to facilitate better working relations between the communities, and trying to bring both Belgrade and Pristina towards more amicable terms of negotiation. Moreover, the US needs to assert that any acts of violence will be met with swift retribution by the secutrity forces in the region. Instead, the US has sat with its hands in its pockets, waited for the population to become increasingly restless, and now seems to be pushing independence so fast without any consideration of compromise or planned strategy. That's what I'm upset about.

"If you are not happy with it you have a choice. You can return ANYTIME to your old country.
(Joe, Tuesday, 3 April, 2007, 17:47)"

Joe I think the Serbian government gave this option to Albanians in Kosovo ALONG time ago.....


EA - Which war do you speak of? please make a list, way I see it SERBIA has not started anyway

The only war you could possibly argue is the Kosovo war, which was STARTED by YOUR people (Albanians) So before you go and glorify YOUR great
"Leaders" (KLA)

and (SM) along with others are no heroes in Serbia...perhaps it is Albanian mentally to reward bad leaders but not Serbia's...


ANYWAYS concerning this article.

This US diplomat has not only contradicted himself by supporting a violent side for fast solution, but has openly admitted to the world that they are incapable of handling this situation and will fail.

Too bad for them they cant blame Serbia for this, sorry NATO but better keep your F16's grounded.


Pejon07 - What state are you from? Albania or Kosovo? I would love to know....

and why not? the UN created resolution 1244 which states that the Serb army is ALLOWED to return to Kosovo...it seems the US/NATO cant keep a promise...perhaps this is what awaits the Albanians in Serbia (Kosovo)

So, Mr Fried, who is going to start the violence and who will it be directed at?

Also, are you just speculating or do you know something specific about any upcoming violence? if so, please elaborate.

.....and Joe, please don't speak for me. You know how it is in the U.S., we cal all say our piece. But Mike has a point, America has acted in a horrible one-sided fashion not only with regards to Kosovo but, with the entire breakup of Yugoslavia.

Kosovo was a Western orchestrated action, which promised the A-Kosovars independence for their assistance to depose Milosevic. He was a giant pebble in their shoes. This was all before 9/11. Now the U.S. just wants to get the heck out. They built their Bondsteel, on another sovereign nation's land, free of charge, and now they just want move on quickly because they have larger fish to deal with.

So yes, I, as an American, am very disgusted with the actions my country made in the Balkans. To evict a maniac dictator, they sided with criminals just to serve their own greedy purposes. Do not buy that humanitarian baloney for a minute.

Do not even dream that Kosovars would attack KFOR and NATO troops. Now more than ever this should end with independence of Kosova.

Do not even dream that Kosovars would attack KFOR and NATO troops. Now more than ever this should end with independence of Kosova.
(Bleta, Wednesday, 4 April, 2007, 09:45)

- sure it was the dastardly Serbs who have been blowing up UN & NATO vehicles the last few months and nationalist Serb leader Albin kurti who orchastrated demonstartions dircected against the UN buildings and authorities!!!

Let's just hope you are right when the resolution never materialises.

kosova republic. ive been hearing this for a long time and it finally seems to be coming true. then finally the whole world is welcome to come to kosova to witness the unparrallell albanian hospitality at its best.. kosova will be a tourist destinination where all will go to spend the "lek"

Fried's brain must be fried or something. He is warning of violence in Kosovo province, but he neglects to mention the there has been violence, killing, and destruction in Kosovo since 1999, when NATO came in to do very little to prevent it. Fried is playing at politics, and the US are not honest brokers or middlemen in this matter and they should not pretend to be. If NATO cannot do the job they allegedly came in to do, they should admit it.

What he forgot to tell us is who is going to start violence? Not Serbs that is for sure. Initiators are going to be Albanians that were "disarmed" in September of 1999, but now have half a million of weapons. Hm - who was supposed to pacify them - NATO of course. NATO also had mandate from
SC to implement resolution 1244.
What were the reasons that this resolution was not implemented - such as Serbian police protecting border and monasteries?
NATO failed in task given to it by UN SC.

Has Fried forgotten that there are 17,000 NATO troops in KiM - ae they not capable of keeping order in the future? It is clear that they have been failing in the past and if they don't seem to be able to in the future as Fried insinuates, then what are these so called guarantees that Ahtisaari has worked so hard on???

The US have got themselves in a trap of their own making and unless they assert the "obligation" to 1244 that Wisner suggested in February then they can only blame themselves for what follows when no new resolution is adopted. In any case 1244 would still stand and the US with NATO still have an obligation to implement it fully!!!

The Serbs need to send troops into Northern Kosovo. With or without veto the Albanians are prepared to create violence against the Serbs. The resolution 1244 allows Serbian troops back into Kosovo and they need to take advantage of it before it's to late. They need to protect their own don't expect the U.N. to do it, they created this problem after all!

Jack;

Seems you would like to see another war, you think we are just going to watch while the Serbian army roll in and occupy our state? Wake up!

I have never seen my government act so irresponsibly as it has in Kosovo. First Holbrooke warns that any violence in Kosovo will be blamed on the Russians, now Fried warns that a status must come "quickly" and without delay. These officials, whether they know it or not, are essentially giving the green light to Albanian extremists in the region to riot if they don't get their way. Such statements effectively legitimize violence and will pass the blame to someone else if violence errupts - either the Serbs, the Russians, or the Eskimos. It's therefore no surprise that acts of violence have already been done - the grenades in Mitrovica, the shelling on Decani, and now even the assault of a Serbian farmer in Medvedja. Not to mention the barely contained vioence of Kurti's Self-Determination movement in Pristina.

In all other scenarios around the world where a society is restless for some form of independence of self-determination, the US has been trying to keep them within their larger country:

Kurds, Tibetans, Palestinians, Ossetians, etc,

But only here for some reason does the US not only support secession, it supports it in such a frenzied "DO IT NOW" way that pretty much gives the Albanians the belief that they can do whatever they want, and Uncle Sam will back them up. We truly have lost our minds in the Balkans once again and I'm personally ashamed at the irresponsibly way my government has acted so far.

In other words...
Independence any way you look at it, with full UNSC approval or not

Serbia/Russia, you pick the way you like it

Of course Ahtisaari's approach is unacceptable simply because what he is suggesting is ILLEGAL. Russia is right, the US is wrong on this matter.

The albanians and US is to blame for any violence in Kosovo and Metohija not anybody else.

The one that is breaking the law is guilty. If I steal a car I cannot blame the owner of the car for my wrongdoings.

Mike please do not speak in plural. Do not pretend that US
citizens think like you and the handfull of Serbs in the US. They fully approve the official policy, granting supervised independence to Kosovo. Me too I am proud of this just US position. If you are not happy with it you have a choice. You can return ANYTIME to your old country.

"We can't keep going on like this, with Kosovo in limbo. After eight years of rule and administration by the United Nations they deserve more clarity about their future and further delay will destabilize the situation," he said.

"After 8 years...they deserve more clarity about their future..."
We have a situation with South Ossetia where they have been in limbo for much longer then Kosovo. OSCE Mission there was established in 1992.
In this diplomat's oppinion, obviously, Ossetians don't deserve more clarity about their future.
While determining their future we should, of course, take into account will of the majority of the population of South Ossetia. That will was clearly expressed recently, when they voted for independance.
We have yet to see a single Western diplomat to say that their limbo situation can't go on forever, that they deserve clarity about their future, etc.
Or perhaps, they think that Ossetians don't deserve it.
Let's not be fooled here, there are other motives behind this.

Mike, so 8 years is like a minute to you huh?

Think about it...take a day or two.

Ahtisaari`s approach is honest and realistic. It is time to go forward, and concentrate something else than a dirty piece of ground in the middle of Balkans!

Live in the real democratic world guys and not with myths.
Real life is beautiful! Serbia hystorically has lost every war it started and will lose again and again. You should know by now that your "greatest" leader Slobodan Millosevic was behind the last wars. Do you really think that your current government can not catch Karadzik and Mlladic? I really feel sorry for those who really believe so. Kosova will be independent whether you like it or dislike it because is is natural, realistic and offers peace and stability for the whole region and Europe. The independence preferebly with the support of the United Nations will guarantee the legitimate rights of Serbian and other minorities otherwise God save the region.
Any further excuses and delays to "compromise" on the Statute of Kosova are unproductive and ill-intended aiming to destibilise the region. The conflicting parties had more than one year to compromise during negotiations led by Ahtisari.

It would be a bad idea to send in the Serbian army. Whatever happens the serbs would be blamed.

It is far better to let the albanians attack NATO and KFOR instead. Then maybe, just maybe this will be reported in western media and slowly the western antiserbianism will decay. And maybe one day we will see something closer to objective reports about Serbia and Kosov@.

So, Mr. Fried is promissing violence for K-Serbs if US fail to have it their way. American diplomacy in its best edition!

Joe, you asked me not to speak in plurals, so what gives you the right to do so? Who are you to claim collective attitudes, and who are you to speak on behalf of what the American people want? Having seen your limited knowledge of the Balkans or Serbia with your comments in the past, I really need to know what gives you the right to think you know more about the region than I do? Do you study the region? Do you speak any of the languages? Have you been to the region? Are you from the region? Me?I'm a full-blooded American, born here. I have not a drop of Serbian blood in me. So before you decide to give me that "Team America" spiel, make sure you first know that you're talking to a fellow American, and more importantly, make sure you don't shoot yourself in the foot with your own advice.

And as for US opinion on the matter, I'd be curious to see what American attitudes would really be if asked. Most Americans don't even know where Kosovo is, or what the situtation is. So unless you're someone with access to the U.S. government, or any polling research data that suggests everyone does agree with your assertions, your opinions are simply your own.

To Art: I never said Kosovo should not be independent, and I hold no illusions that it won't happen. I am simply saying that the US is not acting as a proper international arbiter in this matter and seems to be putting an inordinate amount of trust and dependency on both the leadership of the K-Albanian community, and that the promises that have been blindly given for the past 8 years will be given without exception. Not only that, any violence and unrest (which will occur, no doubt) is no longer US responsibility. That is irresponsible. For 8 years the province sat in relative limbo, and now the US wants to make this mad dash towards independence. These past 8 years should have been better spent developing the instititions of Kosovo, trying to facilitate better working relations between the communities, and trying to bring both Belgrade and Pristina towards more amicable terms of negotiation. Moreover, the US needs to assert that any acts of violence will be met with swift retribution by the secutrity forces in the region. Instead, the US has sat with its hands in its pockets, waited for the population to become increasingly restless, and now seems to be pushing independence so fast without any consideration of compromise or planned strategy. That's what I'm upset about.

"If you are not happy with it you have a choice. You can return ANYTIME to your old country.
(Joe, Tuesday, 3 April, 2007, 17:47)"

Joe I think the Serbian government gave this option to Albanians in Kosovo ALONG time ago.....


EA - Which war do you speak of? please make a list, way I see it SERBIA has not started anyway

The only war you could possibly argue is the Kosovo war, which was STARTED by YOUR people (Albanians) So before you go and glorify YOUR great
"Leaders" (KLA)

and (SM) along with others are no heroes in Serbia...perhaps it is Albanian mentally to reward bad leaders but not Serbia's...


ANYWAYS concerning this article.

This US diplomat has not only contradicted himself by supporting a violent side for fast solution, but has openly admitted to the world that they are incapable of handling this situation and will fail.

Too bad for them they cant blame Serbia for this, sorry NATO but better keep your F16's grounded.


Pejon07 - What state are you from? Albania or Kosovo? I would love to know....

and why not? the UN created resolution 1244 which states that the Serb army is ALLOWED to return to Kosovo...it seems the US/NATO cant keep a promise...perhaps this is what awaits the Albanians in Serbia (Kosovo)

So, Mr Fried, who is going to start the violence and who will it be directed at?

Also, are you just speculating or do you know something specific about any upcoming violence? if so, please elaborate.

.....and Joe, please don't speak for me. You know how it is in the U.S., we cal all say our piece. But Mike has a point, America has acted in a horrible one-sided fashion not only with regards to Kosovo but, with the entire breakup of Yugoslavia.

Kosovo was a Western orchestrated action, which promised the A-Kosovars independence for their assistance to depose Milosevic. He was a giant pebble in their shoes. This was all before 9/11. Now the U.S. just wants to get the heck out. They built their Bondsteel, on another sovereign nation's land, free of charge, and now they just want move on quickly because they have larger fish to deal with.

So yes, I, as an American, am very disgusted with the actions my country made in the Balkans. To evict a maniac dictator, they sided with criminals just to serve their own greedy purposes. Do not buy that humanitarian baloney for a minute.

Do not even dream that Kosovars would attack KFOR and NATO troops. Now more than ever this should end with independence of Kosova.

Do not even dream that Kosovars would attack KFOR and NATO troops. Now more than ever this should end with independence of Kosova.
(Bleta, Wednesday, 4 April, 2007, 09:45)

- sure it was the dastardly Serbs who have been blowing up UN & NATO vehicles the last few months and nationalist Serb leader Albin kurti who orchastrated demonstartions dircected against the UN buildings and authorities!!!

Let's just hope you are right when the resolution never materialises.

kosova republic. ive been hearing this for a long time and it finally seems to be coming true. then finally the whole world is welcome to come to kosova to witness the unparrallell albanian hospitality at its best.. kosova will be a tourist destinination where all will go to spend the "lek"