Polt: Independence only option

We will seek to adopt a new UN resolution, to replace Resolution 1244, and we will do this in partnership with all Security Council members, hopefully with Serbia as well,” Polt

- toning down the rhetoric even more. Again these "amabassadors" get miss-quoted!!! Seeking to adopt is far from will be adopting!!!

Actual negotiations still remain to be started - Ahtisaari has admitetd that he never gave a seconds thought to any other alternatives beyond the one he clearly had predetermined and thus the real talks and real negotiations will need to start. I guess the starting point will be the 8th June at the G8 summit when a new plan will be put for real talks to finally start as opposed to the charade of "negotiations" thus far!!!

Let's have a little more honesty from Polt: that the US wants to retain Camp Bondsteel, with its burger bars and massage parlors with its Thai masseurs - no kidding - and its barracks full of self-serving troops who don't do anything to protect victims of killings and destruction since they arrived in 1999, and its suspected 'War on Terror'(TM) prisoner rendering facilities, and use the camp as a rent-free base. With some dishonesty at the UN, with some lies, with proposing breaking of international law, with its exposed lack of 'expertise' in building nations such as Iraq and hollow soundbite words such as "supervised independence", they want to get a rent-free military base in south east Europe with which to spy on or put military pressure Russia somehow. Whatever the US Army is up to in Camp Bondsteel, it is not the purpose for which they came in 1999, and they would like a rent-free military base there in perpetuity. To think that the US had a great and worthy reputation before 1945 and during much of the Cold War. What has happened since then, I don't know.

Princip –

“Burns presented the U.S. policy on Kosovo clearly and accurately, by saying that the U.S. worked with the Security Council to reach our goal, and that is supervised independence,” Polt said.

Not sure which part of the statement you failed to understand, perhaps the reality is inconvenient for you my dear Serbian friend.

princip - could you please clarify - if not on behalf of the SErb govt then on behalf of your own point of view - what new negotiations could do?

You cannot deny that K-Albanians and internationals have put a lot of concrete things on the table of supervised independence - following the last years of negotiations - new serb majority municipalities, enhanced autonomy and competence for serb majority municipalities, special links with belgrade including for curriculum and funding, set aside seats in parliament for minorities, double majority mechanism in parliament, international judges in the constitutional court, specific measures and powers for minorities in the areas of police, human rights protection, justice, education, language - making the language of just 10% of the people of Kosovo an official language - you dont see that anywhere else!, special territorial arrangements for protection of religious heritage of serbia in kosovo, and more. These will be guaranteed by the constitutions of Kosovo which cannot be adopted unless the international representative certifies that it meets the requirements of the settlement and by the international representatives.

All I have seen on the table from the Serb side is what they want - not what they will give. The empty phrases of substantial/essential or more than autonomy bring with them no more guarantee than "we say we will do it" - the Serb constitution says otherwise - it says that any promises to kosovo will be dependent upon a parliament with a majority of serb nationalists (SRS, SPS and DSS)!

I do simply not understand what any further negotiations can bring except for the cynical and cruel hope that Serbia's doomsday predictions would come true if K-albanians would resort to violence in their desperation and fear - hightened by their generally poor education, history of repression and helplessness and manipulated by their quarrelling and self-interested political leaders.

I see that Mr Polt is saying exactly what I have said for the last year: the status quo or any other status, besides independence, could lead to violence and possibly war... and Serbia is not in a position to wage another war with its neighbours. Another war could mean the desintagration of Serbia. I notice that the the US is getting fed up with Serbia, and Mr Tadic should carefully take into consideration all of these 'signs', analyse them carefully and act accordingly.

Serbia shouldn't accept ambassadors that advocate the dismemberment of it. Polt should be kicked out.

So, Mr Polt, who will initiate the violence and who will it be directed towards?

I read earlier than NATO commanders were well prepared for any violence in Kosovo.

Also, why doesnt violence or the threat of violence help the Palistinians gain their independance?

Victor wrote:
"Another war could mean the desintagration of Serbia"

I don't see that happening. Stop spinning statements to feed your desire for Serbia's misfortune.

I feel that Serbia has nothing to desintegrate to regardless of the Kosovo outcome. Serbia can only build from here on in. Don't mix up Yugoslavia's desintigration with Serbia's birth...Even Serbia was held hostage to Yugoslav theology.

"I notice that the the US is getting fed up with Serbia"

Perhaps through your specially made magnifying glasses Victor, but read the headlines of any US paper..Iran, Virginia and Anna Nicole Smith are quite more prevalent...

Kick Ahtisari Out
Kick Rohan Out
Kick Zobel Out
Kick Polt Out
Kick every single western politican expressing their respective country's position Out.
There were even some people in other articles saying that americans and europeans who dont agree with Serbian politics should be kicked out.

Seems to me your are heading towards becoming North Korea rather than Europe my dear Serb friends.

All you need now is the BOMB and you can start blackmailing the US and Europe for a 20 billion dollars :)

I really thought Serbian politics was more mature than ours, i was wrong.

Honestly Albanians, What more do you want??? You live in Serbian territory with many of your own, Serbian army is not there, you do what you want, loot Serbian homes, Serbia pays for your debt and pumps millions of funds into the country... Yet status quo is not acceptable? What do you want? What would the difference be? It is to join Albania!? Seriously what would change? That you would pay your own debt now? Serbia does not impose ANYTHING on Kosovo. It is the opposite. Serbia gives lots of money to Kosovo for NOTHING in return yet you hate Serbia? What because they would like you to learn Serbian language? You tell me right now what can Albanians not live with in Kosovo right now that is 'status quo'???

The poster calling himself "european" appears to be oblivious of the fact that not one provision of UN Resolution 1244 has been implemented.

Any negotiations regarding the future status of Serbia's southern province have to based on 1244. You can't just sign a legally binding document and then ignore it.

It is indicative of how groundless the separatist's case for annexation is, that the only course left for Albanian lobbyists like "european" is to openly threaten Serbs with UCK terrorist actions.

We've come full circle.

I honestly think that the Serbs will awake when they face very serious intrnational problems. Listening to the Serbs on this forum, they need nobody: all western nations should be kicked out and Serbia's politicians should stop all negociations.

In 1999, that is exactly what happened. Milosevic cut all negociations with the UN and ordered his troops in Kosovo. If he had listened, Serbia would have not been bombed to stone age.

As a stranac living in Belgrade, all I can say is that I am very glad that Polt does not represent my country. At the same time, I cannot help but feel he does a great job of representing all the negative aspects of his own.

To me, Polt's comments are a thinly veiled threat to Serbia! He is saying give up your historic heartland, part of your sovereign territory willingly or we (US) will do everything in our power to destroy you. Polt is saying if you don't comply, & we (US) can't get around established international law (like we did in 1999 & 2003) then we will ramrod in a new law that suits our goals & that of our allies (Albanians & Germans, long time US enemies). GEE and I wonder why relations between the US & Serbia will be going through a difficult period? The US was a shining light of FREEDOM & LIBERTY for most of it's existence, what happened? that's a great question!

What in the world is "Supervised Independence"? Is that like being a "Little bit Pregnent'? America is great at creating oxymorons - like Jumbo Shrimp, or better yet, Military Intelligence. When a group of pepoles are truely ready for independence, fine, but K_Albanians certainly are nowhere near that. I, as an American, am truely tired of my country sticking their greedy noses in any world region where they see a self-serving opportunity. We have many problems in our own country that need serious attention. Leave people to figure out their own problems.

"if K-albanians would resort to violence in their desperation and fear -"

european...shall that be some kind of preemptive justification? well, I guess, it didn´t work.

Nick:
you thought serbian politics is more mature than the albanian politics? I would say thanks for those nice words...since I think your first Idea was right.

but the main difference is, Serbia has real politicians, democratic intellectuals who talk of compromise and peace while the K-Albanians have only former terrorists and thieves and war-profiters, threatening with violence...

there is a difference, ..but to be honest, it´s not a convenient one for you, as far as I can see it.

"These will be guaranteed by the constitutions of Kosovo"(european, Thursday, 19 April, 2007, 14:26)

European, clearly you have not read Ahtisaari's proposal. I have. Not only that, I actually understand it.

"3.2 Ten (10) seats shall be allocated to the parties, coalitions, citizens' initiatives and independent candidates having declared themselves representing the Kosovo Serb Community and ten (10) seats shall be allocated to other Communities as follows: the Roma community one (1) seat; Ashkali community one (1) seat; the Egyptian community one (1) seat; and one (1) additional seat will be awarded to either the Roma, the Ashkali or the Egyptian community with the highest overall votes; Bosniak community three (3) seats; Turkish community two (2) seats; and Gorani community one (1) seat."

"3.7 The following laws shall require for their adoption, amendment or repeal both the majority of the Assembly members present and voting and the majority of the Assembly members holding seats reserved or guaranteed for representatives of Communities that are not in the majority in Kosovo:
a. Laws changing municipal boundaries, establishing or abolishing municipalities, defining the scope of powers of municipalities and their participation in inter- municipal and cross-border relations;
b. Laws implementing the rights of Communities and their members, other than those set forth in the Constitution;
c. Laws on the use of language;
d. Laws on local elections;
e. Laws on the protection of cultural heritage;
f. Laws on religious freedom or on agreements with religious communities;
g. Laws on education;
h. Laws on the use of symbols (including Community symbols) and on public holidays."

What this means of course is NEARLY ALL the protections set forth in Ahtisaari's proposal can be repealed without a SINGLE Serbian vote in the Assembly.

The end result is going to be immense pressure on the other minorities who hold the other 10 seats in the assembly. I'm guessing the Roma vote is going to be critical and the pressure on them incredible.

This is a disaster not only for the Serbians that live there, but for all the minorities that do. This is way too much pressure for such a volatile region with such a low record of respect for human rights issues.

The Ahtisaari plan is bad for Albanians as well. No option to join with Albania if desired by the population. It ignores Presevo Valley and the disputed border with Macedonia (Why isn't that addressed? Is that the price for Macedonian support?). You guys do realize that Macedonia claims parts of Kosovo don't you? It legitimizes the sale of the Trepca mines to foreign interests, using the cash to pay off Milosevic's debts. And of course it does nothing but put a temporary lid on Serbian aspirations for our Cultural Heritage Sites.

Once again I support some kind of compromise that should be discussed. Ahtisaari's plan is probably dead. If we have to wait until the nail is in the coffin to discuss this, I'm willing to wait. However, I would like to open a line of communication at this point on possible compromises and ideas and I believe Albanian participation is absolutely necessary in order to find a lasting solution to our region's woes.

Keep in mind, there are things to gain from talking with the Serbians about the situation.

Most importantly, it is very possible that you may have the chance of discussing Presevo, do not forget your brothers there. Secondly, as odd as it sounds, Serbia could support you in your border dispute with Macedonia. Macedonia does have real claims to parts of Kosovo and it seems they will get it in return for their support for Ahtisaari. With Serbia's help, we can turn this around. In addition, coming to a peaceful and mutual agreement with Serbia on our issues, the International Community would be much more likely to support a peaceful and mutual agreement for the Albanians who live in Macedonia.

I think we can all agree that even with Ahtisaari's proposal, it leaves far too many unresolved disputes in the Balkans that may cause problems in the future. If we are able to work out our issues together, then we tackle the remaining issues in a reasonable manner.

In addition, if we are able to work out our issues between ourselves, that would send a very strong message to the EU that both our people's have the political maturity to bring stability to the EU instead of discord. Just think a bit about these issues, in reality, its well worth the attempt at compromise rather then waiting for the International Community to impose something on us like spoiled school children.

Partition, in my eyes, is the best option so far. However, I really would like to hear ideas from the Albanian community. Does anyone on your side have any suggestions? I've heard comments in regards to my suggestions, but I have yet to hear one single idea from the Albanian side that does not involve full independence for the entirety of Kosovo.

“Burns presented the U.S. policy on Kosovo clearly and accurately..."

Well then Mr. Polt, if this is the case then his comments would not have been misinterpreted.

“Burns presented the U.S. policy on Kosovo clearly and accurately, by saying that the U.S. worked with the Security Council to reach our goal, and that is supervised independence,” Polt said.

“We will seek to adopt a new UN resolution, to replace Resolution 1244, and we will do this in partnership with all Security Council members, hopefully with Serbia as well,” Polt concluded."

Polt must forgive UN members and the whole world for being sceptical about his words. The US had a clear policy on Iraq, even obtained UN resolutions on Iraq ...... you watch the news these days about Iraq .... over 2 million Iraqis are now refugees in other countries ..... dozens dying everyday from bomb attacks ..... Nato troops powerless to do anything ..... US Democrats want US troops out of there next year ..... don't blame us for being sceptical Your Excellency!!!

Matthew: "... protections in Ahtisaari's proposal can be repealed without a SINGLE Serbian vote in the Assembly"

DO THE MATH - a majority of the 20 non-majority representatives is required - that means that even if all 10 "other" minorities agreed AT LEAST ONE SERB would have to also agree in order for those laws to be passed. The only way that the Serbs would lose control in the Kosovo Assembly would be to NOT TAKE PART! which has been their approach so far.

As to others who claim that anyone who points out the hypocrisy of the Serb government line is an "albanian lobbyist" I have to say this - in Europe today we do not have room for territorial claims which ignore the people who live on that territory, we do not have time or patience for "frozen conflicts" which are never resolved and are a favourite of Russia, China for maintaining instability in neighbouring regions, and finally we will waste time, money or patience with bogus,emotional claims of "historical heartlands", mythological martyrs or religious nationalism - Kosovo is a problem in Europe because today because 1244 IS IMPLEMENTED - 1244 was never a solution to the kosovo situation it was an end to the humanitarian and human rights crisis of Serb govt (lets even say Milsevic) represssion - today it is time for a real solution so that everybody can get back to doing their real business of European integration and economic reform - Ahtisaari's proposal is the only real solution on the table - that is a fact.

None of this makes be a lobbyist for anybody other than for Europe. I am quite sure that Serbia will soon regain the important role it is meant to have in the region and in Europe and that independent kosovo will struggle along to a mediocre destiny... but it will be in peace and in a strong, stable Europe.

Jovan,

http://photos8.flickr.com/10670056_ec8e1b80fc_m.jpg

I think the above requires no comment from me. It is quite evident wh othe terrorists are.

Eight years since the NATO Pact marched into Kosovo & Metohija they are still riding around in APCs. That tells its own story. Had the Albanian separatists been disarmed in accordance with Resolution 1244 that would not be the case. Even so, according to "european", the best course is the annexation of 15% of Serbia. Or the separatists might get violent, you see...

Then he launches into a tirade against Russia on the subject of frozen conflicts but somehow neglects to mention partitioned Ireland, the Basque region, potentially explosive Bradford, Catalonia, Corsica and many more. The Paris banlieu for example has a population approximating the Albanians in Kosovo & Metohija. Should we start calling them "Parisars" or "Parisiaks". Resolution 1244 is crystal clear. Non compliance by the NATO Pact is a flagrant violation of International Law. This means:
- Serbian flag on the Serbia-Albania border (and armed forces, obviously)
- disarmament of the separatists
- return of 300,000 refugees
- restoration of stolen Serbian state assets and private property

He concludes by calling for a "strong and stable" Europe. It's strong alright. The US has 480 nuclear warheads on EU soil (the EU has 0 on US soil). For Serbia it is abundantly clear that she must sign a Pact with NATO as prerequisite for joining the EU. I find that unthinkable. The US/UK media and posters like "european" seem have hijacked the true meaning of the word "Europe". In my opinion, Europe has never been weaker.

Milan

You forgot to mention one thing and that is that Serbia also killed at least 10.000 albanians and expelled 1 million people and burned their homes and that makes this case unique in entire world.

And albanians can manege to pay their own debt but thanks for your consideration anyway.

And one thing that nobody seems to understand is that Kosovo already is independent, those who can think can see it..

It has finally come the time where Europe gets a second chance to fix the errors it has made in 1912. They were most likely being bombarded by Serbian propaganda back in the day the same way they are being bombarded by that same method today. The only difference is that this time around, the world will get a chance to hear our (albanians) side of the story as well and act accordingly. It is more than humerous when Serba speak of international laws, when they themselves have violated almost all of them in the last 15 years. This whole conflict was initiated by the Serbs by the abolishment of the Kosovo autonomy in 1989-1990. A lot of people try to place that blame on Milosevic alone, but if it wasnt for the hundreds of thousands of serbs protesting in front of the parliament in Belgrade, demanding Slobodan Milosevic come out and make them happpy by singing nationalistic songs none of this would have happened. It is time for the Serbian leadership and serbian people to take responsibility for their actions and realize that we would never want to live under Serbian rule, the same way Serbs in Kosovo dont want to live under ours.
The only difference is that we have put concrete plans on the table that would let serb populated areas handle their own affairs and concrete plans of how those plants would be implemented. On the other hand, the Serba are very general in their claims and no one is sure how their claims would indeed work in practice. The term "more than autonomy, less than independence" is confusing on its own, not to mention that there is no drawn plan of that would work in practice. It is obvious that Serbia wants Kosovo, but not the people that live in it. I perosnally think that Serbia has lost the right and the trust to ever govern Kosovars again.

Someone mentioned that the reason why Macedonia accepts Ahtisaris plan is because it has territorrial claims over Kosovo. The territorial claims aree somewhere in the range of 2000 hectares which is more or less insignificant to the whole picture. The real reason why macedonia supports ahtisaris plan is because a stable balkans is in their best interest and the reasons why are crystal cleare. This should be the approach of everyone in the balkans. We have been the black hole of Europe for long enough. Lets look to the future and try to catch up with the rest of the european family.

We will seek to adopt a new UN resolution, to replace Resolution 1244, and we will do this in partnership with all Security Council members, hopefully with Serbia as well,” Polt

- toning down the rhetoric even more. Again these "amabassadors" get miss-quoted!!! Seeking to adopt is far from will be adopting!!!

Actual negotiations still remain to be started - Ahtisaari has admitetd that he never gave a seconds thought to any other alternatives beyond the one he clearly had predetermined and thus the real talks and real negotiations will need to start. I guess the starting point will be the 8th June at the G8 summit when a new plan will be put for real talks to finally start as opposed to the charade of "negotiations" thus far!!!

Let's have a little more honesty from Polt: that the US wants to retain Camp Bondsteel, with its burger bars and massage parlors with its Thai masseurs - no kidding - and its barracks full of self-serving troops who don't do anything to protect victims of killings and destruction since they arrived in 1999, and its suspected 'War on Terror'(TM) prisoner rendering facilities, and use the camp as a rent-free base. With some dishonesty at the UN, with some lies, with proposing breaking of international law, with its exposed lack of 'expertise' in building nations such as Iraq and hollow soundbite words such as "supervised independence", they want to get a rent-free military base in south east Europe with which to spy on or put military pressure Russia somehow. Whatever the US Army is up to in Camp Bondsteel, it is not the purpose for which they came in 1999, and they would like a rent-free military base there in perpetuity. To think that the US had a great and worthy reputation before 1945 and during much of the Cold War. What has happened since then, I don't know.

Princip –

“Burns presented the U.S. policy on Kosovo clearly and accurately, by saying that the U.S. worked with the Security Council to reach our goal, and that is supervised independence,” Polt said.

Not sure which part of the statement you failed to understand, perhaps the reality is inconvenient for you my dear Serbian friend.

princip - could you please clarify - if not on behalf of the SErb govt then on behalf of your own point of view - what new negotiations could do?

You cannot deny that K-Albanians and internationals have put a lot of concrete things on the table of supervised independence - following the last years of negotiations - new serb majority municipalities, enhanced autonomy and competence for serb majority municipalities, special links with belgrade including for curriculum and funding, set aside seats in parliament for minorities, double majority mechanism in parliament, international judges in the constitutional court, specific measures and powers for minorities in the areas of police, human rights protection, justice, education, language - making the language of just 10% of the people of Kosovo an official language - you dont see that anywhere else!, special territorial arrangements for protection of religious heritage of serbia in kosovo, and more. These will be guaranteed by the constitutions of Kosovo which cannot be adopted unless the international representative certifies that it meets the requirements of the settlement and by the international representatives.

All I have seen on the table from the Serb side is what they want - not what they will give. The empty phrases of substantial/essential or more than autonomy bring with them no more guarantee than "we say we will do it" - the Serb constitution says otherwise - it says that any promises to kosovo will be dependent upon a parliament with a majority of serb nationalists (SRS, SPS and DSS)!

I do simply not understand what any further negotiations can bring except for the cynical and cruel hope that Serbia's doomsday predictions would come true if K-albanians would resort to violence in their desperation and fear - hightened by their generally poor education, history of repression and helplessness and manipulated by their quarrelling and self-interested political leaders.

I see that Mr Polt is saying exactly what I have said for the last year: the status quo or any other status, besides independence, could lead to violence and possibly war... and Serbia is not in a position to wage another war with its neighbours. Another war could mean the desintagration of Serbia. I notice that the the US is getting fed up with Serbia, and Mr Tadic should carefully take into consideration all of these 'signs', analyse them carefully and act accordingly.

Serbia shouldn't accept ambassadors that advocate the dismemberment of it. Polt should be kicked out.

So, Mr Polt, who will initiate the violence and who will it be directed towards?

I read earlier than NATO commanders were well prepared for any violence in Kosovo.

Also, why doesnt violence or the threat of violence help the Palistinians gain their independance?

Victor wrote:
"Another war could mean the desintagration of Serbia"

I don't see that happening. Stop spinning statements to feed your desire for Serbia's misfortune.

I feel that Serbia has nothing to desintegrate to regardless of the Kosovo outcome. Serbia can only build from here on in. Don't mix up Yugoslavia's desintigration with Serbia's birth...Even Serbia was held hostage to Yugoslav theology.

"I notice that the the US is getting fed up with Serbia"

Perhaps through your specially made magnifying glasses Victor, but read the headlines of any US paper..Iran, Virginia and Anna Nicole Smith are quite more prevalent...

Kick Ahtisari Out
Kick Rohan Out
Kick Zobel Out
Kick Polt Out
Kick every single western politican expressing their respective country's position Out.
There were even some people in other articles saying that americans and europeans who dont agree with Serbian politics should be kicked out.

Seems to me your are heading towards becoming North Korea rather than Europe my dear Serb friends.

All you need now is the BOMB and you can start blackmailing the US and Europe for a 20 billion dollars :)

I really thought Serbian politics was more mature than ours, i was wrong.

Honestly Albanians, What more do you want??? You live in Serbian territory with many of your own, Serbian army is not there, you do what you want, loot Serbian homes, Serbia pays for your debt and pumps millions of funds into the country... Yet status quo is not acceptable? What do you want? What would the difference be? It is to join Albania!? Seriously what would change? That you would pay your own debt now? Serbia does not impose ANYTHING on Kosovo. It is the opposite. Serbia gives lots of money to Kosovo for NOTHING in return yet you hate Serbia? What because they would like you to learn Serbian language? You tell me right now what can Albanians not live with in Kosovo right now that is 'status quo'???

The poster calling himself "european" appears to be oblivious of the fact that not one provision of UN Resolution 1244 has been implemented.

Any negotiations regarding the future status of Serbia's southern province have to based on 1244. You can't just sign a legally binding document and then ignore it.

It is indicative of how groundless the separatist's case for annexation is, that the only course left for Albanian lobbyists like "european" is to openly threaten Serbs with UCK terrorist actions.

We've come full circle.

I honestly think that the Serbs will awake when they face very serious intrnational problems. Listening to the Serbs on this forum, they need nobody: all western nations should be kicked out and Serbia's politicians should stop all negociations.

In 1999, that is exactly what happened. Milosevic cut all negociations with the UN and ordered his troops in Kosovo. If he had listened, Serbia would have not been bombed to stone age.

As a stranac living in Belgrade, all I can say is that I am very glad that Polt does not represent my country. At the same time, I cannot help but feel he does a great job of representing all the negative aspects of his own.

To me, Polt's comments are a thinly veiled threat to Serbia! He is saying give up your historic heartland, part of your sovereign territory willingly or we (US) will do everything in our power to destroy you. Polt is saying if you don't comply, & we (US) can't get around established international law (like we did in 1999 & 2003) then we will ramrod in a new law that suits our goals & that of our allies (Albanians & Germans, long time US enemies). GEE and I wonder why relations between the US & Serbia will be going through a difficult period? The US was a shining light of FREEDOM & LIBERTY for most of it's existence, what happened? that's a great question!

What in the world is "Supervised Independence"? Is that like being a "Little bit Pregnent'? America is great at creating oxymorons - like Jumbo Shrimp, or better yet, Military Intelligence. When a group of pepoles are truely ready for independence, fine, but K_Albanians certainly are nowhere near that. I, as an American, am truely tired of my country sticking their greedy noses in any world region where they see a self-serving opportunity. We have many problems in our own country that need serious attention. Leave people to figure out their own problems.

"if K-albanians would resort to violence in their desperation and fear -"

european...shall that be some kind of preemptive justification? well, I guess, it didn´t work.

Nick:
you thought serbian politics is more mature than the albanian politics? I would say thanks for those nice words...since I think your first Idea was right.

but the main difference is, Serbia has real politicians, democratic intellectuals who talk of compromise and peace while the K-Albanians have only former terrorists and thieves and war-profiters, threatening with violence...

there is a difference, ..but to be honest, it´s not a convenient one for you, as far as I can see it.

"These will be guaranteed by the constitutions of Kosovo"(european, Thursday, 19 April, 2007, 14:26)

European, clearly you have not read Ahtisaari's proposal. I have. Not only that, I actually understand it.

"3.2 Ten (10) seats shall be allocated to the parties, coalitions, citizens' initiatives and independent candidates having declared themselves representing the Kosovo Serb Community and ten (10) seats shall be allocated to other Communities as follows: the Roma community one (1) seat; Ashkali community one (1) seat; the Egyptian community one (1) seat; and one (1) additional seat will be awarded to either the Roma, the Ashkali or the Egyptian community with the highest overall votes; Bosniak community three (3) seats; Turkish community two (2) seats; and Gorani community one (1) seat."

"3.7 The following laws shall require for their adoption, amendment or repeal both the majority of the Assembly members present and voting and the majority of the Assembly members holding seats reserved or guaranteed for representatives of Communities that are not in the majority in Kosovo:
a. Laws changing municipal boundaries, establishing or abolishing municipalities, defining the scope of powers of municipalities and their participation in inter- municipal and cross-border relations;
b. Laws implementing the rights of Communities and their members, other than those set forth in the Constitution;
c. Laws on the use of language;
d. Laws on local elections;
e. Laws on the protection of cultural heritage;
f. Laws on religious freedom or on agreements with religious communities;
g. Laws on education;
h. Laws on the use of symbols (including Community symbols) and on public holidays."

What this means of course is NEARLY ALL the protections set forth in Ahtisaari's proposal can be repealed without a SINGLE Serbian vote in the Assembly.

The end result is going to be immense pressure on the other minorities who hold the other 10 seats in the assembly. I'm guessing the Roma vote is going to be critical and the pressure on them incredible.

This is a disaster not only for the Serbians that live there, but for all the minorities that do. This is way too much pressure for such a volatile region with such a low record of respect for human rights issues.

The Ahtisaari plan is bad for Albanians as well. No option to join with Albania if desired by the population. It ignores Presevo Valley and the disputed border with Macedonia (Why isn't that addressed? Is that the price for Macedonian support?). You guys do realize that Macedonia claims parts of Kosovo don't you? It legitimizes the sale of the Trepca mines to foreign interests, using the cash to pay off Milosevic's debts. And of course it does nothing but put a temporary lid on Serbian aspirations for our Cultural Heritage Sites.

Once again I support some kind of compromise that should be discussed. Ahtisaari's plan is probably dead. If we have to wait until the nail is in the coffin to discuss this, I'm willing to wait. However, I would like to open a line of communication at this point on possible compromises and ideas and I believe Albanian participation is absolutely necessary in order to find a lasting solution to our region's woes.

Keep in mind, there are things to gain from talking with the Serbians about the situation.

Most importantly, it is very possible that you may have the chance of discussing Presevo, do not forget your brothers there. Secondly, as odd as it sounds, Serbia could support you in your border dispute with Macedonia. Macedonia does have real claims to parts of Kosovo and it seems they will get it in return for their support for Ahtisaari. With Serbia's help, we can turn this around. In addition, coming to a peaceful and mutual agreement with Serbia on our issues, the International Community would be much more likely to support a peaceful and mutual agreement for the Albanians who live in Macedonia.

I think we can all agree that even with Ahtisaari's proposal, it leaves far too many unresolved disputes in the Balkans that may cause problems in the future. If we are able to work out our issues together, then we tackle the remaining issues in a reasonable manner.

In addition, if we are able to work out our issues between ourselves, that would send a very strong message to the EU that both our people's have the political maturity to bring stability to the EU instead of discord. Just think a bit about these issues, in reality, its well worth the attempt at compromise rather then waiting for the International Community to impose something on us like spoiled school children.

Partition, in my eyes, is the best option so far. However, I really would like to hear ideas from the Albanian community. Does anyone on your side have any suggestions? I've heard comments in regards to my suggestions, but I have yet to hear one single idea from the Albanian side that does not involve full independence for the entirety of Kosovo.

“Burns presented the U.S. policy on Kosovo clearly and accurately..."

Well then Mr. Polt, if this is the case then his comments would not have been misinterpreted.

“Burns presented the U.S. policy on Kosovo clearly and accurately, by saying that the U.S. worked with the Security Council to reach our goal, and that is supervised independence,” Polt said.

“We will seek to adopt a new UN resolution, to replace Resolution 1244, and we will do this in partnership with all Security Council members, hopefully with Serbia as well,” Polt concluded."

Polt must forgive UN members and the whole world for being sceptical about his words. The US had a clear policy on Iraq, even obtained UN resolutions on Iraq ...... you watch the news these days about Iraq .... over 2 million Iraqis are now refugees in other countries ..... dozens dying everyday from bomb attacks ..... Nato troops powerless to do anything ..... US Democrats want US troops out of there next year ..... don't blame us for being sceptical Your Excellency!!!

Matthew: "... protections in Ahtisaari's proposal can be repealed without a SINGLE Serbian vote in the Assembly"

DO THE MATH - a majority of the 20 non-majority representatives is required - that means that even if all 10 "other" minorities agreed AT LEAST ONE SERB would have to also agree in order for those laws to be passed. The only way that the Serbs would lose control in the Kosovo Assembly would be to NOT TAKE PART! which has been their approach so far.

As to others who claim that anyone who points out the hypocrisy of the Serb government line is an "albanian lobbyist" I have to say this - in Europe today we do not have room for territorial claims which ignore the people who live on that territory, we do not have time or patience for "frozen conflicts" which are never resolved and are a favourite of Russia, China for maintaining instability in neighbouring regions, and finally we will waste time, money or patience with bogus,emotional claims of "historical heartlands", mythological martyrs or religious nationalism - Kosovo is a problem in Europe because today because 1244 IS IMPLEMENTED - 1244 was never a solution to the kosovo situation it was an end to the humanitarian and human rights crisis of Serb govt (lets even say Milsevic) represssion - today it is time for a real solution so that everybody can get back to doing their real business of European integration and economic reform - Ahtisaari's proposal is the only real solution on the table - that is a fact.

None of this makes be a lobbyist for anybody other than for Europe. I am quite sure that Serbia will soon regain the important role it is meant to have in the region and in Europe and that independent kosovo will struggle along to a mediocre destiny... but it will be in peace and in a strong, stable Europe.

Jovan,

http://photos8.flickr.com/10670056_ec8e1b80fc_m.jpg

I think the above requires no comment from me. It is quite evident wh othe terrorists are.

Eight years since the NATO Pact marched into Kosovo & Metohija they are still riding around in APCs. That tells its own story. Had the Albanian separatists been disarmed in accordance with Resolution 1244 that would not be the case. Even so, according to "european", the best course is the annexation of 15% of Serbia. Or the separatists might get violent, you see...

Then he launches into a tirade against Russia on the subject of frozen conflicts but somehow neglects to mention partitioned Ireland, the Basque region, potentially explosive Bradford, Catalonia, Corsica and many more. The Paris banlieu for example has a population approximating the Albanians in Kosovo & Metohija. Should we start calling them "Parisars" or "Parisiaks". Resolution 1244 is crystal clear. Non compliance by the NATO Pact is a flagrant violation of International Law. This means:
- Serbian flag on the Serbia-Albania border (and armed forces, obviously)
- disarmament of the separatists
- return of 300,000 refugees
- restoration of stolen Serbian state assets and private property

He concludes by calling for a "strong and stable" Europe. It's strong alright. The US has 480 nuclear warheads on EU soil (the EU has 0 on US soil). For Serbia it is abundantly clear that she must sign a Pact with NATO as prerequisite for joining the EU. I find that unthinkable. The US/UK media and posters like "european" seem have hijacked the true meaning of the word "Europe". In my opinion, Europe has never been weaker.

Milan

You forgot to mention one thing and that is that Serbia also killed at least 10.000 albanians and expelled 1 million people and burned their homes and that makes this case unique in entire world.

And albanians can manege to pay their own debt but thanks for your consideration anyway.

And one thing that nobody seems to understand is that Kosovo already is independent, those who can think can see it..

It has finally come the time where Europe gets a second chance to fix the errors it has made in 1912. They were most likely being bombarded by Serbian propaganda back in the day the same way they are being bombarded by that same method today. The only difference is that this time around, the world will get a chance to hear our (albanians) side of the story as well and act accordingly. It is more than humerous when Serba speak of international laws, when they themselves have violated almost all of them in the last 15 years. This whole conflict was initiated by the Serbs by the abolishment of the Kosovo autonomy in 1989-1990. A lot of people try to place that blame on Milosevic alone, but if it wasnt for the hundreds of thousands of serbs protesting in front of the parliament in Belgrade, demanding Slobodan Milosevic come out and make them happpy by singing nationalistic songs none of this would have happened. It is time for the Serbian leadership and serbian people to take responsibility for their actions and realize that we would never want to live under Serbian rule, the same way Serbs in Kosovo dont want to live under ours.
The only difference is that we have put concrete plans on the table that would let serb populated areas handle their own affairs and concrete plans of how those plants would be implemented. On the other hand, the Serba are very general in their claims and no one is sure how their claims would indeed work in practice. The term "more than autonomy, less than independence" is confusing on its own, not to mention that there is no drawn plan of that would work in practice. It is obvious that Serbia wants Kosovo, but not the people that live in it. I perosnally think that Serbia has lost the right and the trust to ever govern Kosovars again.

Someone mentioned that the reason why Macedonia accepts Ahtisaris plan is because it has territorrial claims over Kosovo. The territorial claims aree somewhere in the range of 2000 hectares which is more or less insignificant to the whole picture. The real reason why macedonia supports ahtisaris plan is because a stable balkans is in their best interest and the reasons why are crystal cleare. This should be the approach of everyone in the balkans. We have been the black hole of Europe for long enough. Lets look to the future and try to catch up with the rest of the european family.