"Rice will press Russia on Kosovo"

Condie,you better start cleaning finally that mess you made in Iraq,times when you could put Russia under "pressure" died forever!

"But he asserted that Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Vladimir Titov “had not actually threatened a Russian veto of the scheme”"

Yes, they have now. I really hope that Russia doesn't back down over this because it is about far more than Kosovo - it is about a return to the guidelines of international law aand balance.

As i see USA is going to stay strong in the backing of independence for Kosovo. This is what I hoped always, and I believed also. EU except Cyprus is backing Independence so there is no matter what Rusia things. If international community had to wait to get Rusias support to intervene in Kosova in 1999, I am sure, I would be still in Stankovec refugee camp in Macedonia. So thanks to USA and their allies we win the war against Milloshevic and its paramilitary criminals and now we are going to build our state. Thanks God and thanks USA

Kate, Peter and similar, better sober up. That's the way diplomacy proceeds. And don't forget: Russia is playing its own game, just that and nothing more. Let's wait for the outcome; even with a veto the history cannot roll back as a tape on your recorder. You always ignore the fact that 1. 2 mil Albanians don't accept the Serbian state as their own; 2. Serbia is not able to cope with the problem. Hence the solution: stability first.

"We are working to try to accommodate the concerns of the Russians and the Serbian government as well, but it's time to try to craft a solution that will be durable over time,"

However, the US must respect Interantional Law and UN Resolutions that it has already signed to if it is to get agreement in the UN SC. In which case it is simple utilise Ahtisaari's plan for self govening within the Serbian province but like Wisner said a few montsh ago "obligation to 1244" regarding the territorial integrity of Serbia - sounds like the US are heading in the right direction finally!!

Everyone is a winner if the right solution is crafted! I mean were the Americans really serious in thinking that the UN SC would vote to dismember a fellow UN recognised state??? I guess they had the answer on the 4th April only they the UK, France & Belguim would sanction it!!!

Let's see who is stronger, USA or Russia, everybody know that if Kosovo become Independence they will support USA in every situation, if Russia choose veto against Independence of Kosova, what will be the benefit for russia, Serbija one day will join NATO.

Let's wait and see.

But Shukri Gashi your claim can only be true is you were at the Stankovec camp on 24 March 1999 as that is when NATO decided to intervene.

Also I think there more than just Cyprus not backing independence for Kosovo.

http://euobserver.com/9/23933

This lists Slovakia, Romania, Greece, Spain, Italy and Cyprus.

Kate - you can be serious when you imply that Russia and Serbia are the flag bearers for international law, calling Europe and US to their moral and legal obligations! As a democratic State you really need to think about your world view and values when the EU, Nato, France, UK, Germany, US, Scandinavia etc think you are wrong and only Russia and maybe China think you are right. Please think about the fact that who your friends are says a lot about you.

For example when the US tries to undermine global health initiatives because abortion might be included and they see that the countries lined up on their side of that debate are Saudia Arabia, Yemen, Vatican or Sudan - they should think "is that the team I should be on?" the same can be said for this situation.

Maybe the Albanians are missing a point here. Russian veto = no official recognition by the UN. Kosovo will be just like northern Cyprus, with no UN seat or any other seat on an international body. And what do you think will happen when Kosovo has served it's purpose with the USA?

Everyone seems to be going into overdrive to push ahtisaari's proposal through. It's alittle scary, I don't think I've ever seen such a fierce battle before to get a resolution through. Something must not be right if there going to this much effort just to 'save' lil ol Kosovo

Kate you said that serbia and russia are the bearer of international law, why serbia broke this law when expel 800.00 albanians, kill more than 12.000, burn more than 400.000 house and business objects.

Condie, it's called 'denial'. The Russians have now said many times that Ahtisari's plan 'will not pass'. What part of this statement don't you understand? The days of tht Yeltsin licking American's bootstraps are over. In a city of 13 million, only 20,000 went to his funeral, which just goes to show you how unpopular his government was. Russia is now an economic and military force once again, and thank God for that. The balance of power has been restored. The sooner Condie faces her denial, the better.

Russians have always said that they will only back a solution acceptabloe to BOTH sides. Serbs see this as some sort of veto. But serbs dont ask themselves what will happen if there is NO agreement. Russia never said it was going to pick a side in that situation. Russia doenst want to veto anyway as unilaterl independence of Kosovo will only result in mockery of UN and Russia. I doubt they think serbia is worth all that.

As for international law, if a new resolution is adopted then THAT is a law. remember US, Ruissa etc make the laws....they can easily scrap them by a new resolution.

Diplomatic pressure only works if you have some leverage over the other side. The US has almost no leverage over Russia anymore & won't in the foreseeable future. This truth can also be seen in the talks over the missile bases that the US is trying to place in Poland & the Czech Republic. The Russians said that they would target them despite US claims that they are to protect Europe from an Iranian threat. Russia is not backing down on that issue and neither will they back down on Kosovo.

*YAWN* These predictions we have been reading since 2001 are nothing but a fantasy world. Wake me up when she put her money where her mouth is ( ie. present resolution Instead of sabre-rattling )

PB, there is only a little difference between Kosovo and N. Cyprus, if it comes to an independence with no UN endorsement: N. Cyprus is and probably will remain recognized only by Turkey maybe in the centuries to come; Kosovo will be recognised by USA, most of EU, most of Islamic states, and many others, according to Ahtisaari's document (which provides the legal reasons for it) and the right to selfdetermination. Of course a UN SC recognition is better; anyway we are prepared for both ways. Kosovo and N. Cyprus are not to be compared. N. Cyprus is on an island, far away from Europe, with no direct impact in European stability. Kosovo lies in the middle of the Balkans, reamins highly unstable, because of the unresolved status, which is not an emotional issue, as many pro-Serb commentators here seem to believe ignoring the essence of reality, any instability there reflects on the entire area ad affects immediately EU. And it's a great lie what Tadic says about serbian destabilization in case Kosovo gets independent: the status of Kosovo is about Kosovo, not Serbia. The life of the Serbians will not be affected by Kosovo's independence more than it's affected by an intergalactical explosion at bilions of yrs. light from Earth.

It is funny to read the comments of the great Russia-admirers like Dragan and Zoran. They somehow try to believe that Russia is a super-power again. Far from it. About this russian veto: I would like to see it for a good reason: agreeing with Daniel a veto would "result in a mockery of UN and Russia". It would demonstrate once again how impuissant Russia became despite all the grand-standing and trying to be important again.

PB wrote:
"And what do you think will happen when Kosovo has served it's purpose with the USA?"

You know, i've asked myself this many a time before...
Only two lines of text, and a whole story unfolds from this statement..

And just like short term US policies are concerned, i fear long term tension without direct involvement between Belgrade and Pristina..

@ Genc - You are completely wrong. The EU needs a united position on Kosovo if it is to push ahead with accession. Even if the US recognises a unilateral declaration of independence, and there is no certainty that it will (especially as it knows that there is a real possibility that if it ignores the UN over Kosovo, Russia will do the same somewhere else), even many EU states which support independence will not want to recognise Kosovo without a UN SC resolution. Unless you have intentions of becoming a US state, the fact that Kosovo will not be able to join the EU should be a real source of concern.

Also, without a UN resolution, Kosovo remains Serb territory. Kosovo will not eb able to join a whole range of international organisations. Really, no matter how much you argue otherwise, Kosovo and N. Cyprus are likely to have a lot in common.

Philip Davies,

I did not know anything about this church until today. After your message I am just wondering if already in 1949 there was a similar reason to destroy the church.

@ Jim,

The unilareal declaration will be only the first step, after which other steps will become unevitable - for all. As I said, Kosovo lies in the heart of the Balkans, and its instability affects all (even Serbia). Hence the difference to Northern Cyprus.

You always ignore the fact that 1. 2 mil Albanians don't accept the Serbian state as their own; (genc, 25 April 2007, 12:40)

10 Million Serbs do not accept the stealing of 15% of Serbian land and will not accept it.

Joe,country that has such size as Russia and controles 40% of all natural resources in the world can only be imperial/super power and nothing else then that!In about 10-20 years Russia will completely recover from Yeltsin's era,China will definitely be another super power by then, and this world will look much different then today.

Let's compare the two just on economic terms (Russia, US) Russia: No debt, positive cash reserves, massive natural resources, including the ones that the US most desperately needs (OIL, NATURAL GAS). Economy growing at 6-8%, growing middle class. US: billions if not trillions in debt to china, japan etc. Dollar in a free fall against Euro, Pound. Largest importer of OIL in the world. economy growing at 2% and very close to a recession/depression, shrinking middle class, housing market in free fall. massive consumer debt, -0% savings rate among average American. Should I go on? Joe; who is the real superpower? Never underestimate the Russians, they always come back.

I didn't know anything about this particular church until today either.

I found various pieces of information that all give the basic facts. This is from the the UN http://www.unesco.org/culture/kosovodonors/summary.pdf

PS this relates to comments on other articles

business as usual..

as long as it doesn´t fit into their dream-world and wishful thinking... everything is bad, criminal, dirty and weak...as long as it is serbian! :)

my dear albanian fellow-citizens...you will have to swallow a bitter pill sooner or later.. I think it won´t be those famous cookies on times-square...

Condi has been ordered to appear before the Congress of the USA to explain the BUSH failed policies in Iraq. SHE has much to answer for. Kosovo is now NOT really important to the USA, IRAQ SURE is.
Condi is in HOT WATER and so is Bush. Better the USA should mind its own house for awhile and forget messin' in other SOVEREIGN NATIONS "bizness" !! Albanians, you have such a big ego... as IF the USA really gives a hoot about your desire for Kosovo!!

PB is absolutely correct. Russia will veto any resolution giving Kosovo independence, and it will be rightfully deprived of any legitimacy because Kosovo is recognized Serb territory via history and UN Resolution 1244. The Albanians don't get it. You can declare whatever you want, but legitimacy only comes from the UN, and it is against the UN Charter to amputate a member state without its consent. Long gone are the days when the US will tell Russia what to do, and Rice can't dictate. Soon, Kosovo will not be interesting to the West. US will be overwhelmed by Iraq for many years to come, and Europe has no leverage.

@ Gregovic,

first, don't play wih the numbers. Second, the issue is about the Status of Kosovo, not of Serbia. And I'm pretty sure that there are many milions among those 10 milions of Serbs who accept the reality (we've seen it even in this forum).

Condie,you better start cleaning finally that mess you made in Iraq,times when you could put Russia under "pressure" died forever!

"But he asserted that Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Vladimir Titov “had not actually threatened a Russian veto of the scheme”"

Yes, they have now. I really hope that Russia doesn't back down over this because it is about far more than Kosovo - it is about a return to the guidelines of international law aand balance.

As i see USA is going to stay strong in the backing of independence for Kosovo. This is what I hoped always, and I believed also. EU except Cyprus is backing Independence so there is no matter what Rusia things. If international community had to wait to get Rusias support to intervene in Kosova in 1999, I am sure, I would be still in Stankovec refugee camp in Macedonia. So thanks to USA and their allies we win the war against Milloshevic and its paramilitary criminals and now we are going to build our state. Thanks God and thanks USA

Kate, Peter and similar, better sober up. That's the way diplomacy proceeds. And don't forget: Russia is playing its own game, just that and nothing more. Let's wait for the outcome; even with a veto the history cannot roll back as a tape on your recorder. You always ignore the fact that 1. 2 mil Albanians don't accept the Serbian state as their own; 2. Serbia is not able to cope with the problem. Hence the solution: stability first.

"We are working to try to accommodate the concerns of the Russians and the Serbian government as well, but it's time to try to craft a solution that will be durable over time,"

However, the US must respect Interantional Law and UN Resolutions that it has already signed to if it is to get agreement in the UN SC. In which case it is simple utilise Ahtisaari's plan for self govening within the Serbian province but like Wisner said a few montsh ago "obligation to 1244" regarding the territorial integrity of Serbia - sounds like the US are heading in the right direction finally!!

Everyone is a winner if the right solution is crafted! I mean were the Americans really serious in thinking that the UN SC would vote to dismember a fellow UN recognised state??? I guess they had the answer on the 4th April only they the UK, France & Belguim would sanction it!!!

Let's see who is stronger, USA or Russia, everybody know that if Kosovo become Independence they will support USA in every situation, if Russia choose veto against Independence of Kosova, what will be the benefit for russia, Serbija one day will join NATO.

Let's wait and see.

But Shukri Gashi your claim can only be true is you were at the Stankovec camp on 24 March 1999 as that is when NATO decided to intervene.

Also I think there more than just Cyprus not backing independence for Kosovo.

http://euobserver.com/9/23933

This lists Slovakia, Romania, Greece, Spain, Italy and Cyprus.

Kate - you can be serious when you imply that Russia and Serbia are the flag bearers for international law, calling Europe and US to their moral and legal obligations! As a democratic State you really need to think about your world view and values when the EU, Nato, France, UK, Germany, US, Scandinavia etc think you are wrong and only Russia and maybe China think you are right. Please think about the fact that who your friends are says a lot about you.

For example when the US tries to undermine global health initiatives because abortion might be included and they see that the countries lined up on their side of that debate are Saudia Arabia, Yemen, Vatican or Sudan - they should think "is that the team I should be on?" the same can be said for this situation.

Maybe the Albanians are missing a point here. Russian veto = no official recognition by the UN. Kosovo will be just like northern Cyprus, with no UN seat or any other seat on an international body. And what do you think will happen when Kosovo has served it's purpose with the USA?

Everyone seems to be going into overdrive to push ahtisaari's proposal through. It's alittle scary, I don't think I've ever seen such a fierce battle before to get a resolution through. Something must not be right if there going to this much effort just to 'save' lil ol Kosovo

Kate you said that serbia and russia are the bearer of international law, why serbia broke this law when expel 800.00 albanians, kill more than 12.000, burn more than 400.000 house and business objects.

Condie, it's called 'denial'. The Russians have now said many times that Ahtisari's plan 'will not pass'. What part of this statement don't you understand? The days of tht Yeltsin licking American's bootstraps are over. In a city of 13 million, only 20,000 went to his funeral, which just goes to show you how unpopular his government was. Russia is now an economic and military force once again, and thank God for that. The balance of power has been restored. The sooner Condie faces her denial, the better.

Russians have always said that they will only back a solution acceptabloe to BOTH sides. Serbs see this as some sort of veto. But serbs dont ask themselves what will happen if there is NO agreement. Russia never said it was going to pick a side in that situation. Russia doenst want to veto anyway as unilaterl independence of Kosovo will only result in mockery of UN and Russia. I doubt they think serbia is worth all that.

As for international law, if a new resolution is adopted then THAT is a law. remember US, Ruissa etc make the laws....they can easily scrap them by a new resolution.

Diplomatic pressure only works if you have some leverage over the other side. The US has almost no leverage over Russia anymore & won't in the foreseeable future. This truth can also be seen in the talks over the missile bases that the US is trying to place in Poland & the Czech Republic. The Russians said that they would target them despite US claims that they are to protect Europe from an Iranian threat. Russia is not backing down on that issue and neither will they back down on Kosovo.

*YAWN* These predictions we have been reading since 2001 are nothing but a fantasy world. Wake me up when she put her money where her mouth is ( ie. present resolution Instead of sabre-rattling )

PB, there is only a little difference between Kosovo and N. Cyprus, if it comes to an independence with no UN endorsement: N. Cyprus is and probably will remain recognized only by Turkey maybe in the centuries to come; Kosovo will be recognised by USA, most of EU, most of Islamic states, and many others, according to Ahtisaari's document (which provides the legal reasons for it) and the right to selfdetermination. Of course a UN SC recognition is better; anyway we are prepared for both ways. Kosovo and N. Cyprus are not to be compared. N. Cyprus is on an island, far away from Europe, with no direct impact in European stability. Kosovo lies in the middle of the Balkans, reamins highly unstable, because of the unresolved status, which is not an emotional issue, as many pro-Serb commentators here seem to believe ignoring the essence of reality, any instability there reflects on the entire area ad affects immediately EU. And it's a great lie what Tadic says about serbian destabilization in case Kosovo gets independent: the status of Kosovo is about Kosovo, not Serbia. The life of the Serbians will not be affected by Kosovo's independence more than it's affected by an intergalactical explosion at bilions of yrs. light from Earth.

It is funny to read the comments of the great Russia-admirers like Dragan and Zoran. They somehow try to believe that Russia is a super-power again. Far from it. About this russian veto: I would like to see it for a good reason: agreeing with Daniel a veto would "result in a mockery of UN and Russia". It would demonstrate once again how impuissant Russia became despite all the grand-standing and trying to be important again.

PB wrote:
"And what do you think will happen when Kosovo has served it's purpose with the USA?"

You know, i've asked myself this many a time before...
Only two lines of text, and a whole story unfolds from this statement..

And just like short term US policies are concerned, i fear long term tension without direct involvement between Belgrade and Pristina..

@ Genc - You are completely wrong. The EU needs a united position on Kosovo if it is to push ahead with accession. Even if the US recognises a unilateral declaration of independence, and there is no certainty that it will (especially as it knows that there is a real possibility that if it ignores the UN over Kosovo, Russia will do the same somewhere else), even many EU states which support independence will not want to recognise Kosovo without a UN SC resolution. Unless you have intentions of becoming a US state, the fact that Kosovo will not be able to join the EU should be a real source of concern.

Also, without a UN resolution, Kosovo remains Serb territory. Kosovo will not eb able to join a whole range of international organisations. Really, no matter how much you argue otherwise, Kosovo and N. Cyprus are likely to have a lot in common.

Philip Davies,

I did not know anything about this church until today. After your message I am just wondering if already in 1949 there was a similar reason to destroy the church.

@ Jim,

The unilareal declaration will be only the first step, after which other steps will become unevitable - for all. As I said, Kosovo lies in the heart of the Balkans, and its instability affects all (even Serbia). Hence the difference to Northern Cyprus.

You always ignore the fact that 1. 2 mil Albanians don't accept the Serbian state as their own; (genc, 25 April 2007, 12:40)

10 Million Serbs do not accept the stealing of 15% of Serbian land and will not accept it.

Joe,country that has such size as Russia and controles 40% of all natural resources in the world can only be imperial/super power and nothing else then that!In about 10-20 years Russia will completely recover from Yeltsin's era,China will definitely be another super power by then, and this world will look much different then today.

Let's compare the two just on economic terms (Russia, US) Russia: No debt, positive cash reserves, massive natural resources, including the ones that the US most desperately needs (OIL, NATURAL GAS). Economy growing at 6-8%, growing middle class. US: billions if not trillions in debt to china, japan etc. Dollar in a free fall against Euro, Pound. Largest importer of OIL in the world. economy growing at 2% and very close to a recession/depression, shrinking middle class, housing market in free fall. massive consumer debt, -0% savings rate among average American. Should I go on? Joe; who is the real superpower? Never underestimate the Russians, they always come back.

I didn't know anything about this particular church until today either.

I found various pieces of information that all give the basic facts. This is from the the UN http://www.unesco.org/culture/kosovodonors/summary.pdf

PS this relates to comments on other articles

business as usual..

as long as it doesn´t fit into their dream-world and wishful thinking... everything is bad, criminal, dirty and weak...as long as it is serbian! :)

my dear albanian fellow-citizens...you will have to swallow a bitter pill sooner or later.. I think it won´t be those famous cookies on times-square...

Condi has been ordered to appear before the Congress of the USA to explain the BUSH failed policies in Iraq. SHE has much to answer for. Kosovo is now NOT really important to the USA, IRAQ SURE is.
Condi is in HOT WATER and so is Bush. Better the USA should mind its own house for awhile and forget messin' in other SOVEREIGN NATIONS "bizness" !! Albanians, you have such a big ego... as IF the USA really gives a hoot about your desire for Kosovo!!

PB is absolutely correct. Russia will veto any resolution giving Kosovo independence, and it will be rightfully deprived of any legitimacy because Kosovo is recognized Serb territory via history and UN Resolution 1244. The Albanians don't get it. You can declare whatever you want, but legitimacy only comes from the UN, and it is against the UN Charter to amputate a member state without its consent. Long gone are the days when the US will tell Russia what to do, and Rice can't dictate. Soon, Kosovo will not be interesting to the West. US will be overwhelmed by Iraq for many years to come, and Europe has no leverage.

@ Gregovic,

first, don't play wih the numbers. Second, the issue is about the Status of Kosovo, not of Serbia. And I'm pretty sure that there are many milions among those 10 milions of Serbs who accept the reality (we've seen it even in this forum).