Rehn: UN resolution necessary

The EU is therefore tied on a UN resolution - without a new resolution we continue with the Status Quo - at which point the real negotiations will be gin as all are agreed things cannot continue as they are. But the solution has to be agreeable to all and one needs to look at finding a lasting and stable solution!

"Rehn stressed that Kosovo was "an essentially European question,"
I agree here, and considering Serbia and Russia are both European countries they should be involved as much as possible, and the US should stay out of the discussion.

Rehn is exactly right. Furthermore, this points to Russia's willingness to work within the legalities of the UN, and not, as some seem to think, against it. Russia's "threat" to veto should not be viewed as an attempt by Russia to circumvent international law and the will of the international community. Rather, Russia is trying to say that in order for a final resolution on Kosovo to pass at the UN (which I totally agree is the only sensible and legal way), that resolution needs to take greater consideration of Serbia's interests into account. Russia will certainly support a resolution (which can certainly be an amendment of the Ahtisaari Plan) once it seems less likely to just take land away from a country and give it to another community as some sort of spoils of war.

Who said that Russia is an European country?
Geograficaly, Moscow may be within the European borders but 75% of the russian terrtory lies on the Asian continent.
Politcally also, Russia migh be an ally but everyone knows that they have an European future as much as China has.
On the other hand they still are on the opposite side of NATO where most of European countries participate.
So I dont see how Russia is an European country and I dont understand how russians might be more interested about Kosova than Brussels itself.

Some European Union countries have objections especially Slovakia Olalalala!

Matthew, we here in Europe are pretty sure that Russia should at any cost stay out of European affairs. If there is not much sympathy towards USA in European public today, that, by no means signifies that this kind of Russia is entitled to take its place in our lives. At least even the most pro-Russian European wouldn't wish Russian ralaries and Russian living standards home

If Russia has no place in Europe historically, why did the Russian royal family inter-marry with all the Royal families of Europe? I don’t recall China having a similar arrangement? Historically and culturally Russia is a part of Europe and always has been. Clearly much more then Turkey.

In addition, Serbia has always been a part of the Russian sphere of influence. Much more so then under a Western European influence. If anything this is an issue to be decided by East European countries. Oh, I forgot, the majority of the region sides with Serbia on this issue. You’re right, we’d better leave it up to the West Europeans they understand the Balkans so well, and all their past decisions have resulted in such peace for the region.

Who said that Russia is an European country?
, 26 April, 2007, 22:45)

It seems to me many have forgotten who really defeated the Nazi's and set free Europe. Both Serbia and Russia per capita paid the highest sacrifice of both military and civilian deaths' in WW I and WW II>

To imply that Russia is not European is a pure like.

Speaking of Royalty, HRH King George V of England was the first Cousin of HRH Nicholas Romanov, the last Tsar of Russia.

HRH Prince Paul of Yugoslavia was also related to both the Greek and English Royal Families. His daughter is HRH Prince Elisabeth of Yugoslavia.

I am not sure if King Zog of Albania had any close ties wiht the Royal families, but he was Italian and was flushed out of power very quickly.

Matthew,
your historical vision of Balcans and Europe dates back to 19th century, precisely 4 generations ago. Things have well changed since then, 2 WW, one cold war and no wars since 60 years among European powers. Russia has been absent since 1917 till 1990 and things will be never as they were before 1917. Another Russia could be a European country, sharing the same values for human rights and social issues. But not this one.

The EU is therefore tied on a UN resolution - without a new resolution we continue with the Status Quo - at which point the real negotiations will be gin as all are agreed things cannot continue as they are. But the solution has to be agreeable to all and one needs to look at finding a lasting and stable solution!

"Rehn stressed that Kosovo was "an essentially European question,"
I agree here, and considering Serbia and Russia are both European countries they should be involved as much as possible, and the US should stay out of the discussion.

Rehn is exactly right. Furthermore, this points to Russia's willingness to work within the legalities of the UN, and not, as some seem to think, against it. Russia's "threat" to veto should not be viewed as an attempt by Russia to circumvent international law and the will of the international community. Rather, Russia is trying to say that in order for a final resolution on Kosovo to pass at the UN (which I totally agree is the only sensible and legal way), that resolution needs to take greater consideration of Serbia's interests into account. Russia will certainly support a resolution (which can certainly be an amendment of the Ahtisaari Plan) once it seems less likely to just take land away from a country and give it to another community as some sort of spoils of war.

Who said that Russia is an European country?
Geograficaly, Moscow may be within the European borders but 75% of the russian terrtory lies on the Asian continent.
Politcally also, Russia migh be an ally but everyone knows that they have an European future as much as China has.
On the other hand they still are on the opposite side of NATO where most of European countries participate.
So I dont see how Russia is an European country and I dont understand how russians might be more interested about Kosova than Brussels itself.

Some European Union countries have objections especially Slovakia Olalalala!

Matthew, we here in Europe are pretty sure that Russia should at any cost stay out of European affairs. If there is not much sympathy towards USA in European public today, that, by no means signifies that this kind of Russia is entitled to take its place in our lives. At least even the most pro-Russian European wouldn't wish Russian ralaries and Russian living standards home

If Russia has no place in Europe historically, why did the Russian royal family inter-marry with all the Royal families of Europe? I don’t recall China having a similar arrangement? Historically and culturally Russia is a part of Europe and always has been. Clearly much more then Turkey.

In addition, Serbia has always been a part of the Russian sphere of influence. Much more so then under a Western European influence. If anything this is an issue to be decided by East European countries. Oh, I forgot, the majority of the region sides with Serbia on this issue. You’re right, we’d better leave it up to the West Europeans they understand the Balkans so well, and all their past decisions have resulted in such peace for the region.

Who said that Russia is an European country?
, 26 April, 2007, 22:45)

It seems to me many have forgotten who really defeated the Nazi's and set free Europe. Both Serbia and Russia per capita paid the highest sacrifice of both military and civilian deaths' in WW I and WW II>

To imply that Russia is not European is a pure like.

Speaking of Royalty, HRH King George V of England was the first Cousin of HRH Nicholas Romanov, the last Tsar of Russia.

HRH Prince Paul of Yugoslavia was also related to both the Greek and English Royal Families. His daughter is HRH Prince Elisabeth of Yugoslavia.

I am not sure if King Zog of Albania had any close ties wiht the Royal families, but he was Italian and was flushed out of power very quickly.

Matthew,
your historical vision of Balcans and Europe dates back to 19th century, precisely 4 generations ago. Things have well changed since then, 2 WW, one cold war and no wars since 60 years among European powers. Russia has been absent since 1917 till 1990 and things will be never as they were before 1917. Another Russia could be a European country, sharing the same values for human rights and social issues. But not this one.