U.S.-EU resolution on Kosovo ready

Fine, lets get on with the final nail in the folly of ILLEGAL actions against the sovereign state of Serbia aimed at dismemberinbg it. But, in the haste we find it has been totally COUNTERPRODUCTIVE.

I really can't see the DS being happy to suggest that the way only forward is with the EU if it becomes evident find that it's "elite" (not all - just the so called "intelligent" hierachy) have tried but failed to impose such folly - this will put the cat amongst the pidgeons - time to see how Tadic reacts to such agressive action against the state of Serbia - it will be disappointing but Serbia will deal with it!

Russia's veto will be a strong signal about the path forward for the integral & sovereign state of Serbia as opposed to so called "friendship" from those who wished to dismember Serbia - all the more likely to make the current Goverment coalition stronger against dismemberment!!!

Friday is the last chance for the US & UK allied with Germany (EU presidency) to push such folly through - lets see what follows but the Russians have said very clearly - UNACCEPTABLE - what happens next will be a real opportunity of talks under a real negotiation process!!!

Can't wait for the new talks taht will be held in June under a real sense of reality!!

"...does not explicitly mention the notion of independence, but it suggests the nullification of all previously adopted resolutions regarding Kosovo, which will make room for the implementation of Ahtisaari’s plan of supervised independence for the province."

This will NEVER pass. It is a direct attempt to get Russia to veto so they can be used as a scapegoat for the ensuing violence and even deeper mess.
Sad times.

There will never be any agreement with the Serbs and the Kosovars’ the serbs have brutally kept the Kosovar under a strict and unfair regime for the past 4 decades and they will not return to the Belgrade government, I think that Serbia should adjust its motion with the internal Policy with Vojvodina so that they don't piss them off and they decide on up't out of serbia "the country that never existed' and want to make a fool of the world' and forget about Kosova it’s not lost you have given it back to its rightful owners 95% Albanian and you try to tell the world that you where there before the Albanians.

Princip,

The US and the EU have nothing against Serbia, the resolution is not a document intended to dismember Serbia for unjustified and malicious reasons but is intended to provide a solution to the Kosovo issue.

UNNACEPTABLE is not the same as a direct threat of veto, many things are unnaceptable to the Russians. We wont know whether the Russians will veto until a couple of days before the voting actualy takes place.

And there wont be any more negociations, at least not with the Kosovo Albanians.

As one of the Albanian comentators in another thread said "from 2 thousand miles away this may seem like a game to you, but for the people of Kosovo its about daily life"

Nehat Krasniqi - Even if Kosovo did become independent it would not belong to the 'Albanians' - it would belong to the independent Kosovans. Albania is already a country in its own right.

nehat, you are the rightfull owners then tell me where are your 1400 hundred year old mosqes in kosovo 95% albanians thats because 65% ilegaly entered kosovo from albania in the 4 decades you are talking about

Calm minds is what is needed and dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina.
It is the Serbs, ethnic Albanians, Roma, and Others, that live within Republic of Serbia....therefore, like this or not; everything needs to be sorted out within Serbia's sovereign territory.

I don't know why the Outsiders are creating negative reactions because it does not put them in a "good light". Russia is the exception here, as it continues to seek agreement between Belgrade and Pristina.

Those who live in Republic of Serbia should not lean on external forces for solution because the only productive and lasting peace will come from within the country......and you don't need to be Einstein to work that out.

To all of those who have objections on the status resolution, I say peace brother and I urge you to vote for INDEPENDECE that is the will of Kosovo population. Guys I’m Kosovar and I love my country, Kosovo wont belong to neither Serbia nor Albania, Kosovo belong to Kosovars. We are most interested to resolve the status ASAP because the status effect the quality of my life I’m fed up with status quo USA and EU understands the situation and that’s why they push forward the resolution . Long live USA, UK, Germany, France, Italy, EU officials & UN Chief .Serbian neighbor have been offered to come on board with western civilization unfortunately they refused they want to go along with Russians and Chinese, good luck neighbors in your path.

Nehat Krasniqi

You say serbs have kept it for 4 decades? During those four decades albanians have been doing three things in order to be in the position they are currently in.

1.The birth rate has been one of the highest in the world leading to great unemployment.

2.Illeagal migration of Albanians to Kosovo during the time of SFRJ because of huge povety in Albania.

3.Expelling and tormenting serbs living in Kosovo.

The fact remains that Albanians have done nothing in Kosovo but try and grab it. The Serb people have based themselves around this sacred land for long enough to claim it theres. There is no evidense of development of the region from albanians.

One more thing: You cannot decide to claim part of a country because of demographics; if Kosovo becomes independant you will see two things happening.

1.Serbs will go to war in Kosovo
2.Areas such as Chechnya, Bask country, Republika Srpska, Palestine etc will all break away.

This hostile and provocative act by some nations will come with serious consequences.

@S.Harris
I advice you to not mix "people of Serbia" with Kosovar people, because, believe me, no one albanian from Kosova will ever live under serbian rule. I know the capability of state of Serbia to kill people (Srebrenica, Krusha, Vukovar, etc) and this is the only option you can enter in Kosova, another options are out of discussion.

The comment by Nick that the US and EU have nothing against Serbia is wrong. At the same time as trying to illegally amputate 15% of Serbia's territory, the US and EU are trying to destroy Republika Srpska and make Bosnia a more central government. The US planned and executed Operation Storm which wiped out the Serbian population of Krajina. That is REAL genocide, but nobody seems to talk about it.
There will never be peace and stability in the Balkans until the US and EU start treating Serbs with fairness and respect. Thank God for mother Russia, who has finally arisen and is flexing her muscles. With the ever increasing US debt, and the huge surplusses in Russia, things are finally changing for the better. Serbia will never accept an independent Kosovo and the US and Europeans are just going to have to deal with that. They can not do any more to us than they have already done.

Vuk or Wolf,
You are right on number 1(high birth rate), you are dead wrong regrading number 2 and 3. All Albanians during Enver Hoxhas era ran away to Greece, Italy and SFRJ. None of those ever asked for asylem to take permanent residence if SFRJ. They all went through refugee camps and emigrated to USA,Canada, Australia etc...
And the number 3, is a flat out lie becasue the govermant institutions were under federation control and K-Albanians were in no position to mistreat serbs in any way, but it was the other way around.
AS FAR AS # 1 and 2 on the bottom, the days that serbia would wage another war are over my friend.

Mick,

In the 4 decades Nehat is talking about Albania was an isolated communist state. Nobody could get in or out.

Your coment is a classic example of how ill informed some of the posters here are.

Even with independence, Kosovo has a bleak future. no recognition by the UN i.e. Russian veto, = no UN seat, IMF seat, World Bank seat, etc,etc. Most importantly, no EU entry. Kosovo residents had better get used to a life of poverty.

M.Miller quote: "All Albanians during Enver Hoxhas era ran away to Greece, Italy and SFRJ"

Nick quote: "Albania was an isolated communist state. Nobody could get in or out"

Get your statements straight gentlemen!

Nick,

What are you talking about? Isolated country? Yeah, OK because the borders between Albanians in Kosovo and Albania are really watched over. Come on man. Get real.

@ Vuk
1948
Serbs 4823000
Albanians 532000
1953
Serbs 5152000
Albanians 565000
These are oficial numbers of albanians in Serbia in these years who had higher birth rait Serbians or albanians or these numbers or somthing most happened to albanians at these years mass killings and ethic cleasing of kosovo from albanians.

To princip:

What you would talk about with us? Is there any room left to talk to you?
I am sorry princip but there is nothing to be discussed with you! However, we can still be a good neighbours, keeping good relationships as well as with other neighbours, regardless of past. We are pople who knows to forgive! You just need to apollogize.

Indonesia is right. Just as USA and EU. International community doesnt apply double standards to Serbia, but Serbia applied double standards by attacking almost every single republic in ex-Yu. In Croatia you lost everything (because u didnt accept Z-4), in Bosna you got R.Srpska. So, what double standards? In Kosovo, you are getting lots of things for Serbs. Again, of course Kosovo Albanians will be favored (and get more, the state while serbs, all the other things), but because there are reasons, and not because world doesnt like 7 million Serbs somewhere in Europe. Be real.

Also, some Albanians that managed to leave Albania (with consequences for their family btw) went abroad and not to Kosovo mainly(a very very small number did both in absolute and relative terms). If somebody travelled abroad, they could have stayed for example. In this regard, it is still nobody was in and out except for those that State chose to get out and then they stayed. Of course, somebody sneaked out, but that is nothing massive or big numbers.

Also, don't forget that Serbs settled in the Balkans after (ethnic) Albanians.
I am not trying to get into history, because there were movements on both sides (Serbs that came during 20's and took big lands in Kosovo as well as during 50's). On the other side, Albanians that came during the 2nd world war.

So, there were movements on both sides; however, it was mainly to economic reasons. Kosovars then went to work in Germany and Switzerland (except during Rankovic when lots were expelled to Turkey) and Serbs went to Serbia. Purely economic. Now, Kosovo Albanians increased in number because of higher growth, yes.
Still, let's leave the history out because we are both very biased towards it and we dont really know what happened.

Let's look at the people today: and the truth is that there are 95% that cannot function due to lack of statehood. Serbia wasnt a good parent for 80 years, and now it is time to split.
I dont know what would Serbia do with 2 million Albanians on the other side.
I havent heard the simplest apology for all the crimes that happened in Kosovo. I am not even sure that some of the Serbian politicians disagree with what has happened.

If Serbia in 2000 said we are sorry and lets change things, let the democrats (djindjic like) rule for reald; maybe Serbia could have had a chance. But just recently you elect Nikolic for Assembly President. What message do you send to Kosovo for example. Not a very good one.

It has become inevitable for Kosovo to become independent. For the sake of being functional and for many other reasons that I mentioned.

The US want to pretend that they are the ethnic-Albanians friends knowning that such a draft resolution will never be acceptable to either Russia or China - when the Veto comes they will act up but that will at last be the end of the folly and I think we all know that at that point staus will have been resolved & more inportantly Serbia's sovereignity upheld! At that point there will be No ILLEGAL declaration, NO ILLEGAL recognition and NO violence. There will howvere be new talks under the autonomy framwork for the Serbia province - as Mr Blair said recently to the ethnic groups in the UK - "Conform to it" !!!

Really? Has the US-EU team hammered out a negotiation with Russia and China then? Are we to see a compromised resolution that will not be vetoed in the SC?

What about these ideas we heard a few months ago, such as institutionally structuring the Serb municipalities in Kosovo along the lines of Southern Tyrol?

Why introduce a resolution that is sure to be vetoed by Russia, even after the US is now saying they will not recognize a unilaterally-declared independent Kosovo? I mean does the left hand even have a remote clue as to what the right hand is doing anymore?

Who are we kidding? USA & Russia failed to act early on when they could have turned Yugoslavia into a federation. Now they have to deal with the aftermath. What a mess this has all become. Way to go guys. This has got to be the crescendo. Any chance the Westerners are willing to give up Vatican City to the Hindus? Right when you think things couldn't get worse. At least the Russians are finally pulling their heads out of the sand. America needs to mull it over again. Come on, really. You guys can do a better job.

Kosovo is a part of Serbia. Serbs living in Kosovo live in Serbia. Any document that says Kosovo can declare independence is a document that promotes the dismemberment of Serbia and nullifications of its borders and its rights as a country. Any country in the future could be dismembered by the UN.

nehat, you are the rightfull owners then tell me where are your 1400 hundred year old mosqes in kosovo 95% albanians thats because 65% ilegaly entered kosovo from albania in the 4 decades you are talking about
(mick, Thursday, 24 May, 2007, 12:15)
Don't forget that a lot of Albanian Catholic churches were converted by force by the orthodox serbs during the serbian expansion in these teritories when they first set foot, coming from caucauses.

To be honest, as a Serb, I remain unconvinced that there was a great wave of illegal immigration to Kosovo from Albania. I would appreciate any information on the subject besides just rumor and innuendo. I know in Serbia its believed as a given, but I've seen nothing really to indicate its based on fact.

However, that being said, it is my understanding that students from Albania did attend Pristina University way back when because the school system was better then what was going on in Albania. Can anyone enlighten me on this subject?

It would also seem to me that life in Kosovo under Tito was better then life in Albania under Hoxhas? I would appreciate hearing from some Albanians if this is correct?

"Kosova it’s not lost you have given it back to its rightful owners 95% Albanian and you try to tell the world that you where there before the Albanians."
(Nehat Krasniqi, Thursday, 24 May, 2007, 11:14)
First off, its clear that Serbians have left a bigger cultural presence in Kosovo in the form of churches and monuments then the Albanians. Its obvious that parts of Kosovo represent the very foundation and cradle of our civilization.
In addition, while 95% of the current population is in fact Albanian, traditionally the composition of the population was not as one sided as that. The reality is that much of the decrease of the Serbian population in Kosovo was a direct result of what happened in WWII and the retaliatory attacks after the NATO bombing and the riots in 2004. Should the International Community reward ethnic cleansing in such a way? If we are to use the ethnic composition as a justification for the Right to Self Determination, then we must go back in time to before ethnic cleansing was used as a means for solving the region's problems and use the original population distribution as the basis for any discussion of partition. Otherwise we are only rewarding and encouraging that type of behavior. Neither side should benefit from engaging in criminal acts like ethnic cleansing. Serbia will be punished for her actions by losing a portion of her territory, but what will the punishment be for the Albanian side for engaging in similar, but not as extreme, actions? Keep in mind that the number of missing, dead and cleansed in Kosovo mirrors the population distribution rather closely and the last side to engage in crimes against civilians were in fact the Albanian population in 1999 and 2004. There should be at least some form of punishment for those actions. In addition, the Roma suffered by far the largest percentage per capita of the victims in Kosovo and obviously deserve a homeland of their own more than anyone else in the region as they have no place to live of their own where they can prosper and determine their own future. Considering historically they are one of the most abused minorities in all of Europe, their rights and needs should be taken into consideration and given protection in the form of their own state.
While I do not deny the presence of Albanians in the Balkans for a very long time, why is it that the Albanian word for "Greek" is based on the Slavic word for Greek? It would seem to me that this is an indication that the current Albanians in the area actually came from another part of the Balkans and were not the original inhabitants of Kosovo, otherwise they would have already been familiar with the Greeks and would not have borrowed that word from the Slavic language?
"We are most interested to resolve the status ASAP because the status effect the quality of my life I’m fed up with status quo"(Ardi, Thursday, 24 May, 2007, 13:12)
Clearly, there is an issue with the status quo and more needs to be done to improve the daily lives of the Kosovar people while we sort out this mess. However, that is not a reason to rush into a decision that may only be a temporary solution to a vexing problem and the Balkans have always suffered terribly by unilateral actions by the International Community who have proven time and again that they simply do not understand the Balkan mentality.
In reality however, you may actually be living better under foreign guidance. I still remember the first time I visited Bosnia after living in Belgrade for 6 months. It felt like the West to me it was so much more advanced in many ways then Belgrade. You may have a very difficult time after foreign troops leave. We need to ensure you have a working economy with protections for minorities in place so that Kosovo can grow and prosper in an efficient manner.

I am from Albania and I just by accident was directed to this article and I read some of the comments here
It seem like the war has never ended. Who won is not important in this moment but just I want to point something here. It astonish me how the issues are debated. The Balkan way. The Serbs say for Albanians that we are immigrant in Kosovo ( history tells who immigrated here ) Greeks blame Macedonia that Macedonia has stolen the name Bulgaria hate Turks Turks hate Greeks, Greeks hate Albanians, Croats hate Serbs, Slovenians hate Serbs, Serbs hate Bosnians this is the Balkan mess. Welcome to one of them
As for some comments here about migration from Albania to Kosovo. When I was young I wanted to escape from Albania (ask me and I will tell you how) because my family belonged to “the kulak” class and we were treated very badly from communist regime. (FYI: the Albanian communist party was formed by Miladin Popovic and Dushan Mugosha both Serbs implicated with Russian secret services) But I never thought I will go to Kosovo because it was better there no one in Albania except any Albanian from Kosovo that had migrated to Albania from Kosovo for economic reason wanted to return to Kosovo. I guarantee you this because I was very aware of the situation in Yugoslavia Greece and Italy. All who escaped during communist regime of Hoxha none have stayed in Greece few in Italy and almost none in Yugoslavia. How you can go from a coastline country with a great climate to a mountainous region is behind me. I know of one friend of mine that escaped from Vlora region in Albania to Montenegro though mountains region there and today he own few pizzerias in New York City. His entire family was internet for 10 years. after he went in the Yugoslavia TV for propaganda reason by the Yugoslavs. Therefore, you have to know that if someone escaped from Albania and were caught you were sentenced for 8 years prison terms. It is so strange that we in Albania don’t know anything about this “great immigration” or maybe this is just a illusion that these commentators have?
Some commentators here seems to me that they are very egocentric because they defend their side without any regard of the reality
Egocentrism is a very short- lived policy
Peace.

Most of the comments I read tonight were very comical and naive. The time of blame has long gone we have seen what Serbia is capable of doing. If Kosova was Serbian territory surely Serbia wouldn't kill it own people and try to destroy everything that was there. All the major factories and mines were either robed or sabotaged by Serbs during the 90's even the museums were robed, just to wipe everything that was ethnic there. People are forgetting that before Ottoman colonization Albanians were Catholics and Orthodoxes. At that time we had churches to worship. Not every orthodox church is Serbian. Kosovar Serbs will be better off within independent Kosova than they are now or going back as a refugees in Serbia. Serbia can not deal with its own poverty and unemployment and let alone supporting Kosovar serbs. Kosova will be independent and a very happy place to live for all Kosovars regardless their ethnicity. Albanians suffered a lot and are not a nation that will make the others experience the same. Never during thousand years of history Albanians fought outside their borders they only protected what was theirs. Kosova is Kosovars land and will be for years to come.

It is not "too early to discuss the possibility of unilateral regognition of Kosovo independence", Mr.Kasey, it is actually "too late", or, better, "it is not possible at all".

QN

For you; Serbia did not destroy any of its own museams or churches you are being extremely naive if you believe things like this.
As for your idea that Serbia is a poor country i think you have been grossly mislead because its an emerging econonmic power in the region and is about to experience an economic boom. EU entry by 2012 i can guarante and in terms of investment outside the EU serbia and croatia have the highest (without russia of course).
So this Albanian history you are speaking of, what exactly is your history frankly becomes as far as my research shows there is none of it in kosovo, not a single monument apart from the KLA ones recently put up.

Your arguement about all Kosovars being happy once independance comes amuses me frankly. Have you any idea of how dangerous it is for serb in Kosovo? and by your arguement they are Kosovars so once independance is gained why would everything become safe all of a sudden!? wishfull thinking at best, serbs living on bill clinton blv are you joking? There is a grim future ahead for Kosovars because there will be decades of povety under such absurd war criminals such as Agim Ceku. Instead of riding the Serbian economic reform the goverment is puting in place Kosovar albanians are trying to get out and sell all their land to the west in return for what? A new place to live besides Albania and an increase in tension between serbs which they will never see the end of? Its not really worth it.

Serbia is Kosovo. As for the people living in Kosovo... they are all citizens of Serbia. Otherwise they are illigal imigrants and should be deported.
NOT AN OPINION... FACT.
Resolution 1244.

"I am from Albania and I just by accident was directed to this article and I read some of the comments here
It seem like the war has never ended."
Alban, welcome to the comments section of B92!!!!
While you are correct, many are here to piss and moan at one another, some of us are actually interested in hearing the perspective of others.
I happened to be a Montenegrin-American and I actually do in fact appreciate your comments and what you experienced greatly. Thank you for contributing, and I hope you continue to do so in the future constructively and without letting the nationalists on either side get you pissed off.
Not all Serbs here are nationalists, nor do we all hate Albanians. For me personally, I feel a deep connection to Kosovo historically and culturally, however, I also am sympathetic to the needs of the Albanians living there as well. I believe Albanians and Serbs have many of the same problems and issues and that we should work together collectively to find a peaceful solution we can both agree on.

Nehat Krasniqi - Even if Kosovo did become independent it would not belong to the 'Albanians' - it would belong to the independent Kosovans. Albania is already a country in its own right.

Fine, lets get on with the final nail in the folly of ILLEGAL actions against the sovereign state of Serbia aimed at dismemberinbg it. But, in the haste we find it has been totally COUNTERPRODUCTIVE.

I really can't see the DS being happy to suggest that the way only forward is with the EU if it becomes evident find that it's "elite" (not all - just the so called "intelligent" hierachy) have tried but failed to impose such folly - this will put the cat amongst the pidgeons - time to see how Tadic reacts to such agressive action against the state of Serbia - it will be disappointing but Serbia will deal with it!

Russia's veto will be a strong signal about the path forward for the integral & sovereign state of Serbia as opposed to so called "friendship" from those who wished to dismember Serbia - all the more likely to make the current Goverment coalition stronger against dismemberment!!!

Friday is the last chance for the US & UK allied with Germany (EU presidency) to push such folly through - lets see what follows but the Russians have said very clearly - UNACCEPTABLE - what happens next will be a real opportunity of talks under a real negotiation process!!!

Can't wait for the new talks taht will be held in June under a real sense of reality!!

"...does not explicitly mention the notion of independence, but it suggests the nullification of all previously adopted resolutions regarding Kosovo, which will make room for the implementation of Ahtisaari’s plan of supervised independence for the province."

This will NEVER pass. It is a direct attempt to get Russia to veto so they can be used as a scapegoat for the ensuing violence and even deeper mess.
Sad times.

There will never be any agreement with the Serbs and the Kosovars’ the serbs have brutally kept the Kosovar under a strict and unfair regime for the past 4 decades and they will not return to the Belgrade government, I think that Serbia should adjust its motion with the internal Policy with Vojvodina so that they don't piss them off and they decide on up't out of serbia "the country that never existed' and want to make a fool of the world' and forget about Kosova it’s not lost you have given it back to its rightful owners 95% Albanian and you try to tell the world that you where there before the Albanians.

Princip,

The US and the EU have nothing against Serbia, the resolution is not a document intended to dismember Serbia for unjustified and malicious reasons but is intended to provide a solution to the Kosovo issue.

UNNACEPTABLE is not the same as a direct threat of veto, many things are unnaceptable to the Russians. We wont know whether the Russians will veto until a couple of days before the voting actualy takes place.

And there wont be any more negociations, at least not with the Kosovo Albanians.

As one of the Albanian comentators in another thread said "from 2 thousand miles away this may seem like a game to you, but for the people of Kosovo its about daily life"

nehat, you are the rightfull owners then tell me where are your 1400 hundred year old mosqes in kosovo 95% albanians thats because 65% ilegaly entered kosovo from albania in the 4 decades you are talking about

Calm minds is what is needed and dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina.
It is the Serbs, ethnic Albanians, Roma, and Others, that live within Republic of Serbia....therefore, like this or not; everything needs to be sorted out within Serbia's sovereign territory.

I don't know why the Outsiders are creating negative reactions because it does not put them in a "good light". Russia is the exception here, as it continues to seek agreement between Belgrade and Pristina.

Those who live in Republic of Serbia should not lean on external forces for solution because the only productive and lasting peace will come from within the country......and you don't need to be Einstein to work that out.

To all of those who have objections on the status resolution, I say peace brother and I urge you to vote for INDEPENDECE that is the will of Kosovo population. Guys I’m Kosovar and I love my country, Kosovo wont belong to neither Serbia nor Albania, Kosovo belong to Kosovars. We are most interested to resolve the status ASAP because the status effect the quality of my life I’m fed up with status quo USA and EU understands the situation and that’s why they push forward the resolution . Long live USA, UK, Germany, France, Italy, EU officials & UN Chief .Serbian neighbor have been offered to come on board with western civilization unfortunately they refused they want to go along with Russians and Chinese, good luck neighbors in your path.

Nehat Krasniqi

You say serbs have kept it for 4 decades? During those four decades albanians have been doing three things in order to be in the position they are currently in.

1.The birth rate has been one of the highest in the world leading to great unemployment.

2.Illeagal migration of Albanians to Kosovo during the time of SFRJ because of huge povety in Albania.

3.Expelling and tormenting serbs living in Kosovo.

The fact remains that Albanians have done nothing in Kosovo but try and grab it. The Serb people have based themselves around this sacred land for long enough to claim it theres. There is no evidense of development of the region from albanians.

One more thing: You cannot decide to claim part of a country because of demographics; if Kosovo becomes independant you will see two things happening.

1.Serbs will go to war in Kosovo
2.Areas such as Chechnya, Bask country, Republika Srpska, Palestine etc will all break away.

This hostile and provocative act by some nations will come with serious consequences.

@S.Harris
I advice you to not mix "people of Serbia" with Kosovar people, because, believe me, no one albanian from Kosova will ever live under serbian rule. I know the capability of state of Serbia to kill people (Srebrenica, Krusha, Vukovar, etc) and this is the only option you can enter in Kosova, another options are out of discussion.

The comment by Nick that the US and EU have nothing against Serbia is wrong. At the same time as trying to illegally amputate 15% of Serbia's territory, the US and EU are trying to destroy Republika Srpska and make Bosnia a more central government. The US planned and executed Operation Storm which wiped out the Serbian population of Krajina. That is REAL genocide, but nobody seems to talk about it.
There will never be peace and stability in the Balkans until the US and EU start treating Serbs with fairness and respect. Thank God for mother Russia, who has finally arisen and is flexing her muscles. With the ever increasing US debt, and the huge surplusses in Russia, things are finally changing for the better. Serbia will never accept an independent Kosovo and the US and Europeans are just going to have to deal with that. They can not do any more to us than they have already done.

Vuk or Wolf,
You are right on number 1(high birth rate), you are dead wrong regrading number 2 and 3. All Albanians during Enver Hoxhas era ran away to Greece, Italy and SFRJ. None of those ever asked for asylem to take permanent residence if SFRJ. They all went through refugee camps and emigrated to USA,Canada, Australia etc...
And the number 3, is a flat out lie becasue the govermant institutions were under federation control and K-Albanians were in no position to mistreat serbs in any way, but it was the other way around.
AS FAR AS # 1 and 2 on the bottom, the days that serbia would wage another war are over my friend.

Mick,

In the 4 decades Nehat is talking about Albania was an isolated communist state. Nobody could get in or out.

Your coment is a classic example of how ill informed some of the posters here are.

Even with independence, Kosovo has a bleak future. no recognition by the UN i.e. Russian veto, = no UN seat, IMF seat, World Bank seat, etc,etc. Most importantly, no EU entry. Kosovo residents had better get used to a life of poverty.

M.Miller quote: "All Albanians during Enver Hoxhas era ran away to Greece, Italy and SFRJ"

Nick quote: "Albania was an isolated communist state. Nobody could get in or out"

Get your statements straight gentlemen!

Nick,

What are you talking about? Isolated country? Yeah, OK because the borders between Albanians in Kosovo and Albania are really watched over. Come on man. Get real.

@ Vuk
1948
Serbs 4823000
Albanians 532000
1953
Serbs 5152000
Albanians 565000
These are oficial numbers of albanians in Serbia in these years who had higher birth rait Serbians or albanians or these numbers or somthing most happened to albanians at these years mass killings and ethic cleasing of kosovo from albanians.

To princip:

What you would talk about with us? Is there any room left to talk to you?
I am sorry princip but there is nothing to be discussed with you! However, we can still be a good neighbours, keeping good relationships as well as with other neighbours, regardless of past. We are pople who knows to forgive! You just need to apollogize.

Indonesia is right. Just as USA and EU. International community doesnt apply double standards to Serbia, but Serbia applied double standards by attacking almost every single republic in ex-Yu. In Croatia you lost everything (because u didnt accept Z-4), in Bosna you got R.Srpska. So, what double standards? In Kosovo, you are getting lots of things for Serbs. Again, of course Kosovo Albanians will be favored (and get more, the state while serbs, all the other things), but because there are reasons, and not because world doesnt like 7 million Serbs somewhere in Europe. Be real.

Also, some Albanians that managed to leave Albania (with consequences for their family btw) went abroad and not to Kosovo mainly(a very very small number did both in absolute and relative terms). If somebody travelled abroad, they could have stayed for example. In this regard, it is still nobody was in and out except for those that State chose to get out and then they stayed. Of course, somebody sneaked out, but that is nothing massive or big numbers.

Also, don't forget that Serbs settled in the Balkans after (ethnic) Albanians.
I am not trying to get into history, because there were movements on both sides (Serbs that came during 20's and took big lands in Kosovo as well as during 50's). On the other side, Albanians that came during the 2nd world war.

So, there were movements on both sides; however, it was mainly to economic reasons. Kosovars then went to work in Germany and Switzerland (except during Rankovic when lots were expelled to Turkey) and Serbs went to Serbia. Purely economic. Now, Kosovo Albanians increased in number because of higher growth, yes.
Still, let's leave the history out because we are both very biased towards it and we dont really know what happened.

Let's look at the people today: and the truth is that there are 95% that cannot function due to lack of statehood. Serbia wasnt a good parent for 80 years, and now it is time to split.
I dont know what would Serbia do with 2 million Albanians on the other side.
I havent heard the simplest apology for all the crimes that happened in Kosovo. I am not even sure that some of the Serbian politicians disagree with what has happened.

If Serbia in 2000 said we are sorry and lets change things, let the democrats (djindjic like) rule for reald; maybe Serbia could have had a chance. But just recently you elect Nikolic for Assembly President. What message do you send to Kosovo for example. Not a very good one.

It has become inevitable for Kosovo to become independent. For the sake of being functional and for many other reasons that I mentioned.

The US want to pretend that they are the ethnic-Albanians friends knowning that such a draft resolution will never be acceptable to either Russia or China - when the Veto comes they will act up but that will at last be the end of the folly and I think we all know that at that point staus will have been resolved & more inportantly Serbia's sovereignity upheld! At that point there will be No ILLEGAL declaration, NO ILLEGAL recognition and NO violence. There will howvere be new talks under the autonomy framwork for the Serbia province - as Mr Blair said recently to the ethnic groups in the UK - "Conform to it" !!!

Really? Has the US-EU team hammered out a negotiation with Russia and China then? Are we to see a compromised resolution that will not be vetoed in the SC?

What about these ideas we heard a few months ago, such as institutionally structuring the Serb municipalities in Kosovo along the lines of Southern Tyrol?

Why introduce a resolution that is sure to be vetoed by Russia, even after the US is now saying they will not recognize a unilaterally-declared independent Kosovo? I mean does the left hand even have a remote clue as to what the right hand is doing anymore?

Who are we kidding? USA & Russia failed to act early on when they could have turned Yugoslavia into a federation. Now they have to deal with the aftermath. What a mess this has all become. Way to go guys. This has got to be the crescendo. Any chance the Westerners are willing to give up Vatican City to the Hindus? Right when you think things couldn't get worse. At least the Russians are finally pulling their heads out of the sand. America needs to mull it over again. Come on, really. You guys can do a better job.

Kosovo is a part of Serbia. Serbs living in Kosovo live in Serbia. Any document that says Kosovo can declare independence is a document that promotes the dismemberment of Serbia and nullifications of its borders and its rights as a country. Any country in the future could be dismembered by the UN.

nehat, you are the rightfull owners then tell me where are your 1400 hundred year old mosqes in kosovo 95% albanians thats because 65% ilegaly entered kosovo from albania in the 4 decades you are talking about
(mick, Thursday, 24 May, 2007, 12:15)
Don't forget that a lot of Albanian Catholic churches were converted by force by the orthodox serbs during the serbian expansion in these teritories when they first set foot, coming from caucauses.

To be honest, as a Serb, I remain unconvinced that there was a great wave of illegal immigration to Kosovo from Albania. I would appreciate any information on the subject besides just rumor and innuendo. I know in Serbia its believed as a given, but I've seen nothing really to indicate its based on fact.

However, that being said, it is my understanding that students from Albania did attend Pristina University way back when because the school system was better then what was going on in Albania. Can anyone enlighten me on this subject?

It would also seem to me that life in Kosovo under Tito was better then life in Albania under Hoxhas? I would appreciate hearing from some Albanians if this is correct?

"Kosova it’s not lost you have given it back to its rightful owners 95% Albanian and you try to tell the world that you where there before the Albanians."
(Nehat Krasniqi, Thursday, 24 May, 2007, 11:14)
First off, its clear that Serbians have left a bigger cultural presence in Kosovo in the form of churches and monuments then the Albanians. Its obvious that parts of Kosovo represent the very foundation and cradle of our civilization.
In addition, while 95% of the current population is in fact Albanian, traditionally the composition of the population was not as one sided as that. The reality is that much of the decrease of the Serbian population in Kosovo was a direct result of what happened in WWII and the retaliatory attacks after the NATO bombing and the riots in 2004. Should the International Community reward ethnic cleansing in such a way? If we are to use the ethnic composition as a justification for the Right to Self Determination, then we must go back in time to before ethnic cleansing was used as a means for solving the region's problems and use the original population distribution as the basis for any discussion of partition. Otherwise we are only rewarding and encouraging that type of behavior. Neither side should benefit from engaging in criminal acts like ethnic cleansing. Serbia will be punished for her actions by losing a portion of her territory, but what will the punishment be for the Albanian side for engaging in similar, but not as extreme, actions? Keep in mind that the number of missing, dead and cleansed in Kosovo mirrors the population distribution rather closely and the last side to engage in crimes against civilians were in fact the Albanian population in 1999 and 2004. There should be at least some form of punishment for those actions. In addition, the Roma suffered by far the largest percentage per capita of the victims in Kosovo and obviously deserve a homeland of their own more than anyone else in the region as they have no place to live of their own where they can prosper and determine their own future. Considering historically they are one of the most abused minorities in all of Europe, their rights and needs should be taken into consideration and given protection in the form of their own state.
While I do not deny the presence of Albanians in the Balkans for a very long time, why is it that the Albanian word for "Greek" is based on the Slavic word for Greek? It would seem to me that this is an indication that the current Albanians in the area actually came from another part of the Balkans and were not the original inhabitants of Kosovo, otherwise they would have already been familiar with the Greeks and would not have borrowed that word from the Slavic language?
"We are most interested to resolve the status ASAP because the status effect the quality of my life I’m fed up with status quo"(Ardi, Thursday, 24 May, 2007, 13:12)
Clearly, there is an issue with the status quo and more needs to be done to improve the daily lives of the Kosovar people while we sort out this mess. However, that is not a reason to rush into a decision that may only be a temporary solution to a vexing problem and the Balkans have always suffered terribly by unilateral actions by the International Community who have proven time and again that they simply do not understand the Balkan mentality.
In reality however, you may actually be living better under foreign guidance. I still remember the first time I visited Bosnia after living in Belgrade for 6 months. It felt like the West to me it was so much more advanced in many ways then Belgrade. You may have a very difficult time after foreign troops leave. We need to ensure you have a working economy with protections for minorities in place so that Kosovo can grow and prosper in an efficient manner.

I am from Albania and I just by accident was directed to this article and I read some of the comments here
It seem like the war has never ended. Who won is not important in this moment but just I want to point something here. It astonish me how the issues are debated. The Balkan way. The Serbs say for Albanians that we are immigrant in Kosovo ( history tells who immigrated here ) Greeks blame Macedonia that Macedonia has stolen the name Bulgaria hate Turks Turks hate Greeks, Greeks hate Albanians, Croats hate Serbs, Slovenians hate Serbs, Serbs hate Bosnians this is the Balkan mess. Welcome to one of them
As for some comments here about migration from Albania to Kosovo. When I was young I wanted to escape from Albania (ask me and I will tell you how) because my family belonged to “the kulak” class and we were treated very badly from communist regime. (FYI: the Albanian communist party was formed by Miladin Popovic and Dushan Mugosha both Serbs implicated with Russian secret services) But I never thought I will go to Kosovo because it was better there no one in Albania except any Albanian from Kosovo that had migrated to Albania from Kosovo for economic reason wanted to return to Kosovo. I guarantee you this because I was very aware of the situation in Yugoslavia Greece and Italy. All who escaped during communist regime of Hoxha none have stayed in Greece few in Italy and almost none in Yugoslavia. How you can go from a coastline country with a great climate to a mountainous region is behind me. I know of one friend of mine that escaped from Vlora region in Albania to Montenegro though mountains region there and today he own few pizzerias in New York City. His entire family was internet for 10 years. after he went in the Yugoslavia TV for propaganda reason by the Yugoslavs. Therefore, you have to know that if someone escaped from Albania and were caught you were sentenced for 8 years prison terms. It is so strange that we in Albania don’t know anything about this “great immigration” or maybe this is just a illusion that these commentators have?
Some commentators here seems to me that they are very egocentric because they defend their side without any regard of the reality
Egocentrism is a very short- lived policy
Peace.

Most of the comments I read tonight were very comical and naive. The time of blame has long gone we have seen what Serbia is capable of doing. If Kosova was Serbian territory surely Serbia wouldn't kill it own people and try to destroy everything that was there. All the major factories and mines were either robed or sabotaged by Serbs during the 90's even the museums were robed, just to wipe everything that was ethnic there. People are forgetting that before Ottoman colonization Albanians were Catholics and Orthodoxes. At that time we had churches to worship. Not every orthodox church is Serbian. Kosovar Serbs will be better off within independent Kosova than they are now or going back as a refugees in Serbia. Serbia can not deal with its own poverty and unemployment and let alone supporting Kosovar serbs. Kosova will be independent and a very happy place to live for all Kosovars regardless their ethnicity. Albanians suffered a lot and are not a nation that will make the others experience the same. Never during thousand years of history Albanians fought outside their borders they only protected what was theirs. Kosova is Kosovars land and will be for years to come.

It is not "too early to discuss the possibility of unilateral regognition of Kosovo independence", Mr.Kasey, it is actually "too late", or, better, "it is not possible at all".

QN

For you; Serbia did not destroy any of its own museams or churches you are being extremely naive if you believe things like this.
As for your idea that Serbia is a poor country i think you have been grossly mislead because its an emerging econonmic power in the region and is about to experience an economic boom. EU entry by 2012 i can guarante and in terms of investment outside the EU serbia and croatia have the highest (without russia of course).
So this Albanian history you are speaking of, what exactly is your history frankly becomes as far as my research shows there is none of it in kosovo, not a single monument apart from the KLA ones recently put up.

Your arguement about all Kosovars being happy once independance comes amuses me frankly. Have you any idea of how dangerous it is for serb in Kosovo? and by your arguement they are Kosovars so once independance is gained why would everything become safe all of a sudden!? wishfull thinking at best, serbs living on bill clinton blv are you joking? There is a grim future ahead for Kosovars because there will be decades of povety under such absurd war criminals such as Agim Ceku. Instead of riding the Serbian economic reform the goverment is puting in place Kosovar albanians are trying to get out and sell all their land to the west in return for what? A new place to live besides Albania and an increase in tension between serbs which they will never see the end of? Its not really worth it.

Serbia is Kosovo. As for the people living in Kosovo... they are all citizens of Serbia. Otherwise they are illigal imigrants and should be deported.
NOT AN OPINION... FACT.
Resolution 1244.

"I am from Albania and I just by accident was directed to this article and I read some of the comments here
It seem like the war has never ended."
Alban, welcome to the comments section of B92!!!!
While you are correct, many are here to piss and moan at one another, some of us are actually interested in hearing the perspective of others.
I happened to be a Montenegrin-American and I actually do in fact appreciate your comments and what you experienced greatly. Thank you for contributing, and I hope you continue to do so in the future constructively and without letting the nationalists on either side get you pissed off.
Not all Serbs here are nationalists, nor do we all hate Albanians. For me personally, I feel a deep connection to Kosovo historically and culturally, however, I also am sympathetic to the needs of the Albanians living there as well. I believe Albanians and Serbs have many of the same problems and issues and that we should work together collectively to find a peaceful solution we can both agree on.