Valley Albanians push for talks on merging with Kosovo

@Avni, I know who was living in Nis 500 years ago. "Slavic tribes made eight attempts to take Niš . During the final attack in 615 AD the invaders took the city, and most of the Roman population fled or perished, but some small traces survived in the local Vlach population. The city and nearby arable land were settled by Slavs."
It wasn't an Albanian city although I am sure there were a few Albanians living there along with some germans, italians etc it being a trading centre.

@Albanian Naissus is the roman derivative of the greek naissos("city of the nymphs"), because it the city was founded by the greeks, and not as some Albanians like to believe from albanian njëshi or Lap Najshi.

Also Ptolemy of Alexandria makes no mention of Albanians when he talks about Naissus in Cosmographia http://www.polona.pl/dlibra/doccontent2?id=61

According to Albanians everything on the Balkan peninsular and half of the Italian peninsular is 'natural Albania'.

Merging with Kosovo would make a lot of sense.

From the statistics that I obtained, Medveda now has a clear Serb majority of over 60%. In Bujanovac, Albanians are only s relative majority of 54% and Serbs about 35%. So don't expect Belgrade to even consider the merger proposal for these 2 municipalities.

Presevo could be an exception with its distinct 88% Albanian majority. The price could well be for K-Albanians to formally give up north Kosovo. As it is, there is already de facto partition on the ground in Kosovo. Why not just formalize it and then everyone can get on with their own lives without having to fear the other?

This is outrageous! Anyone that supports or promotes the creation of mono-ethnic states is a xenophobic racist. This is not only a racist plan, it is land grabbing. Thirty years from now the Republic of Kosova-Preshevo would still be so poor that many residents would be going across the border into Nis for work. Then when they had reached a significant majority in Nis they would claim it as ancestral Albanian land and demand independence. Ridiculous.

Are they serious?

This is beyond believe, will it ever be enough for the Albanians?.

However before reading to much into this, it's perhaps better to see what the other Albanian parties think.

I think these people have completely lost their minds. First of all, Kosovo isnt breaking away, secondly, we surely are not going to give away more chunks of Srbija. I find it pretty funny actually!! Hey, you know what, i want to break away from America, maybe i'll declare my property as a new nation! Get real!!!!!

Hey I can't wait for southern US to join Mexico too.

As I said before it is like the cow and the sheep that I looked after when I was a child. When the grass was gone in our pasture the cow and in particular one sheep jumped the wall into our neighbor’s garden and all hell broke loose.

this is so hilarious i won't even comment.

I think that Kosovo is just the beginning... Presevo... Sandzak... Vojvodina... I think you Serbs did not take the German ambassador seriously...

Walter,

Perfect example. Just like the Serb sheeps that ate the grass in Slovenia, then moved to Croatia then Bosnia then Kosovo, devastating the entire neighbourhood and depleting it of grass.

Except in your case it want grass but living and breathing people that the sheep devoured. Google search Raska mass grave for the most recent proff of this particular sheeps apetite.

And what about kent, in SE England, with 300.000 polish soon they'll proclaim its indipendence from england and will be New Poland!

As I have commented many times before, if the Serbs don't draw the line now, the land grab will never end until all Serbian lands belong to other countries. Not one more inch of Serbian land should be let go, time to stand or fall! This is why I always recommend that Serbs stay closer to Russia, only they can and will keep Serbs from total annihilation. This is no longer about politics, it's about survival! Serbia should seriously consider having a Russian military base with nukes somewhere in Serbia, I would suggest putting it where camp bondsteel is now. Yes no joke! The Russians would never do to the Serbs what the US & EU have been and are now doing.

It is about time that the proper owners of the land take maters in their hands and govern their places. As for partition of Kosova, you can only dream about it.

I was wondering if Jack knows which people lived in Nish 500years ago,and why people have to travel to Nish is it not closer place where they can get work

Ratko,
You seem utterly ignorant about the southern US. Millions of Mexicans dream to live in the USA and become their proud citizens. The reason for it is obvious. Life on the US side is incomparably better. A study was just published about Mexicans in the US. The third generation is not even speaking Espagnol anymore at home but English. They are fully assimilated because they are treated well and they feel integral part of their country. This is the success of assimilation in the US. This is what european countries were never able to realize and have the problems we all know about.

Not going to happen.

This could easily be the flashpoint which sets off the next war this summer.

serbs...
You ingested half Albania in the past century,so blame yourselves for the indegestion you are suffering.

An old Serbian saying : "Give them a finger and they will take the hand!"
Macedonia watch out! I am fairly certain is Kosovo becomes independant that eastern macedonia will follow in the years to come.
And to think those naive macedonians are supporting the independance!

To Jack:
Nis used to be Albanian until 1878 if you didn't know that. It was Illyruan (Albanian) town called Naisus. After Russian-Turkey war on 1877, there were replaced all Albanians from this region. We have a lot of them in Kosova, but most of them went in Turkey b/c of agreement which Serbia signed with Turkey to move all Albanians from Balcan peninsula to Anadoll(that's why we fight them both). But, we're not claiming it back as jews did with Israel. We want regions where even after all those invaders we survived.

Joe,

I don t know where you are from but probably not from California. Many Latinos in California continue to speak Spanish and be proud of their foreign roots. A large number maintain dual citizenship and an also large number are not there legally. To say that many have been assimilated would be inaccurate since many third generation Latinos who do not speak Spanish still face much discrimination and do not enjoy the same living conditions of their Anglo-white compatriots. Moreover, the assimilating process was not entirely a case of willful integration but instead a process loaded with social and governmental pressures to dilute ethnic identity. True, those with citizenship are proud to be U.S. citizens. Many non-US citizens would like to join the club of citizenship but are not allowed. Like many immigrant groups elsewhere, it would also be safe to say that a vast majority still call for greater integration and acceptance, rather than cookie-cutter assimilation. The U.S. is a great country, legally much more progressive than the European countries still following nationalistic models from the 19th century, but to say that its integration policies are anywhere to perfect would be simplistic, if not, misleading.

As far as Kosovo partition, it always made sense that N. Kosovo go to Serbia and that Presevo stay within Serbia. This is because one would still see Serb minorities south of the Ibar river which one would expect to be politically active after a mutual accord. The Albanian minorities in Serbia proper same politically active and would potentially see their lot improve after the Kosovo status were resolved. Joint citizenship for Serb Kosovar Serb and Albanian Serbian minorities would not be a bad idea as it would create more fluid cross border interactions facilitating trade and other peaceful activities such as voting. It would also improve their willingness to respect the shared nature of their common space.

Zoran,
Don't worry. There will always be a Serbia but maybe a smaller one. If all the minorities would be able to express their will than the size Serbia would be greatly reduced. From Vojvodina only the southern part would remain. A small portion of Serbia would even go to Bulgaria. I learnd resetly about an unhappy Bulgarian minority.

Insults, landswaps and incorrect history lessons aside, let's stick to the article....

Here's my 2 cents..

The Valley Albanian leadership has been given the message from Washington to work WITHIN the boundaries of current Serbian constitution and government. Although both sides were/are apprehensive about the idea, the US has clearly shown that Valley Albanians won't get their support for furthering the Kosovo cause...

As far as governance goes, i think the Valley leadership is taking a terrible gamble..I mean, imagine, nothing happens of this..

Assuming Kosovo gets independence, you'll potentially be cut off financially from UN contracts, AND the Serbian government will think twice before doling out money to them via EU donations..
You will have nobody to blame but yourselves, when Korsumlija and Vranje get South Serbian grants and not YOU?

What message would it give to Serbia, in where they've chosen a democratic path (albeit rocky), and even THAT wasn't good enough to keep Valley Albanians content..

Add to that the fact that Albanians have accepted to work with the Serbian government, yet visit Tirane for guidance??

It makes me ask the question "WHO can you work with within the Albanian hierarchy??"
Is it the politicians??
Is it the elders?
Is it the people?
Is it the religious leaders?

Somebody is being mislead here, and i think the Albanians need to look at Sandjak as a measuring stick..

You're clearly running parallel to Sandjak's issues, and as you can see, the US is very cooperative with Serbia on this issue.

I believe that you're in the same boat..
Don't worry, there's room for everybody on that boat..

Kids, stop dreaming of carving up Serbia like little vultures. This is so typical of self-glorified diasporas.

Jorge,
You are right. I am not from California. I am just familiar with the San Diego area, where I like the climate and the friendly attitude of the hard-working Mexican-Americans. Thank you for your message. Your assessment is correct. I wished few things would be better but - as you state so correctly - the US is still much more progressive than the European countries.
Buenos dias!!

Hey, nice to hear again from you Joe. Just a bit of info for you. Two of my closest relatives in Serbia are half Bulgarian and have dual citizenship. I keep in contact with them on a weekly basis and I can tell you that they are very happy to be in Serbia. Bulgarians are mostly Slavic and their culture and thought processes are similar to Serbs, there is no conflict or animosity between the two groups as you say. Sure, if the land grab is allowed to continue, Bulgaria would be happy to take some free land, who would turn that down? But that is not going to happen, and neither is your ethnic groups desire to take back Vojvodina. Maybe the 220,000 Germans in Hungary will use the Kosovo example to make it a bit smaller. Don't worry, Hungary will always exist Joe?

I think that Kosovo is just the beginning... Presevo... Sandzak... Vojvodina... I think you Serbs did not take the German ambassador seriously...
(John 2, Wednesday, 6 June, 2007, 15:54)

Just like Austro-Hungarian Emperor Archduke Ferdinand didn't take the Serbs seriously in WWI and the Austro-Hungarian Army was driven & anniliated by little Serbia.

Just like Hitler who didnt' take Serbia seriously and saw his Nazi divisions held up in the former Yugoslavia.

Joe, I do live in California, are you aware of the current flap in regards to the police brutality towards the Hispanic population that happened recently in Southern California?

Are you aware that next door to me in Redwood City that the INS are staking out the elementary schools and arresting and then deporting the parents of school age children? Dividing families and ruining lives? I know many many Hispanics and they live in constant fear. Are you aware of the laws being passed to punish landlords for renting to immigrants? Are you aware of the large "English only" movement, which in my view is 100% silly as the name of California itself is Spanish! Are you aware that there are in fact independence movements in California and elsewhere. Yes, Hispanics face discrimination and abuse from both the government and misguided individuals. Its very offensive to me. California and Texas clearly should have the right to Self Determination as much as any other minority in the world. Historically, the indigenous peoples of the America's have faced many genocidal attacks upon their population. Yes, many would like US citizenship for economic reasons, but the fact is Mexico is poor because of all the gold plundered from their country. Imagine if Mexico had benefited from the California Gold Rush AND retained all their Aztec gold. They would be a fairly powerful country. Keep in mind, the Ottoman's dominated the world until the discovery of the Americas and the vast wealth brought into Western European countries, that is the source of their wealth and power.

As far as Presevo goes however, I've always supported the possibility of exchanging Presevo for some area of historical importance, such as Pec or whatever. It is a carrot Serbia has to offer. I believe it’s a positive thing that this is being brought up. At least maybe we can actually have a discussion on the merits. All options must be on the table as far as a solution to Kosovo goes.

As far as Nis goes, correct me if I'm wrong, but my understanding is there is a giant monument made up entirely of Serbian Skulls that the Ottoman's made in retaliation for Serbs seeking independence in the area. Also Serbs there speak a very distinct dialect, different from any other area, which would seem to indicate to me a prolonged presence of Serbs in that area.

to jack and others ,

as a matter of fact ,nish was an albanian city before you killed and expelled all albanians from it in the 19Th
see for that the cubriloviq memorandum about the expulsion of the albanian
"..method of the colonization of Toplica and Kosanica after 1878, when the Albanians were expelled from these regions, is full of lessons. The method for the colonization of these regions was laid down in the law of January 3, 1880. On February 3 of the same year, the People’s Council approved the law on the amendment of agrarian relations according to the principle of the land to the peasants. Without hesitation, Serbia sought its first foreign loan in order to pay Turkey for the lands taken. It did not set up any ministry of agrarian reform or costly apparatus for the problem of colonization, but everything was done in a simple and practical manner. The police organs distributed the land to all those who wanted to till it. People came from Montenegro, Sjenica, Vranje, Kosovo, Pec, etc. and thirty years later Toplica and Kosanica, once Albanian regions of ill-repute, gave Serbia the finest regiment in the wars of 1912-18, the Iron Second Regiment. In those wars, Toplica and Kosanica paid and repaid, with the blood of their sons, those tens of millions of dinars which Serbia had spent for their resettlement..

serbian sources guys,from your academiciens that so much inspired milosheviq!

"I think that Kosovo is just the beginning... Presevo... Sandzak... Vojvodina... I think you Serbs did not take the German ambassador seriously...
(John 2, Wednesday, 6 June, 2007, 15:54)"

I think the Serbs will take the ambassdor's remarks the same way I have taken yours...norfolk in chance.

So Nick you are saying large groups of Serbs moved from Slovenia, to Croatia then Bosnia and then to Kosovo??

Plus nothing found in Raska yet!

Albanians are not Illyrians. That is theory which was also borrowed also by Croatians in their drive for independence from the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The Illyrians are a dead race that the Albanians would love to use as their justfication for grabbing land. If the Albanians are interested in revising borders based on ancient empires, I am sure Greece would love the southern parts of Albania since that was part of Epirus, home of the Alexander the Great's mother. There is more justification for Greek claims on Albania than the Albanians have on Kosovo and the rest of the region.

John 2, Vojvodina is over 65% Serbian.

Endri and Albanian, Kosovo was part of Serbia until the Ottoman Empire came in and the Albanians followed. You should also remember that Albania was on the side of the Germans twice, including during the murder of six million Jews. That put you on the losing side of the war. To the victors belong the spoils of war.

Joe, last time I watched news, the Mexicans were waving Mexican flags in the streets of Los Angeles. It's only a matter of time before they start demanding that their language be an official language of the US and then want more than just an arm.

The Albanians are on a role there are two city blocks in New York that definitely have an Albanian majority . I suggest they merge that as well. Also lets not go forget Greece and Italy I am sure they would be more then happy to donate to the greater Albanian cause.

"It is about time that the proper owners of the land take maters in their hands and govern their places. As for partition of Kosova, you can only dream about it.
(flO, Wednesday, 6 June, 2007, 16:22) "
Dream about it??? It is already the de facto situation on the ground!

Simple response from Serbs: No Way!

Walley Albanians have been horribly cheated by Serbia. While many cities in Serbia have been modernized nothing has changed in Presheva for the last 40 years. If it weren't for USAID to patch up some roads, the poor people would steel be walking in mud.
They'd be fools to remain within Serbia. Maybe it's good idea to exchange population between North Mitrovica and Presheva. Like that Serbian government may finaly invest in a place it never did.

All these comments, how pointless. The Presheva Valley wants to cut off from serbia bc it benefits its' people much more than to be within serbia (obviously). What you are not reading in here is "Albanians THREATENS [insert words here]" or "Albanians start "PROTECTION CORPSE" to not allow a single serb inside into the area." The Albanians aren't starting "protection groups" like the serbs in Northern Mitrovica (who will shoot at will) if you come near. They are planning to hold talks calmly with the serbian government. Bravo to the Albanians on once again of trying to achieve something through democracy.

Nice to hear someone from Presevo reminding the G8 that the principle of "inviolable borders" is untenable.

The principle was borrowed from the decolonisation of Africa and Latin America where ethnic identity played no role. It was introduced into the Yugoslav situation by the infamous Badinter Commission - a collective of constitutional lawyers without relevant knowledge who where happy to borrow their name to justify an existing EU policy.

Serbia will remain with its current borders and that's it. Once this is Russia VETOs the resolution that's it. If it doesn't it risks complete outrage by its own people and a complete loss of face.

No-one in the west is behind this crazy plan of some Albanian party. There is just no suport for it. And it's beyond believe they sugested it. But it's one Albanian party, we haven't heard from any others yet.

However how can anyone be so sure that kosovo would remain within Serbia. I don't suport its independence, I think it's the wrong solution. But I think it would be better if we would be prepared for the evenutal lose, then to be so sure that Kosovo would stay within Serbia.

As far as Nis goes, correct me if I'm wrong, but my understanding is there is a giant monument made up entirely of Serbian Skulls that the Ottoman's made in retaliation for Serbs seeking independence in the area. Also Serbs there speak a very distinct dialect, different from any other area, which would seem to indicate to me a prolonged presence of Serbs in that area.
(Matthew, Wednesday, 6 June, 2007, 21:17)

Matthew,

Its called the "Cela Kula" the Tower of Skulls and have seen it many times in my visits to NIS.

Stephan Sindiljic and the Serbs defended NIS against the Ottomans but were overrun. Stephan Sindilijic blew himself up along with the fort by igniting the ammunition depot in a cave.

It is an affront and historical farce to say that Albanians somehow were the majority in NIS, even during the Ottoman empire, the majority of the Phanariots were Greek.

To repeat to all Albanian Historical revisionsists, Kosovo was the first settlement of Serbs in and around the sixth century, along with Montenegro.

Albanians came from the Nomadic drifting tribes not the Illyrians which is an ancient civilization nothing to do with with Croats or Albanians.

The same goes for so called Republic of Macedonia which has nothing to do with the Greek or Macedon Civilization.

Do you see the Serbs calling themselves Romans in NIS?

NIS was built after Roman Emperor Naissus along with the great wall that surrounds the city.

@ Endri and Jack,

The internet in general and B92 in particular are so democratic as to display one of the detractions of democracy, i.e. anyone is allowed to make any kind of ignorant and hateful remark he wants and gets it posted, just the same as those who actually know what they are talking about.

From the statistics that I obtained, Medveda now has a clear Serb majority of over 60%. In Bujanovac, Albanians are only s relative majority of 54% and Serbs about 35%. So don't expect Belgrade to even consider the merger proposal for these 2 municipalities.

Presevo could be an exception with its distinct 88% Albanian majority. The price could well be for K-Albanians to formally give up north Kosovo. As it is, there is already de facto partition on the ground in Kosovo. Why not just formalize it and then everyone can get on with their own lives without having to fear the other?

Merging with Kosovo would make a lot of sense.

This is outrageous! Anyone that supports or promotes the creation of mono-ethnic states is a xenophobic racist. This is not only a racist plan, it is land grabbing. Thirty years from now the Republic of Kosova-Preshevo would still be so poor that many residents would be going across the border into Nis for work. Then when they had reached a significant majority in Nis they would claim it as ancestral Albanian land and demand independence. Ridiculous.

Are they serious?

This is beyond believe, will it ever be enough for the Albanians?.

However before reading to much into this, it's perhaps better to see what the other Albanian parties think.

I think these people have completely lost their minds. First of all, Kosovo isnt breaking away, secondly, we surely are not going to give away more chunks of Srbija. I find it pretty funny actually!! Hey, you know what, i want to break away from America, maybe i'll declare my property as a new nation! Get real!!!!!

Hey I can't wait for southern US to join Mexico too.

As I said before it is like the cow and the sheep that I looked after when I was a child. When the grass was gone in our pasture the cow and in particular one sheep jumped the wall into our neighbor’s garden and all hell broke loose.

this is so hilarious i won't even comment.

I think that Kosovo is just the beginning... Presevo... Sandzak... Vojvodina... I think you Serbs did not take the German ambassador seriously...

Walter,

Perfect example. Just like the Serb sheeps that ate the grass in Slovenia, then moved to Croatia then Bosnia then Kosovo, devastating the entire neighbourhood and depleting it of grass.

Except in your case it want grass but living and breathing people that the sheep devoured. Google search Raska mass grave for the most recent proff of this particular sheeps apetite.

And what about kent, in SE England, with 300.000 polish soon they'll proclaim its indipendence from england and will be New Poland!

As I have commented many times before, if the Serbs don't draw the line now, the land grab will never end until all Serbian lands belong to other countries. Not one more inch of Serbian land should be let go, time to stand or fall! This is why I always recommend that Serbs stay closer to Russia, only they can and will keep Serbs from total annihilation. This is no longer about politics, it's about survival! Serbia should seriously consider having a Russian military base with nukes somewhere in Serbia, I would suggest putting it where camp bondsteel is now. Yes no joke! The Russians would never do to the Serbs what the US & EU have been and are now doing.

It is about time that the proper owners of the land take maters in their hands and govern their places. As for partition of Kosova, you can only dream about it.

I was wondering if Jack knows which people lived in Nish 500years ago,and why people have to travel to Nish is it not closer place where they can get work

Ratko,
You seem utterly ignorant about the southern US. Millions of Mexicans dream to live in the USA and become their proud citizens. The reason for it is obvious. Life on the US side is incomparably better. A study was just published about Mexicans in the US. The third generation is not even speaking Espagnol anymore at home but English. They are fully assimilated because they are treated well and they feel integral part of their country. This is the success of assimilation in the US. This is what european countries were never able to realize and have the problems we all know about.

Not going to happen.

This could easily be the flashpoint which sets off the next war this summer.

serbs...
You ingested half Albania in the past century,so blame yourselves for the indegestion you are suffering.

An old Serbian saying : "Give them a finger and they will take the hand!"
Macedonia watch out! I am fairly certain is Kosovo becomes independant that eastern macedonia will follow in the years to come.
And to think those naive macedonians are supporting the independance!

To Jack:
Nis used to be Albanian until 1878 if you didn't know that. It was Illyruan (Albanian) town called Naisus. After Russian-Turkey war on 1877, there were replaced all Albanians from this region. We have a lot of them in Kosova, but most of them went in Turkey b/c of agreement which Serbia signed with Turkey to move all Albanians from Balcan peninsula to Anadoll(that's why we fight them both). But, we're not claiming it back as jews did with Israel. We want regions where even after all those invaders we survived.

Joe,

I don t know where you are from but probably not from California. Many Latinos in California continue to speak Spanish and be proud of their foreign roots. A large number maintain dual citizenship and an also large number are not there legally. To say that many have been assimilated would be inaccurate since many third generation Latinos who do not speak Spanish still face much discrimination and do not enjoy the same living conditions of their Anglo-white compatriots. Moreover, the assimilating process was not entirely a case of willful integration but instead a process loaded with social and governmental pressures to dilute ethnic identity. True, those with citizenship are proud to be U.S. citizens. Many non-US citizens would like to join the club of citizenship but are not allowed. Like many immigrant groups elsewhere, it would also be safe to say that a vast majority still call for greater integration and acceptance, rather than cookie-cutter assimilation. The U.S. is a great country, legally much more progressive than the European countries still following nationalistic models from the 19th century, but to say that its integration policies are anywhere to perfect would be simplistic, if not, misleading.

As far as Kosovo partition, it always made sense that N. Kosovo go to Serbia and that Presevo stay within Serbia. This is because one would still see Serb minorities south of the Ibar river which one would expect to be politically active after a mutual accord. The Albanian minorities in Serbia proper same politically active and would potentially see their lot improve after the Kosovo status were resolved. Joint citizenship for Serb Kosovar Serb and Albanian Serbian minorities would not be a bad idea as it would create more fluid cross border interactions facilitating trade and other peaceful activities such as voting. It would also improve their willingness to respect the shared nature of their common space.

Zoran,
Don't worry. There will always be a Serbia but maybe a smaller one. If all the minorities would be able to express their will than the size Serbia would be greatly reduced. From Vojvodina only the southern part would remain. A small portion of Serbia would even go to Bulgaria. I learnd resetly about an unhappy Bulgarian minority.

Insults, landswaps and incorrect history lessons aside, let's stick to the article....

Here's my 2 cents..

The Valley Albanian leadership has been given the message from Washington to work WITHIN the boundaries of current Serbian constitution and government. Although both sides were/are apprehensive about the idea, the US has clearly shown that Valley Albanians won't get their support for furthering the Kosovo cause...

As far as governance goes, i think the Valley leadership is taking a terrible gamble..I mean, imagine, nothing happens of this..

Assuming Kosovo gets independence, you'll potentially be cut off financially from UN contracts, AND the Serbian government will think twice before doling out money to them via EU donations..
You will have nobody to blame but yourselves, when Korsumlija and Vranje get South Serbian grants and not YOU?

What message would it give to Serbia, in where they've chosen a democratic path (albeit rocky), and even THAT wasn't good enough to keep Valley Albanians content..

Add to that the fact that Albanians have accepted to work with the Serbian government, yet visit Tirane for guidance??

It makes me ask the question "WHO can you work with within the Albanian hierarchy??"
Is it the politicians??
Is it the elders?
Is it the people?
Is it the religious leaders?

Somebody is being mislead here, and i think the Albanians need to look at Sandjak as a measuring stick..

You're clearly running parallel to Sandjak's issues, and as you can see, the US is very cooperative with Serbia on this issue.

I believe that you're in the same boat..
Don't worry, there's room for everybody on that boat..

Kids, stop dreaming of carving up Serbia like little vultures. This is so typical of self-glorified diasporas.

Jorge,
You are right. I am not from California. I am just familiar with the San Diego area, where I like the climate and the friendly attitude of the hard-working Mexican-Americans. Thank you for your message. Your assessment is correct. I wished few things would be better but - as you state so correctly - the US is still much more progressive than the European countries.
Buenos dias!!

@Avni, I know who was living in Nis 500 years ago. "Slavic tribes made eight attempts to take Niš . During the final attack in 615 AD the invaders took the city, and most of the Roman population fled or perished, but some small traces survived in the local Vlach population. The city and nearby arable land were settled by Slavs."
It wasn't an Albanian city although I am sure there were a few Albanians living there along with some germans, italians etc it being a trading centre.

@Albanian Naissus is the roman derivative of the greek naissos("city of the nymphs"), because it the city was founded by the greeks, and not as some Albanians like to believe from albanian njëshi or Lap Najshi.

Also Ptolemy of Alexandria makes no mention of Albanians when he talks about Naissus in Cosmographia http://www.polona.pl/dlibra/doccontent2?id=61

According to Albanians everything on the Balkan peninsular and half of the Italian peninsular is 'natural Albania'.

Hey, nice to hear again from you Joe. Just a bit of info for you. Two of my closest relatives in Serbia are half Bulgarian and have dual citizenship. I keep in contact with them on a weekly basis and I can tell you that they are very happy to be in Serbia. Bulgarians are mostly Slavic and their culture and thought processes are similar to Serbs, there is no conflict or animosity between the two groups as you say. Sure, if the land grab is allowed to continue, Bulgaria would be happy to take some free land, who would turn that down? But that is not going to happen, and neither is your ethnic groups desire to take back Vojvodina. Maybe the 220,000 Germans in Hungary will use the Kosovo example to make it a bit smaller. Don't worry, Hungary will always exist Joe?

I think that Kosovo is just the beginning... Presevo... Sandzak... Vojvodina... I think you Serbs did not take the German ambassador seriously...
(John 2, Wednesday, 6 June, 2007, 15:54)

Just like Austro-Hungarian Emperor Archduke Ferdinand didn't take the Serbs seriously in WWI and the Austro-Hungarian Army was driven & anniliated by little Serbia.

Just like Hitler who didnt' take Serbia seriously and saw his Nazi divisions held up in the former Yugoslavia.

Joe, I do live in California, are you aware of the current flap in regards to the police brutality towards the Hispanic population that happened recently in Southern California?

Are you aware that next door to me in Redwood City that the INS are staking out the elementary schools and arresting and then deporting the parents of school age children? Dividing families and ruining lives? I know many many Hispanics and they live in constant fear. Are you aware of the laws being passed to punish landlords for renting to immigrants? Are you aware of the large "English only" movement, which in my view is 100% silly as the name of California itself is Spanish! Are you aware that there are in fact independence movements in California and elsewhere. Yes, Hispanics face discrimination and abuse from both the government and misguided individuals. Its very offensive to me. California and Texas clearly should have the right to Self Determination as much as any other minority in the world. Historically, the indigenous peoples of the America's have faced many genocidal attacks upon their population. Yes, many would like US citizenship for economic reasons, but the fact is Mexico is poor because of all the gold plundered from their country. Imagine if Mexico had benefited from the California Gold Rush AND retained all their Aztec gold. They would be a fairly powerful country. Keep in mind, the Ottoman's dominated the world until the discovery of the Americas and the vast wealth brought into Western European countries, that is the source of their wealth and power.

As far as Presevo goes however, I've always supported the possibility of exchanging Presevo for some area of historical importance, such as Pec or whatever. It is a carrot Serbia has to offer. I believe it’s a positive thing that this is being brought up. At least maybe we can actually have a discussion on the merits. All options must be on the table as far as a solution to Kosovo goes.

As far as Nis goes, correct me if I'm wrong, but my understanding is there is a giant monument made up entirely of Serbian Skulls that the Ottoman's made in retaliation for Serbs seeking independence in the area. Also Serbs there speak a very distinct dialect, different from any other area, which would seem to indicate to me a prolonged presence of Serbs in that area.

to jack and others ,

as a matter of fact ,nish was an albanian city before you killed and expelled all albanians from it in the 19Th
see for that the cubriloviq memorandum about the expulsion of the albanian
"..method of the colonization of Toplica and Kosanica after 1878, when the Albanians were expelled from these regions, is full of lessons. The method for the colonization of these regions was laid down in the law of January 3, 1880. On February 3 of the same year, the People’s Council approved the law on the amendment of agrarian relations according to the principle of the land to the peasants. Without hesitation, Serbia sought its first foreign loan in order to pay Turkey for the lands taken. It did not set up any ministry of agrarian reform or costly apparatus for the problem of colonization, but everything was done in a simple and practical manner. The police organs distributed the land to all those who wanted to till it. People came from Montenegro, Sjenica, Vranje, Kosovo, Pec, etc. and thirty years later Toplica and Kosanica, once Albanian regions of ill-repute, gave Serbia the finest regiment in the wars of 1912-18, the Iron Second Regiment. In those wars, Toplica and Kosanica paid and repaid, with the blood of their sons, those tens of millions of dinars which Serbia had spent for their resettlement..

serbian sources guys,from your academiciens that so much inspired milosheviq!

"I think that Kosovo is just the beginning... Presevo... Sandzak... Vojvodina... I think you Serbs did not take the German ambassador seriously...
(John 2, Wednesday, 6 June, 2007, 15:54)"

I think the Serbs will take the ambassdor's remarks the same way I have taken yours...norfolk in chance.

So Nick you are saying large groups of Serbs moved from Slovenia, to Croatia then Bosnia and then to Kosovo??

Plus nothing found in Raska yet!

Albanians are not Illyrians. That is theory which was also borrowed also by Croatians in their drive for independence from the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The Illyrians are a dead race that the Albanians would love to use as their justfication for grabbing land. If the Albanians are interested in revising borders based on ancient empires, I am sure Greece would love the southern parts of Albania since that was part of Epirus, home of the Alexander the Great's mother. There is more justification for Greek claims on Albania than the Albanians have on Kosovo and the rest of the region.

John 2, Vojvodina is over 65% Serbian.

Endri and Albanian, Kosovo was part of Serbia until the Ottoman Empire came in and the Albanians followed. You should also remember that Albania was on the side of the Germans twice, including during the murder of six million Jews. That put you on the losing side of the war. To the victors belong the spoils of war.

Joe, last time I watched news, the Mexicans were waving Mexican flags in the streets of Los Angeles. It's only a matter of time before they start demanding that their language be an official language of the US and then want more than just an arm.

The Albanians are on a role there are two city blocks in New York that definitely have an Albanian majority . I suggest they merge that as well. Also lets not go forget Greece and Italy I am sure they would be more then happy to donate to the greater Albanian cause.

"It is about time that the proper owners of the land take maters in their hands and govern their places. As for partition of Kosova, you can only dream about it.
(flO, Wednesday, 6 June, 2007, 16:22) "
Dream about it??? It is already the de facto situation on the ground!

Simple response from Serbs: No Way!

Walley Albanians have been horribly cheated by Serbia. While many cities in Serbia have been modernized nothing has changed in Presheva for the last 40 years. If it weren't for USAID to patch up some roads, the poor people would steel be walking in mud.
They'd be fools to remain within Serbia. Maybe it's good idea to exchange population between North Mitrovica and Presheva. Like that Serbian government may finaly invest in a place it never did.

All these comments, how pointless. The Presheva Valley wants to cut off from serbia bc it benefits its' people much more than to be within serbia (obviously). What you are not reading in here is "Albanians THREATENS [insert words here]" or "Albanians start "PROTECTION CORPSE" to not allow a single serb inside into the area." The Albanians aren't starting "protection groups" like the serbs in Northern Mitrovica (who will shoot at will) if you come near. They are planning to hold talks calmly with the serbian government. Bravo to the Albanians on once again of trying to achieve something through democracy.

Nice to hear someone from Presevo reminding the G8 that the principle of "inviolable borders" is untenable.

The principle was borrowed from the decolonisation of Africa and Latin America where ethnic identity played no role. It was introduced into the Yugoslav situation by the infamous Badinter Commission - a collective of constitutional lawyers without relevant knowledge who where happy to borrow their name to justify an existing EU policy.

Serbia will remain with its current borders and that's it. Once this is Russia VETOs the resolution that's it. If it doesn't it risks complete outrage by its own people and a complete loss of face.

No-one in the west is behind this crazy plan of some Albanian party. There is just no suport for it. And it's beyond believe they sugested it. But it's one Albanian party, we haven't heard from any others yet.

However how can anyone be so sure that kosovo would remain within Serbia. I don't suport its independence, I think it's the wrong solution. But I think it would be better if we would be prepared for the evenutal lose, then to be so sure that Kosovo would stay within Serbia.

As far as Nis goes, correct me if I'm wrong, but my understanding is there is a giant monument made up entirely of Serbian Skulls that the Ottoman's made in retaliation for Serbs seeking independence in the area. Also Serbs there speak a very distinct dialect, different from any other area, which would seem to indicate to me a prolonged presence of Serbs in that area.
(Matthew, Wednesday, 6 June, 2007, 21:17)

Matthew,

Its called the "Cela Kula" the Tower of Skulls and have seen it many times in my visits to NIS.

Stephan Sindiljic and the Serbs defended NIS against the Ottomans but were overrun. Stephan Sindilijic blew himself up along with the fort by igniting the ammunition depot in a cave.

It is an affront and historical farce to say that Albanians somehow were the majority in NIS, even during the Ottoman empire, the majority of the Phanariots were Greek.

To repeat to all Albanian Historical revisionsists, Kosovo was the first settlement of Serbs in and around the sixth century, along with Montenegro.

Albanians came from the Nomadic drifting tribes not the Illyrians which is an ancient civilization nothing to do with with Croats or Albanians.

The same goes for so called Republic of Macedonia which has nothing to do with the Greek or Macedon Civilization.

Do you see the Serbs calling themselves Romans in NIS?

NIS was built after Roman Emperor Naissus along with the great wall that surrounds the city.

@ Endri and Jack,

The internet in general and B92 in particular are so democratic as to display one of the detractions of democracy, i.e. anyone is allowed to make any kind of ignorant and hateful remark he wants and gets it posted, just the same as those who actually know what they are talking about.