EU ministers favor quick Kosovo solution

A special case? In other words, if this was applied to their countries, it would be a terrible idea. But because it's the Serbs, then it's okay to just carve up their country. No need for international law. No need for fairness.

But I'm sure if the Basque region in France wanted to break away, I doubt the French would be so eager.

And if N. Ireland wanted to break from England, that too would be a bad idea and suddenly international law would matter.

And if southern Italy wanted to break away, that would be out of order.

And let's not forget California and Texas leaving the United States. That's out of the question. No way. Right?

But when it comes to Serbia, then it's ok.

The EU and the USA are a bunch of hypocrites. Nothing more, nothing less.

actually there was a quick solution: the bear said no, nyet, no way jose!

if they need more time to realize this, good, but 8 years occupation is for sure enough.

Ahtisaari 'Lite +'
- Zero% Partition
- 100% Serbian State
- EUMIK guarantor of rights for all and a future for all.

I Believe Serbia as whole can concurr with Rupel's words;
"I personally find the plan good in principle, although, of course, that does not rule out some additional solutions. Moreover, I think some additional solutions are necessary, of which I became certain in today's talks,"

Yes, Serbia can adopt the elements that are specific to the administartion of the Serbian province by EUMIK and the protections that they can afford to all the Serbian citizens in it's province. But as Putin has stated it must be on the basis of 1244 and the obligation to Serbia's continued sovereignity of it's province.

In time such an administration will allow development of the trust and reconciliation that is desperatly required. EUMIK can offer guarantors to the ethnic-Albanians in the Serbian province and equally respect Serbia's continued sovereignity!

Compromise is being forged and should not be ignored and bypassed, for the future of all in Serbia and the wider region is dependent upon a mutual outcome. It is great that the EU is starting to realise that win-win is possible and ones hopes that a new appreciation of the way forward can be spearheaded by an understanding EU - I believe the Portugese will bring in a more rounded approach in July and a compromise can be forged.

To the ethnic-Albainians I say look at the reality of where you wish to go from hence forth. Be brave and the Serbian state will acknowledge it's shame forthwith but do not expect humilation. The EU can help foster the trust that has not been allowed becasue of false hopes and aspirations by those who could never deliver on a promise that is not theirs to give. See what has resulted in the last 8 years under false hope and aspirations and waste no more time and grasp the best opportunity for the next generation.

I as an ethnic Serb from the UK quite openly I am sorry for the wrongs done - blame me for all that is wrong. Blame me for not standing out and shouting out loud to stop the violence that begets violence - I am to blame for everyone and all things that have occured. For we are each "responsible for everyone and everything" - and I ask that you blame me for all the wrongs committed by all!

I would want to visit Kosovo & Metohija as an Orthodox pilgrim - for a serb there is no other place more sacred. But I wish to visit without fear nor want of restriction and freedom and knowing that no-one what ever their ethnicity need be despised nor cleansed and is able to live in peace and freedom that I thankfully have in the UK. Moreover, wish that the ethnic-Albanians can share in that understanding. I have hope that the ethnic-Albanians can see through the darkness that has clouded all in the region and comprehend that together we share the land and it's history and that alternatives need not be about it is all mine (win-lose) nor you have this I'll have that (lose-lose) but about sharing in common future with mutual respect and trust (win-win). The Serbs were misguided yes as have the ethnic-Albanians been so let us together work out how best to live in peace with mutual trust and respect. That respect and trust has sadly not been nurtured to this day but must be for the future of all in the region.

The EU ought to put its own house in order first. Begin by settling the problem with Poland's opposition to its constitutional reform.

The EU is already too big ... how is it going to function as an effective entity if it keeps on enlarging .... as it is, any new initiative can be vetoed by JUST ONE of the 27 members! How is the EU going to progress forward like that???

Make up your minds!!!
This is going crazy,one day they say it will happen next week,next day they say next month,I think EU and UN are becoming a joke!!!
How long Kosovan People have to wait to find out about their future?
We have waited for democratic elections in Serbia,we have waited for election of the government of the new democratic Serbia,we have waited everytime they tell us to wait,I think this is out of order.
It is time to act,people are fed up with waiting.
"Enough is enough".Why nobody is asking Kosovan people what is the best for them.Let them deal directly with Serbia and try to come to the solution.Now I am fed up of waiting.I want Kosovan Leaders to raise their voice to talk to their own people,to show that they are worthy to run the show.
How it looks the promise given by the West it's fading and it's time for the plan B,partition is the best option.

I think that we must accept reality that we lost kosovo, and we can never get it back. Our politician are lying us.

something is simply not clear to me! Article before this says that "Serbia gaining support for new talks" - according to Bozidar Delic, while this articles about the same meeting says "EU ministers favor quick Kosovo solution"... Who should we trust? A Serbian d/prime minister or EU ministers? or this is as I said several times earlier to my colleagues here in b-92 "read the content, not just the article, as it's not the same"!...

Yes Kosova/o and Eu are seperate issues Tadic said.
Kosova/o Independents and Serbia is not geting free ticket to EU either. Criterias should fulfill, coopoerate with Tribunal, then we´ll see what is going to happned. I think you should stick to the Russia and pray together...

Louie
You mean why is no one asking the 2 million Serbs in Kosovo. Serbs make up 80% of the country... you a 20%. Independence wont happen. Serbia is prepared to offer you autonomy... and it is suggested that you accept. Otherwise its going to be unlikely that you will get anything. If Russia vetos the resolution. It will be 1244 for good.

I agree with Dragan. It to much time and efforts we are spending in something that we cannot bring it back.

Blacky, Princip & Cvele,

As you all know Kosovo will be Independent very soon.


It has already been decided.
Now is the time for the Serbs to try to cut their at best deal within the independence framework. Otherwise the Serbs will end up with nothing.
Please take advantage of this last opportunity, only for the sake of Kosovo's Serbs.

Princip,

How can you talk of win-win or lose-lose when Serbia is left with less than 6% of its population in Kosova. The only scenario I see is win for Kosova, Lose for Serbia, and win-win for the people of Indipendent Kosova.

If there are to be new ngociations, an agreement about the proces ought to be reached first. Like Serbs who are insisting on autonomy, Albanians should agree on new talks only if the proposal of Independence can't be compromized. Other than that, there should never be any new negociations. What Albanian leadership can do is get support for a UN,USA,EU backed officially held referendum before unilaterally declaring independence. If Russia then happens still to be against, the world could care less.

This Kosovo situation has turned into a Waiting for Godot farce.It is becoming obvious to the EU that there will be no resolution in the UN granting Kosovo outright independence.Russia has NOTHING to lose and a lot to gain by vetoing so other means may need to be employed.What could these other means be?A scenario ala northern Cyprus is the likely outcome for the next several decades if NATO is not willing to take on the KLA guns aimed at their heads when independence is not granted by the UNSC.Doomsday pronouncements from some commentators here are infantile when suggesting that Kosovo is more important to Europe than normal relations with Russia and Serbia.

"EU ministers stressed a quick solution, citing it as the important basis for a democratic & multi Ethnic Kosovo". This coming from a very undemocratic EU that is trying to ramrod the dead constitution (now called EU treaty) without the consent of the people in EU countries so Germany & France can dominate and create a FEDERAL SUPERSTATE.

Now would be a good time to come up with a real offer of partition.

I did find what was supposed to be Serbia's "new" offer about autonomy for Kosovo on Serbianna. I have to admit I was a little disappointed. I was hoping the Serbian government would put a really good offer on the table with all sorts of incentives, but I think it fell short. Looks like they want to keep the Serbian area within Serbia, but not give Presevo to the Albanian part of Kosovo. Some other stuff I didn't agree with either. I haven't read it carefully yet though, there might be some worthwhile stuff in there. However, giving the Serbian military the right to enter the Albanian part if they are attacked is a recipe for disaster. That needs to be scraped as well.

Personally, as an American who believes in Multi-Culturalism I would like to see Kosovo and the Albanians have a good life within Serbia. I know in the past here in the US we treated our African Americans very very poorly, but in the last couple of decades that has really changed. It is possible to turn things around in Kosovo as well, if we both really want that.

I know you guys are really pissed off at what Milosevic did, but keep in mind, you did get us back pretty good. The breakdown on the victims mirrors the population distribution fairly well. Of course, over the course of the last century, we've both done some very horrible things to one another, but in reality, what happened in the 90's was less extreme then actions that occurred at other times, such as WWII. So things are getting better.

Granting Independence for all of Kosovo will not solve our problems between our two people, it just changes the dynamics. We will still have to live with one another.

We need to sit down and have a real discussion on a true long term solution. I believe only partition has the possibility of truly solving our problems. After that we can join the EU and try to work together as a regional block in the best interest of our mutual needs.

Seems to me the only result of all this independence talk has been to increase calls to carve out more countries. RS, Presevo, Vojvodina, Malesi, Macedonia etc. It’s a big old mess, where do we stop? Should we just start making apartment buildings into countries?

The Balkans are like a fractal design turning in on itself and destroying itself from within. Its shear lunacy...

To Cvele and the others:
It seems here that whoever is posting especially those of Serb origin, have no clue what is happening in Kosova. I think they are a bunch of people writing (as I am) from the comfort of their offices and Western lifestyles, trying to be the experts and decision makers.
You can see all kind of postings here, everyone is expert on what Kosova is or will become. One says Kosova is Albanian, the other one says is Serbian. One says there are 80%!? Serbs and 20% Albanian. One says it's Serbia cradle, the other one says it's Albania's heart and spirit.
Please, to everybody, leave those things to historians and schoolars. What we are looking here is the future of a region and their people.
I see Serb postings here, almost jumping in joy that there are only 10000 dead people and not 100 thousand! They also say that Kosova was populated after the WWII with Albanians that left Albania. If you look at the "White book" writen by I think Dusan Mugosa, it says there that there were only around 5 thousand people that managed to escape from communist regime in Albania up until early 90's.
What matters are people on the ground. They are Albanian, Serbs and other minorities. I don't see any of you taking them in account. I don't hear or read their voices here, or in the news. It's always Kostunica, Draskovic, or someone from Diaspora that like I said in the begining, either doesn't have any idea, or it's playing pure politics.
Kosova and Balkans have always been superpowers' playground. It just so happened in the past that they always sided with Serbia, and that is why Kosova was under Serbia. And now the superpowers(except Russia) are sided (rightly so) with Albanians.
I have yet to see a simple apology from the Serbian Government or the people posting here in regards to those 10 thousand victims and many more abused and ruthlessly manhandled thru the past times. There was no Serb from Kosova apologizing for what they did to their neighbours.
It is posted here that the Serb army retaliated for the attacks of the KLA against police and army officers. Please note: Police and Army!
So where is in the international law that you all like to mention that the state can go and retaliate against women, children, elderly or unarmed population?!
You always mention Muslim when you mention Albanians. Not that there is anything wrong with being a muslim, however, Albanians have many times showed during the past that the religion means little to them. It's not ethical and right to try to win points by painting them as muslim fanatics. The religion has nothing to do with what has happened and happening in Kosovo.
People in the province would have to take their fate in their own hands. It's about them, it's not about Serbia or Albania. Serbia, as everyone with a sane mind can see, has lost the moral and legal authority in Kosovo long ago. It culminated with the pogrom in 1999. Luckily we live in the age of internet and globalism, and everyone saw what happened. That is why the Ahtisari plan is so in line with every democratic state in the world. To side with Russia just because USA failed in Iraq, is like sleeping with the neighbour, because I don't like my mother in law.
Please be reasonable and think deep. Kosova will never be in Serbia. There is a whole new generation now that has never had anything to to with that state. That doesn't mean that they can't live with Serbs. The wounds will heal slowly. Other nations have gone through much worse and reconciled.
There always will be a Kosova state with Albanians and Serbs in it. It doesn't matter, this month, year or decade. The important thing is that Kosova's people will not be used and abused as before.
They will be masters of their own fate.
Greetings to all my Serbian and Albanian friends.
I like you all the same.

As a Serbian I completely agree with Dragan that we should accept that we have lost Kosovo. It has been lost since 1999, how can we think that we can live together or rule them. For Serbia it is best to concentrate in our economy and try to join EU so we can have a better life and leave Kosovo, and simply admit that its gone. They (politicians) are manipulating us just for their votes.

One thing we have to admit that majority of us (Sebs) never been in Kosovo, we dont even know how it is.

Hope you understand my view

hey..princip and others my dear friends u all can continue with various formulation of insisting that Kosova is a most sacred place of orthodaxy and callin it a serbian identity and so on...i`d ask u all as european citizen, as human beings let that MYTH vanish from ur HEADS..erease them please...!!!i as an ethink-albanian living in NYC USA. can`t and would never imagine living under a serbian-sovranity knowing it as a fact that i don`t fit and belong to..there`s no human-being on this plant that would convince me or us in general living under a serbian statehood..THAT IS GONE FOR ONCE(1999) and FOREVER..THE CLOCK CAN`T BE PUT BACKWARD..if any would try to it`s just a terrible ilusion

mathew
I do understand you but you got to see things in the real way.Kosova was never Serbias,kosova was conquerd first by otomans and then Serbs it is a long story.

Ardi, a place called Kosova does not exist, that's an Albanian invention. There is a province in Serbia called Kosovo. If , and when Kosovo is stripped from Serbia by Western Powers, and awarded to Albanians under the EU's eye, then you may have the right to change the name of Kosovo to Kosova. Until then show some respect for the nation you live in.

If you care to be enlightened and see another , and more accurate reason of why America stepped into Serbia in 1999, please see the attached link. http://www.ctnow.com/custom/nmm/valleyadvocate/hce-vla-0607-va24betweenthelines24.artjun07,0,1887802.story?coll=hce-headlines-va-advocate-top

Peace to all.

I think we should ton down the aggression on all sieds and find a way to live togethr - the Russinas will not back down for the serbia we need jobs and a future not mor war. Peace..

Dear Ardi,
Its all irrelevent...
All of it...
Why dont you mention the terrorist attacks on Serbs and the Churches and Cemetaries destoryed but the 10000 victims of '99 which can be contribute to KLA and US/NATO as well. How about the 5000 Serbs that were killed?

http://www.serbia-info.com/news/kosovo/terrorism/since1990.html

Reality is.... everyone knows that you will have no independence. There will be no difference between where you currently stand and where you will be with autonomy. Which I DARE say is much better for you as well as us. You have 70% unemployment and are headed NO WHERE.

What do you think the EU wants? SERBIA + KOSOVO or NOTHING AT ALL and another balkan conflict? So while you sit and claim that all this should be left to historians and politicians I honestly do NOT care what you think. Why should I? You obviously have your mind stuck on Greater Albania and no economic progress at all.

What will you do now that you know there is no independence? BUSH YOU SO CALLED GREAT ALLY FAILED AT HIS PROMISE.

dear ardi you write a lot of things in yuur article but you fail to mention one,how about your k albanian kosovo government apologizing for what thay did to the serbs since 1999, 2004 riots not to mention what happend before 1999 works both ways

ivana it,s people like you we are losing kosovo.when you said majority serbs havent been to kosovo did you mean you dont know where kosovo is, what a shame

Kosova was never serbian. It was occupied by serbs with Europes consent. Europe gave Kosova to Serbia in response to the anger that they had for turks. Europe also gave Vojvodina to Serbia in retaliation against hungarians association with Austria.
So, Serbia has occupied Kosova for the last 100 years only while turks had it for 500 years. Does that mean that Kosova and Serbia should be part of Turkey???
Kosova will be independent shortly. Serbs will never be more than 5 % in Kosova. They will have their rights of religion and cultural autonomy within Kosova. And, no we will not retaliate like Serbia did for the last 100 years.

Blerim Rexhaj
WHO HAD IT B4 THE TURKS?
Irrelevant, without Serbian consent there will never be formal independence.

"mathew
I do understand you but you got to see things in the real way.Kosova was never Serbias,kosova was conquerd first by otomans and then Serbs it is a long story.
(beni, Tuesday, 19 June, 2007, 20:52)"
Beni, your talking to a direct descendent of Knez Bjelan who carries the blood of the Nemanjic Dynasty in his veins. That being said, I'll spare everyone a discussion on the history of the region.
The Serbian belief system is exactly that, a belief system based on faith, it does not require it to be based on fact.
No one would tell the Palestinians, or any Muslims, that they should not consider the Dome of the Rock sacred and holy simply because its physically impossible to scientifically prove beyond a doubt that Muhammad ascended to heaven from that spot and that they should just abandon it and not take that into consideration in their negotiations with the Israelis.
Now, if you want to convince me that Independence is a viable option, I suggest you work to convince me that the Albanian people will respect our beliefs and our historical monuments. In fact, I believe that you are over looking a very good opportunity to promote Serbian tourism to the region. Albanian families have traditionally been the guardians of our sites, and I believe you should focus on promoting that as an idea and a shared future. Rugova seems to be respected in some Serbian circles and its my understanding that his family was responsible for protecting some of our more important sites. You have a lot of opportunity there.
If you were to acknowledge that the KLA should not be allowed to participate in your government and that you would respect our culture and our beliefs, that would be a great start in convincing the Serbian people that maybe it won't be so bad if Kosovo does become independent.
Right now, I worry for our future and our sacred places, and that is why I support partition if we could swap our religious sites for Presevo and Trepca.
I, personally, am from a mixed clan, so I do respect your people and your ways, and I actually find them very fascinating.
Ivana and Dragan, I know the Serbian people are tired of war and sanctions and isolation, but Kosovo belongs to Serbs and Montenegrins everywhere. I do not personally believe we have anything to lose by standing up for our rights and our beliefs. I believe that we will be respected more for it, IF we proceed in a fair and even handed manner. I grew up in the West, and lived in the Balkans. While we have more "stuff" in the West, we place a higher value on material possessions then we do on family and friends. So while you may want the "better life" that the EU has to offer, you may come to realize, as I do, that money isn't everything in life, and to be honest, the people in Serbia are actually happier then people here in the US, even under sanctions. It came as an enormous shock to me actually.

A special case? In other words, if this was applied to their countries, it would be a terrible idea. But because it's the Serbs, then it's okay to just carve up their country. No need for international law. No need for fairness.

But I'm sure if the Basque region in France wanted to break away, I doubt the French would be so eager.

And if N. Ireland wanted to break from England, that too would be a bad idea and suddenly international law would matter.

And if southern Italy wanted to break away, that would be out of order.

And let's not forget California and Texas leaving the United States. That's out of the question. No way. Right?

But when it comes to Serbia, then it's ok.

The EU and the USA are a bunch of hypocrites. Nothing more, nothing less.

actually there was a quick solution: the bear said no, nyet, no way jose!

if they need more time to realize this, good, but 8 years occupation is for sure enough.

Ahtisaari 'Lite +'
- Zero% Partition
- 100% Serbian State
- EUMIK guarantor of rights for all and a future for all.

I Believe Serbia as whole can concurr with Rupel's words;
"I personally find the plan good in principle, although, of course, that does not rule out some additional solutions. Moreover, I think some additional solutions are necessary, of which I became certain in today's talks,"

Yes, Serbia can adopt the elements that are specific to the administartion of the Serbian province by EUMIK and the protections that they can afford to all the Serbian citizens in it's province. But as Putin has stated it must be on the basis of 1244 and the obligation to Serbia's continued sovereignity of it's province.

In time such an administration will allow development of the trust and reconciliation that is desperatly required. EUMIK can offer guarantors to the ethnic-Albanians in the Serbian province and equally respect Serbia's continued sovereignity!

Compromise is being forged and should not be ignored and bypassed, for the future of all in Serbia and the wider region is dependent upon a mutual outcome. It is great that the EU is starting to realise that win-win is possible and ones hopes that a new appreciation of the way forward can be spearheaded by an understanding EU - I believe the Portugese will bring in a more rounded approach in July and a compromise can be forged.

To the ethnic-Albainians I say look at the reality of where you wish to go from hence forth. Be brave and the Serbian state will acknowledge it's shame forthwith but do not expect humilation. The EU can help foster the trust that has not been allowed becasue of false hopes and aspirations by those who could never deliver on a promise that is not theirs to give. See what has resulted in the last 8 years under false hope and aspirations and waste no more time and grasp the best opportunity for the next generation.

I as an ethnic Serb from the UK quite openly I am sorry for the wrongs done - blame me for all that is wrong. Blame me for not standing out and shouting out loud to stop the violence that begets violence - I am to blame for everyone and all things that have occured. For we are each "responsible for everyone and everything" - and I ask that you blame me for all the wrongs committed by all!

I would want to visit Kosovo & Metohija as an Orthodox pilgrim - for a serb there is no other place more sacred. But I wish to visit without fear nor want of restriction and freedom and knowing that no-one what ever their ethnicity need be despised nor cleansed and is able to live in peace and freedom that I thankfully have in the UK. Moreover, wish that the ethnic-Albanians can share in that understanding. I have hope that the ethnic-Albanians can see through the darkness that has clouded all in the region and comprehend that together we share the land and it's history and that alternatives need not be about it is all mine (win-lose) nor you have this I'll have that (lose-lose) but about sharing in common future with mutual respect and trust (win-win). The Serbs were misguided yes as have the ethnic-Albanians been so let us together work out how best to live in peace with mutual trust and respect. That respect and trust has sadly not been nurtured to this day but must be for the future of all in the region.

The EU ought to put its own house in order first. Begin by settling the problem with Poland's opposition to its constitutional reform.

The EU is already too big ... how is it going to function as an effective entity if it keeps on enlarging .... as it is, any new initiative can be vetoed by JUST ONE of the 27 members! How is the EU going to progress forward like that???

Make up your minds!!!
This is going crazy,one day they say it will happen next week,next day they say next month,I think EU and UN are becoming a joke!!!
How long Kosovan People have to wait to find out about their future?
We have waited for democratic elections in Serbia,we have waited for election of the government of the new democratic Serbia,we have waited everytime they tell us to wait,I think this is out of order.
It is time to act,people are fed up with waiting.
"Enough is enough".Why nobody is asking Kosovan people what is the best for them.Let them deal directly with Serbia and try to come to the solution.Now I am fed up of waiting.I want Kosovan Leaders to raise their voice to talk to their own people,to show that they are worthy to run the show.
How it looks the promise given by the West it's fading and it's time for the plan B,partition is the best option.

I think that we must accept reality that we lost kosovo, and we can never get it back. Our politician are lying us.

something is simply not clear to me! Article before this says that "Serbia gaining support for new talks" - according to Bozidar Delic, while this articles about the same meeting says "EU ministers favor quick Kosovo solution"... Who should we trust? A Serbian d/prime minister or EU ministers? or this is as I said several times earlier to my colleagues here in b-92 "read the content, not just the article, as it's not the same"!...

Yes Kosova/o and Eu are seperate issues Tadic said.
Kosova/o Independents and Serbia is not geting free ticket to EU either. Criterias should fulfill, coopoerate with Tribunal, then we´ll see what is going to happned. I think you should stick to the Russia and pray together...

Louie
You mean why is no one asking the 2 million Serbs in Kosovo. Serbs make up 80% of the country... you a 20%. Independence wont happen. Serbia is prepared to offer you autonomy... and it is suggested that you accept. Otherwise its going to be unlikely that you will get anything. If Russia vetos the resolution. It will be 1244 for good.

I agree with Dragan. It to much time and efforts we are spending in something that we cannot bring it back.

Blacky, Princip & Cvele,

As you all know Kosovo will be Independent very soon.


It has already been decided.
Now is the time for the Serbs to try to cut their at best deal within the independence framework. Otherwise the Serbs will end up with nothing.
Please take advantage of this last opportunity, only for the sake of Kosovo's Serbs.

Princip,

How can you talk of win-win or lose-lose when Serbia is left with less than 6% of its population in Kosova. The only scenario I see is win for Kosova, Lose for Serbia, and win-win for the people of Indipendent Kosova.

If there are to be new ngociations, an agreement about the proces ought to be reached first. Like Serbs who are insisting on autonomy, Albanians should agree on new talks only if the proposal of Independence can't be compromized. Other than that, there should never be any new negociations. What Albanian leadership can do is get support for a UN,USA,EU backed officially held referendum before unilaterally declaring independence. If Russia then happens still to be against, the world could care less.

This Kosovo situation has turned into a Waiting for Godot farce.It is becoming obvious to the EU that there will be no resolution in the UN granting Kosovo outright independence.Russia has NOTHING to lose and a lot to gain by vetoing so other means may need to be employed.What could these other means be?A scenario ala northern Cyprus is the likely outcome for the next several decades if NATO is not willing to take on the KLA guns aimed at their heads when independence is not granted by the UNSC.Doomsday pronouncements from some commentators here are infantile when suggesting that Kosovo is more important to Europe than normal relations with Russia and Serbia.

"EU ministers stressed a quick solution, citing it as the important basis for a democratic & multi Ethnic Kosovo". This coming from a very undemocratic EU that is trying to ramrod the dead constitution (now called EU treaty) without the consent of the people in EU countries so Germany & France can dominate and create a FEDERAL SUPERSTATE.

Now would be a good time to come up with a real offer of partition.

I did find what was supposed to be Serbia's "new" offer about autonomy for Kosovo on Serbianna. I have to admit I was a little disappointed. I was hoping the Serbian government would put a really good offer on the table with all sorts of incentives, but I think it fell short. Looks like they want to keep the Serbian area within Serbia, but not give Presevo to the Albanian part of Kosovo. Some other stuff I didn't agree with either. I haven't read it carefully yet though, there might be some worthwhile stuff in there. However, giving the Serbian military the right to enter the Albanian part if they are attacked is a recipe for disaster. That needs to be scraped as well.

Personally, as an American who believes in Multi-Culturalism I would like to see Kosovo and the Albanians have a good life within Serbia. I know in the past here in the US we treated our African Americans very very poorly, but in the last couple of decades that has really changed. It is possible to turn things around in Kosovo as well, if we both really want that.

I know you guys are really pissed off at what Milosevic did, but keep in mind, you did get us back pretty good. The breakdown on the victims mirrors the population distribution fairly well. Of course, over the course of the last century, we've both done some very horrible things to one another, but in reality, what happened in the 90's was less extreme then actions that occurred at other times, such as WWII. So things are getting better.

Granting Independence for all of Kosovo will not solve our problems between our two people, it just changes the dynamics. We will still have to live with one another.

We need to sit down and have a real discussion on a true long term solution. I believe only partition has the possibility of truly solving our problems. After that we can join the EU and try to work together as a regional block in the best interest of our mutual needs.

Seems to me the only result of all this independence talk has been to increase calls to carve out more countries. RS, Presevo, Vojvodina, Malesi, Macedonia etc. It’s a big old mess, where do we stop? Should we just start making apartment buildings into countries?

The Balkans are like a fractal design turning in on itself and destroying itself from within. Its shear lunacy...

To Cvele and the others:
It seems here that whoever is posting especially those of Serb origin, have no clue what is happening in Kosova. I think they are a bunch of people writing (as I am) from the comfort of their offices and Western lifestyles, trying to be the experts and decision makers.
You can see all kind of postings here, everyone is expert on what Kosova is or will become. One says Kosova is Albanian, the other one says is Serbian. One says there are 80%!? Serbs and 20% Albanian. One says it's Serbia cradle, the other one says it's Albania's heart and spirit.
Please, to everybody, leave those things to historians and schoolars. What we are looking here is the future of a region and their people.
I see Serb postings here, almost jumping in joy that there are only 10000 dead people and not 100 thousand! They also say that Kosova was populated after the WWII with Albanians that left Albania. If you look at the "White book" writen by I think Dusan Mugosa, it says there that there were only around 5 thousand people that managed to escape from communist regime in Albania up until early 90's.
What matters are people on the ground. They are Albanian, Serbs and other minorities. I don't see any of you taking them in account. I don't hear or read their voices here, or in the news. It's always Kostunica, Draskovic, or someone from Diaspora that like I said in the begining, either doesn't have any idea, or it's playing pure politics.
Kosova and Balkans have always been superpowers' playground. It just so happened in the past that they always sided with Serbia, and that is why Kosova was under Serbia. And now the superpowers(except Russia) are sided (rightly so) with Albanians.
I have yet to see a simple apology from the Serbian Government or the people posting here in regards to those 10 thousand victims and many more abused and ruthlessly manhandled thru the past times. There was no Serb from Kosova apologizing for what they did to their neighbours.
It is posted here that the Serb army retaliated for the attacks of the KLA against police and army officers. Please note: Police and Army!
So where is in the international law that you all like to mention that the state can go and retaliate against women, children, elderly or unarmed population?!
You always mention Muslim when you mention Albanians. Not that there is anything wrong with being a muslim, however, Albanians have many times showed during the past that the religion means little to them. It's not ethical and right to try to win points by painting them as muslim fanatics. The religion has nothing to do with what has happened and happening in Kosovo.
People in the province would have to take their fate in their own hands. It's about them, it's not about Serbia or Albania. Serbia, as everyone with a sane mind can see, has lost the moral and legal authority in Kosovo long ago. It culminated with the pogrom in 1999. Luckily we live in the age of internet and globalism, and everyone saw what happened. That is why the Ahtisari plan is so in line with every democratic state in the world. To side with Russia just because USA failed in Iraq, is like sleeping with the neighbour, because I don't like my mother in law.
Please be reasonable and think deep. Kosova will never be in Serbia. There is a whole new generation now that has never had anything to to with that state. That doesn't mean that they can't live with Serbs. The wounds will heal slowly. Other nations have gone through much worse and reconciled.
There always will be a Kosova state with Albanians and Serbs in it. It doesn't matter, this month, year or decade. The important thing is that Kosova's people will not be used and abused as before.
They will be masters of their own fate.
Greetings to all my Serbian and Albanian friends.
I like you all the same.

As a Serbian I completely agree with Dragan that we should accept that we have lost Kosovo. It has been lost since 1999, how can we think that we can live together or rule them. For Serbia it is best to concentrate in our economy and try to join EU so we can have a better life and leave Kosovo, and simply admit that its gone. They (politicians) are manipulating us just for their votes.

One thing we have to admit that majority of us (Sebs) never been in Kosovo, we dont even know how it is.

Hope you understand my view

hey..princip and others my dear friends u all can continue with various formulation of insisting that Kosova is a most sacred place of orthodaxy and callin it a serbian identity and so on...i`d ask u all as european citizen, as human beings let that MYTH vanish from ur HEADS..erease them please...!!!i as an ethink-albanian living in NYC USA. can`t and would never imagine living under a serbian-sovranity knowing it as a fact that i don`t fit and belong to..there`s no human-being on this plant that would convince me or us in general living under a serbian statehood..THAT IS GONE FOR ONCE(1999) and FOREVER..THE CLOCK CAN`T BE PUT BACKWARD..if any would try to it`s just a terrible ilusion

mathew
I do understand you but you got to see things in the real way.Kosova was never Serbias,kosova was conquerd first by otomans and then Serbs it is a long story.

Ardi, a place called Kosova does not exist, that's an Albanian invention. There is a province in Serbia called Kosovo. If , and when Kosovo is stripped from Serbia by Western Powers, and awarded to Albanians under the EU's eye, then you may have the right to change the name of Kosovo to Kosova. Until then show some respect for the nation you live in.

If you care to be enlightened and see another , and more accurate reason of why America stepped into Serbia in 1999, please see the attached link. http://www.ctnow.com/custom/nmm/valleyadvocate/hce-vla-0607-va24betweenthelines24.artjun07,0,1887802.story?coll=hce-headlines-va-advocate-top

Peace to all.

I think we should ton down the aggression on all sieds and find a way to live togethr - the Russinas will not back down for the serbia we need jobs and a future not mor war. Peace..

Dear Ardi,
Its all irrelevent...
All of it...
Why dont you mention the terrorist attacks on Serbs and the Churches and Cemetaries destoryed but the 10000 victims of '99 which can be contribute to KLA and US/NATO as well. How about the 5000 Serbs that were killed?

http://www.serbia-info.com/news/kosovo/terrorism/since1990.html

Reality is.... everyone knows that you will have no independence. There will be no difference between where you currently stand and where you will be with autonomy. Which I DARE say is much better for you as well as us. You have 70% unemployment and are headed NO WHERE.

What do you think the EU wants? SERBIA + KOSOVO or NOTHING AT ALL and another balkan conflict? So while you sit and claim that all this should be left to historians and politicians I honestly do NOT care what you think. Why should I? You obviously have your mind stuck on Greater Albania and no economic progress at all.

What will you do now that you know there is no independence? BUSH YOU SO CALLED GREAT ALLY FAILED AT HIS PROMISE.

dear ardi you write a lot of things in yuur article but you fail to mention one,how about your k albanian kosovo government apologizing for what thay did to the serbs since 1999, 2004 riots not to mention what happend before 1999 works both ways

ivana it,s people like you we are losing kosovo.when you said majority serbs havent been to kosovo did you mean you dont know where kosovo is, what a shame

Kosova was never serbian. It was occupied by serbs with Europes consent. Europe gave Kosova to Serbia in response to the anger that they had for turks. Europe also gave Vojvodina to Serbia in retaliation against hungarians association with Austria.
So, Serbia has occupied Kosova for the last 100 years only while turks had it for 500 years. Does that mean that Kosova and Serbia should be part of Turkey???
Kosova will be independent shortly. Serbs will never be more than 5 % in Kosova. They will have their rights of religion and cultural autonomy within Kosova. And, no we will not retaliate like Serbia did for the last 100 years.

Blerim Rexhaj
WHO HAD IT B4 THE TURKS?
Irrelevant, without Serbian consent there will never be formal independence.

"mathew
I do understand you but you got to see things in the real way.Kosova was never Serbias,kosova was conquerd first by otomans and then Serbs it is a long story.
(beni, Tuesday, 19 June, 2007, 20:52)"
Beni, your talking to a direct descendent of Knez Bjelan who carries the blood of the Nemanjic Dynasty in his veins. That being said, I'll spare everyone a discussion on the history of the region.
The Serbian belief system is exactly that, a belief system based on faith, it does not require it to be based on fact.
No one would tell the Palestinians, or any Muslims, that they should not consider the Dome of the Rock sacred and holy simply because its physically impossible to scientifically prove beyond a doubt that Muhammad ascended to heaven from that spot and that they should just abandon it and not take that into consideration in their negotiations with the Israelis.
Now, if you want to convince me that Independence is a viable option, I suggest you work to convince me that the Albanian people will respect our beliefs and our historical monuments. In fact, I believe that you are over looking a very good opportunity to promote Serbian tourism to the region. Albanian families have traditionally been the guardians of our sites, and I believe you should focus on promoting that as an idea and a shared future. Rugova seems to be respected in some Serbian circles and its my understanding that his family was responsible for protecting some of our more important sites. You have a lot of opportunity there.
If you were to acknowledge that the KLA should not be allowed to participate in your government and that you would respect our culture and our beliefs, that would be a great start in convincing the Serbian people that maybe it won't be so bad if Kosovo does become independent.
Right now, I worry for our future and our sacred places, and that is why I support partition if we could swap our religious sites for Presevo and Trepca.
I, personally, am from a mixed clan, so I do respect your people and your ways, and I actually find them very fascinating.
Ivana and Dragan, I know the Serbian people are tired of war and sanctions and isolation, but Kosovo belongs to Serbs and Montenegrins everywhere. I do not personally believe we have anything to lose by standing up for our rights and our beliefs. I believe that we will be respected more for it, IF we proceed in a fair and even handed manner. I grew up in the West, and lived in the Balkans. While we have more "stuff" in the West, we place a higher value on material possessions then we do on family and friends. So while you may want the "better life" that the EU has to offer, you may come to realize, as I do, that money isn't everything in life, and to be honest, the people in Serbia are actually happier then people here in the US, even under sanctions. It came as an enormous shock to me actually.