“Autonomy for northern Kosovo”

Sounds like desperation. If I recall back in January, the US said that it would be independent in Febuary by the latest, and that there would be no division of Kosovo. Now the Albanians are willing to give autonomy within Kosovo? Sounds like they are desperate.

I love how this man thinks that the EU is willing to risk division over Kosovo. Has he factored in the fact that perhaps the EU will not recognize them? And what good is it if they don't have a seat at the UN? Most businesses will stay clear of any state that has an unclear future.

Kosovar Albanians are in severe denial.

“We are fully aware that the integration of province’s north into the system of Kosovo would pose a problem, so we offer the people living north of the Ibar River to attain essential autonomy within Kosovo,” he said."

Not good enough for the K-Serbs. Not after March 2004. Pristina should be realistic and understand that north Kosovo was never under their control and never will be.

Cut your losses. Give up the north and Pristina may well find Belgrade and Moscow more accomodating .....

If the Albanians were really compromise-ready they would agree to splitting Kosovo along ethnic lines.

Northern Kosovo has a legal right to stay within Serbia if it so wishes (assuming that the rest of Kosovo attains independence) as UN law, technically speaking, does not apply to northen kosovo. In short, the UN mandate allows intervention when a minority in a country are oppressed. So, the northern part of Kosovo which saw no oppression by the JNA does not qualify and as such has every right to stay within Serbia, contrary to the wishes of many albanians.

One question that no albanian has managed to answer yet is, If Kosovo independence is all about Serbian oppression and isn't a naked attempt to grab land for a greater albania, then why are they insistent on taking the northern part of kosovo, which is overwhelmingly Serbian, as well? They cannot use the argument that it would violate the borders of Kosovo, as the mere attempt to secede Kosovo from Serbia is the exact same example. So, again, why do they think they have a right to northern Kosovo, populated by serbs who don't want to live in an albanian state, like albanians ni kosovo who don't want to lve in a serb state?

Can any albanian here answer my question?

More of the same "wait and we will get independence" rhetoric from the ethnic-Albanian leadership.

At least Kosumi was honourable enough to step down when his crediblity was tattered when he could not deliver on the undeliverable in June 2006. Ceku just seems to say every few months it is certain but never it would seem takes on the accountability of giving false hope. Now we are told they will give it a few more months!!! Maybe a new leader who is willing to be honest and state the reality that one should accept the state thet they are in will be a better strategy instead of this endless next month it will be while knowing only too well that it will never be!!!

This northern autonomy needs to extend all the way south to Serbia's borders with Albanina and FYR Makedonia and I guess we have a compromise autonomy for all of kosovo & Metohija.

Like there is compromise in the works!! I have to say there are modest people on both sides of the negoiating table. As long as cooler heads prevail i am sure a workable solution can be worked out only those who are out to sabotage cooperation will stand in the way. Yes there will be those from the peanut gallery sqawking not to give up anything but we all realize that to get something we must work together. If the PDK wants to make an alliance with Serbian parties why cannot LDK and other parties in Kosovo come together and do the same. Something as daring as this someone must be the first to drink from the cup!!! I know trust is hard to find in those who have perscuted and killed each other but we must have faith and take the first step. If Mr Tadic and his party would sit down wiht Mr Sejdiu and his party and work out a solution like Gentleman drink a raki and seal the deal then no person will stand against a united coalition. Yes there will doubts and dummies who will try and derail this historic opportunity. We as Men and Women need to step up to the plate for our children and not for own personal gain.

In case you Albanians don't get the picture yet, Kosovo will NEVER be yours. And all your talk of taking up arms is supposed to scare who, the Serbs ?

Hah to offer autonomy u have to be independent. Guess what? You are not. Nor will you ever be.

brilliant.

have I read it properly??? a K-albanian is "offering" something to the Serbs? can someone please tell that poor man that k-albanians are not in the position to "offer" anything, since they live on serbian territory, ..that means, THEY THEMSELVES are being offered autonomy.

seems like that guy doesn´t know about the realities, not only in the UNSC but also in his own vicinity.

vmromk, Kosovo is ours already!!!

Pristina 99 % Albanians
Peja 99 % Albanians
Gjakova 99 % Albanians
Ferizaj 99 % Albanians
Mitrovica 85 % Albanians
and the same in other cities except Leposaviq and Zubin Potok.

Sorry to disappoint you.

But this absolute Albanian majority does not mean that Kosovo should not have place for others. Every one who is from and like to live in Kosovo is welcome, no matter nationality.

Throw in Gracanica, Strpce, Obilic, Kodovo Polje, key moansteries, and smaller Serbian neighborhoods like those in Orahovac and Ljipan into a larger Serbian co-confederacy, policed by Serbian troops with limited mobility within these areas, give the people dual citizenship, and have NATO oversee the entire operation, and Rexhepi might have something more interesting to bargain with. Offer the Serbs what they already have and what the Albanians never controlled isn't much of a negotiation.

it sounds like the Albanians are in desperation to do anything to get atleasat half of kosovo for their great Albania divide is also good but not autonomy half for Albanians and half for the Serbs is fair.

Albanians are trying hard in desperation to make their great Albania in other peoples expense of land i was reading after kosovo they want a portion of Macedonia then a portion of Montenegro that's why the Albanians helped for independence there and then a portion of Greece for their great Albania.its no secret.

The region north of the Ibar will never be apart of an independent Kosovo government. Only an Albanian invasion and expulsion of Serba would the region north of the ibar be Kosovo territory. It Serbia end of story.

How freaking generous! We (separatist Albanians) will GIVE Serbs autonomy within their own country. The K-Albanians cannot give the Serbs what they already have, and it is not theirs to give. that is the equivalent of a thief who stole my watch saying I can have it back for $10, Bravo!!!

Wonder why the story "Ahtisaari Rumored to be Paid by Albanians to Give Kosovo Independene" is not on the B92 English addition? It's on the Serbian one.

Could you imagine the fallout if there is any truth to this? I wouldn't dought it though.

Thank God for Russia and the balance of world power that it represents. Otherwise, these clueless American politicians would screw up the entire world.

Aside from their brethren in Albania, can anyone name a country in the Balkans that has good relations with the Albanians ?

Kosovo was supposed to be independent by the end of February, then the end of March, then April, then May, then June.....Here it is almost July and no such luck. I think I see a pattern here. The word NEVER seems to come to mind.

Autonomy, forget it! they want independance and will not settle for anything but just as the Albanians have not.
Remeber all the coal and minerals are controlled by Serbs in the north so Kosovo will be pretty grim without it.

I am very dissapointed that Zoran's comment where he compares Kosova Albanians with thiefs was allowed.

Its highly innapropriate and comments have been censored for a lot less.

Oh and we are not living in Serbia, but if you insist then come to any town in Kosova a shout "Kosovo je Srbija"

Something is yours when you can control it and you dont control anything in Kosova.

Learn to live with it please.

B92

Please allow me to post this comment on all the relevant articles for clarification.

----

Hello everybody,

Someone has used my name "Nick" in the following article on the 22 of June:

"EU warns Kosovo against declaring independence"

I would just like to clarify that this is not me (the usual Nick that posts here) but a new poster.

I would also like to ask this new poster if he could please change his name so as not to create unnecesary confusion.

So, Pristina will proclaim independence, and Belgrade proclaim autonomy. What else?

Wonder why the story "Ahtisaari Rumored to be Paid by Albanians to Give Kosovo Independence" is not on the B92 English addition? It's on the Serbian one.

The reason its not in English is because of the fear that more then a few hundred people will read and God forbid if it gets picked up by a major news wire. B92 still has its responsibilities to the Americana's, it seems.

Kosova has her borders defined, so the borders can not be changed. If the borders can be changed than OK. South of Kosova ( Preseva, Bujanovc, Medvegje)has to be part of Kosova. North of Kosova can be part of Serbia exept Gazivoda lake. We have to make an agreement abot this lake. But changing borders will not stop only with Kosova. Should continue with Macedonia, Montenegro, Bosna, Vojvodina, Sanxhak etc. It is ok that you want Northern part of Kosova but are you willing to give Sanxhak, Vojvodina, East of Serbia, and Presheva, Bujanovc and Medvegje?

vmro : The process of Kosova Independence had started on 1981 and still today continues. You were laughing and ignoring us that time, but see now, in Kosova everything is different as we asked on 1981: same language as in Tirana, joint artistic programs-festivals, almost same school curriculums, a lot of vehicles with Albanian plates, Kosova school students-pupils who use to visit Albania and vice versa, tourists hundreds of thousands Kosova tourist who use to visit Albanian short etc. So what we wait for is that formal document on SC, and July or November is not so important.

to vmro

If you are from VMRO(DPMNE) and if I would be in your place I would seriously support Ahtisari plan and not start to calculate with new arragements which would lead to redesign of the borders. In that case, border design will not start and stop with Kosovo...

Aside from their brethren in Albania, can anyone name a country in the Balkans that has good relations with the Albanians ?
(vmro, Sunday, 24 June, 2007, 18:06)


Yes VMRO. The following Balcan countries are supporting the Ahtisaari Plan:
Slovenia
Croatia
Bosnia
Montenegro
Romania
Bulgaria
Albania
Turkey
(it hurts?) also FYROM

Now the question is: except of the greeks and some bulgarians is there any other one having good relations with serbs?

All this talk about partition is ridiculous. Sure, in theory, if the Albanians never want to be ruled by Belgrade again, and we accept noone can (or should) force them, then yes, the same applies: the Serbs in northern Kosova, if they don't want to be ruled by Pristina, then noone can (or should) force them either.

The problem is however nearly everything in reality:

Most Kosova Serbs do not live in the northern part that would break away, but in the smaller enclaves suurounded by 2 milliion Albanians. What will be the effect on them if the north breaks away:

1. From a minority of 5-10% now (the higher figure assuming refugee return), these Serbs remaining in independent Kosova will become a minority of 3-5%.

2. If Albanians get pissed off - rightly or wrongly is irrelevant, I'm talking about the reality - by what they perceive as losing the most economically valuable part of their poverty stricken state, then the crazies among them will be more likely to take it out on the then more vulnerable Serb minorities than if the whole state is allowed independence with wide autonomy for Serbs.

3. Northern Mitrovica is the only major Serb-majority urban centre in Kosova, with a university, a major hospital etc. As part of Kosova on an autonomous basis, it provides a real centre for the Kosova Serbs in the smaller communities, never more than a few dozen kilometres away. Cut it out and you cut them off.

All the chatter about Kosova independence being the same as the independence of any minority region in a ny country is silly. This is simply living in denial about what Kosova really was. It was not simply any old "province" of Serbia like any other. It was a region with long recognised borders, with overwhelming Albanian majority, which had never been asked about incorporation into Yugoslavia, and had never accepted it, even though it was the third largest ethnic group min former Yugo. The last Titoist period, 1968-74 to 1981-87 at least recognised this by upgrading Kosova's status to 'high level autonomy', which meant Kosova was not merely "part of Serbia" but a constituent unit of the Yugoslav federation with equal federal representation, until Slobo destroyed the Yugo constitution. Whiel not the same as a full republic, it was not far off; it was far from being a mere "piece opf Serbian territory which just happens to have an Albanian majority."

Therefore, partition Kosova and you open up the partition of Macedonia, the secession from Serbia of Presevo (to Kosova), Sanjak (to Bosnia), northern Vojvodina (to Hungary), a new war in Bosnia (because if so-called "Republika Srpska" attempts to follow the example, as it falsely sees it, this will be opposed by the non-Serb *majority* which used to live in the fictional "RS" state until driven out in 1992-95, and so the secession of the Bosnian Serbs would only be about half the territory of "RS"), the secession of western Herzegovina from Bosnia to Croatia, and all kinds of other logical follow ons.

Someone above said that if Albabians simply wanted freedom rather than a land grab for "greater Albania", the naturally they would let norther Kosova stay with Serbia. This turns logic on its head: If the Kosova Albanians want to unite with Albania to form greater Albania, precisely that entails partition of the north to Serbia. It is by maintaining a viable Serb ethnic centre of an autonomous Serb region as a partner of the Kosova Albanians in an independent multi-ethnic Kosova that is precisely what is not greater Albania.

Of course you will say there's not much multi-ethnic tolerance on the part of the Albanians now. That is largely true and I'm hardly cheering their performance. But the idea has simply never been put into practice, because the main thing the Albabnians have always wanted - independence - has never been there. The lack of this is what drives Albanian radicalism, especially when it is Belgrade and some of the Kosova Serb leaders who block them. The solution may not be great and noone would say without problems but the only alternative - that of partition, would be worse, mostly for the majority of Kosova Serbs.

Where is this Kosova you speak of? I looked on all the maps and I could not find it.

Yes VMRO. The following Balkan countries are supporting the Ahtisaari Plan:
Slovenia
Croatia
Bosnia
Montenegro
Romania
Bulgaria
Albania
Turkey
(it hurts?) also FYROM

WRONG BUDDY! The following countries WILL NOT support Albanins, when the time comes, because they need Russia for Energy and trade:

Montenegro
Romania
Bulgaria
and... also FYROM

When it comes to cold Balkan Winters relations with Russia will be all that matters, not to mention exporting goods to Russia, America does not need nor wants Balkan goods, that is a fact. Kosovo experiences up to 8 hours and more in power blackouts, every day, can you guess why? Its because Serbia and Russia are actively not providing energy to Kosovo.

Croatia might swing to the Russian side too, if only because of cheaper Energy too.

Something is yours when you can control it and you don't control anything in Kosova.

Learn to live with it please.
(Nick, Monday, 25 June, 2007, 01:41)

The Kosovo "property" is in Serbias name. That's all the control they want. Its all the control that matters! And its something you will never have, not next month, not next year. The Serbs have managed to keep Kosovo from much more powerful foes then the likes of 1.8 Million Albanian youth (50% of the population is under the age of 24) and the EU, US and NATO. What makes you think that you can rip it away from the Serbs now? All this waiting for independence does you no good, the standard of living in Kosovo is even lower then Albania, its time that you people accept broad autonomy and build a future for all these children you are producing.

I couldnt find Kosovo-Metohija either.

Former PM Rexhepi's words were twisted by palma plus. He has publicly rebbufed their version. he neve offered autonomy to serbs , insted his word were as follows: " My offer to serbs is equality"

Of course you can not find it on any world map written Kosova and metohija, but you will find with name Kosovo.

To B-92,

It seems as if your censorship is rather selective. e.g Observe the last sentence of "Canadien" comment. A racist comment if I ever heard one!

B-92, You are not doing your job. I hope you realize that funding from America can and will be cut off if you do not censor everyone who violates you're "standards" and not just pro-Albanian posters.

Sounds like desperation. If I recall back in January, the US said that it would be independent in Febuary by the latest, and that there would be no division of Kosovo. Now the Albanians are willing to give autonomy within Kosovo? Sounds like they are desperate.

I love how this man thinks that the EU is willing to risk division over Kosovo. Has he factored in the fact that perhaps the EU will not recognize them? And what good is it if they don't have a seat at the UN? Most businesses will stay clear of any state that has an unclear future.

Kosovar Albanians are in severe denial.

“We are fully aware that the integration of province’s north into the system of Kosovo would pose a problem, so we offer the people living north of the Ibar River to attain essential autonomy within Kosovo,” he said."

Not good enough for the K-Serbs. Not after March 2004. Pristina should be realistic and understand that north Kosovo was never under their control and never will be.

Cut your losses. Give up the north and Pristina may well find Belgrade and Moscow more accomodating .....

If the Albanians were really compromise-ready they would agree to splitting Kosovo along ethnic lines.

Northern Kosovo has a legal right to stay within Serbia if it so wishes (assuming that the rest of Kosovo attains independence) as UN law, technically speaking, does not apply to northen kosovo. In short, the UN mandate allows intervention when a minority in a country are oppressed. So, the northern part of Kosovo which saw no oppression by the JNA does not qualify and as such has every right to stay within Serbia, contrary to the wishes of many albanians.

One question that no albanian has managed to answer yet is, If Kosovo independence is all about Serbian oppression and isn't a naked attempt to grab land for a greater albania, then why are they insistent on taking the northern part of kosovo, which is overwhelmingly Serbian, as well? They cannot use the argument that it would violate the borders of Kosovo, as the mere attempt to secede Kosovo from Serbia is the exact same example. So, again, why do they think they have a right to northern Kosovo, populated by serbs who don't want to live in an albanian state, like albanians ni kosovo who don't want to lve in a serb state?

Can any albanian here answer my question?

More of the same "wait and we will get independence" rhetoric from the ethnic-Albanian leadership.

At least Kosumi was honourable enough to step down when his crediblity was tattered when he could not deliver on the undeliverable in June 2006. Ceku just seems to say every few months it is certain but never it would seem takes on the accountability of giving false hope. Now we are told they will give it a few more months!!! Maybe a new leader who is willing to be honest and state the reality that one should accept the state thet they are in will be a better strategy instead of this endless next month it will be while knowing only too well that it will never be!!!

This northern autonomy needs to extend all the way south to Serbia's borders with Albanina and FYR Makedonia and I guess we have a compromise autonomy for all of kosovo & Metohija.

Like there is compromise in the works!! I have to say there are modest people on both sides of the negoiating table. As long as cooler heads prevail i am sure a workable solution can be worked out only those who are out to sabotage cooperation will stand in the way. Yes there will be those from the peanut gallery sqawking not to give up anything but we all realize that to get something we must work together. If the PDK wants to make an alliance with Serbian parties why cannot LDK and other parties in Kosovo come together and do the same. Something as daring as this someone must be the first to drink from the cup!!! I know trust is hard to find in those who have perscuted and killed each other but we must have faith and take the first step. If Mr Tadic and his party would sit down wiht Mr Sejdiu and his party and work out a solution like Gentleman drink a raki and seal the deal then no person will stand against a united coalition. Yes there will doubts and dummies who will try and derail this historic opportunity. We as Men and Women need to step up to the plate for our children and not for own personal gain.

In case you Albanians don't get the picture yet, Kosovo will NEVER be yours. And all your talk of taking up arms is supposed to scare who, the Serbs ?

Hah to offer autonomy u have to be independent. Guess what? You are not. Nor will you ever be.

brilliant.

have I read it properly??? a K-albanian is "offering" something to the Serbs? can someone please tell that poor man that k-albanians are not in the position to "offer" anything, since they live on serbian territory, ..that means, THEY THEMSELVES are being offered autonomy.

seems like that guy doesn´t know about the realities, not only in the UNSC but also in his own vicinity.

vmromk, Kosovo is ours already!!!

Pristina 99 % Albanians
Peja 99 % Albanians
Gjakova 99 % Albanians
Ferizaj 99 % Albanians
Mitrovica 85 % Albanians
and the same in other cities except Leposaviq and Zubin Potok.

Sorry to disappoint you.

But this absolute Albanian majority does not mean that Kosovo should not have place for others. Every one who is from and like to live in Kosovo is welcome, no matter nationality.

Throw in Gracanica, Strpce, Obilic, Kodovo Polje, key moansteries, and smaller Serbian neighborhoods like those in Orahovac and Ljipan into a larger Serbian co-confederacy, policed by Serbian troops with limited mobility within these areas, give the people dual citizenship, and have NATO oversee the entire operation, and Rexhepi might have something more interesting to bargain with. Offer the Serbs what they already have and what the Albanians never controlled isn't much of a negotiation.

it sounds like the Albanians are in desperation to do anything to get atleasat half of kosovo for their great Albania divide is also good but not autonomy half for Albanians and half for the Serbs is fair.

Albanians are trying hard in desperation to make their great Albania in other peoples expense of land i was reading after kosovo they want a portion of Macedonia then a portion of Montenegro that's why the Albanians helped for independence there and then a portion of Greece for their great Albania.its no secret.

The region north of the Ibar will never be apart of an independent Kosovo government. Only an Albanian invasion and expulsion of Serba would the region north of the ibar be Kosovo territory. It Serbia end of story.

How freaking generous! We (separatist Albanians) will GIVE Serbs autonomy within their own country. The K-Albanians cannot give the Serbs what they already have, and it is not theirs to give. that is the equivalent of a thief who stole my watch saying I can have it back for $10, Bravo!!!

Wonder why the story "Ahtisaari Rumored to be Paid by Albanians to Give Kosovo Independene" is not on the B92 English addition? It's on the Serbian one.

Could you imagine the fallout if there is any truth to this? I wouldn't dought it though.

Thank God for Russia and the balance of world power that it represents. Otherwise, these clueless American politicians would screw up the entire world.

Aside from their brethren in Albania, can anyone name a country in the Balkans that has good relations with the Albanians ?

Kosovo was supposed to be independent by the end of February, then the end of March, then April, then May, then June.....Here it is almost July and no such luck. I think I see a pattern here. The word NEVER seems to come to mind.

Autonomy, forget it! they want independance and will not settle for anything but just as the Albanians have not.
Remeber all the coal and minerals are controlled by Serbs in the north so Kosovo will be pretty grim without it.

I am very dissapointed that Zoran's comment where he compares Kosova Albanians with thiefs was allowed.

Its highly innapropriate and comments have been censored for a lot less.

Oh and we are not living in Serbia, but if you insist then come to any town in Kosova a shout "Kosovo je Srbija"

Something is yours when you can control it and you dont control anything in Kosova.

Learn to live with it please.

B92

Please allow me to post this comment on all the relevant articles for clarification.

----

Hello everybody,

Someone has used my name "Nick" in the following article on the 22 of June:

"EU warns Kosovo against declaring independence"

I would just like to clarify that this is not me (the usual Nick that posts here) but a new poster.

I would also like to ask this new poster if he could please change his name so as not to create unnecesary confusion.

So, Pristina will proclaim independence, and Belgrade proclaim autonomy. What else?

Wonder why the story "Ahtisaari Rumored to be Paid by Albanians to Give Kosovo Independence" is not on the B92 English addition? It's on the Serbian one.

The reason its not in English is because of the fear that more then a few hundred people will read and God forbid if it gets picked up by a major news wire. B92 still has its responsibilities to the Americana's, it seems.

Kosova has her borders defined, so the borders can not be changed. If the borders can be changed than OK. South of Kosova ( Preseva, Bujanovc, Medvegje)has to be part of Kosova. North of Kosova can be part of Serbia exept Gazivoda lake. We have to make an agreement abot this lake. But changing borders will not stop only with Kosova. Should continue with Macedonia, Montenegro, Bosna, Vojvodina, Sanxhak etc. It is ok that you want Northern part of Kosova but are you willing to give Sanxhak, Vojvodina, East of Serbia, and Presheva, Bujanovc and Medvegje?

vmro : The process of Kosova Independence had started on 1981 and still today continues. You were laughing and ignoring us that time, but see now, in Kosova everything is different as we asked on 1981: same language as in Tirana, joint artistic programs-festivals, almost same school curriculums, a lot of vehicles with Albanian plates, Kosova school students-pupils who use to visit Albania and vice versa, tourists hundreds of thousands Kosova tourist who use to visit Albanian short etc. So what we wait for is that formal document on SC, and July or November is not so important.

to vmro

If you are from VMRO(DPMNE) and if I would be in your place I would seriously support Ahtisari plan and not start to calculate with new arragements which would lead to redesign of the borders. In that case, border design will not start and stop with Kosovo...

Aside from their brethren in Albania, can anyone name a country in the Balkans that has good relations with the Albanians ?
(vmro, Sunday, 24 June, 2007, 18:06)


Yes VMRO. The following Balcan countries are supporting the Ahtisaari Plan:
Slovenia
Croatia
Bosnia
Montenegro
Romania
Bulgaria
Albania
Turkey
(it hurts?) also FYROM

Now the question is: except of the greeks and some bulgarians is there any other one having good relations with serbs?

All this talk about partition is ridiculous. Sure, in theory, if the Albanians never want to be ruled by Belgrade again, and we accept noone can (or should) force them, then yes, the same applies: the Serbs in northern Kosova, if they don't want to be ruled by Pristina, then noone can (or should) force them either.

The problem is however nearly everything in reality:

Most Kosova Serbs do not live in the northern part that would break away, but in the smaller enclaves suurounded by 2 milliion Albanians. What will be the effect on them if the north breaks away:

1. From a minority of 5-10% now (the higher figure assuming refugee return), these Serbs remaining in independent Kosova will become a minority of 3-5%.

2. If Albanians get pissed off - rightly or wrongly is irrelevant, I'm talking about the reality - by what they perceive as losing the most economically valuable part of their poverty stricken state, then the crazies among them will be more likely to take it out on the then more vulnerable Serb minorities than if the whole state is allowed independence with wide autonomy for Serbs.

3. Northern Mitrovica is the only major Serb-majority urban centre in Kosova, with a university, a major hospital etc. As part of Kosova on an autonomous basis, it provides a real centre for the Kosova Serbs in the smaller communities, never more than a few dozen kilometres away. Cut it out and you cut them off.

All the chatter about Kosova independence being the same as the independence of any minority region in a ny country is silly. This is simply living in denial about what Kosova really was. It was not simply any old "province" of Serbia like any other. It was a region with long recognised borders, with overwhelming Albanian majority, which had never been asked about incorporation into Yugoslavia, and had never accepted it, even though it was the third largest ethnic group min former Yugo. The last Titoist period, 1968-74 to 1981-87 at least recognised this by upgrading Kosova's status to 'high level autonomy', which meant Kosova was not merely "part of Serbia" but a constituent unit of the Yugoslav federation with equal federal representation, until Slobo destroyed the Yugo constitution. Whiel not the same as a full republic, it was not far off; it was far from being a mere "piece opf Serbian territory which just happens to have an Albanian majority."

Therefore, partition Kosova and you open up the partition of Macedonia, the secession from Serbia of Presevo (to Kosova), Sanjak (to Bosnia), northern Vojvodina (to Hungary), a new war in Bosnia (because if so-called "Republika Srpska" attempts to follow the example, as it falsely sees it, this will be opposed by the non-Serb *majority* which used to live in the fictional "RS" state until driven out in 1992-95, and so the secession of the Bosnian Serbs would only be about half the territory of "RS"), the secession of western Herzegovina from Bosnia to Croatia, and all kinds of other logical follow ons.

Someone above said that if Albabians simply wanted freedom rather than a land grab for "greater Albania", the naturally they would let norther Kosova stay with Serbia. This turns logic on its head: If the Kosova Albanians want to unite with Albania to form greater Albania, precisely that entails partition of the north to Serbia. It is by maintaining a viable Serb ethnic centre of an autonomous Serb region as a partner of the Kosova Albanians in an independent multi-ethnic Kosova that is precisely what is not greater Albania.

Of course you will say there's not much multi-ethnic tolerance on the part of the Albanians now. That is largely true and I'm hardly cheering their performance. But the idea has simply never been put into practice, because the main thing the Albabnians have always wanted - independence - has never been there. The lack of this is what drives Albanian radicalism, especially when it is Belgrade and some of the Kosova Serb leaders who block them. The solution may not be great and noone would say without problems but the only alternative - that of partition, would be worse, mostly for the majority of Kosova Serbs.

Where is this Kosova you speak of? I looked on all the maps and I could not find it.

Yes VMRO. The following Balkan countries are supporting the Ahtisaari Plan:
Slovenia
Croatia
Bosnia
Montenegro
Romania
Bulgaria
Albania
Turkey
(it hurts?) also FYROM

WRONG BUDDY! The following countries WILL NOT support Albanins, when the time comes, because they need Russia for Energy and trade:

Montenegro
Romania
Bulgaria
and... also FYROM

When it comes to cold Balkan Winters relations with Russia will be all that matters, not to mention exporting goods to Russia, America does not need nor wants Balkan goods, that is a fact. Kosovo experiences up to 8 hours and more in power blackouts, every day, can you guess why? Its because Serbia and Russia are actively not providing energy to Kosovo.

Croatia might swing to the Russian side too, if only because of cheaper Energy too.

Something is yours when you can control it and you don't control anything in Kosova.

Learn to live with it please.
(Nick, Monday, 25 June, 2007, 01:41)

The Kosovo "property" is in Serbias name. That's all the control they want. Its all the control that matters! And its something you will never have, not next month, not next year. The Serbs have managed to keep Kosovo from much more powerful foes then the likes of 1.8 Million Albanian youth (50% of the population is under the age of 24) and the EU, US and NATO. What makes you think that you can rip it away from the Serbs now? All this waiting for independence does you no good, the standard of living in Kosovo is even lower then Albania, its time that you people accept broad autonomy and build a future for all these children you are producing.

I couldnt find Kosovo-Metohija either.

Former PM Rexhepi's words were twisted by palma plus. He has publicly rebbufed their version. he neve offered autonomy to serbs , insted his word were as follows: " My offer to serbs is equality"

Of course you can not find it on any world map written Kosova and metohija, but you will find with name Kosovo.

To B-92,

It seems as if your censorship is rather selective. e.g Observe the last sentence of "Canadien" comment. A racist comment if I ever heard one!

B-92, You are not doing your job. I hope you realize that funding from America can and will be cut off if you do not censor everyone who violates you're "standards" and not just pro-Albanian posters.