White House rejects Tadić’s statement

is it possible at all to include so many mistakes in one singel comment?

first of all of course it would be a precedent, every other statement is simply stupid.

and by the way can anyone eplain how they mean to solve that contradiction between independence and following the regulations of UNSCR 1244?

If I were an Albanian I would really be nervous, having such an obviously confused supporter...

Ahmet - people don't just return in these situations. There has to be a planned return which is militarily guarded, phased and tied in with the rebuilding of homes etc. That's the sort of agreement under 1244 which needs to be fulfilled.

Do you think that a fgriendly wave and 'you can come back now' will do the trick?

The US also said the Iraqi people would welcome them with candy and roses. That Iraq would be a walk in the park. That Iraq had weapons of mass destruction, and it was a threat to the United States.

Seems the US has a bad record on what it THINKS will happen. What do you expect from a country whose president is not very bright and has made one blunder after another since entering office. Do people think this situation is any different?

The situation is being taken care of according to the rules of United Nations Security Council resolution 1244, and we expect that it will be solved that way,” Casey said.

Then the wait is going to be far longer than 4 months. Returning all of the displaced people into a secure envrionment, rebuilding homes, properly protecting people and heritage already there...

I am glad to hear that 1244 will be adhered to, and I'm sure that if this was combined with elements of the A Plan then it could all be rolled into a new resolution which will not be vetoed.

The Albanians' rights have to be protected. Under the Serbian regime, the past shows that Albanians were deprived of their rights, abused, killed, and this should never happen again.

Actually, the Albanians who are a majority are asking Serbia for the independence of Kosovo, and Serbia, looking at its past, has no other choice but to act positively and grant the people of Kosovo their independence.

The Kosovo the Serbs have lived in in the past is not the same; it has changed; and it belongs now to a different ethnicity. The Serbs should look at this new reality and let go! There is no way back to the past, and they should all envisage future with a different eye!

Jovane, you are not getting it, 1244 it gives the right Kosova, to become indepndent, the reason is :
Anex 5 of res 1244
"5. Establishment of an interim administration for Kosovo as a part of the international civil presence under which the people of Kosovo can enjoy substantial autonomy within the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, to be decided by the Security Council of the United Nations. The interim administration to provide transitional administration while establishing and overseeing the development of provisional democratic self-governing institutions to ensure conditions for a peaceful and normal life for all inhabitants in Kosovo. "


from UN:

"In a letter dated 3 June 2006, the President of the Republic of Serbia informed the Secretary-General that the membership of Serbia and Montenegro was being continued by the Republic of Serbia, following Montenegro’s declaration of independence."

Becpuse I see you and your friends still did not get it, I will explain it to you one more time, there is NO MORE any state called YUGOSLAVIA, does not exist..., therefore,people in Kosova should and are not nervous ,becouse exactly the res. 1244 gives the right with anex 5 , Kosovo ( make you happy with an "o" at the end), to become and independent state.
So either be Serbia, and lose Kosovo :), or lose your national identity , become YUGOSLAVIA again, and proclaim soveregnity.
So simple is this.

I would like to make one thing clear to Kate and other serb camp; Any displaced K-serb can return back if they wish. We are not stopping them , it is Belgrade that is doing that.
Remember when 15 ambasadors from UNSC came to on fact finding mission, I was with them in Ciga/Brestovika village and the returned serbs there are very happy to be back and publicly encouraged others to return.The whole fact finding mission did not turn the way russia and serbia thought it would. Now back to subject: Mr. Tadiq should come up with a brand new excuse becouse these are old one and no one will buy it.

Ahtisaari Plan does give Kosovo independence. It gives EU sovereignty over Kosovo. That is the compromise that the US is talking about. If the sovereignty is given to the EU and not to the Albanians, isn't that a compromise? EU Monitoring is not limited in time, which means it will be forever. Serbia should not pretend that K Albanians are getting everything, because they are not.

once again the albanian commentators seem to be confused.

albano chose to leave out the section where it states that serbia is the successor state of yugoslavia.

And albanians are a minority in Serbia, the successor state of juogslavia.

"once again the albanian commentators seem to be confused.

albano chose to leave out the section where it states that serbia is the successor state of yugoslavia.

And albanians are a minority in Serbia, the successor state of juogslavia.
(Taras, Wednesday, 27 June, 2007, 14:05) "

Oh really, did Yugoslavia, was made only from the serbs only or it was a Federation, so succesors of that fake state can be all of them who participated on Yugoslavia ( even people from Kosovo, I know you dont like that ), or you think the GOD, gave to his "havenly serbian people " that right.

"Ahmet - people don't just return in these situations. There has to be a planned return which is militarily guarded, phased and tied in with the rebuilding of homes etc. That's the sort of agreement under 1244 which needs to be fulfilled.

Do you think that a fgriendly wave and 'you can come back now' will do the trick?
(kate, Wednesday, 27 June, 2007, 14:07) "
So you mean with military guarded , first to expell all the albanians from thir houses, but you've tryed that did not work .

Kate,
My coment about people returning back home has been edited by B92, The best part was not printed about people having blood in their hands.

I'm not surprised at all that Mr. Casey says that "U.S. does not see...".

U.S. suffers from serious vision impairment. This is documented track record. U.S. did not see the fall of South Vietnam, the arrival of Islamic regime in Iran, did not even see the fall of Soviet Union, the major hisotry shaping events.

Not being able to see and comprehend what an independent Kosovo can create is not surprising at all. Having in mind American porous borders and Bush's support to legalization of illegal immigrants, (even hardened criminals), perhaps this is the intention of American ruling elite -Kosovo is setting precedent for the Southwest.

Serbia has to protect America's own interests. The task comparable to persuading drunken heavyweight champ to hand you the keys and let you drive him until he sobers up.

Whats unique about rebel islamic militias trying to commit terrorism against non-muslims and establish their own state by kicking everyone else out?
Tremendously naive comment by the US once again.

Albano - no I did not mean that, as I suspect you well know. I meant an organised return under the military protection of the international forces. But I do believe that 1244 also allowed for Serbian police/ troops to be allowed to guard sites of heritage.
And if people are returning to their rightful homes, what has it got to do with expelling Albanian people. If famillies are living in someone else's property then they have to be found somewhere else to live too.

And exactly how much innocent blood do you have on your hands Ahmet?

Albano,

Although i do not like it, Under: 1) Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties of 1969; and 2) Vienna Convention on Succession of States 1978 and other relevant provisions of international treaties on the succession of states, Serbia & Montenegro assumed all the rights (including property rights) and obligations of Yugoslavia and after the separation of S&M Serbia assumed the rights and obligations of S&M.

Therefore, the argument that Kosova is now free to be recognized because Yugoslavia no longer exists, is legally invalid.

I have heard this argument before and i do not agree with it, simply because it is not a proper interpretation of the relevant documents.

That however does not mean that Kosova can not become independent if its people chose to do so. The two basic arguments of the Kosova Albanians for independence are:

1. The right of all people to self-determination.

2. The repression (apartheid) of the Serbian state since 1989 and the atrocities committed immediately preceding and during the Kosova war 1997-1999.

These two arguments are stronger than anything Serbia can throw at us.

Obviously a precident. No debate there. Just because its inconvinient doesnt mean its not a precedent.

Anything coming out of the White House these days has zero credibility. Anything determined by White House analysts about world development is so completely wrong it's practically funny. Therefore, when the While House says Kosovo will not set a precendent, you better believe it will set a super colossal precedent.

Serbian arguement NICK

LAW!

Also your 2 main arguments seem to be similar to those of South ossetia... and of few others of those nations in the EAST.

Strange of u to say something like that and then claim its not a precedent.

1244 is mentioned so much by the "legalist" camp, but it appears that none of them have bothered reading it. For real, has anyone of you read the text of the resolution?

Do you know that besides the text which states that Kosovo is part of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to which Serbia is the legal successor state, the same resolution (1244) also stipulates that full account be taken of the 1999 Rambouillet Accords, which spoke of a final settlement "recognizing the will of the people." We all know what this means.

All I would like to know is whether this ignorance is purposely done and orchestrated in spite of the Albanians, for whom the past and current Serb government have shown the highest possible racist and negative attitude or this is real thinking and reasoning of the people of Serbia, and Serb government for that matter.

If it is the first case, my question is how long are you going to keep up with this? Even grater and larger entities like USSR could not keep up with the West on similar disputes and issues. What makes you think you can?

Another thing I would like to mention is that many here on these comments write and glorify Russia's riches. That is fine, but you have to understand that Russia has a lots of dollars at hand because it deals with West (this does not mean Russians themselves have it good in their country either!). And if the energy from Russia becomes a liability for the West, in this case EU, rest assured that alternative source will be found, and many are already in place to be developed, which in return will make Russia more cooperative with the West, since it needs their business. It is this fact, the fact that EU has started looking for alternative ways of fulfilling its energy needs which will lead in less influence, that is forcing Russia to push its agenda so hard, and it does not give a damn about Serbia or the Serbs and Albanians for that matter. It is a window of opportunity for Russia to secure great deals while it still can negotiate, relatively speaking, on its terms. But this window of opportunity is small and is shrinking with every day that is passing. In the end when all is said and done, Serbia is surrounded on all sides by EU and most important NATO members, and other non EU and NATO members, but aspiring countries, with whom it has no love lost; think of it as a black hole in Europe.

When you are done thinking CHOSE where do you want to be!

Nick, you are right that people have right to self determination.

The only problem with your argument - Kosovo Albanians are not the people, they are national minority with domicile country of Albania.

Under the letter of international law, National Minorities do not have the right of self-determination and secession. Period. At least until UN exists.

This is as if someone says that Hellenes in Albania have the right to seceede from Albania and create "Northern Epirus" state. They do not have that right, the same as Kosovo Albanians have no right to secede from Serbia and form "Kosova".

I mentioned to you that the propagandists resorted to use of the Albanian term Kosovar (non-existing word in English dictionary) to hide this fact and create false impression that Kosovo has indigenous people called Kosovars who want and deserve self-determination.
Like some Amazonian tribe no one heard of before. This ploy was surprisingly effective, but not for long.

You second claim - Serbian oppression of Kosovo Albanians as a justification for for independence does not hold water either. After June 1999, Kosovo Albanian extremists have murdered over 1000 Kosovo Albanians, nore than 850 Serbs and ethnically cleansed 300 000 inhabitants of Kosovo, followed by unperecedented looting and torching. This behavior nullifies any Kosovo Albanian claim to victimhood because it shows the trend -the behavior both before and after the war. It is Menendes Brothers defense - Murder parents and then claim being innocent orphan. Ksoovo Albanian rebellion started with the murder of Kosovo Albanians who were loyal citizens of Serbia. It was planned to trigger harsh reaction and brings NATO on terrrorist side.

It is all crystal clear now because there is no more Miloseviq to blame.

Cvele,

My comment above has nothing to do with precedents, it is merely a clarification of a term used in 1244.

I do believe Kosova will not set e precedent because the circumstances in Kosova were/are different from those of Abkhazia, Nagorno or any other place.

BUt we must not get carried away with comments that are simply not true or correct. That is the reason for my comment above.

Bob Petrovich,

1. The domicile country of Kosova Albanians is not Albania. Kosova Albanians are Ethnic Albanians who have lived in Kosova for a very long period of time, longer than the Serbs. Period.

2. The reprisals against the Kosova Serbs after the war are real and no one in their right mind would deny they occured, BUT, there is a huge difference betwen:

- State Sponsored Ethnic Clearning which was done by Milosevic's Serbia, and

- Reprisals by enraged Kosova Albanian Refugees who on return found their homes burnt and their relatives missing.

You have to accept this difference before we can go on talking about thse issues in more detail.

Bob, you are right on. Americans will soon be a minority in the Southwestern US. In fact, most of Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and Southern California were part of Mexico before the Mexican-American war. Who knows, maybe in 100 years these areas with a Mexican majority may try to break away and join Mexico....This American imperialism, which has been going on since the end of World War II, has got to stop. At least some of us Americans know what is going on:
www.iraqwar.org
www.antiwar.com

Nick + all the albans,

Then you tell me how the situation in Serbia would differ from those in the EAST (Georgia and Moldova). Geography and name are irrelivent.

The only difference is, they (and not you) have more of a legal basis to the claim of their land, while you have none. Nor will you ever have any.

Therefor, Russia will VETO the resolution and if US helps you unilateraly, Russians will do the same in the EAST with Georgia and Moldova. You think the US is even considering that as an option? Its a fact they cannot sacrifice Georgia. Especially not for you, who are of no real stratigic importance.

PS We r all in agreement Russia owns Montenegro now? Yes! Well Serbia + Montenegro successfully control the oil supply through the balkans into southern europe. Why anger Serbs when it will be clear they will control a huge portion of energy imports and distance them from the EU. EU understands that this is basically shooting yourself in both feet. RUSSIA+SERBIA or just upset US and albans. I wonder who will EU side with.

If you are hoping for independence dont hold your breath.

I WILL NEVER, BUT NEVER, UNDERSTAND, WHY USA ARE MAKING SERBIA THEIR ENEMIE. Serbia is USA friend for centuries.

FYI, the last comment made by a "Mike" here with links, is not me, the Mike that normally comments on this site.

Albanians, for whom …current Serb government have shown the highest possible racist and negative attitude…"

How? By offering autonomy? What is racist in the attitude of the current government?

"…If it is the first case, my question is how long are you going to keep up with this? Even grater and larger entities like USSR could not keep up with the West on similar disputes and issues. What makes you think you can? …"

Actually, there is no dispute, it's a kind of little misunderstanding. West just have to clear it's somewhat muted vision. Serbia insist on the principles of the international law which West created. As soon as West and implement it's own universal principles we' shall be best of friends.

"…Another thing I would like to mention is that many here on these comments write and glorify Russia's riches. That is fine, but you have to understand that Russia has a lots of dollars at hand because it deals with West. (this does not mean Russians themselves have it good in their country either!)…"

West. is not the only buyer, it isn't that difficult to find a customers for oil on today's markets, India, China…
As for the quality of life of average Russian, it's not good but it's slowly improving, average standard is already much better the during the Jeltsin government which followed wisdom of western economy.

"…And if the energy from Russia becomes a liability for the West, in this case EU, rest assured that alternative source will be found, and many are already in place to be developed…"

Yeah, as Iraq and Venezuela… Peak Oil is fast approaching. I bet that Russia will continue to earn loads of money on the world markets for quite some time in the future.

"…Russia…does not give a damn about Serbia or the Serbs and Albanians for that matter…"

As we all now, politics and economy are not about emotions, it's a business, self-interest, profit. Do you think that Western policies are not motivated by self-interest? That they actually care about Albanians and Serbs?

"…In the end when all is said and done, Serbia is surrounded on all sides by EU and most important NATO members, and other non EU and NATO members, but aspiring countries, with whom it has no love lost; think of it as a black hole in Europe.

When you are done thinking CHOSE where do you want to be!…"

I done my thinking - It's a bad practice in economy and politics to relay on the few partners. I would made first priority to get rid of any IMF - World bank influence in Serbia as this organization just bring economic disasters to its clients. World is a big place. We can freely trade with anyone. For example we used to have very good relations with a number of the third world countries. We should refresh and develop this connections to our mutual benefit. We should develop more trade with a rising Asian and South American economies. Although I just said that we should be motivated by pure self-interest, in the relations with Russia, cultural, historical, religious factors would always create certain closeness and understanding among us. That is also good basis for more economic cooperation.

The West as a big champion of democracy and free trade would certainly welcome our independent position don't you think?

i cant understand why prime minister of serbia is saying that indepedence of kosovo is supposed to be an precedent.if serbia wants to move farwards europe should understand that kosovo has been lost in 1999.it has been lost in politician way but not for albanian serbian hwo used to live here.because everybody is free to live in the new state of kosovo so president koshtunica should not shown the bad ideas that miloshevic showed because now its time to go forward.and my point is that indepedence of kosovo is the only way to peace in the balcan.im from kosovo please publish this message becsause i do really visit yuor site often.thank you a lot

The US also said the Iraqi people would welcome them with candy and roses. That Iraq would be a walk in the park. That Iraq had weapons of mass destruction, and it was a threat to the United States.

Seems the US has a bad record on what it THINKS will happen. What do you expect from a country whose president is not very bright and has made one blunder after another since entering office. Do people think this situation is any different?

The Albanians' rights have to be protected. Under the Serbian regime, the past shows that Albanians were deprived of their rights, abused, killed, and this should never happen again.

Actually, the Albanians who are a majority are asking Serbia for the independence of Kosovo, and Serbia, looking at its past, has no other choice but to act positively and grant the people of Kosovo their independence.

The Kosovo the Serbs have lived in in the past is not the same; it has changed; and it belongs now to a different ethnicity. The Serbs should look at this new reality and let go! There is no way back to the past, and they should all envisage future with a different eye!

Jovane, you are not getting it, 1244 it gives the right Kosova, to become indepndent, the reason is :
Anex 5 of res 1244
"5. Establishment of an interim administration for Kosovo as a part of the international civil presence under which the people of Kosovo can enjoy substantial autonomy within the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, to be decided by the Security Council of the United Nations. The interim administration to provide transitional administration while establishing and overseeing the development of provisional democratic self-governing institutions to ensure conditions for a peaceful and normal life for all inhabitants in Kosovo. "


from UN:

"In a letter dated 3 June 2006, the President of the Republic of Serbia informed the Secretary-General that the membership of Serbia and Montenegro was being continued by the Republic of Serbia, following Montenegro’s declaration of independence."

Becpuse I see you and your friends still did not get it, I will explain it to you one more time, there is NO MORE any state called YUGOSLAVIA, does not exist..., therefore,people in Kosova should and are not nervous ,becouse exactly the res. 1244 gives the right with anex 5 , Kosovo ( make you happy with an "o" at the end), to become and independent state.
So either be Serbia, and lose Kosovo :), or lose your national identity , become YUGOSLAVIA again, and proclaim soveregnity.
So simple is this.

I would like to make one thing clear to Kate and other serb camp; Any displaced K-serb can return back if they wish. We are not stopping them , it is Belgrade that is doing that.
Remember when 15 ambasadors from UNSC came to on fact finding mission, I was with them in Ciga/Brestovika village and the returned serbs there are very happy to be back and publicly encouraged others to return.The whole fact finding mission did not turn the way russia and serbia thought it would. Now back to subject: Mr. Tadiq should come up with a brand new excuse becouse these are old one and no one will buy it.

Ahtisaari Plan does give Kosovo independence. It gives EU sovereignty over Kosovo. That is the compromise that the US is talking about. If the sovereignty is given to the EU and not to the Albanians, isn't that a compromise? EU Monitoring is not limited in time, which means it will be forever. Serbia should not pretend that K Albanians are getting everything, because they are not.

is it possible at all to include so many mistakes in one singel comment?

first of all of course it would be a precedent, every other statement is simply stupid.

and by the way can anyone eplain how they mean to solve that contradiction between independence and following the regulations of UNSCR 1244?

If I were an Albanian I would really be nervous, having such an obviously confused supporter...

The situation is being taken care of according to the rules of United Nations Security Council resolution 1244, and we expect that it will be solved that way,” Casey said.

Then the wait is going to be far longer than 4 months. Returning all of the displaced people into a secure envrionment, rebuilding homes, properly protecting people and heritage already there...

I am glad to hear that 1244 will be adhered to, and I'm sure that if this was combined with elements of the A Plan then it could all be rolled into a new resolution which will not be vetoed.

once again the albanian commentators seem to be confused.

albano chose to leave out the section where it states that serbia is the successor state of yugoslavia.

And albanians are a minority in Serbia, the successor state of juogslavia.

Ahmet - people don't just return in these situations. There has to be a planned return which is militarily guarded, phased and tied in with the rebuilding of homes etc. That's the sort of agreement under 1244 which needs to be fulfilled.

Do you think that a fgriendly wave and 'you can come back now' will do the trick?

"once again the albanian commentators seem to be confused.

albano chose to leave out the section where it states that serbia is the successor state of yugoslavia.

And albanians are a minority in Serbia, the successor state of juogslavia.
(Taras, Wednesday, 27 June, 2007, 14:05) "

Oh really, did Yugoslavia, was made only from the serbs only or it was a Federation, so succesors of that fake state can be all of them who participated on Yugoslavia ( even people from Kosovo, I know you dont like that ), or you think the GOD, gave to his "havenly serbian people " that right.

"Ahmet - people don't just return in these situations. There has to be a planned return which is militarily guarded, phased and tied in with the rebuilding of homes etc. That's the sort of agreement under 1244 which needs to be fulfilled.

Do you think that a fgriendly wave and 'you can come back now' will do the trick?
(kate, Wednesday, 27 June, 2007, 14:07) "
So you mean with military guarded , first to expell all the albanians from thir houses, but you've tryed that did not work .

Kate,
My coment about people returning back home has been edited by B92, The best part was not printed about people having blood in their hands.

I'm not surprised at all that Mr. Casey says that "U.S. does not see...".

U.S. suffers from serious vision impairment. This is documented track record. U.S. did not see the fall of South Vietnam, the arrival of Islamic regime in Iran, did not even see the fall of Soviet Union, the major hisotry shaping events.

Not being able to see and comprehend what an independent Kosovo can create is not surprising at all. Having in mind American porous borders and Bush's support to legalization of illegal immigrants, (even hardened criminals), perhaps this is the intention of American ruling elite -Kosovo is setting precedent for the Southwest.

Serbia has to protect America's own interests. The task comparable to persuading drunken heavyweight champ to hand you the keys and let you drive him until he sobers up.

Whats unique about rebel islamic militias trying to commit terrorism against non-muslims and establish their own state by kicking everyone else out?
Tremendously naive comment by the US once again.

Albano - no I did not mean that, as I suspect you well know. I meant an organised return under the military protection of the international forces. But I do believe that 1244 also allowed for Serbian police/ troops to be allowed to guard sites of heritage.
And if people are returning to their rightful homes, what has it got to do with expelling Albanian people. If famillies are living in someone else's property then they have to be found somewhere else to live too.

And exactly how much innocent blood do you have on your hands Ahmet?

Albano,

Although i do not like it, Under: 1) Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties of 1969; and 2) Vienna Convention on Succession of States 1978 and other relevant provisions of international treaties on the succession of states, Serbia & Montenegro assumed all the rights (including property rights) and obligations of Yugoslavia and after the separation of S&M Serbia assumed the rights and obligations of S&M.

Therefore, the argument that Kosova is now free to be recognized because Yugoslavia no longer exists, is legally invalid.

I have heard this argument before and i do not agree with it, simply because it is not a proper interpretation of the relevant documents.

That however does not mean that Kosova can not become independent if its people chose to do so. The two basic arguments of the Kosova Albanians for independence are:

1. The right of all people to self-determination.

2. The repression (apartheid) of the Serbian state since 1989 and the atrocities committed immediately preceding and during the Kosova war 1997-1999.

These two arguments are stronger than anything Serbia can throw at us.

Obviously a precident. No debate there. Just because its inconvinient doesnt mean its not a precedent.

Anything coming out of the White House these days has zero credibility. Anything determined by White House analysts about world development is so completely wrong it's practically funny. Therefore, when the While House says Kosovo will not set a precendent, you better believe it will set a super colossal precedent.

Serbian arguement NICK

LAW!

Also your 2 main arguments seem to be similar to those of South ossetia... and of few others of those nations in the EAST.

Strange of u to say something like that and then claim its not a precedent.

1244 is mentioned so much by the "legalist" camp, but it appears that none of them have bothered reading it. For real, has anyone of you read the text of the resolution?

Do you know that besides the text which states that Kosovo is part of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to which Serbia is the legal successor state, the same resolution (1244) also stipulates that full account be taken of the 1999 Rambouillet Accords, which spoke of a final settlement "recognizing the will of the people." We all know what this means.

All I would like to know is whether this ignorance is purposely done and orchestrated in spite of the Albanians, for whom the past and current Serb government have shown the highest possible racist and negative attitude or this is real thinking and reasoning of the people of Serbia, and Serb government for that matter.

If it is the first case, my question is how long are you going to keep up with this? Even grater and larger entities like USSR could not keep up with the West on similar disputes and issues. What makes you think you can?

Another thing I would like to mention is that many here on these comments write and glorify Russia's riches. That is fine, but you have to understand that Russia has a lots of dollars at hand because it deals with West (this does not mean Russians themselves have it good in their country either!). And if the energy from Russia becomes a liability for the West, in this case EU, rest assured that alternative source will be found, and many are already in place to be developed, which in return will make Russia more cooperative with the West, since it needs their business. It is this fact, the fact that EU has started looking for alternative ways of fulfilling its energy needs which will lead in less influence, that is forcing Russia to push its agenda so hard, and it does not give a damn about Serbia or the Serbs and Albanians for that matter. It is a window of opportunity for Russia to secure great deals while it still can negotiate, relatively speaking, on its terms. But this window of opportunity is small and is shrinking with every day that is passing. In the end when all is said and done, Serbia is surrounded on all sides by EU and most important NATO members, and other non EU and NATO members, but aspiring countries, with whom it has no love lost; think of it as a black hole in Europe.

When you are done thinking CHOSE where do you want to be!

Nick, you are right that people have right to self determination.

The only problem with your argument - Kosovo Albanians are not the people, they are national minority with domicile country of Albania.

Under the letter of international law, National Minorities do not have the right of self-determination and secession. Period. At least until UN exists.

This is as if someone says that Hellenes in Albania have the right to seceede from Albania and create "Northern Epirus" state. They do not have that right, the same as Kosovo Albanians have no right to secede from Serbia and form "Kosova".

I mentioned to you that the propagandists resorted to use of the Albanian term Kosovar (non-existing word in English dictionary) to hide this fact and create false impression that Kosovo has indigenous people called Kosovars who want and deserve self-determination.
Like some Amazonian tribe no one heard of before. This ploy was surprisingly effective, but not for long.

You second claim - Serbian oppression of Kosovo Albanians as a justification for for independence does not hold water either. After June 1999, Kosovo Albanian extremists have murdered over 1000 Kosovo Albanians, nore than 850 Serbs and ethnically cleansed 300 000 inhabitants of Kosovo, followed by unperecedented looting and torching. This behavior nullifies any Kosovo Albanian claim to victimhood because it shows the trend -the behavior both before and after the war. It is Menendes Brothers defense - Murder parents and then claim being innocent orphan. Ksoovo Albanian rebellion started with the murder of Kosovo Albanians who were loyal citizens of Serbia. It was planned to trigger harsh reaction and brings NATO on terrrorist side.

It is all crystal clear now because there is no more Miloseviq to blame.

Cvele,

My comment above has nothing to do with precedents, it is merely a clarification of a term used in 1244.

I do believe Kosova will not set e precedent because the circumstances in Kosova were/are different from those of Abkhazia, Nagorno or any other place.

BUt we must not get carried away with comments that are simply not true or correct. That is the reason for my comment above.

Bob Petrovich,

1. The domicile country of Kosova Albanians is not Albania. Kosova Albanians are Ethnic Albanians who have lived in Kosova for a very long period of time, longer than the Serbs. Period.

2. The reprisals against the Kosova Serbs after the war are real and no one in their right mind would deny they occured, BUT, there is a huge difference betwen:

- State Sponsored Ethnic Clearning which was done by Milosevic's Serbia, and

- Reprisals by enraged Kosova Albanian Refugees who on return found their homes burnt and their relatives missing.

You have to accept this difference before we can go on talking about thse issues in more detail.

Bob, you are right on. Americans will soon be a minority in the Southwestern US. In fact, most of Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and Southern California were part of Mexico before the Mexican-American war. Who knows, maybe in 100 years these areas with a Mexican majority may try to break away and join Mexico....This American imperialism, which has been going on since the end of World War II, has got to stop. At least some of us Americans know what is going on:
www.iraqwar.org
www.antiwar.com

Nick + all the albans,

Then you tell me how the situation in Serbia would differ from those in the EAST (Georgia and Moldova). Geography and name are irrelivent.

The only difference is, they (and not you) have more of a legal basis to the claim of their land, while you have none. Nor will you ever have any.

Therefor, Russia will VETO the resolution and if US helps you unilateraly, Russians will do the same in the EAST with Georgia and Moldova. You think the US is even considering that as an option? Its a fact they cannot sacrifice Georgia. Especially not for you, who are of no real stratigic importance.

PS We r all in agreement Russia owns Montenegro now? Yes! Well Serbia + Montenegro successfully control the oil supply through the balkans into southern europe. Why anger Serbs when it will be clear they will control a huge portion of energy imports and distance them from the EU. EU understands that this is basically shooting yourself in both feet. RUSSIA+SERBIA or just upset US and albans. I wonder who will EU side with.

If you are hoping for independence dont hold your breath.

I WILL NEVER, BUT NEVER, UNDERSTAND, WHY USA ARE MAKING SERBIA THEIR ENEMIE. Serbia is USA friend for centuries.

FYI, the last comment made by a "Mike" here with links, is not me, the Mike that normally comments on this site.

Albanians, for whom …current Serb government have shown the highest possible racist and negative attitude…"

How? By offering autonomy? What is racist in the attitude of the current government?

"…If it is the first case, my question is how long are you going to keep up with this? Even grater and larger entities like USSR could not keep up with the West on similar disputes and issues. What makes you think you can? …"

Actually, there is no dispute, it's a kind of little misunderstanding. West just have to clear it's somewhat muted vision. Serbia insist on the principles of the international law which West created. As soon as West and implement it's own universal principles we' shall be best of friends.

"…Another thing I would like to mention is that many here on these comments write and glorify Russia's riches. That is fine, but you have to understand that Russia has a lots of dollars at hand because it deals with West. (this does not mean Russians themselves have it good in their country either!)…"

West. is not the only buyer, it isn't that difficult to find a customers for oil on today's markets, India, China…
As for the quality of life of average Russian, it's not good but it's slowly improving, average standard is already much better the during the Jeltsin government which followed wisdom of western economy.

"…And if the energy from Russia becomes a liability for the West, in this case EU, rest assured that alternative source will be found, and many are already in place to be developed…"

Yeah, as Iraq and Venezuela… Peak Oil is fast approaching. I bet that Russia will continue to earn loads of money on the world markets for quite some time in the future.

"…Russia…does not give a damn about Serbia or the Serbs and Albanians for that matter…"

As we all now, politics and economy are not about emotions, it's a business, self-interest, profit. Do you think that Western policies are not motivated by self-interest? That they actually care about Albanians and Serbs?

"…In the end when all is said and done, Serbia is surrounded on all sides by EU and most important NATO members, and other non EU and NATO members, but aspiring countries, with whom it has no love lost; think of it as a black hole in Europe.

When you are done thinking CHOSE where do you want to be!…"

I done my thinking - It's a bad practice in economy and politics to relay on the few partners. I would made first priority to get rid of any IMF - World bank influence in Serbia as this organization just bring economic disasters to its clients. World is a big place. We can freely trade with anyone. For example we used to have very good relations with a number of the third world countries. We should refresh and develop this connections to our mutual benefit. We should develop more trade with a rising Asian and South American economies. Although I just said that we should be motivated by pure self-interest, in the relations with Russia, cultural, historical, religious factors would always create certain closeness and understanding among us. That is also good basis for more economic cooperation.

The West as a big champion of democracy and free trade would certainly welcome our independent position don't you think?

i cant understand why prime minister of serbia is saying that indepedence of kosovo is supposed to be an precedent.if serbia wants to move farwards europe should understand that kosovo has been lost in 1999.it has been lost in politician way but not for albanian serbian hwo used to live here.because everybody is free to live in the new state of kosovo so president koshtunica should not shown the bad ideas that miloshevic showed because now its time to go forward.and my point is that indepedence of kosovo is the only way to peace in the balcan.im from kosovo please publish this message becsause i do really visit yuor site often.thank you a lot