Canadien, THE WORLD BANK is not located in Pristina, neither is in Beograd, and neither in Ottawa.
Jeremic "has been told"
Oh, it so hard to swallow the facts.
Lets not beat around the bush. Kosovo Independence is IMMINENT.
You can say whatever you want, complain stand on your head. It will not change.
The decision has been made, and Serbian politicians know that, but they are hiding behind the excuse that Russia is going to save them.
Canadien,
i don't think you ever been inkosova, you must be living and working in a another country.You come to Kosova you wil see more ; Hummers, Mercedes, Mazorati, and lets not even talk about all kinds of US made cars of latest models that you can not find on entire serbia which is four times bigger tha Kosova and you tell in me about poverty level.
Seeing as I am British I can put the lack of language skills down to the education system of the UK which did not encourage other languages during my school days and yes spelling was never my forte! That said, $spelling it is clearly neither your forte but then I guess the US education system is clearly lacking too if as you purport to being a US citzen?
That said I did put across some very valid points that you clearly did not wish to respond to & thus
"One can only consider that what you really are assuaging is the alternative and thus purport & support the creation of mono-ethnic statelets across the whole World. In which case just be honest about such a fascist tendency! "
- in which case I wonder if you'll be placing your claim to an indepedent Hungarian homeland in the US based on your views or would you rather make a claim for parts of Hungary, Romania and Parts of Serbia's Northern province of Voijvodina while your at it?
I work in Serbia and Kosovo and I know the facts thank you very much! Serbia ranks in the top 75 countirs in the world's economy buddy or in the top 50 European economy's while Albania is ranked the poorest in Europe and is in the the top 150 pool in the world economy. Research it yourself, don't believe me. As for Kosovo, people are getting by there on 10 to 30 Euros a month what do you call that! Wealth?
Princip,
When a Serb like you start to criticize me for my spelling I know that he is short of arguments and he tries to attack me this way. I find it very funny. I would also ask you Mister Perfection did you really mean elevating under "elivating"? Also what other languages do you speak besides Serbian and "elivating" English? If you speak 4 or 5 you have the right to criticize me.
Joe,
are you of the US (let alone the planet) as you purport?
In which case I would have expected a better level of spelling from a US citizen!
I would ask that you think through what actually happened in the late 80's (yes in the late 80's) and 90's and think about "who segregated and isolated her 2 million K-Albanian citizens by firering them from their jobs and schools in the nineties."
Who indeed? This was not at all "segregation and oppression good old South-African style." - but a political choice made by the ethnic-Albanians not to Integrate but to Seperate themselves from the state they were in - just like some fear is occuring in the UK - hence why Tony Blair recently said "conform to it"!
Moreover, I would imagine it is the South Africans who are the ones who know what segregation and oppression is and that is exactly why they did not support the US imposed plan!
"So please don't be cynical" but instead realise that the best way forward is for the full integration and conformity of all Serbian citizens in the state they are in! It is the best way forward in a multi-ethnic and democratic society which is forward looking and ishes to be part of the EU that is about breaking down borders and elivating human rights for all. One can only consider that what you really are assuaging is the alternative and thus purport & support the creation of mono-ethnic statelets across the whole World. In which case just be honest about such a fascist tendency! We might agree with you but at least be honest about what you are really promoting!
canadien said: "The only poverty happening in the Balkans is Albania and Kosovo. This according to the World Bank"
the World Bank would not determine the poverty of the people. Have you recently been in Serbia, Kosova and/or Albania? I doubt. Otherwise you would have thought different. The truth on the field is this: People of Serbia are experiencing a falling life standards, while, on the other hand, the life standard of Kosova and Albanian people is being highly increased. Just take o look of Albania before 10 years and now, compare it, and you’ll see results. It has changed drastically, of course for good. And take a look at Serbia. It has changed also, but for bad. So, Serbian economy and life standard is going down, while Albanian is going up. It is really sad for Serbia knowing that its economy was really good in the past. And whose fault is this? Of course your rulers'.
"Actually, Serbia has no more alternatives but through dialogue and negotiations. They have to be 'constructive' as Mrs Rice asked her counterpart, and all 'destructive' approach as during Milosevic's era would be address with severe sanctions. This is the USA's message to the Serb government and Mr Tadic is almost at the end of the road where he'll have to take a decision...Kosovo will be Albanian and independent before Xmas 2007."
Admit it, you have no idea what you're talking about. Please provide supporting proof or data with you're otherwise baseless hyperbole.
Are you of this planet? It was exactly Serbia, who segregated and isolated her 2 million K-Albanian citizens by firering them from their jobs and schools in the nineties. It was segregation and oppression good old South-African style. So please don't be cynical. And if that official does not respect the suvereign territory of Serbia he has a good reason for it. Because of those terrible crimes against her own 2 million citizens in 1999 Serbia FORFAITED her claim on that 14% of her territory.
In 1999, Serbia was the object of a totally unjustified act of aggression by rampant imperialists that instigated the whole alliance of NATO to follow them, against its own rule of consensus.
First of all, if Kosovo declares independence, the likelihood of it being recognised by ANY of its neighbours except of course Albania are NULL. So who cares what the USA or the rest of Europe will do? It will be an isolated island of thuggishness without any economy per se (not that Albania has any). I realise that Europe or the USA may decide to pour lots of money into it; however they chose a different course of action in far more civilised Iraq, and the likelihood that they will be able to afford pouring into the sieve of corruption and drug dealing forever, which Kosovo is, are very slim.
Also, if the UN as an organisation does not recognise the state, it does not become a subject of international law. This means that Serbia (whose territory it still is, legally) can invade and take control. Of course the obstacle to this happening will be the US military base, or the presence of NATO troops; but then the presence of Guantanamo does not prevent Cuba from having sovereignty over the whole country, including Guantanamo's province. The day will come when the USA does not need Kosovo anymore, and they will be out of there faster than you can spell Condoleezza
Russia will not be complicit in this open violation of international law. And if this occurs, it is in her interest to take the precedent into Transdnistria, Abkhasia etc., and God knows what other fallout there will be with the many other separatists groups around the world.
Good that Russia is back. The world's imperialist bullies need a good slap to get them back to reality.
"Speaking to reporters at the National Press Club, Jeremić said all the democratic gains Serbia has made since the overthrow of Slobodan Milošević in 2000 will be at risk if Kosovo, against Belgrade's wishes, is declared independent, VOA News reported."
I don't see any connection between Kosova/o's status and democracy in Serbia. It is simply not realistic to think that the Serbs are people who love freedom and democracy and as such a democratic stat will flourish only under autonomy. If the Serbian people love their freedoms, their democratic country then why they will abandon this great way of life and these noble ideas if Kosova/o becomes dependent. There is simply no logic in Jeremic's statement. It holds no water. It is naive to say that Kosova/o issue is not related with Serbia's entrance in the EU, or NATO yet somehow this issue becomes at the same time so important that it can ruin a whole political system; bring dictatorship in flourishing Serb democracy. It doesn't make sense.
"And if we falter, so will the rest of the region. For just as our success is guaranteed to propel the Western Balkans forward, real danger exists that Serbia's plunge back into her recent past could hurl the region back to the 1990s," he said.
Again this is simply not true. How can such a strong democracy such as Serbia, as many Serbs here state, all of a sudden become a dictatorship. Not possible. Even lets say for the sake of argument it did turn into a dictatorship, then a Serbia without Kosova/a under dictatorship poses no threats to anyone else but itself, especially considering the NATO troops in Kosova/o. The region is safe regardless of which way Serbia chooses to follow if Serbia has no ties with Kosovo/a or any others in the region. That way if the Serbs decide to go down they'll go down on their own without dragging others with them.
"He also complained that the position of the Bush administration, which says it will recognize Kosovo's independence if resumed status negotiations fail, means Washington has already made up of its mind.
"So, I fail to see any incentive whatsoever for the Albanian side to do anything during these 120 days (of resumed negotiations) but, like, just waiting it out," Jeremić argued. "
Again for the sake of the argument lets say the US and EU abandons the idea of independence for Kosova/o. Then I fail to see where the compromise is. Broad autonomy can be ruled out as a compromise simply because one side is offering it. By definition a compromise is solution which meets in the middle and that none of the sides have offered. If Jeremic is considering Belgrade's proposal, no independence and more than autonomy as THE COMPROMISE, then his idea of compromise is perverted and immoral. If there was no US pressure for independence what would be the incentives of Belgrade for a solution. There would be no incentives whatsoever. They could drag the negotiations to eternity and solve nothing. If nobody pushes you to bring change then why change things. That would be Belgrade's very comfortable position if the US somehow decides to quit. What the US is doing is very logical. It is telling Belgrade that if you can convince the K-Albanians that somehow your plan beats the Ahtisari plan and that K-Albanians would be happy to live under Serbia under such a plan then its a done deal. The reason why Serbia has to be the one coming up with a plan that would make the Albanian population content is because the superpowers bombed Serbia to save the lives of K-Albanians. Serbia broke the social contract it had with K-Albanians. Now it has to do all the work to figure out a way which it can reconstruct that trust, that social contract. The West is putting pressure just to do that. It gave Serbia a chance in the past negotiations and Serbia failed miserably. It is giving a second chance and it is making sure in telling Serbia that you don't get infinite chances, and your time is very limited, so you better come up with something serious or the West is going to solve it.
Victor says a “few members of a liberation movement who wanted their rights to be respected”? Really???
Is he referring to the Albanian Muslim KLA? The KLA is considered a terrorist group and their own spokesman, Jakup Krasniqi, claimed 30,000 men under arms?
If the KLA was a “few members of a liberation movement” then, all of the “members” of any fighting groups in the Balkans, regardless of their crimes or ethnicity, should be categorized as the same. The Serbs in Krijana wanted their rights to be respected, too.
Victor said on July 17, 2007…”Patience is a virtue, we all know this. I hope that both Albanians and Serbs put it in practice during these negociations. Milosevic, Izebegovic and Tudjman should have used more patience in the 90s to sort out their differences instead of using canons. Lack of patience is a mortal potion and all the crimes and atrocities perpetrated by all parties between 1990 and 2000 show us clearly that all have lost. I hope that patience will prevail this time.”
However, what I read today now tells me that, patience is insignificant, only the Milosevic era was “destructive” and once again, only the Serbs are bad. Are we to swallow that “mortal potion”?
Mr Isufi and Hoxha, you have two have been preaching this independence for Kosovo for awhile and yes you guys are so engulfed in independence you dont see the whole picture. Sec Rice said Kosovo will be independent, but i think Gentlemen there will be alot of concessions that neither side will like but will live with it. I remember last year when the draft resolution was publish oh the singing and dancing and party planning but we are here in 2007 and still no closure to independence i am do not listen PM K nor do i listen to PM C. Everyone is preaching to friendly crowds. I want to wish you both the best of luck and wait see what contact group will bring. I am sure it will be very interesting. Tung shoki
Message to all Albanians, You seem to think that Boris Yeltsin is still the leader of Russia. He is not! Putin is not a puppet of the U.S. and he is not going to let the U.S. dictate every single foreign policy issue in the world. The U.S. is going to lose the battle of Kosovo sovereignty; thus, the Albanians will be the big losers. The U.S. does not have the power of God! The days of the U.S. just waving its magic wand are over! The U.S. made a promise to the Albanian people that it will not be able to keep. You Albanians look like fools because you kept saying on B92 that the Serbs were naïve and their leaders in Belgrade were not telling the Serbian people the truth about losing Kosovo, but it looks like quite the opposite has happened. Your Albanian leaders are the ones who have been consistently wrong so far. If the Kosovars declared unilateral independence and start a military conflict, the Serbs would have the legal right to go in to Kosovo with their military. Unlike last time, when the U.S. and NATO bombed Serbia, Putin ( not Yeltsin anymore) will not let this happen. Russia holds the trump card in this whole mess because Putin just has to tell the U.S. that the Russian military will defend Serbia. If he says this, it is game, set and match for the Serbs! The U.S. military is so overextended right now that it is not in any military position to go war with Russia over Kosovo. Lastly, the Albanian people have to remember that at the end of the day, the U.S. does not care about Albanians or Serbs; it only cares about its own interests. If the U.S. sees that it will have to pay too high of a price for Kosovo independence, it will abandon the Kosovars like yesterdays newspaper!
The only poverty happening in the Balkans is Albania and Kosovo. This according to the World Bank. Have you ever heard of the World Bank, by the way its not located in Pristina.
Ahmet, Afrim, Victor, Joe, and the rest of Team Kosova,
It's amazing how all of you are misreading the same article. Jeremic's comment focused on regional stability of Serbia and the Balkans pending the way in which an outcome over Kosovo is realized. It can happen against Serbia's will, or with Serbia's cooperation. Jeremic was reiterating that all that has been accomplished since 2000 will be jeopardized if the US plows ahead with a resolution without taking Serb interests in mind - essentially giving Belgrade to the radicals. This would be something far more grave to Europe than a bunch of frustrated Albanians. This is nothing to do anymore with "Kosova will be independent. Wake up, Serbs." It has everything to do with bringing Serbia back from Moscow's sphere, coming to a resolution that gives Serbs tangible and meaningful input in Kosovo, and assuring strong guarantees of economic and political integration. It's time for Washington to figure out what's more important: an independent Kosovo or a strong democratic Serbia. If they can achieve both, great. But if one can only come at the expense of the other, then our so-called negotiators are not working hard enough and someone needs to realize that strongarming a state is not going to yield any productive results.
Please guys, your overly simplistic argument lack both substance and outlook. Get beyond the whole "Kosova is ours" debate and start looking at HOW such a realization can manifest.
Suzi
Good point! If they are too afraid to identify themselves for something thats "guaranteed" and "in the bag". Then all the albans should think to themselves... there is something rotten in the state of Denmark.
the only thing Mr.Jeremic and Mrs.Rice are doing is following the protocol and exchanging their views, shake hands for the camera´s that´s it.
what is important is, that the US backed down in the UNSC, some Albanians here still didn´t realize that...
if you believe in Santa Claus... he will bring you "independence" with much sugar on top! *unbelievable*
The anonymous official, by his undiplomatic remark does harm for finding a solution for Kosovo and Metohija and shows that he does not respect international law or the sovereign territory of any country.
The remark is best ignored and all encouragement for dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina must be pursued with work to assimilate society, not segregate and isolate.
after all the milosovic regime killed many ppl in former yugoslavia that was wrong by international law, they knew it and continued to do it weather anybody liked it or not was beside the point. they did it. serbians are great politicians and know how to play the game, milosovic was the master. it will all work out for the best
its the contact group that represents the eu and russia holds no veto. the contct group and usa will accept kosovo independence and offer financial help pegged against outcome of negotiation n standards, so they wont have a seat on the un or get assistance from imf n world bank, it doesnt mean the contact group cant borrow on kosovos behalf, after all they will have the last say on how kosovo will run n can guarantee the loans n build on the equity of the country. all serbia has done is stop n postpone the inevitable.... but what of the solution, serbia should market how life for the kalbanians would b far better within serbia n how it would benefit them, if they can negotiate, coz thats thats what its is.. better terms for both for the people of kosovo within independance. there are many countries without a seat in the un and not aproved by the un doesnt mean its not gonna happen weather its right or wrong is a seperate issue.
«Everyone knows that Kosovo will be independent soon and we are urging their [Serb] cooperation in the coming months».
I have made the same statement years ago; there is no way out for Serbia. The politicians and Serbs in general can advocate that Kosovo is their land, the cradle of their nation, but all these arguments find little audience around the world. Only Russia, for political benefits, are on the Serb side. Unfortunately, the Serbian authorities have faltered in 1990, taking away the autonomous status of the province, waging a criminal aggression against all the people for the sake of a few members of a liberation movement who wanted their rights to be respected.
Actually, Serbia has no more alternatives but through dialogue and negotiations. They have to be 'constructive' as Mrs Rice asked her counterpart, and all 'destructive' approach as during Milosevic's era would be address with severe sanctions. This is the USA's message to the Serb government and Mr Tadic is almost at the end of the road where he'll have to take a decision.
Kosovo will be Albanian and independent before Xmas 2007.
If anyone should realize one thing about US politicians, they are very, very good at sounding like they said something, but really didn't. Condi is one of the best puppets at doing this.
No one can take her words or the words of the US government as being 100% valid. She hasn't a clue about KosovO - only what her people tell her - it's all like a 30 minute television program that comes on once a week & both you two gents know this - Ahmet & Axim. But, you continue to pick apart what you think they said to your benefit -
There has been no committment set in stone, quoted or otherwise of any part of KosovO becoming independent. They are all just words that disappear into the air as Roger7 has mentioned - no one is willing to be quoted. Why should they as it would yield accountability.
Mr Jeremic, it is now the time to tell your people the truth. Don't confuse them anymore. It's not fair. Think now how to get them away from poverty and teach them how to behave with the other civilized world. Make your people break up with your downhill propaganda and do not manipulate with them just to keep your hot chair safe.
Serbian people, should you ever need to visit Kosova, you are more than welcome.
At the present time who is serbia, nobody The only people who are going to do anything is the western states. Neither the serbs or the people of kosova trully have a say in the matter.For one until the past few decades the albanians were not as educated as their neighbors "not by choice".Serbia by it's aggression in the past 15 yrs has really done nothing constructive for itself or the balkans as a whole . Therefore we are stuck having other nations decide the faith of our lands and that is the biggest crime here.
"Kosovo was at the top of the agenda," said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
"Everyone knows that Kosovo will be independent soon and we are urging their [Serb] cooperation in the coming months," he added, according to Reuters.
The official “spoke on the condition of anonymity.” This “official” person refuses to identify himself and we are to believe that he is a credible “official” and what he has to say is “official”? Why should anyone believe someone who is not willing to be quoted?
The US State Department continues to be an embarrassment.
Dear JHAM, what was said there is what Mr. Ahmet Isufi told you already. In the talks between Ms. Rice and Mr. Jeremic, Ms. Rice told to Jeremic that Kosova will be independent, this was ackowledged by Mr. Jeremic also.
Like it or not, this is the truth, but you JHAM can still continue to believe in the propaganda of Kostunica and his alikes and by that i wish you enjoy your life in the world of myths.
Thanks
the only thing loud and clear is that there has been no Independence nor will there ever be - something that you & other commentators on this site assured would be the only inevitable outcome in 2006! Yet here we are in the second half of 2007 and the US has told Ceku to sit and wait and wait and wait........
Mr Isufi, were you at the meeting? You speak sir like you were sitting there translating the conversation. I am sure Ms. Rice explained to him that negoitions were best and as she told the albanians leaders the same, talks were paramount and to refrain from unilateral declarations. That is probably what was said sir.
the only thing loud and clear is that there has been no Independence nor will there ever be - something that you & other commentators on this site assured would be the only inevitable outcome in 2006! Yet here we are in the second half of 2007 and the US has told Ceku to sit and wait and wait and wait........
"Kosovo was at the top of the agenda," said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
"Everyone knows that Kosovo will be independent soon and we are urging their [Serb] cooperation in the coming months," he added, according to Reuters.
The official “spoke on the condition of anonymity.” This “official” person refuses to identify himself and we are to believe that he is a credible “official” and what he has to say is “official”? Why should anyone believe someone who is not willing to be quoted?
The US State Department continues to be an embarrassment.
Mr Isufi, were you at the meeting? You speak sir like you were sitting there translating the conversation. I am sure Ms. Rice explained to him that negoitions were best and as she told the albanians leaders the same, talks were paramount and to refrain from unilateral declarations. That is probably what was said sir.
The anonymous official, by his undiplomatic remark does harm for finding a solution for Kosovo and Metohija and shows that he does not respect international law or the sovereign territory of any country.
The remark is best ignored and all encouragement for dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina must be pursued with work to assimilate society, not segregate and isolate.
Message to all Albanians, You seem to think that Boris Yeltsin is still the leader of Russia. He is not! Putin is not a puppet of the U.S. and he is not going to let the U.S. dictate every single foreign policy issue in the world. The U.S. is going to lose the battle of Kosovo sovereignty; thus, the Albanians will be the big losers. The U.S. does not have the power of God! The days of the U.S. just waving its magic wand are over! The U.S. made a promise to the Albanian people that it will not be able to keep. You Albanians look like fools because you kept saying on B92 that the Serbs were naïve and their leaders in Belgrade were not telling the Serbian people the truth about losing Kosovo, but it looks like quite the opposite has happened. Your Albanian leaders are the ones who have been consistently wrong so far. If the Kosovars declared unilateral independence and start a military conflict, the Serbs would have the legal right to go in to Kosovo with their military. Unlike last time, when the U.S. and NATO bombed Serbia, Putin ( not Yeltsin anymore) will not let this happen. Russia holds the trump card in this whole mess because Putin just has to tell the U.S. that the Russian military will defend Serbia. If he says this, it is game, set and match for the Serbs! The U.S. military is so overextended right now that it is not in any military position to go war with Russia over Kosovo. Lastly, the Albanian people have to remember that at the end of the day, the U.S. does not care about Albanians or Serbs; it only cares about its own interests. If the U.S. sees that it will have to pay too high of a price for Kosovo independence, it will abandon the Kosovars like yesterdays newspaper!
If anyone should realize one thing about US politicians, they are very, very good at sounding like they said something, but really didn't. Condi is one of the best puppets at doing this.
No one can take her words or the words of the US government as being 100% valid. She hasn't a clue about KosovO - only what her people tell her - it's all like a 30 minute television program that comes on once a week & both you two gents know this - Ahmet & Axim. But, you continue to pick apart what you think they said to your benefit -
There has been no committment set in stone, quoted or otherwise of any part of KosovO becoming independent. They are all just words that disappear into the air as Roger7 has mentioned - no one is willing to be quoted. Why should they as it would yield accountability.
«Everyone knows that Kosovo will be independent soon and we are urging their [Serb] cooperation in the coming months».
I have made the same statement years ago; there is no way out for Serbia. The politicians and Serbs in general can advocate that Kosovo is their land, the cradle of their nation, but all these arguments find little audience around the world. Only Russia, for political benefits, are on the Serb side. Unfortunately, the Serbian authorities have faltered in 1990, taking away the autonomous status of the province, waging a criminal aggression against all the people for the sake of a few members of a liberation movement who wanted their rights to be respected.
Actually, Serbia has no more alternatives but through dialogue and negotiations. They have to be 'constructive' as Mrs Rice asked her counterpart, and all 'destructive' approach as during Milosevic's era would be address with severe sanctions. This is the USA's message to the Serb government and Mr Tadic is almost at the end of the road where he'll have to take a decision.
Kosovo will be Albanian and independent before Xmas 2007.
The only poverty happening in the Balkans is Albania and Kosovo. This according to the World Bank. Have you ever heard of the World Bank, by the way its not located in Pristina.
In 1999, Serbia was the object of a totally unjustified act of aggression by rampant imperialists that instigated the whole alliance of NATO to follow them, against its own rule of consensus.
First of all, if Kosovo declares independence, the likelihood of it being recognised by ANY of its neighbours except of course Albania are NULL. So who cares what the USA or the rest of Europe will do? It will be an isolated island of thuggishness without any economy per se (not that Albania has any). I realise that Europe or the USA may decide to pour lots of money into it; however they chose a different course of action in far more civilised Iraq, and the likelihood that they will be able to afford pouring into the sieve of corruption and drug dealing forever, which Kosovo is, are very slim.
Also, if the UN as an organisation does not recognise the state, it does not become a subject of international law. This means that Serbia (whose territory it still is, legally) can invade and take control. Of course the obstacle to this happening will be the US military base, or the presence of NATO troops; but then the presence of Guantanamo does not prevent Cuba from having sovereignty over the whole country, including Guantanamo's province. The day will come when the USA does not need Kosovo anymore, and they will be out of there faster than you can spell Condoleezza
Russia will not be complicit in this open violation of international law. And if this occurs, it is in her interest to take the precedent into Transdnistria, Abkhasia etc., and God knows what other fallout there will be with the many other separatists groups around the world.
Good that Russia is back. The world's imperialist bullies need a good slap to get them back to reality.
Dear JHAM, what was said there is what Mr. Ahmet Isufi told you already. In the talks between Ms. Rice and Mr. Jeremic, Ms. Rice told to Jeremic that Kosova will be independent, this was ackowledged by Mr. Jeremic also.
Like it or not, this is the truth, but you JHAM can still continue to believe in the propaganda of Kostunica and his alikes and by that i wish you enjoy your life in the world of myths.
Thanks
the only thing Mr.Jeremic and Mrs.Rice are doing is following the protocol and exchanging their views, shake hands for the camera´s that´s it.
what is important is, that the US backed down in the UNSC, some Albanians here still didn´t realize that...
if you believe in Santa Claus... he will bring you "independence" with much sugar on top! *unbelievable*
Ahmet, Afrim, Victor, Joe, and the rest of Team Kosova,
It's amazing how all of you are misreading the same article. Jeremic's comment focused on regional stability of Serbia and the Balkans pending the way in which an outcome over Kosovo is realized. It can happen against Serbia's will, or with Serbia's cooperation. Jeremic was reiterating that all that has been accomplished since 2000 will be jeopardized if the US plows ahead with a resolution without taking Serb interests in mind - essentially giving Belgrade to the radicals. This would be something far more grave to Europe than a bunch of frustrated Albanians. This is nothing to do anymore with "Kosova will be independent. Wake up, Serbs." It has everything to do with bringing Serbia back from Moscow's sphere, coming to a resolution that gives Serbs tangible and meaningful input in Kosovo, and assuring strong guarantees of economic and political integration. It's time for Washington to figure out what's more important: an independent Kosovo or a strong democratic Serbia. If they can achieve both, great. But if one can only come at the expense of the other, then our so-called negotiators are not working hard enough and someone needs to realize that strongarming a state is not going to yield any productive results.
Please guys, your overly simplistic argument lack both substance and outlook. Get beyond the whole "Kosova is ours" debate and start looking at HOW such a realization can manifest.
At the present time who is serbia, nobody The only people who are going to do anything is the western states. Neither the serbs or the people of kosova trully have a say in the matter.For one until the past few decades the albanians were not as educated as their neighbors "not by choice".Serbia by it's aggression in the past 15 yrs has really done nothing constructive for itself or the balkans as a whole . Therefore we are stuck having other nations decide the faith of our lands and that is the biggest crime here.
Suzi
Good point! If they are too afraid to identify themselves for something thats "guaranteed" and "in the bag". Then all the albans should think to themselves... there is something rotten in the state of Denmark.
Mr Isufi and Hoxha, you have two have been preaching this independence for Kosovo for awhile and yes you guys are so engulfed in independence you dont see the whole picture. Sec Rice said Kosovo will be independent, but i think Gentlemen there will be alot of concessions that neither side will like but will live with it. I remember last year when the draft resolution was publish oh the singing and dancing and party planning but we are here in 2007 and still no closure to independence i am do not listen PM K nor do i listen to PM C. Everyone is preaching to friendly crowds. I want to wish you both the best of luck and wait see what contact group will bring. I am sure it will be very interesting. Tung shoki
Victor says a “few members of a liberation movement who wanted their rights to be respected”? Really???
Is he referring to the Albanian Muslim KLA? The KLA is considered a terrorist group and their own spokesman, Jakup Krasniqi, claimed 30,000 men under arms?
If the KLA was a “few members of a liberation movement” then, all of the “members” of any fighting groups in the Balkans, regardless of their crimes or ethnicity, should be categorized as the same. The Serbs in Krijana wanted their rights to be respected, too.
Victor said on July 17, 2007…”Patience is a virtue, we all know this. I hope that both Albanians and Serbs put it in practice during these negociations. Milosevic, Izebegovic and Tudjman should have used more patience in the 90s to sort out their differences instead of using canons. Lack of patience is a mortal potion and all the crimes and atrocities perpetrated by all parties between 1990 and 2000 show us clearly that all have lost. I hope that patience will prevail this time.”
However, what I read today now tells me that, patience is insignificant, only the Milosevic era was “destructive” and once again, only the Serbs are bad. Are we to swallow that “mortal potion”?
Joe,
are you of the US (let alone the planet) as you purport?
In which case I would have expected a better level of spelling from a US citizen!
I would ask that you think through what actually happened in the late 80's (yes in the late 80's) and 90's and think about "who segregated and isolated her 2 million K-Albanian citizens by firering them from their jobs and schools in the nineties."
Who indeed? This was not at all "segregation and oppression good old South-African style." - but a political choice made by the ethnic-Albanians not to Integrate but to Seperate themselves from the state they were in - just like some fear is occuring in the UK - hence why Tony Blair recently said "conform to it"!
Moreover, I would imagine it is the South Africans who are the ones who know what segregation and oppression is and that is exactly why they did not support the US imposed plan!
"So please don't be cynical" but instead realise that the best way forward is for the full integration and conformity of all Serbian citizens in the state they are in! It is the best way forward in a multi-ethnic and democratic society which is forward looking and ishes to be part of the EU that is about breaking down borders and elivating human rights for all. One can only consider that what you really are assuaging is the alternative and thus purport & support the creation of mono-ethnic statelets across the whole World. In which case just be honest about such a fascist tendency! We might agree with you but at least be honest about what you are really promoting!
Mr Jeremic, it is now the time to tell your people the truth. Don't confuse them anymore. It's not fair. Think now how to get them away from poverty and teach them how to behave with the other civilized world. Make your people break up with your downhill propaganda and do not manipulate with them just to keep your hot chair safe.
Serbian people, should you ever need to visit Kosova, you are more than welcome.
"Speaking to reporters at the National Press Club, Jeremić said all the democratic gains Serbia has made since the overthrow of Slobodan Milošević in 2000 will be at risk if Kosovo, against Belgrade's wishes, is declared independent, VOA News reported."
I don't see any connection between Kosova/o's status and democracy in Serbia. It is simply not realistic to think that the Serbs are people who love freedom and democracy and as such a democratic stat will flourish only under autonomy. If the Serbian people love their freedoms, their democratic country then why they will abandon this great way of life and these noble ideas if Kosova/o becomes dependent. There is simply no logic in Jeremic's statement. It holds no water. It is naive to say that Kosova/o issue is not related with Serbia's entrance in the EU, or NATO yet somehow this issue becomes at the same time so important that it can ruin a whole political system; bring dictatorship in flourishing Serb democracy. It doesn't make sense.
"And if we falter, so will the rest of the region. For just as our success is guaranteed to propel the Western Balkans forward, real danger exists that Serbia's plunge back into her recent past could hurl the region back to the 1990s," he said.
Again this is simply not true. How can such a strong democracy such as Serbia, as many Serbs here state, all of a sudden become a dictatorship. Not possible. Even lets say for the sake of argument it did turn into a dictatorship, then a Serbia without Kosova/a under dictatorship poses no threats to anyone else but itself, especially considering the NATO troops in Kosova/o. The region is safe regardless of which way Serbia chooses to follow if Serbia has no ties with Kosovo/a or any others in the region. That way if the Serbs decide to go down they'll go down on their own without dragging others with them.
"He also complained that the position of the Bush administration, which says it will recognize Kosovo's independence if resumed status negotiations fail, means Washington has already made up of its mind.
"So, I fail to see any incentive whatsoever for the Albanian side to do anything during these 120 days (of resumed negotiations) but, like, just waiting it out," Jeremić argued. "
Again for the sake of the argument lets say the US and EU abandons the idea of independence for Kosova/o. Then I fail to see where the compromise is. Broad autonomy can be ruled out as a compromise simply because one side is offering it. By definition a compromise is solution which meets in the middle and that none of the sides have offered. If Jeremic is considering Belgrade's proposal, no independence and more than autonomy as THE COMPROMISE, then his idea of compromise is perverted and immoral. If there was no US pressure for independence what would be the incentives of Belgrade for a solution. There would be no incentives whatsoever. They could drag the negotiations to eternity and solve nothing. If nobody pushes you to bring change then why change things. That would be Belgrade's very comfortable position if the US somehow decides to quit. What the US is doing is very logical. It is telling Belgrade that if you can convince the K-Albanians that somehow your plan beats the Ahtisari plan and that K-Albanians would be happy to live under Serbia under such a plan then its a done deal. The reason why Serbia has to be the one coming up with a plan that would make the Albanian population content is because the superpowers bombed Serbia to save the lives of K-Albanians. Serbia broke the social contract it had with K-Albanians. Now it has to do all the work to figure out a way which it can reconstruct that trust, that social contract. The West is putting pressure just to do that. It gave Serbia a chance in the past negotiations and Serbia failed miserably. It is giving a second chance and it is making sure in telling Serbia that you don't get infinite chances, and your time is very limited, so you better come up with something serious or the West is going to solve it.
Are you of this planet? It was exactly Serbia, who segregated and isolated her 2 million K-Albanian citizens by firering them from their jobs and schools in the nineties. It was segregation and oppression good old South-African style. So please don't be cynical. And if that official does not respect the suvereign territory of Serbia he has a good reason for it. Because of those terrible crimes against her own 2 million citizens in 1999 Serbia FORFAITED her claim on that 14% of her territory.
"Actually, Serbia has no more alternatives but through dialogue and negotiations. They have to be 'constructive' as Mrs Rice asked her counterpart, and all 'destructive' approach as during Milosevic's era would be address with severe sanctions. This is the USA's message to the Serb government and Mr Tadic is almost at the end of the road where he'll have to take a decision...Kosovo will be Albanian and independent before Xmas 2007."
Admit it, you have no idea what you're talking about. Please provide supporting proof or data with you're otherwise baseless hyperbole.
Princip,
When a Serb like you start to criticize me for my spelling I know that he is short of arguments and he tries to attack me this way. I find it very funny. I would also ask you Mister Perfection did you really mean elevating under "elivating"? Also what other languages do you speak besides Serbian and "elivating" English? If you speak 4 or 5 you have the right to criticize me.
I work in Serbia and Kosovo and I know the facts thank you very much! Serbia ranks in the top 75 countirs in the world's economy buddy or in the top 50 European economy's while Albania is ranked the poorest in Europe and is in the the top 150 pool in the world economy. Research it yourself, don't believe me. As for Kosovo, people are getting by there on 10 to 30 Euros a month what do you call that! Wealth?
its the contact group that represents the eu and russia holds no veto. the contct group and usa will accept kosovo independence and offer financial help pegged against outcome of negotiation n standards, so they wont have a seat on the un or get assistance from imf n world bank, it doesnt mean the contact group cant borrow on kosovos behalf, after all they will have the last say on how kosovo will run n can guarantee the loans n build on the equity of the country. all serbia has done is stop n postpone the inevitable.... but what of the solution, serbia should market how life for the kalbanians would b far better within serbia n how it would benefit them, if they can negotiate, coz thats thats what its is.. better terms for both for the people of kosovo within independance. there are many countries without a seat in the un and not aproved by the un doesnt mean its not gonna happen weather its right or wrong is a seperate issue.
after all the milosovic regime killed many ppl in former yugoslavia that was wrong by international law, they knew it and continued to do it weather anybody liked it or not was beside the point. they did it. serbians are great politicians and know how to play the game, milosovic was the master. it will all work out for the best
canadien said: "The only poverty happening in the Balkans is Albania and Kosovo. This according to the World Bank"
the World Bank would not determine the poverty of the people. Have you recently been in Serbia, Kosova and/or Albania? I doubt. Otherwise you would have thought different. The truth on the field is this: People of Serbia are experiencing a falling life standards, while, on the other hand, the life standard of Kosova and Albanian people is being highly increased. Just take o look of Albania before 10 years and now, compare it, and you’ll see results. It has changed drastically, of course for good. And take a look at Serbia. It has changed also, but for bad. So, Serbian economy and life standard is going down, while Albanian is going up. It is really sad for Serbia knowing that its economy was really good in the past. And whose fault is this? Of course your rulers'.
Seeing as I am British I can put the lack of language skills down to the education system of the UK which did not encourage other languages during my school days and yes spelling was never my forte! That said, $spelling it is clearly neither your forte but then I guess the US education system is clearly lacking too if as you purport to being a US citzen?
That said I did put across some very valid points that you clearly did not wish to respond to & thus
"One can only consider that what you really are assuaging is the alternative and thus purport & support the creation of mono-ethnic statelets across the whole World. In which case just be honest about such a fascist tendency! "
- in which case I wonder if you'll be placing your claim to an indepedent Hungarian homeland in the US based on your views or would you rather make a claim for parts of Hungary, Romania and Parts of Serbia's Northern province of Voijvodina while your at it?
Canadien,
i don't think you ever been inkosova, you must be living and working in a another country.You come to Kosova you wil see more ; Hummers, Mercedes, Mazorati, and lets not even talk about all kinds of US made cars of latest models that you can not find on entire serbia which is four times bigger tha Kosova and you tell in me about poverty level.
Canadien, THE WORLD BANK is not located in Pristina, neither is in Beograd, and neither in Ottawa.
Jeremic "has been told"
Oh, it so hard to swallow the facts.
Lets not beat around the bush. Kosovo Independence is IMMINENT.
You can say whatever you want, complain stand on your head. It will not change.
The decision has been made, and Serbian politicians know that, but they are hiding behind the excuse that Russia is going to save them.
«Everyone knows that Kosovo will be independent soon and we are urging their [Serb] cooperation in the coming months».
I have made the same statement years ago; there is no way out for Serbia. The politicians and Serbs in general can advocate that Kosovo is their land, the cradle of their nation, but all these arguments find little audience around the world. Only Russia, for political benefits, are on the Serb side. Unfortunately, the Serbian authorities have faltered in 1990, taking away the autonomous status of the province, waging a criminal aggression against all the people for the sake of a few members of a liberation movement who wanted their rights to be respected.
Actually, Serbia has no more alternatives but through dialogue and negotiations. They have to be 'constructive' as Mrs Rice asked her counterpart, and all 'destructive' approach as during Milosevic's era would be address with severe sanctions. This is the USA's message to the Serb government and Mr Tadic is almost at the end of the road where he'll have to take a decision.
Kosovo will be Albanian and independent before Xmas 2007.
At the present time who is serbia, nobody The only people who are going to do anything is the western states. Neither the serbs or the people of kosova trully have a say in the matter.For one until the past few decades the albanians were not as educated as their neighbors "not by choice".Serbia by it's aggression in the past 15 yrs has really done nothing constructive for itself or the balkans as a whole . Therefore we are stuck having other nations decide the faith of our lands and that is the biggest crime here.
Mr Jeremic, it is now the time to tell your people the truth. Don't confuse them anymore. It's not fair. Think now how to get them away from poverty and teach them how to behave with the other civilized world. Make your people break up with your downhill propaganda and do not manipulate with them just to keep your hot chair safe.
Serbian people, should you ever need to visit Kosova, you are more than welcome.
Are you of this planet? It was exactly Serbia, who segregated and isolated her 2 million K-Albanian citizens by firering them from their jobs and schools in the nineties. It was segregation and oppression good old South-African style. So please don't be cynical. And if that official does not respect the suvereign territory of Serbia he has a good reason for it. Because of those terrible crimes against her own 2 million citizens in 1999 Serbia FORFAITED her claim on that 14% of her territory.
Mr Isufi, were you at the meeting? You speak sir like you were sitting there translating the conversation. I am sure Ms. Rice explained to him that negoitions were best and as she told the albanians leaders the same, talks were paramount and to refrain from unilateral declarations. That is probably what was said sir.
the only thing loud and clear is that there has been no Independence nor will there ever be - something that you & other commentators on this site assured would be the only inevitable outcome in 2006! Yet here we are in the second half of 2007 and the US has told Ceku to sit and wait and wait and wait........
Dear JHAM, what was said there is what Mr. Ahmet Isufi told you already. In the talks between Ms. Rice and Mr. Jeremic, Ms. Rice told to Jeremic that Kosova will be independent, this was ackowledged by Mr. Jeremic also.
Like it or not, this is the truth, but you JHAM can still continue to believe in the propaganda of Kostunica and his alikes and by that i wish you enjoy your life in the world of myths.
Thanks
"Kosovo was at the top of the agenda," said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
"Everyone knows that Kosovo will be independent soon and we are urging their [Serb] cooperation in the coming months," he added, according to Reuters.
The official “spoke on the condition of anonymity.” This “official” person refuses to identify himself and we are to believe that he is a credible “official” and what he has to say is “official”? Why should anyone believe someone who is not willing to be quoted?
The US State Department continues to be an embarrassment.
The anonymous official, by his undiplomatic remark does harm for finding a solution for Kosovo and Metohija and shows that he does not respect international law or the sovereign territory of any country.
The remark is best ignored and all encouragement for dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina must be pursued with work to assimilate society, not segregate and isolate.
after all the milosovic regime killed many ppl in former yugoslavia that was wrong by international law, they knew it and continued to do it weather anybody liked it or not was beside the point. they did it. serbians are great politicians and know how to play the game, milosovic was the master. it will all work out for the best
canadien said: "The only poverty happening in the Balkans is Albania and Kosovo. This according to the World Bank"
the World Bank would not determine the poverty of the people. Have you recently been in Serbia, Kosova and/or Albania? I doubt. Otherwise you would have thought different. The truth on the field is this: People of Serbia are experiencing a falling life standards, while, on the other hand, the life standard of Kosova and Albanian people is being highly increased. Just take o look of Albania before 10 years and now, compare it, and you’ll see results. It has changed drastically, of course for good. And take a look at Serbia. It has changed also, but for bad. So, Serbian economy and life standard is going down, while Albanian is going up. It is really sad for Serbia knowing that its economy was really good in the past. And whose fault is this? Of course your rulers'.
If anyone should realize one thing about US politicians, they are very, very good at sounding like they said something, but really didn't. Condi is one of the best puppets at doing this.
No one can take her words or the words of the US government as being 100% valid. She hasn't a clue about KosovO - only what her people tell her - it's all like a 30 minute television program that comes on once a week & both you two gents know this - Ahmet & Axim. But, you continue to pick apart what you think they said to your benefit -
There has been no committment set in stone, quoted or otherwise of any part of KosovO becoming independent. They are all just words that disappear into the air as Roger7 has mentioned - no one is willing to be quoted. Why should they as it would yield accountability.
"Speaking to reporters at the National Press Club, Jeremić said all the democratic gains Serbia has made since the overthrow of Slobodan Milošević in 2000 will be at risk if Kosovo, against Belgrade's wishes, is declared independent, VOA News reported."
I don't see any connection between Kosova/o's status and democracy in Serbia. It is simply not realistic to think that the Serbs are people who love freedom and democracy and as such a democratic stat will flourish only under autonomy. If the Serbian people love their freedoms, their democratic country then why they will abandon this great way of life and these noble ideas if Kosova/o becomes dependent. There is simply no logic in Jeremic's statement. It holds no water. It is naive to say that Kosova/o issue is not related with Serbia's entrance in the EU, or NATO yet somehow this issue becomes at the same time so important that it can ruin a whole political system; bring dictatorship in flourishing Serb democracy. It doesn't make sense.
"And if we falter, so will the rest of the region. For just as our success is guaranteed to propel the Western Balkans forward, real danger exists that Serbia's plunge back into her recent past could hurl the region back to the 1990s," he said.
Again this is simply not true. How can such a strong democracy such as Serbia, as many Serbs here state, all of a sudden become a dictatorship. Not possible. Even lets say for the sake of argument it did turn into a dictatorship, then a Serbia without Kosova/a under dictatorship poses no threats to anyone else but itself, especially considering the NATO troops in Kosova/o. The region is safe regardless of which way Serbia chooses to follow if Serbia has no ties with Kosovo/a or any others in the region. That way if the Serbs decide to go down they'll go down on their own without dragging others with them.
"He also complained that the position of the Bush administration, which says it will recognize Kosovo's independence if resumed status negotiations fail, means Washington has already made up of its mind.
"So, I fail to see any incentive whatsoever for the Albanian side to do anything during these 120 days (of resumed negotiations) but, like, just waiting it out," Jeremić argued. "
Again for the sake of the argument lets say the US and EU abandons the idea of independence for Kosova/o. Then I fail to see where the compromise is. Broad autonomy can be ruled out as a compromise simply because one side is offering it. By definition a compromise is solution which meets in the middle and that none of the sides have offered. If Jeremic is considering Belgrade's proposal, no independence and more than autonomy as THE COMPROMISE, then his idea of compromise is perverted and immoral. If there was no US pressure for independence what would be the incentives of Belgrade for a solution. There would be no incentives whatsoever. They could drag the negotiations to eternity and solve nothing. If nobody pushes you to bring change then why change things. That would be Belgrade's very comfortable position if the US somehow decides to quit. What the US is doing is very logical. It is telling Belgrade that if you can convince the K-Albanians that somehow your plan beats the Ahtisari plan and that K-Albanians would be happy to live under Serbia under such a plan then its a done deal. The reason why Serbia has to be the one coming up with a plan that would make the Albanian population content is because the superpowers bombed Serbia to save the lives of K-Albanians. Serbia broke the social contract it had with K-Albanians. Now it has to do all the work to figure out a way which it can reconstruct that trust, that social contract. The West is putting pressure just to do that. It gave Serbia a chance in the past negotiations and Serbia failed miserably. It is giving a second chance and it is making sure in telling Serbia that you don't get infinite chances, and your time is very limited, so you better come up with something serious or the West is going to solve it.
"Actually, Serbia has no more alternatives but through dialogue and negotiations. They have to be 'constructive' as Mrs Rice asked her counterpart, and all 'destructive' approach as during Milosevic's era would be address with severe sanctions. This is the USA's message to the Serb government and Mr Tadic is almost at the end of the road where he'll have to take a decision...Kosovo will be Albanian and independent before Xmas 2007."
Admit it, you have no idea what you're talking about. Please provide supporting proof or data with you're otherwise baseless hyperbole.
Princip,
When a Serb like you start to criticize me for my spelling I know that he is short of arguments and he tries to attack me this way. I find it very funny. I would also ask you Mister Perfection did you really mean elevating under "elivating"? Also what other languages do you speak besides Serbian and "elivating" English? If you speak 4 or 5 you have the right to criticize me.
its the contact group that represents the eu and russia holds no veto. the contct group and usa will accept kosovo independence and offer financial help pegged against outcome of negotiation n standards, so they wont have a seat on the un or get assistance from imf n world bank, it doesnt mean the contact group cant borrow on kosovos behalf, after all they will have the last say on how kosovo will run n can guarantee the loans n build on the equity of the country. all serbia has done is stop n postpone the inevitable.... but what of the solution, serbia should market how life for the kalbanians would b far better within serbia n how it would benefit them, if they can negotiate, coz thats thats what its is.. better terms for both for the people of kosovo within independance. there are many countries without a seat in the un and not aproved by the un doesnt mean its not gonna happen weather its right or wrong is a seperate issue.
the only thing Mr.Jeremic and Mrs.Rice are doing is following the protocol and exchanging their views, shake hands for the camera´s that´s it.
what is important is, that the US backed down in the UNSC, some Albanians here still didn´t realize that...
if you believe in Santa Claus... he will bring you "independence" with much sugar on top! *unbelievable*
Ahmet, Afrim, Victor, Joe, and the rest of Team Kosova,
It's amazing how all of you are misreading the same article. Jeremic's comment focused on regional stability of Serbia and the Balkans pending the way in which an outcome over Kosovo is realized. It can happen against Serbia's will, or with Serbia's cooperation. Jeremic was reiterating that all that has been accomplished since 2000 will be jeopardized if the US plows ahead with a resolution without taking Serb interests in mind - essentially giving Belgrade to the radicals. This would be something far more grave to Europe than a bunch of frustrated Albanians. This is nothing to do anymore with "Kosova will be independent. Wake up, Serbs." It has everything to do with bringing Serbia back from Moscow's sphere, coming to a resolution that gives Serbs tangible and meaningful input in Kosovo, and assuring strong guarantees of economic and political integration. It's time for Washington to figure out what's more important: an independent Kosovo or a strong democratic Serbia. If they can achieve both, great. But if one can only come at the expense of the other, then our so-called negotiators are not working hard enough and someone needs to realize that strongarming a state is not going to yield any productive results.
Please guys, your overly simplistic argument lack both substance and outlook. Get beyond the whole "Kosova is ours" debate and start looking at HOW such a realization can manifest.
Suzi
Good point! If they are too afraid to identify themselves for something thats "guaranteed" and "in the bag". Then all the albans should think to themselves... there is something rotten in the state of Denmark.
The only poverty happening in the Balkans is Albania and Kosovo. This according to the World Bank. Have you ever heard of the World Bank, by the way its not located in Pristina.
Message to all Albanians, You seem to think that Boris Yeltsin is still the leader of Russia. He is not! Putin is not a puppet of the U.S. and he is not going to let the U.S. dictate every single foreign policy issue in the world. The U.S. is going to lose the battle of Kosovo sovereignty; thus, the Albanians will be the big losers. The U.S. does not have the power of God! The days of the U.S. just waving its magic wand are over! The U.S. made a promise to the Albanian people that it will not be able to keep. You Albanians look like fools because you kept saying on B92 that the Serbs were naïve and their leaders in Belgrade were not telling the Serbian people the truth about losing Kosovo, but it looks like quite the opposite has happened. Your Albanian leaders are the ones who have been consistently wrong so far. If the Kosovars declared unilateral independence and start a military conflict, the Serbs would have the legal right to go in to Kosovo with their military. Unlike last time, when the U.S. and NATO bombed Serbia, Putin ( not Yeltsin anymore) will not let this happen. Russia holds the trump card in this whole mess because Putin just has to tell the U.S. that the Russian military will defend Serbia. If he says this, it is game, set and match for the Serbs! The U.S. military is so overextended right now that it is not in any military position to go war with Russia over Kosovo. Lastly, the Albanian people have to remember that at the end of the day, the U.S. does not care about Albanians or Serbs; it only cares about its own interests. If the U.S. sees that it will have to pay too high of a price for Kosovo independence, it will abandon the Kosovars like yesterdays newspaper!
Mr Isufi and Hoxha, you have two have been preaching this independence for Kosovo for awhile and yes you guys are so engulfed in independence you dont see the whole picture. Sec Rice said Kosovo will be independent, but i think Gentlemen there will be alot of concessions that neither side will like but will live with it. I remember last year when the draft resolution was publish oh the singing and dancing and party planning but we are here in 2007 and still no closure to independence i am do not listen PM K nor do i listen to PM C. Everyone is preaching to friendly crowds. I want to wish you both the best of luck and wait see what contact group will bring. I am sure it will be very interesting. Tung shoki
Victor says a “few members of a liberation movement who wanted their rights to be respected”? Really???
Is he referring to the Albanian Muslim KLA? The KLA is considered a terrorist group and their own spokesman, Jakup Krasniqi, claimed 30,000 men under arms?
If the KLA was a “few members of a liberation movement” then, all of the “members” of any fighting groups in the Balkans, regardless of their crimes or ethnicity, should be categorized as the same. The Serbs in Krijana wanted their rights to be respected, too.
Victor said on July 17, 2007…”Patience is a virtue, we all know this. I hope that both Albanians and Serbs put it in practice during these negociations. Milosevic, Izebegovic and Tudjman should have used more patience in the 90s to sort out their differences instead of using canons. Lack of patience is a mortal potion and all the crimes and atrocities perpetrated by all parties between 1990 and 2000 show us clearly that all have lost. I hope that patience will prevail this time.”
However, what I read today now tells me that, patience is insignificant, only the Milosevic era was “destructive” and once again, only the Serbs are bad. Are we to swallow that “mortal potion”?
In 1999, Serbia was the object of a totally unjustified act of aggression by rampant imperialists that instigated the whole alliance of NATO to follow them, against its own rule of consensus.
First of all, if Kosovo declares independence, the likelihood of it being recognised by ANY of its neighbours except of course Albania are NULL. So who cares what the USA or the rest of Europe will do? It will be an isolated island of thuggishness without any economy per se (not that Albania has any). I realise that Europe or the USA may decide to pour lots of money into it; however they chose a different course of action in far more civilised Iraq, and the likelihood that they will be able to afford pouring into the sieve of corruption and drug dealing forever, which Kosovo is, are very slim.
Also, if the UN as an organisation does not recognise the state, it does not become a subject of international law. This means that Serbia (whose territory it still is, legally) can invade and take control. Of course the obstacle to this happening will be the US military base, or the presence of NATO troops; but then the presence of Guantanamo does not prevent Cuba from having sovereignty over the whole country, including Guantanamo's province. The day will come when the USA does not need Kosovo anymore, and they will be out of there faster than you can spell Condoleezza
Russia will not be complicit in this open violation of international law. And if this occurs, it is in her interest to take the precedent into Transdnistria, Abkhasia etc., and God knows what other fallout there will be with the many other separatists groups around the world.
Good that Russia is back. The world's imperialist bullies need a good slap to get them back to reality.
Joe,
are you of the US (let alone the planet) as you purport?
In which case I would have expected a better level of spelling from a US citizen!
I would ask that you think through what actually happened in the late 80's (yes in the late 80's) and 90's and think about "who segregated and isolated her 2 million K-Albanian citizens by firering them from their jobs and schools in the nineties."
Who indeed? This was not at all "segregation and oppression good old South-African style." - but a political choice made by the ethnic-Albanians not to Integrate but to Seperate themselves from the state they were in - just like some fear is occuring in the UK - hence why Tony Blair recently said "conform to it"!
Moreover, I would imagine it is the South Africans who are the ones who know what segregation and oppression is and that is exactly why they did not support the US imposed plan!
"So please don't be cynical" but instead realise that the best way forward is for the full integration and conformity of all Serbian citizens in the state they are in! It is the best way forward in a multi-ethnic and democratic society which is forward looking and ishes to be part of the EU that is about breaking down borders and elivating human rights for all. One can only consider that what you really are assuaging is the alternative and thus purport & support the creation of mono-ethnic statelets across the whole World. In which case just be honest about such a fascist tendency! We might agree with you but at least be honest about what you are really promoting!
I work in Serbia and Kosovo and I know the facts thank you very much! Serbia ranks in the top 75 countirs in the world's economy buddy or in the top 50 European economy's while Albania is ranked the poorest in Europe and is in the the top 150 pool in the world economy. Research it yourself, don't believe me. As for Kosovo, people are getting by there on 10 to 30 Euros a month what do you call that! Wealth?
Seeing as I am British I can put the lack of language skills down to the education system of the UK which did not encourage other languages during my school days and yes spelling was never my forte! That said, $spelling it is clearly neither your forte but then I guess the US education system is clearly lacking too if as you purport to being a US citzen?
That said I did put across some very valid points that you clearly did not wish to respond to & thus
"One can only consider that what you really are assuaging is the alternative and thus purport & support the creation of mono-ethnic statelets across the whole World. In which case just be honest about such a fascist tendency! "
- in which case I wonder if you'll be placing your claim to an indepedent Hungarian homeland in the US based on your views or would you rather make a claim for parts of Hungary, Romania and Parts of Serbia's Northern province of Voijvodina while your at it?
Canadien,
i don't think you ever been inkosova, you must be living and working in a another country.You come to Kosova you wil see more ; Hummers, Mercedes, Mazorati, and lets not even talk about all kinds of US made cars of latest models that you can not find on entire serbia which is four times bigger tha Kosova and you tell in me about poverty level.
Canadien, THE WORLD BANK is not located in Pristina, neither is in Beograd, and neither in Ottawa.
Jeremic "has been told"
Oh, it so hard to swallow the facts.
Lets not beat around the bush. Kosovo Independence is IMMINENT.
You can say whatever you want, complain stand on your head. It will not change.
The decision has been made, and Serbian politicians know that, but they are hiding behind the excuse that Russia is going to save them.
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