Albanian PM advises against unilateral Kosovo moves

Berisha should keep his focus on his own country rather than meddling in Serbia's affairs. Besides Kosovo having a debilitatingly weak economy, so does Albania.

It's "boom" is based on debt with gross debt nearly 50% of GDP. It's only a matter of time before it's economy goes overthe brink and we see the same civil unrest we saw when the pyramid scheme nearly wiped out the country.

Nice to know Serbia has such financial savvy neighbours.
(PB, 21. October 2007 17:33

Wait and see dear neighbor, wait and see. Your statement looks really desperate to me. Take a look to the figures instead of thinking with the brain of the '80-s. Just for your info, it was the 80-s the time when Serbia (actually, Yugoslavia leaded bu croats and slovenes) was the rich country among the surrounding poor communists. Everybody knows the reason of this wealth: huge external debts that Tito took from western powers.
Now we are in the 90-s. Yugoslavia is gone, and we, the nations of the Balkans can finally be in front of each other with all our TRUE potentials. Take a look to the numbers: Serbia's gdp per capita nowadays is merely 4000 usd. Albania's one is more than 6000. Serbia is landlocked and no tourist in the world would like to spend a penny visiting it. Albania has almost 500 kilometers of coast, amazing culture and people, great food, an impressive potential of touristic industry, but also ports, great connections with Italy and the western world, a huge income from the tourism and the diaspora (we earned this year more than 2 billion EU from tourism only). Serbias economic growth is almost 4%, Albania's is more than 6%. And don't forget that serbia's population is 7 millions, and albania only 3,6.
Now you decide who's going down.

seems like "the one and only global superpower" has given some orders to the medicine-man.

I guess the albanian radicals here will certainly be downplaying this...as usual.

my dear friends, are you really that sure that it is the Serbs who are being duped?

better think it over again.

There is no doubt that Albania has held a constructive approach in Kosova issue. Taking into account the Russian blocking stance because of its slavic ties with Serbs and its showin off attitude, it would be fair to leave to each individual sovran country to makes its choice of recognising Kosova. That would be the only compromise between Kosova and Serbs to accept the majority of the world's verdict. There should be no more direct talks between the Kosovar Albanians and Serbian government after the 10th of December.

Johan, your first two mistakes, if I can call them mistakes, are for calling PM Berisha, a “medicine-man”. He is not a nurse but a holder of the titles of Professor and Doctor with full rights. Second, you concern about radicals, makes obvious your opinion about the Albanian people, so you are far from constructive, and of no help for a decent debate.
Suzy, your suggestion that Albanians are working as a unique force in the Balkans with the intent of creating a greater Albania, is a misconception and a huge mistake which is repeatedly stated by you and by other people in many places. It is so strange how so many people of no Albanian descent have such a view, whereas we the Albanian people do not mention the idea of greater Albania even in the most shallow of debates. It is obviously used by people who have no clue whatsoever of what is going on.
Third, the major problem and the saddest one is that we the people of the Balkans and our governments too, have to rely on bigger powers to solve our own issues, and that shows immaturity, be them Serbs, Albanians or whatever else. It is part of the long list of responsibilities that this region does not embrace, and leaves the others to decide, because Serbs as well as Albanians have no traditions of democracy. If they did things wouldn’t be as they are.
Why is the government of Albania constructive now, as it has been for so many decades? Because for the 50 years of communism the government of Enver Hoxha, held the belief of the peaceful co-habitation of people under the ideology of communism even though they were of different ethnicity. And the afterwards governments of Albania, have never thought of Greater Albania for very obvious reasons. First they had no traditions of long-established plans about such a process, and second they believed as they do now, that the integration of the Balkans and its countries, is only towards that of the European Union, which means peace, stability and more than anything else economic development. If you and other people decided to observe better, you would know that the Albanian people wherever they are in the Balkans are far more realistic than any others.
Berisha might be hated or loved within his own country, but that does not diminish the truthfulness of his statement, nor the fact that he is more than correct. Yes he is authoritarian, but the conditions are such that he cannot do as he used to in the 1990-s, a chance which Milosevic never had, because he came to power by feeding Serbs with hatred about Albanians and any other separatists in the region. Under Milosevic, and the umbrella of Yugoslavia, he managed to go to war with Croats, Bosnians and then with Kosovar Albanians, and he would fight NATO too, but obviously he did not have the means.
My deepest wish is that in Kosovo as well as Serbia, the governments and people start realizing how many opportunities we as a region are missing because of the long held believes of Albanians of Kosovo being not worth the consideration. Leave the USA and Russia out of the equation and start thinking straight at least for once.

Berisha should keep his focus on his own country rather than meddling in Serbia's affairs. Besides Kosovo having a debilitatingly weak economy, so does Albania.

It's "boom" is based on debt with gross debt nearly 50% of GDP. It's only a matter of time before it's economy goes overthe brink and we see the same civil unrest we saw when the pyramid scheme nearly wiped out the country.

Nice to know Serbia has such financial savvy neighbours.

Now, if the Albanian PM has something to say, what is that saying to the world. The Kosovo Albanians are trying for a greater Albania. He has NO place in telling them that unilateral independance isn't the way to go unless they have an alternate agenda in mind. This is just a front to "save face" on the Albanian side.

"Sincere and fair" - if that was the case, then partition of Kosovo would be tabled and everyone would gain something from the negotiations.

As it stands, the albanians want all of Kosovo for the Trepca mines, which is why they keep blabbing about extensive minority rights for the Serbs.

Let's be realistic. We all know, sad as it is, that after the war, the albanians and Serbs don't want to live together anymore. SPLIT Kosovo. The only reason wy that isn't being considered by the US is that they are vying with Russia for the mineral wealth. that's al this issue is about. if there was no wealth, the US simply wouldn't entertain Kosovo independence.

If Kosovo is not partitioned, i'm sure there will be more regional wars. Far from guaranteeing stability, it will guarantee instability in the region, with Albanians in Macedonia, and probably greece and MOntenegro demanding independence also, and the Serbs in Bosnia also demanding independence.

as predictable as it could be...the Albanians here are trying to play Berisha´s statement down...

while others say he knows what to do..

looks quite like the "albanian camp" is not that united as it want´s to make us believe!

the first to answers after my comment just say it all!

ps:

personal answer to KS,

you are a radical because of your radical statements. if you didn´t get it by now... I think you won´t learn it in the future.

don´t you wonder why so many of your comments are not being published here? why you are always complaining about censorship?

just to inform you, there is no such thing like a serb camp or an albanian camp as you can see it in the above posted comments. there are INDIVIDUALS posting.

Albanians have been more then duped by Serbia.
Dr. Berisha is saying what is realistic and with facts, we all know that.
US and EU have stabilized the region and helped stop the war, ethnic cleansing, murders and rapes by bombing Serbia.
What else do you want?
I know you dont like it, but that is JUST THE WAY IT IS!

PB,
What are you talking about. Kosova is a small region. There is nothing to devide especially when you are talking in ethnic lines you have to consider deviding Serbia further more other Balkan countries.
Teni,
I am Albanian too. You comment towards Berisha and his government are more "socialist" party comments and you know exactely what it means. It is not a party discussion here my friend. Let Rama and Nano do your politics as they doing really "well" for the socialist party.

I'm from Albania, but Berisha doesn't represent me. Berisha is uncapable to make any suggestions to Kosovo leaders, who are far more competent than him. Not only that, but he and his corrupt government almost ruined Albania in 1997, and they still remain a major obstacle to Albania's prosperity. His deeds towards Albanians are very close to those of Milosevic.

Why is Serbia having talks with Pristina when they think its all a game? Wasting eveyones time, and money. If Pristina wants peace and stability in the region, then grow up and help put an end to this. Independence will free you of Serbia, but will leave Kosovo poor and thats when people turn on their leaders. Supervised autonomy is the best solution for Pristina. Ride Serbias coattails into the EU because when Serbia does, the people of Kosovo will wish the never got independence. And by the sound of it Albania has its own plans for Kosovo (greater Albania). So much for inependence.

As a citizen of Albania I am of the opinion that Albania should surrender its name and sovereignty to Kosovo and undergo the Ahtisaari plan itself.

And yes Albanians have been DUPED! Which means more fodder for the National Unification Front and hotheads like Gafurr Adili.

well, if Albania is such a paradise...why are there so many Albanians travelling into the "heart of darkness" to get serbian documents?

why are more and more Albanians trying to escape this wonderland, as you described it? ( Arigona Zogaj, as only one example out of many - a girl in Austria that is threatening to kill herself if forced to go back to Kosovo... )

I would say once again we have experienced a perfect example of a mislead albanian who helplessly believes what the yellow-press is feeding them.
bravo Franko...

you made my day!

jovan and do you trust really "THE DOCTOR"??, albanians dont trust what he says, because he does the opposite.

We are sure that Serbs are being played.
We have one goal and we are thrift to go all the way to the end, and does't really matter what you think Jovan or what everybody else think.
We are going to win this, because that what really matters and there is nothing you or your gvmnt can do.

Serb Camp: "I guess the albanian radicals here will certainly be downplaying this...as usual. "

So we're radicals because we post comments?

Franko,

I don't know where you got your numbers, but they are not very accurate. According to wikipedia, Serbia's 2007 GDP (PPP) estimate per capita is $7,234, whereas Albania's is a bit closer to your estimate: $6,259

With so much income Albania is getting from tourism, I would expect them to be doing a bit better. I wonder where the money is really going? =]

Arlinda (or whomever you are pretending to be called like this). I AM from Albania, I am proud to be from that land and I am catholic christian. But what you say is pure serbian or greek propaganda. I consider kosovar albanians my brothers no matter what their religion is. If you would be from Albania, you would know very well what Pashko Vasa said. But you are not, and you don't have a clue of it. Otherwise you wouldnt say what you said here for the joy of those who have always hoped to see us arguing with each other.

you are a radical because of your radical statements. if you didn´t get it by now... I think you won´t learn it in the future.

don´t you wonder why so many of your comments are not being published here? why you are always complaining about censorship?

just to inform you, there is no such thing like a serb camp or an albanian camp as you can see it in the above posted comments. there are INDIVIDUALS posting.
(Jovan, 21. October 2007 18:44)

Jovan, I am glad you answered me personally so I will do the same onto you.

I am not a radical, nor do I believe in some fundamental belief such as "Albanians are superior" so I don't see where you get these racist ideas.

The reason why my comments don't get published is bc I sign out with "Kosova Republik" (Kosova Republic), to B92 it seems that my signature may insult other members so it refuses to post them.

I don't understand why you are getting so frustrated by me referring to other commenter's such as you with the title "Serb Camp."

The only reason why I post comments here is because I refuse to let neutral readers just read comments such as "Kosovo had 0 albanians prior to '50s"

furthermore thank you for replying to my question with a yes...i guess to a serb, anyone who has a different opinion is a crazy radical/terrorist/muslim/antiSerb/etc.

That is all.

Eve, my sources about th GDP is CIA World Factbook, you can perfectly check it online by your self. My data about tourism is official from the albanian government and from the reality check with my eyes. And about the toursim income, yes, you are right, we have a higher potential than just 2 billions per year. But we are growing, that was what I was saying. Wait and see.

I've been in Serbia just 2 weeks ago. I've seen the desperation and the hopeless people talking about their poor situation. You accuse me of taking for granted what papers say. But please, tell me, all that "if Albania is such a paradise...why are there so many Albanians travelling into the "heart of darkness" to get serbian documents?", where did came from?
I'll tell it to you: FROM YOUR PROPAGANDA.

Franko - If anyone's statement is desperate it's yours, considering that Serbia was under sanctions for many years, it doesn't say much for the albanian economy or it's prospects if it can only just match Serbia's GDP per head.

Before you make any more comments using "reliable" figures from CIA factbook or wherever else, think first about what the IMF say about Albania's official statistics - Official statistics are in need of further major improvement in order to serve as a reliable basis for policy making.

Albania is making up the numbers as it goes along, as evidenced by the fact that you can't even afford to build decent roads in the capital Tirana, and before you start crying, it was plain as day on the BBC program with Michael Palin where he travels through eastern europe. Albania, without a doubt is by far the poorest country in Europe, including Serbia.

And whilst we are here, why don't you use another fact from the CIA which states that Kosovo's economy is run on prostitution and drug smuggling - highly sustainable for future prosperity!!

Independence is a radical act and yet no one who seeks it is a radical. It means a change, a radical change which should be under the control of those who seek it. Allow the chance for this controlled radicalism and you will see that Kosovar leaders will not disappoint. Berisha's diplomacy is spot on. Kosovo is weak and should not make a move without international permission. But the internationals should understand this too since we are in an age of democracy: independence is a will of the people and to deny it, or to deny the chance that the people should express this will is a crime to democracy itself. I agree with Berisha. Kosovar leaders should not make any unilateral moves. They should formally ask the people. And let its will be done.

Fraco man, look into what you are saying. Look and update your stastics by looking at the CIA world factbook.
Furthemore, Albania has virtually no worthwhile mentioning tourism.
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/al.html

And, Eve, uhmmm, don't you think that Wikipedia where anyone might enter and edit the content is a good source to count on? I don't think so.

Eve

125 Albania $ 5,700 2006
143 Serbia $ 4,400 2005 est

From CIA.GOV




93 Flag of Serbia Serbia 6,702 2004

101 Flag of Albania Albania 5,728 2001


NOTICE ALBANIA = 5728 (2001) WHEREASE SERBIA = 6702 (2004)

The findings are CORRECT. This was from Wikipedia. Anyone else have a better place to look at GDP (PPP) ?

Kreshnik,
small world, here I find you.
you said: "As a citizen of Albania I am of the opinion that Albania should surrender its name and sovereignty to Kosovo and undergo the Ahtisaari plan itself."
No way, are you kidding me?! Are you crazy? My great grand father from Vlora died for that 1912 independence and my grandfather was left an orphan to battle with a harsh life by himself! You don't have respect for yourself and your country! How can we give up our name, what are you talking about? And let some muslims in Kosovo take the name?! They have a loong way to go through the steps that we did. Kosovo Albanians don't hold some of the values that we have developed separately in the 20th century. For example as a christian Albanian I feel very insulted how they talk about the christian albanian community. shameless. They have a long way to go towards emancipation. Look what happened to Albania when Berisha, came to power. Total destruction of what we had built for 50 years. Put a "communist" sticker on everything and destroy it. "This tree in the street of Tirana, was planted by communist volunteers, let's cut it down". Do you remember such scenes in the 90s? I do, all the trees in my neighbourhood were cut by militants of Berisha. That is why Tirana looks like a dry city with no trees now, just like Baghdad. By the way, he is from the Albania/Yugoslavia border and that area has always been influenced by serbs. He broght ignorance, religious division, social division, total collapse, opening of arms depots, destuctions of the administative institutions, conflicts with the greeks(remembered how the ridiculous albanian-greek hatred started? By berisha calling against the greek lobbby in the us. ie against the southern albanian head of the CIA who was asking for protection of kosovo albanians.) Berisha acts in public like an angel and tries to be politically correct because he knows that otherwise his head will be rolling, again. Who took Berisha down in 97? The heroic city of Vlora, that also declared independence in 1912. If it is not for Vlora, the Catholic part of Shkodra, Christian Korca, and educated Tirana, All others are in deep ignorance. Kreshnik with these idea go burn yourself in the middle of Tirana like your fellow village man did 2 weeks ago, not burn all of Albania. This is why no one thinks about an officially greater Albania, although we would ideally like to,because each of the Albanian communities in the Balkans is at a different stage, morally,mentally. When it comes to cultural, social, and business interaction between the communities, that one has been happening since the 90s and is more than welcome. To have a greater Albania means that the harcore muslims will be in charge. Let them solve their own issues on their own, (of course we will try to warn them when they make a mistake) before they try to impose themselves on others.

Lazar,
You said: "Furthemore, Albania has virtually no worthwhile mentioning tourism"

The "tourism" card, is played by foreigners and Berisha to buy out land. Did you guys know that Berisha started a scandalous plan called "Albania 1 Euro" last year? What was his first move when he came back to power? Changing the law that foreigners can now buy Albanian land and not just rent it for max 99 years. One other example is the expropriation of the villagers of Kakome bay in south Albania, and giving the land for free to Club med. The villagers were beaten on tv! The resort it being built right now. I don't understand how he can call himself a right wing politician when he doesn't repsect private property! Of course they try to sell the image of Albania as disastrous, ugly, cheap, etc etc so that they can buy it for free. We all know what a paradise out country is and I don;'t want to be turned like greeks, waiters, and hotel cleaners, while foreigners cruise in yaghts!
I don't want tourism in Albania, I want my country for myself, my future children to enjoy and to be respected bosses of their own land. If someone want to go to vacation, please go to Greece, Italy, Croatia, who are veen more experienced in this field. And to the Serbs, please countinue to tell everyone that Albania is no good for tourism, because every foreigner that comes to Albania says "oh, i didn't think at all it was like this" and tries to make profit of Albanians.

Arlinda, I don't think you are albanian at all. You should be some serb or greek pretending to be called "Arlinda".

Franko,
This is why I don't want Kosovars in Albania now. They are not ready for it, they don't know respect yet and they try to change us. Who are you to judge my Albanianess?
Of course, even yesterday i read some comments from a Kosvo forum that the identity of Albanians is islam and you can't even accept the opinions of a christian Albanian and call me Serb or Greek. You have problems. If you don't respect other Albanians you will be alone, left with imams, turks, and mosques!
Your parents have given you a good name, Frank, if it's real, because they wanted you to take the right path towards englightment not the darkness and ingnorance of the east.

We are sure that Serbs are being played.
We have one goal and we are thrift to go all the way to the end, and does't really matter what you think Jovan or what everybody else think.
We are going to win this, because that what really matters and there is nothing you or your gvmnt can do.

There is no doubt that Albania has held a constructive approach in Kosova issue. Taking into account the Russian blocking stance because of its slavic ties with Serbs and its showin off attitude, it would be fair to leave to each individual sovran country to makes its choice of recognising Kosova. That would be the only compromise between Kosova and Serbs to accept the majority of the world's verdict. There should be no more direct talks between the Kosovar Albanians and Serbian government after the 10th of December.

Albanians have been more then duped by Serbia.
Dr. Berisha is saying what is realistic and with facts, we all know that.
US and EU have stabilized the region and helped stop the war, ethnic cleansing, murders and rapes by bombing Serbia.
What else do you want?
I know you dont like it, but that is JUST THE WAY IT IS!

I'm from Albania, but Berisha doesn't represent me. Berisha is uncapable to make any suggestions to Kosovo leaders, who are far more competent than him. Not only that, but he and his corrupt government almost ruined Albania in 1997, and they still remain a major obstacle to Albania's prosperity. His deeds towards Albanians are very close to those of Milosevic.

Berisha should keep his focus on his own country rather than meddling in Serbia's affairs. Besides Kosovo having a debilitatingly weak economy, so does Albania.

It's "boom" is based on debt with gross debt nearly 50% of GDP. It's only a matter of time before it's economy goes overthe brink and we see the same civil unrest we saw when the pyramid scheme nearly wiped out the country.

Nice to know Serbia has such financial savvy neighbours.

Berisha should keep his focus on his own country rather than meddling in Serbia's affairs. Besides Kosovo having a debilitatingly weak economy, so does Albania.

It's "boom" is based on debt with gross debt nearly 50% of GDP. It's only a matter of time before it's economy goes overthe brink and we see the same civil unrest we saw when the pyramid scheme nearly wiped out the country.

Nice to know Serbia has such financial savvy neighbours.
(PB, 21. October 2007 17:33

Wait and see dear neighbor, wait and see. Your statement looks really desperate to me. Take a look to the figures instead of thinking with the brain of the '80-s. Just for your info, it was the 80-s the time when Serbia (actually, Yugoslavia leaded bu croats and slovenes) was the rich country among the surrounding poor communists. Everybody knows the reason of this wealth: huge external debts that Tito took from western powers.
Now we are in the 90-s. Yugoslavia is gone, and we, the nations of the Balkans can finally be in front of each other with all our TRUE potentials. Take a look to the numbers: Serbia's gdp per capita nowadays is merely 4000 usd. Albania's one is more than 6000. Serbia is landlocked and no tourist in the world would like to spend a penny visiting it. Albania has almost 500 kilometers of coast, amazing culture and people, great food, an impressive potential of touristic industry, but also ports, great connections with Italy and the western world, a huge income from the tourism and the diaspora (we earned this year more than 2 billion EU from tourism only). Serbias economic growth is almost 4%, Albania's is more than 6%. And don't forget that serbia's population is 7 millions, and albania only 3,6.
Now you decide who's going down.

Serb Camp: "I guess the albanian radicals here will certainly be downplaying this...as usual. "

So we're radicals because we post comments?

PB,
What are you talking about. Kosova is a small region. There is nothing to devide especially when you are talking in ethnic lines you have to consider deviding Serbia further more other Balkan countries.
Teni,
I am Albanian too. You comment towards Berisha and his government are more "socialist" party comments and you know exactely what it means. It is not a party discussion here my friend. Let Rama and Nano do your politics as they doing really "well" for the socialist party.

seems like "the one and only global superpower" has given some orders to the medicine-man.

I guess the albanian radicals here will certainly be downplaying this...as usual.

my dear friends, are you really that sure that it is the Serbs who are being duped?

better think it over again.

jovan and do you trust really "THE DOCTOR"??, albanians dont trust what he says, because he does the opposite.

Now, if the Albanian PM has something to say, what is that saying to the world. The Kosovo Albanians are trying for a greater Albania. He has NO place in telling them that unilateral independance isn't the way to go unless they have an alternate agenda in mind. This is just a front to "save face" on the Albanian side.

as predictable as it could be...the Albanians here are trying to play Berisha´s statement down...

while others say he knows what to do..

looks quite like the "albanian camp" is not that united as it want´s to make us believe!

the first to answers after my comment just say it all!

ps:

personal answer to KS,

you are a radical because of your radical statements. if you didn´t get it by now... I think you won´t learn it in the future.

don´t you wonder why so many of your comments are not being published here? why you are always complaining about censorship?

just to inform you, there is no such thing like a serb camp or an albanian camp as you can see it in the above posted comments. there are INDIVIDUALS posting.

Johan, your first two mistakes, if I can call them mistakes, are for calling PM Berisha, a “medicine-man”. He is not a nurse but a holder of the titles of Professor and Doctor with full rights. Second, you concern about radicals, makes obvious your opinion about the Albanian people, so you are far from constructive, and of no help for a decent debate.
Suzy, your suggestion that Albanians are working as a unique force in the Balkans with the intent of creating a greater Albania, is a misconception and a huge mistake which is repeatedly stated by you and by other people in many places. It is so strange how so many people of no Albanian descent have such a view, whereas we the Albanian people do not mention the idea of greater Albania even in the most shallow of debates. It is obviously used by people who have no clue whatsoever of what is going on.
Third, the major problem and the saddest one is that we the people of the Balkans and our governments too, have to rely on bigger powers to solve our own issues, and that shows immaturity, be them Serbs, Albanians or whatever else. It is part of the long list of responsibilities that this region does not embrace, and leaves the others to decide, because Serbs as well as Albanians have no traditions of democracy. If they did things wouldn’t be as they are.
Why is the government of Albania constructive now, as it has been for so many decades? Because for the 50 years of communism the government of Enver Hoxha, held the belief of the peaceful co-habitation of people under the ideology of communism even though they were of different ethnicity. And the afterwards governments of Albania, have never thought of Greater Albania for very obvious reasons. First they had no traditions of long-established plans about such a process, and second they believed as they do now, that the integration of the Balkans and its countries, is only towards that of the European Union, which means peace, stability and more than anything else economic development. If you and other people decided to observe better, you would know that the Albanian people wherever they are in the Balkans are far more realistic than any others.
Berisha might be hated or loved within his own country, but that does not diminish the truthfulness of his statement, nor the fact that he is more than correct. Yes he is authoritarian, but the conditions are such that he cannot do as he used to in the 1990-s, a chance which Milosevic never had, because he came to power by feeding Serbs with hatred about Albanians and any other separatists in the region. Under Milosevic, and the umbrella of Yugoslavia, he managed to go to war with Croats, Bosnians and then with Kosovar Albanians, and he would fight NATO too, but obviously he did not have the means.
My deepest wish is that in Kosovo as well as Serbia, the governments and people start realizing how many opportunities we as a region are missing because of the long held believes of Albanians of Kosovo being not worth the consideration. Leave the USA and Russia out of the equation and start thinking straight at least for once.

As a citizen of Albania I am of the opinion that Albania should surrender its name and sovereignty to Kosovo and undergo the Ahtisaari plan itself.

And yes Albanians have been DUPED! Which means more fodder for the National Unification Front and hotheads like Gafurr Adili.

you are a radical because of your radical statements. if you didn´t get it by now... I think you won´t learn it in the future.

don´t you wonder why so many of your comments are not being published here? why you are always complaining about censorship?

just to inform you, there is no such thing like a serb camp or an albanian camp as you can see it in the above posted comments. there are INDIVIDUALS posting.
(Jovan, 21. October 2007 18:44)

Jovan, I am glad you answered me personally so I will do the same onto you.

I am not a radical, nor do I believe in some fundamental belief such as "Albanians are superior" so I don't see where you get these racist ideas.

The reason why my comments don't get published is bc I sign out with "Kosova Republik" (Kosova Republic), to B92 it seems that my signature may insult other members so it refuses to post them.

I don't understand why you are getting so frustrated by me referring to other commenter's such as you with the title "Serb Camp."

The only reason why I post comments here is because I refuse to let neutral readers just read comments such as "Kosovo had 0 albanians prior to '50s"

furthermore thank you for replying to my question with a yes...i guess to a serb, anyone who has a different opinion is a crazy radical/terrorist/muslim/antiSerb/etc.

That is all.

Independence is a radical act and yet no one who seeks it is a radical. It means a change, a radical change which should be under the control of those who seek it. Allow the chance for this controlled radicalism and you will see that Kosovar leaders will not disappoint. Berisha's diplomacy is spot on. Kosovo is weak and should not make a move without international permission. But the internationals should understand this too since we are in an age of democracy: independence is a will of the people and to deny it, or to deny the chance that the people should express this will is a crime to democracy itself. I agree with Berisha. Kosovar leaders should not make any unilateral moves. They should formally ask the people. And let its will be done.

Eve, my sources about th GDP is CIA World Factbook, you can perfectly check it online by your self. My data about tourism is official from the albanian government and from the reality check with my eyes. And about the toursim income, yes, you are right, we have a higher potential than just 2 billions per year. But we are growing, that was what I was saying. Wait and see.

I've been in Serbia just 2 weeks ago. I've seen the desperation and the hopeless people talking about their poor situation. You accuse me of taking for granted what papers say. But please, tell me, all that "if Albania is such a paradise...why are there so many Albanians travelling into the "heart of darkness" to get serbian documents?", where did came from?
I'll tell it to you: FROM YOUR PROPAGANDA.

And, Eve, uhmmm, don't you think that Wikipedia where anyone might enter and edit the content is a good source to count on? I don't think so.

"Sincere and fair" - if that was the case, then partition of Kosovo would be tabled and everyone would gain something from the negotiations.

As it stands, the albanians want all of Kosovo for the Trepca mines, which is why they keep blabbing about extensive minority rights for the Serbs.

Let's be realistic. We all know, sad as it is, that after the war, the albanians and Serbs don't want to live together anymore. SPLIT Kosovo. The only reason wy that isn't being considered by the US is that they are vying with Russia for the mineral wealth. that's al this issue is about. if there was no wealth, the US simply wouldn't entertain Kosovo independence.

If Kosovo is not partitioned, i'm sure there will be more regional wars. Far from guaranteeing stability, it will guarantee instability in the region, with Albanians in Macedonia, and probably greece and MOntenegro demanding independence also, and the Serbs in Bosnia also demanding independence.

Why is Serbia having talks with Pristina when they think its all a game? Wasting eveyones time, and money. If Pristina wants peace and stability in the region, then grow up and help put an end to this. Independence will free you of Serbia, but will leave Kosovo poor and thats when people turn on their leaders. Supervised autonomy is the best solution for Pristina. Ride Serbias coattails into the EU because when Serbia does, the people of Kosovo will wish the never got independence. And by the sound of it Albania has its own plans for Kosovo (greater Albania). So much for inependence.

Franko,

I don't know where you got your numbers, but they are not very accurate. According to wikipedia, Serbia's 2007 GDP (PPP) estimate per capita is $7,234, whereas Albania's is a bit closer to your estimate: $6,259

With so much income Albania is getting from tourism, I would expect them to be doing a bit better. I wonder where the money is really going? =]

well, if Albania is such a paradise...why are there so many Albanians travelling into the "heart of darkness" to get serbian documents?

why are more and more Albanians trying to escape this wonderland, as you described it? ( Arigona Zogaj, as only one example out of many - a girl in Austria that is threatening to kill herself if forced to go back to Kosovo... )

I would say once again we have experienced a perfect example of a mislead albanian who helplessly believes what the yellow-press is feeding them.
bravo Franko...

you made my day!

Fraco man, look into what you are saying. Look and update your stastics by looking at the CIA world factbook.
Furthemore, Albania has virtually no worthwhile mentioning tourism.
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/al.html

Eve

125 Albania $ 5,700 2006
143 Serbia $ 4,400 2005 est

From CIA.GOV




93 Flag of Serbia Serbia 6,702 2004

101 Flag of Albania Albania 5,728 2001


NOTICE ALBANIA = 5728 (2001) WHEREASE SERBIA = 6702 (2004)

The findings are CORRECT. This was from Wikipedia. Anyone else have a better place to look at GDP (PPP) ?

Franko - If anyone's statement is desperate it's yours, considering that Serbia was under sanctions for many years, it doesn't say much for the albanian economy or it's prospects if it can only just match Serbia's GDP per head.

Before you make any more comments using "reliable" figures from CIA factbook or wherever else, think first about what the IMF say about Albania's official statistics - Official statistics are in need of further major improvement in order to serve as a reliable basis for policy making.

Albania is making up the numbers as it goes along, as evidenced by the fact that you can't even afford to build decent roads in the capital Tirana, and before you start crying, it was plain as day on the BBC program with Michael Palin where he travels through eastern europe. Albania, without a doubt is by far the poorest country in Europe, including Serbia.

And whilst we are here, why don't you use another fact from the CIA which states that Kosovo's economy is run on prostitution and drug smuggling - highly sustainable for future prosperity!!

Kreshnik,
small world, here I find you.
you said: "As a citizen of Albania I am of the opinion that Albania should surrender its name and sovereignty to Kosovo and undergo the Ahtisaari plan itself."
No way, are you kidding me?! Are you crazy? My great grand father from Vlora died for that 1912 independence and my grandfather was left an orphan to battle with a harsh life by himself! You don't have respect for yourself and your country! How can we give up our name, what are you talking about? And let some muslims in Kosovo take the name?! They have a loong way to go through the steps that we did. Kosovo Albanians don't hold some of the values that we have developed separately in the 20th century. For example as a christian Albanian I feel very insulted how they talk about the christian albanian community. shameless. They have a long way to go towards emancipation. Look what happened to Albania when Berisha, came to power. Total destruction of what we had built for 50 years. Put a "communist" sticker on everything and destroy it. "This tree in the street of Tirana, was planted by communist volunteers, let's cut it down". Do you remember such scenes in the 90s? I do, all the trees in my neighbourhood were cut by militants of Berisha. That is why Tirana looks like a dry city with no trees now, just like Baghdad. By the way, he is from the Albania/Yugoslavia border and that area has always been influenced by serbs. He broght ignorance, religious division, social division, total collapse, opening of arms depots, destuctions of the administative institutions, conflicts with the greeks(remembered how the ridiculous albanian-greek hatred started? By berisha calling against the greek lobbby in the us. ie against the southern albanian head of the CIA who was asking for protection of kosovo albanians.) Berisha acts in public like an angel and tries to be politically correct because he knows that otherwise his head will be rolling, again. Who took Berisha down in 97? The heroic city of Vlora, that also declared independence in 1912. If it is not for Vlora, the Catholic part of Shkodra, Christian Korca, and educated Tirana, All others are in deep ignorance. Kreshnik with these idea go burn yourself in the middle of Tirana like your fellow village man did 2 weeks ago, not burn all of Albania. This is why no one thinks about an officially greater Albania, although we would ideally like to,because each of the Albanian communities in the Balkans is at a different stage, morally,mentally. When it comes to cultural, social, and business interaction between the communities, that one has been happening since the 90s and is more than welcome. To have a greater Albania means that the harcore muslims will be in charge. Let them solve their own issues on their own, (of course we will try to warn them when they make a mistake) before they try to impose themselves on others.

Lazar,
You said: "Furthemore, Albania has virtually no worthwhile mentioning tourism"

The "tourism" card, is played by foreigners and Berisha to buy out land. Did you guys know that Berisha started a scandalous plan called "Albania 1 Euro" last year? What was his first move when he came back to power? Changing the law that foreigners can now buy Albanian land and not just rent it for max 99 years. One other example is the expropriation of the villagers of Kakome bay in south Albania, and giving the land for free to Club med. The villagers were beaten on tv! The resort it being built right now. I don't understand how he can call himself a right wing politician when he doesn't repsect private property! Of course they try to sell the image of Albania as disastrous, ugly, cheap, etc etc so that they can buy it for free. We all know what a paradise out country is and I don;'t want to be turned like greeks, waiters, and hotel cleaners, while foreigners cruise in yaghts!
I don't want tourism in Albania, I want my country for myself, my future children to enjoy and to be respected bosses of their own land. If someone want to go to vacation, please go to Greece, Italy, Croatia, who are veen more experienced in this field. And to the Serbs, please countinue to tell everyone that Albania is no good for tourism, because every foreigner that comes to Albania says "oh, i didn't think at all it was like this" and tries to make profit of Albanians.

Arlinda, I don't think you are albanian at all. You should be some serb or greek pretending to be called "Arlinda".

Franko,
This is why I don't want Kosovars in Albania now. They are not ready for it, they don't know respect yet and they try to change us. Who are you to judge my Albanianess?
Of course, even yesterday i read some comments from a Kosvo forum that the identity of Albanians is islam and you can't even accept the opinions of a christian Albanian and call me Serb or Greek. You have problems. If you don't respect other Albanians you will be alone, left with imams, turks, and mosques!
Your parents have given you a good name, Frank, if it's real, because they wanted you to take the right path towards englightment not the darkness and ingnorance of the east.

Arlinda (or whomever you are pretending to be called like this). I AM from Albania, I am proud to be from that land and I am catholic christian. But what you say is pure serbian or greek propaganda. I consider kosovar albanians my brothers no matter what their religion is. If you would be from Albania, you would know very well what Pashko Vasa said. But you are not, and you don't have a clue of it. Otherwise you wouldnt say what you said here for the joy of those who have always hoped to see us arguing with each other.