Why do you have such a hard time to accept reality, the fact that not every pro-Albanian is an Albanian? You seem to be the only one by now who still label me as Albanian. I am American with no Albanian connection. But if you insist I repeat here for you the paraphrased saying of John F. Kennedy. In Berlin he once stated out of solidarity "Ich bin a Berliner". So I would tell you "I AM AN ALBANIAN".
I would like to say that B92 has been once more censoring my comment.
unfortunately they do it without explantations.
but I think that a careful reader will see where they cut out text passages or some words.
all in all, I do not expect that much of a western-funded news-site... since they even shot cruise missiles at the serbian state-tv-broadcasting-station while at the same time having freedom of speech and information "rooted" in their constitutions...
your eagerness to present the Albanians or what they do as something good... "one of the best in europe"...is just funny.
DimTuc, yeah, former "referendums" were showing a 99% support for independence. you are right on that!
but times have changed, at that time they voted for independence because they believed their "leaders" to give them what they were promising...
but the average Albanian is not that stupid as Taci, Ceku, and other US-puppets thing they are.
many Albanians have already been in central Serbia and have new serbian passports and ID´s. they don´t talk about it yet, because of fanatics...but the tendency is clearly visible.
and I would say, the number of those who boycotted this vote because of their lack of trust in those socalled "hero´s" is significantly higher than because of those fanatics you
are mentioning.
we will see what future brings. I am confident, since even the Albanians seem to realize that their fanatics are bringing them no improvement.
The elections were one of the best elections held in the South Eastern Europe, and this is not just a joke but this was said by many western observers and high officials.
Want to know who the winner is? HASHIM THACI, the former KLA Director. The nightmare of Kostunica and his alikes.
Because when Bush vetoes a decision where the vast majority vote in favor of withdrawing troops from Iraq and Afghanistan, it really depends on the individual to decide on which side is right and which not.
Why do all Albanians automatically assume that just because somebody from a country that supports Kosovo independence is against their perspective that they are not in fact from that country? Is Ron not allowed to have his own opinion as a Dutchman? Am I not allowed to have my opinion as a Pole? Is kate not allowed to have her decision as an Englishwoman? We don't come off a conveyor belt, you know, we are all different!
So what, if we are to read about Albanians criminals and terrorists, are we to assume you are all so? If you are not on of the above, then are you a real Albanian? Get real!
"they voted for a criminal who is a terrorist and hates Serbs."
Thaci does not hate Serbs - March 2004:
"I came home immediately to help end the violence. I spent the next few days
going out in Kosova, asking Albanians to get off the streets and go to their
homes and reassuring Serbs that it was safe to return to theirs.
"I absolutely condemn the violence. It was wrong and has brought us down in the
eyes of the world and allowed them to accuse us of being oppressors. Any Kosovar
who believes this is the route to independence is wrong."
"I understand the fear that the Serbs have of us. Fear heightens ethnic divisions
and distrust. There has been little ethnic integration. Everyone should own up
to their responsibility for this. Albanians must take some of the blame"
"We have seen
how hatred and division destroy us and we must work together - literally.
Albanians will help to rebuild the Serb homes and churches that were destroyed
and so begin to rebuild a divided country. The Kosova government has already
dedicated 5 million euro for that purpose."
The rest is pretty good as well:
http://www.iwpr.net/?p=bcr&s=f&o=157671&apc_state=henibcr2004
Don't rely on what Serb sources say about the guy. Sure he's no saint, but in our real balkan world of sinners, he's far from being one of the worst as painted.
the voter turnout was 45% because young people support Albin Kurti selfdetermination supporters boycotted the vote as well!!!selfdetermination is their right,only Kosovars can decide for their future!!!
congratulations to all of the proud (and brave) voters in kosovo/a. you guys (and gals) are doing a great job. as for our last election (san francisco), it drew something less than 40% and i know that for a fact since i worked at one of the polls. and regarding the few serb voters, a special congratulations is in order -- you have stood up to your real enemy and i think you all know who i am refering to.
they can have their putin Or bush for that matter_ -- but i will continue to push for democratic values and can't wait for the upcoming declaration of independence. internationally, we are counting down the days.
If the Albanian ethnic cleansing and pure disregard for minority rights aren't enough. Look at the numbers of registered Albanians. 1.5 million out of 2.1 million? Either they stopped having babies or they have registered five year olds or the dead in mass. It looks like vote fraud to me. Of course, that would also explain the low turnout. Perhaps the EP Observers did their job. If so, Bravo!
Too bad their counterpart UNMIK has thus far even taken their job serious, since the lack of minority voter turnout is a direct reflection on them. It also reflects on the majority in Kosovo and the KLA Leadership in Pristina.
The West has already decided what will be and who will represent Kosovo. All the jibber-jabber with the posters here is foolish and a waste of time. Neither Serbs nor Albanians have any say in the future of Kosovo.
According to serveral news sources the PDK party of hasim thaci has claimed victory. he said if he is prime minster then he will declare independence. Now he has spoken and both Serb and Albanian leaders respect Mr Thaci unlke Fatimr Sejeiu and Agim Ceku. He said Dec 10th the bells will be ringing in pristina. now if the albanian political system try to screw over Hasim then there will be hell to pay so i don't think they will be any double cross from AAK or LDK.
Just because Ramush Haradinaj is prematurely claiming victory doesn't mean anything! Look at the US & their declaration of independence - they only claimed independence. The US & every other nation is never truly independant due to their need on other nations for what they cannot produce.
This means nothing - particularly since he's still pending trial at the Hague.
Jovan:
"that shows how little of the "overwhelming majority" in Kosovo actually believes in your greater albanian illusions!"
Don't forget that 'Self-Determnation' also called for a boycott.
Voters expressing dissatisfaction in their politicians is a normal thing in many countries. A grea many of the post-socialist east European countries experienced very low voter turnouts, many still do. Try to remember cases when Serbia had so many election re-runs because they couldn't reach 50 percent voter turnout.
To know Albanian support for independence you would need a referendum, not an election. The last referendum gave independence about 99.999%
As a fan of Putin you start to show your real colors. It is your right to like "democratic" Putin but most Dutch think differently from you. Are you really Dutch ?
Clean Cut,
You make me laugh. Serbs being safe and able to vote in Kosovo? Are you serious, they have to be protected and escorted by the army. What kind of live is that. And yet again Kosovars have proven then they cannot be a country. For gods sake they voted for a criminal who is a terrorist and hates Serbs. Ridiculous!
please don´t do that... don´t continue those attempts of misleading and manipulating the readers...
the K-serbs belong to Kosovo, since Kosovo is Serbia. so, what you are writing makes no sense whatsoever.
the boycott of that particular vote is only a reasonable act of protest.
so, trying to present it as any kind of obstruction is simply and compulsorily looking quite ridiculous...
if you voted for a change...does that mean you voted for those albanian parties that are not for the illegal theft of serbian property, for the destruction of serbian cultural heritage ( in the serbian province of KiM ), for peace and co-existence of Albanians and Serbs and other non-albanians?
1. To gain seats in the parliament You will need 5% of the votes, the results will be very interesting.
2. Last elections in 2004 the big issue all political entities and parties went to elections on was the independence question. This question is still not solved, 3 years later. I would be surprised if the voting turnout will be higher this time, in 2004 it was a bit over 50%.
3. No matter what, the municipality elections is the most important one for future economical development that Kosovo Metohija/Kosova really needs.
Hi there, guys why don’t you deal with internal issues within Serbia, economy, social welfare, underground mafia and so on instead. Kosovo is not an issue for Serbia anymore.
Kosovo had free and fair election today and results tell that power is shifting without violence. The only place in the region that shifts the power without protests or burning governmental buildings is Kosovo.
And boycotting elections from Serbs it only causes problems to them especially in a local level, the majority will move on with or without them.
All I can say is good luck with Russians and think of progress please. Your progress is regional progress, too.
These elections are already being praised by international community as one of the best in the Balkans since 20 years. Kosova once again showed its maturity as a real functioning state and signaled one more time that Independence and Souvereignity are a neccesity of the time, and that time is of essence. Too bad that many Serbs did not participate, but not to worry. They will have more chances in the years to come and they will always be welcomed.
Kosova has been acting and functioning as a free and independent state since 8 years. Today was just another day to show this reality.
It;s really sad to see Belgrade official politics opposing Kosovo elections , giving to Kosovo Serbians population the idea that they don;t belong to Kosovo anymore . They can use their democratic right to vote and improve their position into Kosovo society , or they can bojkot voting allowing Belgrade to manipulate with them like they did so many times before . Best choice is when you have no other choice my friends , and the only chance for Kosovo Serbians to live in Kosovo and improve their life conditions is to turn their head in direction of Priština , instead of being victims of Belgrade politics .
With regards : Mika
p.s i have voted for changes
that only 24% of the eligible voters have participated at all...
then, my dear albanian pro-independence-supporters on B92..., then that shows how little of the "overwhelming majority" in Kosovo actually believes in your greater albanian illusions!
and...especially if we take into account the many K-albanian citizens of the Republic of Serbia, which are travelling to Niš almost on a daily basis ...in order to get serbian documents...
One thing that the Albanian 'bash Belgrade' brigade have to understand about voting.
Nobody would doubt (I hope) that I am independent in my views and untypical. Let me say that if I was a Kosovo Serb I would not vote.
It would not have been Belgrade that persuaded me not to vote, it would have been common sense. I am unwelcome as a Serb in an Albanian run Kosovo and this is my protest against this fact and against an independent Kosovo. Realistically speaking if an independent Kosovo is forced upon me I'll have to deal with that fact when the time comes...
That is a realistic assesment of the mind-set that ordinary Kosovo Serbs currently have and the main reason why almost no Serbs are voting today.
So to Albanians who want to blame Belgrade for everything I say be honest, if the shoe was on the other foot would you vote?
No, I didnt think so.
Serbs are not voting today because they have been exiled in 1999!
Serbs do not vote because their return home is not possible!
Serbs do not vote because their property has been robbed!
Serbs do not vote because they can not enter their jobs, and land!
Serbs do not vote because their churches have been burnt!
Serbs do not vote because their human rights are trampled!
Serbs do not vote because their freedom of moving does not exist!
Serbs do not vote because their rights for life are trampled!
"Belgrade" advice for boykot, is just a try to keep Serbs concience as calm as possible. If everything is going to be violently taken from Serbs, let their concience remain clear!
Elections are good, generally. But not enough for something called 'democracy', and for sure not enough for inter-ethnic reconciliation.
However, the K. Serbian boycott reminds me about the K. Albanian similar attitude, before 1999, toward Belgrade' initiated activities (elections, census etc.)
Sadly, it seems both sides are caught in a vicious circle - nobody seems to want to break it, everybody wants simply to dominate the other side. And I am not talking only about politicians, but also about common people attitude.
Well, the Serbs didn't manage to control Kosovo, before 1999. And K. Albanians already proved that they cannot control the Northern part of Kosovo (this I have seen with my own eyes, while working in the province for the last three years...) What will be next? Probably something similar to the Turkish-Greek relationship. Or, as one character of 'Casablanca' says, 'this [elections] may be the beginning of a beautiful friendship'...
Waiting for December 10 (out of simple curiosity...), best from Bucharest,
Ethnic Albanians are 92% of the population because they have the highest birthrate in Europe. (They have also expelled many non Albanians from the province.) This is not justification for taking a chunk of Serbia's territory. Autonomy is sufficient independence to address the ethnic Albanians desire to distance themselves from all things Serb. They will just have to accept that they are living in Serbia alternatively once they join the EU they can go and live somewhere else. Good to see elections and democracy in action.
Serbs are not voting today because they have been exiled in 1999!
Serbs do not vote because their return home is not possible!
Serbs do not vote because their property has been robbed!
Serbs do not vote because they can not enter their jobs, and land!
Serbs do not vote because their churches have been burnt!
Serbs do not vote because their human rights are trampled!
Serbs do not vote because their freedom of moving does not exist!
Serbs do not vote because their rights for life are trampled!
"Belgrade" advice for boykot, is just a try to keep Serbs concience as calm as possible. If everything is going to be violently taken from Serbs, let their concience remain clear!
Ethnic Albanians are 92% of the population because they have the highest birthrate in Europe. (They have also expelled many non Albanians from the province.) This is not justification for taking a chunk of Serbia's territory. Autonomy is sufficient independence to address the ethnic Albanians desire to distance themselves from all things Serb. They will just have to accept that they are living in Serbia alternatively once they join the EU they can go and live somewhere else. Good to see elections and democracy in action.
that only 24% of the eligible voters have participated at all...
then, my dear albanian pro-independence-supporters on B92..., then that shows how little of the "overwhelming majority" in Kosovo actually believes in your greater albanian illusions!
and...especially if we take into account the many K-albanian citizens of the Republic of Serbia, which are travelling to Niš almost on a daily basis ...in order to get serbian documents...
One thing that the Albanian 'bash Belgrade' brigade have to understand about voting.
Nobody would doubt (I hope) that I am independent in my views and untypical. Let me say that if I was a Kosovo Serb I would not vote.
It would not have been Belgrade that persuaded me not to vote, it would have been common sense. I am unwelcome as a Serb in an Albanian run Kosovo and this is my protest against this fact and against an independent Kosovo. Realistically speaking if an independent Kosovo is forced upon me I'll have to deal with that fact when the time comes...
That is a realistic assesment of the mind-set that ordinary Kosovo Serbs currently have and the main reason why almost no Serbs are voting today.
So to Albanians who want to blame Belgrade for everything I say be honest, if the shoe was on the other foot would you vote?
No, I didnt think so.
Clean Cut,
You make me laugh. Serbs being safe and able to vote in Kosovo? Are you serious, they have to be protected and escorted by the army. What kind of live is that. And yet again Kosovars have proven then they cannot be a country. For gods sake they voted for a criminal who is a terrorist and hates Serbs. Ridiculous!
please don´t do that... don´t continue those attempts of misleading and manipulating the readers...
the K-serbs belong to Kosovo, since Kosovo is Serbia. so, what you are writing makes no sense whatsoever.
the boycott of that particular vote is only a reasonable act of protest.
so, trying to present it as any kind of obstruction is simply and compulsorily looking quite ridiculous...
if you voted for a change...does that mean you voted for those albanian parties that are not for the illegal theft of serbian property, for the destruction of serbian cultural heritage ( in the serbian province of KiM ), for peace and co-existence of Albanians and Serbs and other non-albanians?
It;s really sad to see Belgrade official politics opposing Kosovo elections , giving to Kosovo Serbians population the idea that they don;t belong to Kosovo anymore . They can use their democratic right to vote and improve their position into Kosovo society , or they can bojkot voting allowing Belgrade to manipulate with them like they did so many times before . Best choice is when you have no other choice my friends , and the only chance for Kosovo Serbians to live in Kosovo and improve their life conditions is to turn their head in direction of Priština , instead of being victims of Belgrade politics .
With regards : Mika
p.s i have voted for changes
Because when Bush vetoes a decision where the vast majority vote in favor of withdrawing troops from Iraq and Afghanistan, it really depends on the individual to decide on which side is right and which not.
Why do all Albanians automatically assume that just because somebody from a country that supports Kosovo independence is against their perspective that they are not in fact from that country? Is Ron not allowed to have his own opinion as a Dutchman? Am I not allowed to have my opinion as a Pole? Is kate not allowed to have her decision as an Englishwoman? We don't come off a conveyor belt, you know, we are all different!
So what, if we are to read about Albanians criminals and terrorists, are we to assume you are all so? If you are not on of the above, then are you a real Albanian? Get real!
If the Albanian ethnic cleansing and pure disregard for minority rights aren't enough. Look at the numbers of registered Albanians. 1.5 million out of 2.1 million? Either they stopped having babies or they have registered five year olds or the dead in mass. It looks like vote fraud to me. Of course, that would also explain the low turnout. Perhaps the EP Observers did their job. If so, Bravo!
Too bad their counterpart UNMIK has thus far even taken their job serious, since the lack of minority voter turnout is a direct reflection on them. It also reflects on the majority in Kosovo and the KLA Leadership in Pristina.
your eagerness to present the Albanians or what they do as something good... "one of the best in europe"...is just funny.
DimTuc, yeah, former "referendums" were showing a 99% support for independence. you are right on that!
but times have changed, at that time they voted for independence because they believed their "leaders" to give them what they were promising...
but the average Albanian is not that stupid as Taci, Ceku, and other US-puppets thing they are.
many Albanians have already been in central Serbia and have new serbian passports and ID´s. they don´t talk about it yet, because of fanatics...but the tendency is clearly visible.
and I would say, the number of those who boycotted this vote because of their lack of trust in those socalled "hero´s" is significantly higher than because of those fanatics you
are mentioning.
we will see what future brings. I am confident, since even the Albanians seem to realize that their fanatics are bringing them no improvement.
Hi there, guys why don’t you deal with internal issues within Serbia, economy, social welfare, underground mafia and so on instead. Kosovo is not an issue for Serbia anymore.
Kosovo had free and fair election today and results tell that power is shifting without violence. The only place in the region that shifts the power without protests or burning governmental buildings is Kosovo.
And boycotting elections from Serbs it only causes problems to them especially in a local level, the majority will move on with or without them.
All I can say is good luck with Russians and think of progress please. Your progress is regional progress, too.
Just because Ramush Haradinaj is prematurely claiming victory doesn't mean anything! Look at the US & their declaration of independence - they only claimed independence. The US & every other nation is never truly independant due to their need on other nations for what they cannot produce.
This means nothing - particularly since he's still pending trial at the Hague.
Elections are good, generally. But not enough for something called 'democracy', and for sure not enough for inter-ethnic reconciliation.
However, the K. Serbian boycott reminds me about the K. Albanian similar attitude, before 1999, toward Belgrade' initiated activities (elections, census etc.)
Sadly, it seems both sides are caught in a vicious circle - nobody seems to want to break it, everybody wants simply to dominate the other side. And I am not talking only about politicians, but also about common people attitude.
Well, the Serbs didn't manage to control Kosovo, before 1999. And K. Albanians already proved that they cannot control the Northern part of Kosovo (this I have seen with my own eyes, while working in the province for the last three years...) What will be next? Probably something similar to the Turkish-Greek relationship. Or, as one character of 'Casablanca' says, 'this [elections] may be the beginning of a beautiful friendship'...
Waiting for December 10 (out of simple curiosity...), best from Bucharest,
These elections are already being praised by international community as one of the best in the Balkans since 20 years. Kosova once again showed its maturity as a real functioning state and signaled one more time that Independence and Souvereignity are a neccesity of the time, and that time is of essence. Too bad that many Serbs did not participate, but not to worry. They will have more chances in the years to come and they will always be welcomed.
Kosova has been acting and functioning as a free and independent state since 8 years. Today was just another day to show this reality.
1. To gain seats in the parliament You will need 5% of the votes, the results will be very interesting.
2. Last elections in 2004 the big issue all political entities and parties went to elections on was the independence question. This question is still not solved, 3 years later. I would be surprised if the voting turnout will be higher this time, in 2004 it was a bit over 50%.
3. No matter what, the municipality elections is the most important one for future economical development that Kosovo Metohija/Kosova really needs.
As a fan of Putin you start to show your real colors. It is your right to like "democratic" Putin but most Dutch think differently from you. Are you really Dutch ?
congratulations to all of the proud (and brave) voters in kosovo/a. you guys (and gals) are doing a great job. as for our last election (san francisco), it drew something less than 40% and i know that for a fact since i worked at one of the polls. and regarding the few serb voters, a special congratulations is in order -- you have stood up to your real enemy and i think you all know who i am refering to.
they can have their putin Or bush for that matter_ -- but i will continue to push for democratic values and can't wait for the upcoming declaration of independence. internationally, we are counting down the days.
I would like to say that B92 has been once more censoring my comment.
unfortunately they do it without explantations.
but I think that a careful reader will see where they cut out text passages or some words.
all in all, I do not expect that much of a western-funded news-site... since they even shot cruise missiles at the serbian state-tv-broadcasting-station while at the same time having freedom of speech and information "rooted" in their constitutions...
Jovan:
"that shows how little of the "overwhelming majority" in Kosovo actually believes in your greater albanian illusions!"
Don't forget that 'Self-Determnation' also called for a boycott.
Voters expressing dissatisfaction in their politicians is a normal thing in many countries. A grea many of the post-socialist east European countries experienced very low voter turnouts, many still do. Try to remember cases when Serbia had so many election re-runs because they couldn't reach 50 percent voter turnout.
To know Albanian support for independence you would need a referendum, not an election. The last referendum gave independence about 99.999%
the voter turnout was 45% because young people support Albin Kurti selfdetermination supporters boycotted the vote as well!!!selfdetermination is their right,only Kosovars can decide for their future!!!
The elections were one of the best elections held in the South Eastern Europe, and this is not just a joke but this was said by many western observers and high officials.
Want to know who the winner is? HASHIM THACI, the former KLA Director. The nightmare of Kostunica and his alikes.
According to serveral news sources the PDK party of hasim thaci has claimed victory. he said if he is prime minster then he will declare independence. Now he has spoken and both Serb and Albanian leaders respect Mr Thaci unlke Fatimr Sejeiu and Agim Ceku. He said Dec 10th the bells will be ringing in pristina. now if the albanian political system try to screw over Hasim then there will be hell to pay so i don't think they will be any double cross from AAK or LDK.
The West has already decided what will be and who will represent Kosovo. All the jibber-jabber with the posters here is foolish and a waste of time. Neither Serbs nor Albanians have any say in the future of Kosovo.
"they voted for a criminal who is a terrorist and hates Serbs."
Thaci does not hate Serbs - March 2004:
"I came home immediately to help end the violence. I spent the next few days
going out in Kosova, asking Albanians to get off the streets and go to their
homes and reassuring Serbs that it was safe to return to theirs.
"I absolutely condemn the violence. It was wrong and has brought us down in the
eyes of the world and allowed them to accuse us of being oppressors. Any Kosovar
who believes this is the route to independence is wrong."
"I understand the fear that the Serbs have of us. Fear heightens ethnic divisions
and distrust. There has been little ethnic integration. Everyone should own up
to their responsibility for this. Albanians must take some of the blame"
"We have seen
how hatred and division destroy us and we must work together - literally.
Albanians will help to rebuild the Serb homes and churches that were destroyed
and so begin to rebuild a divided country. The Kosova government has already
dedicated 5 million euro for that purpose."
The rest is pretty good as well:
http://www.iwpr.net/?p=bcr&s=f&o=157671&apc_state=henibcr2004
Don't rely on what Serb sources say about the guy. Sure he's no saint, but in our real balkan world of sinners, he's far from being one of the worst as painted.
Why do you have such a hard time to accept reality, the fact that not every pro-Albanian is an Albanian? You seem to be the only one by now who still label me as Albanian. I am American with no Albanian connection. But if you insist I repeat here for you the paraphrased saying of John F. Kennedy. In Berlin he once stated out of solidarity "Ich bin a Berliner". So I would tell you "I AM AN ALBANIAN".
Ethnic Albanians are 92% of the population because they have the highest birthrate in Europe. (They have also expelled many non Albanians from the province.) This is not justification for taking a chunk of Serbia's territory. Autonomy is sufficient independence to address the ethnic Albanians desire to distance themselves from all things Serb. They will just have to accept that they are living in Serbia alternatively once they join the EU they can go and live somewhere else. Good to see elections and democracy in action.
Serbs are not voting today because they have been exiled in 1999!
Serbs do not vote because their return home is not possible!
Serbs do not vote because their property has been robbed!
Serbs do not vote because they can not enter their jobs, and land!
Serbs do not vote because their churches have been burnt!
Serbs do not vote because their human rights are trampled!
Serbs do not vote because their freedom of moving does not exist!
Serbs do not vote because their rights for life are trampled!
"Belgrade" advice for boykot, is just a try to keep Serbs concience as calm as possible. If everything is going to be violently taken from Serbs, let their concience remain clear!
One thing that the Albanian 'bash Belgrade' brigade have to understand about voting.
Nobody would doubt (I hope) that I am independent in my views and untypical. Let me say that if I was a Kosovo Serb I would not vote.
It would not have been Belgrade that persuaded me not to vote, it would have been common sense. I am unwelcome as a Serb in an Albanian run Kosovo and this is my protest against this fact and against an independent Kosovo. Realistically speaking if an independent Kosovo is forced upon me I'll have to deal with that fact when the time comes...
That is a realistic assesment of the mind-set that ordinary Kosovo Serbs currently have and the main reason why almost no Serbs are voting today.
So to Albanians who want to blame Belgrade for everything I say be honest, if the shoe was on the other foot would you vote?
No, I didnt think so.
These elections are already being praised by international community as one of the best in the Balkans since 20 years. Kosova once again showed its maturity as a real functioning state and signaled one more time that Independence and Souvereignity are a neccesity of the time, and that time is of essence. Too bad that many Serbs did not participate, but not to worry. They will have more chances in the years to come and they will always be welcomed.
Kosova has been acting and functioning as a free and independent state since 8 years. Today was just another day to show this reality.
It;s really sad to see Belgrade official politics opposing Kosovo elections , giving to Kosovo Serbians population the idea that they don;t belong to Kosovo anymore . They can use their democratic right to vote and improve their position into Kosovo society , or they can bojkot voting allowing Belgrade to manipulate with them like they did so many times before . Best choice is when you have no other choice my friends , and the only chance for Kosovo Serbians to live in Kosovo and improve their life conditions is to turn their head in direction of Priština , instead of being victims of Belgrade politics .
With regards : Mika
p.s i have voted for changes
that only 24% of the eligible voters have participated at all...
then, my dear albanian pro-independence-supporters on B92..., then that shows how little of the "overwhelming majority" in Kosovo actually believes in your greater albanian illusions!
and...especially if we take into account the many K-albanian citizens of the Republic of Serbia, which are travelling to Niš almost on a daily basis ...in order to get serbian documents...
Hi there, guys why don’t you deal with internal issues within Serbia, economy, social welfare, underground mafia and so on instead. Kosovo is not an issue for Serbia anymore.
Kosovo had free and fair election today and results tell that power is shifting without violence. The only place in the region that shifts the power without protests or burning governmental buildings is Kosovo.
And boycotting elections from Serbs it only causes problems to them especially in a local level, the majority will move on with or without them.
All I can say is good luck with Russians and think of progress please. Your progress is regional progress, too.
As a fan of Putin you start to show your real colors. It is your right to like "democratic" Putin but most Dutch think differently from you. Are you really Dutch ?
The elections were one of the best elections held in the South Eastern Europe, and this is not just a joke but this was said by many western observers and high officials.
Want to know who the winner is? HASHIM THACI, the former KLA Director. The nightmare of Kostunica and his alikes.
congratulations to all of the proud (and brave) voters in kosovo/a. you guys (and gals) are doing a great job. as for our last election (san francisco), it drew something less than 40% and i know that for a fact since i worked at one of the polls. and regarding the few serb voters, a special congratulations is in order -- you have stood up to your real enemy and i think you all know who i am refering to.
they can have their putin Or bush for that matter_ -- but i will continue to push for democratic values and can't wait for the upcoming declaration of independence. internationally, we are counting down the days.
Elections are good, generally. But not enough for something called 'democracy', and for sure not enough for inter-ethnic reconciliation.
However, the K. Serbian boycott reminds me about the K. Albanian similar attitude, before 1999, toward Belgrade' initiated activities (elections, census etc.)
Sadly, it seems both sides are caught in a vicious circle - nobody seems to want to break it, everybody wants simply to dominate the other side. And I am not talking only about politicians, but also about common people attitude.
Well, the Serbs didn't manage to control Kosovo, before 1999. And K. Albanians already proved that they cannot control the Northern part of Kosovo (this I have seen with my own eyes, while working in the province for the last three years...) What will be next? Probably something similar to the Turkish-Greek relationship. Or, as one character of 'Casablanca' says, 'this [elections] may be the beginning of a beautiful friendship'...
Waiting for December 10 (out of simple curiosity...), best from Bucharest,
Jovan:
"that shows how little of the "overwhelming majority" in Kosovo actually believes in your greater albanian illusions!"
Don't forget that 'Self-Determnation' also called for a boycott.
Voters expressing dissatisfaction in their politicians is a normal thing in many countries. A grea many of the post-socialist east European countries experienced very low voter turnouts, many still do. Try to remember cases when Serbia had so many election re-runs because they couldn't reach 50 percent voter turnout.
To know Albanian support for independence you would need a referendum, not an election. The last referendum gave independence about 99.999%
the voter turnout was 45% because young people support Albin Kurti selfdetermination supporters boycotted the vote as well!!!selfdetermination is their right,only Kosovars can decide for their future!!!
"they voted for a criminal who is a terrorist and hates Serbs."
Thaci does not hate Serbs - March 2004:
"I came home immediately to help end the violence. I spent the next few days
going out in Kosova, asking Albanians to get off the streets and go to their
homes and reassuring Serbs that it was safe to return to theirs.
"I absolutely condemn the violence. It was wrong and has brought us down in the
eyes of the world and allowed them to accuse us of being oppressors. Any Kosovar
who believes this is the route to independence is wrong."
"I understand the fear that the Serbs have of us. Fear heightens ethnic divisions
and distrust. There has been little ethnic integration. Everyone should own up
to their responsibility for this. Albanians must take some of the blame"
"We have seen
how hatred and division destroy us and we must work together - literally.
Albanians will help to rebuild the Serb homes and churches that were destroyed
and so begin to rebuild a divided country. The Kosova government has already
dedicated 5 million euro for that purpose."
The rest is pretty good as well:
http://www.iwpr.net/?p=bcr&s=f&o=157671&apc_state=henibcr2004
Don't rely on what Serb sources say about the guy. Sure he's no saint, but in our real balkan world of sinners, he's far from being one of the worst as painted.
The West has already decided what will be and who will represent Kosovo. All the jibber-jabber with the posters here is foolish and a waste of time. Neither Serbs nor Albanians have any say in the future of Kosovo.
Why do you have such a hard time to accept reality, the fact that not every pro-Albanian is an Albanian? You seem to be the only one by now who still label me as Albanian. I am American with no Albanian connection. But if you insist I repeat here for you the paraphrased saying of John F. Kennedy. In Berlin he once stated out of solidarity "Ich bin a Berliner". So I would tell you "I AM AN ALBANIAN".
Clean Cut,
You make me laugh. Serbs being safe and able to vote in Kosovo? Are you serious, they have to be protected and escorted by the army. What kind of live is that. And yet again Kosovars have proven then they cannot be a country. For gods sake they voted for a criminal who is a terrorist and hates Serbs. Ridiculous!
1. To gain seats in the parliament You will need 5% of the votes, the results will be very interesting.
2. Last elections in 2004 the big issue all political entities and parties went to elections on was the independence question. This question is still not solved, 3 years later. I would be surprised if the voting turnout will be higher this time, in 2004 it was a bit over 50%.
3. No matter what, the municipality elections is the most important one for future economical development that Kosovo Metohija/Kosova really needs.
please don´t do that... don´t continue those attempts of misleading and manipulating the readers...
the K-serbs belong to Kosovo, since Kosovo is Serbia. so, what you are writing makes no sense whatsoever.
the boycott of that particular vote is only a reasonable act of protest.
so, trying to present it as any kind of obstruction is simply and compulsorily looking quite ridiculous...
if you voted for a change...does that mean you voted for those albanian parties that are not for the illegal theft of serbian property, for the destruction of serbian cultural heritage ( in the serbian province of KiM ), for peace and co-existence of Albanians and Serbs and other non-albanians?
Just because Ramush Haradinaj is prematurely claiming victory doesn't mean anything! Look at the US & their declaration of independence - they only claimed independence. The US & every other nation is never truly independant due to their need on other nations for what they cannot produce.
This means nothing - particularly since he's still pending trial at the Hague.
According to serveral news sources the PDK party of hasim thaci has claimed victory. he said if he is prime minster then he will declare independence. Now he has spoken and both Serb and Albanian leaders respect Mr Thaci unlke Fatimr Sejeiu and Agim Ceku. He said Dec 10th the bells will be ringing in pristina. now if the albanian political system try to screw over Hasim then there will be hell to pay so i don't think they will be any double cross from AAK or LDK.
If the Albanian ethnic cleansing and pure disregard for minority rights aren't enough. Look at the numbers of registered Albanians. 1.5 million out of 2.1 million? Either they stopped having babies or they have registered five year olds or the dead in mass. It looks like vote fraud to me. Of course, that would also explain the low turnout. Perhaps the EP Observers did their job. If so, Bravo!
Too bad their counterpart UNMIK has thus far even taken their job serious, since the lack of minority voter turnout is a direct reflection on them. It also reflects on the majority in Kosovo and the KLA Leadership in Pristina.
Because when Bush vetoes a decision where the vast majority vote in favor of withdrawing troops from Iraq and Afghanistan, it really depends on the individual to decide on which side is right and which not.
Why do all Albanians automatically assume that just because somebody from a country that supports Kosovo independence is against their perspective that they are not in fact from that country? Is Ron not allowed to have his own opinion as a Dutchman? Am I not allowed to have my opinion as a Pole? Is kate not allowed to have her decision as an Englishwoman? We don't come off a conveyor belt, you know, we are all different!
So what, if we are to read about Albanians criminals and terrorists, are we to assume you are all so? If you are not on of the above, then are you a real Albanian? Get real!
your eagerness to present the Albanians or what they do as something good... "one of the best in europe"...is just funny.
DimTuc, yeah, former "referendums" were showing a 99% support for independence. you are right on that!
but times have changed, at that time they voted for independence because they believed their "leaders" to give them what they were promising...
but the average Albanian is not that stupid as Taci, Ceku, and other US-puppets thing they are.
many Albanians have already been in central Serbia and have new serbian passports and ID´s. they don´t talk about it yet, because of fanatics...but the tendency is clearly visible.
and I would say, the number of those who boycotted this vote because of their lack of trust in those socalled "hero´s" is significantly higher than because of those fanatics you
are mentioning.
we will see what future brings. I am confident, since even the Albanians seem to realize that their fanatics are bringing them no improvement.
I would like to say that B92 has been once more censoring my comment.
unfortunately they do it without explantations.
but I think that a careful reader will see where they cut out text passages or some words.
all in all, I do not expect that much of a western-funded news-site... since they even shot cruise missiles at the serbian state-tv-broadcasting-station while at the same time having freedom of speech and information "rooted" in their constitutions...
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