Albania president: Independent Kosovo good for peace

Dane,

You are very wrong about no analogy of Kosovo and Srpska. There is much analogy,and that is the thing that EU fears. It may cause chain reaction. As for the Presevo Valley you are right there is no any analogy with Kosovo or Srpska and thus will stay as it is. However, Albanians from Presevo are free to join you Albanians in Kosovo or Albania (choice is to be thier).This is only the case if they do not want o live in Serbia. Northern Kosovo will naturally gain its independence since there are no Albanians and have no control over that part. That part is higly controled by Belgrade. Sorry, but lets see where all these is leading us

Serbia says the independence of North Kosovo and of Republika Srpska is good for peace as well.

since Kosovo is a serbian province, an integral part of Serbian territory, this man has no say on the issue.
fullstop.

to Princip,
it is dubious to talk with prejudices, especially on behalf of a state president name... Albania is not tutor of all Albanians like Serbia is tutor of all Serbs... Macedonia Albanians has stated clearly that
Kosovo independence is fine for them and that they will require review of the borders depending on the acts of Kosovo Serbs. They couldn't say it more clearly!

to bmrusila,
is Serbia saying so or they are pushing the others to say it?! If so, what with Presevo valley Albanians???
Finally, Republika Srpska is separate issue from Kosovo independence and I'm irritated from double standards of Serbia. When Serbia would like to have this connection and comparison than Kosovo had to be topic of Dayton that time, sorry...

The Albanian President could demonstrate his personal commitment to peace in the region by unilaterally returning Skadar to Serbia and Northern Epirus to Greece.

He could also offer to accomodate the immediate repatriation of all Albanians that are illegal aliens in neighbouring countries.

And I guess folllowing on from that he would suggest the same for the Western regions of FYR Makedonia !

Macedonian's consider "FYR Makedonia" an insult.
(KS, 26 November 2007 21:40)

former yugoSLAV republic of macedonia...

macedonians are a slavic people... nothing to do with ancient greek macedonians... just like albanians have nothing to do with illyrians.

Rade, Albania and Albanians have walked the Balkans long before the Slavs knew what the Balkans were. As for our beloved Greeks, well they might want to speak for themselves or perhaps Constantine could rule in their favour.

"Macedonian's consider "FYR Makedonia" an insult.
(KS, 26 November 2007 21:40)"

KS...since when do YOU care about things like that??? =)

An independent Kosovo would contribute to WAR, fact and period. Time will tell and I will be the first one to "I told you so" but I hope it never comes to that.

Macedonian's consider "FYR Makedonia" an insult.

Bamir Topi is decent figure of moderation in the Balkans. Good on him speaking out for our brethren across the border. The relations between our two states will an example of excellence in neighbourly rapports.

No independece. 1244 THE END

Albania's President's comments show it all - Greater Albania, a historic Albanian goal. That's what's really annoying about the whole thing. Albania was the base for UCK camps, and a source of smuggled weapons for the separatists in Serbia, prior to NATO intervention.
I think that once Tirana recognizes independent Kosovo, Serbia should without hesitation break relations with Albania.

Robert, albanians may have been roaming the Balkins before Slavs, but thats all they were doing, ROAMING....Its a fact that there was no albanian functioning society. Slavs are the ones that developed Kosovo and made it into a civilized society, all the albanians did was reap the benefits and piggy back of Slavs (Serbs) CCCC Kosovo isnt going anywhere

This figure head needs to keep his thoughts inside his own borders as KosovO is Serbian land. He can't even keep the electricity on for a country that ISN'T under the "watchful eye(s)" of NATO/UNMIK, etc, etc...

Please - using Jovan's words - "fullstop"!!

Robert, just so you don’t feel left out; here’s a response.

1. Albania and Albanians have walked the Balkans long before the Slavs knew what the Balkans were.

Are you positive? In any case, does this mean that they now don’t have to respect internationally recognised borders or comply with visa regimes? Yeah, Hitler thought his Germany had a historically based right to ‘walk through’ Europe as well. No borders, no visas, lots of aggression and land grabs. And he was just as right as you are!

2. As for our beloved Greeks, well they might want to speak for themselves or perhaps Constantine could rule in their favour.

Are you Albanian? Or are you just their spokesperson? Oh, I get it; the ‘historical’ thing again! Albanians have historically relied on outsiders to fight their battles for them.

Well, every occupier eventually leaves. The Turks came and went. The Nazis came and went. The current occupiers will leave Kosovo and Metohija as well.

The Serbs will, as always, endure.

Canadian, Kosovo independence will not result in a war, unless it is the unilateral doing of Serbia, in which case I will agree with you!

There is a "real" leader, President of Greece, the country.

"The two presidents, who have little real power, strove to patch up relations strained two years ago when Papoulias cut short a visit to Albania after protesters gathered outside his hotel."

They say:"if you cant stand the heat, stay out of the kitchen".

As for Princip (Kate,Pegy etc.) and bmrusila, its hard to find two more biased persons on this blog, wouldnt you agree Jovan?

"As for Princip (Kate,Pegy etc.) and bmrusila, its hard to find two more biased persons on this blog, wouldnt you agree Jovan?
(lazer, 27 November 2007 02:11)"

I wouldn´t necessarily say so. in a certain way we, all of us, Serbs and Albanians from Kosovo are biased.

the matter ( at least for me ) is whether international law is respected ( what also incluedes guarantees for the albanian minority in Serbia, or how some of your fellow-dudes call it the "majority" within Kosovo )
and the territorial integrity of the republic of Serbia is not questioned.

every other issue should be a subject to..., just something to be agreed on by both sides. that would be a truly democratic solution.

I personally find it very tasteless to see some old man from finnland telling us what should be best for our country.

it should be the same with you ( K-Albanians in general ), but unfortunately the fanatics within the albanian society in Kosovo are still strong enough to put all those on fear who do not share that fascist-ideology. and those fanatics would rather love to be second-class citizens in a supervised so-called "independent state" than to be a really autonomous part of Serbia.

I know you meant it ironic. but I am answering quite seriously: as long as they support the right side, the side of law, democracy and mutually accepted outcomes I won´t call them biased in the way you want to read it.

to all: since Lazer is STILL the only Albanian who openly condemned the brutal beating of a 76 ( or was it 74? don´t remember ) year old serbian woman in Priština, I ask others to do that too.

isn´t it a shame that others here do not have the greatness to express their sympathy for victims of the "other" side?

Dane,
Actually you're wrong...
Kosovo has only been defined as an autonomous region (of Srbija obviously) since the 1974 constitution... do some reading before you comment bud..

to bmrusila,

analogy between RS and Kosovo can be seen only from serbian point of view, as for all the rest of the world there is no analogy. RS is created by bloody war by Serbia during 1992-1995 and Kosovo was constitutional part of SFRJ since 1945, although without its will.
What about analogy between RS and northern Kosovo!? It seems Serbia wants both of them not stopping to accuse the others for intentions to create 'big national states'!!!
If you want to talk about analogy there is perfect analogy between northern part of Kosovo and Preshevo valley. But, only to remind you - Preshevo valley Albanians won't rise their national issue and determination unless K-Serbs don't act.

Rade, you have gone beyond the core of my statement. The Fuhrer and his consolidation of power has nothing to do with Albania. The Renaissance of Albania post 1991 is however eveidence enough to Albania's stance on foreign policy. Am I an Albanian? My grandfather used to tell me of the battles of Catherine the Great of Illyria, whom saw no fear on what Rome had become. Imagine what would the Kings have given for Illyria. The battle of 10th July 48 BC on the Bay of Durres was between Rome and Illyria not between Pompey and Gaius Caesar. Yes we were rubbed of our history. The emergence of both Byzantine and Ottoman Empire suppressed the history, culture and economy. The main sources of a state. In spite of this we lost no language, culture or kneeled to others for help. Outsider's help? Isn't the help from Russia an outsider's help? Oh and to put it bluntly, I am an Albanian.

Obilic, you cannot lecture me on the structure of society or its ingredients. When Tito spoke of a Yugoslavia with core socialist ideals in Warsaw Treaties, Albania had a first hand experience but without the spin of pretence. The Serbs owe everything to Tito and his way of governing and above all his friendship with Churchill and consequently the Marshal Plan. In the end emotions get the better of us or perhaps shiere ignorance.

"just like albanians have nothing to do with illyrians"
Vujadin every history book apart maybe serbian one's tell you otherwise. Please wake up serbs; you are not an important country.

Robert, Serbs owe nothing to Tito. It is the albanians that gained the most from Tito. Tito hoped to weaken the Serb state which is one of the main reasons why Kosovo Serbs are living the way they are. in my opinion, Serbs would have been greatly better off had the allies sided with Mihajlovic and the crown restored. . like the saying goes "sloboda ili smrt za kralj i otacdbinu", Tito did nothing but weaken the Serb state.
But none the less....albanians cannot take Kosovo away because they might have been the original people to set foot on Kosovo. If thats the case, American Indians should take over America, and Texas should be given back to Mexico and most of the soutwest U.S. The fact remains there is no proof of albanian society in Kosovo, but there are plenty of Serbian relics to show that we (Serbs) had a functioning society. Kosovo & Metohija is rightfully Serbian land, albanians just happen to be dwelling in it. CCCC

Alex,

probably you had to live in ex-Yu and knew its constitutional arrangement, Kosovo had double position in SFRJ. You see how important is a name and why K-Albanians doesn't want any tie with Serbia any more. They don't want to leave space for the interpretations based on a mood of Serbia...
Good luck Kosovo on your own way...

Jovan,
I truly agree with you. Everyone here should show simpathy for that poor Serbian women. I actually call on all the posters to do just that, here on this b92 blog.
We, also should show simpathy for all the innocent victims and injustice committed to either side, Serb or Albanian.
We should mention the Albanian refugees (1 million) during the war, but also Serbian refugees that had to leave Kosova/o during the purge after the war and 2004.
I, had a neighbour, long time ago who actually was born to an Albanian father and Serbian mother, who now lives in some cottage around Kraljevo and can not go back.
He was in JNA as a colonel.
I am 100% sure that he personaly did NOT harm any Albanians. We grew up in a same building.
One more thing, if anyone knows the address of that old Serbian women I will personally send her help!!!
If anyone has it, please post it here on this blog.
Thanx

sorry, Lazer I didn´t see this, since it is an older one...and I usually do not look back to older articles...

I certainly did not ignore it deliberately.

what´s your question?
if I can answer it, I will do so of course.

by the way, I do have sympathy with all the poeple suffering in Kosovo, no matter which ethnicity they are.

to be honest, at first I was not that neutral, since the western camera´s abused them by showing them how they are crying and sitting on busses or other vehicles. and they were only showing the albanian refugees, unfortunately.
and we all know that in every aremd conflict there are poor poeple trying to escape the violence.
but after some time I realized that they are simply victims of extremists on both sides, and since they returned I hope they could adjust their lives again to some level of normality as much as it is possible.

perhaps the B92-guys could find out the woman´s adress, since she was subject of all those articles about her. I didn´t write down her name, but B92 should be capable of help.

regards,
J.

I have read it, Lazer, but I don´t see a question???

anyway, I think we both agree that human suffering is more than dispensable, it´s just been enough of hate, violence and fear.

that´s why I call for the rule of law, not only serbian law, but also international law.

I still cannot understand why the Albanians can´t understand that Serbia is not planning to suppress the Albanians ( it is a completely different political scenery and new political leaders with a clear vision of a european Serbia within the EU )

and futhermore if that stupid trouble about borders were not there, WE all would be much nearer to the point of entry into the EU, I am convinced of that.

to Princip,
it is dubious to talk with prejudices, especially on behalf of a state president name... Albania is not tutor of all Albanians like Serbia is tutor of all Serbs... Macedonia Albanians has stated clearly that
Kosovo independence is fine for them and that they will require review of the borders depending on the acts of Kosovo Serbs. They couldn't say it more clearly!

to bmrusila,
is Serbia saying so or they are pushing the others to say it?! If so, what with Presevo valley Albanians???
Finally, Republika Srpska is separate issue from Kosovo independence and I'm irritated from double standards of Serbia. When Serbia would like to have this connection and comparison than Kosovo had to be topic of Dayton that time, sorry...

Rade, Albania and Albanians have walked the Balkans long before the Slavs knew what the Balkans were. As for our beloved Greeks, well they might want to speak for themselves or perhaps Constantine could rule in their favour.

Serbia says the independence of North Kosovo and of Republika Srpska is good for peace as well.

The Albanian President could demonstrate his personal commitment to peace in the region by unilaterally returning Skadar to Serbia and Northern Epirus to Greece.

He could also offer to accomodate the immediate repatriation of all Albanians that are illegal aliens in neighbouring countries.

Canadian, Kosovo independence will not result in a war, unless it is the unilateral doing of Serbia, in which case I will agree with you!

Macedonian's consider "FYR Makedonia" an insult.
(KS, 26 November 2007 21:40)

former yugoSLAV republic of macedonia...

macedonians are a slavic people... nothing to do with ancient greek macedonians... just like albanians have nothing to do with illyrians.

And I guess folllowing on from that he would suggest the same for the Western regions of FYR Makedonia !

Macedonian's consider "FYR Makedonia" an insult.

Bamir Topi is decent figure of moderation in the Balkans. Good on him speaking out for our brethren across the border. The relations between our two states will an example of excellence in neighbourly rapports.

No independece. 1244 THE END

Dane,

You are very wrong about no analogy of Kosovo and Srpska. There is much analogy,and that is the thing that EU fears. It may cause chain reaction. As for the Presevo Valley you are right there is no any analogy with Kosovo or Srpska and thus will stay as it is. However, Albanians from Presevo are free to join you Albanians in Kosovo or Albania (choice is to be thier).This is only the case if they do not want o live in Serbia. Northern Kosovo will naturally gain its independence since there are no Albanians and have no control over that part. That part is higly controled by Belgrade. Sorry, but lets see where all these is leading us

since Kosovo is a serbian province, an integral part of Serbian territory, this man has no say on the issue.
fullstop.

"Macedonian's consider "FYR Makedonia" an insult.
(KS, 26 November 2007 21:40)"

KS...since when do YOU care about things like that??? =)

An independent Kosovo would contribute to WAR, fact and period. Time will tell and I will be the first one to "I told you so" but I hope it never comes to that.

This figure head needs to keep his thoughts inside his own borders as KosovO is Serbian land. He can't even keep the electricity on for a country that ISN'T under the "watchful eye(s)" of NATO/UNMIK, etc, etc...

Please - using Jovan's words - "fullstop"!!

There is a "real" leader, President of Greece, the country.

"The two presidents, who have little real power, strove to patch up relations strained two years ago when Papoulias cut short a visit to Albania after protesters gathered outside his hotel."

They say:"if you cant stand the heat, stay out of the kitchen".

As for Princip (Kate,Pegy etc.) and bmrusila, its hard to find two more biased persons on this blog, wouldnt you agree Jovan?

"just like albanians have nothing to do with illyrians"
Vujadin every history book apart maybe serbian one's tell you otherwise. Please wake up serbs; you are not an important country.

to bmrusila,

analogy between RS and Kosovo can be seen only from serbian point of view, as for all the rest of the world there is no analogy. RS is created by bloody war by Serbia during 1992-1995 and Kosovo was constitutional part of SFRJ since 1945, although without its will.
What about analogy between RS and northern Kosovo!? It seems Serbia wants both of them not stopping to accuse the others for intentions to create 'big national states'!!!
If you want to talk about analogy there is perfect analogy between northern part of Kosovo and Preshevo valley. But, only to remind you - Preshevo valley Albanians won't rise their national issue and determination unless K-Serbs don't act.

Rade, you have gone beyond the core of my statement. The Fuhrer and his consolidation of power has nothing to do with Albania. The Renaissance of Albania post 1991 is however eveidence enough to Albania's stance on foreign policy. Am I an Albanian? My grandfather used to tell me of the battles of Catherine the Great of Illyria, whom saw no fear on what Rome had become. Imagine what would the Kings have given for Illyria. The battle of 10th July 48 BC on the Bay of Durres was between Rome and Illyria not between Pompey and Gaius Caesar. Yes we were rubbed of our history. The emergence of both Byzantine and Ottoman Empire suppressed the history, culture and economy. The main sources of a state. In spite of this we lost no language, culture or kneeled to others for help. Outsider's help? Isn't the help from Russia an outsider's help? Oh and to put it bluntly, I am an Albanian.

Obilic, you cannot lecture me on the structure of society or its ingredients. When Tito spoke of a Yugoslavia with core socialist ideals in Warsaw Treaties, Albania had a first hand experience but without the spin of pretence. The Serbs owe everything to Tito and his way of governing and above all his friendship with Churchill and consequently the Marshal Plan. In the end emotions get the better of us or perhaps shiere ignorance.

Alex,

probably you had to live in ex-Yu and knew its constitutional arrangement, Kosovo had double position in SFRJ. You see how important is a name and why K-Albanians doesn't want any tie with Serbia any more. They don't want to leave space for the interpretations based on a mood of Serbia...
Good luck Kosovo on your own way...

"As for Princip (Kate,Pegy etc.) and bmrusila, its hard to find two more biased persons on this blog, wouldnt you agree Jovan?
(lazer, 27 November 2007 02:11)"

I wouldn´t necessarily say so. in a certain way we, all of us, Serbs and Albanians from Kosovo are biased.

the matter ( at least for me ) is whether international law is respected ( what also incluedes guarantees for the albanian minority in Serbia, or how some of your fellow-dudes call it the "majority" within Kosovo )
and the territorial integrity of the republic of Serbia is not questioned.

every other issue should be a subject to..., just something to be agreed on by both sides. that would be a truly democratic solution.

I personally find it very tasteless to see some old man from finnland telling us what should be best for our country.

it should be the same with you ( K-Albanians in general ), but unfortunately the fanatics within the albanian society in Kosovo are still strong enough to put all those on fear who do not share that fascist-ideology. and those fanatics would rather love to be second-class citizens in a supervised so-called "independent state" than to be a really autonomous part of Serbia.

I know you meant it ironic. but I am answering quite seriously: as long as they support the right side, the side of law, democracy and mutually accepted outcomes I won´t call them biased in the way you want to read it.

to all: since Lazer is STILL the only Albanian who openly condemned the brutal beating of a 76 ( or was it 74? don´t remember ) year old serbian woman in Priština, I ask others to do that too.

isn´t it a shame that others here do not have the greatness to express their sympathy for victims of the "other" side?

Albania's President's comments show it all - Greater Albania, a historic Albanian goal. That's what's really annoying about the whole thing. Albania was the base for UCK camps, and a source of smuggled weapons for the separatists in Serbia, prior to NATO intervention.
I think that once Tirana recognizes independent Kosovo, Serbia should without hesitation break relations with Albania.

Robert, just so you don’t feel left out; here’s a response.

1. Albania and Albanians have walked the Balkans long before the Slavs knew what the Balkans were.

Are you positive? In any case, does this mean that they now don’t have to respect internationally recognised borders or comply with visa regimes? Yeah, Hitler thought his Germany had a historically based right to ‘walk through’ Europe as well. No borders, no visas, lots of aggression and land grabs. And he was just as right as you are!

2. As for our beloved Greeks, well they might want to speak for themselves or perhaps Constantine could rule in their favour.

Are you Albanian? Or are you just their spokesperson? Oh, I get it; the ‘historical’ thing again! Albanians have historically relied on outsiders to fight their battles for them.

Well, every occupier eventually leaves. The Turks came and went. The Nazis came and went. The current occupiers will leave Kosovo and Metohija as well.

The Serbs will, as always, endure.

Robert, albanians may have been roaming the Balkins before Slavs, but thats all they were doing, ROAMING....Its a fact that there was no albanian functioning society. Slavs are the ones that developed Kosovo and made it into a civilized society, all the albanians did was reap the benefits and piggy back of Slavs (Serbs) CCCC Kosovo isnt going anywhere

Dane,
Actually you're wrong...
Kosovo has only been defined as an autonomous region (of Srbija obviously) since the 1974 constitution... do some reading before you comment bud..

Robert, Serbs owe nothing to Tito. It is the albanians that gained the most from Tito. Tito hoped to weaken the Serb state which is one of the main reasons why Kosovo Serbs are living the way they are. in my opinion, Serbs would have been greatly better off had the allies sided with Mihajlovic and the crown restored. . like the saying goes "sloboda ili smrt za kralj i otacdbinu", Tito did nothing but weaken the Serb state.
But none the less....albanians cannot take Kosovo away because they might have been the original people to set foot on Kosovo. If thats the case, American Indians should take over America, and Texas should be given back to Mexico and most of the soutwest U.S. The fact remains there is no proof of albanian society in Kosovo, but there are plenty of Serbian relics to show that we (Serbs) had a functioning society. Kosovo & Metohija is rightfully Serbian land, albanians just happen to be dwelling in it. CCCC

Jovan,
I truly agree with you. Everyone here should show simpathy for that poor Serbian women. I actually call on all the posters to do just that, here on this b92 blog.
We, also should show simpathy for all the innocent victims and injustice committed to either side, Serb or Albanian.
We should mention the Albanian refugees (1 million) during the war, but also Serbian refugees that had to leave Kosova/o during the purge after the war and 2004.
I, had a neighbour, long time ago who actually was born to an Albanian father and Serbian mother, who now lives in some cottage around Kraljevo and can not go back.
He was in JNA as a colonel.
I am 100% sure that he personaly did NOT harm any Albanians. We grew up in a same building.
One more thing, if anyone knows the address of that old Serbian women I will personally send her help!!!
If anyone has it, please post it here on this blog.
Thanx

sorry, Lazer I didn´t see this, since it is an older one...and I usually do not look back to older articles...

I certainly did not ignore it deliberately.

what´s your question?
if I can answer it, I will do so of course.

by the way, I do have sympathy with all the poeple suffering in Kosovo, no matter which ethnicity they are.

to be honest, at first I was not that neutral, since the western camera´s abused them by showing them how they are crying and sitting on busses or other vehicles. and they were only showing the albanian refugees, unfortunately.
and we all know that in every aremd conflict there are poor poeple trying to escape the violence.
but after some time I realized that they are simply victims of extremists on both sides, and since they returned I hope they could adjust their lives again to some level of normality as much as it is possible.

perhaps the B92-guys could find out the woman´s adress, since she was subject of all those articles about her. I didn´t write down her name, but B92 should be capable of help.

regards,
J.

I have read it, Lazer, but I don´t see a question???

anyway, I think we both agree that human suffering is more than dispensable, it´s just been enough of hate, violence and fear.

that´s why I call for the rule of law, not only serbian law, but also international law.

I still cannot understand why the Albanians can´t understand that Serbia is not planning to suppress the Albanians ( it is a completely different political scenery and new political leaders with a clear vision of a european Serbia within the EU )

and futhermore if that stupid trouble about borders were not there, WE all would be much nearer to the point of entry into the EU, I am convinced of that.