Slovakia: "Hard to imagine" recognizing Kosovo

I applaud PM Fico's statement. This should be a clear message to the EU - do it legally, or don't do it at all.

"I wonder how much power Slovakia wilds in EU."
(KS, 4 December 2007 16:23)

Considering that EU policy
is determined ONLY thru
unanimous consensus, the answer to your question KS, is that Slovakia wields (not wilds) as much power within the EU as every other member
state, including UK, France,
& Germany. Every EU member state can VETO.

I would also like to point out that USA is not an EU member state, which means that they have no vote at all
when it comes to deciding EU policy. So in this case, Slovakia wields infinitely
more power than the USA.

I just wanted to point that
out.

"Take Spain out and the rest of those countries are just Russian satellites within the EU. To say it better, they're Putin's implants in the EU. "

What a stupid and illinformed statement to make. So by your reasoning Ireland & Malta (who are 2 of the 7 supporting Serbia on Kosmet)are also Russian satellites.

If thats the best the K Albanian side can come up with Mr Jeremic can sleep easy.

"I would like to add that the Fico government coalition (it includes a virulantly nationalist, pathetically anti-minority, meaning ant-Hungarian party)is increasingly discriminatory versus its Hungarian minority, 10% of the country's population. The situation for the Hungarians in Southern-Slovakia starts to look the same as for the K-Albanians in the early nineties. It is logical that a country treating its minority this way stands up against the independence of Kosovo."
(Joe, 4 December 2007 18:20)


Joe,

Are you so enamoured with your racist "greater albania/dardania/kosova/
illyria propaganda(seriously how many names do you people have), that you can't see how ridiculous your previous statement is?

Over the past 8 years Albanians in kosovo have terrorized & murdered Serbs,Roma, Jews, Vlachs, Goranis,and all other non-albanians to such an extent, that 2/3 of them left their homes and belongings, and fled the province altogether (approx. 230,000 or 11% of Kosovo's total population)!
And you dare to accuse Slovakia of "Discrimination versus it's Hungarian Minority"???

You can't be serious.

EU will never agree on Kosovo and therefore never reach a common European stance on final status for Kosovo. Instead of insisting on independence the EU should take some of Belgrade's proposals into consideration and insist on finding the solution that would be acceptable for both sides and sustainable for long period until some standards take place in Kosovo. I thank Slovakia and its alike for understanding how dangerous Kosovo independence would be for entire Balkan region.

Of course he won't recognize it, because he knows that the Hungarian portion of Slovakia will separate next. It would be like Slovakia putting a gun to its head to recognize this illegal and immoral 'greater albania' project.

"Where to hell is Slovakia?
(Valdet, Vushtrri, 4 December 2007 15:16) "

Far above anything Kosovo could ever hope to be if it declared unilateral independence and sucks on financial goodwill of the West in order to keep it from imploding.

Note to the Albanian nationalists: you want to get INTO Europe, right? Try not to insult half the Continent on your way in.

"I wonder how much power Slovakia wilds in EU.
(KS, 4 December 2007 16:23) "

It wields enough power to stop an unilaterally declared independent Kosovo becoming a member.

"Where to hell is Slovakia?
(Valdet, Vushtrri, 4 December 2007 15:16) "

In the EU, where every member is a veto holder when it comes to the membership of a new country. This makes it equally powerful when compared to Germany or the UK when it comes to accepting another country to the EU. Kosovo Albanians should consider this now in order to perhaps execute their independence in a more constructive way rather than just declaring it and hoping that everyone else will recognize it, because as things stand, even Cyprus not recognizing it means Kosovo will have troubles later on getting into the EU.

"Czechoslovakia split in two different states and now is against Kosovo split from Serbia. "

Slovakia is not against the split of Serbia and Kosovo, it is against it being done illegally outside of the UNSC. Slovakia and Czech Republic split legally thanks to mutual agreement and the UNSC recognized them both.

"Slovakia's recognition is a secondary detail.

Next!
(Funcakes, 4 December 2007 14:40)"

Slovakia is a member of the EU and they have veto power, just as Russia has in the UNSC. Sure, they can't stop anyone from recognizing Kosovo, but no one can stop them from not recognizing it.

Rod

Joe doesn't know what he is talking about. Slovakia had to comply with the Copenhagen Criteria to make it into the EU, one of the articles (treaty No. 157) states that a country must respect the rights of its minorities.

femi

First of all, can you prove that? Secondly, Kosovo has one of the highest crime rates in Europe, with human, gun and narcotic trafficking a serious issue, how would you feel if people said that Kosovo is nothing but a crime hotbed?

Lenard

The "big boys" of the EU are not going to change relations with countries already in the EU over Kosovo, you'd be extremely naive if you thought so. Nobody did anything when France and the Netherlands refused to accept the EU referendum, nobody did anything when Poland challenged the voting system, what makes you think they will do anything if they don't recognize Kosovo?

EA

Slovakia might be a small country, but it is a country that is in the UN, NATO, EU, OECD and the WTO that is presenting a its perspective (which is its right), and you call them insignificant because they have a different opinion to other states in the EU? What if the US were against Kosovo independence, would you be calling them insignificant as well?

the US does not run the world, and now we have more countries seeing the light. Serbs offered the albanians too much with the autonomy plan. I say we give offer a plan that gives them less power, enough is enough!

Kosovo independence = Southern Slovakia Indepencence...

Of course. Kosovo independence will set a PRECEDENCE. And others will use it. Of course.

So say goodbye to Northern Sri Lanka, Tibet and Kurdistan...

'Kosovo' will destroy our international system.
Never ever will we be able to say: well, you were treated bad, but that does not alllow you to split of!

Opening Pandoras Box!

Go RS!!! Go Herzog Bosna!

you guys, when you talk about slovakia show a lot of respect. because, from where you stand, slovakia is a giant. look at all the things slovakia is that kosovo cannot be: a state. a un member state. an eu member state. a nato member state.
a civilized state: if i go to bratislava, which in fact i did last year, i can speak serbian and no one will attack and lynch me. if you went, you could speak albanian and, same result! isn't that just wonderful.
i dont know, as kosovo continues its existence in international limbo, one of the high reps for you guys might become a slovak. mishko for instance has a lot of balkans experience. so considering that one of kosovo's future rulers may easily be a slovak, go easy on the invective.

EA,

You missed the point of the article: Slovakia is against recognizing any unilateral declarations. What goes through legal channels is fair game, and something I also will recognize.

Still, the fact that you and others refer to Slovakia, a country that is

a) Internationally recognized
b) A full UN member
c) Part of the EU

as "irrelevant" shows the heights of Albanian nationalistic insanity, especially considering that Kosovo is

a) not even a country
b) will not be internationally recognized if a unilateral declaration is proclaimed
c) Will not have a UN seat.

So with all due respect, it is Pristina, not Bratislava, not Nicosia, and not Belgrade, that's keeping the international community hostage.

No offense to your own efforts at self determination, but unless a solution can be legally found and implemented, the stability of the international community is not worth jeopardizing over the larger irrelevancy of K-Albanian self-determination.
So please, enough with the "irrelevant" default whenever a country exhibits the slightest reservation about catering to your every wish and whim. It's the EU, not the US you're trying to get into. You might want to show a little more respect with your potential partners. Otherwise, Kosovo will be the red-headed stepchild no one wants to go near.

Where to hell is Slovakia?

Joe, comment #32

"You know very little about the Slovaks, about these slavic bothers of yours. Last year these little angels beat up badly an ethnic Hungarian girl, a student in Nitra because she was speking Hungarian on her cell phone. "

- for a US citizen you seem to be very much in touch with news about hungarians in other Sovereign European states. One would imagine that you add your anti-Slovak lies on their websites exactly like you do against Serbians.

Given your lead on this story I looked into and it surpises me that you continue the initial lie that Hedviga Malin made herself i.e. that she was attacked when she spoke Hungarian on her cell phone. However, even she suddenly recalled she was was actually speaking to other Hungarian speakers who were in a car and not on her phone when it was pointed out to her that no phone calls neither incoming or outgoing were made on the day in question!

Joe, spreading a lie about the Slovaks is just as unnacceptable as spreading lies against another nation to discredit their right to uphold International laws and we have all read many of your comments to know you have a perverted agenda to cause disharmony amongst the peoples of the region.

I add the link to the story last summer after the police who investigated the case
"which involved over 250 officers and 600 suspects, led the Slovak police on September 12 to a verdict that stunned the nation: It never happened"
http://www.spectator.sk/articles/view/24629

- I suggest others to read the article and consider what Joe says and vast canyon from his spin and the real truth on this story.

Joe it is clear that you wish to mislead and spread untruths against many nations in Europe and what your agenda is one can only wonder! It clearly is not about creating an environment for all the nations in Europe to live in harmony - maybe this is refelective of US imperialism that it fears a truly United Europe and you clearly do not wish that to be the case either - ironic really that the US is in many ways a microcosm of Europe even the world that they act in so many other regions of the world to stir up differences inline with the Roman adage of divide and conquer!

Slovakia will play its cards with big EU players to get some "milk" from the "Kosova Cow" and then will recognise Kosova's Independence probably even before than Cek Republic. Kosova's Independence is already a done thing and everyone knows it. It's a matter of weeks now. Behold.

So there we have the "European" solution ;

EUMIK under 1244 and Serbia's continued sovereignity over its province Kosovo & Metohija.

EU supervised autonomy - nothing more nothing less. Illegal declarations could be made but they will be ignored and nullified to keep the peace. In time Serbia's Albanian population in its province of Kosovo & Metohija will realise the benefits of remaining within Serbia as the EU bring the local judiciary and law enforcement and with it "european" human rights upto standard and many more ethnic-Albanians realise that those who told lies and peddled violence through succesionist terrorism were duped and now lack any credibility. Building a "European" future for all in Serbia (including its province) irrespective of ethnicity is the win-win solution that only the EU can bring. I guess we will see this "EUropean" solution come about through the compromise of the different positions in the EU who will obtain a unified position and solution in the many months ahead to plan how to take on the EUmik under continued respect of the valid UN resolution 1244. Of course the EUropean solution was never going to be anything other then respecting international laws.

Take Spain out and the rest of those countries are just Russian satellites within the EU. To say it better, they're Putin's implants in the EU.
If history is to repeat itself, siding with the West always leads to development and a better future. Going against it; lets just say that you might need an uprise to get rid of Russian troops from your country.

my dear albanian friends:

you can belittle Slovakia as much as you feel yourself forced to do so...

but Slovakia IS an internationlally recognized sovereign state, something you only can desperately dream of.

as long as they are inside the EU and against illegal acts, you can only sit in the corner and pray...

and what´s best: it´s not only Slovakia.

Niall, Ireland ruled out a recognition? that was real news for me, great, the Irish are proving to be real democrats with respect to legal principles...
they are right.

Let me clarify Ireland's position regarding Kosovo - Ireland (as usual) doesn't have a position. This gang of shysters we have in government here will look to see which way the wind is blowing and will follow the herd. The idea of a principled position is alien to them.
So, as an Irishman with a free mind I will call for two things:
1. Change of government in Ireland
2. For the mass of EU countries to oppose Kosovan independence

Joe wrote:
"You know very little about the Slovaks, about these slavic bothers of yours. Last year these little angels beat up badly an ethnic Hungarian girl, a student in Nitra because she was speking Hungarian on her cell phone."

If you try to follow up the story, you will find the following:

"[Interior Minister] Kalinák also said that while Malinová had originally claimed she was attacked because she was speaking Hungarian on her cell phone, her phone records had shown that "no calls were made to or from her phone number that day".

"In perhaps the most damning contradiction, investigators said that Malinová's DNA had been found on an envelope in which the culprits had allegedly mailed her stolen ID back to her, including on the seal and under the stamp - indicating she had sealed and posted the package herself."

"Malinová said she had licked the stamp in an attempt to fix it back on the envelope after the police had asked her to turn over the entire package."

It is very similar to a famous story of Canadian journalist, Ms. Durham, a Canadian Broadcasting Corporation television reporter. Ms. Durham had returned to Kosovo to do a follow-up piece on an 18-year-old girl who had joined the Kosovo Liberation Army after her young sister had been killed by Serbs. The girl's story had been part of a larger piece that aired on the CBC in January, to much critical praise. Yet as Durham stood in the doorway of the family's home in Skenderaj, the sister who was supposed to have been killed was standing there, alive and well.

http://www.converge.org.nz/pma/sdil.htm

It seems that some Hungarian elements apply Kosovo Albanian strategy. I know Joe that you hate all Slavs. Sometime ago you wrote that Poles ethnically removed a poor Germans from their land after WW II

Slovakia's recognition is a secondary detail.

Next!

How funny it is that Albanians act so hostile to Slovakia when they say things need to be done in a legal fashion.I have heard Albanians lie,twist the true and completely reverse any logic like Slovakia arming Serbia.Yugoslavia had Europes 4th largest army and Serbia inherited a majority of the heavy weapons so we did not need too much in Bosnia from Slovakia or the UK.I am sure some things were purchased but we had more than enough.Slovakia has a very good reason to oppose taking Kosovo-Metohija from Serbia even the countries in the EU that support independence know that it is immoral and illegal to take territory if both sides do not agree.Kosovo is going to set a precedent to serve US imperial interests the most in future land grabs this is a small part of the large puzzle.There is 0 chance for Kosovo under Albanian control to succeed without massive outside donation the EU does not want a new state that will be a welfare issue for generations to come so Albanians will start to fight over who will rule Kosovo.You will not take the north and Trepca.

I wonder how much power Slovakia wilds in EU.
(KS, 4 December 2007 16:23)

Slovakia has witnessed the illegal dismemberment of the Benes Government of Czechoslovakia by Hitler in 1938 who cited false claims that the German minority was being descriminated by the Czech Slavic majority.

England and France betrayed Czechoslavakia while Hitler forced Benes to sign capitulation and the dismemberment.

Slovakia was on the opposite side of the equation at that time, they fully supported Hitler along with Hungary.

Where to hell is Slovakia?
(Valdet, Vushtrri, 4 December 2007 15:16)

To: Valdet:
Where to hell is Kosovo?
(Although I was there in 2001 :-)))

Lets be serious now. I did not vote for Fico nor Slovak National Party. But, I can not see a reason why to recognize an unilateral declaration of independence for Kosovo (or any country in the 21st century). Especially, if the way to its independence is paved by terrorist acts and by blackmailing of international community. It has nothing to do with civilized way to solve conflicts.

I wonder how much power Slovakia wilds in EU.

Slovakia who?!!!

It is very unethical from Slovakia (hope I dis spell correct), that many hardly know it is an indipendant country to use Kosovos status to make them selves known to the world, to make us all know that country exists.
Russia is using the conflict, to try make the Worls think they are back as a superpower (and we all know that is NOT the case) so litle Slovakia is tryong to copy them, although in a different level.
Hand in heart, we all know that countries like Slovakia are listened to, but not taking in to consideration, as it is clear they will have to fall in line. This is abvious to Slavakia as well, but they want to be asked.
What a waste of time.
Personaly, I'm not bothered what Slovakia politicians say, and I don't know many that do that.
Very surprised someone took time to meet them when visiting Pristina, I guess they had nothing better to do?!!!

ToniUK,

Your assessment of little Slovakia is 100% correct. I would like to add that the Fico government coalition (it includes a virulantly nationalist, pathetically anti-minority, meaning ant-Hungarian party)is increasingly discriminatory versus its Hungarian minority, 10% of the country's population. The situation for the Hungarians in Southern-Slovakia starts to look the same as for the K-Albanians in the early nineties. It is logical that a country treating its minority this way stands up against the independence of Kosovo. But don't worry. They are too insignificant to make a difference. They will accept the reality few years later. In the mean time they will reach one goal: through their cheap PR a fraction of those many millions, who don't know that Slovakia exists or confound it with Slovenia will update their knowledge.

Joe wrote

Fico government coalition (it includes a virulantly nationalist, pathetically anti-minority, meaning ant-Hungarian party)is increasingly discriminatory versus its Hungarian minority, 10% of the country's population. The situation for the Hungarians in Southern-Slovakia starts to look the same as for the K-Albanians in the early nineties. It is logical that a country treating its minority this way stands up against the independence of Kosovo. But don't worry. They are too insignificant to make a difference. They will accept the reality few years later. In the mean time they will reach one goal: through their cheap PR a fraction of those many millions, who don't know that Slovakia exists or confound it with Slovenia will update their knowledge.
(Joe, 4 December 2007 18:20)

Tis all makes sense

Also Joe I have emphasized early that Slovakia and Russia were the countries who illegally were selling weapons to any part involved in the fighting the ex Jugoslavia. Both those countries were in breach on UN laws.

Slovakia illegally was sending heavy weapons to Bosnian Serbs in 1991-1195 conflict. You can think for what a country this is.

Oh my. It looks like some of those that count are starting to wake up to the reality of this illegal and destabilizing land grab. It's about time!

Now, only if the Albanians in Kosovo will wake up. Independence of Greater Albania isn't going to happen. In fact, Greater Albania is going to shrink because the EU countries are going to ship a bunch back from where they came, especially those in jail.

Slovakia - deep in history, upward moving, and a great place to visit!

Noel,

This is what the Irish Foreign Minister Dermot Ahearn said in Belgrade a couple of weeks back.

http://www.b92.net/eng/news/politics-article.php?yyyy=2007&mm=11&dd=09&nav_id=45258

Ahern said "it is important that the two sides find a compromise solution for Kosovo through dialogue, and that "this dialogue should not be constrained by deadlines."

There ya go, make of that as you will.

To: Arlinda
I am not sure if you are enough aware about the Slovak mentality and the state of the Hungarian minority in Slovakia to make such far-reaching conclusions ;-)
But, on the other hand, as someone who is working in field of history and international relations (and who has personal experience with Kosovo) I can tell, it is not hard to recognize that unilateral declaration of independent Kosovo would be a violation of international law and the independent Kosovo, during the time of "war against terrorism", would be the one and only state governed by former leader of terrorist group.
And believe me, it has nothing to do with Catholicism or Slavic mentality, solidarity, or whatever (by the way, I am atheist and I my gradmother was Hungarian :-)))

Slovakia became independent on 1993 after Czechoslovakia split in two different states and now is against Kosovo split from Serbia.
Is it hypocrisy or is Slovakia trying to create a center of attention in order to get some help from Russia as well while being member of EU.
Time will tell.
About how much their decision matters I don’t know but I don’t think Slovakia can stop others to recognize Kosovo. They can oppose future membership of other state in EU but ultimately this is not an insurmountable mission for a state to exist and develop.
Some countries are solicited to join EU and they refuse to be part of it.

Rod it may be true what you say but only independence occupies the top ten priorities in our list. We will worry about joining EU in near future, not now. If Slovakia doesn't recognize us, so be it, we have the strongest allies in the world backing us.

Mike,

Do you really think that an irrelevant country, and I really mean that keep hostage the Kosova issue? A stroppy behaviour doesn't help the real politics, it will backfire. Watch and see!

Louie,

I don't disagree with anything you've said to me. In fact, I find your thoughts encouraging. I'm not suggesting Albanians don't belong in Europe, or are all bad. That's foolish to think. Just as it's foolish to pass similar thoughts regarding Serbs, or anyone else.

What I'm saying is that Kosovo's road to independence - and I mean a stable, longlasting independence where the rights of all are guaranteed - takes much more than simply America's nod and approval to do whatever you want. The primary challenge is to get the 27-headed EU body on board, and right now, at least 7 states are hesitant to grant anything more than extremely supervised independence. Whether you like it or not, those 7 or so states (and I'm sure there are more than those) are keeping you from your promised land.

With that in mind, Albanians can do much to show not only Europe, but also the world, that an independent Kosovo is not the end product of a 100 year "tit for tat" battle with Serbia. Albanians can show that a history of violence and mistrust are forever gone and now is the time to start a new chapter in Serb-Albanian, and European-Albanian relations. With this in mind, when a state like Slovakia, or Cyprus, or Hungary, or Greece, or whoever shows misgivings for Kosovo's carte blanche independence, your job is to meet that debate, not brush it off. You can't expect to get independence by writing off every challenging country as "irrelevant", considering you're not even a state to begin with. You can't take a position of high judgement when the EU is going to determine your fate.

Therefore I agree with your call for a better understanding of other states. Simply brushing them off merely takes away your own attention and leaves you caught off guard when the final solution is given and is less than you might have expected - simply because you refused to listen to what you didn't want to hear.

Joe

It is quite obvious that you hold very nationalist views and that you have some sort of anti-Slavic views as well, even just by the way you talk of "Slovaks" as if all of them are the same, or them being "Slavic brothers". So because some professor was detained and some girl beaten up that makes Slovakia a facist nation hostile towards Hungarians? I guess that means that every time a group of English football hooligans, German and Russian skinheads or French nationalists attack some member of some minority group this also makes all of them a bunch of facists that hate the group that the victim is a part of? Not too long ago a German friend of mine had his tyres punctured at the Univeristy of Maastricht in the Netherlands, does that make the Dutch facists against Germans then? You really make little sense.

Lenard

Your view point on this matter is not very realistic. From what I gathered it is almost like you think that if these "smaller countries" don't adhere to the viewpoints of the "bigger countries" that the "bigger countries" will change their relations with the "smaller countries" due to their control over investments, banks, companies etc. because of differing viewpoints on something like Kosovo? I am sorry, but that is just not true. The "bigger countries" are benefiting from these new investment opportunities in the East and believe me, nobody is going to do anything drastic like you say over disagreement over Kosovo.

Kosovo will be a pet project for the EU. Integrate them but not integrate them ,member but not a member and no voting right. When they have the pet project just right they will apply that model on Cyprus ,Slovakia and all the little minnows of the EU. The big boys Britain , Germany , Italy etc will get tired of playing with the minnows and sharing power and equal votes. They already own those countries economy's business factories and resources they are just branch offices. If the minnows don't want toplay ball no food for them in the aquarium. I know its a little kras oenology but mark my words it will happen.Their have been much more worse things in the history of world.

Note to the Albanian nationalists: you want to get INTO Europe, right? Try not to insult half the Continent on your way in.
(Mike, 4 December 2007 19:14)

Dear Mike,I always liked your comments.I will respect your comments but I don't need to agree with you!

Albanians are in Europe!
They are divided in many countries!
We are not angels.We have a not so good reputation in Europe.But all Albanians are not bad!

At this times we are more emotional then before.We are going to have a second Albanian dominated country in Europe.
Serbia lost Kosovo in 1999!
Now we have to think about minorites in Kosovo and as far we have foreign troops in there,I think they will be safe!

Now back to Slovakia.I lived for a year and a half in Czech Republic.While Czech people consider themselves as "a Germans" compare to Slovakians,Slovakia has a right to say what they want.We(Albanians)shouldn't react to any news from Slovakia,we should start working very hard to tell to the rest of the Europe that K-Albanians are right to ask for an independence!

Louie, what your telling us is something we new for years. Albanians want a greater Albania. If nato, kfor army left Kosovo Serbs & non-Albanians would be driven out or liquidated. Your right about not being popular in Europe & also, suprise, America & Canada. & not all albanians are bad I work with one side by side everyday & he's a great person. His family from Kosovo too.

To Rod's comment number 21.

If you ever knew why Albanians don't want to stay in Kosovo is your comment which shows your total lack of remorse towards ALbanians and your exaggerated self victimization.

"I would like to add that the Fico government coalition (it includes a virulantly nationalist, pathetically anti-minority, meaning ant-Hungarian party)is increasingly discriminatory versus its Hungarian minority, 10% of the country's population. The situation for the Hungarians in Southern-Slovakia starts to look the same as for the K-Albanians in the early nineties. It is logical that a country treating its minority this way stands up against the independence of Kosovo."
(Joe, 4 December 2007 18:20)

To Joe:
what kind of newspaper do you read??? Have you ever been in Central Europe? Or, are you a member of Hungarian National Guard? ;-) You can not be serious...
(and I never voted for Fico, nor any party from his coalition)

Peter: sure they are working their way to a major crises and they don't want do anything for now. Until it is to late fore the small country's they are all indebted to them to their ying yangs. Until they hold all the cards finances banks and own every levers of power and control. Then they will rewrite the real rules ,laws regulations much later to their liking and beneficial advantage they don't want to panic them until it is just to late for them. All countries peoples empires threw out history have been and will be in the up coming future taking advantage of their neighbors because every body blindly believes and thinks they are #1 the rest are insignificant in their own eyes. Kosovo is only one piece of the power struggle that is being played out reformed and manipulated. In the new world order those that stand in the way will be crushed just like night follows the day. That is mine view point.

He hit the nail square on the head! 4C4LIFE!

“What a stupid and illinformed statement to make. So by your reasoning Ireland & Malta (who are 2 of the 7 supporting Serbia on Kosmet)are also Russian satellites.” (Niall O'Doherty, Ireland, 4 December 2007 18:32)

“Ireland has been a strong supporter of the Marti Ahtisaari proposal and we remain in favour of a final status outcome based on this proposal” (WILLIE O’DEA T.D., [Ireland’s] MINISTER FOR DEFENCE)

http://www.military.ie/dfhq/pubrel/addres/minister/minister21sep2007.pdf


Now, I am a little bit confused, whether Mr Willie O’Dea represents the Irish Government or the so-called Niall O’Doherty?

Kosovo must become independent NOW.

Jovan z: You made a statement. I have heard Albanians lie,twist the true and completely reverse any logic like Slovakia arming Serbia.Yugoslavia had Europe's 4th largest army and Serbia (inherited a majority of the heavy weapons )so we did not need too much in Bosnia from Slovakia or the UK.I am sure some things were purchased but we had more than enough. It is amazing how you Serbs inherit all the hard assets, billions of dollars that was in the federation accounts in Belgrade from all the Yugoslavia Republics. How about saying Serbia stole them, thats the real truth. Serbia says it is the successors to former Yugoslavia, why didn't Serbia take Yugoslavian international debt? Your statement applies more to Serbians then Albanians.

"Most of the EU countries have a bubble-air veto compared to the big guys...if UK or Germany wanted to get something done for instance, and Slovakia threatened a veto, I don't think we'd even see a Slovakia in the next world atlases.
(Funcakes, 5 December 2007 12:23) "

Sure Funcakes, the UK and Germany will just liquidate Slovakia if they veto Kosovo's independence.

If you looked a little into EU political history, you'd see enough vetos there that should render Europe a wasteland, if we go according to your logic.

So, as an Irishman with a free mind I will call for two things:
1. Change of government in Ireland
2. For the mass of EU countries to oppose Kosovan independence
(Tom O'Donoghue, 5 December 2007 13:19)

tom,
i'm not familiar w/the current political situation in your beautiful country so i can't offer you an informed opinion but as for your 2nd request, i'm afraid your going to be disappointed.

1st I would like Albanians to cooperate with Europe but deep inside I don't want us to join them. We are fine as we are. We are trying to be independent and we don't want any toher new dictator to usurp us. Europe is new, it is not consolidated we can't trust them to that degree. We better stay neighbours. What the point, when the majority of the population of EU will soon be Slavic? What will happen to us with them in 50 years let's say? I don't want to be in EU

I didn't know about Slovakia's issue with its minority, until a speech by a prof at the MUNK centre for international affairs at the University of Toronto. It is sad really, I have many Slovakian friends and I was appalled at their reaction. Haven't they learned from the split of Yugoslavia in the 90s? Why would they call themselves an englightened "EUROPEAN" country if they have these sort of unresolved shameful issues with minorities? To tell you the truth since I met my Slovakian friends I foud them funny and intelligent, well-read but somehow my intuition told me to be careful. Sometimes they are like Westerners with catholic values and logic, but mostly they have a pure Russian Slavic atttude. This last one is part of the Slavic ethnic identity way of living and it contradicts in values with western logic. I think it is because they were not influenced by the Catholic church like the rest of Europe.It is all about values.

smile,

You know very little about the Slovaks, about these slavic bothers of yours. Last year these little angels beat up badly an ethnic Hungarian girl, a student in Nitra because she was speking Hungarian on her cell phone.
The highest Slovak authorities, including Fico tried to cover up the whole story and stopped the police investigation. Later on they tried to come up with the most ridiculous explanations and wanted to prosecute both the victim and her defense lawers. Also last year the history professor and tourist guide of high school students from Hungary was draged out of the cathedral of Bratislava and detained at the central police station for 2 days + fined. The accusation: the Hungarians should have used a Slovak guide. When Chinese, Japanease, German, French or English groups use their own tourist guides this is naturelly not required. This is in an EU member country, what Peter defends with so much energy. Well it looks as in Peter's neighborhood the european mentality of tolerance is not yet so wide spread.

femi,
in the Kosovo war a large part of weapons to the Serbian specials on the Albanian border came guess where from? UK.yes

Louie, btw thanks for telling us the Serbian point of view in your own words to our Albanian friends here:-D

Mr. Fico, there is EU unity. You, Romania and Cyprus are left out.

Maybe you and your friends should reconsider EU membership and form an alliance with Serbia and Russia.

That makes a lovely family.

Mike,Delije,
before I get any more praises from "other" camp,I would like to make it clear that I am for independence of Kosovo!

I just wanted to tell to my fellow countrymen(Albanians)that we shouldn't react in case a EU country doesn't agree with our policy.
It is our job to convince them that minorities or non-Albanians in Kosovo have a future.This is the main problem and these days in Europe if you respect the rights of all citizens,then you will get somewhere!
This is our number one priority that we have to do,we have to show to the world that we can forgive and are peaceful nation!

Kosovo will be independent!

Kosovo has been used as a Pawn of big Powers,in this case we are happy that US is in our side!

Mike,
you said: Where is Slovakia? Far ahead anything Kosovo Albanians ever hope to be...

I have met many Slovakians in highschool and univ. in Canada, and I have surpassed them acacdemically. Actually, they tried to stick to me so they could copy my assignments. Bully Serbs trying to undermine us.

Being in the EU means accepting Eu's values and it seems that now all the dirty workings in Slovakia against their minority are coming up. They would come up sooner or later for, as an Albanian from my experience, I can say that no one can stand being treated like dirt. The fact that they try to undermine their Hungarian minority is not Albanians' fault, but their own. We don't owe Slovakia anything at all, being talked by Serbs they are making fools of themselves because everyone in Europe now will see how they treat their minority, Serb-style. What they don't understand is that they are beahving like Serbs when they lose it. Try to get the best of your neighbours not their worst qualities ever.

Rod,
you may be right, but don't forget who's the mama and papa of the EU.

need I remind you?

'Kosovo' will destroy our international system.
(Ron, 4 December 2007 19:12)

Maybe its time to "destroy" it,ron.Nothing is forever!

“I'm not suggesting Albanians don't belong in Europe, or are all bad”.
Hmm for someone that uses language very carefully that’s more than a Freudian slip.

Slovakia's recognition of Kosovo and Slovakia's veto are two different things.

Most of the EU countries have a bubble-air veto compared to the big guys...if UK or Germany wanted to get something done for instance, and Slovakia threatened a veto, I don't think we'd even see a Slovakia in the next world atlases.

Princip,

I am not surprised at all at your comment. I know that as a Serb you would never admit that your brothers in an other slavic country would ever attack a non-Slav. It is also predictable that you blindly accept the official explanation. "Slavic solidarity at work" regardless of the truth. I find this attitude very inmature and childish. The truth is that girl was bitten up badly and not by Marsians, not by Hungarians regardless to whom she spoke in Hungarians (I know all those details).
Princip for you every Albanian or Hungarian, who disagree with you is simply spreading lies. You try to justify your point by citing "reliable" sources like in good old soviet times when people referred to the "Pravda".
As being in touch with events around the world do you have a problem with it? It seems like. Sure it would be so convenient for you if US citizens would not know anything about Kosovo or anything going on in countries like Slovakia. By natural curiosity I check daily news on French, Germain, Hungarian and US sites.
And about that United Europe of yours: no the US has nothing to fear. As the UK treasury (finance) minister admitted a week ago the EU will never become a superpower. Because the structure of the EU it will never be possible. Sorry if I bust your bubble in this respect.

Princip,

It is highly deplorable that B92 supressed my measured response to you. This is not very democratic but not a surprise to me.

no wonder slovakia is a serbian ally

they won an award for discrimination
greece won last year

BBC news

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/7128433.stm

Final solution-Independence! No other alternative on table. Slovakia is trying to get some more from EU-that's all. Poor diplomacy! I will great with great pleasure the momentum when Kosova will declare it own Indenpendence and wish Canada to be the first to recognize it-however they have behind USA the worlds greatest democracy! Like it or not that's reality. In every place the foot of American soldier stepped on, the prosperity and democracy flourished!

No Peter, my logic is that a Slovakian "veto" is not really as powerful as a hopeful nationalist might think.

Kosovo is not an issue that directly effects Germany or UK, it's a foreign policy issue.

But let's say that Germany wanted to do something inside of Germany, but it would need EU permission to do it...and Slovakia says it will veto, then in that case.....a liquidation is not exactly that remote anymore.

And don't take things too literally, I'm just trying to state that a Slovakian veto means nothing compared to the big guys, and it certainly means nothing to the Albanians.

Kosovo Albanians won't be able to go to Slovakia? Oh no, what will they do with their life now!!

Come on, let's be honest.

"in the Kosovo war a large part of weapons to the Serbian specials on the Albanian border came guess where from? UK.yes"

Interesting, and I have few doubts about weapons being sold to both sides in a war, including a side the government is theoretically against. Remember how after the US had been bombing for amonth and a half, it was revealed that US oil tankers were arriving every day selling oil on to Serbia.

But out of interest, couldyou provide some concrete evidence of this?

Where to hell is Slovakia?

Slovakia will play its cards with big EU players to get some "milk" from the "Kosova Cow" and then will recognise Kosova's Independence probably even before than Cek Republic. Kosova's Independence is already a done thing and everyone knows it. It's a matter of weeks now. Behold.

Slovakia became independent on 1993 after Czechoslovakia split in two different states and now is against Kosovo split from Serbia.
Is it hypocrisy or is Slovakia trying to create a center of attention in order to get some help from Russia as well while being member of EU.
Time will tell.
About how much their decision matters I don’t know but I don’t think Slovakia can stop others to recognize Kosovo. They can oppose future membership of other state in EU but ultimately this is not an insurmountable mission for a state to exist and develop.
Some countries are solicited to join EU and they refuse to be part of it.

Slovakia who?!!!

It is very unethical from Slovakia (hope I dis spell correct), that many hardly know it is an indipendant country to use Kosovos status to make them selves known to the world, to make us all know that country exists.
Russia is using the conflict, to try make the Worls think they are back as a superpower (and we all know that is NOT the case) so litle Slovakia is tryong to copy them, although in a different level.
Hand in heart, we all know that countries like Slovakia are listened to, but not taking in to consideration, as it is clear they will have to fall in line. This is abvious to Slavakia as well, but they want to be asked.
What a waste of time.
Personaly, I'm not bothered what Slovakia politicians say, and I don't know many that do that.
Very surprised someone took time to meet them when visiting Pristina, I guess they had nothing better to do?!!!

Slovakia's recognition is a secondary detail.

Next!

ToniUK,

Your assessment of little Slovakia is 100% correct. I would like to add that the Fico government coalition (it includes a virulantly nationalist, pathetically anti-minority, meaning ant-Hungarian party)is increasingly discriminatory versus its Hungarian minority, 10% of the country's population. The situation for the Hungarians in Southern-Slovakia starts to look the same as for the K-Albanians in the early nineties. It is logical that a country treating its minority this way stands up against the independence of Kosovo. But don't worry. They are too insignificant to make a difference. They will accept the reality few years later. In the mean time they will reach one goal: through their cheap PR a fraction of those many millions, who don't know that Slovakia exists or confound it with Slovenia will update their knowledge.

Joe wrote

Fico government coalition (it includes a virulantly nationalist, pathetically anti-minority, meaning ant-Hungarian party)is increasingly discriminatory versus its Hungarian minority, 10% of the country's population. The situation for the Hungarians in Southern-Slovakia starts to look the same as for the K-Albanians in the early nineties. It is logical that a country treating its minority this way stands up against the independence of Kosovo. But don't worry. They are too insignificant to make a difference. They will accept the reality few years later. In the mean time they will reach one goal: through their cheap PR a fraction of those many millions, who don't know that Slovakia exists or confound it with Slovenia will update their knowledge.
(Joe, 4 December 2007 18:20)

Tis all makes sense

Also Joe I have emphasized early that Slovakia and Russia were the countries who illegally were selling weapons to any part involved in the fighting the ex Jugoslavia. Both those countries were in breach on UN laws.

Slovakia illegally was sending heavy weapons to Bosnian Serbs in 1991-1195 conflict. You can think for what a country this is.

Rod it may be true what you say but only independence occupies the top ten priorities in our list. We will worry about joining EU in near future, not now. If Slovakia doesn't recognize us, so be it, we have the strongest allies in the world backing us.

I wonder how much power Slovakia wilds in EU.

Of course he won't recognize it, because he knows that the Hungarian portion of Slovakia will separate next. It would be like Slovakia putting a gun to its head to recognize this illegal and immoral 'greater albania' project.

I wonder how much power Slovakia wilds in EU.
(KS, 4 December 2007 16:23)

Slovakia has witnessed the illegal dismemberment of the Benes Government of Czechoslovakia by Hitler in 1938 who cited false claims that the German minority was being descriminated by the Czech Slavic majority.

England and France betrayed Czechoslavakia while Hitler forced Benes to sign capitulation and the dismemberment.

Slovakia was on the opposite side of the equation at that time, they fully supported Hitler along with Hungary.

Take Spain out and the rest of those countries are just Russian satellites within the EU. To say it better, they're Putin's implants in the EU.
If history is to repeat itself, siding with the West always leads to development and a better future. Going against it; lets just say that you might need an uprise to get rid of Russian troops from your country.

smile,

You know very little about the Slovaks, about these slavic bothers of yours. Last year these little angels beat up badly an ethnic Hungarian girl, a student in Nitra because she was speking Hungarian on her cell phone.
The highest Slovak authorities, including Fico tried to cover up the whole story and stopped the police investigation. Later on they tried to come up with the most ridiculous explanations and wanted to prosecute both the victim and her defense lawers. Also last year the history professor and tourist guide of high school students from Hungary was draged out of the cathedral of Bratislava and detained at the central police station for 2 days + fined. The accusation: the Hungarians should have used a Slovak guide. When Chinese, Japanease, German, French or English groups use their own tourist guides this is naturelly not required. This is in an EU member country, what Peter defends with so much energy. Well it looks as in Peter's neighborhood the european mentality of tolerance is not yet so wide spread.

EU will never agree on Kosovo and therefore never reach a common European stance on final status for Kosovo. Instead of insisting on independence the EU should take some of Belgrade's proposals into consideration and insist on finding the solution that would be acceptable for both sides and sustainable for long period until some standards take place in Kosovo. I thank Slovakia and its alike for understanding how dangerous Kosovo independence would be for entire Balkan region.

the US does not run the world, and now we have more countries seeing the light. Serbs offered the albanians too much with the autonomy plan. I say we give offer a plan that gives them less power, enough is enough!

Being in the EU means accepting Eu's values and it seems that now all the dirty workings in Slovakia against their minority are coming up. They would come up sooner or later for, as an Albanian from my experience, I can say that no one can stand being treated like dirt. The fact that they try to undermine their Hungarian minority is not Albanians' fault, but their own. We don't owe Slovakia anything at all, being talked by Serbs they are making fools of themselves because everyone in Europe now will see how they treat their minority, Serb-style. What they don't understand is that they are beahving like Serbs when they lose it. Try to get the best of your neighbours not their worst qualities ever.

So there we have the "European" solution ;

EUMIK under 1244 and Serbia's continued sovereignity over its province Kosovo & Metohija.

EU supervised autonomy - nothing more nothing less. Illegal declarations could be made but they will be ignored and nullified to keep the peace. In time Serbia's Albanian population in its province of Kosovo & Metohija will realise the benefits of remaining within Serbia as the EU bring the local judiciary and law enforcement and with it "european" human rights upto standard and many more ethnic-Albanians realise that those who told lies and peddled violence through succesionist terrorism were duped and now lack any credibility. Building a "European" future for all in Serbia (including its province) irrespective of ethnicity is the win-win solution that only the EU can bring. I guess we will see this "EUropean" solution come about through the compromise of the different positions in the EU who will obtain a unified position and solution in the many months ahead to plan how to take on the EUmik under continued respect of the valid UN resolution 1244. Of course the EUropean solution was never going to be anything other then respecting international laws.

Kosovo independence = Southern Slovakia Indepencence...

Of course. Kosovo independence will set a PRECEDENCE. And others will use it. Of course.

So say goodbye to Northern Sri Lanka, Tibet and Kurdistan...

'Kosovo' will destroy our international system.
Never ever will we be able to say: well, you were treated bad, but that does not alllow you to split of!

Opening Pandoras Box!

Go RS!!! Go Herzog Bosna!

"I would like to add that the Fico government coalition (it includes a virulantly nationalist, pathetically anti-minority, meaning ant-Hungarian party)is increasingly discriminatory versus its Hungarian minority, 10% of the country's population. The situation for the Hungarians in Southern-Slovakia starts to look the same as for the K-Albanians in the early nineties. It is logical that a country treating its minority this way stands up against the independence of Kosovo."
(Joe, 4 December 2007 18:20)


Joe,

Are you so enamoured with your racist "greater albania/dardania/kosova/
illyria propaganda(seriously how many names do you people have), that you can't see how ridiculous your previous statement is?

Over the past 8 years Albanians in kosovo have terrorized & murdered Serbs,Roma, Jews, Vlachs, Goranis,and all other non-albanians to such an extent, that 2/3 of them left their homes and belongings, and fled the province altogether (approx. 230,000 or 11% of Kosovo's total population)!
And you dare to accuse Slovakia of "Discrimination versus it's Hungarian Minority"???

You can't be serious.

Note to the Albanian nationalists: you want to get INTO Europe, right? Try not to insult half the Continent on your way in.
(Mike, 4 December 2007 19:14)

Dear Mike,I always liked your comments.I will respect your comments but I don't need to agree with you!

Albanians are in Europe!
They are divided in many countries!
We are not angels.We have a not so good reputation in Europe.But all Albanians are not bad!

At this times we are more emotional then before.We are going to have a second Albanian dominated country in Europe.
Serbia lost Kosovo in 1999!
Now we have to think about minorites in Kosovo and as far we have foreign troops in there,I think they will be safe!

Now back to Slovakia.I lived for a year and a half in Czech Republic.While Czech people consider themselves as "a Germans" compare to Slovakians,Slovakia has a right to say what they want.We(Albanians)shouldn't react to any news from Slovakia,we should start working very hard to tell to the rest of the Europe that K-Albanians are right to ask for an independence!

Mike,
you said: Where is Slovakia? Far ahead anything Kosovo Albanians ever hope to be...

I have met many Slovakians in highschool and univ. in Canada, and I have surpassed them acacdemically. Actually, they tried to stick to me so they could copy my assignments. Bully Serbs trying to undermine us.

1st I would like Albanians to cooperate with Europe but deep inside I don't want us to join them. We are fine as we are. We are trying to be independent and we don't want any toher new dictator to usurp us. Europe is new, it is not consolidated we can't trust them to that degree. We better stay neighbours. What the point, when the majority of the population of EU will soon be Slavic? What will happen to us with them in 50 years let's say? I don't want to be in EU

To Rod's comment number 21.

If you ever knew why Albanians don't want to stay in Kosovo is your comment which shows your total lack of remorse towards ALbanians and your exaggerated self victimization.

I didn't know about Slovakia's issue with its minority, until a speech by a prof at the MUNK centre for international affairs at the University of Toronto. It is sad really, I have many Slovakian friends and I was appalled at their reaction. Haven't they learned from the split of Yugoslavia in the 90s? Why would they call themselves an englightened "EUROPEAN" country if they have these sort of unresolved shameful issues with minorities? To tell you the truth since I met my Slovakian friends I foud them funny and intelligent, well-read but somehow my intuition told me to be careful. Sometimes they are like Westerners with catholic values and logic, but mostly they have a pure Russian Slavic atttude. This last one is part of the Slavic ethnic identity way of living and it contradicts in values with western logic. I think it is because they were not influenced by the Catholic church like the rest of Europe.It is all about values.

I applaud PM Fico's statement. This should be a clear message to the EU - do it legally, or don't do it at all.

"I wonder how much power Slovakia wilds in EU.
(KS, 4 December 2007 16:23) "

It wields enough power to stop an unilaterally declared independent Kosovo becoming a member.

"I wonder how much power Slovakia wilds in EU."
(KS, 4 December 2007 16:23)

Considering that EU policy
is determined ONLY thru
unanimous consensus, the answer to your question KS, is that Slovakia wields (not wilds) as much power within the EU as every other member
state, including UK, France,
& Germany. Every EU member state can VETO.

I would also like to point out that USA is not an EU member state, which means that they have no vote at all
when it comes to deciding EU policy. So in this case, Slovakia wields infinitely
more power than the USA.

I just wanted to point that
out.

"Where to hell is Slovakia?
(Valdet, Vushtrri, 4 December 2007 15:16) "

In the EU, where every member is a veto holder when it comes to the membership of a new country. This makes it equally powerful when compared to Germany or the UK when it comes to accepting another country to the EU. Kosovo Albanians should consider this now in order to perhaps execute their independence in a more constructive way rather than just declaring it and hoping that everyone else will recognize it, because as things stand, even Cyprus not recognizing it means Kosovo will have troubles later on getting into the EU.

Kosovo will be a pet project for the EU. Integrate them but not integrate them ,member but not a member and no voting right. When they have the pet project just right they will apply that model on Cyprus ,Slovakia and all the little minnows of the EU. The big boys Britain , Germany , Italy etc will get tired of playing with the minnows and sharing power and equal votes. They already own those countries economy's business factories and resources they are just branch offices. If the minnows don't want toplay ball no food for them in the aquarium. I know its a little kras oenology but mark my words it will happen.Their have been much more worse things in the history of world.

Mike,

Do you really think that an irrelevant country, and I really mean that keep hostage the Kosova issue? A stroppy behaviour doesn't help the real politics, it will backfire. Watch and see!

“What a stupid and illinformed statement to make. So by your reasoning Ireland & Malta (who are 2 of the 7 supporting Serbia on Kosmet)are also Russian satellites.” (Niall O'Doherty, Ireland, 4 December 2007 18:32)

“Ireland has been a strong supporter of the Marti Ahtisaari proposal and we remain in favour of a final status outcome based on this proposal” (WILLIE O’DEA T.D., [Ireland’s] MINISTER FOR DEFENCE)

http://www.military.ie/dfhq/pubrel/addres/minister/minister21sep2007.pdf


Now, I am a little bit confused, whether Mr Willie O’Dea represents the Irish Government or the so-called Niall O’Doherty?

Kosovo must become independent NOW.

Mr. Fico, there is EU unity. You, Romania and Cyprus are left out.

Maybe you and your friends should reconsider EU membership and form an alliance with Serbia and Russia.

That makes a lovely family.

Rod,
you may be right, but don't forget who's the mama and papa of the EU.

need I remind you?

'Kosovo' will destroy our international system.
(Ron, 4 December 2007 19:12)

Maybe its time to "destroy" it,ron.Nothing is forever!

Slovakia's recognition of Kosovo and Slovakia's veto are two different things.

Most of the EU countries have a bubble-air veto compared to the big guys...if UK or Germany wanted to get something done for instance, and Slovakia threatened a veto, I don't think we'd even see a Slovakia in the next world atlases.

Let me clarify Ireland's position regarding Kosovo - Ireland (as usual) doesn't have a position. This gang of shysters we have in government here will look to see which way the wind is blowing and will follow the herd. The idea of a principled position is alien to them.
So, as an Irishman with a free mind I will call for two things:
1. Change of government in Ireland
2. For the mass of EU countries to oppose Kosovan independence

Princip,

I am not surprised at all at your comment. I know that as a Serb you would never admit that your brothers in an other slavic country would ever attack a non-Slav. It is also predictable that you blindly accept the official explanation. "Slavic solidarity at work" regardless of the truth. I find this attitude very inmature and childish. The truth is that girl was bitten up badly and not by Marsians, not by Hungarians regardless to whom she spoke in Hungarians (I know all those details).
Princip for you every Albanian or Hungarian, who disagree with you is simply spreading lies. You try to justify your point by citing "reliable" sources like in good old soviet times when people referred to the "Pravda".
As being in touch with events around the world do you have a problem with it? It seems like. Sure it would be so convenient for you if US citizens would not know anything about Kosovo or anything going on in countries like Slovakia. By natural curiosity I check daily news on French, Germain, Hungarian and US sites.
And about that United Europe of yours: no the US has nothing to fear. As the UK treasury (finance) minister admitted a week ago the EU will never become a superpower. Because the structure of the EU it will never be possible. Sorry if I bust your bubble in this respect.

no wonder slovakia is a serbian ally

they won an award for discrimination
greece won last year

BBC news

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/7128433.stm

Final solution-Independence! No other alternative on table. Slovakia is trying to get some more from EU-that's all. Poor diplomacy! I will great with great pleasure the momentum when Kosova will declare it own Indenpendence and wish Canada to be the first to recognize it-however they have behind USA the worlds greatest democracy! Like it or not that's reality. In every place the foot of American soldier stepped on, the prosperity and democracy flourished!

"Take Spain out and the rest of those countries are just Russian satellites within the EU. To say it better, they're Putin's implants in the EU. "

What a stupid and illinformed statement to make. So by your reasoning Ireland & Malta (who are 2 of the 7 supporting Serbia on Kosmet)are also Russian satellites.

If thats the best the K Albanian side can come up with Mr Jeremic can sleep easy.

"Where to hell is Slovakia?
(Valdet, Vushtrri, 4 December 2007 15:16) "

Far above anything Kosovo could ever hope to be if it declared unilateral independence and sucks on financial goodwill of the West in order to keep it from imploding.

Note to the Albanian nationalists: you want to get INTO Europe, right? Try not to insult half the Continent on your way in.

you guys, when you talk about slovakia show a lot of respect. because, from where you stand, slovakia is a giant. look at all the things slovakia is that kosovo cannot be: a state. a un member state. an eu member state. a nato member state.
a civilized state: if i go to bratislava, which in fact i did last year, i can speak serbian and no one will attack and lynch me. if you went, you could speak albanian and, same result! isn't that just wonderful.
i dont know, as kosovo continues its existence in international limbo, one of the high reps for you guys might become a slovak. mishko for instance has a lot of balkans experience. so considering that one of kosovo's future rulers may easily be a slovak, go easy on the invective.

Louie,

I don't disagree with anything you've said to me. In fact, I find your thoughts encouraging. I'm not suggesting Albanians don't belong in Europe, or are all bad. That's foolish to think. Just as it's foolish to pass similar thoughts regarding Serbs, or anyone else.

What I'm saying is that Kosovo's road to independence - and I mean a stable, longlasting independence where the rights of all are guaranteed - takes much more than simply America's nod and approval to do whatever you want. The primary challenge is to get the 27-headed EU body on board, and right now, at least 7 states are hesitant to grant anything more than extremely supervised independence. Whether you like it or not, those 7 or so states (and I'm sure there are more than those) are keeping you from your promised land.

With that in mind, Albanians can do much to show not only Europe, but also the world, that an independent Kosovo is not the end product of a 100 year "tit for tat" battle with Serbia. Albanians can show that a history of violence and mistrust are forever gone and now is the time to start a new chapter in Serb-Albanian, and European-Albanian relations. With this in mind, when a state like Slovakia, or Cyprus, or Hungary, or Greece, or whoever shows misgivings for Kosovo's carte blanche independence, your job is to meet that debate, not brush it off. You can't expect to get independence by writing off every challenging country as "irrelevant", considering you're not even a state to begin with. You can't take a position of high judgement when the EU is going to determine your fate.

Therefore I agree with your call for a better understanding of other states. Simply brushing them off merely takes away your own attention and leaves you caught off guard when the final solution is given and is less than you might have expected - simply because you refused to listen to what you didn't want to hear.

Jovan z: You made a statement. I have heard Albanians lie,twist the true and completely reverse any logic like Slovakia arming Serbia.Yugoslavia had Europe's 4th largest army and Serbia (inherited a majority of the heavy weapons )so we did not need too much in Bosnia from Slovakia or the UK.I am sure some things were purchased but we had more than enough. It is amazing how you Serbs inherit all the hard assets, billions of dollars that was in the federation accounts in Belgrade from all the Yugoslavia Republics. How about saying Serbia stole them, thats the real truth. Serbia says it is the successors to former Yugoslavia, why didn't Serbia take Yugoslavian international debt? Your statement applies more to Serbians then Albanians.

“I'm not suggesting Albanians don't belong in Europe, or are all bad”.
Hmm for someone that uses language very carefully that’s more than a Freudian slip.

Where to hell is Slovakia?
(Valdet, Vushtrri, 4 December 2007 15:16)

To: Valdet:
Where to hell is Kosovo?
(Although I was there in 2001 :-)))

Lets be serious now. I did not vote for Fico nor Slovak National Party. But, I can not see a reason why to recognize an unilateral declaration of independence for Kosovo (or any country in the 21st century). Especially, if the way to its independence is paved by terrorist acts and by blackmailing of international community. It has nothing to do with civilized way to solve conflicts.

So, as an Irishman with a free mind I will call for two things:
1. Change of government in Ireland
2. For the mass of EU countries to oppose Kosovan independence
(Tom O'Donoghue, 5 December 2007 13:19)

tom,
i'm not familiar w/the current political situation in your beautiful country so i can't offer you an informed opinion but as for your 2nd request, i'm afraid your going to be disappointed.

To: Arlinda
I am not sure if you are enough aware about the Slovak mentality and the state of the Hungarian minority in Slovakia to make such far-reaching conclusions ;-)
But, on the other hand, as someone who is working in field of history and international relations (and who has personal experience with Kosovo) I can tell, it is not hard to recognize that unilateral declaration of independent Kosovo would be a violation of international law and the independent Kosovo, during the time of "war against terrorism", would be the one and only state governed by former leader of terrorist group.
And believe me, it has nothing to do with Catholicism or Slavic mentality, solidarity, or whatever (by the way, I am atheist and I my gradmother was Hungarian :-)))

"I would like to add that the Fico government coalition (it includes a virulantly nationalist, pathetically anti-minority, meaning ant-Hungarian party)is increasingly discriminatory versus its Hungarian minority, 10% of the country's population. The situation for the Hungarians in Southern-Slovakia starts to look the same as for the K-Albanians in the early nineties. It is logical that a country treating its minority this way stands up against the independence of Kosovo."
(Joe, 4 December 2007 18:20)

To Joe:
what kind of newspaper do you read??? Have you ever been in Central Europe? Or, are you a member of Hungarian National Guard? ;-) You can not be serious...
(and I never voted for Fico, nor any party from his coalition)

No Peter, my logic is that a Slovakian "veto" is not really as powerful as a hopeful nationalist might think.

Kosovo is not an issue that directly effects Germany or UK, it's a foreign policy issue.

But let's say that Germany wanted to do something inside of Germany, but it would need EU permission to do it...and Slovakia says it will veto, then in that case.....a liquidation is not exactly that remote anymore.

And don't take things too literally, I'm just trying to state that a Slovakian veto means nothing compared to the big guys, and it certainly means nothing to the Albanians.

Kosovo Albanians won't be able to go to Slovakia? Oh no, what will they do with their life now!!

Come on, let's be honest.

"Czechoslovakia split in two different states and now is against Kosovo split from Serbia. "

Slovakia is not against the split of Serbia and Kosovo, it is against it being done illegally outside of the UNSC. Slovakia and Czech Republic split legally thanks to mutual agreement and the UNSC recognized them both.

"Slovakia's recognition is a secondary detail.

Next!
(Funcakes, 4 December 2007 14:40)"

Slovakia is a member of the EU and they have veto power, just as Russia has in the UNSC. Sure, they can't stop anyone from recognizing Kosovo, but no one can stop them from not recognizing it.

Rod

Joe doesn't know what he is talking about. Slovakia had to comply with the Copenhagen Criteria to make it into the EU, one of the articles (treaty No. 157) states that a country must respect the rights of its minorities.

femi

First of all, can you prove that? Secondly, Kosovo has one of the highest crime rates in Europe, with human, gun and narcotic trafficking a serious issue, how would you feel if people said that Kosovo is nothing but a crime hotbed?

Lenard

The "big boys" of the EU are not going to change relations with countries already in the EU over Kosovo, you'd be extremely naive if you thought so. Nobody did anything when France and the Netherlands refused to accept the EU referendum, nobody did anything when Poland challenged the voting system, what makes you think they will do anything if they don't recognize Kosovo?

EA

Slovakia might be a small country, but it is a country that is in the UN, NATO, EU, OECD and the WTO that is presenting a its perspective (which is its right), and you call them insignificant because they have a different opinion to other states in the EU? What if the US were against Kosovo independence, would you be calling them insignificant as well?

Peter: sure they are working their way to a major crises and they don't want do anything for now. Until it is to late fore the small country's they are all indebted to them to their ying yangs. Until they hold all the cards finances banks and own every levers of power and control. Then they will rewrite the real rules ,laws regulations much later to their liking and beneficial advantage they don't want to panic them until it is just to late for them. All countries peoples empires threw out history have been and will be in the up coming future taking advantage of their neighbors because every body blindly believes and thinks they are #1 the rest are insignificant in their own eyes. Kosovo is only one piece of the power struggle that is being played out reformed and manipulated. In the new world order those that stand in the way will be crushed just like night follows the day. That is mine view point.

How funny it is that Albanians act so hostile to Slovakia when they say things need to be done in a legal fashion.I have heard Albanians lie,twist the true and completely reverse any logic like Slovakia arming Serbia.Yugoslavia had Europes 4th largest army and Serbia inherited a majority of the heavy weapons so we did not need too much in Bosnia from Slovakia or the UK.I am sure some things were purchased but we had more than enough.Slovakia has a very good reason to oppose taking Kosovo-Metohija from Serbia even the countries in the EU that support independence know that it is immoral and illegal to take territory if both sides do not agree.Kosovo is going to set a precedent to serve US imperial interests the most in future land grabs this is a small part of the large puzzle.There is 0 chance for Kosovo under Albanian control to succeed without massive outside donation the EU does not want a new state that will be a welfare issue for generations to come so Albanians will start to fight over who will rule Kosovo.You will not take the north and Trepca.

Louie, btw thanks for telling us the Serbian point of view in your own words to our Albanian friends here:-D

Oh my. It looks like some of those that count are starting to wake up to the reality of this illegal and destabilizing land grab. It's about time!

Now, only if the Albanians in Kosovo will wake up. Independence of Greater Albania isn't going to happen. In fact, Greater Albania is going to shrink because the EU countries are going to ship a bunch back from where they came, especially those in jail.

Slovakia - deep in history, upward moving, and a great place to visit!

Joe wrote:
"You know very little about the Slovaks, about these slavic bothers of yours. Last year these little angels beat up badly an ethnic Hungarian girl, a student in Nitra because she was speking Hungarian on her cell phone."

If you try to follow up the story, you will find the following:

"[Interior Minister] Kalinák also said that while Malinová had originally claimed she was attacked because she was speaking Hungarian on her cell phone, her phone records had shown that "no calls were made to or from her phone number that day".

"In perhaps the most damning contradiction, investigators said that Malinová's DNA had been found on an envelope in which the culprits had allegedly mailed her stolen ID back to her, including on the seal and under the stamp - indicating she had sealed and posted the package herself."

"Malinová said she had licked the stamp in an attempt to fix it back on the envelope after the police had asked her to turn over the entire package."

It is very similar to a famous story of Canadian journalist, Ms. Durham, a Canadian Broadcasting Corporation television reporter. Ms. Durham had returned to Kosovo to do a follow-up piece on an 18-year-old girl who had joined the Kosovo Liberation Army after her young sister had been killed by Serbs. The girl's story had been part of a larger piece that aired on the CBC in January, to much critical praise. Yet as Durham stood in the doorway of the family's home in Skenderaj, the sister who was supposed to have been killed was standing there, alive and well.

http://www.converge.org.nz/pma/sdil.htm

It seems that some Hungarian elements apply Kosovo Albanian strategy. I know Joe that you hate all Slavs. Sometime ago you wrote that Poles ethnically removed a poor Germans from their land after WW II

Mike,Delije,
before I get any more praises from "other" camp,I would like to make it clear that I am for independence of Kosovo!

I just wanted to tell to my fellow countrymen(Albanians)that we shouldn't react in case a EU country doesn't agree with our policy.
It is our job to convince them that minorities or non-Albanians in Kosovo have a future.This is the main problem and these days in Europe if you respect the rights of all citizens,then you will get somewhere!
This is our number one priority that we have to do,we have to show to the world that we can forgive and are peaceful nation!

Kosovo will be independent!

Kosovo has been used as a Pawn of big Powers,in this case we are happy that US is in our side!

Joe, comment #32

"You know very little about the Slovaks, about these slavic bothers of yours. Last year these little angels beat up badly an ethnic Hungarian girl, a student in Nitra because she was speking Hungarian on her cell phone. "

- for a US citizen you seem to be very much in touch with news about hungarians in other Sovereign European states. One would imagine that you add your anti-Slovak lies on their websites exactly like you do against Serbians.

Given your lead on this story I looked into and it surpises me that you continue the initial lie that Hedviga Malin made herself i.e. that she was attacked when she spoke Hungarian on her cell phone. However, even she suddenly recalled she was was actually speaking to other Hungarian speakers who were in a car and not on her phone when it was pointed out to her that no phone calls neither incoming or outgoing were made on the day in question!

Joe, spreading a lie about the Slovaks is just as unnacceptable as spreading lies against another nation to discredit their right to uphold International laws and we have all read many of your comments to know you have a perverted agenda to cause disharmony amongst the peoples of the region.

I add the link to the story last summer after the police who investigated the case
"which involved over 250 officers and 600 suspects, led the Slovak police on September 12 to a verdict that stunned the nation: It never happened"
http://www.spectator.sk/articles/view/24629

- I suggest others to read the article and consider what Joe says and vast canyon from his spin and the real truth on this story.

Joe it is clear that you wish to mislead and spread untruths against many nations in Europe and what your agenda is one can only wonder! It clearly is not about creating an environment for all the nations in Europe to live in harmony - maybe this is refelective of US imperialism that it fears a truly United Europe and you clearly do not wish that to be the case either - ironic really that the US is in many ways a microcosm of Europe even the world that they act in so many other regions of the world to stir up differences inline with the Roman adage of divide and conquer!

EA,

You missed the point of the article: Slovakia is against recognizing any unilateral declarations. What goes through legal channels is fair game, and something I also will recognize.

Still, the fact that you and others refer to Slovakia, a country that is

a) Internationally recognized
b) A full UN member
c) Part of the EU

as "irrelevant" shows the heights of Albanian nationalistic insanity, especially considering that Kosovo is

a) not even a country
b) will not be internationally recognized if a unilateral declaration is proclaimed
c) Will not have a UN seat.

So with all due respect, it is Pristina, not Bratislava, not Nicosia, and not Belgrade, that's keeping the international community hostage.

No offense to your own efforts at self determination, but unless a solution can be legally found and implemented, the stability of the international community is not worth jeopardizing over the larger irrelevancy of K-Albanian self-determination.
So please, enough with the "irrelevant" default whenever a country exhibits the slightest reservation about catering to your every wish and whim. It's the EU, not the US you're trying to get into. You might want to show a little more respect with your potential partners. Otherwise, Kosovo will be the red-headed stepchild no one wants to go near.

my dear albanian friends:

you can belittle Slovakia as much as you feel yourself forced to do so...

but Slovakia IS an internationlally recognized sovereign state, something you only can desperately dream of.

as long as they are inside the EU and against illegal acts, you can only sit in the corner and pray...

and what´s best: it´s not only Slovakia.

Niall, Ireland ruled out a recognition? that was real news for me, great, the Irish are proving to be real democrats with respect to legal principles...
they are right.

femi,
in the Kosovo war a large part of weapons to the Serbian specials on the Albanian border came guess where from? UK.yes

He hit the nail square on the head! 4C4LIFE!

Louie, what your telling us is something we new for years. Albanians want a greater Albania. If nato, kfor army left Kosovo Serbs & non-Albanians would be driven out or liquidated. Your right about not being popular in Europe & also, suprise, America & Canada. & not all albanians are bad I work with one side by side everyday & he's a great person. His family from Kosovo too.

"in the Kosovo war a large part of weapons to the Serbian specials on the Albanian border came guess where from? UK.yes"

Interesting, and I have few doubts about weapons being sold to both sides in a war, including a side the government is theoretically against. Remember how after the US had been bombing for amonth and a half, it was revealed that US oil tankers were arriving every day selling oil on to Serbia.

But out of interest, couldyou provide some concrete evidence of this?

Joe

It is quite obvious that you hold very nationalist views and that you have some sort of anti-Slavic views as well, even just by the way you talk of "Slovaks" as if all of them are the same, or them being "Slavic brothers". So because some professor was detained and some girl beaten up that makes Slovakia a facist nation hostile towards Hungarians? I guess that means that every time a group of English football hooligans, German and Russian skinheads or French nationalists attack some member of some minority group this also makes all of them a bunch of facists that hate the group that the victim is a part of? Not too long ago a German friend of mine had his tyres punctured at the Univeristy of Maastricht in the Netherlands, does that make the Dutch facists against Germans then? You really make little sense.

Lenard

Your view point on this matter is not very realistic. From what I gathered it is almost like you think that if these "smaller countries" don't adhere to the viewpoints of the "bigger countries" that the "bigger countries" will change their relations with the "smaller countries" due to their control over investments, banks, companies etc. because of differing viewpoints on something like Kosovo? I am sorry, but that is just not true. The "bigger countries" are benefiting from these new investment opportunities in the East and believe me, nobody is going to do anything drastic like you say over disagreement over Kosovo.

Noel,

This is what the Irish Foreign Minister Dermot Ahearn said in Belgrade a couple of weeks back.

http://www.b92.net/eng/news/politics-article.php?yyyy=2007&mm=11&dd=09&nav_id=45258

Ahern said "it is important that the two sides find a compromise solution for Kosovo through dialogue, and that "this dialogue should not be constrained by deadlines."

There ya go, make of that as you will.

"Most of the EU countries have a bubble-air veto compared to the big guys...if UK or Germany wanted to get something done for instance, and Slovakia threatened a veto, I don't think we'd even see a Slovakia in the next world atlases.
(Funcakes, 5 December 2007 12:23) "

Sure Funcakes, the UK and Germany will just liquidate Slovakia if they veto Kosovo's independence.

If you looked a little into EU political history, you'd see enough vetos there that should render Europe a wasteland, if we go according to your logic.

Princip,

It is highly deplorable that B92 supressed my measured response to you. This is not very democratic but not a surprise to me.