I answered in regard to the titel of the article.
but there can be no doubt, that UNSC 1244 reaffirms the territorial sovereignty of Serbia, what means with the whole of the serbian southern province, not only the north.
so, better don´t mix things up here, nothing "is a done deal" because the powerful said so... I suppose you mean the US, right?
well, my dear Burim, they also said "Mission Accomplished" a few years ago...and until the present day, we count already 3904 dead G.I.´s!
they can say a lot, but reality is something completely different. you will probably witness it yourself quite soon, nothing is a "done deal" by now.
however, what is in fact a done deal... is... UNSC 1244 it is still there and will remain.
and that is very good for the Albanians too! it´s only too early yet for you to understand that...
Village-Bey, when asked who is Dimitri K. Simes you Google, and come up with a very short part of this man's history. And then people react like, oh yes, he was educated in the SU so then they know why he wrote it. But the real situation Village Bey is that he is the Founding President of the Nixon Research Center, has an American passport, served under different Presidents of the USA and is a highly professional Professor on several US Universities.Why don't you write the whole story Village Bey?
How ever you look at it Kosovo will be independent because the powerful said so. Even as you argue on topic of Northern Kosovo it shows that Kosovo is a done deal all is left to talk about is some details: north, preshevo walley, and war criminals.
"UNMIK and KFOR, based on their respective mandates, are under obligation to make sure partition does not occur," Ruecker told the paper. "
Ruecker conveniently forgot that this mandate of UNMIK's and KFOR's derived from 1244 whereby they are required to respect Yugoslavia's (and hence Serbia's as the UN-recognized successor after Montenegro's independence) sovereignty.
If there has been one place in the world that has shown to empires that it cannot be bent and twisted into a shape they prefer it is the Balkans.I understand that the German needs to keep the Albanians calm but Mr. Ruecker your words are were never meant to sooth Serbian ears nor will they ever.The north historically has not been part of Kosovo for long and Titos communist borders have proved to be impossible in Yugoslavia Serbia is no exception.There really is no new information on this issue every side is dug in.
If the US & it's supporters want to make an ass out of international law by recognising Kosovo then they will have set a precedent.
Firstly, claiming that the north cannot secede from Kosovo are just empty words the precedent will have been set.
Secondly, Serbia will declare the act of independence as null & void so Kosovo & the north of Kosovo are an integral part of Serbia.
This is a battle for the hearts & minds of the peoples of Kosovo. Serbia needs to win this battle by teaming up with the EU and offering the people of Kosovo more than the US and the breakaway Albanians. The mere act of recognising Kosovo as independent or not is ultimately irrelevant to Serbia who must continue to treat the region as its own and win the battle for the hearts and minds of its people, those in the south as well as those in the north. The fight for Kosovo will not be decided in a day.
"Thanks for the information village-bey. As I suspected someone who was educated and employed in an environment to think and speak according to govt. directions without independent input.
(skipp5, 31 December 2007 11:03)"
skipp5 and village-boy,
you both amuse me!
what you did not understand is,
it doesn´t matter at all who wrote the article, my dear albanian friends, the striking point is that it was published, in the internatioanl herald tribune.
that´s something you simply do not seem to notice...
what, to a certain extent, shows the seriousness of your approach to the kosovo-issue.
"Kosova has had well defined borders and status as a separate entity for centuries. It will detach itsel after being considered as an undesirable entity from Serbia, something proven by Serbia's actions towards it as an entity. There has never been or will never be any entity north of some river. I must remind Serbian readers that if you agree in the partition of Kosova in some immaginary borders drawn by flowing rivers, than you should consider that moment as the starting point of the desintegration of Serbia proper into many "entities" divided by many "rivers", "valleys", "provinces".
(Clean Cut, 31 December 2007 02:47)"
You are wrong. The northern part of Kosovo was added to the province only in recent times and not "for centuries" as you claimed. The north should therefore be returned to Serbia proper, especially since the K-Serbs there (who are the overwhelming majority there) want it that way too.
"Therefore Serbians in the north of mitrovica have no good argument to break away from kosovo, and like Ruecker said, WILL NOT BE ALLOWED to break away from Mitrovica.
(Mirsad-LDD, 30 December 2007 17:39)"
March 2004 is a good enough reason. Moreover no matter how much political concessions Albanians offer the Serbs, these K-Serbs will still prefer to be Serbians. And since the overwhleming majority in the north obvioulsy feel that way, it is therefore their democratic right to remain part of Serbia through a partition.
Thanks for the information village-bey. As I suspected someone who was educated and employed in an environment to think and speak according to govt. directions without independent input.
Mr Ruecker, what about "South"? "North" is not changing anything so far. After "South" secession, we can talk about "North". So, first stop the first "domino plate", please!
Kosova has had well defined borders and status as a separate entity for centuries. It will detach itsel after being considered as an undesirable entity from Serbia, something proven by Serbia's actions towards it as an entity. There has never been or will never be any entity north of some river. I must remind Serbian readers that if you agree in the partition of Kosova in some immaginary borders drawn by flowing rivers, than you should consider that moment as the starting point of the desintegration of Serbia proper into many "entities" divided by many "rivers", "valleys", "provinces".
Mr Reucker is a tough talking guy, but God he is NOT.
George Dubya is also a taugh talking guy but he hasn't managed to do anything right yet. Listening to these two reminds me of Abbott and Costello routine. Who's on first?
While they are talking tough, Serbia is going about her business and gaining support all along.
Time will tell which polititians will go on the scrap heap of dirty politics.
This is so funny, now if the South of the Ibar consist of the majority Albanians and the North the Majority of Serbs then the north has the same rights to seek independence because they are the majority and they have the same rights as South of the Ibar. Mr Rucker is talking out the side of his neck and quoting UNSC if this is supppose to go though the security council then it is dead because either Russia or China will Veto and end of resolution back to the drawing board.
A previous blogger provided a link to a paper that said:
—three of Kosovo's northern municipalities were majority Serbian before the NATO/Yugoslavia war (in fact their territory had once been part of Serbia proper and was transferred to Kosovo by Tito in order to increase the Serbian population there).
How can this territory be 'inalienable' given that it was transfered to Kosovo in recent history and has never been Albanian controlled?
The reason Serbia will not discuss the separation of the North is because it will not accept the separation of Kosovo. However in the event of any attempt an independence declaration, the way will be very clear for the Tito modification to be reversed.
The paper referenced is US biased and quoted to bolster the Albanian cause.
I would be interested to know about this previous border adjustment as it may well prove relevant should the current status quo break down.
Skipp5,
Here is the answer to your question.
'Mr. Simes was born in Moscow and graduated from the School of History of Moscow State University. From 1967 to 1972, he was a research assistant and later a research associate at the Institute of World Economy and International Affairs (also in Moscow), an influential foreign policy think tank in the Soviet Union at that time'.
I am curious how this non-partition will be enforced? I'm thinking maybe a big fence all around Northern Kosovo and KFOR will let the Serbs out during the day, probably even march them out under arms, and allow them to return at night, after gathering food and whatnot.
Minority Serbs will be granted the same rights and will be equal to any other habitant of Kosovo. The current composition of the new Kosovar government grants three minister posts to the serbs, even though Serbians account to 8 percent of the whole population, and did not even bother voting in the elections. Thats what I call being generous, since under the Yugoslav federation, when kosovars were the minority, Milosevic scrapped the 1974 constitution and took all autonomy from Kosovo, in the process slaughtering mass civilians (throughout yugoslavia not just Kosovo, like Bosnia and srebrenica where 8 thousand were slaughtered all in one go).
Therefore Serbians in the north of mitrovica have no good argument to break away from kosovo, and like Ruecker said, WILL NOT BE ALLOWED to break away from Mitrovica.
You are a genius in creating a stinging satire on Euro-American political thinking. Congratulations!
I am laughing with tears in my eyes.
"Kosovo's integrity". Oh Lord! I'm dying!
If I was an satirist I doubt I had imagination to write the dialogue you are supplying to us readers. Or let's say I wouldn't have guts to (or reason to) create such an ridiculous character as "Mr. Ruecker". I think I would step over all lines of believeability.
But, as seen so many times, reality beats fiction.
Another proof of Mr. Ruecker's omnipotent talent is the way how he now intelligently turns upside down a recent twist in his storyline. As I remember it went like this:" Kosovo's future will be taken care outside of the UN Security Council".
What could be better ridiculing this twist than putting next day the character announcing about principles that are "clearly and unequivocally pointing out that there will be no partition of Kosovo", and then continuing that this matter is "supported by UN Security Council".
Things will be much better for the region when pseudo-diplomats like Ruecker go away. Instead of solving conflicts they only perpetuate them. I guess that makes sure they have a reason to stick around. and justify their presence.
I think Zoran summed up the points nicely here. Furthermore, if Albanians wanted to make peace with Serbs they had plenty of chances the past several years.
Of course this is only for Zeri's new year edition. Santa must send nice words for the New Year.
However, again false promises. Mr Ruecker for your information North Kosovo is de facto independent and that is how it will stay. This man should know that Serbs reject to live under Albanian governing since Serbs expirienced once what does that mean. If Albanians are allowed not to like living under Serbian authority then that right is applied for Serbs as well. Serbs also have right to choose with whom to live. I just wonder why Ruecker fails to say that there is already de facto partition in Kosovo and that Albanians have no control at all over North, as a matter of fact North is completely under Serbia's control. Once (if) Kosovo gets its independence, North will de jure become independent as well and merge to Serbia. Furthermore, Ruecker fails to say how he thinks or UNMIK and KFOR for that matter, to integrate the Serbs in Kosovo isnstitutions since the Serbs reject to be ruled by Albanians. Does this man send the message that KFOR will use the force against the Serbs? Is Ruecker tries to say that the rest of the Serbs will be expeled from the North that even does not belong to Kosovo (remember when the North was merged to Kosovo)??? Anyway, Ruecker does not represent the one that should be taken seriously. He is just a EU clerk and that's it. He will do just as he has been told to do.
So now the UNSC laws are good enough to be inforced. Great, we can take this Kosovo indep thing through the UNSC and veto, oops I mean vote on it. How are you going to force the Serbian majority North to say with the South. Maybe bomb them. Pristina has no control over the North for the last 8 years. If the will of the people in the North is to be indep from Pristina, then it should be respected. See this can work both ways. To those that say if the North goes to Serbia, then the valley goes to Kosovo, well ok if you want a Serbian military base in your illegal indep South Kosov"a". Serously though, if Serbia can't stop Kosovo's indep with the law on her side, how can anyone stop the North. No side wants partition but thats the end result, no matter how you spin it. Even my blog friend Teni sees that the North may separate. I don't think Pristina will make to big a stink about it if the rest gains indep. That is their goal no matter what, right?
KFOR and UNMIK will not allow for the Serb-inhabited regions to "separate" from the province, the German diplomat told Priština-based Albanian language Zeri newspaper's holiday edition.
Of course he would tell this to an Albanian news paper (score some points)
Ruecker backed his comments by quoting from the principles of the Contact Group, "supported by UN Security Council", which "clearly and unequivocally point out that there will be no partition of Kosovo."
Now suddenly things concerning the UNSC do matter.
"UNMIK and KFOR, based on their respective mandates, are under obligation to make sure partition does not occur," Ruecker told the paper.
They are also obligated that partitioning of Kosovo from Serbia does not occur.
He also believes that the international community will be successful in preserving what he referred to as "Kosovo's integrity", adding that this would take place "if the majority Albanian population and their leaders make an obligation to reach out toward the Serb community,"
The integrety of Serbia is apparently not that important (that is the #1 goal). The Kosovo Albanians have not made one single friendly gesture towards Kosovo Serbs and so why should the latter group trust anything from now on.
"Serbs need to be assured that they are equal members of Kosovo's society and that their interests will be fully respected, now, and in the future," Ruecker said.
Kosovo Serbs and others are not equal members as long as the live in ghetto's and as long as they cannot return home or have to fear for their lives because they are non-Albanian.
In addition, if the Serb majority in Nothern Kosovo decides to join Serbia there is nothing that the Kosovo Albanians, NATO or others can do. It is OK to grap 15% of Serbia's legal territory, because the Kosovo Albanians get so upset if they loose 15% of the Kosovo territory.
The fake German diplomat should seriously considering an early retirement, because he has already lost all his credibility a long long time ago.
KFOR and UNMIK will not allow for the Serb-inhabited regions to "separate" from the province, the German diplomat told Priština-based Albanian language Zeri newspaper's holiday edition.
Of course he would tell this to an Albanian news paper (score some points)
Ruecker backed his comments by quoting from the principles of the Contact Group, "supported by UN Security Council", which "clearly and unequivocally point out that there will be no partition of Kosovo."
Now suddenly things concerning the UNSC do matter.
"UNMIK and KFOR, based on their respective mandates, are under obligation to make sure partition does not occur," Ruecker told the paper.
They are also obligated that partitioning of Kosovo from Serbia does not occur.
He also believes that the international community will be successful in preserving what he referred to as "Kosovo's integrity", adding that this would take place "if the majority Albanian population and their leaders make an obligation to reach out toward the Serb community,"
The integrety of Serbia is apparently not that important (that is the #1 goal). The Kosovo Albanians have not made one single friendly gesture towards Kosovo Serbs and so why should the latter group trust anything from now on.
"Serbs need to be assured that they are equal members of Kosovo's society and that their interests will be fully respected, now, and in the future," Ruecker said.
Kosovo Serbs and others are not equal members as long as the live in ghetto's and as long as they cannot return home or have to fear for their lives because they are non-Albanian.
In addition, if the Serb majority in Nothern Kosovo decides to join Serbia there is nothing that the Kosovo Albanians, NATO or others can do. It is OK to grap 15% of Serbia's legal territory, because the Kosovo Albanians get so upset if they loose 15% of the Kosovo territory.
The fake German diplomat should seriously considering an early retirement, because he has already lost all his credibility a long long time ago.
Of course this is only for Zeri's new year edition. Santa must send nice words for the New Year.
However, again false promises. Mr Ruecker for your information North Kosovo is de facto independent and that is how it will stay. This man should know that Serbs reject to live under Albanian governing since Serbs expirienced once what does that mean. If Albanians are allowed not to like living under Serbian authority then that right is applied for Serbs as well. Serbs also have right to choose with whom to live. I just wonder why Ruecker fails to say that there is already de facto partition in Kosovo and that Albanians have no control at all over North, as a matter of fact North is completely under Serbia's control. Once (if) Kosovo gets its independence, North will de jure become independent as well and merge to Serbia. Furthermore, Ruecker fails to say how he thinks or UNMIK and KFOR for that matter, to integrate the Serbs in Kosovo isnstitutions since the Serbs reject to be ruled by Albanians. Does this man send the message that KFOR will use the force against the Serbs? Is Ruecker tries to say that the rest of the Serbs will be expeled from the North that even does not belong to Kosovo (remember when the North was merged to Kosovo)??? Anyway, Ruecker does not represent the one that should be taken seriously. He is just a EU clerk and that's it. He will do just as he has been told to do.
You are a genius in creating a stinging satire on Euro-American political thinking. Congratulations!
I am laughing with tears in my eyes.
"Kosovo's integrity". Oh Lord! I'm dying!
If I was an satirist I doubt I had imagination to write the dialogue you are supplying to us readers. Or let's say I wouldn't have guts to (or reason to) create such an ridiculous character as "Mr. Ruecker". I think I would step over all lines of believeability.
But, as seen so many times, reality beats fiction.
Another proof of Mr. Ruecker's omnipotent talent is the way how he now intelligently turns upside down a recent twist in his storyline. As I remember it went like this:" Kosovo's future will be taken care outside of the UN Security Council".
What could be better ridiculing this twist than putting next day the character announcing about principles that are "clearly and unequivocally pointing out that there will be no partition of Kosovo", and then continuing that this matter is "supported by UN Security Council".
Things will be much better for the region when pseudo-diplomats like Ruecker go away. Instead of solving conflicts they only perpetuate them. I guess that makes sure they have a reason to stick around. and justify their presence.
I think Zoran summed up the points nicely here. Furthermore, if Albanians wanted to make peace with Serbs they had plenty of chances the past several years.
I am curious how this non-partition will be enforced? I'm thinking maybe a big fence all around Northern Kosovo and KFOR will let the Serbs out during the day, probably even march them out under arms, and allow them to return at night, after gathering food and whatnot.
So now the UNSC laws are good enough to be inforced. Great, we can take this Kosovo indep thing through the UNSC and veto, oops I mean vote on it. How are you going to force the Serbian majority North to say with the South. Maybe bomb them. Pristina has no control over the North for the last 8 years. If the will of the people in the North is to be indep from Pristina, then it should be respected. See this can work both ways. To those that say if the North goes to Serbia, then the valley goes to Kosovo, well ok if you want a Serbian military base in your illegal indep South Kosov"a". Serously though, if Serbia can't stop Kosovo's indep with the law on her side, how can anyone stop the North. No side wants partition but thats the end result, no matter how you spin it. Even my blog friend Teni sees that the North may separate. I don't think Pristina will make to big a stink about it if the rest gains indep. That is their goal no matter what, right?
A previous blogger provided a link to a paper that said:
—three of Kosovo's northern municipalities were majority Serbian before the NATO/Yugoslavia war (in fact their territory had once been part of Serbia proper and was transferred to Kosovo by Tito in order to increase the Serbian population there).
How can this territory be 'inalienable' given that it was transfered to Kosovo in recent history and has never been Albanian controlled?
The reason Serbia will not discuss the separation of the North is because it will not accept the separation of Kosovo. However in the event of any attempt an independence declaration, the way will be very clear for the Tito modification to be reversed.
The paper referenced is US biased and quoted to bolster the Albanian cause.
I would be interested to know about this previous border adjustment as it may well prove relevant should the current status quo break down.
"Kosova has had well defined borders and status as a separate entity for centuries. It will detach itsel after being considered as an undesirable entity from Serbia, something proven by Serbia's actions towards it as an entity. There has never been or will never be any entity north of some river. I must remind Serbian readers that if you agree in the partition of Kosova in some immaginary borders drawn by flowing rivers, than you should consider that moment as the starting point of the desintegration of Serbia proper into many "entities" divided by many "rivers", "valleys", "provinces".
(Clean Cut, 31 December 2007 02:47)"
You are wrong. The northern part of Kosovo was added to the province only in recent times and not "for centuries" as you claimed. The north should therefore be returned to Serbia proper, especially since the K-Serbs there (who are the overwhelming majority there) want it that way too.
Mr Reucker is a tough talking guy, but God he is NOT.
George Dubya is also a taugh talking guy but he hasn't managed to do anything right yet. Listening to these two reminds me of Abbott and Costello routine. Who's on first?
While they are talking tough, Serbia is going about her business and gaining support all along.
Time will tell which polititians will go on the scrap heap of dirty politics.
"Therefore Serbians in the north of mitrovica have no good argument to break away from kosovo, and like Ruecker said, WILL NOT BE ALLOWED to break away from Mitrovica.
(Mirsad-LDD, 30 December 2007 17:39)"
March 2004 is a good enough reason. Moreover no matter how much political concessions Albanians offer the Serbs, these K-Serbs will still prefer to be Serbians. And since the overwhleming majority in the north obvioulsy feel that way, it is therefore their democratic right to remain part of Serbia through a partition.
Minority Serbs will be granted the same rights and will be equal to any other habitant of Kosovo. The current composition of the new Kosovar government grants three minister posts to the serbs, even though Serbians account to 8 percent of the whole population, and did not even bother voting in the elections. Thats what I call being generous, since under the Yugoslav federation, when kosovars were the minority, Milosevic scrapped the 1974 constitution and took all autonomy from Kosovo, in the process slaughtering mass civilians (throughout yugoslavia not just Kosovo, like Bosnia and srebrenica where 8 thousand were slaughtered all in one go).
Therefore Serbians in the north of mitrovica have no good argument to break away from kosovo, and like Ruecker said, WILL NOT BE ALLOWED to break away from Mitrovica.
If the US & it's supporters want to make an ass out of international law by recognising Kosovo then they will have set a precedent.
Firstly, claiming that the north cannot secede from Kosovo are just empty words the precedent will have been set.
Secondly, Serbia will declare the act of independence as null & void so Kosovo & the north of Kosovo are an integral part of Serbia.
This is a battle for the hearts & minds of the peoples of Kosovo. Serbia needs to win this battle by teaming up with the EU and offering the people of Kosovo more than the US and the breakaway Albanians. The mere act of recognising Kosovo as independent or not is ultimately irrelevant to Serbia who must continue to treat the region as its own and win the battle for the hearts and minds of its people, those in the south as well as those in the north. The fight for Kosovo will not be decided in a day.
This is so funny, now if the South of the Ibar consist of the majority Albanians and the North the Majority of Serbs then the north has the same rights to seek independence because they are the majority and they have the same rights as South of the Ibar. Mr Rucker is talking out the side of his neck and quoting UNSC if this is supppose to go though the security council then it is dead because either Russia or China will Veto and end of resolution back to the drawing board.
"Thanks for the information village-bey. As I suspected someone who was educated and employed in an environment to think and speak according to govt. directions without independent input.
(skipp5, 31 December 2007 11:03)"
skipp5 and village-boy,
you both amuse me!
what you did not understand is,
it doesn´t matter at all who wrote the article, my dear albanian friends, the striking point is that it was published, in the internatioanl herald tribune.
that´s something you simply do not seem to notice...
what, to a certain extent, shows the seriousness of your approach to the kosovo-issue.
If there has been one place in the world that has shown to empires that it cannot be bent and twisted into a shape they prefer it is the Balkans.I understand that the German needs to keep the Albanians calm but Mr. Ruecker your words are were never meant to sooth Serbian ears nor will they ever.The north historically has not been part of Kosovo for long and Titos communist borders have proved to be impossible in Yugoslavia Serbia is no exception.There really is no new information on this issue every side is dug in.
Kosova has had well defined borders and status as a separate entity for centuries. It will detach itsel after being considered as an undesirable entity from Serbia, something proven by Serbia's actions towards it as an entity. There has never been or will never be any entity north of some river. I must remind Serbian readers that if you agree in the partition of Kosova in some immaginary borders drawn by flowing rivers, than you should consider that moment as the starting point of the desintegration of Serbia proper into many "entities" divided by many "rivers", "valleys", "provinces".
Mr Ruecker, what about "South"? "North" is not changing anything so far. After "South" secession, we can talk about "North". So, first stop the first "domino plate", please!
"UNMIK and KFOR, based on their respective mandates, are under obligation to make sure partition does not occur," Ruecker told the paper. "
Ruecker conveniently forgot that this mandate of UNMIK's and KFOR's derived from 1244 whereby they are required to respect Yugoslavia's (and hence Serbia's as the UN-recognized successor after Montenegro's independence) sovereignty.
Thanks for the information village-bey. As I suspected someone who was educated and employed in an environment to think and speak according to govt. directions without independent input.
Village-Bey, when asked who is Dimitri K. Simes you Google, and come up with a very short part of this man's history. And then people react like, oh yes, he was educated in the SU so then they know why he wrote it. But the real situation Village Bey is that he is the Founding President of the Nixon Research Center, has an American passport, served under different Presidents of the USA and is a highly professional Professor on several US Universities.Why don't you write the whole story Village Bey?
I answered in regard to the titel of the article.
but there can be no doubt, that UNSC 1244 reaffirms the territorial sovereignty of Serbia, what means with the whole of the serbian southern province, not only the north.
so, better don´t mix things up here, nothing "is a done deal" because the powerful said so... I suppose you mean the US, right?
well, my dear Burim, they also said "Mission Accomplished" a few years ago...and until the present day, we count already 3904 dead G.I.´s!
they can say a lot, but reality is something completely different. you will probably witness it yourself quite soon, nothing is a "done deal" by now.
however, what is in fact a done deal... is... UNSC 1244 it is still there and will remain.
and that is very good for the Albanians too! it´s only too early yet for you to understand that...
How ever you look at it Kosovo will be independent because the powerful said so. Even as you argue on topic of Northern Kosovo it shows that Kosovo is a done deal all is left to talk about is some details: north, preshevo walley, and war criminals.
Skipp5,
Here is the answer to your question.
'Mr. Simes was born in Moscow and graduated from the School of History of Moscow State University. From 1967 to 1972, he was a research assistant and later a research associate at the Institute of World Economy and International Affairs (also in Moscow), an influential foreign policy think tank in the Soviet Union at that time'.
Minority Serbs will be granted the same rights and will be equal to any other habitant of Kosovo. The current composition of the new Kosovar government grants three minister posts to the serbs, even though Serbians account to 8 percent of the whole population, and did not even bother voting in the elections. Thats what I call being generous, since under the Yugoslav federation, when kosovars were the minority, Milosevic scrapped the 1974 constitution and took all autonomy from Kosovo, in the process slaughtering mass civilians (throughout yugoslavia not just Kosovo, like Bosnia and srebrenica where 8 thousand were slaughtered all in one go).
Therefore Serbians in the north of mitrovica have no good argument to break away from kosovo, and like Ruecker said, WILL NOT BE ALLOWED to break away from Mitrovica.
Kosova has had well defined borders and status as a separate entity for centuries. It will detach itsel after being considered as an undesirable entity from Serbia, something proven by Serbia's actions towards it as an entity. There has never been or will never be any entity north of some river. I must remind Serbian readers that if you agree in the partition of Kosova in some immaginary borders drawn by flowing rivers, than you should consider that moment as the starting point of the desintegration of Serbia proper into many "entities" divided by many "rivers", "valleys", "provinces".
KFOR and UNMIK will not allow for the Serb-inhabited regions to "separate" from the province, the German diplomat told Priština-based Albanian language Zeri newspaper's holiday edition.
Of course he would tell this to an Albanian news paper (score some points)
Ruecker backed his comments by quoting from the principles of the Contact Group, "supported by UN Security Council", which "clearly and unequivocally point out that there will be no partition of Kosovo."
Now suddenly things concerning the UNSC do matter.
"UNMIK and KFOR, based on their respective mandates, are under obligation to make sure partition does not occur," Ruecker told the paper.
They are also obligated that partitioning of Kosovo from Serbia does not occur.
He also believes that the international community will be successful in preserving what he referred to as "Kosovo's integrity", adding that this would take place "if the majority Albanian population and their leaders make an obligation to reach out toward the Serb community,"
The integrety of Serbia is apparently not that important (that is the #1 goal). The Kosovo Albanians have not made one single friendly gesture towards Kosovo Serbs and so why should the latter group trust anything from now on.
"Serbs need to be assured that they are equal members of Kosovo's society and that their interests will be fully respected, now, and in the future," Ruecker said.
Kosovo Serbs and others are not equal members as long as the live in ghetto's and as long as they cannot return home or have to fear for their lives because they are non-Albanian.
In addition, if the Serb majority in Nothern Kosovo decides to join Serbia there is nothing that the Kosovo Albanians, NATO or others can do. It is OK to grap 15% of Serbia's legal territory, because the Kosovo Albanians get so upset if they loose 15% of the Kosovo territory.
The fake German diplomat should seriously considering an early retirement, because he has already lost all his credibility a long long time ago.
Of course this is only for Zeri's new year edition. Santa must send nice words for the New Year.
However, again false promises. Mr Ruecker for your information North Kosovo is de facto independent and that is how it will stay. This man should know that Serbs reject to live under Albanian governing since Serbs expirienced once what does that mean. If Albanians are allowed not to like living under Serbian authority then that right is applied for Serbs as well. Serbs also have right to choose with whom to live. I just wonder why Ruecker fails to say that there is already de facto partition in Kosovo and that Albanians have no control at all over North, as a matter of fact North is completely under Serbia's control. Once (if) Kosovo gets its independence, North will de jure become independent as well and merge to Serbia. Furthermore, Ruecker fails to say how he thinks or UNMIK and KFOR for that matter, to integrate the Serbs in Kosovo isnstitutions since the Serbs reject to be ruled by Albanians. Does this man send the message that KFOR will use the force against the Serbs? Is Ruecker tries to say that the rest of the Serbs will be expeled from the North that even does not belong to Kosovo (remember when the North was merged to Kosovo)??? Anyway, Ruecker does not represent the one that should be taken seriously. He is just a EU clerk and that's it. He will do just as he has been told to do.
So now the UNSC laws are good enough to be inforced. Great, we can take this Kosovo indep thing through the UNSC and veto, oops I mean vote on it. How are you going to force the Serbian majority North to say with the South. Maybe bomb them. Pristina has no control over the North for the last 8 years. If the will of the people in the North is to be indep from Pristina, then it should be respected. See this can work both ways. To those that say if the North goes to Serbia, then the valley goes to Kosovo, well ok if you want a Serbian military base in your illegal indep South Kosov"a". Serously though, if Serbia can't stop Kosovo's indep with the law on her side, how can anyone stop the North. No side wants partition but thats the end result, no matter how you spin it. Even my blog friend Teni sees that the North may separate. I don't think Pristina will make to big a stink about it if the rest gains indep. That is their goal no matter what, right?
You are a genius in creating a stinging satire on Euro-American political thinking. Congratulations!
I am laughing with tears in my eyes.
"Kosovo's integrity". Oh Lord! I'm dying!
If I was an satirist I doubt I had imagination to write the dialogue you are supplying to us readers. Or let's say I wouldn't have guts to (or reason to) create such an ridiculous character as "Mr. Ruecker". I think I would step over all lines of believeability.
But, as seen so many times, reality beats fiction.
Another proof of Mr. Ruecker's omnipotent talent is the way how he now intelligently turns upside down a recent twist in his storyline. As I remember it went like this:" Kosovo's future will be taken care outside of the UN Security Council".
What could be better ridiculing this twist than putting next day the character announcing about principles that are "clearly and unequivocally pointing out that there will be no partition of Kosovo", and then continuing that this matter is "supported by UN Security Council".
Skipp5,
Here is the answer to your question.
'Mr. Simes was born in Moscow and graduated from the School of History of Moscow State University. From 1967 to 1972, he was a research assistant and later a research associate at the Institute of World Economy and International Affairs (also in Moscow), an influential foreign policy think tank in the Soviet Union at that time'.
How ever you look at it Kosovo will be independent because the powerful said so. Even as you argue on topic of Northern Kosovo it shows that Kosovo is a done deal all is left to talk about is some details: north, preshevo walley, and war criminals.
Things will be much better for the region when pseudo-diplomats like Ruecker go away. Instead of solving conflicts they only perpetuate them. I guess that makes sure they have a reason to stick around. and justify their presence.
I think Zoran summed up the points nicely here. Furthermore, if Albanians wanted to make peace with Serbs they had plenty of chances the past several years.
I am curious how this non-partition will be enforced? I'm thinking maybe a big fence all around Northern Kosovo and KFOR will let the Serbs out during the day, probably even march them out under arms, and allow them to return at night, after gathering food and whatnot.
Thanks for the information village-bey. As I suspected someone who was educated and employed in an environment to think and speak according to govt. directions without independent input.
I answered in regard to the titel of the article.
but there can be no doubt, that UNSC 1244 reaffirms the territorial sovereignty of Serbia, what means with the whole of the serbian southern province, not only the north.
so, better don´t mix things up here, nothing "is a done deal" because the powerful said so... I suppose you mean the US, right?
well, my dear Burim, they also said "Mission Accomplished" a few years ago...and until the present day, we count already 3904 dead G.I.´s!
they can say a lot, but reality is something completely different. you will probably witness it yourself quite soon, nothing is a "done deal" by now.
however, what is in fact a done deal... is... UNSC 1244 it is still there and will remain.
and that is very good for the Albanians too! it´s only too early yet for you to understand that...
A previous blogger provided a link to a paper that said:
—three of Kosovo's northern municipalities were majority Serbian before the NATO/Yugoslavia war (in fact their territory had once been part of Serbia proper and was transferred to Kosovo by Tito in order to increase the Serbian population there).
How can this territory be 'inalienable' given that it was transfered to Kosovo in recent history and has never been Albanian controlled?
The reason Serbia will not discuss the separation of the North is because it will not accept the separation of Kosovo. However in the event of any attempt an independence declaration, the way will be very clear for the Tito modification to be reversed.
The paper referenced is US biased and quoted to bolster the Albanian cause.
I would be interested to know about this previous border adjustment as it may well prove relevant should the current status quo break down.
This is so funny, now if the South of the Ibar consist of the majority Albanians and the North the Majority of Serbs then the north has the same rights to seek independence because they are the majority and they have the same rights as South of the Ibar. Mr Rucker is talking out the side of his neck and quoting UNSC if this is supppose to go though the security council then it is dead because either Russia or China will Veto and end of resolution back to the drawing board.
Mr Reucker is a tough talking guy, but God he is NOT.
George Dubya is also a taugh talking guy but he hasn't managed to do anything right yet. Listening to these two reminds me of Abbott and Costello routine. Who's on first?
While they are talking tough, Serbia is going about her business and gaining support all along.
Time will tell which polititians will go on the scrap heap of dirty politics.
Mr Ruecker, what about "South"? "North" is not changing anything so far. After "South" secession, we can talk about "North". So, first stop the first "domino plate", please!
"Therefore Serbians in the north of mitrovica have no good argument to break away from kosovo, and like Ruecker said, WILL NOT BE ALLOWED to break away from Mitrovica.
(Mirsad-LDD, 30 December 2007 17:39)"
March 2004 is a good enough reason. Moreover no matter how much political concessions Albanians offer the Serbs, these K-Serbs will still prefer to be Serbians. And since the overwhleming majority in the north obvioulsy feel that way, it is therefore their democratic right to remain part of Serbia through a partition.
"Kosova has had well defined borders and status as a separate entity for centuries. It will detach itsel after being considered as an undesirable entity from Serbia, something proven by Serbia's actions towards it as an entity. There has never been or will never be any entity north of some river. I must remind Serbian readers that if you agree in the partition of Kosova in some immaginary borders drawn by flowing rivers, than you should consider that moment as the starting point of the desintegration of Serbia proper into many "entities" divided by many "rivers", "valleys", "provinces".
(Clean Cut, 31 December 2007 02:47)"
You are wrong. The northern part of Kosovo was added to the province only in recent times and not "for centuries" as you claimed. The north should therefore be returned to Serbia proper, especially since the K-Serbs there (who are the overwhelming majority there) want it that way too.
"Thanks for the information village-bey. As I suspected someone who was educated and employed in an environment to think and speak according to govt. directions without independent input.
(skipp5, 31 December 2007 11:03)"
skipp5 and village-boy,
you both amuse me!
what you did not understand is,
it doesn´t matter at all who wrote the article, my dear albanian friends, the striking point is that it was published, in the internatioanl herald tribune.
that´s something you simply do not seem to notice...
what, to a certain extent, shows the seriousness of your approach to the kosovo-issue.
If the US & it's supporters want to make an ass out of international law by recognising Kosovo then they will have set a precedent.
Firstly, claiming that the north cannot secede from Kosovo are just empty words the precedent will have been set.
Secondly, Serbia will declare the act of independence as null & void so Kosovo & the north of Kosovo are an integral part of Serbia.
This is a battle for the hearts & minds of the peoples of Kosovo. Serbia needs to win this battle by teaming up with the EU and offering the people of Kosovo more than the US and the breakaway Albanians. The mere act of recognising Kosovo as independent or not is ultimately irrelevant to Serbia who must continue to treat the region as its own and win the battle for the hearts and minds of its people, those in the south as well as those in the north. The fight for Kosovo will not be decided in a day.
If there has been one place in the world that has shown to empires that it cannot be bent and twisted into a shape they prefer it is the Balkans.I understand that the German needs to keep the Albanians calm but Mr. Ruecker your words are were never meant to sooth Serbian ears nor will they ever.The north historically has not been part of Kosovo for long and Titos communist borders have proved to be impossible in Yugoslavia Serbia is no exception.There really is no new information on this issue every side is dug in.
"UNMIK and KFOR, based on their respective mandates, are under obligation to make sure partition does not occur," Ruecker told the paper. "
Ruecker conveniently forgot that this mandate of UNMIK's and KFOR's derived from 1244 whereby they are required to respect Yugoslavia's (and hence Serbia's as the UN-recognized successor after Montenegro's independence) sovereignty.
Village-Bey, when asked who is Dimitri K. Simes you Google, and come up with a very short part of this man's history. And then people react like, oh yes, he was educated in the SU so then they know why he wrote it. But the real situation Village Bey is that he is the Founding President of the Nixon Research Center, has an American passport, served under different Presidents of the USA and is a highly professional Professor on several US Universities.Why don't you write the whole story Village Bey?
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