A critical month for Serbia…and the region

This is only half right.

Both the EU mission to Kosovo and the UDI are being delayed until after the Feb 3rd election so that these two actions won't strengthen the Radical's support, causing them to win the election.

But the question the EU and the US should be asking themselves is this: Are the Serbian voters that stupid?

I mean, it's obvious that both the EU Kosovo mission and the UDI will happen. Does anyone still really believe that delaying it until after the election will make a difference? How naive can the EU and the US be?

And there is an obvious sign that this delaying trick isn't working anymore among the Serbian voters. And that sign is the fact that Nikolic is leading the polls for the 2nd round on Feb 3rd.

And another thing that the whole international community must understand and eventually accept is that they can't steal everything from Serbia.

Either they will steal Kosovo and that will give every right for the population os Republika Srpska to declare independence from Bosnia as well. Or they let Serbia keep Kosovo, thus not giving grounds to any independence claims by the RS.

So the time has come for the international community and also for Serbia to choose. What do you guys want as a late christmas present? Kosovo or Republika Srpska?

The West really should stop destroying the system of international law. And tell the Albanians: no independence!
(Ron, 28 January 2008 14:39)

ron,
every action has a reaction and when you mistreat people, try and take something that doesn't belong to you & murder thousands of civilians don't go around playing the role of the victim. it's time to take your medicine so don't be a baby about it.

The presidential post in Serbia has no real power, it is only of representative nature. The power in Serbia lies with the prime minister post held by Vojislav Kostunica. Therefore all this nonsens about who wins this election and serbian future simply is not true. Whoever wins will not change Serbias future. I would understand if there were parliamentary elections but the President in Serbia has no power and can not change anything in serbian politics. The president is just a figure and I don't understand why there is such a function is Serbia in the first place anyway. Well, they maybe like to have a president to show that Serbia is a republic and not a monarchy.

In the end, the president cannot change anything. The political future of Serbia depends on who has the majority in the parliament and the so called democrats still have majority.

Regarding the EU, Serbia cannot sign anything with them if they choose to violate the territorial integriy of Serbia by sending their illegal mission to Kosovo. Because of that it is very strange that Boris Tadic and the DS pary are so keen to sign the SAA but even more strange is that they didn't accept the conditions set up by Kostunica to be able to support Tadic in the second round of the presedential elections. There is nothing special about the conditions set up by Kostunica because you cannot sign anything if the other party of the agreement immediately starts braking it. What does a SAA signature mean when the EU shortly there after sends a mission to Kosovo and by doing so, recognize Kosovo independent. Serbia cannot sign anything with EU where EU does not respect Serbias territorial integrity.

All steps by finding a solution to Kosovo have to go through the legal channels meaning through the UNSC. That is the only thing Serbia asks for.

We constantly talk about what Serbia must do in order to be accpeted as a civilized country in the West. This ultimately leads to the same conclusions: do as the US wants. Calling Serbia a potential "Belarus of the Balkans" is not only insulting, it also highlights the continuous shortcomings of Western perception of this country and its people. It also plays right into the hands of an angry and disaffected Serbian electorate who, just out of spite, will vote SRS simply because Nikolic will not be seen as a Western lapdog.

What so-called Western analysts should be spending their time on in how to ameliorate relations with Serbia and its people. There is a genuine sense of betrayal felt here against the West, who seems to side with every ethnic group and political movement that is posed against Serbia. There is this sense of political resignation among the people that "we've been screwed in the past, we're being screwed now, so we're pretty much going to be screwed in the future." This, more than anything else leads to the strengh and popularity of the SRS because it is the only large party that has never been in power post-2000, portrays itself as a party that stands up to Western diplomatic hubris, and is collectively understood to be the protest party against the status quo. Anyone saying a vote for the SRS is a vote for Greater Serbia needs to put down the essays by Holbrooke and Judah and pick up a copy of Politika.

With all this said, the US likes to characterize itself as the saviors of the world and the civilizers of undeveloped regions. Recognizing a UDI in Kosovo will put Serbia squarely in the hands of Russia and solidify already strained relations. No doubt Mr. Montgomery will eiher write some self-righteous essay saying "I told you so" or lament about failed US policy in the Balkans when he knew damn well what was happening.

The choice is not before Belgrade but before Washington, as the "leader of the Free World": engage Serbia as a respectable partner and it will easily cooperate with the West and the EU. Continue to treat it like some pariah, and it will continue to thumb its nose at the West (but not on account of its hatred of democracy).

The West really should stop destroying the system of international law. And tell the Albanians: no independence!

I wonder Mr. Montgomery, what happened in Your oppinion about radicals just half year ago. There was Your article 'Let's stop talking about a democratic block in Serbia', and just to remind You of few very accurate facts You have presented:
-...there is no anti-democratic block in Serbia and thus there can be no "democratic block" to oppose it.
-The recent episode of the election of Toma Nikolic, acting head of the Radical Party, as Parliamentary Speaker is a case in point. In every way, he behaved according to democratic principles both in his election and in the way he stepped aside and did not put parliamentary obstacles in the way of formation of the now-ruling coalition. He actually came across in a better light than many of the "democrats" who elected him in the first place. If one wanted to question the commitment of respective parties to "democracy," it is actually some of the parties in the so-called democratic bloc that have the most to answer for. After all, it is within these parties that there have been boycotts of at least two Presidential elections; delays of more than three months in forming a governing coalition; efforts made while in power to pressure the independent media; fights in Parliament over accrediting and discrediting Parliamentarians and finally, the "Bodrum" scandal, which helped to bring down the Zivkovic government.

I can go on and on. In any case, we have a president who looks line pale copy of his predeccesor (Mr. Djindjic) and far inferior to Nikolic. It is America who need to choose: or you shall start to respect 'will of the people' (even that means radical on power), or you can choose to use yet another pretext to molest Serbs (and cement radicals not only as president but on much more important levels of government, and not just in next 4 but many more years to come).

This leaves Serbia with no alternative but to vote Nikolic in and stand firm.

Voting for Tadic means that in the end he will sign away Kosovo as entry to EU is more precious to him.

There is a reason for Tadic having backing of the west. He is the weaker of the two.

Recognizing Kosovo’s independence will de facto give right to Albanians in Macedonia, Southern Serbia, Northern Greece and Monte Negro to seek independence as well. Not to mention countless other minorities across to Europe, Asia and Africa who led by Albanian example will pursue their own secessionist agendas.

I’m not going as far to say that world will plunge into chaos and disarray but you can bet your money that five years from now world will have more conflicts than today and will be in worse off shape than it is today.

United States of America who is already stretched thin with its “peace missions” in the Middle East will find it self in a position of world power gone broke; desperately attempting to reverse failed short-sighted politics of the current regime. I’m afraid it’s going to be too late.

Where does this leave Serbia? Time will tell!

O tempora, o mores!

Wiliam Montgomery,

I won't go into too much detail.

From March 2008, WEU countries are going to lose faith in their so-called righteous path, extremists elements after growing weary for 9 years will realise Full Independence is not part of a package and WEU countires and mission staff will reap what the likes of Javier Solana have sewn.

Extremist elements south of the Ibar will continue to train and point their actions at Brussels and maybe Belgrade.

Kosovo's History will repeat itself.

Well done for placing the final piece to the destabilisation of European Communities.

Mr. Montgomery, Comparing Serbia to Belarus is just ridiculous. Whatever shortcomings Serbia has, it is a full democracy, while Belarus - allthough it has still the formalities of a democracy - seems to be stuck with Lukashenko.

I find it amazing that you leave out the most important challenge that may happen: large streams of Serb refugees from Kosovo. Or do you find it hard to admit that your government is involved in their cleansing?

I find it amazing that the US is supporting the independence of a region that is so clearly violating the human rights of its minorities. It seems like the US is prepared to do anything - including crimes - to annoy Russia.

The West really should stop destroying the system of international law. And tell the Albanians: no independence!

I wonder Mr. Montgomery, what happened in Your oppinion about radicals just half year ago. There was Your article 'Let's stop talking about a democratic block in Serbia', and just to remind You of few very accurate facts You have presented:
-...there is no anti-democratic block in Serbia and thus there can be no "democratic block" to oppose it.
-The recent episode of the election of Toma Nikolic, acting head of the Radical Party, as Parliamentary Speaker is a case in point. In every way, he behaved according to democratic principles both in his election and in the way he stepped aside and did not put parliamentary obstacles in the way of formation of the now-ruling coalition. He actually came across in a better light than many of the "democrats" who elected him in the first place. If one wanted to question the commitment of respective parties to "democracy," it is actually some of the parties in the so-called democratic bloc that have the most to answer for. After all, it is within these parties that there have been boycotts of at least two Presidential elections; delays of more than three months in forming a governing coalition; efforts made while in power to pressure the independent media; fights in Parliament over accrediting and discrediting Parliamentarians and finally, the "Bodrum" scandal, which helped to bring down the Zivkovic government.

I can go on and on. In any case, we have a president who looks line pale copy of his predeccesor (Mr. Djindjic) and far inferior to Nikolic. It is America who need to choose: or you shall start to respect 'will of the people' (even that means radical on power), or you can choose to use yet another pretext to molest Serbs (and cement radicals not only as president but on much more important levels of government, and not just in next 4 but many more years to come).

The West really should stop destroying the system of international law. And tell the Albanians: no independence!
(Ron, 28 January 2008 14:39)

ron,
every action has a reaction and when you mistreat people, try and take something that doesn't belong to you & murder thousands of civilians don't go around playing the role of the victim. it's time to take your medicine so don't be a baby about it.

The presidential post in Serbia has no real power, it is only of representative nature. The power in Serbia lies with the prime minister post held by Vojislav Kostunica. Therefore all this nonsens about who wins this election and serbian future simply is not true. Whoever wins will not change Serbias future. I would understand if there were parliamentary elections but the President in Serbia has no power and can not change anything in serbian politics. The president is just a figure and I don't understand why there is such a function is Serbia in the first place anyway. Well, they maybe like to have a president to show that Serbia is a republic and not a monarchy.

In the end, the president cannot change anything. The political future of Serbia depends on who has the majority in the parliament and the so called democrats still have majority.

Regarding the EU, Serbia cannot sign anything with them if they choose to violate the territorial integriy of Serbia by sending their illegal mission to Kosovo. Because of that it is very strange that Boris Tadic and the DS pary are so keen to sign the SAA but even more strange is that they didn't accept the conditions set up by Kostunica to be able to support Tadic in the second round of the presedential elections. There is nothing special about the conditions set up by Kostunica because you cannot sign anything if the other party of the agreement immediately starts braking it. What does a SAA signature mean when the EU shortly there after sends a mission to Kosovo and by doing so, recognize Kosovo independent. Serbia cannot sign anything with EU where EU does not respect Serbias territorial integrity.

All steps by finding a solution to Kosovo have to go through the legal channels meaning through the UNSC. That is the only thing Serbia asks for.

This is only half right.

Both the EU mission to Kosovo and the UDI are being delayed until after the Feb 3rd election so that these two actions won't strengthen the Radical's support, causing them to win the election.

But the question the EU and the US should be asking themselves is this: Are the Serbian voters that stupid?

I mean, it's obvious that both the EU Kosovo mission and the UDI will happen. Does anyone still really believe that delaying it until after the election will make a difference? How naive can the EU and the US be?

And there is an obvious sign that this delaying trick isn't working anymore among the Serbian voters. And that sign is the fact that Nikolic is leading the polls for the 2nd round on Feb 3rd.

And another thing that the whole international community must understand and eventually accept is that they can't steal everything from Serbia.

Either they will steal Kosovo and that will give every right for the population os Republika Srpska to declare independence from Bosnia as well. Or they let Serbia keep Kosovo, thus not giving grounds to any independence claims by the RS.

So the time has come for the international community and also for Serbia to choose. What do you guys want as a late christmas present? Kosovo or Republika Srpska?

This leaves Serbia with no alternative but to vote Nikolic in and stand firm.

Voting for Tadic means that in the end he will sign away Kosovo as entry to EU is more precious to him.

There is a reason for Tadic having backing of the west. He is the weaker of the two.

We constantly talk about what Serbia must do in order to be accpeted as a civilized country in the West. This ultimately leads to the same conclusions: do as the US wants. Calling Serbia a potential "Belarus of the Balkans" is not only insulting, it also highlights the continuous shortcomings of Western perception of this country and its people. It also plays right into the hands of an angry and disaffected Serbian electorate who, just out of spite, will vote SRS simply because Nikolic will not be seen as a Western lapdog.

What so-called Western analysts should be spending their time on in how to ameliorate relations with Serbia and its people. There is a genuine sense of betrayal felt here against the West, who seems to side with every ethnic group and political movement that is posed against Serbia. There is this sense of political resignation among the people that "we've been screwed in the past, we're being screwed now, so we're pretty much going to be screwed in the future." This, more than anything else leads to the strengh and popularity of the SRS because it is the only large party that has never been in power post-2000, portrays itself as a party that stands up to Western diplomatic hubris, and is collectively understood to be the protest party against the status quo. Anyone saying a vote for the SRS is a vote for Greater Serbia needs to put down the essays by Holbrooke and Judah and pick up a copy of Politika.

With all this said, the US likes to characterize itself as the saviors of the world and the civilizers of undeveloped regions. Recognizing a UDI in Kosovo will put Serbia squarely in the hands of Russia and solidify already strained relations. No doubt Mr. Montgomery will eiher write some self-righteous essay saying "I told you so" or lament about failed US policy in the Balkans when he knew damn well what was happening.

The choice is not before Belgrade but before Washington, as the "leader of the Free World": engage Serbia as a respectable partner and it will easily cooperate with the West and the EU. Continue to treat it like some pariah, and it will continue to thumb its nose at the West (but not on account of its hatred of democracy).

Wiliam Montgomery,

I won't go into too much detail.

From March 2008, WEU countries are going to lose faith in their so-called righteous path, extremists elements after growing weary for 9 years will realise Full Independence is not part of a package and WEU countires and mission staff will reap what the likes of Javier Solana have sewn.

Extremist elements south of the Ibar will continue to train and point their actions at Brussels and maybe Belgrade.

Kosovo's History will repeat itself.

Well done for placing the final piece to the destabilisation of European Communities.

Recognizing Kosovo’s independence will de facto give right to Albanians in Macedonia, Southern Serbia, Northern Greece and Monte Negro to seek independence as well. Not to mention countless other minorities across to Europe, Asia and Africa who led by Albanian example will pursue their own secessionist agendas.

I’m not going as far to say that world will plunge into chaos and disarray but you can bet your money that five years from now world will have more conflicts than today and will be in worse off shape than it is today.

United States of America who is already stretched thin with its “peace missions” in the Middle East will find it self in a position of world power gone broke; desperately attempting to reverse failed short-sighted politics of the current regime. I’m afraid it’s going to be too late.

Where does this leave Serbia? Time will tell!

O tempora, o mores!

Mr. Montgomery, Comparing Serbia to Belarus is just ridiculous. Whatever shortcomings Serbia has, it is a full democracy, while Belarus - allthough it has still the formalities of a democracy - seems to be stuck with Lukashenko.

I find it amazing that you leave out the most important challenge that may happen: large streams of Serb refugees from Kosovo. Or do you find it hard to admit that your government is involved in their cleansing?

I find it amazing that the US is supporting the independence of a region that is so clearly violating the human rights of its minorities. It seems like the US is prepared to do anything - including crimes - to annoy Russia.