President demands cabinet session; PM refuses

Koštunica said that it was necessary for parliament to hold a session immediately “and confirm national unity, which would be the best way of maintaining the country’s stability, respect for the Constitution and the protection of constitutional order.“

-Kostunica is absolutely right. All he asks now is national unity but it seems he is asking to much from Dulic who decided to play dirty.

If we don't do our best to preserve the constitution, the partitioning of our country won't be ended with Kosovo, the EU vultures would just continue playing with our borders. What's next?

So Ilic and Kostunica hatched this little plan behind closed doors and have come out fighting.

We all know what parliament sessions look like - they sit there (those that turn up) and we listen to endless speeches from those hopelessly out of touch with reality. And the conclusion - yes nobody with the exception of LDP supports the independence of Kosovo. Wow, what a revelation and waste of time!

They plan to imply that the loss of Kosovo will be the fault of DS. Nice trick and it shows the Serbian disease of stabbing ones own in the back. This is the primary problem of Serbia folks, not outsiders hell bent on destroying Serbia. Its about the hypocricy of those who drape themselves in patriotism (lazni patrioti) to gain popularity and pretend its about democracy or soverignty. Its also about those who are prepared to buy into these lies. Do you guys still believe Kostunica now?

Well done Koustnica, I am more angry with you and Ilic now that I have ever been. Given a choice in the future I will vote for the radicals rather than you. At least they are more honest about what they believe.

Lets have elections and get this over with! I'm ready for one final battle, and I'm sure you have mobilised much of Serbia with this rubbish as well.

Princip, again your hypocricy is astounding.

You describe yourself as a British-Serb. Well if you believe the EU is such an evil organisation make the ultimate statement. Vote with your feet. Move back to Serbia, and help shape the new Serbian future you envisage, rather than carping at the sidelines in the comfort of your EU home, while letting other Serbs suffer the isolation that will await if your suggestions were enacted.

You are free to have an opinion, as you have stressed before, but it is very hypocritical when you will not in any way suffer from the policies you suggest as you do not live in Serbia. Also by your continued presence in the EU, you are passively supporting it's actions which you find so distasteful.

But of course you will not do that because the EU provides you with a very good wage, and standard of living, and despite your bile, you are unwilling to sacrifice that for all your protestations about the EU. You complain that Tadic is weak. At least he is not practicing double standards to your extent.

Bganon,

"Nice trick and it shows the Serbian disease of stabbing ones own in the back. This is the primary problem of Serbia folks, not outsiders hell bent on destroying Serbia."

Really ? It is the EU who have been scheming what with the illegal mission being drafted last Friday and acceptance Monday before this was made public - oh and what was the excuse "not to affect Serbia's election" !!! No we will do this if Tadic wins or loses but lets not go public!!!

Talking about back stabbing. Yesterday Tadic meets Finlands Foreign Minister when Tadic made it abundantly clear on the day;

"Belgrade believes that there is no legal framework in place for an EU mission to be sent to Kosovo and Metohija. President Tadić has relayed Serbia's position that the mission can be approved only by the United Nations Security Council,"
http://www.b92.net/eng/news/politics-article.php?yyyy=2008&mm=02&dd=05&nav_id=47495
- look at the picture of all smiling Tadic & "friend" Ilkka Kanerva. Today read what respect Ilkka shows towards his "friend's" words regarding Serbia's Sovereignity;

"Finnish Foreign Minister Ilkka Kanerva says that Finland is prepared to recognize Kosovo as an independent nation. He adds that the rest of the EU's foreign ministers are on alert to respond, if Kosovo declares independence."
http://www.yle.fi/news/left/id81933.html
- did he tell Tadic the same viewpoint or not???

Kostinuca had the forsight to take heed of the looming deceit but Tadic seems to have been blind or blinkered to the obvious!

- et tu EU...
Friends indeed...

'Next is the general election and in this way Kosovo's status will be posponed untill end of election. So on. Until it gets cool off.'

Milan, this is what I suggested a couple of days ago. Except I didnt believe it would be DSS who would play hardball. Somebody inside that camp has very wrongly interpreted Machiaveli.
Yes I do believe that the internationals will force the Albanians to delay the date in the event of Serbian parliamentary elections.

But like I've been saying, lets have this showdown. If Kostunica insists upon putting a gun to his own head and is stupid enough to pull the trigger it isnt the fault of the Serbian people.

Tadic's moderate approach obviously hasnt paid off. Its time Tadic gets more backbone and rises to Kostunica's challenge. Lets remind ourselves Kostunica PM, Jocic Police Minister, Bulatovic in charge of sercret service. Kostunica and Ilic about 8 percent support. And yet they continue acting with such arrogance.

Anyone could see that Kosovo has become a stone around Serbia’s neck. Kosovo is huge obstacle in Serbia’s path toward EU. The unresolved status continues to cause internal and external problems for Serbia. Serbia can not move ahead unless the problem of Kosovo is solved. Kosovo is the true litmus test for both the Serb people and the Serb government. The definition of the Kosovo status will either put Serbia in path towards democracy or in path towards isolation and turn Serbia into North Korea of Europe. The decision time has arrived. Do you want to be part of the European family or do you wish to become the North Korea of Europe. In the last presidential election Serbs showed the world that they are pro European.



EU will not delay the long awaited independence for Kosovo to suit the needs of Mr. Kostunica. It has given Serbia plenty of chances in the past to cleanse themselves and get rid of individuals like Mr. Kostunica unfortunately delaying the status of Kosovo has helped Kostunica and the radicals and it has made the job for democrats more difficult.

With Kosovo gone Serbia can focus on real the problems and issues instead of shifting blame. Politicians like Mr. Kostunica can longer claim to be the savior of Serbia. If you want to be elected you have to show results, prove it to the electorate that you are worthy of vote instead of pretending to defend Kosovo when in fact you have no say whatsoever.

Kostunica surely knew the Tadic group's plans before the presidential election. Why then did he stay neutral instead of endorsing Nikolic? Less than 64,000 votes needed to swing from Tadic to Nikolic to reverse the result. Kostunica might not have much support, but he has much more than that. So, once again, we need to ask whether Kostunica was merely incompetent or is himself part of some intrigue. Regardless of the answer to that question, I can assure the writer who criticized "princip" for the sin of living outside Serbia that many of us born in exile because of our parents' opposition to Tito are indeed on our way "home". We are expecting to rejoin a nation that knows its rights and defends itself against aggression even if it is coming from our would-be overlords in the German-dominated EU. Kosovo belongs to Serbia and we had better unite to let the world know it. Signing even the most minor agreement with the EU just as it prepares an occupation force for Serbian land would send precisely the wrong message. In my peaceful native Canada, any leader who would sign such an agreement with anyone preparing to occupy Canadian land would be called a traitor.

there's just one thingie here really. kostunica has almost no mandate. he speaks for a tiny minority of citizens, i'm thinking, about the same number os ldp or thereabouts. all this mess is so that he can hold on to his position. bit like milosevic did really, during the siege and the last days.
so tough guy, call the elections. lets see if you go over 5%.
also, call the elections. lets see if anyone declares proclaims recognizes anything with no government in serbia and elections that its anybody's guess how they could end up.

Milan: you are right!

This is just another Serbian show.

the sad fact is that after 15y of wars, Hague is the biggest serbian city and yet in Serbia there is not real deomcratic force.

the comic part is that some in EU bealive that there is an authentic democratic force in Serbia, fragile, to be hadled with care but there is ;)

Koštunica said that it was necessary for parliament to hold a session immediately “and confirm national unity, which would be the best way of maintaining the country’s stability, respect for the Constitution and the protection of constitutional order.“

.... What's next?
(bmrusila, 6 February 2008 14:45)
Next is the general election and in this way Kosovo's status will be posponed untill end of election. So on. Until it gets cool off.

Kostuncia will cause a civil war. Serb citizens voted only a few days ago for Tadic. Now Kostunica is obstructing a regular session of the Government, all because his party will lose on a vote. I always thought that Serbs are good people with bad leaders, and Kostunica provides evidence that I am right once again. The only good thing about another election is the possibility of the same voters getting rid of Kostunica again. Under his leadership, Europeans will wonder about the future of Serbia, not to mind the imminent republic of Kosovo. People like Mr Kostunica once talked about Republika Srpska becoming an independent country. Last week RS leader Mr Dodic advised Serbs to vote for Mr Tadic. This speaks volumes.

I admire the fortitude and principles of P M Kostunica and I think that he is perfectly justified in requesting parliament to meet to discuss this. Parliament is supreme.

It seems ridiculous to be ready to sign an agreement with someone whom one knows is intending to do one harm in the near future.

David Crowley

Bruce and the others,

None of us here has right of depriving people living abroad on having an opinion. It is shame that some of you use that as a main argument to discredit someone’s opinion. The voices form the people living abroad that are our decedents, are very important and valuable. I don’t remember any of us tried to discredit the opinion of the K-Albanians living abroad despite the fact that Kosovo is isolated as well and poorest region in Europe, at least. Following your logic, they have no right to stress their opinion either and we should all insist them to change their opinion in regard to Kosovo independence just because they live in comfortable West while their fellows live in poor Kosovo.

Bruce, our Serbian government approved all Serbian decedents to have dual citizenship and they are all citizens of Serbia (at least those who want to be) regardless where they reside. As someone mentioned it before it was not their fault of being born abroad whose ancestors left Serbia because of Tito’s oppression. My family knows very well what that oppression means and how did it look like.

For the end, our country can not allow and should not allow her dismembering. Our ancestors spilled the blood all over Balkan by centuries to built the country that we live today. Our ancestors were brave soldiers who honourably died for their own country. Should we just spew on Kosovo battle, should we just spew on WWI or WWII. Should we just say “oh who cares, it was long time ago, who they are anyway, and we should just live comfortable life now”. Well, some people living abroad actually are more aware of Serbian history, tradition and culture as they were not brain-washed by the parents influenced by Tito.

Look, I cannot spew on our history and spilled blood of our ancestors. I cannot spew on lives lost under the Turks; I cannot spew on our cultural heritage in Kosovo or elsewhere. I cannot spew on my grandfather’s continuous torture by communists. And what we have nowadays in our government are half communists wrapped in democracy.

You can all spew over Kostunica but he was the only one who had strength to raise his voice in 1974 after the release of Tito’s famous constitution that guaranteed Albanians high level of autonomy and self-governing. It cost him a position as a lecturer at the faculty of law. I just say that what he has done was very noble.

John Bosnitch,

I completly agree on the point you make against Bruce who really should be prepared for what he wishes as I am only too prepared! Serbia will in years to come be resurgent, time is a great healer, this period of darkness cast over us is being removed a darkness when the Serbian nation united in union with "friends" only to be betrayed. Like Russia our future is in our peoples hands, hard graft and pride in what you have to offer the world is the key for nothing comes free.

@ Bruce,
- oh ye of little faith !

Is there any copy of this Political Agreement in public domain?
Some claim it to be just a “watered down” SAA without any firm commitments and obligations. If so, why this panic and rush to sign it by hook or by crook?
If it, in deed differs from SAA (in its scope and purpose) than, I am sorry, it is not up to those 23 ministers to decide to sign the entire nations up to it or not. That is 101 of any Contract Review (i.e. the same authority reviewing the original shall review the amendments, as well).
EU is correct in waiting for water to lower. Otherwise, even if someone hops on the plane and signs the agreement – it has no real weight. This is not about signatures but about commitments and ability to deliver as agreed upon.
Everybody in this love triangle (Kosovo Albanians, EU/US and Serbian Government): very, very disappointing performance, in deed.
With all the challenges of the 21st century looming on our doorstep – very bad start of this honey moon, not to mention a chances for prosperous, long-lasting marriage.

Bruce,
Take it easy, for God's sake.
Princip might be a British -Serb but I am an Irish-Irishman living in my homeland and I also have problems with the EU. Where am I supposed to go if I vote with my feet?

I know nothing about Princip's circumstances and neither do you. So don't be so judgemental. The state of the EU is relevant to all of the people of Europe whether they live in their homelands or not.

Bruce I could and will say the same about you.

The EU is not in any way responsible for the UK's economic prosperity, surely you know that the British population is most apposed to the EU despite being a EU member, go ahead and take a stroll on BBC and read any comments related to the UK in the EU.

If you didn't know already the UK along with Serbia existed well before the idea of the EU was even thought of. And you know what? They will continue to exist after the world is rid of the EU.

I am glad Princip partakes in Serbia's future no matter where he lives. In fact Princip can and does more for Serbia living and working in the UK rather than living in Serbia itself.

Kostunica is absolutely correct in calling a Parliamentary session, the EU is deceptive and not to be trusted. The EU's revolting politics is not worth any agreement or any amount of money.

Well done Koštunica, I am more angry with you and Ilić now that I have ever been. Given a choice in the future I will vote for the radicals rather than you. At least they are more honest about what they believe.

Lets have elections and get this over with! I'm ready for one final battle, and I'm sure you have mobilised much of Serbia with this rubbish as well.
(bganon, 6 February 2008 14:15)
Bganon,
Well said. Finally someone came to reality.
Alghough I am strong opponent of Tadić, I respect him for openly express his vision regarding EU integration. Like Tadić, Nikolić on other side openly express his vision for Serbia and its natural friend relationship with Russia. The only irritated politician with dark vision is Koštunica, who have no supporter if election would be held today he get less then 8%. The clear alternative in governing this country is Nikolić and Koštunica is a biggest looser as Tadić pointed out.
Thanks bganon that in the end came to my conclusion said before election.
Milan. Banja Luka.

Nick KS, this thing called A COMPREHENSIVE PROPOSAL at the top of the heading, is just a repeat of the Athissari putsch..

It's as if it was copied and pasted from last years' agenda. The people at the State Department probably didn't have enough time, money or energy to proof read it again.

I think the Belgrade politicians need to get their act together, get a new PR firm, let the Western press know they have a unified stance on Kosovo (regardless of Presidential outcome), and take advantage of the fact, that in the US, nobody is really paying attention to Kosovo.......For the moment.

Jeff, please, for God's sake, put down the Washington post, and realize that Serbians have chosen to vote for EU integration, but not at the price of Kosovo.

Comparing Serbia to N.Korean isolation is ridiculous. The voting process couldn't have run smoother, and if this is your idea of "strong arming" the democratic process via threats and ridiculous claims... then keep it to yourself please.

Bruce, your demagoguery is amazing! You try to silence debate and diversity of opinion by denigrating Princip's principles. He supposedly lives in a democracy (UK) where he can voice his opinion as he wishes! I hope he does live a comfortable life. But living a comfortable life in the UK does not preclude him from voicing his opinion, especially when the supposed beacons of Democracy and Rule of Law are acting as if it is Munich 1939.

This was posted 5 minutes ago:

http://www.state.gov/p/eur/rls/fs/100058.htm

Seems like the free world is not very impresed with your little tricks and schemes.

These latest actions by Mr. Kostunica are Serbian politics 1912. Way to go!

The EU, US and the Kosovar Albanians are not goint to wait until your general elections. It is quite clear to all by now that any and all favors done to Serbia have backfired.

Then hold your horses Mr. Bosnitch. When you live in Serbia teach Serbs how to live.
Don't put the cart before the horse.

And do us all a favor. Don't compare Canada the land that gives hope to a quarter of million new immigrants every year, with Serbia the country that only in the past decade has caused 4 wars, hundreds of thousands dead and millions of people displaced. Come to Serbia and live your "dream" life.

Kostunica just needs to go away. Who needs Kosovo? Afganistan of Europe. They will never have anything prodactive that Srbs can profit from. They will always have Human Trafficing, Drug Trafficing, Arms etc. This is all this province is good for. Who can control this Serbia? Can Serbia collect tax? No. Keeping Kosovo is only going to cost Serbia money by paying wellfare and other social benefits to Albanian Muslim population. NATO and EU seem to want spend their taxpayer dollars in that bottomless whole, let them. Serbia will be a lot better off. This should have been dealt with during the 1950 when the flood gates were open for all the immigrants and not now what Kostinica is trying to do.

Well here in this debate between serbs as supporters of DS and of DSS-SRS we see how united serbs are and how they are trying to blame each other for the loss of Kosova.
In fact, Kosova was lost when Milosevic was in Power, not now, not because of DS. Kostunica is playing this game so he can win more votes by blaming that Tadic lost Kosova.
PRINCIP, I have so many times told you that since you claim that the west is bad and that Russia-Serbia is good, then move to Russia or Serbia, dont live in UK.
It is really a high hypocrisy coming out of you because you live your good life in England and at the same time you preach that your fellow serbs should go towards Russia.
This shows that you really do not like Serbia because you are wishing Serbia not to enjoy the life that you have.
BRUCE has also mentioned this to you about your hipocrisy.

All the talks could simply be brought down to this.

Serbia could have signed an agreement that would benefit its people. Relaxing of the Visa restrictions, economical benefits, all that could be of real benefit. The agreement has nothing to do with Kosovo, which will become independend no matter what. As if losing Kosovo wasn't bad enough, we will not move towards the E.U. and slowly we will be isolated again. Thanks for nothing Kostunica.

We don't have any choises here, anyone who thinks we can choose between Kosovo or the E.U. is mistaken.

Anyone could see that Kosovo has become a stone around Serbia’s neck. Kosovo is huge obstacle in Serbia’s path toward EU. The unresolved status continues to cause internal and external problems for Serbia. Serbia can not move ahead unless the problem of Kosovo is solved. Kosovo is the true litmus test for both the Serb people and the Serb government. The definition of the Kosovo status will either put Serbia in path towards democracy or in path towards isolation and turn Serbia into North Korea of Europe. The decision time has arrived. Do you want to be part of the European family or do you wish to become the North Korea of Europe. In the last presidential election Serbs showed the world that they are pro European.



EU will not delay the long awaited independence for Kosovo to suit the needs of Mr. Kostunica. It has given Serbia plenty of chances in the past to cleanse themselves and get rid of individuals like Mr. Kostunica unfortunately delaying the status of Kosovo has helped Kostunica and the radicals and it has made the job for democrats more difficult.

With Kosovo gone Serbia can focus on real the problems and issues instead of shifting blame. Politicians like Mr. Kostunica can longer claim to be the savior of Serbia. If you want to be elected you have to show results, prove it to the electorate that you are worthy of vote instead of pretending to defend Kosovo when in fact you have no say whatsoever.

So Ilic and Kostunica hatched this little plan behind closed doors and have come out fighting.

We all know what parliament sessions look like - they sit there (those that turn up) and we listen to endless speeches from those hopelessly out of touch with reality. And the conclusion - yes nobody with the exception of LDP supports the independence of Kosovo. Wow, what a revelation and waste of time!

They plan to imply that the loss of Kosovo will be the fault of DS. Nice trick and it shows the Serbian disease of stabbing ones own in the back. This is the primary problem of Serbia folks, not outsiders hell bent on destroying Serbia. Its about the hypocricy of those who drape themselves in patriotism (lazni patrioti) to gain popularity and pretend its about democracy or soverignty. Its also about those who are prepared to buy into these lies. Do you guys still believe Kostunica now?

Well done Koustnica, I am more angry with you and Ilic now that I have ever been. Given a choice in the future I will vote for the radicals rather than you. At least they are more honest about what they believe.

Lets have elections and get this over with! I'm ready for one final battle, and I'm sure you have mobilised much of Serbia with this rubbish as well.

Milan: you are right!

This is just another Serbian show.

the sad fact is that after 15y of wars, Hague is the biggest serbian city and yet in Serbia there is not real deomcratic force.

the comic part is that some in EU bealive that there is an authentic democratic force in Serbia, fragile, to be hadled with care but there is ;)

'Next is the general election and in this way Kosovo's status will be posponed untill end of election. So on. Until it gets cool off.'

Milan, this is what I suggested a couple of days ago. Except I didnt believe it would be DSS who would play hardball. Somebody inside that camp has very wrongly interpreted Machiaveli.
Yes I do believe that the internationals will force the Albanians to delay the date in the event of Serbian parliamentary elections.

But like I've been saying, lets have this showdown. If Kostunica insists upon putting a gun to his own head and is stupid enough to pull the trigger it isnt the fault of the Serbian people.

Tadic's moderate approach obviously hasnt paid off. Its time Tadic gets more backbone and rises to Kostunica's challenge. Lets remind ourselves Kostunica PM, Jocic Police Minister, Bulatovic in charge of sercret service. Kostunica and Ilic about 8 percent support. And yet they continue acting with such arrogance.

Well here in this debate between serbs as supporters of DS and of DSS-SRS we see how united serbs are and how they are trying to blame each other for the loss of Kosova.
In fact, Kosova was lost when Milosevic was in Power, not now, not because of DS. Kostunica is playing this game so he can win more votes by blaming that Tadic lost Kosova.
PRINCIP, I have so many times told you that since you claim that the west is bad and that Russia-Serbia is good, then move to Russia or Serbia, dont live in UK.
It is really a high hypocrisy coming out of you because you live your good life in England and at the same time you preach that your fellow serbs should go towards Russia.
This shows that you really do not like Serbia because you are wishing Serbia not to enjoy the life that you have.
BRUCE has also mentioned this to you about your hipocrisy.

there's just one thingie here really. kostunica has almost no mandate. he speaks for a tiny minority of citizens, i'm thinking, about the same number os ldp or thereabouts. all this mess is so that he can hold on to his position. bit like milosevic did really, during the siege and the last days.
so tough guy, call the elections. lets see if you go over 5%.
also, call the elections. lets see if anyone declares proclaims recognizes anything with no government in serbia and elections that its anybody's guess how they could end up.

Princip, again your hypocricy is astounding.

You describe yourself as a British-Serb. Well if you believe the EU is such an evil organisation make the ultimate statement. Vote with your feet. Move back to Serbia, and help shape the new Serbian future you envisage, rather than carping at the sidelines in the comfort of your EU home, while letting other Serbs suffer the isolation that will await if your suggestions were enacted.

You are free to have an opinion, as you have stressed before, but it is very hypocritical when you will not in any way suffer from the policies you suggest as you do not live in Serbia. Also by your continued presence in the EU, you are passively supporting it's actions which you find so distasteful.

But of course you will not do that because the EU provides you with a very good wage, and standard of living, and despite your bile, you are unwilling to sacrifice that for all your protestations about the EU. You complain that Tadic is weak. At least he is not practicing double standards to your extent.

This was posted 5 minutes ago:

http://www.state.gov/p/eur/rls/fs/100058.htm

Seems like the free world is not very impresed with your little tricks and schemes.

These latest actions by Mr. Kostunica are Serbian politics 1912. Way to go!

The EU, US and the Kosovar Albanians are not goint to wait until your general elections. It is quite clear to all by now that any and all favors done to Serbia have backfired.

Then hold your horses Mr. Bosnitch. When you live in Serbia teach Serbs how to live.
Don't put the cart before the horse.

And do us all a favor. Don't compare Canada the land that gives hope to a quarter of million new immigrants every year, with Serbia the country that only in the past decade has caused 4 wars, hundreds of thousands dead and millions of people displaced. Come to Serbia and live your "dream" life.

Koštunica said that it was necessary for parliament to hold a session immediately “and confirm national unity, which would be the best way of maintaining the country’s stability, respect for the Constitution and the protection of constitutional order.“

-Kostunica is absolutely right. All he asks now is national unity but it seems he is asking to much from Dulic who decided to play dirty.

If we don't do our best to preserve the constitution, the partitioning of our country won't be ended with Kosovo, the EU vultures would just continue playing with our borders. What's next?

Kostuncia will cause a civil war. Serb citizens voted only a few days ago for Tadic. Now Kostunica is obstructing a regular session of the Government, all because his party will lose on a vote. I always thought that Serbs are good people with bad leaders, and Kostunica provides evidence that I am right once again. The only good thing about another election is the possibility of the same voters getting rid of Kostunica again. Under his leadership, Europeans will wonder about the future of Serbia, not to mind the imminent republic of Kosovo. People like Mr Kostunica once talked about Republika Srpska becoming an independent country. Last week RS leader Mr Dodic advised Serbs to vote for Mr Tadic. This speaks volumes.

Kostunica just needs to go away. Who needs Kosovo? Afganistan of Europe. They will never have anything prodactive that Srbs can profit from. They will always have Human Trafficing, Drug Trafficing, Arms etc. This is all this province is good for. Who can control this Serbia? Can Serbia collect tax? No. Keeping Kosovo is only going to cost Serbia money by paying wellfare and other social benefits to Albanian Muslim population. NATO and EU seem to want spend their taxpayer dollars in that bottomless whole, let them. Serbia will be a lot better off. This should have been dealt with during the 1950 when the flood gates were open for all the immigrants and not now what Kostinica is trying to do.

Bganon,

"Nice trick and it shows the Serbian disease of stabbing ones own in the back. This is the primary problem of Serbia folks, not outsiders hell bent on destroying Serbia."

Really ? It is the EU who have been scheming what with the illegal mission being drafted last Friday and acceptance Monday before this was made public - oh and what was the excuse "not to affect Serbia's election" !!! No we will do this if Tadic wins or loses but lets not go public!!!

Talking about back stabbing. Yesterday Tadic meets Finlands Foreign Minister when Tadic made it abundantly clear on the day;

"Belgrade believes that there is no legal framework in place for an EU mission to be sent to Kosovo and Metohija. President Tadić has relayed Serbia's position that the mission can be approved only by the United Nations Security Council,"
http://www.b92.net/eng/news/politics-article.php?yyyy=2008&mm=02&dd=05&nav_id=47495
- look at the picture of all smiling Tadic & "friend" Ilkka Kanerva. Today read what respect Ilkka shows towards his "friend's" words regarding Serbia's Sovereignity;

"Finnish Foreign Minister Ilkka Kanerva says that Finland is prepared to recognize Kosovo as an independent nation. He adds that the rest of the EU's foreign ministers are on alert to respond, if Kosovo declares independence."
http://www.yle.fi/news/left/id81933.html
- did he tell Tadic the same viewpoint or not???

Kostinuca had the forsight to take heed of the looming deceit but Tadic seems to have been blind or blinkered to the obvious!

- et tu EU...
Friends indeed...

Koštunica said that it was necessary for parliament to hold a session immediately “and confirm national unity, which would be the best way of maintaining the country’s stability, respect for the Constitution and the protection of constitutional order.“

.... What's next?
(bmrusila, 6 February 2008 14:45)
Next is the general election and in this way Kosovo's status will be posponed untill end of election. So on. Until it gets cool off.

Is there any copy of this Political Agreement in public domain?
Some claim it to be just a “watered down” SAA without any firm commitments and obligations. If so, why this panic and rush to sign it by hook or by crook?
If it, in deed differs from SAA (in its scope and purpose) than, I am sorry, it is not up to those 23 ministers to decide to sign the entire nations up to it or not. That is 101 of any Contract Review (i.e. the same authority reviewing the original shall review the amendments, as well).
EU is correct in waiting for water to lower. Otherwise, even if someone hops on the plane and signs the agreement – it has no real weight. This is not about signatures but about commitments and ability to deliver as agreed upon.
Everybody in this love triangle (Kosovo Albanians, EU/US and Serbian Government): very, very disappointing performance, in deed.
With all the challenges of the 21st century looming on our doorstep – very bad start of this honey moon, not to mention a chances for prosperous, long-lasting marriage.

Kostunica surely knew the Tadic group's plans before the presidential election. Why then did he stay neutral instead of endorsing Nikolic? Less than 64,000 votes needed to swing from Tadic to Nikolic to reverse the result. Kostunica might not have much support, but he has much more than that. So, once again, we need to ask whether Kostunica was merely incompetent or is himself part of some intrigue. Regardless of the answer to that question, I can assure the writer who criticized "princip" for the sin of living outside Serbia that many of us born in exile because of our parents' opposition to Tito are indeed on our way "home". We are expecting to rejoin a nation that knows its rights and defends itself against aggression even if it is coming from our would-be overlords in the German-dominated EU. Kosovo belongs to Serbia and we had better unite to let the world know it. Signing even the most minor agreement with the EU just as it prepares an occupation force for Serbian land would send precisely the wrong message. In my peaceful native Canada, any leader who would sign such an agreement with anyone preparing to occupy Canadian land would be called a traitor.

Bruce,
Take it easy, for God's sake.
Princip might be a British -Serb but I am an Irish-Irishman living in my homeland and I also have problems with the EU. Where am I supposed to go if I vote with my feet?

I know nothing about Princip's circumstances and neither do you. So don't be so judgemental. The state of the EU is relevant to all of the people of Europe whether they live in their homelands or not.

Bruce I could and will say the same about you.

The EU is not in any way responsible for the UK's economic prosperity, surely you know that the British population is most apposed to the EU despite being a EU member, go ahead and take a stroll on BBC and read any comments related to the UK in the EU.

If you didn't know already the UK along with Serbia existed well before the idea of the EU was even thought of. And you know what? They will continue to exist after the world is rid of the EU.

I am glad Princip partakes in Serbia's future no matter where he lives. In fact Princip can and does more for Serbia living and working in the UK rather than living in Serbia itself.

Kostunica is absolutely correct in calling a Parliamentary session, the EU is deceptive and not to be trusted. The EU's revolting politics is not worth any agreement or any amount of money.

Nick KS, this thing called A COMPREHENSIVE PROPOSAL at the top of the heading, is just a repeat of the Athissari putsch..

It's as if it was copied and pasted from last years' agenda. The people at the State Department probably didn't have enough time, money or energy to proof read it again.

I think the Belgrade politicians need to get their act together, get a new PR firm, let the Western press know they have a unified stance on Kosovo (regardless of Presidential outcome), and take advantage of the fact, that in the US, nobody is really paying attention to Kosovo.......For the moment.

Jeff, please, for God's sake, put down the Washington post, and realize that Serbians have chosen to vote for EU integration, but not at the price of Kosovo.

Comparing Serbia to N.Korean isolation is ridiculous. The voting process couldn't have run smoother, and if this is your idea of "strong arming" the democratic process via threats and ridiculous claims... then keep it to yourself please.

I admire the fortitude and principles of P M Kostunica and I think that he is perfectly justified in requesting parliament to meet to discuss this. Parliament is supreme.

It seems ridiculous to be ready to sign an agreement with someone whom one knows is intending to do one harm in the near future.

David Crowley

Bruce, your demagoguery is amazing! You try to silence debate and diversity of opinion by denigrating Princip's principles. He supposedly lives in a democracy (UK) where he can voice his opinion as he wishes! I hope he does live a comfortable life. But living a comfortable life in the UK does not preclude him from voicing his opinion, especially when the supposed beacons of Democracy and Rule of Law are acting as if it is Munich 1939.

All the talks could simply be brought down to this.

Serbia could have signed an agreement that would benefit its people. Relaxing of the Visa restrictions, economical benefits, all that could be of real benefit. The agreement has nothing to do with Kosovo, which will become independend no matter what. As if losing Kosovo wasn't bad enough, we will not move towards the E.U. and slowly we will be isolated again. Thanks for nothing Kostunica.

We don't have any choises here, anyone who thinks we can choose between Kosovo or the E.U. is mistaken.

Bruce and the others,

None of us here has right of depriving people living abroad on having an opinion. It is shame that some of you use that as a main argument to discredit someone’s opinion. The voices form the people living abroad that are our decedents, are very important and valuable. I don’t remember any of us tried to discredit the opinion of the K-Albanians living abroad despite the fact that Kosovo is isolated as well and poorest region in Europe, at least. Following your logic, they have no right to stress their opinion either and we should all insist them to change their opinion in regard to Kosovo independence just because they live in comfortable West while their fellows live in poor Kosovo.

Bruce, our Serbian government approved all Serbian decedents to have dual citizenship and they are all citizens of Serbia (at least those who want to be) regardless where they reside. As someone mentioned it before it was not their fault of being born abroad whose ancestors left Serbia because of Tito’s oppression. My family knows very well what that oppression means and how did it look like.

For the end, our country can not allow and should not allow her dismembering. Our ancestors spilled the blood all over Balkan by centuries to built the country that we live today. Our ancestors were brave soldiers who honourably died for their own country. Should we just spew on Kosovo battle, should we just spew on WWI or WWII. Should we just say “oh who cares, it was long time ago, who they are anyway, and we should just live comfortable life now”. Well, some people living abroad actually are more aware of Serbian history, tradition and culture as they were not brain-washed by the parents influenced by Tito.

Look, I cannot spew on our history and spilled blood of our ancestors. I cannot spew on lives lost under the Turks; I cannot spew on our cultural heritage in Kosovo or elsewhere. I cannot spew on my grandfather’s continuous torture by communists. And what we have nowadays in our government are half communists wrapped in democracy.

You can all spew over Kostunica but he was the only one who had strength to raise his voice in 1974 after the release of Tito’s famous constitution that guaranteed Albanians high level of autonomy and self-governing. It cost him a position as a lecturer at the faculty of law. I just say that what he has done was very noble.

John Bosnitch,

I completly agree on the point you make against Bruce who really should be prepared for what he wishes as I am only too prepared! Serbia will in years to come be resurgent, time is a great healer, this period of darkness cast over us is being removed a darkness when the Serbian nation united in union with "friends" only to be betrayed. Like Russia our future is in our peoples hands, hard graft and pride in what you have to offer the world is the key for nothing comes free.

@ Bruce,
- oh ye of little faith !

Well done Koštunica, I am more angry with you and Ilić now that I have ever been. Given a choice in the future I will vote for the radicals rather than you. At least they are more honest about what they believe.

Lets have elections and get this over with! I'm ready for one final battle, and I'm sure you have mobilised much of Serbia with this rubbish as well.
(bganon, 6 February 2008 14:15)
Bganon,
Well said. Finally someone came to reality.
Alghough I am strong opponent of Tadić, I respect him for openly express his vision regarding EU integration. Like Tadić, Nikolić on other side openly express his vision for Serbia and its natural friend relationship with Russia. The only irritated politician with dark vision is Koštunica, who have no supporter if election would be held today he get less then 8%. The clear alternative in governing this country is Nikolić and Koštunica is a biggest looser as Tadić pointed out.
Thanks bganon that in the end came to my conclusion said before election.
Milan. Banja Luka.