Tadić: Serbia will never recognize independent Kosovo

Tadic might state;

"“an unacceptably high price“, and that that was “something that none of us can afford.“

“The optimal solution, of course, is for the whole of Serbia—Kosovo included—to become a member of the EU,“"

- but is anyone in the EU and NATO listening? Of course "they know best" for stability given their track record in 1999 and in 2003! These same self infatuated tehno-military-crats were the same vain individuals who said Serbia would buckle in 2-3 days and have created greater human suffering in Iraq then the sadistic dictator Saddam!

Given the picture of Tadic and Schaffer together the question is will it be next week et tu Schaffer?

Or will the message finally sunk that only through negotiations leading to building trust & reconciliation of all the people in Serbia irrespective of ethnicity is the best solution and is in the long term the only win-win?

If the precedence that an ethnic minority can illegally succede through violence ( via terrorist KLA actions 95-99 and under NATO's "guard" over the last 8 years) then it will be the end of the notion of multi-ethnic states given that there are 5000+ different ethnic identities in a world of 200 states - each ethnic identity thus can create its own state on the same "model" and it ends the idea of stability that the UN upheld Globally since the end of the 2nd World War.

The Western world metaphorically patted Serbia on the head last week for reelecting Tadic. Now it's time for the same countries to make good on their promises of closer relationships with Serbia, which clearly wants to join the EU, but with its head high. In this regard, Kosovo's final status should go through the UN. Not because of an expected Russian veto, but because it would legitimize Kosovo's status worldwide, and set it on a more assured path to stability. No doubt the UN would water down Kosovo's status for the sake of a Russian abstention and a Serbian acquiescance, but the EU Mission that's setting up to take over Kosovo is just as restrictive in reigning in sovereignty in Pristina. Regardless of the outcome, Kosovo's status would significantly improve from what it is now, and legitimate sovereignty in Pristina would have full international recognition.

If Pristina declares next week, and is met with acknowledgement from major world powers against Serbia's will, and outside the confines of the UN, the situtation in Belgrade that everyone thought was stabilized by last week's election, will unravel incredibly fast. I have no doubt that Belgrade has contingency plans in the event of a UDI, and I have no doubt that they are completely supported by Russia over this. This would probably amount to activating a series of parallel political institutions thoughout Kosovo in Serb-held areas, administratively partitioning the region. All efforts at bringing Serbia closer to European institutions will collapse. KFOR and the EU will then be presented with a stark choice: attempt to shut down these institutions and risk deteriorating relations with Belgrade, or accept the instititions as de facto for the sake of cooperation with Belgrade, but effectively partition Kosovo.

The Western world has a golden opportunity at its doorstep: it has a Serbian leader completely willing to cooperate with EU institutions and set Serbia on the path to full integration. Abusing this opportunity by disregarding his warnings would be a catatrophic loss for both sides.

I like what president Tadic said. Security and peace are given by respecting the international laws. Also, the postwar institutions (UN) are founded in order to avoid arbitrary decision in different conflicts. Peace is given by the power of Law and not by the power of force. Romania is your friend and will support you.
Viorel

Bravo Tadic!

He finally took firm and clear stand in regard to our sovereignty. Every word he said should be taken seriously by the EU. I don’t think that the EU will suddenly change its position on Kosovo but at least they should know that they cannot count on Tadic’s moderate approach any longer. He clearly stated that Serbia does not give its permission on her dismembering. If the EU tries to do it any how by bypassing the UNSC the entire Europe will pay dearly that experiment and Tadic sent friendly message by warning that no one can afford such scenario.


Tadic also mentioned that our cultural heritage should be protected and he believes that can be done together with IC. I personally doubt as they actually did nothing to prevent the albanization of our heritage.
The thing that it really bothers me is the fact that our cultural heritage is still there exposed to further destruction or albanization. I fear that by the time some Serbs (unfortunately majority of them) will just forget our treasure, cultural-historian pearls. I would like our officials to take appropriate steps to move all monasteries and churches to Serbia. They could be all situated in one place and the place could be named New Kosovo and Metohija or just Metohija or what ever.

Who gave the right to the EU and the USA to overide Resolution 1244? Is this sending out a message to other groups that wish to have independance?

Will, 1244!!! thats all that matters. Don't put yourself in a western nutshell. The East is emerging and so is its power. I live in the greatest country in the world the US, but as you can see we are not bullet proof. We think like the Romans did and well where are they now. Powers shifting and we are seeing it shift now. Little Serbia standing up to the mighty west. And the West still can,t belieave what their seeing. A little country that won't give up its pride of who they are even for EU membership.

Tadic is right.

The international community should stop treating Serbia like Milosevic is still in charge. The principles of negotiation have been over-ridden by giving Albanians the promise that some of them can take over Kosovo. Instead the international community should have put sufficient support for there to be an agreed solution. Even after any declaration, Kosovo will still be Serbia - unless and until Serbia says otherwise.

The conquest of Kosovo by NATO will be a stain on NATO - that was not the point of the intervention. The implications of that for the future have not been thought about yet - but I am sure it will hamper international trust in NATO interventions in the future.

A declaration of a (so called) independent Kosovo will be a failure of western diplomacy.

The EU should listen to Tadic and start a balanced negotiation. This has to be a better way for all sides.

Will,
You claim: "Kosovo will be independent because extreme majority of the world supports its independence."

How do you know this? There are 192 states in the UN and I believe we only know the position of around 12 of them in relation to Kosovo. Please tell us.

Mike,

I am surprised with you "naivity" or wishful thinking when you talk about Russian abstention at the UN should the status go through the Security Council. Is that a tactical logic or what? Russia has made it clear that it is against Kosova's independence and will veto any decision in the SC when it comes to sovereignity of Kosova. We all wanted the solution come from the SC. Russia is mis-using and threating to exercise its veto power. If you are talking for Serbian to gain more time....I understand the logic behind that but the Kosovar Albanians have their time now in co-ordination with the International Community excluding Russia, Serbia, Romania, Cyprus, Spain,Burkina Faso and forgive me for "forgetting" Fiji))

I think the albanians here have forgotten something very important in their unseemly frenzy of backpatting.

Membership of the EU is closed to Muslim countries.

C'est la vie.

The only way the albanians in kosmet can ever hope to join this dubious alliance is to remain within serbia.

You must be kidding. we don't even need your recognition.Deal

"Membership of the EU is closed to Muslim countries. "

You got it all wrong. EU membership is closed to the countries that harbor war criminals, and you know which one that is.

taras,

As a non-Muslim I tell you that you are a very biased anti-Muslim and dead wrong.
What you are expressing is wishful thinking. Several European countries have a problem with Turkey with 96% of its territory in Asia but not with Albania and not with Kosovo. If Serbia continues her nationalistic policy and a very pro-Russian one than it can happen that Albania and Kosovo make it to the EU well before Serbia. That would be really interesting and amusing. Much less amusing for the individual Serbs, who see a better life within the EU.

Am I missing something here? Kosovo hasn't yet declared independence. Why? They say they are not afriad of Russia and Serbia. They are sure Bush will gladly go to war with Russia if needed. So why don't they just declare?. It's easy to hide behind the skirts of the EU and NATO. Either declare ot just accept it, your pretend state is just that, a hopeless dream!

Prior to Russia committing to support for Serbia and use of a veto for anything Belgrade did not agree to, didn't these same people say that they would never accept a decision of the UNSC would lead to Kosovo's independence (Ahtisarri's plan). Now only a decision by UNSC is legal.

And thats the only way Kosovo could gain independence. (Russian Veto lol)

Participants to the Munich conference listened politely to Tadic's well-known old litany but did not get influenced by it in any way.
The game is over. The coming independence is a done deal.
And if it will have repercussions in Serbia than let it be. As a result the Serbs will maybe have new parlanentary elections and can decide once and for all in which direction they want to go.

Luke,

you seem to forget that UN SC Resolution 1244 was signed on the 10th June ending conflict. In that UN SC resolutions Serbia's sovereignity and territorial integrity was re-affirmed - thats right it was RE-affirmed - that unless I am wrong will remain and as such such unilteral declarations of Dependence remain ILLEGAL as does any recognition! Since the 10th June Serbia has not been committing any atrocities or harrasment which cannot be said for the mafiocracy mob whose's violent thuggery has expelled and ethnically cleansed over 240,000+ non-Albanians out of the Serbian province under NATO - are you now suggetsing violence be rewarded? Moreover how do you square the circle of your contradictory view that
"Prime example of mismanaged handling of a minority"
grants independence when it is those who are committing the atrocities over the last 8 years ?

Illegal declarations will remain illegal while 1244 remains intact. If the US and "few" EU wish to illegally recognise then they are acting in a violent manner & remove all legality behind the NATO prescence reverting back to the point of 9th June - hardly stabilising!!!

To become a member of UN all you need is 2/3 of UN General Assembly
but then the decision by the general assembly needs to be endorsed by the UNSC (the majority of it, including all five permanent members).

Kosovo will be independent because extreme majority of the world supports its independence. Noone supports Basque independence or ossetian or Republika Srpska independence and hence why other regions in world cannot claim independence. You have to have support first.

however this may be first link in re-organisation of world order and not have countries like germany and japan who are much more powerful economically than some countries like russia and have no say in world matters.

Brilliant Tadic!

To all Albanian posters on the site - your man may be (ex?)-terrorist, but have a LOOK AT THE FACE ON TADIC in the picture accompanying this article and tell me you're going to get your precious independence...!

Serbia will never be in EU without recognising Kosova's independence. It is Serbia's choice. I would say and wish that Kosova enters EU before Serbia and if the things in Serbia stays as they are that is a likely to happen. Few might find amusing but I repeat without recognising the Kosova's independence EU will never accept a troublemaker in its ranks.

albanians they don't nead any recognation from serbia,albanians nead to start the wall around serbia ,thats the only think has to be done...

This guy is deaf. We, Kosovars, do NOT care what you recognize.
In order for you to be sovereign and politically affluent you need the consent of your subjects, the respect, the military might to back your stance.......you don't have NONE of the above.

To some posters here Kosovo is going to be parliamentary Republic not Muslim Republic.

Princip,

"If the precedence that an ethnic minority can illegally succede through violence then it will be the end of the notion of multi-ethnic states"

You just named another thing that the rest of the world can thank Serbia for. Prime example of mismanaged handling of a minority. Why K-Albanians will probably manage something that the other 200+ minorities in the world have not. You play all tha cards into their hands, of course they win the game, even if all the odds were against them in the beginning.

No Kosovo recognition, no EU

Technically, Tadic's statement works two ways. By not recognizing Kosovo, he wins the support of the Serbian nationalist side. As well, it means they will not use force to stop it from happening, playing to the EU/US side.

Similar situations exist with China/Taiwan, Greece/Cyprus, ect.

Oh, don't forget Canada/Quebec. ;-)

Mr. Tadic, on this side of the Atlantic there is a saying, "NEVER SAY NEVER" , because you will when the EU will set it as a condition to join it, and you'll have no choice, people of Serbia will pressure you to do just that, because they would not stand it anymore to be on the sidelines of the EU.

To the some comment's! albanians they are not scare from serbia or russia or being scared from any radical confrontation,So in other word albanians they will have a brand new state who meat 100% of legal limits from anything you can named ,so kosovo it will be just a perfect and albanians know what they doing,because kosovars they will not declaring they independence like others they did and work'd after the war and they didnt have any constitution or laws like kosovo has today even serbia doesnt have laws as much laws are in kosovo constitution ..AND FOR THIS ALBANIANS SUFFERED FOR 9 YEARS JUST THE OTHERS DON'T POINT A FINGER ON THEM..

Kosovo will be independent because extreme majority of the world supports its independence. Noone supports Basque independence or ossetian or Republika Srpska independence and hence why other regions in world cannot claim independence. You have to have support first.

however this may be first link in re-organisation of world order and not have countries like germany and japan who are much more powerful economically than some countries like russia and have no say in world matters.

Participants to the Munich conference listened politely to Tadic's well-known old litany but did not get influenced by it in any way.
The game is over. The coming independence is a done deal.
And if it will have repercussions in Serbia than let it be. As a result the Serbs will maybe have new parlanentary elections and can decide once and for all in which direction they want to go.

Mike,

I am surprised with you "naivity" or wishful thinking when you talk about Russian abstention at the UN should the status go through the Security Council. Is that a tactical logic or what? Russia has made it clear that it is against Kosova's independence and will veto any decision in the SC when it comes to sovereignity of Kosova. We all wanted the solution come from the SC. Russia is mis-using and threating to exercise its veto power. If you are talking for Serbian to gain more time....I understand the logic behind that but the Kosovar Albanians have their time now in co-ordination with the International Community excluding Russia, Serbia, Romania, Cyprus, Spain,Burkina Faso and forgive me for "forgetting" Fiji))

Prior to Russia committing to support for Serbia and use of a veto for anything Belgrade did not agree to, didn't these same people say that they would never accept a decision of the UNSC would lead to Kosovo's independence (Ahtisarri's plan). Now only a decision by UNSC is legal.

Serbia will never be in EU without recognising Kosova's independence. It is Serbia's choice. I would say and wish that Kosova enters EU before Serbia and if the things in Serbia stays as they are that is a likely to happen. Few might find amusing but I repeat without recognising the Kosova's independence EU will never accept a troublemaker in its ranks.

No Kosovo recognition, no EU

Princip,

"If the precedence that an ethnic minority can illegally succede through violence then it will be the end of the notion of multi-ethnic states"

You just named another thing that the rest of the world can thank Serbia for. Prime example of mismanaged handling of a minority. Why K-Albanians will probably manage something that the other 200+ minorities in the world have not. You play all tha cards into their hands, of course they win the game, even if all the odds were against them in the beginning.

Mr. Tadic, on this side of the Atlantic there is a saying, "NEVER SAY NEVER" , because you will when the EU will set it as a condition to join it, and you'll have no choice, people of Serbia will pressure you to do just that, because they would not stand it anymore to be on the sidelines of the EU.

The Western world metaphorically patted Serbia on the head last week for reelecting Tadic. Now it's time for the same countries to make good on their promises of closer relationships with Serbia, which clearly wants to join the EU, but with its head high. In this regard, Kosovo's final status should go through the UN. Not because of an expected Russian veto, but because it would legitimize Kosovo's status worldwide, and set it on a more assured path to stability. No doubt the UN would water down Kosovo's status for the sake of a Russian abstention and a Serbian acquiescance, but the EU Mission that's setting up to take over Kosovo is just as restrictive in reigning in sovereignty in Pristina. Regardless of the outcome, Kosovo's status would significantly improve from what it is now, and legitimate sovereignty in Pristina would have full international recognition.

If Pristina declares next week, and is met with acknowledgement from major world powers against Serbia's will, and outside the confines of the UN, the situtation in Belgrade that everyone thought was stabilized by last week's election, will unravel incredibly fast. I have no doubt that Belgrade has contingency plans in the event of a UDI, and I have no doubt that they are completely supported by Russia over this. This would probably amount to activating a series of parallel political institutions thoughout Kosovo in Serb-held areas, administratively partitioning the region. All efforts at bringing Serbia closer to European institutions will collapse. KFOR and the EU will then be presented with a stark choice: attempt to shut down these institutions and risk deteriorating relations with Belgrade, or accept the instititions as de facto for the sake of cooperation with Belgrade, but effectively partition Kosovo.

The Western world has a golden opportunity at its doorstep: it has a Serbian leader completely willing to cooperate with EU institutions and set Serbia on the path to full integration. Abusing this opportunity by disregarding his warnings would be a catatrophic loss for both sides.

To the some comment's! albanians they are not scare from serbia or russia or being scared from any radical confrontation,So in other word albanians they will have a brand new state who meat 100% of legal limits from anything you can named ,so kosovo it will be just a perfect and albanians know what they doing,because kosovars they will not declaring they independence like others they did and work'd after the war and they didnt have any constitution or laws like kosovo has today even serbia doesnt have laws as much laws are in kosovo constitution ..AND FOR THIS ALBANIANS SUFFERED FOR 9 YEARS JUST THE OTHERS DON'T POINT A FINGER ON THEM..

You must be kidding. we don't even need your recognition.Deal

taras,

As a non-Muslim I tell you that you are a very biased anti-Muslim and dead wrong.
What you are expressing is wishful thinking. Several European countries have a problem with Turkey with 96% of its territory in Asia but not with Albania and not with Kosovo. If Serbia continues her nationalistic policy and a very pro-Russian one than it can happen that Albania and Kosovo make it to the EU well before Serbia. That would be really interesting and amusing. Much less amusing for the individual Serbs, who see a better life within the EU.

This guy is deaf. We, Kosovars, do NOT care what you recognize.
In order for you to be sovereign and politically affluent you need the consent of your subjects, the respect, the military might to back your stance.......you don't have NONE of the above.

To some posters here Kosovo is going to be parliamentary Republic not Muslim Republic.

Tadic might state;

"“an unacceptably high price“, and that that was “something that none of us can afford.“

“The optimal solution, of course, is for the whole of Serbia—Kosovo included—to become a member of the EU,“"

- but is anyone in the EU and NATO listening? Of course "they know best" for stability given their track record in 1999 and in 2003! These same self infatuated tehno-military-crats were the same vain individuals who said Serbia would buckle in 2-3 days and have created greater human suffering in Iraq then the sadistic dictator Saddam!

Given the picture of Tadic and Schaffer together the question is will it be next week et tu Schaffer?

Or will the message finally sunk that only through negotiations leading to building trust & reconciliation of all the people in Serbia irrespective of ethnicity is the best solution and is in the long term the only win-win?

If the precedence that an ethnic minority can illegally succede through violence ( via terrorist KLA actions 95-99 and under NATO's "guard" over the last 8 years) then it will be the end of the notion of multi-ethnic states given that there are 5000+ different ethnic identities in a world of 200 states - each ethnic identity thus can create its own state on the same "model" and it ends the idea of stability that the UN upheld Globally since the end of the 2nd World War.

I think the albanians here have forgotten something very important in their unseemly frenzy of backpatting.

Membership of the EU is closed to Muslim countries.

C'est la vie.

The only way the albanians in kosmet can ever hope to join this dubious alliance is to remain within serbia.

"Membership of the EU is closed to Muslim countries. "

You got it all wrong. EU membership is closed to the countries that harbor war criminals, and you know which one that is.

albanians they don't nead any recognation from serbia,albanians nead to start the wall around serbia ,thats the only think has to be done...

I like what president Tadic said. Security and peace are given by respecting the international laws. Also, the postwar institutions (UN) are founded in order to avoid arbitrary decision in different conflicts. Peace is given by the power of Law and not by the power of force. Romania is your friend and will support you.
Viorel

Bravo Tadic!

He finally took firm and clear stand in regard to our sovereignty. Every word he said should be taken seriously by the EU. I don’t think that the EU will suddenly change its position on Kosovo but at least they should know that they cannot count on Tadic’s moderate approach any longer. He clearly stated that Serbia does not give its permission on her dismembering. If the EU tries to do it any how by bypassing the UNSC the entire Europe will pay dearly that experiment and Tadic sent friendly message by warning that no one can afford such scenario.


Tadic also mentioned that our cultural heritage should be protected and he believes that can be done together with IC. I personally doubt as they actually did nothing to prevent the albanization of our heritage.
The thing that it really bothers me is the fact that our cultural heritage is still there exposed to further destruction or albanization. I fear that by the time some Serbs (unfortunately majority of them) will just forget our treasure, cultural-historian pearls. I would like our officials to take appropriate steps to move all monasteries and churches to Serbia. They could be all situated in one place and the place could be named New Kosovo and Metohija or just Metohija or what ever.

Who gave the right to the EU and the USA to overide Resolution 1244? Is this sending out a message to other groups that wish to have independance?

And thats the only way Kosovo could gain independence. (Russian Veto lol)

Will,
You claim: "Kosovo will be independent because extreme majority of the world supports its independence."

How do you know this? There are 192 states in the UN and I believe we only know the position of around 12 of them in relation to Kosovo. Please tell us.

Will, 1244!!! thats all that matters. Don't put yourself in a western nutshell. The East is emerging and so is its power. I live in the greatest country in the world the US, but as you can see we are not bullet proof. We think like the Romans did and well where are they now. Powers shifting and we are seeing it shift now. Little Serbia standing up to the mighty west. And the West still can,t belieave what their seeing. A little country that won't give up its pride of who they are even for EU membership.

Tadic is right.

The international community should stop treating Serbia like Milosevic is still in charge. The principles of negotiation have been over-ridden by giving Albanians the promise that some of them can take over Kosovo. Instead the international community should have put sufficient support for there to be an agreed solution. Even after any declaration, Kosovo will still be Serbia - unless and until Serbia says otherwise.

The conquest of Kosovo by NATO will be a stain on NATO - that was not the point of the intervention. The implications of that for the future have not been thought about yet - but I am sure it will hamper international trust in NATO interventions in the future.

A declaration of a (so called) independent Kosovo will be a failure of western diplomacy.

The EU should listen to Tadic and start a balanced negotiation. This has to be a better way for all sides.

Brilliant Tadic!

To all Albanian posters on the site - your man may be (ex?)-terrorist, but have a LOOK AT THE FACE ON TADIC in the picture accompanying this article and tell me you're going to get your precious independence...!

To become a member of UN all you need is 2/3 of UN General Assembly
but then the decision by the general assembly needs to be endorsed by the UNSC (the majority of it, including all five permanent members).

Luke,

you seem to forget that UN SC Resolution 1244 was signed on the 10th June ending conflict. In that UN SC resolutions Serbia's sovereignity and territorial integrity was re-affirmed - thats right it was RE-affirmed - that unless I am wrong will remain and as such such unilteral declarations of Dependence remain ILLEGAL as does any recognition! Since the 10th June Serbia has not been committing any atrocities or harrasment which cannot be said for the mafiocracy mob whose's violent thuggery has expelled and ethnically cleansed over 240,000+ non-Albanians out of the Serbian province under NATO - are you now suggetsing violence be rewarded? Moreover how do you square the circle of your contradictory view that
"Prime example of mismanaged handling of a minority"
grants independence when it is those who are committing the atrocities over the last 8 years ?

Illegal declarations will remain illegal while 1244 remains intact. If the US and "few" EU wish to illegally recognise then they are acting in a violent manner & remove all legality behind the NATO prescence reverting back to the point of 9th June - hardly stabilising!!!

Am I missing something here? Kosovo hasn't yet declared independence. Why? They say they are not afriad of Russia and Serbia. They are sure Bush will gladly go to war with Russia if needed. So why don't they just declare?. It's easy to hide behind the skirts of the EU and NATO. Either declare ot just accept it, your pretend state is just that, a hopeless dream!

Technically, Tadic's statement works two ways. By not recognizing Kosovo, he wins the support of the Serbian nationalist side. As well, it means they will not use force to stop it from happening, playing to the EU/US side.

Similar situations exist with China/Taiwan, Greece/Cyprus, ect.

Oh, don't forget Canada/Quebec. ;-)