Cyprus rejects Kosovo declaration

The announcement comes one day after an EU ministerial meeting in Brussels, unable to come up with a joint policy over recognizing Kosovo, leaving it instead to its member states to decide individually.
This act of secession falls outside of the framework of international law, and is therefore null and void," official Nicosia said.

The statement, which can be viewed as strong support for Belgrade's position, adds that this EU member also considers the declaration in breach of the UN Charter, the Helsinki Final Act and UN Security Council Resolution 1244.

Finally the right answer with the right reasons, but K-ALbanians would say, "they are not a super power", that's for sure but they can be proud to give a lesson of law and order to the super coward powers
BRAVO

EA,

I think it is time the EU stops supporting illegal acts like the whole Kosovo soap!

And Kosovo and economics: don't make me laugh! I will ask my government to send ABSOLUTELY NO MONEY to this illegal state. ZERO! NOTHING!!!!

I think it is time for EU to start thinking and reform itself as small townsize countries being allowed to dictate or block EU policies.
It is a REAL PARADOX that a smalltown country be allowed to block other countries path to EU including Kosova.

Cyprus as economic size is several orders of magnitude LARGER than Southern Kosovo.

What's interesting is that the Turks in that puppet entity "Northern Cyprus" have recognised Kosovo. So much for reunification!

Just in case anyone missed it, as a condition to allow individual EU members to recognise Kosovo, Spain insisted that the EU can never recognise Kosovo so don't blame Cyprus. All EU members agreed!

(Smart Albanian, 19 February 2008 21:16)

Smart Albanian,
Comments that you have put show two things only.
You are not Albanian and definitely not smart.
Please use names that define you.

Cyrpus should reject it considering how much money they took from Slobo "the butcher"--the Cyrprus "government" are close friends of the Radicals of belgrade. What a joke.

"Cyprus as economic size is several orders of magnitude LARGER than Southern Kosovo. (Pyrros, 19 February 2008 21:13)"

Cyprus' population is 700 thousands. Prishtina's is 600 thousands. As for economic size, Luxembourg is several orders of magnitude larger than Cyprus. In a democracy people are judged by what they say not how much money they have.
Tassos Papadopulos said that God doesn't allow him to recognize Kosova, but apparently God works in mysterious ways and Tassos is now out of power.

"...lesson of law and order to the super coward powers
BRAVO"

Swiss, are you capable to write just one comment without curses and insults?

I think it is time for EU to start thinking and reform itself as small townsize countries being allowed to dictate or block EU policies.
It is a REAL PARADOX that a smalltown country be allowed to block other countries path to EU including Kosova.
(EA, 19 February 2008 20:48)

Way to go EA, Thank Allah for a large, strong and powerfull superpower like "Kosova" which will show us exactly how to run the EU.

Look, look! Little Cyprus is talking!

EA

In case you didn't know, Cyprus was illegally invaded by Turkey. The Northern part of the country is still occupied by Turkish forces and has even been "recognized" as an independent "state". It would be a paradox if Cyprus did in fact recognize Kosovo independence when they themselves would risk destabilization as the Turks in the North would push for further recognition, who knows what they would do in the process of doing so.

In any case, Cyprus is not the only one, there are several EU countries against Kosovo independence and that is their right. That was the price Kosovo had to pay in order to get their independence the way they did, but there is no need for Kosovo to be in the EU anyway, there are countries like Switzerland, Norway and Iceland who are not a part of the EU, and so what? What is this Kosovar obssession with the EU in any case? You're independent! Be happy!

KS

Jealousy makes you nasty.

According to Albanian commentators on TV, even though they oppose independence for now, they have been reserved and less vocal than Romania. They have left room for manover for latter recognition. Greece-Albania relations have integrated and are not one sided anymore, so they will influence for latter recognition. The only loud voice without any apparent reason have been Romanians. They have surprised the commentators more than anyone else. And they are closing some possibilities of latter course change. FOR COUNTRIES with minorities it has been a problem. But still Albania has 800 000 people in Macedonia and the goverment of Albania is working to convince them to coexist with slavs. There have not been commited crimes of Kosova scale, so the possibility of coexistence is there. Even though Macedonians are bias and look down on Albanians, we are strong competitors and capable of our own bussiness, so we disregard all the uncivilised behavier and work our way up to the top. We were in top of Roman and Otoman empires what a hell Macedonian state.

Congratulations to Cyprus for abiding by international law.

Thank you Cyprus! You make me feel proud being a Greek!

As to the Albanian poster who said that Cyprus had financial benefits during Milosevic era, I will answer that Greek-Cypriots as also the rest of Greeks have always beeing great supporters of the Serbian struggles in 90's.

Dear John Loqja,
Regarding this: “The only loud voice without any apparent reason have been Romanians. They have surprised the commentators more than anyone else.”

I am Romanian (journalist) and down here are some of the reasons for Romania’s position regarding Kosovo UDI: 1) we are the biggest country (also EU country) neighboring Serbia; 2) we are sharing with Serbia many common interests, in various domains, not from yesterday, but from centuries; 3) there are approx. 30 thousands Romanians living in Serbia and similar number of Serbians living in Romania; 4) our position for the last 70 years was “no change in Europe borders, no violation of international law”- why? Because of our neighborhood with Russia (among other things...) 5) last but not least, we have our neighbor Moldavia Republic with a similar separatist issue – Transdniestria, supported by Russia. Maybe Romanian politicians are not saying this openly, not to anger Moscow, but accepting Kosovo UDI will be like a stab in the back for Moldavians, who will lose Transdniestria (as Russia already hinted to)...
You will notice that I was not mentioning the case of Hungarian minority in Romania, a not so big but a significant one (5 to 6%), which is fully integrated and has its political party in the current government. For this, we don’t want Kosovo example to cause troubles and fuel extremist behavior, and starting a vicious circle of provocations between Hungarian and Romanian extremists (as every people, we have our extremists, too) especially since Bucharest-Budapest relations are better and better, we have even joint governmental meetings etc.

Therefore, please understand and pass the message: we have nothing personal against Albanians, but the opposite: we have very strong and traditional ties of friendship, your patriots and intellectuals, as many other simple people, always found support in Romania during the last centuries, that’s why we have today a small Albanian minority in Romania, respected and appreciated. Probably because this old friendship, Kosovo Albanian public opinion is puzzled (after all, the Albanian national anthem was originally a song composed by a Romania composer, Ciprian Porumbescu)…

We try no to take sides, but to follow the principles of common sense – same principles were applied in 1999, when we supported NATO air strikes aiming to topple Milosevic regime…

And a detail, maybe known only by few people: between 1932 and 1933, in Romania, in the city of Constantza (on the Black Sea coast) the Albanian activist Gergj Bubani was publishing a by-monthly newspaper, called “Kosova” – I made some research for an article I published on this issue, in a Romanian academic publication: it seems it was the first newspaper with such a title ever printed! Bubani sons are living as respected intellectuals in Romania (poets and translators), after Bubani family was saved from Enver Hodxa repression upon demand of Romanian Ambassador in Tirana (this was in 50s). The point is: we are friends, but friends respect each other. So, let’s agree to disagree in Kosovo case, and hope for better times for everybody involved in this situation.


Best from Bucharest,
George
PS: why nobody complains about Spain position? because they are big and important in EU? or because they are far away from Kosovo? But their opposition counts more than Cyprus, Romania and Slovakia together!!!

To George the Romanian! We understand those conserns and they are pretty reasonable, but they could have been kept quiet. Romania should not have taken the flag of opposition. The minorites in your countries don't have any western backing for succesion the way we have. And one more thing. Kosova's independence is comming as a result of Yougsllavia desintegration not as a result of Kosovas demand. When 249 574 Montenegrings got their independence shouldn't 2.5 mil Albanians deserve it? So Romania's reaction has been irracional and will leave a bad taste of Romania in Albanian's memoris. It will be remembered that Romanians refused our freedom. It might not matter for now for you, but 5 yrs latter when Albania gets in the Union you might regret it. A vote is a vote. But WE still hope this is a momentary emotional behavier and there is time for correction. Best John!

To John:

Thanks for your message.
However, I feel your affirmation is exaggerated: “Romania should not have taken the flag of opposition.”
If you and your fellow Albanians see thinks like that, it means you credit my country with bigger power than it has :) Seriously, as I said before, probably Albanians had bigger expectancies from Bucharest. But you should still keep a clear view of the situation. Look down here, it is Spain (and Cyprus) “carrying the flag”:

Spain led the dissidents opposing recognition and exposed the serious divisions within the EU by calling the independence declaration illegal. (…) At Spanish insistence, and with an eye to Basque and Catalan separatists, the statement [of EU foreign ministers in Brussels] also underlined the EU member states' "adherence to the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity".
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/feb/19/kosovo.serbia

“The foreign minister of Spain, Miguel Àngel Moratinos, told reporters that the declaration did not respect international law and that Spain would not recognize Kosovo. "The government of Spain will not recognize the unilateral act proclaimed yesterday by the assembly of Kosovo," Reuters quoted him as saying. Among European Union members, Cyprus, Romania and Slovakia have also been reluctant to recognize Kosovo.”
(http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/02/19/europe/19kosovo.php)

“Backed by Cyprus, Moratinos [Spain Foreign Minister] succeeded in weakening the EU draft declaration significantly by removing references, for example, to countries recognizing Kosovo "as an independent state." Spain also added a clause saying that the decision to grant recognition should be taken in line with "international law." (http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/02/18/europe/diplo.php)

Last but not least, you contradict yourself: first you admit that our concerns “are pretty reasonable”, then you say that "Romania's reaction has been irracional and “it will be remembered that Romanians refused our freedom.” As I have said before, what we Romanians refuse is to break principles and take sides. I believe we proved already our concern for Albanians freedom in Kosovo when we did supported NATO bombings in 1999.

You also say this “will leave a bad taste of Romania in Albanian's memories”. Well, if Albanians memory works only on short term, then we Romanians will be sad, but it’s nothing we can do: the past is past, and it may have no value in present days… Also, I would say the same if Albanians feel that both Albania and Kosovo have enough friends in the region and worldwide, and Romania is to be treated as an enemy: you say “5 yrs latter when Albania gets in the Union you might regret it”. Well, trust me, so far nobody in Romania is personalizing this situation, as Serbians are doing. But offense brings nothing than offense, and I friendly advise you to leave aside threats like this, as long USA are not part of EU, and Romania still has troops in Afghanistan and Iraq, as NATO member… You are smart, so you get the idea, reading between the lines, isn’t so?

Nice to be talking to you,
George

To George the Romanian! George you understand that Kosova independece is a fact now. The major western powers approved it and you understand, it is finished now. Romania is a regional power in some sense, and its behavier is important to the region. But my understanding is that you need international help for Moldova. It might come to a point that Albanian approval might needed for them to get in the union.(you know there is no plan at all for them at the moment). And as you might expect, if current policies continue you might not get it.I am a fan of those Moldavians since we have been in similar situations and they don't have to pay for the others behavier but it might be used as a retaliation from Albanians. But I hope that your goverment will come to the senses and will do the right thing. It will be a shame if the Serbs recognise Kosova ahead of Romania.The best George and influence your government with your jounals. John.

"PS: why nobody complains about Spain position? because they are big and important in EU? or because they are far away from Kosovo? But their opposition counts more than Cyprus, Romania and Slovakia together!!!
(George the Romanian, 20 February 2008 11:27) "

George of Romania, I have to post again, why not Spain, why not Cyprus..?
Spain has elections, so they are just carefull what to do , but not avoiding in total the independence of Kosova, so it will bring them to a conflict of interest , every political party want to win and they will use Kosovas independence for election.
Cyprus , no wonder, as I read that "smalltown country" it has it reasons, you can see Cyprus with your own eyes from Turkey , but you need a ship to get there from any part of Greece, when they speak of albanians they swear "the turk" I do not know why , but I can assume, that they are so affraid of turks, that they think that one day maybe Kosova will go there and occupy another part of it :), so we albanians have to convince them , that will never happend. But the last and not least , they will accept the indpendent Kosova also.
But Romania, who had an albanian princess, who never had anything against albanians, ...I wonder. but maybe with Chausesku, you killed all other people without knowing that they were people who thought right of Romanian ancestory, and let those panslavic people come to regime today.
Who knows?

Dear John,
again, thanks for you detailing more on the previous post.

Now, any scenario is possible to happen in the future, including the one you suggest (Albania to oppose Moldavia Republic to enter EU, somewhere in the distant future).

However, after Kosovo's recognition by many EU countries, it is possible that Moldavia to remain forever blocked from entering EU, since Russia will use as blackmail the possibility of recognizing the separatist regime of Transdniestria...

As for the moment when Romania may recognize Kosovo, this was very clear explained by Bucharest already: we will not be the last country in EU to join a common position on the issue, so we will not wait until Spain or Cyprus does it, if they will do it. And if Kosovo gets UN recognition (still, Russia and China need to agree) then Bucharest automatically will do it, too.
I take this opportunity to emphasize the official statement of Romanian govt., approved by the Parliament: "the conditions necessary to exist for recognizing Kosovo in the framework of international legislation are not met". It was not said that "we will never recognize it", it was not even said "we will recognize it only if Serbia will do it". I think this detail is important, in order to have a clear picture of the situation.

Last but not least, we hope to prove our good faith very soon, when Albania will be invited to join EU and NATO. I am sure one of Tirana big supporters will be Bucharest, and I expect Albanians to reflect this attitude in their commentaries, as much as they reflect today Romania's refusal to recognize Kosovo UDI.

So, until things will go better, let's hope violence will not sweep the area and destroy the chances for healing the scars of the conflict.

Regards from Bucharest,

To Albano:
"But Romania, who had an albanian princess, who never had anything against albanians, ...I wonder.”

Albano, I have already explained, as much it’s possible in a post, the reasons for Romania's position. Please read above my first reply to John Loqja.
However, I understand from your post that Romania's motifs for not accepting Kosovo UDI are less important than those of Spain (incoming elections?) and Cyprus (confusion between Albanians and Turks?).
If you consider a fair assessment putting an "equal" between these motifs, regardless the quality of historical relation between Romanians and Albanians, then I have nothing to comment more, just to hope you are making these statements just because you're unhappy and under the pressure of the momentum...

But please allow me one observation: the simple fact that Romanians, without having ever something against Albanians (quite opposite!) are reserved regarding Kosovo UDI should make Albanians think twice before rising the voice and making false accusations or throwing insults towards us.
Therefore, I will quote myself from the previous post I have addressed to John Loqja:

"We hope to prove our good faith very soon, when Albania will be invited to join EU and NATO. I am sure one of Tirana big supporters will be Bucharest, and I expect Albanians to reflect this attitude in their commentaries, as much as they reflect today Romania's refusal to recognize Kosovo UDI. "

Last but not least, please be so kind and explain what you want to say with this:
"but maybe with Chausesku, you killed all other people without knowing that they were people who thought right of Romanian ancestory, and let those panslavic people come to regime today."

Based on my understanding and knowledge, there are sufficient historical proofs to establish a link between ancestors of nowadays Romanians and Albanians - both peoples have their roots in the great Thracian-Illirian people inhabiting all the region of Balkans and much of Eastern Europe, a region roughly described as comprised between today Ukraine and Greece. However, Albanians are not the ancestors of Romanians, as it might be understood from your post. The royal houses of Romania and Albania where related, as you may find described on the internet:
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sophie_of_Sch%C3%B6nburg-Waldenburg),
but this is something different. Romanian royal house of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen is related to the Windsor House, but this doesn’t make us related to the Britons :)

Last but not least, Communists killed many people in Romania, but their orientation was ideological, not ethnical. And to consider that Romanian political leadership is panslavic is such a childish thing to say, that I would consider it rather a good joke!
Trust me, they are two things Romanians (especially the intellectual elite) are regretting right now: first, that we are forced by both Serbs and Albanians to take a side or another; second, that we are on the same side with Moscow!

Best from Bucharest,
George

George the Roamnian,
I read your posts, and I really do like it , becouse you seam to be very reasonable, but in many things I can not agree with you.
You are saying that before UDI the albanians should have think twice, I ask you why , does any Decleration of Independnce was made other the UNILATERAL, or we should have wasted still our lives, and time, by waiting that any serb would anytime soon come in the power who will really know, and realise, that an independent Kosova will happend, let alone the serbian volk, I do not think so, that would never happend, so there was nessecary to take action, and in the most civilised way the Parliament of Kosova, did the right move on the right time.
I am disappointed with Romanian move, all of us are , becouse we do not understand, what it is going on, in Romania, that Serbia, or Russia have so much influence? I can think of one, the Romanian regime, is either in big moral or other debt to Serbia, that it helped to Romania to remove Chauseskus iron fist, or Romanian regime ( most of them probably), have slavic roots, which I was according to in my earlier posts, becouse your coments on your posts,as long as you did or do not kill any of those minoritys, made not terrible masacres to unarmed civilians as Serbia with the big help from K-serbs did, are not making any sense to me.
But anyway , Kosova is in its own way, if one or two states did not recognise would not make big difference, but I am happy that in Romania, there are people like you who have a common sense, to realise, that being in Russias side for the momentum is a dangerous game, specially as an NATO member and EU state.
So keep the good work.

"...lesson of law and order to the super coward powers
BRAVO"

Swiss, are you capable to write just one comment without curses and insults?

I think it is time for EU to start thinking and reform itself as small townsize countries being allowed to dictate or block EU policies.
It is a REAL PARADOX that a smalltown country be allowed to block other countries path to EU including Kosova.

Cyrpus should reject it considering how much money they took from Slobo "the butcher"--the Cyrprus "government" are close friends of the Radicals of belgrade. What a joke.

(Smart Albanian, 19 February 2008 21:16)

Smart Albanian,
Comments that you have put show two things only.
You are not Albanian and definitely not smart.
Please use names that define you.

According to Albanian commentators on TV, even though they oppose independence for now, they have been reserved and less vocal than Romania. They have left room for manover for latter recognition. Greece-Albania relations have integrated and are not one sided anymore, so they will influence for latter recognition. The only loud voice without any apparent reason have been Romanians. They have surprised the commentators more than anyone else. And they are closing some possibilities of latter course change. FOR COUNTRIES with minorities it has been a problem. But still Albania has 800 000 people in Macedonia and the goverment of Albania is working to convince them to coexist with slavs. There have not been commited crimes of Kosova scale, so the possibility of coexistence is there. Even though Macedonians are bias and look down on Albanians, we are strong competitors and capable of our own bussiness, so we disregard all the uncivilised behavier and work our way up to the top. We were in top of Roman and Otoman empires what a hell Macedonian state.

"Cyprus as economic size is several orders of magnitude LARGER than Southern Kosovo. (Pyrros, 19 February 2008 21:13)"

Cyprus' population is 700 thousands. Prishtina's is 600 thousands. As for economic size, Luxembourg is several orders of magnitude larger than Cyprus. In a democracy people are judged by what they say not how much money they have.
Tassos Papadopulos said that God doesn't allow him to recognize Kosova, but apparently God works in mysterious ways and Tassos is now out of power.

Dear John,
again, thanks for you detailing more on the previous post.

Now, any scenario is possible to happen in the future, including the one you suggest (Albania to oppose Moldavia Republic to enter EU, somewhere in the distant future).

However, after Kosovo's recognition by many EU countries, it is possible that Moldavia to remain forever blocked from entering EU, since Russia will use as blackmail the possibility of recognizing the separatist regime of Transdniestria...

As for the moment when Romania may recognize Kosovo, this was very clear explained by Bucharest already: we will not be the last country in EU to join a common position on the issue, so we will not wait until Spain or Cyprus does it, if they will do it. And if Kosovo gets UN recognition (still, Russia and China need to agree) then Bucharest automatically will do it, too.
I take this opportunity to emphasize the official statement of Romanian govt., approved by the Parliament: "the conditions necessary to exist for recognizing Kosovo in the framework of international legislation are not met". It was not said that "we will never recognize it", it was not even said "we will recognize it only if Serbia will do it". I think this detail is important, in order to have a clear picture of the situation.

Last but not least, we hope to prove our good faith very soon, when Albania will be invited to join EU and NATO. I am sure one of Tirana big supporters will be Bucharest, and I expect Albanians to reflect this attitude in their commentaries, as much as they reflect today Romania's refusal to recognize Kosovo UDI.

So, until things will go better, let's hope violence will not sweep the area and destroy the chances for healing the scars of the conflict.

Regards from Bucharest,

The announcement comes one day after an EU ministerial meeting in Brussels, unable to come up with a joint policy over recognizing Kosovo, leaving it instead to its member states to decide individually.
This act of secession falls outside of the framework of international law, and is therefore null and void," official Nicosia said.

The statement, which can be viewed as strong support for Belgrade's position, adds that this EU member also considers the declaration in breach of the UN Charter, the Helsinki Final Act and UN Security Council Resolution 1244.

Finally the right answer with the right reasons, but K-ALbanians would say, "they are not a super power", that's for sure but they can be proud to give a lesson of law and order to the super coward powers
BRAVO

Cyprus as economic size is several orders of magnitude LARGER than Southern Kosovo.

I think it is time for EU to start thinking and reform itself as small townsize countries being allowed to dictate or block EU policies.
It is a REAL PARADOX that a smalltown country be allowed to block other countries path to EU including Kosova.
(EA, 19 February 2008 20:48)

Way to go EA, Thank Allah for a large, strong and powerfull superpower like "Kosova" which will show us exactly how to run the EU.

EA,

I think it is time the EU stops supporting illegal acts like the whole Kosovo soap!

And Kosovo and economics: don't make me laugh! I will ask my government to send ABSOLUTELY NO MONEY to this illegal state. ZERO! NOTHING!!!!

What's interesting is that the Turks in that puppet entity "Northern Cyprus" have recognised Kosovo. So much for reunification!

Just in case anyone missed it, as a condition to allow individual EU members to recognise Kosovo, Spain insisted that the EU can never recognise Kosovo so don't blame Cyprus. All EU members agreed!

Congratulations to Cyprus for abiding by international law.

Thank you Cyprus! You make me feel proud being a Greek!

As to the Albanian poster who said that Cyprus had financial benefits during Milosevic era, I will answer that Greek-Cypriots as also the rest of Greeks have always beeing great supporters of the Serbian struggles in 90's.

Look, look! Little Cyprus is talking!

EA

In case you didn't know, Cyprus was illegally invaded by Turkey. The Northern part of the country is still occupied by Turkish forces and has even been "recognized" as an independent "state". It would be a paradox if Cyprus did in fact recognize Kosovo independence when they themselves would risk destabilization as the Turks in the North would push for further recognition, who knows what they would do in the process of doing so.

In any case, Cyprus is not the only one, there are several EU countries against Kosovo independence and that is their right. That was the price Kosovo had to pay in order to get their independence the way they did, but there is no need for Kosovo to be in the EU anyway, there are countries like Switzerland, Norway and Iceland who are not a part of the EU, and so what? What is this Kosovar obssession with the EU in any case? You're independent! Be happy!

KS

Jealousy makes you nasty.

Dear John Loqja,
Regarding this: “The only loud voice without any apparent reason have been Romanians. They have surprised the commentators more than anyone else.”

I am Romanian (journalist) and down here are some of the reasons for Romania’s position regarding Kosovo UDI: 1) we are the biggest country (also EU country) neighboring Serbia; 2) we are sharing with Serbia many common interests, in various domains, not from yesterday, but from centuries; 3) there are approx. 30 thousands Romanians living in Serbia and similar number of Serbians living in Romania; 4) our position for the last 70 years was “no change in Europe borders, no violation of international law”- why? Because of our neighborhood with Russia (among other things...) 5) last but not least, we have our neighbor Moldavia Republic with a similar separatist issue – Transdniestria, supported by Russia. Maybe Romanian politicians are not saying this openly, not to anger Moscow, but accepting Kosovo UDI will be like a stab in the back for Moldavians, who will lose Transdniestria (as Russia already hinted to)...
You will notice that I was not mentioning the case of Hungarian minority in Romania, a not so big but a significant one (5 to 6%), which is fully integrated and has its political party in the current government. For this, we don’t want Kosovo example to cause troubles and fuel extremist behavior, and starting a vicious circle of provocations between Hungarian and Romanian extremists (as every people, we have our extremists, too) especially since Bucharest-Budapest relations are better and better, we have even joint governmental meetings etc.

Therefore, please understand and pass the message: we have nothing personal against Albanians, but the opposite: we have very strong and traditional ties of friendship, your patriots and intellectuals, as many other simple people, always found support in Romania during the last centuries, that’s why we have today a small Albanian minority in Romania, respected and appreciated. Probably because this old friendship, Kosovo Albanian public opinion is puzzled (after all, the Albanian national anthem was originally a song composed by a Romania composer, Ciprian Porumbescu)…

We try no to take sides, but to follow the principles of common sense – same principles were applied in 1999, when we supported NATO air strikes aiming to topple Milosevic regime…

And a detail, maybe known only by few people: between 1932 and 1933, in Romania, in the city of Constantza (on the Black Sea coast) the Albanian activist Gergj Bubani was publishing a by-monthly newspaper, called “Kosova” – I made some research for an article I published on this issue, in a Romanian academic publication: it seems it was the first newspaper with such a title ever printed! Bubani sons are living as respected intellectuals in Romania (poets and translators), after Bubani family was saved from Enver Hodxa repression upon demand of Romanian Ambassador in Tirana (this was in 50s). The point is: we are friends, but friends respect each other. So, let’s agree to disagree in Kosovo case, and hope for better times for everybody involved in this situation.


Best from Bucharest,
George
PS: why nobody complains about Spain position? because they are big and important in EU? or because they are far away from Kosovo? But their opposition counts more than Cyprus, Romania and Slovakia together!!!

To George the Romanian! We understand those conserns and they are pretty reasonable, but they could have been kept quiet. Romania should not have taken the flag of opposition. The minorites in your countries don't have any western backing for succesion the way we have. And one more thing. Kosova's independence is comming as a result of Yougsllavia desintegration not as a result of Kosovas demand. When 249 574 Montenegrings got their independence shouldn't 2.5 mil Albanians deserve it? So Romania's reaction has been irracional and will leave a bad taste of Romania in Albanian's memoris. It will be remembered that Romanians refused our freedom. It might not matter for now for you, but 5 yrs latter when Albania gets in the Union you might regret it. A vote is a vote. But WE still hope this is a momentary emotional behavier and there is time for correction. Best John!

To John:

Thanks for your message.
However, I feel your affirmation is exaggerated: “Romania should not have taken the flag of opposition.”
If you and your fellow Albanians see thinks like that, it means you credit my country with bigger power than it has :) Seriously, as I said before, probably Albanians had bigger expectancies from Bucharest. But you should still keep a clear view of the situation. Look down here, it is Spain (and Cyprus) “carrying the flag”:

Spain led the dissidents opposing recognition and exposed the serious divisions within the EU by calling the independence declaration illegal. (…) At Spanish insistence, and with an eye to Basque and Catalan separatists, the statement [of EU foreign ministers in Brussels] also underlined the EU member states' "adherence to the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity".
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/feb/19/kosovo.serbia

“The foreign minister of Spain, Miguel Àngel Moratinos, told reporters that the declaration did not respect international law and that Spain would not recognize Kosovo. "The government of Spain will not recognize the unilateral act proclaimed yesterday by the assembly of Kosovo," Reuters quoted him as saying. Among European Union members, Cyprus, Romania and Slovakia have also been reluctant to recognize Kosovo.”
(http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/02/19/europe/19kosovo.php)

“Backed by Cyprus, Moratinos [Spain Foreign Minister] succeeded in weakening the EU draft declaration significantly by removing references, for example, to countries recognizing Kosovo "as an independent state." Spain also added a clause saying that the decision to grant recognition should be taken in line with "international law." (http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/02/18/europe/diplo.php)

Last but not least, you contradict yourself: first you admit that our concerns “are pretty reasonable”, then you say that "Romania's reaction has been irracional and “it will be remembered that Romanians refused our freedom.” As I have said before, what we Romanians refuse is to break principles and take sides. I believe we proved already our concern for Albanians freedom in Kosovo when we did supported NATO bombings in 1999.

You also say this “will leave a bad taste of Romania in Albanian's memories”. Well, if Albanians memory works only on short term, then we Romanians will be sad, but it’s nothing we can do: the past is past, and it may have no value in present days… Also, I would say the same if Albanians feel that both Albania and Kosovo have enough friends in the region and worldwide, and Romania is to be treated as an enemy: you say “5 yrs latter when Albania gets in the Union you might regret it”. Well, trust me, so far nobody in Romania is personalizing this situation, as Serbians are doing. But offense brings nothing than offense, and I friendly advise you to leave aside threats like this, as long USA are not part of EU, and Romania still has troops in Afghanistan and Iraq, as NATO member… You are smart, so you get the idea, reading between the lines, isn’t so?

Nice to be talking to you,
George

To George the Romanian! George you understand that Kosova independece is a fact now. The major western powers approved it and you understand, it is finished now. Romania is a regional power in some sense, and its behavier is important to the region. But my understanding is that you need international help for Moldova. It might come to a point that Albanian approval might needed for them to get in the union.(you know there is no plan at all for them at the moment). And as you might expect, if current policies continue you might not get it.I am a fan of those Moldavians since we have been in similar situations and they don't have to pay for the others behavier but it might be used as a retaliation from Albanians. But I hope that your goverment will come to the senses and will do the right thing. It will be a shame if the Serbs recognise Kosova ahead of Romania.The best George and influence your government with your jounals. John.

"PS: why nobody complains about Spain position? because they are big and important in EU? or because they are far away from Kosovo? But their opposition counts more than Cyprus, Romania and Slovakia together!!!
(George the Romanian, 20 February 2008 11:27) "

George of Romania, I have to post again, why not Spain, why not Cyprus..?
Spain has elections, so they are just carefull what to do , but not avoiding in total the independence of Kosova, so it will bring them to a conflict of interest , every political party want to win and they will use Kosovas independence for election.
Cyprus , no wonder, as I read that "smalltown country" it has it reasons, you can see Cyprus with your own eyes from Turkey , but you need a ship to get there from any part of Greece, when they speak of albanians they swear "the turk" I do not know why , but I can assume, that they are so affraid of turks, that they think that one day maybe Kosova will go there and occupy another part of it :), so we albanians have to convince them , that will never happend. But the last and not least , they will accept the indpendent Kosova also.
But Romania, who had an albanian princess, who never had anything against albanians, ...I wonder. but maybe with Chausesku, you killed all other people without knowing that they were people who thought right of Romanian ancestory, and let those panslavic people come to regime today.
Who knows?

To Albano:
"But Romania, who had an albanian princess, who never had anything against albanians, ...I wonder.”

Albano, I have already explained, as much it’s possible in a post, the reasons for Romania's position. Please read above my first reply to John Loqja.
However, I understand from your post that Romania's motifs for not accepting Kosovo UDI are less important than those of Spain (incoming elections?) and Cyprus (confusion between Albanians and Turks?).
If you consider a fair assessment putting an "equal" between these motifs, regardless the quality of historical relation between Romanians and Albanians, then I have nothing to comment more, just to hope you are making these statements just because you're unhappy and under the pressure of the momentum...

But please allow me one observation: the simple fact that Romanians, without having ever something against Albanians (quite opposite!) are reserved regarding Kosovo UDI should make Albanians think twice before rising the voice and making false accusations or throwing insults towards us.
Therefore, I will quote myself from the previous post I have addressed to John Loqja:

"We hope to prove our good faith very soon, when Albania will be invited to join EU and NATO. I am sure one of Tirana big supporters will be Bucharest, and I expect Albanians to reflect this attitude in their commentaries, as much as they reflect today Romania's refusal to recognize Kosovo UDI. "

Last but not least, please be so kind and explain what you want to say with this:
"but maybe with Chausesku, you killed all other people without knowing that they were people who thought right of Romanian ancestory, and let those panslavic people come to regime today."

Based on my understanding and knowledge, there are sufficient historical proofs to establish a link between ancestors of nowadays Romanians and Albanians - both peoples have their roots in the great Thracian-Illirian people inhabiting all the region of Balkans and much of Eastern Europe, a region roughly described as comprised between today Ukraine and Greece. However, Albanians are not the ancestors of Romanians, as it might be understood from your post. The royal houses of Romania and Albania where related, as you may find described on the internet:
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sophie_of_Sch%C3%B6nburg-Waldenburg),
but this is something different. Romanian royal house of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen is related to the Windsor House, but this doesn’t make us related to the Britons :)

Last but not least, Communists killed many people in Romania, but their orientation was ideological, not ethnical. And to consider that Romanian political leadership is panslavic is such a childish thing to say, that I would consider it rather a good joke!
Trust me, they are two things Romanians (especially the intellectual elite) are regretting right now: first, that we are forced by both Serbs and Albanians to take a side or another; second, that we are on the same side with Moscow!

Best from Bucharest,
George

George the Roamnian,
I read your posts, and I really do like it , becouse you seam to be very reasonable, but in many things I can not agree with you.
You are saying that before UDI the albanians should have think twice, I ask you why , does any Decleration of Independnce was made other the UNILATERAL, or we should have wasted still our lives, and time, by waiting that any serb would anytime soon come in the power who will really know, and realise, that an independent Kosova will happend, let alone the serbian volk, I do not think so, that would never happend, so there was nessecary to take action, and in the most civilised way the Parliament of Kosova, did the right move on the right time.
I am disappointed with Romanian move, all of us are , becouse we do not understand, what it is going on, in Romania, that Serbia, or Russia have so much influence? I can think of one, the Romanian regime, is either in big moral or other debt to Serbia, that it helped to Romania to remove Chauseskus iron fist, or Romanian regime ( most of them probably), have slavic roots, which I was according to in my earlier posts, becouse your coments on your posts,as long as you did or do not kill any of those minoritys, made not terrible masacres to unarmed civilians as Serbia with the big help from K-serbs did, are not making any sense to me.
But anyway , Kosova is in its own way, if one or two states did not recognise would not make big difference, but I am happy that in Romania, there are people like you who have a common sense, to realise, that being in Russias side for the momentum is a dangerous game, specially as an NATO member and EU state.
So keep the good work.