Priština seeks control over “all of Kosovo”

Thaci is tripping. No way do Serbs want al-Quaeda's KLA man in Europe to rule over them. America might like to deviously ignore his background and George Bush or his successor might never have to answer questions by America's docile and uninquisitive media on what he knows about Thaci's and the KLA's background, but the dozens upon dozens upon dozens upon dozens of Serbian churches destroyed - not counting residential properties - by the Albanians of Serbia's Kosovo province over the past 9 years under a feckless and unwilling and unprotecting NATO is testimony to the cultural genocide that Serbs of Kosovo would face under Thaci. No way Thaci! And no way to the sick joke the is EULEX! 'Rule of law' should not be made by those who don't know what it is.

“The government and I have decided to maintain authority over the entire territory of Kosovo. There is no challenge that the legitimate Kosovo institutions cannot respond to,” Thaci said, adding that no violations of constitutional order would be tolerated in Kosovo.
--

You can decide what you want but the reality is that partition exists and Serbians will only accept UNMIK authority, as outlined by 1244.

Serbia will also continue to maintain its territorial integrity with the assistance of the UN as outlined in 1244.

Oh, really Mr Thachi, the war criminal currently the premier of Southern Kosovo, are you going to use force against Serbs again? Are you going to order once again the pogrom of the Serbs? Or are you just going to slaughter them as you used to do? How do you think to force Serbs to accept integration into Albanian led society? Serbs clearly said no to you and to your illegal independence? They decided to boycott your so called independent peace of the land, and what will you do about it?

Remember, Milosevic did not use any force against Albanians while they were boycotting Serbian state and did not try to integrate them into Serbian society forcefully. But you know that? Right? Of course when you and your fellow terrorists begun to use force against Serbian forces in Kosovo and against civilians, naturally Milosevic reacted the same way as Mr Bush reacted when twin towers were demolished by the terrorists.

Well, Thachi, I am looking forward seeing how you are going to run democracy and respect Serbian rights on boycott.

Better forget about the North and accept the realities that you cannot decide over Serbian lives and that de facto partition already exist. You cannot rule over the North, remember that!

I do not think Mr. Thaci will be able to control all of Kosovo in the foreseeable future. For instance, what will he do if all the Serbs living in the North of Kosovo decide not to pay taxes to his government? Throw all these people in jail because of tax evasion?

If Marko Jaksic actually believes that Russian troops will actually attack KFOR soldiers over Kosovo, he is even more delusional than usual.

More likely, he is continuing to exploit his own people, entertaining them with desperate fantasies, for his own political gain - just like his politician colleagues in Belgrade.

Like the saying IN BELGRADE goes these days "Serbs would do anything for Kosovo - except live there, of course"

Thaci has about as much legitimate control over Mitrovica and Gracanica as Kostunica has over Pristina and Prizren.

As I watch events unfold in Northern Kosovo I am constantly reminded of the beginning of the Northern Ireland conflict in the late 1960s. In both cases we find a very unhappy minority living against their wishes in an artificial state. In both cases we have a supposedly neutral army on the ground, ostensibly to keep the peace but actually acting in support of those who oppress this unhappy minority.

I find this affair about the railway line of great significance. After being reclaimed by Serbian Railways, the international troops have moved in to wrest control back in the interests of Pristina.

1. It was a simple event like this that kick-started the rebellion of Catholics in Northern Ireland. A publicly built house was allocated to a Protestant in circumstances which were totally unjust. The Catholics staged a sit-in, they were forcibly ejected, people took to the streets, they were assaulted by the police, guns appeared .......

2. Later, when the supposedly neutral British troops were sent in to keep the peace, they were initially welcomed by the Catholic minority as some form of protection. Later still when these troops were seen to be acting against the Catholics this attitude changed and gradually turned into great hostility. The Bloody Sunday massacre cemented this change.

My point is that if the Serbs in Northern Kosovo are absolutely determined not to be ruled in any way by Pristina, and if the KFOR troops act against them in an aggressive manner, then it is only a matter of time before serious violence breaks out, with KFOR being seen as just one more part of the apparatus of oppression.

This is a very bleak scenario but from my vantage point all the elements are being assembled. It should also be remembered that at the height of the Irish conflict, 27,000 British troops were unable to defeat the IRA.

Without a UN resolution and recognition from Serbia, I fail to see how Thaci aims to control the whole of Kosovo. Neither Kosovo nor Serbia were keen to negotiate further, they must now accept that they are both stuck in a mess.

Serbia does not recognize Kosovo, the Northern part of Kosovo is totally Serbian, I would like to know how they aim to integrate Northern Kosovo into the rest.

What we have now, ladies and gentlemen, is a de-facto partion of Kosovo at the Ibar River, much like we have between Moldova and Transnistria at the Dniepr, only difference is that Northern Kosovo has not declared iself independent, the people regard it as a part of Serbia despite UDI.

I see no integration, perhaps only with force, but NATO would not use its power to force Northern Kosovo to accept authority of Pristina.

"…if Serbia had had such weapons in 1999, it would not have been bombed…”

He's right about bombing. As "International Community" is extremely sensitive to any loss of life, (on their side, that is), they attack only small, weak, countries with out dated defense. If our anti - aircraft rockets had a bigger range, they wouldn't attack as. And ground war without total air superiority is no- done for them. We were helpless against highflying bombers. But these days, it isn't to difficult for us to get the S-300's….

"… Russian troops…attack KFOR soldiers over Kosovo…"

I don't think they would attack KFOR but they might equip Serbs to protect themselves if attacked by KFOR.

The government and I have decided to maintain authority over the entire territory of Kosovo. There is no challenge that the legitimate Kosovo institutions cannot respond to,” Thaci said, adding that "no violations of constitutional order would be tolerated in Kosovo".

Dead rightThaci.Independence means total control over the area and population.

b92 there was no reason for you to censore my comment, facts speak for themselves.

It is pure fact that Russian gazprom bought NIS very cheaply. When you tie in this fact with the fact of Russian "support" you can say that the Russian goal is or was to gain NIS not stand up against Kosova. That is why even Russia is backing down to the idea of entering Balkan.

It is a fact that Belgradians have been duped. I hope you publish my controversial comment this time.

Thanks for that bit of history Tom. It certainly seems like UNMIK and KFOR are supporting the Albanians.

At this point in time, the Serbs have no option but to accept UNMIK's authority although that may change fairly soon. If violence breaks out, the Albanians will be powerless to do anything as the world will then turn against them. It would have to be Serbs against NATO and history has proven that force cannot break the will of a determined people.

This will not be solved without proper negotiations. The ball is in the US court.

"Marko Jaksic: Serbs need Russian weapons"

Ben: Albanians need American weapons

see wars in Yugo had one denominator: military imbalance

There was the Yugo People Army the 3rd or 4th Army in Europe against police in Croatia, 1/2 police in Bosnia and farmers in Kosova.

The military balance will bring peace.

I mean see Croatia and Serbia how much "love" each other now although the Serbs were cleaned in
Croatia.

That’s why I don’t like the Ahtisari plan- it limits the defence capacity of Kosova in ridiculous 5,000 troops totally disproportional of the threat that comes form Serbia.

“… I think this guy means to turn Serbia in a "nuclear power"…"

No, Jaksic didn’t think that, but now that you mentioned that, considering circumstances, maybe it isn’t such a bad idea after all. NATO is getting ever closer to Russian borders and keep installing rockets every where. Maybe Russians might be interested to bring few of their rockets closer to NATO?

I totally agree with Tom's conclusion. It is quite obvious the West is trying its hardest to provoke the Serbs into a military conflict.
Once the conflict turns to one of a military nature, the West will make an excuse to clense the Serbs in a military operation from there homes as was the case was in Krajina.
It is going to be tough for the Serbs to withstand such provocation, but everyday that passes will only make the Serbs position stronger and stronger.

"...if Serbia had had such weapons in 1999, it would not have been bombed..."

I think this guy means to turn Serbia in a "nuclear power".

Sorry Jaksic, you are 10 years late in your idea but you can offer yourself as a martyr instead of asking for nuclear proliferation of entire Europe

Would I as an Irish person be accepted if I converted into a protestant? Would that be considered a treason? Would a Protestant who has converted into Catholicism be accepted? Or would that be seen with suspicion.

P.S Then in terms you understand. Replace Catholics wit Albanians and replace protestants with the Serbs. That is the root of the conflict in Kosova/o. A Serb will tell you the opposite. It is not a religious conflict ( at least on our part as Albanians), if it was I as a Christian would be on Serbia's side, not one the Albanian side.

Tom O'Donoghue, your analogy isn't correct at all. It simply is not analogy. In the conflict in Ireland you have Irish people. They are one and the same. Same people with different sects (both Christians). I don't want to be insensitive or rude but I truly think that the conflict between the Protestant and the Catholics is the stupidest and dumbest conflict ever. You are the same people; who cares what religion you follow. Your conflict is much like the Suny and the Shia in Iraq. Now if you wanna make an analogy that stands, then there's your analogy, much like Iraq in your case you have a sectarian conflict. The conflict we have with the Serbs is everything else but religious or sectarian (at least on our part as Albanians). I as an Albanian Orthodox part Catholic also, do not care at all whether the Serbs are Christians, Buddhist, Hinduists, Pagans, Atheists etc etc. I hope you catch my point. There are times when I think that somehow we were meant to be enemies. I cannot remember any point throughout our history in the Balkans when Serbians and Albanians where good neighbors. Even though we might have not so good relationship with the Greeks now, at least throughout our history we've had periods where there was trust and collaboration between us. I can't think of any time in our history when that was true with the Serbs. This is just to show you that our conflict is not new or one coming from religious differences. This conflict has been there since these two people came in contact with each other. As always we think its their fault, they think its our fault.

johny,

Your understanding is wrong.
The terms Catholic and Protestant in N. Ireland are just convenient labels for two different ethnic groups.
Catholics are ethnic Irish whose ancestors have lived on the island for millenia.
The Protestants are the descendants of people from England and Scotland who came to Ireland in the 17th century to take over land that had been stolen from the native Irish.
This is the origin of the conflict, not religion. OK?

If Marko Jaksic actually believes that Russian troops will actually attack KFOR soldiers over Kosovo, he is even more delusional than usual.

More likely, he is continuing to exploit his own people, entertaining them with desperate fantasies, for his own political gain - just like his politician colleagues in Belgrade.

Like the saying IN BELGRADE goes these days "Serbs would do anything for Kosovo - except live there, of course"

"Marko Jaksic: Serbs need Russian weapons"

Ben: Albanians need American weapons

see wars in Yugo had one denominator: military imbalance

There was the Yugo People Army the 3rd or 4th Army in Europe against police in Croatia, 1/2 police in Bosnia and farmers in Kosova.

The military balance will bring peace.

I mean see Croatia and Serbia how much "love" each other now although the Serbs were cleaned in
Croatia.

That’s why I don’t like the Ahtisari plan- it limits the defence capacity of Kosova in ridiculous 5,000 troops totally disproportional of the threat that comes form Serbia.

Oh, really Mr Thachi, the war criminal currently the premier of Southern Kosovo, are you going to use force against Serbs again? Are you going to order once again the pogrom of the Serbs? Or are you just going to slaughter them as you used to do? How do you think to force Serbs to accept integration into Albanian led society? Serbs clearly said no to you and to your illegal independence? They decided to boycott your so called independent peace of the land, and what will you do about it?

Remember, Milosevic did not use any force against Albanians while they were boycotting Serbian state and did not try to integrate them into Serbian society forcefully. But you know that? Right? Of course when you and your fellow terrorists begun to use force against Serbian forces in Kosovo and against civilians, naturally Milosevic reacted the same way as Mr Bush reacted when twin towers were demolished by the terrorists.

Well, Thachi, I am looking forward seeing how you are going to run democracy and respect Serbian rights on boycott.

Better forget about the North and accept the realities that you cannot decide over Serbian lives and that de facto partition already exist. You cannot rule over the North, remember that!

The government and I have decided to maintain authority over the entire territory of Kosovo. There is no challenge that the legitimate Kosovo institutions cannot respond to,” Thaci said, adding that "no violations of constitutional order would be tolerated in Kosovo".

Dead rightThaci.Independence means total control over the area and population.

"...if Serbia had had such weapons in 1999, it would not have been bombed..."

I think this guy means to turn Serbia in a "nuclear power".

Sorry Jaksic, you are 10 years late in your idea but you can offer yourself as a martyr instead of asking for nuclear proliferation of entire Europe

b92 there was no reason for you to censore my comment, facts speak for themselves.

It is pure fact that Russian gazprom bought NIS very cheaply. When you tie in this fact with the fact of Russian "support" you can say that the Russian goal is or was to gain NIS not stand up against Kosova. That is why even Russia is backing down to the idea of entering Balkan.

It is a fact that Belgradians have been duped. I hope you publish my controversial comment this time.

As I watch events unfold in Northern Kosovo I am constantly reminded of the beginning of the Northern Ireland conflict in the late 1960s. In both cases we find a very unhappy minority living against their wishes in an artificial state. In both cases we have a supposedly neutral army on the ground, ostensibly to keep the peace but actually acting in support of those who oppress this unhappy minority.

I find this affair about the railway line of great significance. After being reclaimed by Serbian Railways, the international troops have moved in to wrest control back in the interests of Pristina.

1. It was a simple event like this that kick-started the rebellion of Catholics in Northern Ireland. A publicly built house was allocated to a Protestant in circumstances which were totally unjust. The Catholics staged a sit-in, they were forcibly ejected, people took to the streets, they were assaulted by the police, guns appeared .......

2. Later, when the supposedly neutral British troops were sent in to keep the peace, they were initially welcomed by the Catholic minority as some form of protection. Later still when these troops were seen to be acting against the Catholics this attitude changed and gradually turned into great hostility. The Bloody Sunday massacre cemented this change.

My point is that if the Serbs in Northern Kosovo are absolutely determined not to be ruled in any way by Pristina, and if the KFOR troops act against them in an aggressive manner, then it is only a matter of time before serious violence breaks out, with KFOR being seen as just one more part of the apparatus of oppression.

This is a very bleak scenario but from my vantage point all the elements are being assembled. It should also be remembered that at the height of the Irish conflict, 27,000 British troops were unable to defeat the IRA.

“The government and I have decided to maintain authority over the entire territory of Kosovo. There is no challenge that the legitimate Kosovo institutions cannot respond to,” Thaci said, adding that no violations of constitutional order would be tolerated in Kosovo.
--

You can decide what you want but the reality is that partition exists and Serbians will only accept UNMIK authority, as outlined by 1244.

Serbia will also continue to maintain its territorial integrity with the assistance of the UN as outlined in 1244.

Thaci is tripping. No way do Serbs want al-Quaeda's KLA man in Europe to rule over them. America might like to deviously ignore his background and George Bush or his successor might never have to answer questions by America's docile and uninquisitive media on what he knows about Thaci's and the KLA's background, but the dozens upon dozens upon dozens upon dozens of Serbian churches destroyed - not counting residential properties - by the Albanians of Serbia's Kosovo province over the past 9 years under a feckless and unwilling and unprotecting NATO is testimony to the cultural genocide that Serbs of Kosovo would face under Thaci. No way Thaci! And no way to the sick joke the is EULEX! 'Rule of law' should not be made by those who don't know what it is.

I do not think Mr. Thaci will be able to control all of Kosovo in the foreseeable future. For instance, what will he do if all the Serbs living in the North of Kosovo decide not to pay taxes to his government? Throw all these people in jail because of tax evasion?

Thaci has about as much legitimate control over Mitrovica and Gracanica as Kostunica has over Pristina and Prizren.

Without a UN resolution and recognition from Serbia, I fail to see how Thaci aims to control the whole of Kosovo. Neither Kosovo nor Serbia were keen to negotiate further, they must now accept that they are both stuck in a mess.

Serbia does not recognize Kosovo, the Northern part of Kosovo is totally Serbian, I would like to know how they aim to integrate Northern Kosovo into the rest.

What we have now, ladies and gentlemen, is a de-facto partion of Kosovo at the Ibar River, much like we have between Moldova and Transnistria at the Dniepr, only difference is that Northern Kosovo has not declared iself independent, the people regard it as a part of Serbia despite UDI.

I see no integration, perhaps only with force, but NATO would not use its power to force Northern Kosovo to accept authority of Pristina.

"…if Serbia had had such weapons in 1999, it would not have been bombed…”

He's right about bombing. As "International Community" is extremely sensitive to any loss of life, (on their side, that is), they attack only small, weak, countries with out dated defense. If our anti - aircraft rockets had a bigger range, they wouldn't attack as. And ground war without total air superiority is no- done for them. We were helpless against highflying bombers. But these days, it isn't to difficult for us to get the S-300's….

"… Russian troops…attack KFOR soldiers over Kosovo…"

I don't think they would attack KFOR but they might equip Serbs to protect themselves if attacked by KFOR.

“… I think this guy means to turn Serbia in a "nuclear power"…"

No, Jaksic didn’t think that, but now that you mentioned that, considering circumstances, maybe it isn’t such a bad idea after all. NATO is getting ever closer to Russian borders and keep installing rockets every where. Maybe Russians might be interested to bring few of their rockets closer to NATO?

Thanks for that bit of history Tom. It certainly seems like UNMIK and KFOR are supporting the Albanians.

At this point in time, the Serbs have no option but to accept UNMIK's authority although that may change fairly soon. If violence breaks out, the Albanians will be powerless to do anything as the world will then turn against them. It would have to be Serbs against NATO and history has proven that force cannot break the will of a determined people.

This will not be solved without proper negotiations. The ball is in the US court.

Tom O'Donoghue, your analogy isn't correct at all. It simply is not analogy. In the conflict in Ireland you have Irish people. They are one and the same. Same people with different sects (both Christians). I don't want to be insensitive or rude but I truly think that the conflict between the Protestant and the Catholics is the stupidest and dumbest conflict ever. You are the same people; who cares what religion you follow. Your conflict is much like the Suny and the Shia in Iraq. Now if you wanna make an analogy that stands, then there's your analogy, much like Iraq in your case you have a sectarian conflict. The conflict we have with the Serbs is everything else but religious or sectarian (at least on our part as Albanians). I as an Albanian Orthodox part Catholic also, do not care at all whether the Serbs are Christians, Buddhist, Hinduists, Pagans, Atheists etc etc. I hope you catch my point. There are times when I think that somehow we were meant to be enemies. I cannot remember any point throughout our history in the Balkans when Serbians and Albanians where good neighbors. Even though we might have not so good relationship with the Greeks now, at least throughout our history we've had periods where there was trust and collaboration between us. I can't think of any time in our history when that was true with the Serbs. This is just to show you that our conflict is not new or one coming from religious differences. This conflict has been there since these two people came in contact with each other. As always we think its their fault, they think its our fault.

I totally agree with Tom's conclusion. It is quite obvious the West is trying its hardest to provoke the Serbs into a military conflict.
Once the conflict turns to one of a military nature, the West will make an excuse to clense the Serbs in a military operation from there homes as was the case was in Krajina.
It is going to be tough for the Serbs to withstand such provocation, but everyday that passes will only make the Serbs position stronger and stronger.

johny,

Your understanding is wrong.
The terms Catholic and Protestant in N. Ireland are just convenient labels for two different ethnic groups.
Catholics are ethnic Irish whose ancestors have lived on the island for millenia.
The Protestants are the descendants of people from England and Scotland who came to Ireland in the 17th century to take over land that had been stolen from the native Irish.
This is the origin of the conflict, not religion. OK?

Would I as an Irish person be accepted if I converted into a protestant? Would that be considered a treason? Would a Protestant who has converted into Catholicism be accepted? Or would that be seen with suspicion.

P.S Then in terms you understand. Replace Catholics wit Albanians and replace protestants with the Serbs. That is the root of the conflict in Kosova/o. A Serb will tell you the opposite. It is not a religious conflict ( at least on our part as Albanians), if it was I as a Christian would be on Serbia's side, not one the Albanian side.