Thaci talks of “reconciliation after elections”

“The whole world knows who was responsible for the conflict in Kosovo,”

Yes, the whole world knows You started it Mr.Thaci and the whole world knows Madeleine Albright was the one telling you to start the war.

We also know history revisionists like Noel Malcolm are trying to bend history inside out, but the truth remains. UCK started the war! This is well documented. Start looking in places like The Hague tribunal transcripts, which are even available online.

Why on earth should Serbia recognise Kosovo in order to join the EU? Plenty of other countries in the EU haven't recognised it and do not plan to do so, and yet they're not going to get thrown out of the EU for that are they? I mean the Czech Republic and Slovakia don't recognise Lichtenstein for god's sake, which has been a "country" far longer than Kosovo has. So why should Serbia recognise an illegal state on its territory. Why should they? No matter what Serbia did, and THE WHOLE WORLD knows that they did commit terrible crimes, as did every other side, you can't expect them to recognise the fact that they've literally had the most important part of their country stolen, as legitimate.

"the Snake" Thaci says that the KLA didn't commit atrocities, and he expects all the work to be done by one side. It's ridiculous to say that none of the KLA committed atrocities when they are documented by human rights organisations, just like it is ridiculous to say that nobody committed atrocities against innocent Albanians. The fact that he is being so dismissive of the Serb concerns and talking about reconciliation (which should only come from one side) just goes to show his racist and thoroughly dishonest character. Kosovo is an illegal state and that with this type of person in charge there is a massive potential for abuse because he is making it blatantly clear that he doesn't respect the rights of anyone who's not the same race as him.

“The whole world knows who was responsible for the conflict in Kosovo,” Thaci said, claiming that none of the Kosovo Liberation Army’s fighters committed any war crimes, not even Ramush Haradinaj, who was recently acquitted by the Hague Tribunal.

No KLA member ever committed a war crime? But what about Lahi Brahimaj? He was sentenced by the Hague court to 6 years in jail. Seems to me that Thaci is once again bending the truth....

You know the title of the article gave me some hope that Thaci could be someone that Serbia could work with, what with referring to "reconciliation". However, upon reading the actual article, "reconciliation" in Thaci's world means Serbia supplicating itself in front of him. Sadly, I'm reminded that he's still a raging lunatic.

Thaci talks of reconciliation (on his terms) how generous! As for any Serbs in his government hopefully they're working hard to subvert Kosovo's independence.
When will people learn that nation building at someone elses expense does not and cannot work.

As an Albanian, I always found the Serbs' unwillingness to admit wrongdoing revolting...case in point...their refusal to admit that Milosevic's heavy handed policies in Kosovo gave birth to the KLA in the first place.

Well, now I have to be disgusted at one of my own. Thaci claiming that the KLA committed no war crimes, especially after the Hague just convicted a KLA member, leads me to believe that either
he's prone to "Bushisms" (and someone needs to review his speeches beforehand) or that he is an idiot or a lier or both.

I don't care who started the attrocities...if both sides committed them, then both sides need to apologize. Period. If the K. Albanians own up to their own nasty deeds and apologize first, then so be it. The order of apologies does not matter.

My dear Thaqi,
Please don't waist your time planning talks with upcoming serb nationalists..
Concentrate on Kosovo's future and entering EU and NATO..
Build good relations with modern countries,give citizens of kosovo-republic the security ,that the terror of 99' never happens again...

To serbia the only hope of survival is Cedo (LDP)..
Cedo is the only leader who can turn this brainwashing to reality..
Kosovo is on the way to EU..with or without there neighbours...

Good luck CEDO..

Ment,

As a Serb, I certainly gave you a recommendation on your recent comment.

It's obvious to the majority of Serbs, Milosovic was a communist disaster. I'd be one of millions which would agree that his policies inflicted great pain for Serbs and Albanians alike. However, let's be honest, the KLA was formed well before Milosovic's time. What about the Kosovo Albanians declaration in independence in the 70's? Was that due to Milosovic as well? Is the slaughter of 100,000 Serbs during the retreat of WWI through Albanian territory due to Milosovic? Certainly not, and the suffering of Albanians by Serbs is equally horrific, for revenge and revenge upon revenge has played out within our bloody histories.

Remember as well, it was the Serbian youth and millions of others who tried to dislodge Milosovic in the early 90's however the West failed to support Serbia at that time. They allowed him to stay..and if you take this as truth which it is, they condoned his actions in Serbia, Bosnia, Croatia, and Kosovo. If they wanted him out, they could have made the choice in supporting the students and protesters, instead they turned their backs. So, the continued suffering in Kosovo is a direct result of the West's inability or indifference to Kosovo and Serbia until 1999, when all of a sudden, attitudes changed. Milosovic went from a peace maker in Bosnia to a war criminal. If a 3 war criminal signed the document for Dayton, how can Dayton remain valid today.

I've said this countless times, we as a community need to move forward, and it starts with recognizing the pain inflicted to each others "side" by the other. We're all guilty, and yet all our children are innocent. It's been our inability to compromise in mutual understanding and respect. Either we belly up and admit our misdeeds both Serbs and Albanians, or Albanian and Serbs, or we can expect a continued bloody future for our innocent children of today and tomorrow. The recent acquittal of the former KLA commander certainly doesn't help, and if the story about prisoners of war being harvested for their organs is true, good luck.

actually quite irrelevant what a terrorist has to say...

but what is quite interesting here... it´s true!
the whole world knows it indeed, who started the mess.

that´s why only a fifth of the worlds recognized states has accepted the illegal "declaration"... =)

let´s just see what future brings!

As for the Serbs in government, what does that mean exactly? It is tokenism. Israel has an Arab minister in its government, does that mean that every Palestinian lives in some kind of paradise, and that Israel is a peaceful country which never hurt them in anyway?

What about China, they have a few Tibetan officials in the Communist Party. i guess the Dalai Lama's separatist propaganda must have really worked because he seems to have got a lot of people worked up over absolutely nothing, eh?

I seem to remember that Milosevic's government had a few token Albanian officials in it as well. Does that mean that Milosevic's Serbia was a wonderful, happy land where everyone got on well and nothing bad ever happened?

Thaci's statements are ridiculous and as bad as the previously mentioned regimes' attempt to use a few token members of ethnic minorities to whitewash their own crimes.

I thought better about Mr. Thaci intelligence, but "claiming that none of the Kosovo Liberation Army’s fighters committed any war crimes" is almost childish, if not cynical.

What history, for sure, will remember is (at least) this:

1) KLA-member Lahi Brahimaj was sentenced to six years’ imprisonment for cruel treatment and torture of two persons at the Jablanica/Jabllanicë headquarters of the KLA.

2) KLA-member Haradin Bala, also indicted by the ICTY "for having participated in the detention of Serb civilians and perceived Albanian collaborators at the Lapusnik Prison Camp, where Bala was a prison guard commander". [sentenced to 13 years imprisonment].

I would say this is enough to create a serious problem in terms of credibility for Mr. Thaci.

Best from Bucharest,
George

Every time this guy opens his mouth, he condemns himself. He is a man that is due for a fall and when it happens it will be a spectacular one.

To the many misinformed serb posters here. Mr.Thaci wasn't quoted as saying the KLA did not commit any war crimes. This is pure speculation by B92 so please dont assume anything.

I have many comments on this subject, but i must be ultra careful, since my comments are FRequently, um, "edited'...

yes, there were war crimes committed by each and every side; that is true, that is fact, and anyone who argues otherwise is lying or just plain wrong.

but that does NOT mean that everyone did terrible things and is equally guilty -- that is a lie, that is NOT the case. the greatest majority of the war crimes, the overwhelming number and brutality of war crimes came from the serbian side, instigated by the serbian govt, and backed by basic structures in serbia. i am so sorry if b92 or others do not like that; i don't like it either but it is the truth. you can "edit" me but you cannot silence sonia biserko, natasa kandic, and the best of serbia, thank god.

as to those who claim that possible reconciliation is "lunacy" -- well, they might be right, because a part of it involves self-fulfilling prophecies. we will never reconcile = there will be no reconciliation. with the ubiqitous denial about war crimes (which i read here daily, and hear whenever i return there) i can't imagine how any kind of broad reconciliation is possible. or even appropriate at this point.

On the other hand, i absolutely believe in "small" and personal attempts to reconcile. therefore we try to meet folks from all groups and nationalities, whether in the balkans or here in the US. that's how i grew up, that is normal to me -- and that is how many of you people were also raised, under "brotherhood and unity." before the slogans became "hate and destroy your neighbor..." on this website, maybe 80% of the comments involve ethnic bias or hatred, which makes me feel that somehow this ideology is somehow promoted? but it is absolutely contrary to everyting i stand for, or for any meaningful human rights perspective.

so yes, even though and perhaps because i am jewish and the son of a holocaust survivor, i make attempts to meet and befriend (some) germans... and even though i am hostile to nationalism i meet people who are nationalist, and at least attempt to communicate with them. even diaspora nationalists, and it isn't easy, believe me. but i try, and i highly recommend at least tying to communicate with others of different perspectives (not to mention ethnicity or color, or orientation.)

so in this sense, no, reconciliation is not "sheer lunacy" but is something approachable.

roberto from frisco

B92,

I highly doubt Thaqi said Kosovska Mitrovica. Please provide us with the link. Unfortunately, it does not matter whether he said Kosovska Mitrovica or not but I’m concerned with the process of editing you chose to follow. My message was edited 1 week ago.

Thanks in advance,
Uran

Absolutely, Ment. Well said!!

George from Bucharest,

Silvian, long time no see no hear from you. However I must admit one thing, that not all KLA fighters are innocent indeed (that proved ICTY verdicts against two out of six indicted KL:A fighters). But, again, comparing to what serbs did in Kosova and elsewhere, it is not worth to mention at all. As for Mr. Thaci is concerned, even though I am not his supporter, I must remind you that he has been KLA political representative, but hardly fighter.

Tom O’Donoghue

Tom you should be more familiar with Thaci’s past in order to claim what you are claiming. FYI Thaci was only a political representative of KLA, never a real fighter.

Dear Uran,

We do see your point, however, the article above is a Nepszabadsag piece carried by Tanjug news agency. We have provided only the translation.

As for the process of comment editing, our readers will have noticed we interpret our own rules quite liberally, in order to allow them to express their opinion - and since we do not provide an English language forum, to interact with each other.

Unfortunately, many times comments that should not, slip through, and we are always grateful when our visitors point out to this.

On the other hand, we hardly ever edit a comment by mistake.

Regards,

B92

Thaci is living in false hope.
160 countries do not recognize illegal unilateral independence of Kosovo and only 32 uninformed countries do.
It is difficult for war criminals like Thaci and Haradinaj to come to terms with reality and for that matter also Amercia.
Kosovo is Serbia.

first of all, the comment of Ment deserves the attention but let´s be honest, those reasonable albanian voices will be needed much more when the southern serbian province is successfully reintegrated again.

so, nothing against good-will, but first there has to be more than some few nice words.

at least it´s becoming obvious that not every Albanian believes that bla bla of that crminal.

probably there has to go along a little bit more time until a significant part of the albanian-speaking population realizes the true nature of it´s "leaders"...

but, I am confident, just as the Serbs have overthrown Milošević, the Albanians will do it one day with their evil-doers.

The whole world knows who was responsible for the conflict in Kosovo,” Thaci said, claiming that none of the Kosovo Liberation Army’s fighters committed any war crimes, not even Ramush Haradinaj, who was recently acquitted by the Hague Tribunal.
And that is a FACT.......

Mr PR.Tadicu
You need to form firm foundations for the future and the first step is to clarify what you really want.
The time has come to really follow through on your aims and have a clear vision of where you see yourself going.
Those around you EU CEDO are all too willing to help out, as long as you show you've got what it takes.
Vote CEDO PM OF Serbia

As the article states...

"Cadavers have never been an obstacle to Thaci’s career."

Snake Tachi lacks a well-developed conscience and is amoral.

http://www.javno.com/en/world/clanak.php?id=125467

Prediktor,

KLA killings "Not worth to mention at all"
???

Any comparison the type you use is dangerous, when is about human lives.
In your rationale, e.g. Red Army soldiers killing in cold blood civilians in occupied Eastern Europe in 1944 (just because the victims were having no idea how many kilometers are still to Berlin... as my grandfather used to remember the Soviet arrival in Romania) should be pardoned because German SS soldiers were doing the same to Jews, Poles, Russians, etc. just couple months earlier... This is pure and shameful relativism.

As for Thaci being "KLA political representative, but hardly fighter", this is also a lame excuse, especially since Thaci is capitalizing (as a politician) based on his KLA membership during the time-frame when all these killings happened.

Prediktor,
initially I felt a intrigued and anxious due to the fact that you know me personally and surely you remember me well, while I simply cannot pinpoint you in my memories (probably because I have met and interacted with so many K/Albanians, K/Serbs and Internationals during my presence in Kosovo... so my memories are fuzzy). But now, looking at your reply, I realize that me saying that I condemn equally Mladic and Karadzic for what they did in BiH (and by this rejecting any accusation of being blindly pro-Serb) would not change your conviction that KLA killings are "Not worth to mention at all".
Therefore, I hope I will never know your identity, because this will force me to "put a face" over your words and admit that at least one of the K/Albanians I have met in Kosovo is ready to consider humans unworthy just because they speak anther language...

I am disappointed, and sad. What can I say more?

George the Romanian
“I am disappointed, and sad. What can I say more?”

I am quoting my self “But, again, comparing to what serbs did in Kosova and elsewhere, it is not worth to mention at all” and I have no doubt it is like that, and you know that too, as you witnessed atrocities done to Albanians in Kosova by Serb military and paramilitary troops (meaning on your presence to, after war, Kosova – I am sure you saw destroyed cities and mass graves of K/Albanians), not to mention 10 years of repression that made about 500.000 K/Albanians to leave to the west Europe.

Fact that I do know you personally shouldn’t worry you at all, as, even during your stay here we had political arguments (different views) as you were always backing Serb (still wrong) politics towards Kosova. I really hope that not all your compatriots think like you, wishing you never come back to Kosova again as Kosova does not need people like you!

Prediktor,

Thanks for not revealing yourself!
I admire your conviction that life is all about black and white, i.e. Serbs are all bad, and Albanians are all good - from 1389 onwards. I haven't seen so far many people having such strong and inflexible opinions, and I am sure that your really believe 700% in your own words.

I am not worried (my words were “anxious” and “intrigued”), only curious.
For example, I wonder if even Mr. Thaci is so confident in his leadership in order to say openly (as you do) whom he thinks Kosovo may or may not need in the future. But, I guess, not having public responsibilities makes it easier for people like you to express disdain and launch accusations of bias, especially under the anonymity of a nick-name. And working for Internationals (aren’t you?) makes a good living – with the sole condition of keeping the mask of politically correct language (or, to be more explicit, to pay lip-service to the idea of “multiethnic, all-inclusive, democratic Kosovo”). The very fact that I don’t remember you (as I remember no K/Albanian expressing such strong opinions on Serbs to me) it’s a proof that you master very well this politically-correct language... Congratulations!

My only regret is that you were not so direct in those face-to-face “arguments” (you say that) we had, at least as much as you express yourself in this forum. Lacking courage? And you had plenty of opportunities to ventilate your anger: working in Mitrovica, having K/Serbs as colleagues, seeing them on daily basis…
Pathetic.

“The whole world knows who was responsible for the conflict in Kosovo,”

Yes, the whole world knows You started it Mr.Thaci and the whole world knows Madeleine Albright was the one telling you to start the war.

We also know history revisionists like Noel Malcolm are trying to bend history inside out, but the truth remains. UCK started the war! This is well documented. Start looking in places like The Hague tribunal transcripts, which are even available online.

My dear Thaqi,
Please don't waist your time planning talks with upcoming serb nationalists..
Concentrate on Kosovo's future and entering EU and NATO..
Build good relations with modern countries,give citizens of kosovo-republic the security ,that the terror of 99' never happens again...

To serbia the only hope of survival is Cedo (LDP)..
Cedo is the only leader who can turn this brainwashing to reality..
Kosovo is on the way to EU..with or without there neighbours...

Good luck CEDO..

Why on earth should Serbia recognise Kosovo in order to join the EU? Plenty of other countries in the EU haven't recognised it and do not plan to do so, and yet they're not going to get thrown out of the EU for that are they? I mean the Czech Republic and Slovakia don't recognise Lichtenstein for god's sake, which has been a "country" far longer than Kosovo has. So why should Serbia recognise an illegal state on its territory. Why should they? No matter what Serbia did, and THE WHOLE WORLD knows that they did commit terrible crimes, as did every other side, you can't expect them to recognise the fact that they've literally had the most important part of their country stolen, as legitimate.

"the Snake" Thaci says that the KLA didn't commit atrocities, and he expects all the work to be done by one side. It's ridiculous to say that none of the KLA committed atrocities when they are documented by human rights organisations, just like it is ridiculous to say that nobody committed atrocities against innocent Albanians. The fact that he is being so dismissive of the Serb concerns and talking about reconciliation (which should only come from one side) just goes to show his racist and thoroughly dishonest character. Kosovo is an illegal state and that with this type of person in charge there is a massive potential for abuse because he is making it blatantly clear that he doesn't respect the rights of anyone who's not the same race as him.

You know the title of the article gave me some hope that Thaci could be someone that Serbia could work with, what with referring to "reconciliation". However, upon reading the actual article, "reconciliation" in Thaci's world means Serbia supplicating itself in front of him. Sadly, I'm reminded that he's still a raging lunatic.

Thaci talks of reconciliation (on his terms) how generous! As for any Serbs in his government hopefully they're working hard to subvert Kosovo's independence.
When will people learn that nation building at someone elses expense does not and cannot work.

As an Albanian, I always found the Serbs' unwillingness to admit wrongdoing revolting...case in point...their refusal to admit that Milosevic's heavy handed policies in Kosovo gave birth to the KLA in the first place.

Well, now I have to be disgusted at one of my own. Thaci claiming that the KLA committed no war crimes, especially after the Hague just convicted a KLA member, leads me to believe that either
he's prone to "Bushisms" (and someone needs to review his speeches beforehand) or that he is an idiot or a lier or both.

I don't care who started the attrocities...if both sides committed them, then both sides need to apologize. Period. If the K. Albanians own up to their own nasty deeds and apologize first, then so be it. The order of apologies does not matter.

Dear Uran,

We do see your point, however, the article above is a Nepszabadsag piece carried by Tanjug news agency. We have provided only the translation.

As for the process of comment editing, our readers will have noticed we interpret our own rules quite liberally, in order to allow them to express their opinion - and since we do not provide an English language forum, to interact with each other.

Unfortunately, many times comments that should not, slip through, and we are always grateful when our visitors point out to this.

On the other hand, we hardly ever edit a comment by mistake.

Regards,

B92

“The whole world knows who was responsible for the conflict in Kosovo,” Thaci said, claiming that none of the Kosovo Liberation Army’s fighters committed any war crimes, not even Ramush Haradinaj, who was recently acquitted by the Hague Tribunal.

No KLA member ever committed a war crime? But what about Lahi Brahimaj? He was sentenced by the Hague court to 6 years in jail. Seems to me that Thaci is once again bending the truth....

B92,

I highly doubt Thaqi said Kosovska Mitrovica. Please provide us with the link. Unfortunately, it does not matter whether he said Kosovska Mitrovica or not but I’m concerned with the process of editing you chose to follow. My message was edited 1 week ago.

Thanks in advance,
Uran

I have many comments on this subject, but i must be ultra careful, since my comments are FRequently, um, "edited'...

yes, there were war crimes committed by each and every side; that is true, that is fact, and anyone who argues otherwise is lying or just plain wrong.

but that does NOT mean that everyone did terrible things and is equally guilty -- that is a lie, that is NOT the case. the greatest majority of the war crimes, the overwhelming number and brutality of war crimes came from the serbian side, instigated by the serbian govt, and backed by basic structures in serbia. i am so sorry if b92 or others do not like that; i don't like it either but it is the truth. you can "edit" me but you cannot silence sonia biserko, natasa kandic, and the best of serbia, thank god.

as to those who claim that possible reconciliation is "lunacy" -- well, they might be right, because a part of it involves self-fulfilling prophecies. we will never reconcile = there will be no reconciliation. with the ubiqitous denial about war crimes (which i read here daily, and hear whenever i return there) i can't imagine how any kind of broad reconciliation is possible. or even appropriate at this point.

On the other hand, i absolutely believe in "small" and personal attempts to reconcile. therefore we try to meet folks from all groups and nationalities, whether in the balkans or here in the US. that's how i grew up, that is normal to me -- and that is how many of you people were also raised, under "brotherhood and unity." before the slogans became "hate and destroy your neighbor..." on this website, maybe 80% of the comments involve ethnic bias or hatred, which makes me feel that somehow this ideology is somehow promoted? but it is absolutely contrary to everyting i stand for, or for any meaningful human rights perspective.

so yes, even though and perhaps because i am jewish and the son of a holocaust survivor, i make attempts to meet and befriend (some) germans... and even though i am hostile to nationalism i meet people who are nationalist, and at least attempt to communicate with them. even diaspora nationalists, and it isn't easy, believe me. but i try, and i highly recommend at least tying to communicate with others of different perspectives (not to mention ethnicity or color, or orientation.)

so in this sense, no, reconciliation is not "sheer lunacy" but is something approachable.

roberto from frisco

As for the Serbs in government, what does that mean exactly? It is tokenism. Israel has an Arab minister in its government, does that mean that every Palestinian lives in some kind of paradise, and that Israel is a peaceful country which never hurt them in anyway?

What about China, they have a few Tibetan officials in the Communist Party. i guess the Dalai Lama's separatist propaganda must have really worked because he seems to have got a lot of people worked up over absolutely nothing, eh?

I seem to remember that Milosevic's government had a few token Albanian officials in it as well. Does that mean that Milosevic's Serbia was a wonderful, happy land where everyone got on well and nothing bad ever happened?

Thaci's statements are ridiculous and as bad as the previously mentioned regimes' attempt to use a few token members of ethnic minorities to whitewash their own crimes.

The whole world knows who was responsible for the conflict in Kosovo,” Thaci said, claiming that none of the Kosovo Liberation Army’s fighters committed any war crimes, not even Ramush Haradinaj, who was recently acquitted by the Hague Tribunal.
And that is a FACT.......

Mr PR.Tadicu
You need to form firm foundations for the future and the first step is to clarify what you really want.
The time has come to really follow through on your aims and have a clear vision of where you see yourself going.
Those around you EU CEDO are all too willing to help out, as long as you show you've got what it takes.
Vote CEDO PM OF Serbia

To the many misinformed serb posters here. Mr.Thaci wasn't quoted as saying the KLA did not commit any war crimes. This is pure speculation by B92 so please dont assume anything.

first of all, the comment of Ment deserves the attention but let´s be honest, those reasonable albanian voices will be needed much more when the southern serbian province is successfully reintegrated again.

so, nothing against good-will, but first there has to be more than some few nice words.

at least it´s becoming obvious that not every Albanian believes that bla bla of that crminal.

probably there has to go along a little bit more time until a significant part of the albanian-speaking population realizes the true nature of it´s "leaders"...

but, I am confident, just as the Serbs have overthrown Milošević, the Albanians will do it one day with their evil-doers.

As the article states...

"Cadavers have never been an obstacle to Thaci’s career."

Snake Tachi lacks a well-developed conscience and is amoral.

http://www.javno.com/en/world/clanak.php?id=125467

I thought better about Mr. Thaci intelligence, but "claiming that none of the Kosovo Liberation Army’s fighters committed any war crimes" is almost childish, if not cynical.

What history, for sure, will remember is (at least) this:

1) KLA-member Lahi Brahimaj was sentenced to six years’ imprisonment for cruel treatment and torture of two persons at the Jablanica/Jabllanicë headquarters of the KLA.

2) KLA-member Haradin Bala, also indicted by the ICTY "for having participated in the detention of Serb civilians and perceived Albanian collaborators at the Lapusnik Prison Camp, where Bala was a prison guard commander". [sentenced to 13 years imprisonment].

I would say this is enough to create a serious problem in terms of credibility for Mr. Thaci.

Best from Bucharest,
George

Every time this guy opens his mouth, he condemns himself. He is a man that is due for a fall and when it happens it will be a spectacular one.

Ment,

As a Serb, I certainly gave you a recommendation on your recent comment.

It's obvious to the majority of Serbs, Milosovic was a communist disaster. I'd be one of millions which would agree that his policies inflicted great pain for Serbs and Albanians alike. However, let's be honest, the KLA was formed well before Milosovic's time. What about the Kosovo Albanians declaration in independence in the 70's? Was that due to Milosovic as well? Is the slaughter of 100,000 Serbs during the retreat of WWI through Albanian territory due to Milosovic? Certainly not, and the suffering of Albanians by Serbs is equally horrific, for revenge and revenge upon revenge has played out within our bloody histories.

Remember as well, it was the Serbian youth and millions of others who tried to dislodge Milosovic in the early 90's however the West failed to support Serbia at that time. They allowed him to stay..and if you take this as truth which it is, they condoned his actions in Serbia, Bosnia, Croatia, and Kosovo. If they wanted him out, they could have made the choice in supporting the students and protesters, instead they turned their backs. So, the continued suffering in Kosovo is a direct result of the West's inability or indifference to Kosovo and Serbia until 1999, when all of a sudden, attitudes changed. Milosovic went from a peace maker in Bosnia to a war criminal. If a 3 war criminal signed the document for Dayton, how can Dayton remain valid today.

I've said this countless times, we as a community need to move forward, and it starts with recognizing the pain inflicted to each others "side" by the other. We're all guilty, and yet all our children are innocent. It's been our inability to compromise in mutual understanding and respect. Either we belly up and admit our misdeeds both Serbs and Albanians, or Albanian and Serbs, or we can expect a continued bloody future for our innocent children of today and tomorrow. The recent acquittal of the former KLA commander certainly doesn't help, and if the story about prisoners of war being harvested for their organs is true, good luck.

George from Bucharest,

Silvian, long time no see no hear from you. However I must admit one thing, that not all KLA fighters are innocent indeed (that proved ICTY verdicts against two out of six indicted KL:A fighters). But, again, comparing to what serbs did in Kosova and elsewhere, it is not worth to mention at all. As for Mr. Thaci is concerned, even though I am not his supporter, I must remind you that he has been KLA political representative, but hardly fighter.

Tom O’Donoghue

Tom you should be more familiar with Thaci’s past in order to claim what you are claiming. FYI Thaci was only a political representative of KLA, never a real fighter.

actually quite irrelevant what a terrorist has to say...

but what is quite interesting here... it´s true!
the whole world knows it indeed, who started the mess.

that´s why only a fifth of the worlds recognized states has accepted the illegal "declaration"... =)

let´s just see what future brings!

Absolutely, Ment. Well said!!

Thaci is living in false hope.
160 countries do not recognize illegal unilateral independence of Kosovo and only 32 uninformed countries do.
It is difficult for war criminals like Thaci and Haradinaj to come to terms with reality and for that matter also Amercia.
Kosovo is Serbia.

Prediktor,

KLA killings "Not worth to mention at all"
???

Any comparison the type you use is dangerous, when is about human lives.
In your rationale, e.g. Red Army soldiers killing in cold blood civilians in occupied Eastern Europe in 1944 (just because the victims were having no idea how many kilometers are still to Berlin... as my grandfather used to remember the Soviet arrival in Romania) should be pardoned because German SS soldiers were doing the same to Jews, Poles, Russians, etc. just couple months earlier... This is pure and shameful relativism.

As for Thaci being "KLA political representative, but hardly fighter", this is also a lame excuse, especially since Thaci is capitalizing (as a politician) based on his KLA membership during the time-frame when all these killings happened.

Prediktor,
initially I felt a intrigued and anxious due to the fact that you know me personally and surely you remember me well, while I simply cannot pinpoint you in my memories (probably because I have met and interacted with so many K/Albanians, K/Serbs and Internationals during my presence in Kosovo... so my memories are fuzzy). But now, looking at your reply, I realize that me saying that I condemn equally Mladic and Karadzic for what they did in BiH (and by this rejecting any accusation of being blindly pro-Serb) would not change your conviction that KLA killings are "Not worth to mention at all".
Therefore, I hope I will never know your identity, because this will force me to "put a face" over your words and admit that at least one of the K/Albanians I have met in Kosovo is ready to consider humans unworthy just because they speak anther language...

I am disappointed, and sad. What can I say more?

George the Romanian
“I am disappointed, and sad. What can I say more?”

I am quoting my self “But, again, comparing to what serbs did in Kosova and elsewhere, it is not worth to mention at all” and I have no doubt it is like that, and you know that too, as you witnessed atrocities done to Albanians in Kosova by Serb military and paramilitary troops (meaning on your presence to, after war, Kosova – I am sure you saw destroyed cities and mass graves of K/Albanians), not to mention 10 years of repression that made about 500.000 K/Albanians to leave to the west Europe.

Fact that I do know you personally shouldn’t worry you at all, as, even during your stay here we had political arguments (different views) as you were always backing Serb (still wrong) politics towards Kosova. I really hope that not all your compatriots think like you, wishing you never come back to Kosova again as Kosova does not need people like you!

Prediktor,

Thanks for not revealing yourself!
I admire your conviction that life is all about black and white, i.e. Serbs are all bad, and Albanians are all good - from 1389 onwards. I haven't seen so far many people having such strong and inflexible opinions, and I am sure that your really believe 700% in your own words.

I am not worried (my words were “anxious” and “intrigued”), only curious.
For example, I wonder if even Mr. Thaci is so confident in his leadership in order to say openly (as you do) whom he thinks Kosovo may or may not need in the future. But, I guess, not having public responsibilities makes it easier for people like you to express disdain and launch accusations of bias, especially under the anonymity of a nick-name. And working for Internationals (aren’t you?) makes a good living – with the sole condition of keeping the mask of politically correct language (or, to be more explicit, to pay lip-service to the idea of “multiethnic, all-inclusive, democratic Kosovo”). The very fact that I don’t remember you (as I remember no K/Albanian expressing such strong opinions on Serbs to me) it’s a proof that you master very well this politically-correct language... Congratulations!

My only regret is that you were not so direct in those face-to-face “arguments” (you say that) we had, at least as much as you express yourself in this forum. Lacking courage? And you had plenty of opportunities to ventilate your anger: working in Mitrovica, having K/Serbs as colleagues, seeing them on daily basis…
Pathetic.