Prague encouraged by Serbia vote, rethinks Kosovo

So now that the outcome is positive and a pro-european party won, it's ok to sink their boat with the recognition, especially when negotiations for a coalition are going on.
hmm!

"The results of the Serbian elections were a pleasant surprise. That is the reason why the Democratic-Christians are thinking about allowing Kosovo to be recognized”

I like Tadic, I really do, and Nikolic says some scary things at times.

However, its clear the West considers Tadic a pushover who wants to join the EU even at the cost of Kosovo.

Personally, I'm astounded that the West is claiming the election as a victory for Tadic.

Could anyone tell me why countries break the international laws that were set up after world war 2 and were designed to keep the world peacefull?

That is pitty that czech governemnt forgot about Munich 1938 - because this is the same case.
But do not forget, that czechs got sudeten back.

San Marino have officialy recognized independent Kosovo today.

Thank you San Marino!

Good luck Kosovo on your own way...

My prediction came true again. San Marino recognizes Kosovo just next day of Serbian election.
Czech government move toward recognition next day of Serbian election. Good start isn't it?

San Marino Recognized Kosovo!

Great move by Prague, join the democratic forces on recognizing the newest state.

The timing of this announcement is incredible !!...
Prague has the gift for Tadic...
Anyway if Eulex will start on june 15 i think that not only the Czech will follow the EU mainstream-...

There you go, the first back stab cometh, even the votes aren't counted yet.
More of it in the days to come ZES, be sure.
About czechs always knew this will be their slipery strategy. Shame czechs!!!

wow...San Marino.. :)

what a great success! *lol*


as for the Czechs... it looks like there is some great pressure on them, and they seem to look for a face-saving opportunity to comply to that pressure.

as if the result of these elections would mean a change of the situation! what a nonsense! it´s still serbian territory and nothing can change that without serbian consent.

bottom-line is: forget it my dear albanian friends!

ps: is THAT your next "wave"? :)

I am really impressed!

"Be patient just a month or two. You will see the wave after June 15."

Maks, we were supposed to see a wave of recognitions within the first month of Kosovo's UDD. Where are those "100 countries" Thaci allegedly had a list of? Where is the wave of recognition from the Middle East we were told?

The only thing Kosovo is "independent" of is from Belgrade. With foreign powers providing political oversight and massive economic handouts, and with international armies providing security, with with north effectively out of control of Pristina, Kosovo is little more than a glorified 21st century colony. San Marino and the Czech Republic's recognition change little on the ground. At this point, their recognition is pretty much symbolic.

The only "wave" I foresee after June 15, is the wave of Albanians out of Kosovo and into Europe

"Could anyone tell me why countries break the international laws that were set up after world war 2 and were designed to keep the world peacefull?"

Bojan, that's something I've been wondering about the Serbs for a very long time.

Thank you, San Morino, one of the oldest European countries, for recognizing Kosova's independence. Soon the Czech Republic will follow in your footsteps!

10. Slavic

That is pitty that czech governemnt forgot about Munich 1938 - because this is the same case.
But do not forget, that czechs got sudeten back.

Please don't forget that in 1938 Hitler was right to return Germany it's historic lands stolen in Versalles through T. Roosevelt and his Czech wife. They waited for the outcome and now that they see that Tadic have no chance to form the Cabinet they are in a hurry to strike before the new government declares the rules for the game. Besides the Czech government to be on service for the Yanks doesn't care even for it's own people to say nothing of the Serbs.

This is it ...
Thank you San Marino and Thank you in advance Prague.

I just hope that Serbia is going to wake up soon and realise that everyday a new country recognizes Kosova.

Mark my words, in a very short amount of time Kosova will be bombarded by recognitions all over the world, and it will be hard to keep track of them ;)
Lets hope Serbians realize that.

Peace.

Adrian,
Kosovo recognition has nothing to do with election outcame but with election itself. Whoever win, Kosovo will be recognized. Serbian election just put a brake on the process.
By the way, you still don't know that "anti-European" forces won? Are you using sarcasm or what?

Could anyone tell me why countries break the international laws that were set up after world war 2 and were designed to keep the world peacefull?
(Bojan, 13 May 2008 16:13)

Because since WW!! there are still countries who take care of their different ethnic groups with tanks.
Thats why Kosova recognition is the new deals since WW!!
Are you not proud that you are alive to witness such an age?
Were new moral precedence takes shape? Were bad behaviour is not tolerated. And how you treat our minority's, we will treat your minority's takes shape. But until Serbia decides do go to EU and recognise Kosova. Thats the time we can be all equal.
And unlike Milosevic, a Serb can only rule the Union no more than six months, with everybody else having a turn also.

Sebia is trying to fight a battle that they have lost it a long time ago. STOP kidding yourself, please!More countries are on their way very soon.You will see right after june 15 ,2008 when Constituion goes into effect.

"The results of the Serbian elections were a pleasant surprise. That is the reason why the Democratic-Christians are thinking about allowing Kosovo to be recognized” -

This proves the point -
That Tadic is the one supporting such a move...

Now Chezhs know, no matter what, if Tadic gets his wish, recognition is not tantamount to being anti-Serbian...!

Maks
I wasn't using sarcasm, I was just commenting the words in the article.

ps: is THAT your next "wave"? :)

I am really impressed!
(Jovan, 13 May 2008 20:36)

Be patient just a month or two. You will see the wave after June 15.

Mike,

You hit the nail on the head. The recognition from San Marino is purely symbolic and will indeed change nothing on the ground. If this silly UDI had not been passed and the Albanians sat down and had engaged in constructive talks with Belgrade, they would be in a far better position than today which sees them trapped in a largely unrecognised statelet which is finacially and economically moribund.

Instead Mr Sedjiu would now probably be in negotations with Tadic for the future government and could have ended up as PM of Serbia. (stranger things have happened) K-Albanians would have had 20% of the seats in parliament, 20% of civil service posts, 20% of senior cabinet posts, access to Serbian and European jobs & markets for Kosmet's people, as well as substantial financial aid from Belgrade which would have kicked started Kosmet's economy. Not to mention that Kosmet's Albanians would benefit from the SAA agreement. This would have been the real clincher and ensured peace and stability in the Balkans.

Looks like the Albanians were sold a pup. Trapped in a neo-colony that is illegal, isolated and economically unfeasable.

Thank you San Marino, thank you Czech Republic!

Russia who? Belgrade what? Please.

Thank you, san marino, and thanks in advance to the Czech Republic. the czechs have had a very long history of democratic tradition, and of having to struggle for democracy, whether from under the yoke of the nazis or soviets (Russians).

and when they split with slovakia, in such an amazing and civilized way: Bravo! you'd almost take such a rational split for granted, were it not for places like the balkans, and the animosity and hatreds that have emerged there with a little help from the demagogues...

and no, we don't forgive or forget...

to my Kosovar frnds and to freedom loving people around the world: with each new recognition, we take strength and joy. it may be a long time before Kosova is recognized by serbia (or B92) but most of the rest of us send our love, and support.

peace.

roberto from Frisco

Ortodox - you know interesting details (nationality of T. Roosewelt's wife but have also big holes in your knowledge. So called sudetenland (newspeak term of 20.century)was part of Czech state from the same beginning, therefore is hard to speak about "return" to Germany.

Roberto:
Thank you for appraisal of the Czech history and split of Czechoslovakia but Kosovos separation is completely another cup of tea. Czechs and Slovaks agreed, while Albanians encouraged by big states decided to act unilaterally. I deeply believe that such solution, when Serbs loos and Albanians get it all can't be stable and peace giving solution. That is one of the reasons why Czechs in their majority don't want to recognize the Kosovo established by virtue of violation of international law. This will apply even if our authorities will decide to be conform with EU majority and recognize Kosovo, which I deeply hope they won't.

To the others, I have not excuse for Mr. Svoboda's words, If he really said such stupidity and if the sentence is not the product of jurnalist's misinterpretation, I can only say I am deeply sorry for such a nonsense beeing stated by my representative.

So many millions of people in Europe are against Kosovo independence and so many of their governments behave in a opportunist fashion; they'll say yes just not to be different than those 'bigger fishes'.

"The only thing Kosovo is "independent" of is from Belgrade."

Mike that is the least we asked for. We are happy with that. The rest will come later, we are a patient people.

Nial and other out there. Go read some history. We tried for more than 20 years to talk and in the ended they killed us and ethnically cleansed us. There comes a point where enough is enough and the chains of slavery have to be broken no matter if somebody from Ireland thinks it is wrong according to him or not.

Czinec,
There are many states in the World, including Serbia, whose economic viability in the global economy is flawed. However, thanks to their respective power-brokers and supporters, they are able to trudge along, because they serve some other important function for those powers. Yes, I absolutely agree that Kosovo is a pawn in the super=power struggles of the world, but do not make the mistake of thinking that Serbia is anything else!! Or Croatia, or Macedonia, or many other countries in the region and the world.

As for your point about some sort of a post-communist block that would compete agains the EU, I can only assume that you are making a sarcastic point, which I really do not comprehend. You can't be serious about the possibility of post-communist countries offering some sort of a reasonable competition in a global market dominated by capitalistic countries. Your point is flawed from the get go, if these communist countries were any good in the economic sense, the communist system would have not failed in the first place!!! Free market forces dictate outcomes, and consistently, communist countries were on the wrong side of that equation.

As to your point about Kosovo's economic prospects and viability, although dire at this stage, please understand that this has been in large due to the economic devistation caused by the Serbian oppression over decades, that will take time to correct. But it can and it will be done. When there is a will there is a way!

And think about this point, how come that Israel has been able to maintain it's statehood for over 60 years in a hostile area, where all the surrounding countries have the major resources? Yet Israel is still in great shape. The answer of course is that the powers that be want them there and will continue to keep them there, and the same holds true for Kosovo. Now, what Kosovo has to do is make sure that this opportunity is used wisely,and that the resources provided to Kosovo are invested in such a way that they are sure to generate benefits in the future: re-invest in infrastructure, specifically rebuild Obilic and the coal power plants, and also re-invest in the Trepca mines, and exploit the huge reserves of lignit. Additionally, invest in tourism (eg. skiing resorts, lakes, mountain resorts, etc), and of course continue the construction of the main artery connecting Kosovo and the adriatic sea ports through Albania.

The prospects are bright, but they will take time, and you cannot hurry up a good thing. Even independence took 34 years to achieve (yes, of course I'm referring to the 1974 events).

Regardless of your position on Kosovo, you have to be reasonable when looking at the decisions made by these European countries.

To the pro-independence/separatist or whatever side, why are you thanking these people? They don't support your independence and have stated as much. Poland wasn't for independence, they just weren't for expending political capital on something they saw as a lost cause. The Czechs are being just as pragmatic. Don't kid yourselves, they don't like you and they don't like what you've done. You're experiencing nothing short of an economic disaster and these people are *not* going to help you.

Those who want your independence want a stronger foothold in the Balkans. Don't kid yourselves, your "allies" will be there for you as long as they need your land.

To the pro-Serbian/anti-independence side, you have to see that you cannot economically support Kosovo. The best you can do is force the international community to protect Serbs and their churches, including forcing Pristina and the ethnic Albanians to allow Serbs to come back to Kosovo, allow free travel and migration into Kosovo and require the Albanians to recognize special status for displaced Serbs when it comes to employment.

Kosovo's "independence" is more a sham than a reality. It's economically dependent on others. Why don't you have stable electricity? Because your real masters don't care.

This entire affair has been a boon for the politically powerful and a real sham on the people.

IMHO, the only reason the west broke up the Balkans was to prevent another EU type entity forming out of the former communist states. The last thing these oligarchs want is real competition.

San Marino have officialy recognized independent Kosovo today.

Thank you San Marino!

Good luck Kosovo on your own way...

This is it ...
Thank you San Marino and Thank you in advance Prague.

I just hope that Serbia is going to wake up soon and realise that everyday a new country recognizes Kosova.

Mark my words, in a very short amount of time Kosova will be bombarded by recognitions all over the world, and it will be hard to keep track of them ;)
Lets hope Serbians realize that.

Peace.

Adrian,
Kosovo recognition has nothing to do with election outcame but with election itself. Whoever win, Kosovo will be recognized. Serbian election just put a brake on the process.
By the way, you still don't know that "anti-European" forces won? Are you using sarcasm or what?

Great move by Prague, join the democratic forces on recognizing the newest state.

My prediction came true again. San Marino recognizes Kosovo just next day of Serbian election.
Czech government move toward recognition next day of Serbian election. Good start isn't it?

San Marino Recognized Kosovo!

"Could anyone tell me why countries break the international laws that were set up after world war 2 and were designed to keep the world peacefull?"

Bojan, that's something I've been wondering about the Serbs for a very long time.

Thank you, San Morino, one of the oldest European countries, for recognizing Kosova's independence. Soon the Czech Republic will follow in your footsteps!

Could anyone tell me why countries break the international laws that were set up after world war 2 and were designed to keep the world peacefull?
(Bojan, 13 May 2008 16:13)

Because since WW!! there are still countries who take care of their different ethnic groups with tanks.
Thats why Kosova recognition is the new deals since WW!!
Are you not proud that you are alive to witness such an age?
Were new moral precedence takes shape? Were bad behaviour is not tolerated. And how you treat our minority's, we will treat your minority's takes shape. But until Serbia decides do go to EU and recognise Kosova. Thats the time we can be all equal.
And unlike Milosevic, a Serb can only rule the Union no more than six months, with everybody else having a turn also.

Sebia is trying to fight a battle that they have lost it a long time ago. STOP kidding yourself, please!More countries are on their way very soon.You will see right after june 15 ,2008 when Constituion goes into effect.

ps: is THAT your next "wave"? :)

I am really impressed!
(Jovan, 13 May 2008 20:36)

Be patient just a month or two. You will see the wave after June 15.

wow...San Marino.. :)

what a great success! *lol*


as for the Czechs... it looks like there is some great pressure on them, and they seem to look for a face-saving opportunity to comply to that pressure.

as if the result of these elections would mean a change of the situation! what a nonsense! it´s still serbian territory and nothing can change that without serbian consent.

bottom-line is: forget it my dear albanian friends!

ps: is THAT your next "wave"? :)

I am really impressed!

Could anyone tell me why countries break the international laws that were set up after world war 2 and were designed to keep the world peacefull?

"Be patient just a month or two. You will see the wave after June 15."

Maks, we were supposed to see a wave of recognitions within the first month of Kosovo's UDD. Where are those "100 countries" Thaci allegedly had a list of? Where is the wave of recognition from the Middle East we were told?

The only thing Kosovo is "independent" of is from Belgrade. With foreign powers providing political oversight and massive economic handouts, and with international armies providing security, with with north effectively out of control of Pristina, Kosovo is little more than a glorified 21st century colony. San Marino and the Czech Republic's recognition change little on the ground. At this point, their recognition is pretty much symbolic.

The only "wave" I foresee after June 15, is the wave of Albanians out of Kosovo and into Europe

The timing of this announcement is incredible !!...
Prague has the gift for Tadic...
Anyway if Eulex will start on june 15 i think that not only the Czech will follow the EU mainstream-...

There you go, the first back stab cometh, even the votes aren't counted yet.
More of it in the days to come ZES, be sure.
About czechs always knew this will be their slipery strategy. Shame czechs!!!

So now that the outcome is positive and a pro-european party won, it's ok to sink their boat with the recognition, especially when negotiations for a coalition are going on.
hmm!

That is pitty that czech governemnt forgot about Munich 1938 - because this is the same case.
But do not forget, that czechs got sudeten back.

Maks
I wasn't using sarcasm, I was just commenting the words in the article.

10. Slavic

That is pitty that czech governemnt forgot about Munich 1938 - because this is the same case.
But do not forget, that czechs got sudeten back.

Please don't forget that in 1938 Hitler was right to return Germany it's historic lands stolen in Versalles through T. Roosevelt and his Czech wife. They waited for the outcome and now that they see that Tadic have no chance to form the Cabinet they are in a hurry to strike before the new government declares the rules for the game. Besides the Czech government to be on service for the Yanks doesn't care even for it's own people to say nothing of the Serbs.

Ortodox - you know interesting details (nationality of T. Roosewelt's wife but have also big holes in your knowledge. So called sudetenland (newspeak term of 20.century)was part of Czech state from the same beginning, therefore is hard to speak about "return" to Germany.

Roberto:
Thank you for appraisal of the Czech history and split of Czechoslovakia but Kosovos separation is completely another cup of tea. Czechs and Slovaks agreed, while Albanians encouraged by big states decided to act unilaterally. I deeply believe that such solution, when Serbs loos and Albanians get it all can't be stable and peace giving solution. That is one of the reasons why Czechs in their majority don't want to recognize the Kosovo established by virtue of violation of international law. This will apply even if our authorities will decide to be conform with EU majority and recognize Kosovo, which I deeply hope they won't.

To the others, I have not excuse for Mr. Svoboda's words, If he really said such stupidity and if the sentence is not the product of jurnalist's misinterpretation, I can only say I am deeply sorry for such a nonsense beeing stated by my representative.

"The results of the Serbian elections were a pleasant surprise. That is the reason why the Democratic-Christians are thinking about allowing Kosovo to be recognized”

I like Tadic, I really do, and Nikolic says some scary things at times.

However, its clear the West considers Tadic a pushover who wants to join the EU even at the cost of Kosovo.

Personally, I'm astounded that the West is claiming the election as a victory for Tadic.

"The results of the Serbian elections were a pleasant surprise. That is the reason why the Democratic-Christians are thinking about allowing Kosovo to be recognized” -

This proves the point -
That Tadic is the one supporting such a move...

Now Chezhs know, no matter what, if Tadic gets his wish, recognition is not tantamount to being anti-Serbian...!

Thank you, san marino, and thanks in advance to the Czech Republic. the czechs have had a very long history of democratic tradition, and of having to struggle for democracy, whether from under the yoke of the nazis or soviets (Russians).

and when they split with slovakia, in such an amazing and civilized way: Bravo! you'd almost take such a rational split for granted, were it not for places like the balkans, and the animosity and hatreds that have emerged there with a little help from the demagogues...

and no, we don't forgive or forget...

to my Kosovar frnds and to freedom loving people around the world: with each new recognition, we take strength and joy. it may be a long time before Kosova is recognized by serbia (or B92) but most of the rest of us send our love, and support.

peace.

roberto from Frisco

Mike,

You hit the nail on the head. The recognition from San Marino is purely symbolic and will indeed change nothing on the ground. If this silly UDI had not been passed and the Albanians sat down and had engaged in constructive talks with Belgrade, they would be in a far better position than today which sees them trapped in a largely unrecognised statelet which is finacially and economically moribund.

Instead Mr Sedjiu would now probably be in negotations with Tadic for the future government and could have ended up as PM of Serbia. (stranger things have happened) K-Albanians would have had 20% of the seats in parliament, 20% of civil service posts, 20% of senior cabinet posts, access to Serbian and European jobs & markets for Kosmet's people, as well as substantial financial aid from Belgrade which would have kicked started Kosmet's economy. Not to mention that Kosmet's Albanians would benefit from the SAA agreement. This would have been the real clincher and ensured peace and stability in the Balkans.

Looks like the Albanians were sold a pup. Trapped in a neo-colony that is illegal, isolated and economically unfeasable.

Thank you San Marino, thank you Czech Republic!

Russia who? Belgrade what? Please.

So many millions of people in Europe are against Kosovo independence and so many of their governments behave in a opportunist fashion; they'll say yes just not to be different than those 'bigger fishes'.

"The only thing Kosovo is "independent" of is from Belgrade."

Mike that is the least we asked for. We are happy with that. The rest will come later, we are a patient people.

Nial and other out there. Go read some history. We tried for more than 20 years to talk and in the ended they killed us and ethnically cleansed us. There comes a point where enough is enough and the chains of slavery have to be broken no matter if somebody from Ireland thinks it is wrong according to him or not.

Regardless of your position on Kosovo, you have to be reasonable when looking at the decisions made by these European countries.

To the pro-independence/separatist or whatever side, why are you thanking these people? They don't support your independence and have stated as much. Poland wasn't for independence, they just weren't for expending political capital on something they saw as a lost cause. The Czechs are being just as pragmatic. Don't kid yourselves, they don't like you and they don't like what you've done. You're experiencing nothing short of an economic disaster and these people are *not* going to help you.

Those who want your independence want a stronger foothold in the Balkans. Don't kid yourselves, your "allies" will be there for you as long as they need your land.

To the pro-Serbian/anti-independence side, you have to see that you cannot economically support Kosovo. The best you can do is force the international community to protect Serbs and their churches, including forcing Pristina and the ethnic Albanians to allow Serbs to come back to Kosovo, allow free travel and migration into Kosovo and require the Albanians to recognize special status for displaced Serbs when it comes to employment.

Kosovo's "independence" is more a sham than a reality. It's economically dependent on others. Why don't you have stable electricity? Because your real masters don't care.

This entire affair has been a boon for the politically powerful and a real sham on the people.

IMHO, the only reason the west broke up the Balkans was to prevent another EU type entity forming out of the former communist states. The last thing these oligarchs want is real competition.

Czinec,
There are many states in the World, including Serbia, whose economic viability in the global economy is flawed. However, thanks to their respective power-brokers and supporters, they are able to trudge along, because they serve some other important function for those powers. Yes, I absolutely agree that Kosovo is a pawn in the super=power struggles of the world, but do not make the mistake of thinking that Serbia is anything else!! Or Croatia, or Macedonia, or many other countries in the region and the world.

As for your point about some sort of a post-communist block that would compete agains the EU, I can only assume that you are making a sarcastic point, which I really do not comprehend. You can't be serious about the possibility of post-communist countries offering some sort of a reasonable competition in a global market dominated by capitalistic countries. Your point is flawed from the get go, if these communist countries were any good in the economic sense, the communist system would have not failed in the first place!!! Free market forces dictate outcomes, and consistently, communist countries were on the wrong side of that equation.

As to your point about Kosovo's economic prospects and viability, although dire at this stage, please understand that this has been in large due to the economic devistation caused by the Serbian oppression over decades, that will take time to correct. But it can and it will be done. When there is a will there is a way!

And think about this point, how come that Israel has been able to maintain it's statehood for over 60 years in a hostile area, where all the surrounding countries have the major resources? Yet Israel is still in great shape. The answer of course is that the powers that be want them there and will continue to keep them there, and the same holds true for Kosovo. Now, what Kosovo has to do is make sure that this opportunity is used wisely,and that the resources provided to Kosovo are invested in such a way that they are sure to generate benefits in the future: re-invest in infrastructure, specifically rebuild Obilic and the coal power plants, and also re-invest in the Trepca mines, and exploit the huge reserves of lignit. Additionally, invest in tourism (eg. skiing resorts, lakes, mountain resorts, etc), and of course continue the construction of the main artery connecting Kosovo and the adriatic sea ports through Albania.

The prospects are bright, but they will take time, and you cannot hurry up a good thing. Even independence took 34 years to achieve (yes, of course I'm referring to the 1974 events).