"Spokesman's views don't reflect UNMIK's"

The provincial government would love to be allowed to get rid of every official who displeases them.

The problem with all of these bodies - UNMIK, EU, UN, KFOR etc. - is that nobody is singing from the same songsheet.

Hardly surprising when there are so many songsheets all saying different things.

The UN knows that Belgrade needs to be involved in finding a compromise. They know that there is no legal grounds to either deploy EULEX (other than as a duplicating mission) or to recognise independence.

If UNMIK is reconfiguring based on the reality on the ground then it must communicate with the Serbian assembly as that is reality my friends.

You are the one with no credibility, Rexhepi. UNMIK is there to obey and enforce the UNSC resolution is Kosovo, whether K_Albins like it or not. Saying we're independent, and having some self-serving counties say, "OK", does not make you a legitimate nation, Rex. Even if some are so called world powers. Respect the Serbian province you reside in Rex, and through dialogue, the Alin position will be heard. Peace to all.

Jan, I have always been describing the reality on the ground. What has changed over the last 8 years?

I really can't see much apart from loyal Serbian citizens in Kosovo strengthening links to Belgrade while the occupations forces continue to go through a play script with the Albanians - undoubtedly to keep them pacified.

A functional partition with parallel structures has been in place for decades and there are just some minor details that need to be formalised so we can again return to the status quo. That will likely occur with the UNMIK reconfiguration - if it does indeed go ahead.

The purpose of a GA resolution is to improve the international court case Serbia intends to pursue against those occupational forces and servants. The purpose of which is to reinforce Serbia's claim on sovereignty and although it probably won't change the situation on the ground, it sends a strong message to the overwhelming majority of the world that Serbia is right and to make them stand firm on their decision not to recognise. It may also convince some to reverse recognition. Serbia will have the high ground.

As for status, that has already been resolved by both Russia and China by blocking independence at the UN. There is nothing more to do there.

On the other hand, you have the occupiers spending billions to maintain the status quo so it really is just a waiting game and with the prospect of declining economies, I suspect it might be a short wait.

It's always funny to hear that whenever a "spokesperson" representing one of the many interntional organizations governing Kosovo says anything, the larger body quickly comes out and says he/she does not speak on behalf of everyone else.

So Kakuk doesn't speak for UNMIK, and Feith doesn't speak for the EU.

No wonder Serbs and Albanians can ultimately get what they want in Kosovo - they're the only ones actually doing something other than talking.

By the way Kate, if your above comment were any more true, I'd say you were lying :)

I fully agree with ZK and Kate view that reconfiguration should involve Serbs too, but not all K-Serbs have the same view. Assembly of Serbs north of Kosova is not recognised from the other Serbs in Kosova. Most of K-Serbs see Belgrade as interfering with their life’s, while the others create an Assembly that is not recognised by other Serbs in Kosova and most probably Belgrade too.

On 1 July 2008 12:59, ZK UK wrote something about reconfiguring based on the reality on the ground.

I must say, I am a bit surprised that you ZK now suddenly embraces "the reality on the ground". I hope and assume that also includes the reality in the rest of Kosovo, and indeed in the rest of the world?

I see a lot of Serbian wishful thinking about an upcoming resolution made in the UN General Assembly (GA), declaring the Kosovo declaration of independence illegal and void. Well, reality is that the GA has made countless resolutions demanding Israel to do this, and to do that. And the reality on the ground in Palestine is zero, zilch, nada, none, because the only place where an UN resolution has any resemblance of power in in the Security Council. And there the reality is that different factions are always ready to cast their veto.

Reality check everyone!
--

Hello ZK UK,

You wrote, "I have always been describing the reality on the ground. What has changed over the last 8 years?

I really can't see much apart from loyal Serbian citizens in Kosovo strengthening links to Belgrade while the occupations forces continue to go through a play script with the Albanians - undoubtedly to keep them pacified."

Please tell me, when exactly was the last time you were in Kosovo?

I mean, I understand that you "really can't see much" from the UK (if that's where you are). Which then brings into question how you can be so sure of the "reality on the ground" if you're not there experiencing it for yourself.

Kosova government must exercise is full authority over the territory of Kosova and the Serbs can have as many "assemblies" as the wish. Just a reminder that there are three "Mitrovica" in south Serbia, Presevo, Bujanovac and Medvedja.

Kosova government must exercise is full authority over the territory of Kosova and the Serbs can have as many "assemblies" as the wish. Just a reminder that there are three "Mitrovica" in south Serbia, Presevo, Bujanovac and Medvedja.
(EA, 1 July 2008 22:59)

All places you mentioned above are part of Serbia... Presevo, Bujanovac, Medvedja, Mitrovica & all of Kosovo - If you are from Kosovo, on paper, you are a Serbian citizen. In your imagination you can be who you want to be.

"On the other hand, you have the occupiers spending billions to maintain the status quo so it really is just a waiting game "

nicely said, you hit the nail on ...

but what I found quite funny is this remark about something called "kohavision" :)

so, they are imitating some kind of tv-station? I thought they have power-shortages in their stillborn puppet-entity?

or is the "CEO" of this kohavision-thing sitting in the basement and working hard for electrical power on a home-trainer? :)

perhaps he´ll be the new lance armstrong sponsored by "kohavision"? :)

okay okay, back to business:

international organizations still doing what they can to keep the "raya" calm...

Willie Garvin, One does not need to be in Kosovo or anywhere else to know the reality on the ground.
Reports come out of that region almost hourly.

When was the last time Condi Rice was in Kosovo and she has used the same term?
Please don't try to discredit someone's opinion by saying something as ridiculous as what you have said.

Now to Kosovo status. UN has not recognized Kosovo as a country, therefore legally they cannot uphold any laws passed by that illegal government.
If anything, they are obliged to respect Serbian law on that territory which is protected by Res 1244.

I have asked this many times in the past but not one Albanian poster has managed to answer this question.

How do you expect to get around Res. 1244? How do you void this in order to be legitimate?

Willie, it is based on the reports and articles I read to get a sense of the situation on the ground. Also, what I read from our Albanian friends here.

What has changed? What has the IUDI changed on the ground? What has the constitution changed on the ground? It's only proping up the Albanian sections. They believe a flag or a few signs change things.

I don't hear Albanians here talking about progress. They are still relying on the occupiers to improve matters but what has changed? All I have heard is some supposed skyscraper and thing that are supposed to happen but not something that has happened or improved life for them.

The EU are not sending business people to Pristina but police and judges. That speaks for itself don't you think?

I was last in Kosovo in 1989, for the 600 year celebrations. We stayed with a Serbian family who were telling us sad stories of how the Albanians keep treating them as second class citizens. This family was one of the nicest I have ever met and from what I saw of the Albanians during that time - spitting on our bus and swearing at us - it doesn't seem much has changed and the EU can only send police and judges there because they truly need supervision.

You only need to watch some of the videos where they burnt down churches to get a sense of it. I'm not talking about a few who did it in darkness but hundreds of them doing it in broad daylight in the presence of UN and NATO troops.

I really can't see things changing and there is no chance Serbians will ever integrate with these people. A functional partition is the only way.

Hello Peggy,

You wrote, "One does not need to be in Kosovo or anywhere else to know the reality on the ground. Reports come out of that region almost hourly."

If you had visited Kosovo recently, you would realise that these "hourly reports" are more often than not nothing more than deliberatly misleading political propaganda put out by one side or another. There are about as helpful to understanding the 'real' situation on the ground as lisenting to VoA!

ZK UK can write his/her opinion as often as he/she wishes. It's when he/she decides to phrase his/her opinion as fact that I shall jump in.

PS. Until '94, I had never met a fella called Peggy. And then I met a mountain called Peggy serving in the VRS. :)


Hello ZK UK,

Thank you for your answer. I suggest if you want to learn what the 'true' situation is like in Kosovo, you get over there swiftly with an open mind and take a tour conducted by someone who is neither Serb nor Albanian nationalist.

And if you're both wondering, yes, I was there last week. I'm there on a fairly regular basis for a day or two.

The provincial government would love to be allowed to get rid of every official who displeases them.

The problem with all of these bodies - UNMIK, EU, UN, KFOR etc. - is that nobody is singing from the same songsheet.

Hardly surprising when there are so many songsheets all saying different things.

The UN knows that Belgrade needs to be involved in finding a compromise. They know that there is no legal grounds to either deploy EULEX (other than as a duplicating mission) or to recognise independence.

I fully agree with ZK and Kate view that reconfiguration should involve Serbs too, but not all K-Serbs have the same view. Assembly of Serbs north of Kosova is not recognised from the other Serbs in Kosova. Most of K-Serbs see Belgrade as interfering with their life’s, while the others create an Assembly that is not recognised by other Serbs in Kosova and most probably Belgrade too.

Hello ZK UK,

You wrote, "I have always been describing the reality on the ground. What has changed over the last 8 years?

I really can't see much apart from loyal Serbian citizens in Kosovo strengthening links to Belgrade while the occupations forces continue to go through a play script with the Albanians - undoubtedly to keep them pacified."

Please tell me, when exactly was the last time you were in Kosovo?

I mean, I understand that you "really can't see much" from the UK (if that's where you are). Which then brings into question how you can be so sure of the "reality on the ground" if you're not there experiencing it for yourself.

Kosova government must exercise is full authority over the territory of Kosova and the Serbs can have as many "assemblies" as the wish. Just a reminder that there are three "Mitrovica" in south Serbia, Presevo, Bujanovac and Medvedja.

Kosova government must exercise is full authority over the territory of Kosova and the Serbs can have as many "assemblies" as the wish. Just a reminder that there are three "Mitrovica" in south Serbia, Presevo, Bujanovac and Medvedja.
(EA, 1 July 2008 22:59)

All places you mentioned above are part of Serbia... Presevo, Bujanovac, Medvedja, Mitrovica & all of Kosovo - If you are from Kosovo, on paper, you are a Serbian citizen. In your imagination you can be who you want to be.

If UNMIK is reconfiguring based on the reality on the ground then it must communicate with the Serbian assembly as that is reality my friends.

On 1 July 2008 12:59, ZK UK wrote something about reconfiguring based on the reality on the ground.

I must say, I am a bit surprised that you ZK now suddenly embraces "the reality on the ground". I hope and assume that also includes the reality in the rest of Kosovo, and indeed in the rest of the world?

I see a lot of Serbian wishful thinking about an upcoming resolution made in the UN General Assembly (GA), declaring the Kosovo declaration of independence illegal and void. Well, reality is that the GA has made countless resolutions demanding Israel to do this, and to do that. And the reality on the ground in Palestine is zero, zilch, nada, none, because the only place where an UN resolution has any resemblance of power in in the Security Council. And there the reality is that different factions are always ready to cast their veto.

Reality check everyone!
--

You are the one with no credibility, Rexhepi. UNMIK is there to obey and enforce the UNSC resolution is Kosovo, whether K_Albins like it or not. Saying we're independent, and having some self-serving counties say, "OK", does not make you a legitimate nation, Rex. Even if some are so called world powers. Respect the Serbian province you reside in Rex, and through dialogue, the Alin position will be heard. Peace to all.

It's always funny to hear that whenever a "spokesperson" representing one of the many interntional organizations governing Kosovo says anything, the larger body quickly comes out and says he/she does not speak on behalf of everyone else.

So Kakuk doesn't speak for UNMIK, and Feith doesn't speak for the EU.

No wonder Serbs and Albanians can ultimately get what they want in Kosovo - they're the only ones actually doing something other than talking.

By the way Kate, if your above comment were any more true, I'd say you were lying :)

Jan, I have always been describing the reality on the ground. What has changed over the last 8 years?

I really can't see much apart from loyal Serbian citizens in Kosovo strengthening links to Belgrade while the occupations forces continue to go through a play script with the Albanians - undoubtedly to keep them pacified.

A functional partition with parallel structures has been in place for decades and there are just some minor details that need to be formalised so we can again return to the status quo. That will likely occur with the UNMIK reconfiguration - if it does indeed go ahead.

The purpose of a GA resolution is to improve the international court case Serbia intends to pursue against those occupational forces and servants. The purpose of which is to reinforce Serbia's claim on sovereignty and although it probably won't change the situation on the ground, it sends a strong message to the overwhelming majority of the world that Serbia is right and to make them stand firm on their decision not to recognise. It may also convince some to reverse recognition. Serbia will have the high ground.

As for status, that has already been resolved by both Russia and China by blocking independence at the UN. There is nothing more to do there.

On the other hand, you have the occupiers spending billions to maintain the status quo so it really is just a waiting game and with the prospect of declining economies, I suspect it might be a short wait.

"On the other hand, you have the occupiers spending billions to maintain the status quo so it really is just a waiting game "

nicely said, you hit the nail on ...

but what I found quite funny is this remark about something called "kohavision" :)

so, they are imitating some kind of tv-station? I thought they have power-shortages in their stillborn puppet-entity?

or is the "CEO" of this kohavision-thing sitting in the basement and working hard for electrical power on a home-trainer? :)

perhaps he´ll be the new lance armstrong sponsored by "kohavision"? :)

okay okay, back to business:

international organizations still doing what they can to keep the "raya" calm...

Willie Garvin, One does not need to be in Kosovo or anywhere else to know the reality on the ground.
Reports come out of that region almost hourly.

When was the last time Condi Rice was in Kosovo and she has used the same term?
Please don't try to discredit someone's opinion by saying something as ridiculous as what you have said.

Now to Kosovo status. UN has not recognized Kosovo as a country, therefore legally they cannot uphold any laws passed by that illegal government.
If anything, they are obliged to respect Serbian law on that territory which is protected by Res 1244.

I have asked this many times in the past but not one Albanian poster has managed to answer this question.

How do you expect to get around Res. 1244? How do you void this in order to be legitimate?

Willie, it is based on the reports and articles I read to get a sense of the situation on the ground. Also, what I read from our Albanian friends here.

What has changed? What has the IUDI changed on the ground? What has the constitution changed on the ground? It's only proping up the Albanian sections. They believe a flag or a few signs change things.

I don't hear Albanians here talking about progress. They are still relying on the occupiers to improve matters but what has changed? All I have heard is some supposed skyscraper and thing that are supposed to happen but not something that has happened or improved life for them.

The EU are not sending business people to Pristina but police and judges. That speaks for itself don't you think?

I was last in Kosovo in 1989, for the 600 year celebrations. We stayed with a Serbian family who were telling us sad stories of how the Albanians keep treating them as second class citizens. This family was one of the nicest I have ever met and from what I saw of the Albanians during that time - spitting on our bus and swearing at us - it doesn't seem much has changed and the EU can only send police and judges there because they truly need supervision.

You only need to watch some of the videos where they burnt down churches to get a sense of it. I'm not talking about a few who did it in darkness but hundreds of them doing it in broad daylight in the presence of UN and NATO troops.

I really can't see things changing and there is no chance Serbians will ever integrate with these people. A functional partition is the only way.

Hello Peggy,

You wrote, "One does not need to be in Kosovo or anywhere else to know the reality on the ground. Reports come out of that region almost hourly."

If you had visited Kosovo recently, you would realise that these "hourly reports" are more often than not nothing more than deliberatly misleading political propaganda put out by one side or another. There are about as helpful to understanding the 'real' situation on the ground as lisenting to VoA!

ZK UK can write his/her opinion as often as he/she wishes. It's when he/she decides to phrase his/her opinion as fact that I shall jump in.

PS. Until '94, I had never met a fella called Peggy. And then I met a mountain called Peggy serving in the VRS. :)


Hello ZK UK,

Thank you for your answer. I suggest if you want to learn what the 'true' situation is like in Kosovo, you get over there swiftly with an open mind and take a tour conducted by someone who is neither Serb nor Albanian nationalist.

And if you're both wondering, yes, I was there last week. I'm there on a fairly regular basis for a day or two.