UN sends Serbia's ICJ initiative to GA

There is absolutely no reason why any country should be against Serbia's initiative. If as argued by some that the independence of Kosovo is a slam dunk, then what does anyone have to fear? International law will back the US and those EU members supporting independence if they are in the right. If on the other hand they are wrong, the ICJ will clarify their error. What is wrong with that? Any nation that believes in a just world based on sound moral principles will allow an internation court to hear this case. I cannot see any other option unless a country is in the wrong and fears a legal body will rule against them. Either Kosovo's independence is legal or illegal based on international law; that's that. It's a very simple issue in black and white; there is no gray area here.

I agree with Daniel and support this move.
What is the harm in testing the legality of Kosovo independence, no matter what you support? Surely its an important issue for international law, and in this day and age of arbitrary recognition, nation states need guidance. It should not just be a case of a major power deciding to recognise one country or another, there must be certain rules or principles to guide a given dispute.

If Serbia wins, we go back to the negotiating table and Serbia will have a stronger position, but, personal feelings aside, I don't expect that all of Kosovo will become part of Serbia again. On the other hand if Kosovo Albanian's win their hand is stengthened and the Serbian official position may change. The government may say that the reality has forced a change of approach and argue that the official division of Kosovo should be on the negotiating table for the first time. Not an ethnic solution they will say, but a realisation that international law does not matter and that numbers on the ground do.

I can only see an outside actor judging on Kosovo as a benefit both to Serbia and Kosovo. No side can lose totally and any judgement may force both sides to the negotiating table for final resolution and a historic deal.

This issue needs final resolution, not limbo status that is hurting Kosovo Serbs and Kosovo Albanians.

Daniel,
The legality debate is only one small component of the general discussion on Kosova’s Independence. Within the legal debate, a possible ICJ ruling or even consideration of it is yet again a part of the overall debate.

The problem with Serb reasoning here is that they over-inflate the importance of JCI. It is a commonly conceive by the other camp that this part of legality debate, because still undecided 1) will go in their favour and 2) will revoke independence.
I do agree with you that Serbia has the right to seek whatever legal means at her disposal to make a case but by no stretch of imagination is this Serbia’s exclusive domain.

Firstly, considering her recent record it is highly hypocritical of Serbia to act as a crusader for international legality. A major pitfall of this act or presentation is that Serbia prejudges a possible ruling by believing that this case is a forgone conclusion. If Serbia has such a visible right tramped upon why the need for a ruling? Isn’t that right supposed to be self-evident? I can’t even think of complications of the ruling going against Serbia.

Secondly, legality discourse is currently Serbia’s only available option. In other words they have no other alternative. Only a decade ago Serbia tried the military option and was defeated. Nor was Kosova, Serbia’s only military engagement in the region. Western military intervention did put an end to the ideology of territorial acquisition by all means.

Thirdly, it is absolutely wrong to equate Serbia’s legalist endeavour with morality or international right. To further claim that this is a black and white matter is native at best. Options might have changed but Serbian emphasises remain the same. Hence Serbia’s inability to include Kosovar population as a variable on pre-status talks. Hence citations like ‘Serbia has acknowledged that Albanians will remain hostile to the Serbian state for a considerable of time’, have become popular with Serb politicians.

Fourthly, Kosova’s independence was secession not a succession and as such did not require the agreement of Serbia. If Serbia is trying to argue that secession is just a theoretical phenomenon with no practical relevance, that’s a non-starter from the word go. Even if we were to entertain the idea that Serbia has some legal ground, their theory is grounded is well outdated, grounded in 19th century conceptual framework where state and the sovereign rights were paramount to anything else.

Fifthly, an ICJ ruling if it happens cannot look at Serbia’s legal claim without looking at recent history and the retrospective claim to such legality. ICJ lets say might look at the procurements of Serbia’s so-called legal deeds. When Serbia acquired the territory by force in 1913 only an estimated 15%-25% of the population were Serbian, thus legally that acquisition mounted up to nothing more than occupation for the absolute majority of the population.

There are hundreds and hundreds of similar arguments that will make Serbia’s claim to legality and moral high ground look simply ridiculous.

So what?! Do you think ICJ will declare as wrong and false Resolution 1244, Kumanova Agreement, 9 years of UNMIK, Ahtisari mandate, UNMIK and UN decisions after Independence Declaration, ...?
Even yes by miracle, it is too late to change reality in Kosovo. Kosovo is independent since 17th February 2008. As its citizens tasted how it is to not have Serbia over their lives, they will never allow to go back to 1999 for any price. Freedom doesn't have the price, it has merits...
Good luck Kosovo on your own way...

After what Miloshevic and his regime has done to the Kosovars,i thought that would be a pretty legitimate reason for the Kosovars to be independent.Expelling close to 1 million people from their homes with a plastic bag in their hand's with everything else left behind,killed thousand's of peolple,torture,rape and i could go on,this is all true. I would use the same words to refresh Mr Jeremic's,and Mr Tadic's memory.Serbia's initiative is going to fail,its not going to make it outside the UN's Building.Which ever way the UN decides i hope will help the serbian goverment to decide which path to take, and i hope is for the good of serbian people.Thanks

Good news!! stage 01 had been achieved by Serbia. hopefully ICJ will nulify the UDI. Although it will not end the NATO occupation of kosovo province but at least it will freeze the recognition.

Serbia has every right to bring their argument before the ICJ and I do not believe anyone country has the right to block that. Having said that I wonder if this is a two edge sword. On the one hand, Serbia could lose which would strengthen Kosovo's hand. Serbia would then have to re-think their position if they want to continue to integrate internationally and prosper. On the other hand, Serbia could win. In that event what happens? Kosovo has already been operating as if it is an independant country. The Albanians are a majority and not likely to agree to be reunited with Serbia. Does the world then send in troops to forcibly take back the area? Someone tried that once I think with disasterous results. If the initiative is to be heard by the ICJ, maybe both Kosovo and Serbia should agree to let the ICJ decide who gets what. I think it is well known which areas contain ethnic Serbs and which contain ethnic Albanians.

There would be nothing wrong of Serbia asking for ICJ opinion if Serbia's request would be genuine and sincere. The problem is that Serbia's intention for this opinion is only to extend the limbo not to give an end to it. Serbia is not interested in a final solution since a solution to Serbia's liking will never be found. Thus the regressive attitude of Serbia towards reality in Kosova produces even more regressive and unrealistic situations.
The only argument that Serbia has, is the vague statement in 1244 that Kosova should be temporarily part of Yugoslavia until a final solution should be found, while a long series of facts that make Kosova's case a unique one would be argued for the opposite.

To bgnanon, whose comments I like a lot, this is the last serious chance for Serbia to gain some international sympathy. If the ICJ would rule against Serbia there won't be any negotiation for partition. On the contrary, the independence will be legitimized even more for those members that haven't made their decision yet and will give them more leverage to go ahead and recognize Kosova as a WHOLE. It was interesting this part of comment of yours.
"Not an ethnic solution they will say, but a realisation that international law does not matter and that numbers on the ground do. "
Which in a way means that the only outcome that Serbia accepts from the ICJ is only a ruling in its favor. Doesn't this sound a bit egocentric and that's precisely what I was trying to say at the beginning. There is no sincere interest of solving this issue from Serbia's side.


The other extreme case of ICJ ruling in favor of Serbia will only extend the limbo, it will possibly, delay some recognitions but both countries will suffer from this delay.
At the end, the final outcome will be the same, which is luckily the most positive one, both countries in EU as two separate entities.

EA, I've addressed this before, but to repeat what I've previously said:

If the ICJ rules in favor of Serbia, we can probably expect Serbia to gain greater leverage over Serb sectors of Kosovo, but it is highly unlikely Kosovo will return to Belgrade's authority. However, as the Serbs gain far greater rights in Kosovo, we cannot, and should not deny the same rights to the Albanians of Presevo. No one will support their secession, and many of them are willing to work with BG but have greater control over their own day to day affairs. Fine with me. I see no problem granting greater rights to the Albanians in Presevo. To deny that would be hypocritical. Such a structure is already in place in Vojvodina. In fact, I've been in favor of a region-wide conference addressing minority rights and ethnic grievances for a while now: Serbia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Bosnia, et al.

Dashnori, you say, "If you think that Kosova will be like Swiss cheese with a gazillion regions governed by a different government, you are mistaken as well."

Kosovo already is in this situation. The Serbs refuse to adhere to Pristina, and the Gorani have no love for Albanian rule either. The Roma and other minorities are too small and insignificant to cause a stir, but given the opportunity, I'm sure they'd want some say in their daily lives too. Giving Serbia greater leverage is basically acknowledging realities already on the ground. Kosovo is already de facto partitioned and if Pristina can't even assert authority over Serb neighborhoods in Orahovac, then the North, Novo Brdo and Strpce are already lost causes. Kosovo was never meant to be a strong unitary state. The international powers that brokered your independence never planned it to be so.

Great comments from Daniel, bganon, and village-bey.

Here's what I hope an ICJ hearing will include:

First, and probably most important, is that when it comes to the issue of Kosovo - its history, its politics, and its ownership - two people have 3 different arguments. Just coming here everyday I see the strong opinions of Serbs and pro-Serbs on one side, and Albanians and pro-Albanians on the other. Each side bases their opinions and observations on a series of non-negotiable truths that, while debatable and sometimes fabricated, are nevertheless defended strongly. What I hope in an ICJ hearing is that we all come to a "definitive" historical understanding of Kosovo. All sides should lay their grievances on the table in order for a ruling to be made. The Albanians definitely need to hear the Serb side, but the Serb side needs to hear the Albanian too.

Second, if a ruling is made "in favor" of Serbia, I seriously doubt Kosovo is going to go back to Belgrade's authority. I'm pro-Serb, but I'm not crazy. BG has made it perfectly clear they want no part of governing the Albanians. In this case, I completely agree with bganon that while BG gains considerable leverage over Kosovo's fate, that leverage may very well be channeled towards Serb sectors only. Again, I restate that I'm in complete favor of a Bosnia-like model for Kosovo in which Serbs and Albanians have their own sectors, own local governments and own administrative concerns. An ICJ ruling in favor of Serbia may very well give Belgrade and Mitrovica the ability to push for this.

Third, there can be no doubt Serbia belongs in the EU. There can also be no doubt of Brussels' readiness to work with Serbia towards integration. Solving the Kosovo issue will go a long way in realizing that integration. As much as I disagree with the way in which events have happened since February, I realize compromise is the only way forward. Serbia needs to relent on parts of Kosovo, but it should be given a greater over others. If a dual government system is the end product of the ICJ ruling, I'd say it was fair.

And if that happens, and BG signs off on it, let the wave of recognitions and integrations begin.

good work Vuk, not much is to be expected further down apar from a bumby the road, but still it is good to read it!

Mike,

What would you say same rights for Kosovo Serbs as for the Albanians living in Presevo, Bujanovc and Medvegja and other way around?

" If a dual government system is the end product of the ICJ ruling, I'd say it was fair."

That will never happen. If Serbs want that, they shoudl offer the same to Hungarians, Croats and the Albanians in Serbia (presevo)

If you think that Kosova will be like Swiss cheese with a gazillion regions governed by a different government, you are mistaken as well. At most Serbia will get the North, pay reparations for damage done to Albanians (death and homes burned) and will probably lose Presevo.

Serbia cannot blackmail EU; Serbia is begging them, not the other way around. Within 6 months most nations will have recognized Kosova.

Baganon wrote: If Serbia wins, we go back to the negotiating table

I know we have had disagreements in the past but I am wondering what makes you think that an ICJ victory will somehow compel compel Pristina or anyone else to come back to negotitiating.

My understanding is that because the EU powers and the U.S. gave Pristina carte blanche, they do not have to worry about non enforceable judgments of the ICJ.

I don't feel that Pristina will desire negotiations with Belgrade as long as western money keeps propping up their regime and if the seperatists are sufficently obedient to their new masters, this could be years from now.

Eventually Yes, the river may run dry and Pristina will need the support of its neighbours, but this may be years away

Russia has to oppose, if Kosovo is against "international law" so are the Russian sponsorships of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.

An ICJ ruling favorable to Serbia will lead to withdrawals of recognition by countries that were initially undecided and pushed into it by the US. A partial list of those countries include Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Canada, and Italy. This would be the death knell for the "independent" Kosovo. When bush leaves office, whoever takes over can easily abandon Kosovo like the us abandoned Cambodia in the 1970s.

This is the worst case scenario:
Stage 1: UN sends Serbia's ICJ initiative to GA = Kosovo still indenpendent.
Stage 2:GA approves the request for reviewed by ICJ = Kosovo still indenpendent.
Stage 3:ICJ says that Kosovo independence is not legal = Kosovo still indenpendent.
Just waste of time.

GREAT NEWS!!! A good sign of things to come.

Anything that makes life harder for the Albanians is a very good thing!

But Serbia needs to be FAR more aggressive then it has been so far!

Serbia needs to have a total blockade of Kosovo.
So they can enjoy their phony independence without power during winter!
And we also need to work closely with Russia, Spain, Greece and Romania so as to put the military option back on the table.

After what Miloshevic and his regime has done to the Kosovars,i thought that would be a pretty legitimate reason for the Kosovars to be independent.Expelling close to 1 million people from their homes with a plastic bag in their hand's with everything else left behind,killed thousand's of peolple,torture,rape and i could go on,this is all true. I would use the same words to refresh Mr Jeremic's,and Mr Tadic's memory.Serbia's initiative is going to fail,its not going to make it outside the UN's Building.Which ever way the UN decides i hope will help the serbian goverment to decide which path to take, and i hope is for the good of serbian people.Thanks
(Viti i Balit, 17 September 2008 14:10)

I cannot understand why B92 keeps allowing a post like this to get through time and time. It has already been established long ago that Milosevic is just a convenient scapegoat to justify the independence movement. Even some Albanians have admitted that independence has been in the planning since 1912s.
Milosevic wasn't even born then.

Albanians have been systematically expelling Serbs from Kosovo for decades.

The main point is that this plan was in the making since 1900s and now many Albanians are blaming Milosevic. How convenient.

roberto I don't see how its extremist to expect Albanians to sit down with Serbs to agree on a final settlement.

An extreme position would be to advocate armed conflict or to betlittle the Albanian or Serbian position on Kosovo.

I know what you are talking about with regard to Kosovo Albanians sitting down with Serbs, some of that is genuine, but not all. Other Albanians fear (with some justification) that unless they manage to get Serbs at least partially 'on board' that Serbs will remain a threat for the future of 'Kosova'.

A judgement from a neutral party like ICJ might well give Albanians the excuse they need to sit down with Serbs.

You may think that the situation in Kosovo today is sustainable but I don't. Until there is true resolution Kosovo doesn't stand much of a chance on an ethnic or economic level.

Posted from Serbian government home page
www.serbia.sr.gov.yu

UN General Committee accepts Serbia’s request


" Belgrade/New York, Sept 17, 2008 – Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic confirmed this evening that the UN General Committee has accepted to include Serbia’s request to seek the opinion of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the legality of Kosovo’s unilateral declaration of independence on the agenda for the 63rd session of the UN General Assembly.


In a statement for the Radio Television of Serbia, Jeremic said that the Committee’s decision to include Serbia’s demand on the agenda was unanimous.

We succeeded in getting the approval of 28 members of the General Committee, and even those countries voted that have recognised Kosovo’s independence. I think that this is a positive sign, but it is too early for celebration since there are several more steps to be taken before the request is officially presented before the ICJ.

He said that there was a heated debate at the Committee session and that this was one of the rare meetings at which it was not known in advance who will vote how.

The atmosphere created at the beginning of the session by representatives of certain countries that firmly advocated in favour of the Serbian initiative was of vital importance, said the Minister, adding that these countries included Spain, Argentina and Egypt, as well as a few others with whom Serbia has had intensive diplomatic contacts in order to gain their support.

Jeremic said that two exceedingly influential countries were against Serbia’s initiative that became isolated towards the end. He added that these countries reexamined their stance at the recommendation of the president, so that finally Serbia’s initiative was unanimously approved by the General Committee.

According to Jeremic, it is still not known when exactly Serbia’s initiative will be put to vote at the General Assembly session, which will be attended by a Serbian delegation headed by President Boris Tadic.

The UN General Committee consists of representatives of 28 countries; president of the 63rd session Miguel d'Escoto Brockmann, 21 deputies and presidents of six main committees.

From the 28 countries, 22 have not recognised the independence of the southern Serbian province, but the members include the US, UK, the Netherlands, France, Hungary and Afghanistan. "


Serbia's initiative was unanamously approved by all 28 committee members!!!
Read it and weep Albanians!

It's no secret who the 2 "exceedingly influential"
naysayers were (US & UK) despite Mr. Jeremic's diplomacy in not naming names. Boy I would loved to have seen the looks on the US and UK ambassadors when they found themselves isolated, forcing them to "reexamine" their stance!!! HA, Ha, Ha!

One more hurdle to go (UN GA
vote) and then Serbia rightfully gets her day in court. Despite attempts by KLA terrorists and their handlers(US & Nato)
to dismiss the importance of the ICJ ruling as "non binding", it is clear that the ICJ ruling will matter, as evidenced by the fact the US and it's followers are fighting so hard against it.

A positive ICJ ruling will once and for all put Serbia in the right, and expose the US and their EU followers for the two-faced criminals that they are. Never again can the shamed 47 say that they are acting within Resolution 1244, or that they have acted legally when recognizing "indipindient kosova's" UDI (really a UDD).
If the ICJ rules in favor of Serbia, this will once and for all destroy
"indipindient kosova's" chances of ever becoming a legitimate state, which it is not and never will be. Furthermore, a positive ICJ ruling will ultimately pave the way for Serbia restablishing control over all of her Kosovo province. It may take a while, but it will happen eventually!

Zivela Srbija!

Gary T. you wrote:
“Good news!! stage 01 had been achieved by Serbia. hopefully ICJ will nulify the UDI. Although it will not end the NATO occupation of kosovo province but at least it will freeze the recognition.”

I will have to clarify here two things: First, General Committee never rejected any initiative by the UN members so far, so if they would do that to Serbia that would be the first time in UN history, what nobody didn’t even expect. Second thing is that ICJ has no mandate and no authorization to nullify the independence of Kosova, neither to force UN members to nullify their recognition. All what can do is to give its opinion, and that’s all my friend, even though, I really expect, if this request ever reaches ICJ, that their opinion to be in favor of Kosovas independence and its people will.

The UN Court will surely decide in Serbia's favour, but of course independence cannot be retreived and the middle way will be found in financial terms that Kosovo will have to pay the illegitimate expropriation of Serbian province in the next 50 to 70 years, amounting to thousands of billions of dollars. The western countries like USA and EU that recognized Kosovo knew approximately that this was going to happen and that only money could resolve this painful problem. Otherwise what other solution could happen? Another war is in noone's interest there.

Who care what ICJ-Russia-Serbia-Bolivia-Venezuela-Slovakia-Romania saying hahaha.
Long live Republic of Kosova Albania EU USA Samoa.

If you think that Kosova will be like Swiss cheese with a gazillion regions governed by a different government, you are mistaken as well. At most Serbia will get the North, pay reparations for damage done to Albanians (death and homes burned) and will probably lose Presevo.

It looks that you know switzeland very well...., the only thing that we have unfortunately in common is the drug that your kosovar brothers are floading onto our streets...and who will pay for that??

If that really "happen" it will be as my dreams come true ,why,because that it will be the besr chance for albanian politicians to slam and I mean all the way serbian government and same time suing them for all the damamge they did to civilian in previus war and the prove's are in table and I dont think so today's president,prime-minister and minister's really know what really happen in kosova and i believe that because in the war time serbian info was censored to the serbian nation and I know that I see it my self that when people where being killed serbian media was air'd every day something unusualy or playing opera symphoni after

Viti i Balit, get a grip! we live in 2008 now. You think we were in 1955 still talking about the WW2 ten years after? Hitler died, Adenauer came and within 2 years the whole world was on speaking terms again with the Germans. So, Come on man, live has gone further or did you forget that? different times, different people. so, get yourself together, be a man and accept that it is now 2008.

Gary

Today the UN set the agenda for the coming discussions.You have to go through the UN General Assembly vote and if you pass that it goes to ICJ. Only countries that have recognized Kosovo can nullify their recognitions.ICJ gives an opinion that is not binding. Jeremic and Tadic should declare now if they will accept and respect the verdict if it says that the independence was legal. They will be more than happy if it doesn't even pass the GA vote. It will show that they tried but it doesn't depend on them.

>> "Kosovo already is in this situation. The Serbs refuse to adhere to Pristina, and the Gorani have no love for Albanian rule either. The Roma and other minorities are too small and insignificant to cause a stir, but given the opportunity, I'm sure they'd want some say in their daily lives too."

No it isn't. The North and Preshevo are different, we both agree. They are connected to the 'other' side but small villages and enclaves are out of luck. If 400 Albanians in Vojvodina want more control...they can't have it. It's simple.

They will have rights, but that's it. Kosova is /will be a sovereign state, Serbia cannot and will not make rules inside it, just as Albania or Kosova cannot make rules about Albanians in Montengro. No meddling means just that, mind your business unless it's a CLEAR violation of the international law.

They are 130,000 Serbs in Kosovo with about 2 million Albanians and you said mentioned so many regions that Serbs 'control.' How many Serbs are in Orahovac?

Hungarians don't care about Serbia, what should we do, invite Hungary to rule?

I do agree that for once! in this particular section of postings, the usual hate speech has been minimized, and interesting and articulate arguments have been raised. some of you are guilty of hate speech on an almost daily basis and you know who you are and need to take some responsibility. hate speech to the Balkans, of all places! it is unconscionable.

as for the actual ruling, i would be 100% shocked if the court rules in favor of serbia. it will not. period. however, their (theoretical) ruling will probably be interpreted in different ways -- doesn't this so often happen, and then we will be where? bad as ever?

bganon -- you are the only regular serb "camp" poster (as they call it here) who seems to actually have some reason to call himself "moderate." and yet, your opinions on kosovo seem so close to that of the extremists, which is what i have found over and over and over. can you really imagine the 90 to 95% of kosovars "suddenly" realizing that, oh my god, we have to go back to the table to negotiate with belgrade! so they can re-experience that lovely feeling of living under serbian hegemony, ala 90s (or before)?? i don't think so. it will not happen. i would suggest that you are greatly out of touch with their thinking and consciousness if you believe that will ever happen.

as for parceling up kosovo/a to look like some sort of Bosnia -- believe me, they will never!!! go for it. and how would you feel if your serbia was parceled up like bosnia, with separate and competing entities (based on only ethnic cleansing and then foreign intervention) -- i mean, it will not happen.

the only hope is for each of these former YU countries to work towards becoming successful multi-ethnic countries. there is no other option. let it be. now -- are any of them presently "successful" multi-cultural models? i would suggest, though each is a different case, they have long ways to go.

so be it. we (the US) also has a long way to go, but we are (arguably) ontrack. hardly perfect, but we're trying.

the same is for every other nation in the world that I am aware of -- globalism is here, and each country has a mix of ethnicities, and that's that. "ethnically clean" is both impossible and a fascist concept.

Kosovo/a is not "ethnically clean." that is a lie, spread mainly by those who have never been there, much less live there. on the other hand, it is hardly a paragon of multi-ethnic harmony, and that is for many reasons, which we well know and i needn't repeat here. the atisarri plan was an authentic and dynamic attempt to transition from the bad old days (90s and before) to a more open mix. serbia and her allies utterly rejected it, and have pushed "their" people to reject any real cooperation with kosovo/a's albanians. then the extremists cry out: there's no ethnic harmony!! duh...

nevertheless, this is one of the very few times (this particular page) where there seems to be a little tolerable dialogue -- and i am always in favor of that.

Wage peace, not war!

roberto
frisco/sarajevo
robertoruss@yahoo.com

Are you guys serious? When did the UN ever do anything of consequential barring? In our dreams! Of course, the GA will render the declaration of independence ilegal and then the US and EU will rush to revoce their recognition and remove their ambassadors and then Albanians will rage another much bigger war and then Serbia will move its forces in Kosovo again...is this the scenario we are looking for? Because it doesn't seem to me we have much of a plan of what will happen to Kosovo once we get it back - please enlighten me if we do? But are we not beyong living together? This like forcing a couple to live together despite the fact that not only they don't get alont, they hate each other's guts, don't have sex, sleep in different beds and plot against each other on daily basis!!!

"roberto I don't see how its extremist to expect Albanians to sit down with Serbs to agree on a final settlement"

That has been done already with no results.

Dear K-albanians, i dont know if you already know this but Greece has recognized Kosovo passports wich means you can go and visit this country with your own passports. I don't understand why some people in here keep saying that Kosovo is isolating itself when in reality things are just getting started. This guy Jeremic is doing his job very well, but bless him he already knows the outcome. Dear serbs I'm sorry to disappoint you but you will never have Kosovo back. The only good thing you can do is to recognize this new country and start all over again as two good neighbors.

So what?! Do you think ICJ will declare as wrong and false Resolution 1244, Kumanova Agreement, 9 years of UNMIK, Ahtisari mandate, UNMIK and UN decisions after Independence Declaration, ...?
Even yes by miracle, it is too late to change reality in Kosovo. Kosovo is independent since 17th February 2008. As its citizens tasted how it is to not have Serbia over their lives, they will never allow to go back to 1999 for any price. Freedom doesn't have the price, it has merits...
Good luck Kosovo on your own way...

After what Miloshevic and his regime has done to the Kosovars,i thought that would be a pretty legitimate reason for the Kosovars to be independent.Expelling close to 1 million people from their homes with a plastic bag in their hand's with everything else left behind,killed thousand's of peolple,torture,rape and i could go on,this is all true. I would use the same words to refresh Mr Jeremic's,and Mr Tadic's memory.Serbia's initiative is going to fail,its not going to make it outside the UN's Building.Which ever way the UN decides i hope will help the serbian goverment to decide which path to take, and i hope is for the good of serbian people.Thanks

Daniel,
The legality debate is only one small component of the general discussion on Kosova’s Independence. Within the legal debate, a possible ICJ ruling or even consideration of it is yet again a part of the overall debate.

The problem with Serb reasoning here is that they over-inflate the importance of JCI. It is a commonly conceive by the other camp that this part of legality debate, because still undecided 1) will go in their favour and 2) will revoke independence.
I do agree with you that Serbia has the right to seek whatever legal means at her disposal to make a case but by no stretch of imagination is this Serbia’s exclusive domain.

Firstly, considering her recent record it is highly hypocritical of Serbia to act as a crusader for international legality. A major pitfall of this act or presentation is that Serbia prejudges a possible ruling by believing that this case is a forgone conclusion. If Serbia has such a visible right tramped upon why the need for a ruling? Isn’t that right supposed to be self-evident? I can’t even think of complications of the ruling going against Serbia.

Secondly, legality discourse is currently Serbia’s only available option. In other words they have no other alternative. Only a decade ago Serbia tried the military option and was defeated. Nor was Kosova, Serbia’s only military engagement in the region. Western military intervention did put an end to the ideology of territorial acquisition by all means.

Thirdly, it is absolutely wrong to equate Serbia’s legalist endeavour with morality or international right. To further claim that this is a black and white matter is native at best. Options might have changed but Serbian emphasises remain the same. Hence Serbia’s inability to include Kosovar population as a variable on pre-status talks. Hence citations like ‘Serbia has acknowledged that Albanians will remain hostile to the Serbian state for a considerable of time’, have become popular with Serb politicians.

Fourthly, Kosova’s independence was secession not a succession and as such did not require the agreement of Serbia. If Serbia is trying to argue that secession is just a theoretical phenomenon with no practical relevance, that’s a non-starter from the word go. Even if we were to entertain the idea that Serbia has some legal ground, their theory is grounded is well outdated, grounded in 19th century conceptual framework where state and the sovereign rights were paramount to anything else.

Fifthly, an ICJ ruling if it happens cannot look at Serbia’s legal claim without looking at recent history and the retrospective claim to such legality. ICJ lets say might look at the procurements of Serbia’s so-called legal deeds. When Serbia acquired the territory by force in 1913 only an estimated 15%-25% of the population were Serbian, thus legally that acquisition mounted up to nothing more than occupation for the absolute majority of the population.

There are hundreds and hundreds of similar arguments that will make Serbia’s claim to legality and moral high ground look simply ridiculous.

There would be nothing wrong of Serbia asking for ICJ opinion if Serbia's request would be genuine and sincere. The problem is that Serbia's intention for this opinion is only to extend the limbo not to give an end to it. Serbia is not interested in a final solution since a solution to Serbia's liking will never be found. Thus the regressive attitude of Serbia towards reality in Kosova produces even more regressive and unrealistic situations.
The only argument that Serbia has, is the vague statement in 1244 that Kosova should be temporarily part of Yugoslavia until a final solution should be found, while a long series of facts that make Kosova's case a unique one would be argued for the opposite.

To bgnanon, whose comments I like a lot, this is the last serious chance for Serbia to gain some international sympathy. If the ICJ would rule against Serbia there won't be any negotiation for partition. On the contrary, the independence will be legitimized even more for those members that haven't made their decision yet and will give them more leverage to go ahead and recognize Kosova as a WHOLE. It was interesting this part of comment of yours.
"Not an ethnic solution they will say, but a realisation that international law does not matter and that numbers on the ground do. "
Which in a way means that the only outcome that Serbia accepts from the ICJ is only a ruling in its favor. Doesn't this sound a bit egocentric and that's precisely what I was trying to say at the beginning. There is no sincere interest of solving this issue from Serbia's side.


The other extreme case of ICJ ruling in favor of Serbia will only extend the limbo, it will possibly, delay some recognitions but both countries will suffer from this delay.
At the end, the final outcome will be the same, which is luckily the most positive one, both countries in EU as two separate entities.

" If a dual government system is the end product of the ICJ ruling, I'd say it was fair."

That will never happen. If Serbs want that, they shoudl offer the same to Hungarians, Croats and the Albanians in Serbia (presevo)

If you think that Kosova will be like Swiss cheese with a gazillion regions governed by a different government, you are mistaken as well. At most Serbia will get the North, pay reparations for damage done to Albanians (death and homes burned) and will probably lose Presevo.

Serbia cannot blackmail EU; Serbia is begging them, not the other way around. Within 6 months most nations will have recognized Kosova.

Great comments from Daniel, bganon, and village-bey.

Here's what I hope an ICJ hearing will include:

First, and probably most important, is that when it comes to the issue of Kosovo - its history, its politics, and its ownership - two people have 3 different arguments. Just coming here everyday I see the strong opinions of Serbs and pro-Serbs on one side, and Albanians and pro-Albanians on the other. Each side bases their opinions and observations on a series of non-negotiable truths that, while debatable and sometimes fabricated, are nevertheless defended strongly. What I hope in an ICJ hearing is that we all come to a "definitive" historical understanding of Kosovo. All sides should lay their grievances on the table in order for a ruling to be made. The Albanians definitely need to hear the Serb side, but the Serb side needs to hear the Albanian too.

Second, if a ruling is made "in favor" of Serbia, I seriously doubt Kosovo is going to go back to Belgrade's authority. I'm pro-Serb, but I'm not crazy. BG has made it perfectly clear they want no part of governing the Albanians. In this case, I completely agree with bganon that while BG gains considerable leverage over Kosovo's fate, that leverage may very well be channeled towards Serb sectors only. Again, I restate that I'm in complete favor of a Bosnia-like model for Kosovo in which Serbs and Albanians have their own sectors, own local governments and own administrative concerns. An ICJ ruling in favor of Serbia may very well give Belgrade and Mitrovica the ability to push for this.

Third, there can be no doubt Serbia belongs in the EU. There can also be no doubt of Brussels' readiness to work with Serbia towards integration. Solving the Kosovo issue will go a long way in realizing that integration. As much as I disagree with the way in which events have happened since February, I realize compromise is the only way forward. Serbia needs to relent on parts of Kosovo, but it should be given a greater over others. If a dual government system is the end product of the ICJ ruling, I'd say it was fair.

And if that happens, and BG signs off on it, let the wave of recognitions and integrations begin.

Mike,

What would you say same rights for Kosovo Serbs as for the Albanians living in Presevo, Bujanovc and Medvegja and other way around?

EA, I've addressed this before, but to repeat what I've previously said:

If the ICJ rules in favor of Serbia, we can probably expect Serbia to gain greater leverage over Serb sectors of Kosovo, but it is highly unlikely Kosovo will return to Belgrade's authority. However, as the Serbs gain far greater rights in Kosovo, we cannot, and should not deny the same rights to the Albanians of Presevo. No one will support their secession, and many of them are willing to work with BG but have greater control over their own day to day affairs. Fine with me. I see no problem granting greater rights to the Albanians in Presevo. To deny that would be hypocritical. Such a structure is already in place in Vojvodina. In fact, I've been in favor of a region-wide conference addressing minority rights and ethnic grievances for a while now: Serbia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Bosnia, et al.

Dashnori, you say, "If you think that Kosova will be like Swiss cheese with a gazillion regions governed by a different government, you are mistaken as well."

Kosovo already is in this situation. The Serbs refuse to adhere to Pristina, and the Gorani have no love for Albanian rule either. The Roma and other minorities are too small and insignificant to cause a stir, but given the opportunity, I'm sure they'd want some say in their daily lives too. Giving Serbia greater leverage is basically acknowledging realities already on the ground. Kosovo is already de facto partitioned and if Pristina can't even assert authority over Serb neighborhoods in Orahovac, then the North, Novo Brdo and Strpce are already lost causes. Kosovo was never meant to be a strong unitary state. The international powers that brokered your independence never planned it to be so.

There is absolutely no reason why any country should be against Serbia's initiative. If as argued by some that the independence of Kosovo is a slam dunk, then what does anyone have to fear? International law will back the US and those EU members supporting independence if they are in the right. If on the other hand they are wrong, the ICJ will clarify their error. What is wrong with that? Any nation that believes in a just world based on sound moral principles will allow an internation court to hear this case. I cannot see any other option unless a country is in the wrong and fears a legal body will rule against them. Either Kosovo's independence is legal or illegal based on international law; that's that. It's a very simple issue in black and white; there is no gray area here.

I agree with Daniel and support this move.
What is the harm in testing the legality of Kosovo independence, no matter what you support? Surely its an important issue for international law, and in this day and age of arbitrary recognition, nation states need guidance. It should not just be a case of a major power deciding to recognise one country or another, there must be certain rules or principles to guide a given dispute.

If Serbia wins, we go back to the negotiating table and Serbia will have a stronger position, but, personal feelings aside, I don't expect that all of Kosovo will become part of Serbia again. On the other hand if Kosovo Albanian's win their hand is stengthened and the Serbian official position may change. The government may say that the reality has forced a change of approach and argue that the official division of Kosovo should be on the negotiating table for the first time. Not an ethnic solution they will say, but a realisation that international law does not matter and that numbers on the ground do.

I can only see an outside actor judging on Kosovo as a benefit both to Serbia and Kosovo. No side can lose totally and any judgement may force both sides to the negotiating table for final resolution and a historic deal.

This issue needs final resolution, not limbo status that is hurting Kosovo Serbs and Kosovo Albanians.

Serbia has every right to bring their argument before the ICJ and I do not believe anyone country has the right to block that. Having said that I wonder if this is a two edge sword. On the one hand, Serbia could lose which would strengthen Kosovo's hand. Serbia would then have to re-think their position if they want to continue to integrate internationally and prosper. On the other hand, Serbia could win. In that event what happens? Kosovo has already been operating as if it is an independant country. The Albanians are a majority and not likely to agree to be reunited with Serbia. Does the world then send in troops to forcibly take back the area? Someone tried that once I think with disasterous results. If the initiative is to be heard by the ICJ, maybe both Kosovo and Serbia should agree to let the ICJ decide who gets what. I think it is well known which areas contain ethnic Serbs and which contain ethnic Albanians.

Good news!! stage 01 had been achieved by Serbia. hopefully ICJ will nulify the UDI. Although it will not end the NATO occupation of kosovo province but at least it will freeze the recognition.

Who care what ICJ-Russia-Serbia-Bolivia-Venezuela-Slovakia-Romania saying hahaha.
Long live Republic of Kosova Albania EU USA Samoa.

>> "Kosovo already is in this situation. The Serbs refuse to adhere to Pristina, and the Gorani have no love for Albanian rule either. The Roma and other minorities are too small and insignificant to cause a stir, but given the opportunity, I'm sure they'd want some say in their daily lives too."

No it isn't. The North and Preshevo are different, we both agree. They are connected to the 'other' side but small villages and enclaves are out of luck. If 400 Albanians in Vojvodina want more control...they can't have it. It's simple.

They will have rights, but that's it. Kosova is /will be a sovereign state, Serbia cannot and will not make rules inside it, just as Albania or Kosova cannot make rules about Albanians in Montengro. No meddling means just that, mind your business unless it's a CLEAR violation of the international law.

They are 130,000 Serbs in Kosovo with about 2 million Albanians and you said mentioned so many regions that Serbs 'control.' How many Serbs are in Orahovac?

Hungarians don't care about Serbia, what should we do, invite Hungary to rule?

If that really "happen" it will be as my dreams come true ,why,because that it will be the besr chance for albanian politicians to slam and I mean all the way serbian government and same time suing them for all the damamge they did to civilian in previus war and the prove's are in table and I dont think so today's president,prime-minister and minister's really know what really happen in kosova and i believe that because in the war time serbian info was censored to the serbian nation and I know that I see it my self that when people where being killed serbian media was air'd every day something unusualy or playing opera symphoni after

I do agree that for once! in this particular section of postings, the usual hate speech has been minimized, and interesting and articulate arguments have been raised. some of you are guilty of hate speech on an almost daily basis and you know who you are and need to take some responsibility. hate speech to the Balkans, of all places! it is unconscionable.

as for the actual ruling, i would be 100% shocked if the court rules in favor of serbia. it will not. period. however, their (theoretical) ruling will probably be interpreted in different ways -- doesn't this so often happen, and then we will be where? bad as ever?

bganon -- you are the only regular serb "camp" poster (as they call it here) who seems to actually have some reason to call himself "moderate." and yet, your opinions on kosovo seem so close to that of the extremists, which is what i have found over and over and over. can you really imagine the 90 to 95% of kosovars "suddenly" realizing that, oh my god, we have to go back to the table to negotiate with belgrade! so they can re-experience that lovely feeling of living under serbian hegemony, ala 90s (or before)?? i don't think so. it will not happen. i would suggest that you are greatly out of touch with their thinking and consciousness if you believe that will ever happen.

as for parceling up kosovo/a to look like some sort of Bosnia -- believe me, they will never!!! go for it. and how would you feel if your serbia was parceled up like bosnia, with separate and competing entities (based on only ethnic cleansing and then foreign intervention) -- i mean, it will not happen.

the only hope is for each of these former YU countries to work towards becoming successful multi-ethnic countries. there is no other option. let it be. now -- are any of them presently "successful" multi-cultural models? i would suggest, though each is a different case, they have long ways to go.

so be it. we (the US) also has a long way to go, but we are (arguably) ontrack. hardly perfect, but we're trying.

the same is for every other nation in the world that I am aware of -- globalism is here, and each country has a mix of ethnicities, and that's that. "ethnically clean" is both impossible and a fascist concept.

Kosovo/a is not "ethnically clean." that is a lie, spread mainly by those who have never been there, much less live there. on the other hand, it is hardly a paragon of multi-ethnic harmony, and that is for many reasons, which we well know and i needn't repeat here. the atisarri plan was an authentic and dynamic attempt to transition from the bad old days (90s and before) to a more open mix. serbia and her allies utterly rejected it, and have pushed "their" people to reject any real cooperation with kosovo/a's albanians. then the extremists cry out: there's no ethnic harmony!! duh...

nevertheless, this is one of the very few times (this particular page) where there seems to be a little tolerable dialogue -- and i am always in favor of that.

Wage peace, not war!

roberto
frisco/sarajevo
robertoruss@yahoo.com

This is the worst case scenario:
Stage 1: UN sends Serbia's ICJ initiative to GA = Kosovo still indenpendent.
Stage 2:GA approves the request for reviewed by ICJ = Kosovo still indenpendent.
Stage 3:ICJ says that Kosovo independence is not legal = Kosovo still indenpendent.
Just waste of time.

After what Miloshevic and his regime has done to the Kosovars,i thought that would be a pretty legitimate reason for the Kosovars to be independent.Expelling close to 1 million people from their homes with a plastic bag in their hand's with everything else left behind,killed thousand's of peolple,torture,rape and i could go on,this is all true. I would use the same words to refresh Mr Jeremic's,and Mr Tadic's memory.Serbia's initiative is going to fail,its not going to make it outside the UN's Building.Which ever way the UN decides i hope will help the serbian goverment to decide which path to take, and i hope is for the good of serbian people.Thanks
(Viti i Balit, 17 September 2008 14:10)

I cannot understand why B92 keeps allowing a post like this to get through time and time. It has already been established long ago that Milosevic is just a convenient scapegoat to justify the independence movement. Even some Albanians have admitted that independence has been in the planning since 1912s.
Milosevic wasn't even born then.

Albanians have been systematically expelling Serbs from Kosovo for decades.

The main point is that this plan was in the making since 1900s and now many Albanians are blaming Milosevic. How convenient.

Dear K-albanians, i dont know if you already know this but Greece has recognized Kosovo passports wich means you can go and visit this country with your own passports. I don't understand why some people in here keep saying that Kosovo is isolating itself when in reality things are just getting started. This guy Jeremic is doing his job very well, but bless him he already knows the outcome. Dear serbs I'm sorry to disappoint you but you will never have Kosovo back. The only good thing you can do is to recognize this new country and start all over again as two good neighbors.

good work Vuk, not much is to be expected further down apar from a bumby the road, but still it is good to read it!

Russia has to oppose, if Kosovo is against "international law" so are the Russian sponsorships of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.

Baganon wrote: If Serbia wins, we go back to the negotiating table

I know we have had disagreements in the past but I am wondering what makes you think that an ICJ victory will somehow compel compel Pristina or anyone else to come back to negotitiating.

My understanding is that because the EU powers and the U.S. gave Pristina carte blanche, they do not have to worry about non enforceable judgments of the ICJ.

I don't feel that Pristina will desire negotiations with Belgrade as long as western money keeps propping up their regime and if the seperatists are sufficently obedient to their new masters, this could be years from now.

Eventually Yes, the river may run dry and Pristina will need the support of its neighbours, but this may be years away

Gary

Today the UN set the agenda for the coming discussions.You have to go through the UN General Assembly vote and if you pass that it goes to ICJ. Only countries that have recognized Kosovo can nullify their recognitions.ICJ gives an opinion that is not binding. Jeremic and Tadic should declare now if they will accept and respect the verdict if it says that the independence was legal. They will be more than happy if it doesn't even pass the GA vote. It will show that they tried but it doesn't depend on them.

GREAT NEWS!!! A good sign of things to come.

Anything that makes life harder for the Albanians is a very good thing!

But Serbia needs to be FAR more aggressive then it has been so far!

Serbia needs to have a total blockade of Kosovo.
So they can enjoy their phony independence without power during winter!
And we also need to work closely with Russia, Spain, Greece and Romania so as to put the military option back on the table.

Posted from Serbian government home page
www.serbia.sr.gov.yu

UN General Committee accepts Serbia’s request


" Belgrade/New York, Sept 17, 2008 – Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic confirmed this evening that the UN General Committee has accepted to include Serbia’s request to seek the opinion of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the legality of Kosovo’s unilateral declaration of independence on the agenda for the 63rd session of the UN General Assembly.


In a statement for the Radio Television of Serbia, Jeremic said that the Committee’s decision to include Serbia’s demand on the agenda was unanimous.

We succeeded in getting the approval of 28 members of the General Committee, and even those countries voted that have recognised Kosovo’s independence. I think that this is a positive sign, but it is too early for celebration since there are several more steps to be taken before the request is officially presented before the ICJ.

He said that there was a heated debate at the Committee session and that this was one of the rare meetings at which it was not known in advance who will vote how.

The atmosphere created at the beginning of the session by representatives of certain countries that firmly advocated in favour of the Serbian initiative was of vital importance, said the Minister, adding that these countries included Spain, Argentina and Egypt, as well as a few others with whom Serbia has had intensive diplomatic contacts in order to gain their support.

Jeremic said that two exceedingly influential countries were against Serbia’s initiative that became isolated towards the end. He added that these countries reexamined their stance at the recommendation of the president, so that finally Serbia’s initiative was unanimously approved by the General Committee.

According to Jeremic, it is still not known when exactly Serbia’s initiative will be put to vote at the General Assembly session, which will be attended by a Serbian delegation headed by President Boris Tadic.

The UN General Committee consists of representatives of 28 countries; president of the 63rd session Miguel d'Escoto Brockmann, 21 deputies and presidents of six main committees.

From the 28 countries, 22 have not recognised the independence of the southern Serbian province, but the members include the US, UK, the Netherlands, France, Hungary and Afghanistan. "


Serbia's initiative was unanamously approved by all 28 committee members!!!
Read it and weep Albanians!

It's no secret who the 2 "exceedingly influential"
naysayers were (US & UK) despite Mr. Jeremic's diplomacy in not naming names. Boy I would loved to have seen the looks on the US and UK ambassadors when they found themselves isolated, forcing them to "reexamine" their stance!!! HA, Ha, Ha!

One more hurdle to go (UN GA
vote) and then Serbia rightfully gets her day in court. Despite attempts by KLA terrorists and their handlers(US & Nato)
to dismiss the importance of the ICJ ruling as "non binding", it is clear that the ICJ ruling will matter, as evidenced by the fact the US and it's followers are fighting so hard against it.

A positive ICJ ruling will once and for all put Serbia in the right, and expose the US and their EU followers for the two-faced criminals that they are. Never again can the shamed 47 say that they are acting within Resolution 1244, or that they have acted legally when recognizing "indipindient kosova's" UDI (really a UDD).
If the ICJ rules in favor of Serbia, this will once and for all destroy
"indipindient kosova's" chances of ever becoming a legitimate state, which it is not and never will be. Furthermore, a positive ICJ ruling will ultimately pave the way for Serbia restablishing control over all of her Kosovo province. It may take a while, but it will happen eventually!

Zivela Srbija!

The UN Court will surely decide in Serbia's favour, but of course independence cannot be retreived and the middle way will be found in financial terms that Kosovo will have to pay the illegitimate expropriation of Serbian province in the next 50 to 70 years, amounting to thousands of billions of dollars. The western countries like USA and EU that recognized Kosovo knew approximately that this was going to happen and that only money could resolve this painful problem. Otherwise what other solution could happen? Another war is in noone's interest there.

If you think that Kosova will be like Swiss cheese with a gazillion regions governed by a different government, you are mistaken as well. At most Serbia will get the North, pay reparations for damage done to Albanians (death and homes burned) and will probably lose Presevo.

It looks that you know switzeland very well...., the only thing that we have unfortunately in common is the drug that your kosovar brothers are floading onto our streets...and who will pay for that??

An ICJ ruling favorable to Serbia will lead to withdrawals of recognition by countries that were initially undecided and pushed into it by the US. A partial list of those countries include Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Canada, and Italy. This would be the death knell for the "independent" Kosovo. When bush leaves office, whoever takes over can easily abandon Kosovo like the us abandoned Cambodia in the 1970s.

Gary T. you wrote:
“Good news!! stage 01 had been achieved by Serbia. hopefully ICJ will nulify the UDI. Although it will not end the NATO occupation of kosovo province but at least it will freeze the recognition.”

I will have to clarify here two things: First, General Committee never rejected any initiative by the UN members so far, so if they would do that to Serbia that would be the first time in UN history, what nobody didn’t even expect. Second thing is that ICJ has no mandate and no authorization to nullify the independence of Kosova, neither to force UN members to nullify their recognition. All what can do is to give its opinion, and that’s all my friend, even though, I really expect, if this request ever reaches ICJ, that their opinion to be in favor of Kosovas independence and its people will.

Viti i Balit, get a grip! we live in 2008 now. You think we were in 1955 still talking about the WW2 ten years after? Hitler died, Adenauer came and within 2 years the whole world was on speaking terms again with the Germans. So, Come on man, live has gone further or did you forget that? different times, different people. so, get yourself together, be a man and accept that it is now 2008.

Are you guys serious? When did the UN ever do anything of consequential barring? In our dreams! Of course, the GA will render the declaration of independence ilegal and then the US and EU will rush to revoce their recognition and remove their ambassadors and then Albanians will rage another much bigger war and then Serbia will move its forces in Kosovo again...is this the scenario we are looking for? Because it doesn't seem to me we have much of a plan of what will happen to Kosovo once we get it back - please enlighten me if we do? But are we not beyong living together? This like forcing a couple to live together despite the fact that not only they don't get alont, they hate each other's guts, don't have sex, sleep in different beds and plot against each other on daily basis!!!

roberto I don't see how its extremist to expect Albanians to sit down with Serbs to agree on a final settlement.

An extreme position would be to advocate armed conflict or to betlittle the Albanian or Serbian position on Kosovo.

I know what you are talking about with regard to Kosovo Albanians sitting down with Serbs, some of that is genuine, but not all. Other Albanians fear (with some justification) that unless they manage to get Serbs at least partially 'on board' that Serbs will remain a threat for the future of 'Kosova'.

A judgement from a neutral party like ICJ might well give Albanians the excuse they need to sit down with Serbs.

You may think that the situation in Kosovo today is sustainable but I don't. Until there is true resolution Kosovo doesn't stand much of a chance on an ethnic or economic level.

"roberto I don't see how its extremist to expect Albanians to sit down with Serbs to agree on a final settlement"

That has been done already with no results.