"Kosovo's independence is irreversible"

Mr. Ahtisari,

You are completely right. However, this is pretty obvious...all Serbian aparatus/nation know this.

Yet still, Presevo valley is now the focus and you,Mr.Ahtisari, will be soon called to solve this one of the last hurdles of the Balkans, as this region enters the final stages of peace and stability.

The good news for th Balkans is that Serbian propaganda/lies is/are finally buried, except when used on ad-hoc basis for domestic consupmtion, most recently, for EULEX deployment.

(ZK, 10 December 2008 10:54)

Enlighten me please ZK,

How has his plan failed?
Kosovo declared independence based on the agreement.
EULEX is in Kosovo based on the same plan.
Which part of his plan you deem not implemented?
ZK in your opinion what is more realistic:
Your theory of Kosovo as a “province” (as you put it in your comment) or Kosovo as a state!
I am afraid you are up for a rude awakening.

"Ahtisaari arrived to his own conclusion on Kosovo, which was not generally accepted[...]"

The conclusions are accepted by 95 out of 100 of the people affected by those conclusions.

If you can find a more widely accepted solution please enlighten me.

Once and for all people need to accept the reality that solution of Kosova’s issue is Kosovar matter and respect that.

Where is the point in ‘relativizing’ things??? Just to create confusion, ambiguities??

Give me another solution that was acceptable to 95 out of 100 affected by the solution- it is democracy at his best light. Period, enough pleasing Putin and the fascists in Belgrade.

Oh dear, someone needs to tell this person to move along and that his plan has failed since it was never adopted by the UN. Not even the EU follow it anymore. It is only those stuck in the past that ever refer to it so please accept your Nobel Peace Prize with dignity and as a consolation for your failure in Kosovo. It was never meant to be I'm afraid.

The important thing to notice about this former UN envoy and former Finnish president is the word "former" and they are probably on the payroll of some lobby groups now. Fortunately, the world has moved on and Kosovo independence is irreversibly blocked at the UN. Now that's an undeniable fact!

It is time to repair the province and not to cause further instability.

Ian, UK - you are partially right. The Kosovo independence thing was a European thing. However, it was Fascist Italy and Nazi Germany in WW2 with Albania that began things. I guess it was Blair and the others who have celebrated in their short-sighted victory, where the above mentioned failed in WW2.

Questions for all pro-independence:

If Kosovo is an independent country why...

* your flag was choosen by an international contest?
* your national hymn has no words?
* your head of state is someone from Holland?
* you are not a member of UN?
* you cannot enter EU as not all EU members recognize Kosovo?
* the UN can undo every decision made by you?
* UN/EU troops are in your country?
* you are waving with Albanians flags instead of your own flags?
* ...

In my opinion Kosovo is nothing more then a EU colony? Is that really what you want?

Serieus answers please!

I find it funny how everyone thinks that Kosovo's independence is an American project. It's not, it is a European project, and Ahtisaari proves that. Not to mention that back in early 2007, it was Tony Blair who asked Bush to recognise Kosovo when the time comes.

Long live the irreversible independence of the Republic of Kosovo.
(Ian, UK, 10 December 2008 15:58)


Ian, its an Anglo-American imperialist project. You Brits should have learned by now what happens when things blow up in your faces.

Still there is ample time for Lord Blair to jaunt around pontificating on 'peace' and 'democracy'.

I find it funny how everyone thinks that Kosovo's independence is an American project. It's not, it is a European project, and Ahtisaari proves that. Not to mention that back in early 2007, it was Tony Blair who asked Bush to recognise Kosovo when the time comes.

Long live the irreversible independence of the Republic of Kosovo.
(Ian, UK, 10 December 2008 15:58)

Then keep laughing Ian....but it will be on the other side of your face when the ICJ rules the illegality of Kosovo UDI. It will then be back to the negotiation table with alot of red faced people...Especially Middle East Envoy Mr Blair.

I like the European Project bit though, that's funny. The only time the UK becomes an integral part of the Union is when it gets something in return. Enjoy the EURO when Broon brings it in, I left that thought long behind when I left the UK. Incidentally Ian, have you ever been to the southern province or just seen it on the BBC propoganda channel.

BH-NYC,

Over 100 countries have not recognized, and while there very well may be a few more fence sitters who haven't "yet" recognized, as you correctly say, there's a good amount of countries out there that have officially stated they will not recognize:

Slovakia, Spain, Cyprus, Romania, Greece, Russia, China, India, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, South Africa, Egypt, Indonesia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, etc. I don't have the entire number, but these are the ones I know, and they're more than 6.

Kosovo's independence would be nowhere without the United States, and with Washington putting Kosovo's fate in the hands of the EU, the EUrocrats in Brussels are going to compromise their way to a definitive stalemate in which independence (or part of Serbia) really is a relative interpretation.

I'm just telling it like it is, do not shoot the messenger.

To: With more than 100 countries not recognizing...
(Mike, 10 December 2008 12:25)

Mike, you and many others are being seriously misslead when you talk about numbers. These 100 countries have not declared themselves yet. Only 6 countries (approx.) have so far publicly said they're against K-Independence. So when we talk numbers, it's more like 53 Pros vs 6 Against. See if you can figure it out who'se on the losing side now.

I almost feel sorry for the guy. Its obvious that he feels defensive on account of the fact that he will receive this prize, even though his plan failed. So naturally his reply is to say that the 'project' succeeded.

This isn't news really, just an introduction to the fact that we will be getting another bit of news when he receives the award.

Kissinger, Le Duc Tho and Artishari rather than Gandhi?

Its a pity that selection is politicised like this.

With more than 100 countries not recognizing, international organizations providing administration, security, and financial stability, and parts of the territory still firmly under the control of Belgrade, Kosovo's "independence" is more of a relative interpretation.

bganon, I agree with you.
I live in Norway, and like so many here, we no longer respect the self-celebration of the establishment that the Nobel prize has been perverted into.

The prominent people who work with actual peace building have criticized the understanding of the award altogether. There are debates about it in the media daily, critical books have been written on the subject, and letters of complaints have been directed at the people in charge. The Swedish government too have decided to investigate if the award acts in accordance with the testament of the Nobel awards.

http://www.reuters.com/article/lifestyleMolt/idUSTRE4978BB20081008

http://www.manifesto2009.pes.org/en/debate/post/694

For those of you who don't speak Norwegian, you can still interpret the sentences: "Man of the elite", "Fiasco in Kosovo", "Not competent", and "Assistant to Pentagon", from the following article in one of the leftist papers here. http://www.klassekampen.no/55121/article/item/null

Even though there are articles from Serbia and Kosovo in the papers now and then, I'd like to see some in-depth report, or some columns written by Kosovo-Serbs, so that people could gain more understanding of the complexity of the situation in Kosovo. Perhaps B92 could arrange for a project like that with some Scandinavian papers, or maybe you could write one yourself ;)

well, is it necessary to say that if the old man from Finland says that, it´s rather obvious that he himself doesn´t believe it anymore?

fact is: the socalled Ahtisari -plan is dead, definitely.

so, what else should this poor guy say?

as for all those friends here, who are yearning for statements like that: don´t let him fool you, my dear albanian friends.

it´s only temporary. and YOU know it.

sooner or later, you will learn what the real meaning of international law is.

until that time, Kosovo will stay what it already is - a serbian province under international control.

«Nobel price (sponsored by nuclear bomb manufacturer Honeywell) winner Ahtisaari» ,yes Kufr you're right and even more i can :Advocate of War or Promoter of Peace?(HIS name is associated with the betterment of mankind, yet he amassed great wealth selling weapons of war. Who was he? Alfred Bernhard Nobel, a Swedish industrialist and chemist. Nobel has been lauded for his humanitarian efforts, but he has also been called “a merchant of death.” Why? Because Nobel invented dynamite, and during his life he made a fortune manufacturing and selling lethal explosives.«Nobelstiftelsen») Prize for peace? You decide,but ahtisaari brought the hate,war and devided one of the oldest country...Shame on him!

If its irreversible why is he bragging about it every 5 minutes.Maybe because3/4 of the Worlds community dont think so?
Like the old Serbian saying says:"You don`t need to ask the fool,he will tell it you by bragging it out.
He is frustrated because hios project has failed.

I find it funny how everyone thinks that Kosovo's independence is an American project. It's not, it is a European project, and Ahtisaari proves that. Not to mention that back in early 2007, it was Tony Blair who asked Bush to recognise Kosovo when the time comes.

Long live the irreversible independence of the Republic of Kosovo.

Kosovo is not independent. It will not be independent.
And the fact is, it is a part of serbia.

The only thing lost in this area happens to be your sense of rational and sensible thought... or more the lack of it there-on.

KOSOVO IS SERBIA,
ATISHARI IS WITHOUT A JOB.

Thanks for the answers! Good to see real discussion here.

My try...

UN is not gone. UN is still in charge, as EU only works within framework of 1244.

Democracy: well, if you like democracy let's have a referendum in the whole of Serbia. If majority wants to alllow Kosovo independence: great.
By the way: why not let Serbian areas split from Kosovo? Democracy you said I believe...

National Anthem: Indeed, Spanish one does not have words either. But hey, most have... as most countries are NATIONS. Kosovo is not a nation. It is a province of a country where different peoples live. Like we have Germans in Belgium. But still Belgium is their country. Why different rules for Kosovo?

UN reconition: you know China and Russia will block this, so stop fooling yourselves!

Overall, thanks for answers. But no one has ever really explained to me why Albanians in Kosovo are allowed to split why Kurds in Iraq and Turkey have not....

So please explain (serious answers please).

Lots of love from Holland. And if you want Kosovo independence, please work on it by peaceful means. That means: respect Serbian law and try to convince the majority of your country Serbia!

And if you don't that is the way to go let's have a referendum in Tibet now!!!

Mr. Ahtisaari,

Then please show me the UNSC resolution that tells me that Kosovo may declare itself independent.

Thanks in advance!

Kosovo - is NOT independent now and SHALL NOT be independent in the future.

KEEP IT REAL.
STOP PRETENDING.
IT'S BECOMING A JOKE.

Its amazing the level of hate this Atishaari has for the Serbs. I know that most men have a price but he really is giving his employers overtime for free.

Nobel price (sponsored by nuclear bomb manufacturer Honeywell) winner Ahtisaari never misses a chance to give a racist antiserbian comment. The same Ahtisaari who threatened Milosevic to kill 2 million civilian Serbs with NATO bomb carpets. Not since Kissinger got the prize has it been given to such an unworthy person.

Mr.Ahtisari hopes Kosovo's status is irreversible solely because he hopes he doesn't have to give back all the 'brown envelopes' he received from the 'scum' who masterminded the tragedy in Kosovo i Metohija.
I regard Ahtisaari's conduct in the province as an internatinal disgrace.
It's good for us to live an honest life as when we grow old, we can look back and enjoy it again and again.

Micheal Breathnach
Ireland

Ahtisaari was not mentioned even once in Eulex's website as far as I know.

And his proposals were earlier rejected at the UNSC.

Also he antagonized enough veto wielding countries in the UNSC to ensure that Kosovo will expect to remain outside the UN family of nations permanently.

Has anyone actually read Ahtisaari Nobel acceptance speech with its contradictory message (in relation to Serbia's province of Kosovo & Metohija) ?

http://nobelpeaceprize.org/en_GB/laureates/laureates-2008/ahtisaari-lecture/

Its almost bi-polar because its clear that he has a contradictory view on conflict resolution theory and what he suggest it means vs how he actually carries it out in practice. For instance he states in the speech;

"Mediators do not choose the conflicts they became involved in but the parties to the conflict choose the mediator."

- yet I can't recall Serbia wanting his contribution - in many quaters wanting him sacked!

The next line is a cracker and highlights bi-polar fantasy land he must be suffering with;

"Their participation as intermediaries is based on the trust of all the conflicting parties. The task of the mediator is to help the parties to open difficult issues and nudge them forward in the peace process. "

- Serbia had no trust in Athisaari's dealings in its soverign province. Ironically
Ahtisaari supposedly now suggests;

"All conflicts can be resolved....In a conflict, one party can always claim victory, but building peace must involve everybody "

and rounds of with;

"If we work together, we can find solutions. We should not accept any excuses from those in power. Peace is a question of will. "

- so why did Ahtisaari not do this in Serbia's case ??? In practice Serbia was and still continues to be told "There is no solution but the one I come up with" - this is what Ahtisaari and his "international community" supporters insist against Serbia when they pushed the ethnic-Albanians to carry out the illegal unilateral declaration.

The fact that Ahtisaari never once mentions Serbia's soverign province of Kosovo & Metohija in his acceptance speech yet mentioning all others highlights that it is clearly an example of how not to resolve conflicts and something he would rather not bring attention to!!!
I wonder why???

Oh what a tangled web we weave...

Its called the Peace Prize, and thanks to Ahtisari's plan there is finally peace in Kosova.

So, does he deserve the Prize?

Absolutely yes.

Mr Ahtisari, you no longer being a mediator for this situation is irreversible, please accept that.

Ron, I'll give you some answers to your questions.

* your flag was choosen by an international contest?

Who told you so? Muhamer Ibrahimi is the name of the guy who designed it, and is a friend of mine (he received 10,000 Euros for it)

* your national hymn has no words?

See Spain's National Anthem!

* your head of state is someone from Holland?

Fatmir Sejdiu is from Holland? He is from Podujeva, Pakashtica village, in Kosova!

* you are not a member of UN?

That's why we became independent, to become UN and EU members, so I suggest you to wait and see!

* you cannot enter EU as not all EU members recognize Kosovo?

Who says so? Most of the EU countries have recognized Kosova and/or its passport. Does that ring a bell for you?

* the UN can undo every decision made by you?

It could, but it cannot anymore, since the UN mission in Kosova is over, now we have some 2,000 EU staff that will obey Kosova laws (reference: read Kouchner's comment in B92)

* UN/EU troops are in your country?

And NATO troops as well! So what? Aren't there in Serbia any UN/EU troops?

* you are waving with Albanians flags instead of your own flags?

FYI, it's our National Flag, we’re both Albanians! Before the 17th of February, 2008, we, the Albanians from Kosova and Albania, had the same flag, and it takes time to get familiarized with the new one! But remember, Red and Black flag will always be Albanian’s flag. It’s in our hearts!

BTW, congrats Ahtisaari, you're the most honorable person in our, Kosova's, latest history! Your name will never be forgotten. Well done!

Greets from Prishtina!

KLA killed a lot of Serbs in 1999 and 2000. So does that give the Serbian population of Kosovo the right to split?

What I really don't get after all those years: Albanians in Kosovo want to split from Serbia. But then the want Serbian areas to say in Kosovo. First: that's not fair. Second: you don't want to live with Serbs, why keep them in your country.

In Belgium even people in favour of Flemish (or Flamish) independence say that some areas that are mostly populated by Wallones can stay in Belgium (meaning: joining Wallonia).

If you don;t want to live together (Serbs and Albanians, I 'blame' both) why not seperate completely?

I think Kosovo will be a lot easier to govern with Northern Kosovo. Really!

"Ahtisaari arrived to his own conclusion on Kosovo,..."

He arrived to the negotiations with this same conclusions, and it wasn't his at all.
He was an erand boy sent in by grocery clerks to collect the bill.

blero, the EU mission is not in Kosovo based on the A-plan but rather the UN Secretary-General's 6 point plan - which has the A-plan dead and buried!

As for the status of Kosovo, Serbians will forever treat it as their province but its true status is still unresolved and will remain so for some time to come. No matter how you look at it, the final solution will fall somewhere inbetween more than autonomy, less than independence.

You can argue for the next 100 years about this issue but you will never come to an agreement because Kosovo is neither independent nor it is completely sovereign to Serbia.

Like I said, it's time to put that aside and to start repairing the province. Stop teaching hate but rather look to reconciliation. It's going to take time but it needs to start somewhere - and that somewhere is here and now.

So lets wait and see whether the EU mission lives up to its expectation as it was allowed to enter based on a compromise!

let me see, lets start with Ben's comment.
Your statistic of 95% of people affected support A-Plan is somewhat misguiding. The actual number should sit somewhere in the 25%-35%. Remember that it is not only the peoples of Kosovo that this affects, but the remaining peoples of Serbia. So that being said, only a minority of Serbian residents beleive that the A-Plan is a good idea. You must remember to include all peoples when counting, not just the ones that have raised their arms in favour of a vote.
Next, BH_NYC: you seem to have misunderstood the nature of the question that Kosovo's request for Independence to the body of the UN is. The question is a basically a Yes/No question, "Do you support our independence"? So by virtue of the nature of the question, a lack of a positive is a negative. So infact it is not 6 that are against independence, but rather (All-53) are against independence.
I understand that this is a very emotional issue, but please, if you're going to try and agrue from a point of logic, then utilize it and not your own internal biases and attempted spins.
And lastley PRN: Why oh why do I continually hear about Presevo Valley as being something additional that the world needs to gift to Kosovars? Why do I sporadically read about the idea of annexing parts of Macedonia, Montenegro and Greece?
As a Canadian who lives in the US I do not try to wrangle parts of America to become a greater Canada. I chose to move to the US on my own, I can move back to Canada any time I choose. If I find my host country not to my liking that I will leave. If however I find that my Native country is not to my liking that I have political options to take, and I can always relocate elsewhere. So that being said, if the Albanian decendants that currently live in Serbia Proper, not Kosovo, have issues with where they're living they can choose alternatives that don't involve greed. As far as I've been made aware, through various news resources, the remaining Albanian decendents in Serbia are not experiencing the level of hardships that the Serbians living in Kosovo are. If the intentions are what the very much seem to be, and that is a purely ethnically clean Albanian greater state consisting of stolen, borrowed, whined-for former lands of other nations then these ideals are truely as dispicable as the Milosevic docterine.
Oh, for pure comic relief, Slobodan Milosevic was on the short list for the Nobel Peace Prize shortly after the Dayton accords. So if we wish to follow a few steps we can see that if we all feel Slobo was a terrible person and he almost was awared this prize, what does that actually say about the value of the prize with respect to peace? And what does that say about Ahtisari, if anything? I think it says a lot more that it looks like on the surface.

Mr Ahtisaari has made a right plan. For Kosovar albanians too some of points in this plan were difficult to accept but they decided to overcome themselves and to go forward.
For Serbia too is a god think. First of all, the serbian minority in Kosova is overprotected and overrepresented in the institutions of Rep. of Kosova. The Rep. of Serbia has the chance to forget that dream called Kosova. They have the chance to see forward.

To RON:

"Questions for all pro-independence:

If Kosovo is an independent country why...

* your flag was choosen by an international contest?
* your national hymn has no words?
* your head of state is someone from Holland?
* you are not a member of UN?
* you cannot enter EU as not all EU members recognize Kosovo?
* the UN can undo every decision made by you?
* UN/EU troops are in your country?
* you are waving with Albanians flags instead of your own flags?
* ... "

----

Well, Ron this is the so called democracy my friend.
*Having an international contest, is recognizing your people living abroad, no matter which ethnicity.
*Having no words on the anthem is the bi-lingual environment promoted in Kosovo, since we have Serbs, Turkish, RAE and other non-Albanians.
*The head of state is a Kosovar national to my knowledge, I doubt Fatmir Sejdiu is a Dutch.
*As per UN, just some 49 more to go my friend, talk to you in 2 years time.
*EU's feasibility study has just been presented in the Progress Report, to be conducted by the September 2009. A clear indicator of SAP...
*The UN has no power anymore, I suggest you quit being brainwashed by Serbian Media, UN is nearly gone from Kosovo. On the other hand, better be in such position than have the "Mother Russia" instead.
*UN/EU troops are temporarily here, until the Kosovo Security Forces is established (in your terms the Army).
*And yet another concept you may not understand is having the right of using national symbols of each ethnicity in Kosovo (which again falls into Democracy, remember the thing you are not good at), be it an Albanian Flag, Serbian, Turkish or any other.

...So Ron, Kosovo is more than a state, but again I do not expect you to understand that...and YES this is WHAT WE(KOSOVARS) WANT!

In my opinion Kosovo is nothing more then a EU colony? Is that really what you want?

Serieus answers please!
(Ron, 10 December 2008 19:20)

Ron seriously let me say that as an albanian living in the Republic of Kosova, I would milions times accept to be a EU colony than having any kind of connection to Serbia.

Congratulation, Mr Ahtisaari for your work in Namibia, Indonesia and Kosovo. His work on the diplomatic scene was well overdue to be honored. People all around the world have already send their congratulations. Of course, not all people are happy about this decision, but not everybody is happy with compromises in general.

Kosovo's independence is not only irreversible, it is fact.

The most important thing is that Kosovo is independent from serbia.
The flag and anthem will come later. The people of Kosovo has waited a long time for this, they can wait a little more.

ChaCha,

Then why Aceh must stay in Indonesia? While Kosovo may leave Serbia from our Finnish friend?

Why these double standards?

And you are fooling yourself big time if you call Kosovo independence a fact. I feel pity for you.

And please answer my questions above. Thanks in advance!

Yeah Mr Ahtisaari that is so right. He was asked to keep his job as peacemaker even though he wants to retire.

He said on BBC Hard Talk that only Serbs have problem with Kosova in the region. That's a really high flying comment for those who understand it!. Can you imagine Kosova becoming member of the EU before Serbia?.

After the succesfull deployment of EULEX now we expect fast economic development in Kosova. Too many billionaires are standing by to invest in Kosova. Once this happens serbs in the north will not have any choice but to integrate in Kosova's institutions because there will be much better income than in Serbia(that's a fact).
We all look forward to have a better income so we can have enough money to create/raise our families.


@ Ian comment number 18:

I'm glad that you know about Bush-Blair talks that were held in Bush's Ranch(Texas) spring 2007. It's true that it was Blair who asked Bush to do so.

UN is not gone. UN is still in charge, as EU only works within framework of 1244.

Ron, if you want a real discussion, then stop fooling around. UN is gone, over, forgotten from Kosova, so since UN is gone, than the Resolution 1244 is gone too. Don’t you think? I know you wont agree with me, but that’s not my problem, cz within myself I have cleared things out!

Democracy: well, if you like democracy let's have a referendum in the whole of Serbia. If majority wants to alllow Kosovo independence: great.
By the way: why not let Serbian areas split from Kosovo? Democracy you said I believe...

BTW, I never mentioned democracy, but I regret I didn’t and thanks for reminding me. Just go back 10 years ago, not more than 10, and see for yourself what democracy meant in Serbia. And then ask yourself, “Why not allow Kosova split from Serbia”? By the way, since when some other country shall hold referendums to decide about some other country’s fate? Forget that Ron, referendums in Serbia about Kosova are a done deal. You had your chance, and you choose war rather than a referendum!

National Anthem: Indeed, Spanish one does not have words either. But hey, most have... as most countries are NATIONS. Kosovo is not a nation. It is a province of a country where different peoples live. Like we have Germans in Belgium. But still Belgium is their country. Why different rules for Kosovo?

So now, since I found one anthem that does not have words, your justification is ‘most have’, right? It’s true most of the people do not like the new Kosova anthem, but time will heal it. And your capitalization of words just gives me the expression that you’re getting wasted. Kosova is a nation, deal with it. You mentioned Germans in Belgium and you asked why different rules for Kosova. Well, I’ll tell you why! Because Belgians are not threatening Germans living in Belgium with war and the human rights are well respected there. You see now the difference between Kosova and Belgium?

UN reconition: you know China and Russia will block this, so stop fooling yourselves!

They will for now, but you cannot predict the future, just like I can’t either! Reading that Russia might as well send some troops to EULEX in Kosova, I think its position is getting softened.

Overall, thanks for answers. But no one has ever really explained to me why Albanians in Kosovo are allowed to split why Kurds in Iraq and Turkey have not....

Because it’s called politics. The Albanians in Kosova, long before 1999, have pursued their own politics of self-determination and operated with peaceful means, just until 1999 when the whole wide world saw what was happening here. And that’s why we were allowed to get independent, and Kurds not. I don’t need to mention that they are at war with Turkey since…forever???

Lots of love from Holland. And if you want Kosovo independence, please work on it by peaceful means. That means: respect Serbian law and try to convince the majority of your country Serbia!

I respect Serbian, Japanese, Sudanese, Bangladeshi laws… but most of all I respect Kosova laws, because it’s my own country and I have to obey them the best way I can.

Hi again RON,

Not sure whether you were having a debate with me or AO KS. However, let me point out somethings for you. I won't stop at all points you mentioned since some do not stand and I am pretty sure you know it.
* As for UN, it is not in charge in Kosovo, however 1244 is. BUT, FYI 1244 read carefully provides the basis for Independence.
* As for the democracy, first thing: obviously you haven't seen the Serbian Democracy since 1912 (you were in Holland most probably), second: no need for a referendum in Serbia, cuz Serbia had its chance of providing Autonomy to Kosovo, and failed on that; thus Kosovo has the right to its self-determination (mark my words, you will hear this on ICJ's declaration), on the same lines Serb community in Kosovo has its autonomy (decentralization, remember) and is overwhelmingly positively discriminated, so no right for secession.
* As for the anthem, I noted on my previous comment, you won't be understanding the concept so I do not bother commenting on it again.
* As for the UN, read the procedure, I do not want to cite all of it here, membership is based on majority not veto power.
* and finally, as for the Kosovo vs. Kurdistan Issue, note that Kosovo has earlier been a state even if this does not stand for you let me interpret it in terms of International Law, principles of being a state compose of three: Population, Territory and Sovereignty. Which of two last, Kurds do not possess. They neither have a certain territory nor sovereignty. So that is the difference. Kosovo on the other hand fulfills all of the three criteria.

Congratulations Ahtisari,
you deserve it,
but Kosovo paid you more, you win only 1.4m, Kosovo paid you 20m
anyqay, at least you see the difference,

one more thing
don't think that you're jobless
there is still Preshevo Valley and Vojvodina that needs seperations from Serbia
you will be in charge

LOL ur hilarious... u fail to steal Kosovo away and now u claim otherwise. U r happy with 50 countries recognizing kosovo? Well are the remaining 142 countries happy with the blatent disrespect for UN and int laws. We will see when Russia reclaims Finland based on ur plans for Kosovo. In any case u already opened the door for them for ossetia and abkazia (amongst other little frozen conflicts) and they walked right through it. U know what is the only thing that is truly irreversible. Chinese imports rise in Finland. Ur becoming more and more dependent by the day. LOL! As for Kosovo ur not the only one to try and steal it from us. Not now and ever. Borders change every single day. Think about it bud!

Kosovo's independence may be irreverse for now, but maybe some time in the future,even if many years later, Kosovo may come back to Serbia.

Ron, its not a perfect world, you might even be right however its better than being under serbian domination and all its nationalistic baggage. albanians are finaly free and soon all those of kosovo ancestry will return and there will be reconsiliation fortunately the serb are no longer a feature of every day life for us. goodbye

If Kosovo wanted to become independent why they agreed with 1244?

Don't break a deal you made! If you wanted independence had said so in 1999.

We, the West saved you back in 1999. But not to create a second Albanian state!

Stop the nonsense!

the independence of Kosovo is irreversible ... I wonder how anyone can still doubt this.

Mr. Ahtisari,

You are completely right. However, this is pretty obvious...all Serbian aparatus/nation know this.

Yet still, Presevo valley is now the focus and you,Mr.Ahtisari, will be soon called to solve this one of the last hurdles of the Balkans, as this region enters the final stages of peace and stability.

The good news for th Balkans is that Serbian propaganda/lies is/are finally buried, except when used on ad-hoc basis for domestic consupmtion, most recently, for EULEX deployment.

"Ahtisaari arrived to his own conclusion on Kosovo, which was not generally accepted[...]"

The conclusions are accepted by 95 out of 100 of the people affected by those conclusions.

If you can find a more widely accepted solution please enlighten me.

Once and for all people need to accept the reality that solution of Kosova’s issue is Kosovar matter and respect that.

Where is the point in ‘relativizing’ things??? Just to create confusion, ambiguities??

Give me another solution that was acceptable to 95 out of 100 affected by the solution- it is democracy at his best light. Period, enough pleasing Putin and the fascists in Belgrade.

(ZK, 10 December 2008 10:54)

Enlighten me please ZK,

How has his plan failed?
Kosovo declared independence based on the agreement.
EULEX is in Kosovo based on the same plan.
Which part of his plan you deem not implemented?
ZK in your opinion what is more realistic:
Your theory of Kosovo as a “province” (as you put it in your comment) or Kosovo as a state!
I am afraid you are up for a rude awakening.

Oh dear, someone needs to tell this person to move along and that his plan has failed since it was never adopted by the UN. Not even the EU follow it anymore. It is only those stuck in the past that ever refer to it so please accept your Nobel Peace Prize with dignity and as a consolation for your failure in Kosovo. It was never meant to be I'm afraid.

The important thing to notice about this former UN envoy and former Finnish president is the word "former" and they are probably on the payroll of some lobby groups now. Fortunately, the world has moved on and Kosovo independence is irreversibly blocked at the UN. Now that's an undeniable fact!

It is time to repair the province and not to cause further instability.

Congratulations Ahtisari,
you deserve it,
but Kosovo paid you more, you win only 1.4m, Kosovo paid you 20m
anyqay, at least you see the difference,

one more thing
don't think that you're jobless
there is still Preshevo Valley and Vojvodina that needs seperations from Serbia
you will be in charge

The most important thing is that Kosovo is independent from serbia.
The flag and anthem will come later. The people of Kosovo has waited a long time for this, they can wait a little more.

UN is not gone. UN is still in charge, as EU only works within framework of 1244.

Ron, if you want a real discussion, then stop fooling around. UN is gone, over, forgotten from Kosova, so since UN is gone, than the Resolution 1244 is gone too. Don’t you think? I know you wont agree with me, but that’s not my problem, cz within myself I have cleared things out!

Democracy: well, if you like democracy let's have a referendum in the whole of Serbia. If majority wants to alllow Kosovo independence: great.
By the way: why not let Serbian areas split from Kosovo? Democracy you said I believe...

BTW, I never mentioned democracy, but I regret I didn’t and thanks for reminding me. Just go back 10 years ago, not more than 10, and see for yourself what democracy meant in Serbia. And then ask yourself, “Why not allow Kosova split from Serbia”? By the way, since when some other country shall hold referendums to decide about some other country’s fate? Forget that Ron, referendums in Serbia about Kosova are a done deal. You had your chance, and you choose war rather than a referendum!

National Anthem: Indeed, Spanish one does not have words either. But hey, most have... as most countries are NATIONS. Kosovo is not a nation. It is a province of a country where different peoples live. Like we have Germans in Belgium. But still Belgium is their country. Why different rules for Kosovo?

So now, since I found one anthem that does not have words, your justification is ‘most have’, right? It’s true most of the people do not like the new Kosova anthem, but time will heal it. And your capitalization of words just gives me the expression that you’re getting wasted. Kosova is a nation, deal with it. You mentioned Germans in Belgium and you asked why different rules for Kosova. Well, I’ll tell you why! Because Belgians are not threatening Germans living in Belgium with war and the human rights are well respected there. You see now the difference between Kosova and Belgium?

UN reconition: you know China and Russia will block this, so stop fooling yourselves!

They will for now, but you cannot predict the future, just like I can’t either! Reading that Russia might as well send some troops to EULEX in Kosova, I think its position is getting softened.

Overall, thanks for answers. But no one has ever really explained to me why Albanians in Kosovo are allowed to split why Kurds in Iraq and Turkey have not....

Because it’s called politics. The Albanians in Kosova, long before 1999, have pursued their own politics of self-determination and operated with peaceful means, just until 1999 when the whole wide world saw what was happening here. And that’s why we were allowed to get independent, and Kurds not. I don’t need to mention that they are at war with Turkey since…forever???

Lots of love from Holland. And if you want Kosovo independence, please work on it by peaceful means. That means: respect Serbian law and try to convince the majority of your country Serbia!

I respect Serbian, Japanese, Sudanese, Bangladeshi laws… but most of all I respect Kosova laws, because it’s my own country and I have to obey them the best way I can.

With more than 100 countries not recognizing, international organizations providing administration, security, and financial stability, and parts of the territory still firmly under the control of Belgrade, Kosovo's "independence" is more of a relative interpretation.

I find it funny how everyone thinks that Kosovo's independence is an American project. It's not, it is a European project, and Ahtisaari proves that. Not to mention that back in early 2007, it was Tony Blair who asked Bush to recognise Kosovo when the time comes.

Long live the irreversible independence of the Republic of Kosovo.

Its amazing the level of hate this Atishaari has for the Serbs. I know that most men have a price but he really is giving his employers overtime for free.

Hi again RON,

Not sure whether you were having a debate with me or AO KS. However, let me point out somethings for you. I won't stop at all points you mentioned since some do not stand and I am pretty sure you know it.
* As for UN, it is not in charge in Kosovo, however 1244 is. BUT, FYI 1244 read carefully provides the basis for Independence.
* As for the democracy, first thing: obviously you haven't seen the Serbian Democracy since 1912 (you were in Holland most probably), second: no need for a referendum in Serbia, cuz Serbia had its chance of providing Autonomy to Kosovo, and failed on that; thus Kosovo has the right to its self-determination (mark my words, you will hear this on ICJ's declaration), on the same lines Serb community in Kosovo has its autonomy (decentralization, remember) and is overwhelmingly positively discriminated, so no right for secession.
* As for the anthem, I noted on my previous comment, you won't be understanding the concept so I do not bother commenting on it again.
* As for the UN, read the procedure, I do not want to cite all of it here, membership is based on majority not veto power.
* and finally, as for the Kosovo vs. Kurdistan Issue, note that Kosovo has earlier been a state even if this does not stand for you let me interpret it in terms of International Law, principles of being a state compose of three: Population, Territory and Sovereignty. Which of two last, Kurds do not possess. They neither have a certain territory nor sovereignty. So that is the difference. Kosovo on the other hand fulfills all of the three criteria.

Mr.Ahtisari hopes Kosovo's status is irreversible solely because he hopes he doesn't have to give back all the 'brown envelopes' he received from the 'scum' who masterminded the tragedy in Kosovo i Metohija.
I regard Ahtisaari's conduct in the province as an internatinal disgrace.
It's good for us to live an honest life as when we grow old, we can look back and enjoy it again and again.

Micheal Breathnach
Ireland

I almost feel sorry for the guy. Its obvious that he feels defensive on account of the fact that he will receive this prize, even though his plan failed. So naturally his reply is to say that the 'project' succeeded.

This isn't news really, just an introduction to the fact that we will be getting another bit of news when he receives the award.

Kissinger, Le Duc Tho and Artishari rather than Gandhi?

Its a pity that selection is politicised like this.

To: With more than 100 countries not recognizing...
(Mike, 10 December 2008 12:25)

Mike, you and many others are being seriously misslead when you talk about numbers. These 100 countries have not declared themselves yet. Only 6 countries (approx.) have so far publicly said they're against K-Independence. So when we talk numbers, it's more like 53 Pros vs 6 Against. See if you can figure it out who'se on the losing side now.

blero, the EU mission is not in Kosovo based on the A-plan but rather the UN Secretary-General's 6 point plan - which has the A-plan dead and buried!

As for the status of Kosovo, Serbians will forever treat it as their province but its true status is still unresolved and will remain so for some time to come. No matter how you look at it, the final solution will fall somewhere inbetween more than autonomy, less than independence.

You can argue for the next 100 years about this issue but you will never come to an agreement because Kosovo is neither independent nor it is completely sovereign to Serbia.

Like I said, it's time to put that aside and to start repairing the province. Stop teaching hate but rather look to reconciliation. It's going to take time but it needs to start somewhere - and that somewhere is here and now.

So lets wait and see whether the EU mission lives up to its expectation as it was allowed to enter based on a compromise!

Ron, its not a perfect world, you might even be right however its better than being under serbian domination and all its nationalistic baggage. albanians are finaly free and soon all those of kosovo ancestry will return and there will be reconsiliation fortunately the serb are no longer a feature of every day life for us. goodbye

If its irreversible why is he bragging about it every 5 minutes.Maybe because3/4 of the Worlds community dont think so?
Like the old Serbian saying says:"You don`t need to ask the fool,he will tell it you by bragging it out.
He is frustrated because hios project has failed.

Yeah Mr Ahtisaari that is so right. He was asked to keep his job as peacemaker even though he wants to retire.

He said on BBC Hard Talk that only Serbs have problem with Kosova in the region. That's a really high flying comment for those who understand it!. Can you imagine Kosova becoming member of the EU before Serbia?.

After the succesfull deployment of EULEX now we expect fast economic development in Kosova. Too many billionaires are standing by to invest in Kosova. Once this happens serbs in the north will not have any choice but to integrate in Kosova's institutions because there will be much better income than in Serbia(that's a fact).
We all look forward to have a better income so we can have enough money to create/raise our families.


@ Ian comment number 18:

I'm glad that you know about Bush-Blair talks that were held in Bush's Ranch(Texas) spring 2007. It's true that it was Blair who asked Bush to do so.

To RON:

"Questions for all pro-independence:

If Kosovo is an independent country why...

* your flag was choosen by an international contest?
* your national hymn has no words?
* your head of state is someone from Holland?
* you are not a member of UN?
* you cannot enter EU as not all EU members recognize Kosovo?
* the UN can undo every decision made by you?
* UN/EU troops are in your country?
* you are waving with Albanians flags instead of your own flags?
* ... "

----

Well, Ron this is the so called democracy my friend.
*Having an international contest, is recognizing your people living abroad, no matter which ethnicity.
*Having no words on the anthem is the bi-lingual environment promoted in Kosovo, since we have Serbs, Turkish, RAE and other non-Albanians.
*The head of state is a Kosovar national to my knowledge, I doubt Fatmir Sejdiu is a Dutch.
*As per UN, just some 49 more to go my friend, talk to you in 2 years time.
*EU's feasibility study has just been presented in the Progress Report, to be conducted by the September 2009. A clear indicator of SAP...
*The UN has no power anymore, I suggest you quit being brainwashed by Serbian Media, UN is nearly gone from Kosovo. On the other hand, better be in such position than have the "Mother Russia" instead.
*UN/EU troops are temporarily here, until the Kosovo Security Forces is established (in your terms the Army).
*And yet another concept you may not understand is having the right of using national symbols of each ethnicity in Kosovo (which again falls into Democracy, remember the thing you are not good at), be it an Albanian Flag, Serbian, Turkish or any other.

...So Ron, Kosovo is more than a state, but again I do not expect you to understand that...and YES this is WHAT WE(KOSOVARS) WANT!

Its called the Peace Prize, and thanks to Ahtisari's plan there is finally peace in Kosova.

So, does he deserve the Prize?

Absolutely yes.

Ron, I'll give you some answers to your questions.

* your flag was choosen by an international contest?

Who told you so? Muhamer Ibrahimi is the name of the guy who designed it, and is a friend of mine (he received 10,000 Euros for it)

* your national hymn has no words?

See Spain's National Anthem!

* your head of state is someone from Holland?

Fatmir Sejdiu is from Holland? He is from Podujeva, Pakashtica village, in Kosova!

* you are not a member of UN?

That's why we became independent, to become UN and EU members, so I suggest you to wait and see!

* you cannot enter EU as not all EU members recognize Kosovo?

Who says so? Most of the EU countries have recognized Kosova and/or its passport. Does that ring a bell for you?

* the UN can undo every decision made by you?

It could, but it cannot anymore, since the UN mission in Kosova is over, now we have some 2,000 EU staff that will obey Kosova laws (reference: read Kouchner's comment in B92)

* UN/EU troops are in your country?

And NATO troops as well! So what? Aren't there in Serbia any UN/EU troops?

* you are waving with Albanians flags instead of your own flags?

FYI, it's our National Flag, we’re both Albanians! Before the 17th of February, 2008, we, the Albanians from Kosova and Albania, had the same flag, and it takes time to get familiarized with the new one! But remember, Red and Black flag will always be Albanian’s flag. It’s in our hearts!

BTW, congrats Ahtisaari, you're the most honorable person in our, Kosova's, latest history! Your name will never be forgotten. Well done!

Greets from Prishtina!

Mr Ahtisaari has made a right plan. For Kosovar albanians too some of points in this plan were difficult to accept but they decided to overcome themselves and to go forward.
For Serbia too is a god think. First of all, the serbian minority in Kosova is overprotected and overrepresented in the institutions of Rep. of Kosova. The Rep. of Serbia has the chance to forget that dream called Kosova. They have the chance to see forward.

Nobel price (sponsored by nuclear bomb manufacturer Honeywell) winner Ahtisaari never misses a chance to give a racist antiserbian comment. The same Ahtisaari who threatened Milosevic to kill 2 million civilian Serbs with NATO bomb carpets. Not since Kissinger got the prize has it been given to such an unworthy person.

Congratulation, Mr Ahtisaari for your work in Namibia, Indonesia and Kosovo. His work on the diplomatic scene was well overdue to be honored. People all around the world have already send their congratulations. Of course, not all people are happy about this decision, but not everybody is happy with compromises in general.

Kosovo's independence is not only irreversible, it is fact.

Ahtisaari was not mentioned even once in Eulex's website as far as I know.

And his proposals were earlier rejected at the UNSC.

Also he antagonized enough veto wielding countries in the UNSC to ensure that Kosovo will expect to remain outside the UN family of nations permanently.

Mr. Ahtisaari,

Then please show me the UNSC resolution that tells me that Kosovo may declare itself independent.

Thanks in advance!

Has anyone actually read Ahtisaari Nobel acceptance speech with its contradictory message (in relation to Serbia's province of Kosovo & Metohija) ?

http://nobelpeaceprize.org/en_GB/laureates/laureates-2008/ahtisaari-lecture/

Its almost bi-polar because its clear that he has a contradictory view on conflict resolution theory and what he suggest it means vs how he actually carries it out in practice. For instance he states in the speech;

"Mediators do not choose the conflicts they became involved in but the parties to the conflict choose the mediator."

- yet I can't recall Serbia wanting his contribution - in many quaters wanting him sacked!

The next line is a cracker and highlights bi-polar fantasy land he must be suffering with;

"Their participation as intermediaries is based on the trust of all the conflicting parties. The task of the mediator is to help the parties to open difficult issues and nudge them forward in the peace process. "

- Serbia had no trust in Athisaari's dealings in its soverign province. Ironically
Ahtisaari supposedly now suggests;

"All conflicts can be resolved....In a conflict, one party can always claim victory, but building peace must involve everybody "

and rounds of with;

"If we work together, we can find solutions. We should not accept any excuses from those in power. Peace is a question of will. "

- so why did Ahtisaari not do this in Serbia's case ??? In practice Serbia was and still continues to be told "There is no solution but the one I come up with" - this is what Ahtisaari and his "international community" supporters insist against Serbia when they pushed the ethnic-Albanians to carry out the illegal unilateral declaration.

The fact that Ahtisaari never once mentions Serbia's soverign province of Kosovo & Metohija in his acceptance speech yet mentioning all others highlights that it is clearly an example of how not to resolve conflicts and something he would rather not bring attention to!!!
I wonder why???

Oh what a tangled web we weave...

BH-NYC,

Over 100 countries have not recognized, and while there very well may be a few more fence sitters who haven't "yet" recognized, as you correctly say, there's a good amount of countries out there that have officially stated they will not recognize:

Slovakia, Spain, Cyprus, Romania, Greece, Russia, China, India, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, South Africa, Egypt, Indonesia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, etc. I don't have the entire number, but these are the ones I know, and they're more than 6.

Kosovo's independence would be nowhere without the United States, and with Washington putting Kosovo's fate in the hands of the EU, the EUrocrats in Brussels are going to compromise their way to a definitive stalemate in which independence (or part of Serbia) really is a relative interpretation.

I'm just telling it like it is, do not shoot the messenger.

Questions for all pro-independence:

If Kosovo is an independent country why...

* your flag was choosen by an international contest?
* your national hymn has no words?
* your head of state is someone from Holland?
* you are not a member of UN?
* you cannot enter EU as not all EU members recognize Kosovo?
* the UN can undo every decision made by you?
* UN/EU troops are in your country?
* you are waving with Albanians flags instead of your own flags?
* ...

In my opinion Kosovo is nothing more then a EU colony? Is that really what you want?

Serieus answers please!

bganon, I agree with you.
I live in Norway, and like so many here, we no longer respect the self-celebration of the establishment that the Nobel prize has been perverted into.

The prominent people who work with actual peace building have criticized the understanding of the award altogether. There are debates about it in the media daily, critical books have been written on the subject, and letters of complaints have been directed at the people in charge. The Swedish government too have decided to investigate if the award acts in accordance with the testament of the Nobel awards.

http://www.reuters.com/article/lifestyleMolt/idUSTRE4978BB20081008

http://www.manifesto2009.pes.org/en/debate/post/694

For those of you who don't speak Norwegian, you can still interpret the sentences: "Man of the elite", "Fiasco in Kosovo", "Not competent", and "Assistant to Pentagon", from the following article in one of the leftist papers here. http://www.klassekampen.no/55121/article/item/null

Even though there are articles from Serbia and Kosovo in the papers now and then, I'd like to see some in-depth report, or some columns written by Kosovo-Serbs, so that people could gain more understanding of the complexity of the situation in Kosovo. Perhaps B92 could arrange for a project like that with some Scandinavian papers, or maybe you could write one yourself ;)

I find it funny how everyone thinks that Kosovo's independence is an American project. It's not, it is a European project, and Ahtisaari proves that. Not to mention that back in early 2007, it was Tony Blair who asked Bush to recognise Kosovo when the time comes.

Long live the irreversible independence of the Republic of Kosovo.
(Ian, UK, 10 December 2008 15:58)

Then keep laughing Ian....but it will be on the other side of your face when the ICJ rules the illegality of Kosovo UDI. It will then be back to the negotiation table with alot of red faced people...Especially Middle East Envoy Mr Blair.

I like the European Project bit though, that's funny. The only time the UK becomes an integral part of the Union is when it gets something in return. Enjoy the EURO when Broon brings it in, I left that thought long behind when I left the UK. Incidentally Ian, have you ever been to the southern province or just seen it on the BBC propoganda channel.

Ian, UK - you are partially right. The Kosovo independence thing was a European thing. However, it was Fascist Italy and Nazi Germany in WW2 with Albania that began things. I guess it was Blair and the others who have celebrated in their short-sighted victory, where the above mentioned failed in WW2.

Mr Ahtisari, you no longer being a mediator for this situation is irreversible, please accept that.

I find it funny how everyone thinks that Kosovo's independence is an American project. It's not, it is a European project, and Ahtisaari proves that. Not to mention that back in early 2007, it was Tony Blair who asked Bush to recognise Kosovo when the time comes.

Long live the irreversible independence of the Republic of Kosovo.
(Ian, UK, 10 December 2008 15:58)


Ian, its an Anglo-American imperialist project. You Brits should have learned by now what happens when things blow up in your faces.

Still there is ample time for Lord Blair to jaunt around pontificating on 'peace' and 'democracy'.

"Ahtisaari arrived to his own conclusion on Kosovo,..."

He arrived to the negotiations with this same conclusions, and it wasn't his at all.
He was an erand boy sent in by grocery clerks to collect the bill.

Kosovo is not independent. It will not be independent.
And the fact is, it is a part of serbia.

The only thing lost in this area happens to be your sense of rational and sensible thought... or more the lack of it there-on.

KOSOVO IS SERBIA,
ATISHARI IS WITHOUT A JOB.

«Nobel price (sponsored by nuclear bomb manufacturer Honeywell) winner Ahtisaari» ,yes Kufr you're right and even more i can :Advocate of War or Promoter of Peace?(HIS name is associated with the betterment of mankind, yet he amassed great wealth selling weapons of war. Who was he? Alfred Bernhard Nobel, a Swedish industrialist and chemist. Nobel has been lauded for his humanitarian efforts, but he has also been called “a merchant of death.” Why? Because Nobel invented dynamite, and during his life he made a fortune manufacturing and selling lethal explosives.«Nobelstiftelsen») Prize for peace? You decide,but ahtisaari brought the hate,war and devided one of the oldest country...Shame on him!

ChaCha,

Then why Aceh must stay in Indonesia? While Kosovo may leave Serbia from our Finnish friend?

Why these double standards?

And you are fooling yourself big time if you call Kosovo independence a fact. I feel pity for you.

And please answer my questions above. Thanks in advance!

In my opinion Kosovo is nothing more then a EU colony? Is that really what you want?

Serieus answers please!
(Ron, 10 December 2008 19:20)

Ron seriously let me say that as an albanian living in the Republic of Kosova, I would milions times accept to be a EU colony than having any kind of connection to Serbia.

Thanks for the answers! Good to see real discussion here.

My try...

UN is not gone. UN is still in charge, as EU only works within framework of 1244.

Democracy: well, if you like democracy let's have a referendum in the whole of Serbia. If majority wants to alllow Kosovo independence: great.
By the way: why not let Serbian areas split from Kosovo? Democracy you said I believe...

National Anthem: Indeed, Spanish one does not have words either. But hey, most have... as most countries are NATIONS. Kosovo is not a nation. It is a province of a country where different peoples live. Like we have Germans in Belgium. But still Belgium is their country. Why different rules for Kosovo?

UN reconition: you know China and Russia will block this, so stop fooling yourselves!

Overall, thanks for answers. But no one has ever really explained to me why Albanians in Kosovo are allowed to split why Kurds in Iraq and Turkey have not....

So please explain (serious answers please).

Lots of love from Holland. And if you want Kosovo independence, please work on it by peaceful means. That means: respect Serbian law and try to convince the majority of your country Serbia!

And if you don't that is the way to go let's have a referendum in Tibet now!!!

KLA killed a lot of Serbs in 1999 and 2000. So does that give the Serbian population of Kosovo the right to split?

What I really don't get after all those years: Albanians in Kosovo want to split from Serbia. But then the want Serbian areas to say in Kosovo. First: that's not fair. Second: you don't want to live with Serbs, why keep them in your country.

In Belgium even people in favour of Flemish (or Flamish) independence say that some areas that are mostly populated by Wallones can stay in Belgium (meaning: joining Wallonia).

If you don;t want to live together (Serbs and Albanians, I 'blame' both) why not seperate completely?

I think Kosovo will be a lot easier to govern with Northern Kosovo. Really!

Kosovo - is NOT independent now and SHALL NOT be independent in the future.

KEEP IT REAL.
STOP PRETENDING.
IT'S BECOMING A JOKE.

let me see, lets start with Ben's comment.
Your statistic of 95% of people affected support A-Plan is somewhat misguiding. The actual number should sit somewhere in the 25%-35%. Remember that it is not only the peoples of Kosovo that this affects, but the remaining peoples of Serbia. So that being said, only a minority of Serbian residents beleive that the A-Plan is a good idea. You must remember to include all peoples when counting, not just the ones that have raised their arms in favour of a vote.
Next, BH_NYC: you seem to have misunderstood the nature of the question that Kosovo's request for Independence to the body of the UN is. The question is a basically a Yes/No question, "Do you support our independence"? So by virtue of the nature of the question, a lack of a positive is a negative. So infact it is not 6 that are against independence, but rather (All-53) are against independence.
I understand that this is a very emotional issue, but please, if you're going to try and agrue from a point of logic, then utilize it and not your own internal biases and attempted spins.
And lastley PRN: Why oh why do I continually hear about Presevo Valley as being something additional that the world needs to gift to Kosovars? Why do I sporadically read about the idea of annexing parts of Macedonia, Montenegro and Greece?
As a Canadian who lives in the US I do not try to wrangle parts of America to become a greater Canada. I chose to move to the US on my own, I can move back to Canada any time I choose. If I find my host country not to my liking that I will leave. If however I find that my Native country is not to my liking that I have political options to take, and I can always relocate elsewhere. So that being said, if the Albanian decendants that currently live in Serbia Proper, not Kosovo, have issues with where they're living they can choose alternatives that don't involve greed. As far as I've been made aware, through various news resources, the remaining Albanian decendents in Serbia are not experiencing the level of hardships that the Serbians living in Kosovo are. If the intentions are what the very much seem to be, and that is a purely ethnically clean Albanian greater state consisting of stolen, borrowed, whined-for former lands of other nations then these ideals are truely as dispicable as the Milosevic docterine.
Oh, for pure comic relief, Slobodan Milosevic was on the short list for the Nobel Peace Prize shortly after the Dayton accords. So if we wish to follow a few steps we can see that if we all feel Slobo was a terrible person and he almost was awared this prize, what does that actually say about the value of the prize with respect to peace? And what does that say about Ahtisari, if anything? I think it says a lot more that it looks like on the surface.

well, is it necessary to say that if the old man from Finland says that, it´s rather obvious that he himself doesn´t believe it anymore?

fact is: the socalled Ahtisari -plan is dead, definitely.

so, what else should this poor guy say?

as for all those friends here, who are yearning for statements like that: don´t let him fool you, my dear albanian friends.

it´s only temporary. and YOU know it.

sooner or later, you will learn what the real meaning of international law is.

until that time, Kosovo will stay what it already is - a serbian province under international control.

LOL ur hilarious... u fail to steal Kosovo away and now u claim otherwise. U r happy with 50 countries recognizing kosovo? Well are the remaining 142 countries happy with the blatent disrespect for UN and int laws. We will see when Russia reclaims Finland based on ur plans for Kosovo. In any case u already opened the door for them for ossetia and abkazia (amongst other little frozen conflicts) and they walked right through it. U know what is the only thing that is truly irreversible. Chinese imports rise in Finland. Ur becoming more and more dependent by the day. LOL! As for Kosovo ur not the only one to try and steal it from us. Not now and ever. Borders change every single day. Think about it bud!

the independence of Kosovo is irreversible ... I wonder how anyone can still doubt this.

If Kosovo wanted to become independent why they agreed with 1244?

Don't break a deal you made! If you wanted independence had said so in 1999.

We, the West saved you back in 1999. But not to create a second Albanian state!

Stop the nonsense!

Kosovo's independence may be irreverse for now, but maybe some time in the future,even if many years later, Kosovo may come back to Serbia.