U.S. in trade benefits for Kosovo

It does not mather if Kosova does not have a lot of products to export to US!
The importance is this status!
To some of you who do not know almost anything about Kosova: Kosova produces wine, Nicel, Bly, silver, gold, wegjatables (paprika, tomatoes, grapes(special sort)and so on!
US has almost all sorts of products and can import from any country they will but choosing to give this chance to Kosova is noble and generous and friendly!
Thank you USA, Thank YOU president Bush! God bless USA!

Rote,
IIRC you are Russian, home of the biggest mafia /KGB state in the world.

>>> "They can get benefits as much as they want,the Albanians got billions of US dollars after 1999 and still they "enjoy" living standards as Afghanistan,Bangladesh... anyway culturally they are much more similar to them then to ordinary Europeans.."

CG, look at Serbia. Croatia and Slovenia are much better than you $$ wise. Albania just this month got 3.4 billion euros in investments. How is Serbia doing? Not good as anyone reading B92 will tell you. You have had a state or autonomy for close to 200 years and are still broke.

As for culture, look around and see Serbia mentioned with Somalia, Congo when it comes to war crimes and massacres of women and children. Now that's 'culture.' Kosova is poor because it was attacked to you for 100 years and in 1999 you destroyed everything

Why mr Cg don't you go to Kosovo and see for yourself how albanians lead their lifes and find out the true european values, then you'll find out what european culture is all about.

TO ALBANIANS :

I have got so many "poor comments" from you that I have to ask you what other "goods" ( besides the traffic ) could you offer to the American market ? As I know they don't need any agricultural goods or racket. So what else could you offer for them ?

Thank you !

When such a simple little benefit is given to Kosovo, it elicits so many hate responses, is there any wonder why the civilized world realizes that Kosovo could never be Serbia again.

I wonder what are those "goods" that the US are going to import from Kosovo ? Will they be allowed to deliver to the US soil their main items of export and if so how far are the US ready to go to support the Snakes ?

Are they ready to improve the logistics and allow Haradinai kinda men to deliver their main exporting "goods" directly from Central Asia ? If so why not to use the US Air Forces deployed in Agfhanistan ? I believe that pushers inside the US will greet such developments cause it will lower the current prices on the local market to help them withstand the World Crisis.

They can get benefits as much as they want,the Albanians got billions of US dollars after 1999 and still they "enjoy" living standards as Afghanistan,Bangladesh... anyway culturally they are much more similar to them then to ordinary Europeans...

"The only legitimate business Kosovo has is scrap metal and I don't think that US needs any more junk. On the other hand, they may need some human organs. Human trade is not needed in the US as they already have plenty of illegal immigrants. What could Kosovo trade? What could it be? We'll just have to wait and see."
(Peggy, 20 December 2008 13:25)

ok, here's my question: why are cheap, ugly hate slurs (against ethnic albanians) allowed and in fact flourish on an "award-winning" site? i think, beyond all the usual bologna and cheese, THAT is the real question.

in other words, it has nothing to do with civilized dialogue, and everything to do with encouraging an atmosphere of hate not to mention distrust. can anyone (sane) claim this to be otherwise?

and let me tell you, peggy, one import that we in the US definitely do NOT need -- more of your nationalist, ethnic hate. of all the many other reasons, that was the main basis for electing obama. maybe some others around the world should take our lead...

roberto
frisco

The only legitimate business Kosovo has is scrap metal and I don't think that US needs any more junk.

On the other hand, they may need some human organs. Human trade is not needed in the US as they already have plenty of illegal immigrants.

What could Kosovo trade? What could it be? We'll just have to wait and see.

Man made the booze, God made the weed. Good decision, dubya: you are so far the only us president + us VP duo with dick cheney where both are legally convicted criminals (for drinking and driving). Now you made it better: we should not just merely drink and drive, but instead DRINK and FLY - all duty-free.

Dear Russian supporters,
I believe most of you know the benefits of trade preferential treatment for Republic of Kosovo, but you are ignoring intentionally and trying to minimize the importance of the decision with non sense arguments such as what goods Kosovo could export to US. To remind you, there many reasons behind the decision that are equally important from political and economical aspects but FYI I will mention one in order to address your “concern”. This decision will encourage foreign direct investment in Kosovo, companies that are targeting US market now will invest in Kosovo helping our economy and I believe this is sufficient not mentioning other political benefits.
Besnik

Serbias GDP per capita is 10500 $ with a growth rate of 7,5 % in 08.
That is about 33% lower than Croatias but we are not indebted like them 30 % compared to 10 % of GDP and have higher growth rates.
Second of all,with FIAT coming and VW also considering to build a plant in Kragujevac the whole Serbian automotive and parts industry will rise like Phoenix from the ashes which will lead to closing the current negative trade balance.This will only speed up Serbian economic growth,a growth that will be healthy and sustainable and not based on debtmaking and remittances from abroad like in Croatias and Albanias case.
Serbia will become the industrial powerhouse of the Balkans,reasons:
1)a complete domestic car part manufacturers cluster
2)free trade agreements with the EU,Russia and CEFTA.
3)skilled labor force
4)central position at the croosroads of Europe,Asia and the East.

Looking for electro cars?Yep,they are alredy build in Serbia by Globus Auto Pancevo.

http://www.globusauto.co.yu/

If any investor is looking for brains and innovation Serbia is the place to be.

The U.S. does not import Radio active products. Who wants to eat cheese from a two headed cow or a three eyed sheep. The U.S. knows exactly how many tons of depleted uranium they dumped in that area. The FDA and others, will most likely test for radio activity on everything that comes from that Serbian province, including the scrap metal.

Aside from the snide comments, now any company that invests and produces in Kosova will enjoy such benefits. It's one more thing that may cause a western company to open a branch in Kosova.

MikeC, Serbai was spared 50 years of Stalinism, unlike Albania. Thanks that Croat named Tito that modernized Yugoslavia. Serbia and Albania have the same rank on corruption, Albania improved, Serbia went back. They are over 1 million tourists a year in Albania, not counting the diaspora. Thanks god no one touched the coast yet, otherwise it would be all concrete like in Montenegro or Spain. Now we can build small high end tourist villages that barely touch the enviroment

For the last couple of years 95% of kosovo albanians comming to Sweden on a tourist visa have stayed behind and applied for citizenship, claiming to be running from oppression! Why? Who are the oppressors now? If Kosovo is so prospurous and developed why come here? No, Kosovo is as poor as always and it will continue to be for a long time. Not even Europe or America can change that. Albania is proof of failed nationbuilding. No wars, beutiful costline yet it is not even close to joining the EU, hardly andy tourist go to Albania, human rights in Albanian are non existent, curruption is one of the highest in the world and bloody familly feuds is still dominating everyday life. You are so proud to be albanian but sometimes I wonder what there is to be so proud about.

I wonder what are those "goods" that the US are going to import from Kosovo ? Will they be allowed to deliver to the US soil their main items of export and if so how far are the US ready to go to support the Snakes ?
(Rote Kapelle, 20 December 2008 11:34)

Yep, R.K., bush maybe just secured a duty-free supply of stuff to fly. ;)

But seriously, I really have no idea what can it be. We are actually looking and under good circumstances this could be a great benefit and a good "back-door" for Serbia Proper as well as of course Kosovo.

Unfortunately, there is nothing. Albanians traditionally are very good with the service and taking care about customer's needs (restaurant, hotel business) and in the theory having, say, "Kosovo Railways" as a service provider over tracks owned by ZS is a good idea. But you cannot export business like that. Or you can - most motels in the US are owned by Indian families. But it's not what the US administration was thinking about.

You can of course import agricultural products. Here the market would be rather small. I just cannot imagine average Albanian (or Serbian or Croatian or Hungarian) food being prepared to American taste... it's like raping the food, unfortunately. Yikes. Over 15 years all I could get used to is the "Celestial Seasons" brand of different teas and the maple syrup. Everything else sold for American stomach was out of question. They buyers would be immigrants from Central/East Europe and the Middle East. I am thinking, Sadaf Foods, www.sadaf.com could look out, they are pretty big... in immigrant market segment.

But that's all I can see.

BTW: would be interesting to know, what is the going price for 0% or 0.5% milk/liter in supermarkets in PS area. Looking for 0.5 € or less.

@MikeC

You made my point.They are proud but they don`t know why they are proud.
With their ghasty 19 century style nationalism and problemcreating in Serbia,Macedonia,Montenegro and Greece they are holding the whole Balkans back on the roads towards prosperity.
Look at their"prime ministers" Thaci and Haradinaj...

@roberto

These are not hate slurs,this is the sad reality...
Kosovo parlament president Krasniqi threatened two weeks ago that "they would start a war to unite all Albanian territories".
In 2001 they started trouble in South Serbia,in 2003 they started trouble in Macedonia.
2004 they staged anti-Serb progroms in our province.
How can you have dialogue with these people?
Extremist Albanians pose a thraet to the whole Balkans,whether you with your pro-Albanian view like it or not.

U.S. in trade benefits for Kosovo

Great appreciate it.

Uptil now the two only traded lies, empty promises, and compliments with each other. In the near future it appears that they'll be trading in excuses, apologys, and maybe even ultimatums.

# 18

What we really need here in the US is an honest State Department and an honest press so they can fully inform us, the tax payers, of who these people really are, and what kind of activities they are involved in that can harm us and our children. Unlike with the Fort Dix six, in where the mainstream media delibertely hides the nationality of the Kosovo Albanians, so it won't look like That Clinton and Bush made a blunder with our tax money. Or giving us lame excuses on Bosnia, like Izetbegovich's book was not fully translated so we didn't know of his true intentions of a pure Islamic Bosnia. So do you think that Peggy is going to hold her breath while waiting for the west, which is hiding the information on organ trafficing, to keep the story alive???

As far as the scrap metal goes, for now, it is Kosovo's major export.

One of the reasons B92 is an award winning news site, is because they always have a perfect blend of highly safisticated comments and arguments, to the people that can hardly write and spell. There is also a perfect balance of taunts, sarcasm, and humor. This way, the reader can get an accurate sense and feel for the subject and the sides involved. Everybody gets a fair chance to be heard, as long as they don't go overboard with their comments. If B92 did it any other way, they would not have the traffic, popularity, or succes that they are enjoying now. Also it's a great site for graduate students seeking accurate historical facts on Albania and Dardania. NOT!

Scotty

Santa Rosa, near San Francisco

“ok, here's my question: why are cheap, ugly hate slurs (against ethnic albanians) allowed and in fact flourish on an "award-winning" site? roberto
frisco
(roberto, 20 December 2008 17:45)”

Maybe for the same reason they allow your derogatory stereotyping comments that all Serbs are nationalistic genocidal racists? Your comments are found offensive to a large portion of the Serbian readership here as well Roberto. Your tirade against the Polish people was way worse than what Peggy here just said.

Anyways, it’s obvious that the US is merely interested in taking over the Trepca mines and this is what the trade agreement is in regards too. Stealing the wealth of Kosovo and selling them cheap crappy goods in return.

As I know they don't need any agricultural goods or racket. So what else could you offer for them ?

Thank you !
(Rote Kapelle, 20 December 2008 13:22)

As said, Sadaf Foods, could offer Kosovo wine. Or "Trader's Joe" - one of our favorites.

Without "Sadaf" or "Trader's Joe" USA = suicide by food. Luckily they are around. "Trader's Joe" is owned by ALDI from Germany. They are extremely aggressive and bring often unusual "exotic" stuff for very reasonable prices.

Unlike in EU, USA is not bound for the word "Feta" being associated with Greece only. The Bulgarian or Serbian equivalent is being sold for less, than it's being sold in Hungary and it's called "Feta" in the States, not "Sir" or "Sirene" as it is obligated to be called in EU. With that in mind: the cheese from KosMet has ZERO chances in the EU, but can have it's niche in the States, competing with it's equivalent from Bulgaria, Serbia Proper or Greece. The impact is minimal of course and I am not sure, agriculture does fall in the "duty-free" category. Otherwise Albanian wool products look neat, just the problem is, who needs them (besides most of us here)? Americans not just eat trash, but they also wear trash.

It is so said to read all those comments and to find out that none of them got the real message.

For us in Kosova, It is not a real matter export/import but the recognisition as well as reconfirmation of a new state.

Regarding the mafia, we all know that it is everywhere, even in USA (your brother will soon get a prison for it's criminal activities).

This confirmation from great George Bush (I know for you great people are Sadam Husein and his friends) shows that very soon Kosova and Serbia will play fotball as two soverign states?

# Roberto, you still haven't answered the question.
Which products is Kosovo going to export?

What do they have besides scrap metal?
Why are you labeling me as racist when I put these question to you?
I believe they are legitimate questions and need answering.

If you don't have answers then kindly say so but don't lash out at the messenger.
(Peggy, 20 December 2008 23:13)

Umm agricultural products? I know that I can buy Prodravka (Croatian) products anywhere in America. Perhaps Birra Peja (Beer Peja)?

This decision might influence businessmen to consider American market a little bit closer and actually try to export goods. Don't be so concerned at what Kosovo will export.

What a cheap and insulting Christmas present to those that name their streets and children after you! What's there to export? You could have at least sent a low level diplamat to deliver in person some more carrots on a stick, as they are quickly running out. Or at least some wrist watches for the Albanian leaders, commemorating their full independence.

Kosovo has to offer a lot all the neighbors countries will work hard and please Kosovo's government to buy and re sell to US.

If any investor is looking for brains and innovation Serbia is the place to be.
(CG, 20 December 2008 14:34)

Yep, the IT industry is great there. You guys successfully put "CCCC" on some Albanian web sites and the Kosovo IT industry show serious grow because they put as many "UCK" signs on Serbian web sites as they want.

Now the time is to do some serious job. Unfortunately the entire Serbian IT industry was destroyed (and NOT by "humanitarian bombing", it was destroyed by dumbness of politics). It took of course Kosovo (as little as it had) with itself down. Now both are practicing their skills at youtube. That's a "serious" achievement, but being involved directly in some of IT projects, I would like to see more progress than exchange of words describing bedroom activities.

Have no idea, why, but once out of the country the crazy Yugo-(some-non)-slavs do a bit more impact. For instance, WDC drives have a strong Croatian influence and the cache management of Quantum drives (before Quantum got rid of HD business) was Ruassian and Romanian. But why, oh why it always happen in the States? Not a single government makes investment in R&D or just attracts R&D. As for Zastava in Kragujevac: I wish, it will get involved in R&D. Otherwise it does matter only little.

Roberto, you still haven't answered the question.
Which products is Kosovo going to export?

What do they have besides scrap metal?
Why are you labeling me as racist when I put these question to you?
I believe they are legitimate questions and need answering.

If you don't have answers then kindly say so but don't lash out at the messenger.

The BDI (Baltic Dry Index) has dropped 93% and most ships around major world ports have shut down. Goods are not being transported, the US and world economy is in a crunch. If these Albanians living in Serbia think that their economy will grow anytime soon from this move, they are dead wrong!

KOSOVO IS SERBIAN
MACEDONIA IS MACEDONIAN

Why too many people are after roberto. I just hope to see Kosova's government privatizing the mines of Trepca. There's few billionaires involved but government in Prishtina is taking it's time to find the best BET on this one. The clock is tickig.

The entire world is present in Kosovo and some people try to describe it as a place with "two-headed cows and three-eyes sheep." These lies were trusted in 19-th century, but not now.

The Hague acquited Haradinaj as not-guilty, Thaci has never been indicted. But half of the Serbia leadership are in The Hague, accused of war crimes and genocide conducted in Croatia, Bosnia, and Kosovo. Bear this in mind and never forget it!

It is understandable that Kosovo will not export groceries or other goods to the US as it is not profitable and the US has plenty of it. But this decision will make investors invest in Kosovo as the things they will produce in Kosovo will have the "Made in Kosova" sign and can be exported to the US. Businessmen are interested in money, not in nationalism and hatred, as some of the posters think here.

For some people who do not know what could be exported to the US. Here let me tell you, once factories open and since they are being privatized, there are many things to be exported...
You have Birra Peja which already is being sold in Germany and England. THis is a good beer made only in Peja.
You have textile factories, other drink factories, you have Wine, raki production, etc...

roberto

For the same reason they allow your bigotry towards Poles, Russians and Serbs. I believe that your "type" of ultra-liberal, multicultural and modern school of thought people, yet calls Poles Nazi collaborators and Serbs "evil" are usually the most full of hatred towards others.

Bush will "allow" some trade benefits & then Obama will renounce......

Stay tuned.

You people wonder so much. Big Bush' s decision is an incentive for euro-american investment in KOSOVA. Just wait and see or yu better look your own business.

They can get benefits as much as they want,the Albanians got billions of US dollars after 1999 and still they "enjoy" living standards as Afghanistan,Bangladesh... anyway culturally they are much more similar to them then to ordinary Europeans...

TO ALBANIANS :

I have got so many "poor comments" from you that I have to ask you what other "goods" ( besides the traffic ) could you offer to the American market ? As I know they don't need any agricultural goods or racket. So what else could you offer for them ?

Thank you !

The only legitimate business Kosovo has is scrap metal and I don't think that US needs any more junk.

On the other hand, they may need some human organs. Human trade is not needed in the US as they already have plenty of illegal immigrants.

What could Kosovo trade? What could it be? We'll just have to wait and see.

I wonder what are those "goods" that the US are going to import from Kosovo ? Will they be allowed to deliver to the US soil their main items of export and if so how far are the US ready to go to support the Snakes ?

Are they ready to improve the logistics and allow Haradinai kinda men to deliver their main exporting "goods" directly from Central Asia ? If so why not to use the US Air Forces deployed in Agfhanistan ? I believe that pushers inside the US will greet such developments cause it will lower the current prices on the local market to help them withstand the World Crisis.

Rote,
IIRC you are Russian, home of the biggest mafia /KGB state in the world.

>>> "They can get benefits as much as they want,the Albanians got billions of US dollars after 1999 and still they "enjoy" living standards as Afghanistan,Bangladesh... anyway culturally they are much more similar to them then to ordinary Europeans.."

CG, look at Serbia. Croatia and Slovenia are much better than you $$ wise. Albania just this month got 3.4 billion euros in investments. How is Serbia doing? Not good as anyone reading B92 will tell you. You have had a state or autonomy for close to 200 years and are still broke.

As for culture, look around and see Serbia mentioned with Somalia, Congo when it comes to war crimes and massacres of women and children. Now that's 'culture.' Kosova is poor because it was attacked to you for 100 years and in 1999 you destroyed everything

Man made the booze, God made the weed. Good decision, dubya: you are so far the only us president + us VP duo with dick cheney where both are legally convicted criminals (for drinking and driving). Now you made it better: we should not just merely drink and drive, but instead DRINK and FLY - all duty-free.

Why mr Cg don't you go to Kosovo and see for yourself how albanians lead their lifes and find out the true european values, then you'll find out what european culture is all about.

When such a simple little benefit is given to Kosovo, it elicits so many hate responses, is there any wonder why the civilized world realizes that Kosovo could never be Serbia again.

For the last couple of years 95% of kosovo albanians comming to Sweden on a tourist visa have stayed behind and applied for citizenship, claiming to be running from oppression! Why? Who are the oppressors now? If Kosovo is so prospurous and developed why come here? No, Kosovo is as poor as always and it will continue to be for a long time. Not even Europe or America can change that. Albania is proof of failed nationbuilding. No wars, beutiful costline yet it is not even close to joining the EU, hardly andy tourist go to Albania, human rights in Albanian are non existent, curruption is one of the highest in the world and bloody familly feuds is still dominating everyday life. You are so proud to be albanian but sometimes I wonder what there is to be so proud about.

The U.S. does not import Radio active products. Who wants to eat cheese from a two headed cow or a three eyed sheep. The U.S. knows exactly how many tons of depleted uranium they dumped in that area. The FDA and others, will most likely test for radio activity on everything that comes from that Serbian province, including the scrap metal.

Roberto, you still haven't answered the question.
Which products is Kosovo going to export?

What do they have besides scrap metal?
Why are you labeling me as racist when I put these question to you?
I believe they are legitimate questions and need answering.

If you don't have answers then kindly say so but don't lash out at the messenger.

The BDI (Baltic Dry Index) has dropped 93% and most ships around major world ports have shut down. Goods are not being transported, the US and world economy is in a crunch. If these Albanians living in Serbia think that their economy will grow anytime soon from this move, they are dead wrong!

KOSOVO IS SERBIAN
MACEDONIA IS MACEDONIAN

I wonder what are those "goods" that the US are going to import from Kosovo ? Will they be allowed to deliver to the US soil their main items of export and if so how far are the US ready to go to support the Snakes ?
(Rote Kapelle, 20 December 2008 11:34)

Yep, R.K., bush maybe just secured a duty-free supply of stuff to fly. ;)

But seriously, I really have no idea what can it be. We are actually looking and under good circumstances this could be a great benefit and a good "back-door" for Serbia Proper as well as of course Kosovo.

Unfortunately, there is nothing. Albanians traditionally are very good with the service and taking care about customer's needs (restaurant, hotel business) and in the theory having, say, "Kosovo Railways" as a service provider over tracks owned by ZS is a good idea. But you cannot export business like that. Or you can - most motels in the US are owned by Indian families. But it's not what the US administration was thinking about.

You can of course import agricultural products. Here the market would be rather small. I just cannot imagine average Albanian (or Serbian or Croatian or Hungarian) food being prepared to American taste... it's like raping the food, unfortunately. Yikes. Over 15 years all I could get used to is the "Celestial Seasons" brand of different teas and the maple syrup. Everything else sold for American stomach was out of question. They buyers would be immigrants from Central/East Europe and the Middle East. I am thinking, Sadaf Foods, www.sadaf.com could look out, they are pretty big... in immigrant market segment.

But that's all I can see.

BTW: would be interesting to know, what is the going price for 0% or 0.5% milk/liter in supermarkets in PS area. Looking for 0.5 € or less.

Serbias GDP per capita is 10500 $ with a growth rate of 7,5 % in 08.
That is about 33% lower than Croatias but we are not indebted like them 30 % compared to 10 % of GDP and have higher growth rates.
Second of all,with FIAT coming and VW also considering to build a plant in Kragujevac the whole Serbian automotive and parts industry will rise like Phoenix from the ashes which will lead to closing the current negative trade balance.This will only speed up Serbian economic growth,a growth that will be healthy and sustainable and not based on debtmaking and remittances from abroad like in Croatias and Albanias case.
Serbia will become the industrial powerhouse of the Balkans,reasons:
1)a complete domestic car part manufacturers cluster
2)free trade agreements with the EU,Russia and CEFTA.
3)skilled labor force
4)central position at the croosroads of Europe,Asia and the East.

Looking for electro cars?Yep,they are alredy build in Serbia by Globus Auto Pancevo.

http://www.globusauto.co.yu/

If any investor is looking for brains and innovation Serbia is the place to be.

@MikeC

You made my point.They are proud but they don`t know why they are proud.
With their ghasty 19 century style nationalism and problemcreating in Serbia,Macedonia,Montenegro and Greece they are holding the whole Balkans back on the roads towards prosperity.
Look at their"prime ministers" Thaci and Haradinaj...

@roberto

These are not hate slurs,this is the sad reality...
Kosovo parlament president Krasniqi threatened two weeks ago that "they would start a war to unite all Albanian territories".
In 2001 they started trouble in South Serbia,in 2003 they started trouble in Macedonia.
2004 they staged anti-Serb progroms in our province.
How can you have dialogue with these people?
Extremist Albanians pose a thraet to the whole Balkans,whether you with your pro-Albanian view like it or not.

As I know they don't need any agricultural goods or racket. So what else could you offer for them ?

Thank you !
(Rote Kapelle, 20 December 2008 13:22)

As said, Sadaf Foods, could offer Kosovo wine. Or "Trader's Joe" - one of our favorites.

Without "Sadaf" or "Trader's Joe" USA = suicide by food. Luckily they are around. "Trader's Joe" is owned by ALDI from Germany. They are extremely aggressive and bring often unusual "exotic" stuff for very reasonable prices.

Unlike in EU, USA is not bound for the word "Feta" being associated with Greece only. The Bulgarian or Serbian equivalent is being sold for less, than it's being sold in Hungary and it's called "Feta" in the States, not "Sir" or "Sirene" as it is obligated to be called in EU. With that in mind: the cheese from KosMet has ZERO chances in the EU, but can have it's niche in the States, competing with it's equivalent from Bulgaria, Serbia Proper or Greece. The impact is minimal of course and I am not sure, agriculture does fall in the "duty-free" category. Otherwise Albanian wool products look neat, just the problem is, who needs them (besides most of us here)? Americans not just eat trash, but they also wear trash.

If any investor is looking for brains and innovation Serbia is the place to be.
(CG, 20 December 2008 14:34)

Yep, the IT industry is great there. You guys successfully put "CCCC" on some Albanian web sites and the Kosovo IT industry show serious grow because they put as many "UCK" signs on Serbian web sites as they want.

Now the time is to do some serious job. Unfortunately the entire Serbian IT industry was destroyed (and NOT by "humanitarian bombing", it was destroyed by dumbness of politics). It took of course Kosovo (as little as it had) with itself down. Now both are practicing their skills at youtube. That's a "serious" achievement, but being involved directly in some of IT projects, I would like to see more progress than exchange of words describing bedroom activities.

Have no idea, why, but once out of the country the crazy Yugo-(some-non)-slavs do a bit more impact. For instance, WDC drives have a strong Croatian influence and the cache management of Quantum drives (before Quantum got rid of HD business) was Ruassian and Romanian. But why, oh why it always happen in the States? Not a single government makes investment in R&D or just attracts R&D. As for Zastava in Kragujevac: I wish, it will get involved in R&D. Otherwise it does matter only little.

Kosovo has to offer a lot all the neighbors countries will work hard and please Kosovo's government to buy and re sell to US.

"The only legitimate business Kosovo has is scrap metal and I don't think that US needs any more junk. On the other hand, they may need some human organs. Human trade is not needed in the US as they already have plenty of illegal immigrants. What could Kosovo trade? What could it be? We'll just have to wait and see."
(Peggy, 20 December 2008 13:25)

ok, here's my question: why are cheap, ugly hate slurs (against ethnic albanians) allowed and in fact flourish on an "award-winning" site? i think, beyond all the usual bologna and cheese, THAT is the real question.

in other words, it has nothing to do with civilized dialogue, and everything to do with encouraging an atmosphere of hate not to mention distrust. can anyone (sane) claim this to be otherwise?

and let me tell you, peggy, one import that we in the US definitely do NOT need -- more of your nationalist, ethnic hate. of all the many other reasons, that was the main basis for electing obama. maybe some others around the world should take our lead...

roberto
frisco

Aside from the snide comments, now any company that invests and produces in Kosova will enjoy such benefits. It's one more thing that may cause a western company to open a branch in Kosova.

MikeC, Serbai was spared 50 years of Stalinism, unlike Albania. Thanks that Croat named Tito that modernized Yugoslavia. Serbia and Albania have the same rank on corruption, Albania improved, Serbia went back. They are over 1 million tourists a year in Albania, not counting the diaspora. Thanks god no one touched the coast yet, otherwise it would be all concrete like in Montenegro or Spain. Now we can build small high end tourist villages that barely touch the enviroment

Bush will "allow" some trade benefits & then Obama will renounce......

Stay tuned.

It is so said to read all those comments and to find out that none of them got the real message.

For us in Kosova, It is not a real matter export/import but the recognisition as well as reconfirmation of a new state.

Regarding the mafia, we all know that it is everywhere, even in USA (your brother will soon get a prison for it's criminal activities).

This confirmation from great George Bush (I know for you great people are Sadam Husein and his friends) shows that very soon Kosova and Serbia will play fotball as two soverign states?

What a cheap and insulting Christmas present to those that name their streets and children after you! What's there to export? You could have at least sent a low level diplamat to deliver in person some more carrots on a stick, as they are quickly running out. Or at least some wrist watches for the Albanian leaders, commemorating their full independence.

# 18

What we really need here in the US is an honest State Department and an honest press so they can fully inform us, the tax payers, of who these people really are, and what kind of activities they are involved in that can harm us and our children. Unlike with the Fort Dix six, in where the mainstream media delibertely hides the nationality of the Kosovo Albanians, so it won't look like That Clinton and Bush made a blunder with our tax money. Or giving us lame excuses on Bosnia, like Izetbegovich's book was not fully translated so we didn't know of his true intentions of a pure Islamic Bosnia. So do you think that Peggy is going to hold her breath while waiting for the west, which is hiding the information on organ trafficing, to keep the story alive???

As far as the scrap metal goes, for now, it is Kosovo's major export.

One of the reasons B92 is an award winning news site, is because they always have a perfect blend of highly safisticated comments and arguments, to the people that can hardly write and spell. There is also a perfect balance of taunts, sarcasm, and humor. This way, the reader can get an accurate sense and feel for the subject and the sides involved. Everybody gets a fair chance to be heard, as long as they don't go overboard with their comments. If B92 did it any other way, they would not have the traffic, popularity, or succes that they are enjoying now. Also it's a great site for graduate students seeking accurate historical facts on Albania and Dardania. NOT!

Scotty

Santa Rosa, near San Francisco

U.S. in trade benefits for Kosovo

Great appreciate it.

“ok, here's my question: why are cheap, ugly hate slurs (against ethnic albanians) allowed and in fact flourish on an "award-winning" site? roberto
frisco
(roberto, 20 December 2008 17:45)”

Maybe for the same reason they allow your derogatory stereotyping comments that all Serbs are nationalistic genocidal racists? Your comments are found offensive to a large portion of the Serbian readership here as well Roberto. Your tirade against the Polish people was way worse than what Peggy here just said.

Anyways, it’s obvious that the US is merely interested in taking over the Trepca mines and this is what the trade agreement is in regards too. Stealing the wealth of Kosovo and selling them cheap crappy goods in return.

It does not mather if Kosova does not have a lot of products to export to US!
The importance is this status!
To some of you who do not know almost anything about Kosova: Kosova produces wine, Nicel, Bly, silver, gold, wegjatables (paprika, tomatoes, grapes(special sort)and so on!
US has almost all sorts of products and can import from any country they will but choosing to give this chance to Kosova is noble and generous and friendly!
Thank you USA, Thank YOU president Bush! God bless USA!

Why too many people are after roberto. I just hope to see Kosova's government privatizing the mines of Trepca. There's few billionaires involved but government in Prishtina is taking it's time to find the best BET on this one. The clock is tickig.

roberto

For the same reason they allow your bigotry towards Poles, Russians and Serbs. I believe that your "type" of ultra-liberal, multicultural and modern school of thought people, yet calls Poles Nazi collaborators and Serbs "evil" are usually the most full of hatred towards others.

Uptil now the two only traded lies, empty promises, and compliments with each other. In the near future it appears that they'll be trading in excuses, apologys, and maybe even ultimatums.

Dear Russian supporters,
I believe most of you know the benefits of trade preferential treatment for Republic of Kosovo, but you are ignoring intentionally and trying to minimize the importance of the decision with non sense arguments such as what goods Kosovo could export to US. To remind you, there many reasons behind the decision that are equally important from political and economical aspects but FYI I will mention one in order to address your “concern”. This decision will encourage foreign direct investment in Kosovo, companies that are targeting US market now will invest in Kosovo helping our economy and I believe this is sufficient not mentioning other political benefits.
Besnik

For some people who do not know what could be exported to the US. Here let me tell you, once factories open and since they are being privatized, there are many things to be exported...
You have Birra Peja which already is being sold in Germany and England. THis is a good beer made only in Peja.
You have textile factories, other drink factories, you have Wine, raki production, etc...

# Roberto, you still haven't answered the question.
Which products is Kosovo going to export?

What do they have besides scrap metal?
Why are you labeling me as racist when I put these question to you?
I believe they are legitimate questions and need answering.

If you don't have answers then kindly say so but don't lash out at the messenger.
(Peggy, 20 December 2008 23:13)

Umm agricultural products? I know that I can buy Prodravka (Croatian) products anywhere in America. Perhaps Birra Peja (Beer Peja)?

This decision might influence businessmen to consider American market a little bit closer and actually try to export goods. Don't be so concerned at what Kosovo will export.

The entire world is present in Kosovo and some people try to describe it as a place with "two-headed cows and three-eyes sheep." These lies were trusted in 19-th century, but not now.

The Hague acquited Haradinaj as not-guilty, Thaci has never been indicted. But half of the Serbia leadership are in The Hague, accused of war crimes and genocide conducted in Croatia, Bosnia, and Kosovo. Bear this in mind and never forget it!

It is understandable that Kosovo will not export groceries or other goods to the US as it is not profitable and the US has plenty of it. But this decision will make investors invest in Kosovo as the things they will produce in Kosovo will have the "Made in Kosova" sign and can be exported to the US. Businessmen are interested in money, not in nationalism and hatred, as some of the posters think here.

You people wonder so much. Big Bush' s decision is an incentive for euro-american investment in KOSOVA. Just wait and see or yu better look your own business.