“No change in U.S.-Serbia relations”

Of course the USA attitude towards Serbia wont change. The Obama administration is full of Serb haters from Clinton's time.

We all know that there will be no change in the US's anti-Serb policies, BUT there will be a big change in the coming years.
That change is that the US will no longer be the superpower that they were, and you can see it already. Already many countries are ignoring them and show them no respect :)). This will increase. They can no longer afford to be the policeman of the world, and Kosovo is not very high on their list of priorities.
Frankly, it really makes no difference whether the US rescinds their recognition of the fake/illlegal/immoral state of Kosovo. We will take it back regardless.
Cheers!!

"... U.S. and its new president, Barack Obama, will continue to encourage Serbia's prosperity ..."

I'd rather agree Funcakes to comment : "With Hillary as chief of diplomacy, you're gonna think Bush was an ally."
He is right so we have to keep an eye on what they will do after they are tired of talking.

At least he says what he thinks while the Yank has failed to detalize how exactly they are going to provide your prosperity. Will it be only bombing or a land operation is also supposed ?

As for Serbia is concerned Democrats and Republitians used to have too much in common. So to see the difference Serbs will need a very strong microscope.

What I really believe in is that Serbia ought to be consolidated and strong enough not to care who comes to power in Overseas countries.

Cheers !

Obama thinks that he will decide on everything.

It makes no difference who the president is because neither the president nor his staff call the shots. The elites run the show.

The US is overstretched and cannot possibly fight on all fronts so there will have to be priorities. I was watching the news the other day where they showed Hillary outlining the issues which will be priority for them. She mentioned Afghanistan, Iraq, Middle East and Iran but did not mention Kosovo.

Looks like they are shifting their attention to other things. I know they say that Kosovo is a done deal, but when ICJ rules on this we will see just how done this is. Since the US has outlined their priorities I'm sure they will let Kosovo be Europe's concern. Obama can support independence but it doesn't look like he will force it.

Serbia MUST be guarded and strictly controlled. Obama knows this as he was witness of Serbia in the 1990s.

Mr. Obama knows pretty well what Serbia did and what it can do if left to do what it feels.

Mr. Obama and co. will make sure that Republic of Kosovo progresses and becomes strong enough economically, politically and militarily so that it can take of herself.

It was wrong to reward those whose activites first caused the term 'ethnic cleansing' to be used - the Albanians in Kosovo.

The USA will continue to reward the ethnic cleaning of Serbs from Kosovo that predated any of the problems of Milosevic.

The US has had a one sided view of the situation all along and will continue to have that one sided view into the future.

They will also continue to reward the ethnic cleansing of Serbs from Krajina.

With Hillary as chief of diplomacy, you're gonna think Bush was an ally.

only fools believe that Obama is bringing any change...

" He said that Washington would not mind if Serbia did not recognize Kosovo, but expected Belgrade to have some kind of contact with the Kosovo government, especially regarding the protection of Serbs and cultural and religious buildings. "

if Washington doesn´t mind about it - fine, because it is none of their business.

and IF there should be further attacks in a larger scale, Serbia has all the legal rights to clear the situation with all means necessary.

any "special" contact with criminal elements... should be seen as betrayal by the serbian president. and treated like that.

I think both sides are putting too much stock in this. Serbia/Kosovo has largely been thrown into the hands of the EU, and with a series of new international challenges, I totally agree that the Balkans is nowhere close to the top 20 US priorities.

For the Serb side, the US won't really care what Belgrade does as long as it doesn't interfere in the Albanian sectors of Kosovo. In short: do what you want in Mitrovica, stay out of Pristina. Trust me, Washington doesn't care what Belgrade does with northern Kosovo. We're not going to lose sleep at night if Kosovo becomes more and more like Bosnia. But for the Albanians, I wouldn't put too much stock in Hillary Clinton. No one's going to be fighting your battles to help you cross the Ibar, nor are we going to force the hand of Belgrade in relenting on controlling the Serb sectors.

Result? Pretty much the same stalemate as what you've seen under Bush. Let's not overexaggerate or overromanticize this.

Havent the americans done enough? Look at their "success" in Irak and Afganistan. America is a nationdestroyer. If they can't make money on you they wouldn't give a damn. Look at the millions of americans starving and receiving no health care and some think they will care about forigners. Wake up people!

PRN

You make it sound as if Serbia and Kosovo are some sort of priority for Obama. You think the West doesn't have 0ther things to worry about?

I am curious to know who these "elites" are that are running everything in America. Been here all my life and never heard of them.
Just as some are misinformed of the "elites" in the US and the Barbed wire ghettos of Kosovo, they will be surprised by the ICJ opinion that will be handed down.
In international law human rights will supercede territorial claims.
Anyone who thinks that support for an Independent Kosovo is going to fall by the wayside is just plain delusional.

Dear Serbs: Kosova is finished AFA US is concerned, so don't get excited. Both Repubs and Democrats want it to be a success story (Clinton + Bush = Free Kosova = Good legacy.) It's not on the list because lower lever diplomats will convince the Arabs to recognize to raise the number to 100, well above half required to start putting pressure on your master, Russia not to veto.

US is done fighting and as you can see, no war is going on and no one will start one since NATO is all over the Balkans. Kosova now costs NOTHING to US and EU is just giving aid that they normally give Europeans nations to make them ready for EU. US tells EU do this and they do it, as shown when Solana met Rice before meeting Moon and when US Dept of State sent officials to Kosova. The most important factor: EULEX is in 100% of Kosova and good luck removing them with Serbian rule.

#4 PRN

"Serbia MUST be guarded and strictly controlled. Obama knows this as he was witness of Serbia in 1990s.

Yes. For 15 long years, both Obama and and his minister Rev.Jeremiah Wright were very observant witnesses. The Pastor of Chicago's Trinity Church of Christ, also made sure that his whole congregation were witnesses. Obama said many times that Rev. Wright was like a father to him.

could be, but on the other side: who cares!?

just like after their defeat in vietnam, the civilized world will have a few centuries in peace.

as we saw this year, it isn´t important at all if usa declares independence to kosovo or friendship to georgia.

that impresses panama, mikronesia-south, kabul-north, london of course, and that was it.

but it is more then infantil to believe that that country, that took back the acknowledgment to former bosnia, taiwan or serbia won´t akt like that in future.

actually they are a guarantee for flip-flopping to continue.

here the us-word of honor and the albanian one have similar qualities, namely none.

mr. miliband told to the civilized world that the war on terror was a mistake. the civilized world didn´t even notice.

that´s the good part about kosovos so-called independence (besides the bad poker-face about the permanent repeating that the done deal really is a done deal): the taking back will be noticed just as the acknowledgment, poorly if at all .....

"Look at the millions of americans starving and receiving no healtcare" Haven't really been to America have you MikeC.
Anyone who is starving have only themselves to blame (with the exception of children of irresponsible parents). The govt has in place a food stamp system. any low income family can receive assistance with very little effort. A family of 4 with an income of 10,000 dollars a year would be eligible for 500 dollars a month in food stamps.
Healthcare is a huge issue in the US but however no person can be turned away from a hospital that receives any type of govt assistance for lack of insurance or inability to pay. Healthcare professionals (Dr or Nurses) can and would lose their license to practice should they solicite (under the table payment for services).

Even though the new US President does not care to normalize relations with the Serbs of Kosovo, there are millions of Americans who believe that Serbia is entitled to regain its ancient territory of Kosovo. Afterall, how does the world expect Christendom in Kosovo to continue without Serbian control? I live in the USA. I have great respect for Christianity.

Serbia MUST be guarded and strictly controlled. Obama knows this as he was witness of Serbia in the 1990s.

Mr. Obama knows pretty well what Serbia did and what it can do if left to do what it feels.

Mr. Obama and co. will make sure that Republic of Kosovo progresses and becomes strong enough economically, politically and militarily so that it can take of herself.

Dear Serbs: Kosova is finished AFA US is concerned, so don't get excited. Both Repubs and Democrats want it to be a success story (Clinton + Bush = Free Kosova = Good legacy.) It's not on the list because lower lever diplomats will convince the Arabs to recognize to raise the number to 100, well above half required to start putting pressure on your master, Russia not to veto.

US is done fighting and as you can see, no war is going on and no one will start one since NATO is all over the Balkans. Kosova now costs NOTHING to US and EU is just giving aid that they normally give Europeans nations to make them ready for EU. US tells EU do this and they do it, as shown when Solana met Rice before meeting Moon and when US Dept of State sent officials to Kosova. The most important factor: EULEX is in 100% of Kosova and good luck removing them with Serbian rule.

I am curious to know who these "elites" are that are running everything in America. Been here all my life and never heard of them.
Just as some are misinformed of the "elites" in the US and the Barbed wire ghettos of Kosovo, they will be surprised by the ICJ opinion that will be handed down.
In international law human rights will supercede territorial claims.
Anyone who thinks that support for an Independent Kosovo is going to fall by the wayside is just plain delusional.

With Hillary as chief of diplomacy, you're gonna think Bush was an ally.

only fools believe that Obama is bringing any change...

" He said that Washington would not mind if Serbia did not recognize Kosovo, but expected Belgrade to have some kind of contact with the Kosovo government, especially regarding the protection of Serbs and cultural and religious buildings. "

if Washington doesn´t mind about it - fine, because it is none of their business.

and IF there should be further attacks in a larger scale, Serbia has all the legal rights to clear the situation with all means necessary.

any "special" contact with criminal elements... should be seen as betrayal by the serbian president. and treated like that.

Obama thinks that he will decide on everything.

It makes no difference who the president is because neither the president nor his staff call the shots. The elites run the show.

The US is overstretched and cannot possibly fight on all fronts so there will have to be priorities. I was watching the news the other day where they showed Hillary outlining the issues which will be priority for them. She mentioned Afghanistan, Iraq, Middle East and Iran but did not mention Kosovo.

Looks like they are shifting their attention to other things. I know they say that Kosovo is a done deal, but when ICJ rules on this we will see just how done this is. Since the US has outlined their priorities I'm sure they will let Kosovo be Europe's concern. Obama can support independence but it doesn't look like he will force it.

It was wrong to reward those whose activites first caused the term 'ethnic cleansing' to be used - the Albanians in Kosovo.

The USA will continue to reward the ethnic cleaning of Serbs from Kosovo that predated any of the problems of Milosevic.

The US has had a one sided view of the situation all along and will continue to have that one sided view into the future.

They will also continue to reward the ethnic cleansing of Serbs from Krajina.

"Look at the millions of americans starving and receiving no healtcare" Haven't really been to America have you MikeC.
Anyone who is starving have only themselves to blame (with the exception of children of irresponsible parents). The govt has in place a food stamp system. any low income family can receive assistance with very little effort. A family of 4 with an income of 10,000 dollars a year would be eligible for 500 dollars a month in food stamps.
Healthcare is a huge issue in the US but however no person can be turned away from a hospital that receives any type of govt assistance for lack of insurance or inability to pay. Healthcare professionals (Dr or Nurses) can and would lose their license to practice should they solicite (under the table payment for services).

We all know that there will be no change in the US's anti-Serb policies, BUT there will be a big change in the coming years.
That change is that the US will no longer be the superpower that they were, and you can see it already. Already many countries are ignoring them and show them no respect :)). This will increase. They can no longer afford to be the policeman of the world, and Kosovo is not very high on their list of priorities.
Frankly, it really makes no difference whether the US rescinds their recognition of the fake/illlegal/immoral state of Kosovo. We will take it back regardless.
Cheers!!

PRN

You make it sound as if Serbia and Kosovo are some sort of priority for Obama. You think the West doesn't have 0ther things to worry about?

could be, but on the other side: who cares!?

just like after their defeat in vietnam, the civilized world will have a few centuries in peace.

as we saw this year, it isn´t important at all if usa declares independence to kosovo or friendship to georgia.

that impresses panama, mikronesia-south, kabul-north, london of course, and that was it.

but it is more then infantil to believe that that country, that took back the acknowledgment to former bosnia, taiwan or serbia won´t akt like that in future.

actually they are a guarantee for flip-flopping to continue.

here the us-word of honor and the albanian one have similar qualities, namely none.

mr. miliband told to the civilized world that the war on terror was a mistake. the civilized world didn´t even notice.

that´s the good part about kosovos so-called independence (besides the bad poker-face about the permanent repeating that the done deal really is a done deal): the taking back will be noticed just as the acknowledgment, poorly if at all .....

Havent the americans done enough? Look at their "success" in Irak and Afganistan. America is a nationdestroyer. If they can't make money on you they wouldn't give a damn. Look at the millions of americans starving and receiving no health care and some think they will care about forigners. Wake up people!

I think both sides are putting too much stock in this. Serbia/Kosovo has largely been thrown into the hands of the EU, and with a series of new international challenges, I totally agree that the Balkans is nowhere close to the top 20 US priorities.

For the Serb side, the US won't really care what Belgrade does as long as it doesn't interfere in the Albanian sectors of Kosovo. In short: do what you want in Mitrovica, stay out of Pristina. Trust me, Washington doesn't care what Belgrade does with northern Kosovo. We're not going to lose sleep at night if Kosovo becomes more and more like Bosnia. But for the Albanians, I wouldn't put too much stock in Hillary Clinton. No one's going to be fighting your battles to help you cross the Ibar, nor are we going to force the hand of Belgrade in relenting on controlling the Serb sectors.

Result? Pretty much the same stalemate as what you've seen under Bush. Let's not overexaggerate or overromanticize this.

Of course the USA attitude towards Serbia wont change. The Obama administration is full of Serb haters from Clinton's time.

"... U.S. and its new president, Barack Obama, will continue to encourage Serbia's prosperity ..."

I'd rather agree Funcakes to comment : "With Hillary as chief of diplomacy, you're gonna think Bush was an ally."
He is right so we have to keep an eye on what they will do after they are tired of talking.

At least he says what he thinks while the Yank has failed to detalize how exactly they are going to provide your prosperity. Will it be only bombing or a land operation is also supposed ?

As for Serbia is concerned Democrats and Republitians used to have too much in common. So to see the difference Serbs will need a very strong microscope.

What I really believe in is that Serbia ought to be consolidated and strong enough not to care who comes to power in Overseas countries.

Cheers !

#4 PRN

"Serbia MUST be guarded and strictly controlled. Obama knows this as he was witness of Serbia in 1990s.

Yes. For 15 long years, both Obama and and his minister Rev.Jeremiah Wright were very observant witnesses. The Pastor of Chicago's Trinity Church of Christ, also made sure that his whole congregation were witnesses. Obama said many times that Rev. Wright was like a father to him.

Even though the new US President does not care to normalize relations with the Serbs of Kosovo, there are millions of Americans who believe that Serbia is entitled to regain its ancient territory of Kosovo. Afterall, how does the world expect Christendom in Kosovo to continue without Serbian control? I live in the USA. I have great respect for Christianity.