U.S. "disappointed" with Spain's decision

Hopefully, Spains actions will cause other Serb supporting nations to follow suit. I believe that Spain is pulling out because there are no Serbs left to protect in Kosovo.

Thank you Spain! At least there are some countries in Europe that believe in democracy and international rules.

"Official Washington says it is very disappointed with Madrid's decision to withdraw its troops from NATO-led KFOR peacekeeping force in Kosovo."

I can't wait for Nato's allies to declare that they will be quitting Iraq and Afghanistan too! Why should they be so stupid to continue being canon fodder for the Yankees' global neo-colonial ambitions?

U.S. State Department Spokesman Robert Wood told a news conference in Washington on Friday that "in 1999, NATO allies agreed on several principles", which include that they would "go in together, and exit together. And Mr. Wood what principles were agreed before you all went in together? Because all NATO did in Kosovo was supervise and in some cases facilitate the UCK's war of terror against an innocent civilian population destroying the lives and property of thousands and thousands and thousands of indigenous peoples. Between 1999-2004 NATO protected nobody except their own interests while most of the territory was cleansed by the UCK of its Serb and Roma populations. Maybe the Spanish now know that this was to be the main principle of NATO's war - to rid Kosovo of Serbs. We all saw what was going on. Maybe the Spanish now know that NATO is a paper tiger whose only claim to fame is supervising wars on innocent civilian populations whom they do not even bother to protect. Perhaps like me they are ashamed of what happened to a European people in the heart of the Balkans at the beginning of the 21 century.

very good job from jeremic, i hope the isolation of the occupational forces outside an UN-resolution will continue.

we have to be thankfull to spain (not just because they where the reason for EULEX under UNMIK and therefore Russian veto-control, so the "out-of-the-blue-story" from us-administration is - of course - a lie.

stopping EULEX would be the next logical step. we have to make it clear to all EU-states that didn't accept occupation, that stopping EULEX is fastening up the end & collapse of project kosovo, and that as probably the last peaceful opportunity.

i think "fastening up" and "peacefull" is the key-argumentation for the end of EULEX.

good luck for that!

Theoretically, Spain’s positioning towards Kosova might change depending on what happens to Basque Country referendum. If Basques achieve their long term aim of holding a referendum on present constitutional order, then all obstacles towards kosova’s secession cease immediately. Current Spanish position is justified along the lines that, because Spain denies Basques the rights to internal and external self determination, same treatment implies to Kosovars by default. The 2008 ruling of constitutional court argued rather politically that Spaniards too had to have a say if a referendum takes place or not. If Basques win on their attempt to hold another referendum in 2010, regardless of that referendum’s outcome, expect recognition very soon. Spanish decision non to recognise doesn’t need to be taken personally, but it doesn’t stop us thinking that they got this one terribly wrong. Among other European non recognitions, Spanish decision is the most bewildering.

Uncle Sam corporation disappointed? Then it must be good.

Oh this is just the start of many disappointments to come.

good decision!

the more of you leave southern Serbia, the earlier the US-occupiers will be alone and therefore earlier start thinking about unconditional recognition of serbian sovereignty.

time works for us.


let´s just see what future brings.

Does anyone have any idea of what is going on with Spain? This is not anymore position of ‘national interest’ this looks almost as hostile position- ironically towards a country that was persecuted just 9 years ago in middle of Europe and now also recognized by international court- ICTY, Hague.

I guess Spain needs to be mad on Serbia that even that has done awful crimes in Kosova feels no need to ask any apologies. Moreover, it pushes for ICJ opinion that most probably after Hague’s verdict will set a rule that human rights are above territorial integrity and with that perhaps weaken the Spanish positions. But that is Serbia that is insisting not Kosova- we say it is sui-generis case.

Or maybe one needs just wait for the end of Zapatero- in any case he is given as loser in next elections.

I congratulate the decision of the spanish MOD and at the same time thank them for their contribution in Kosovo.
The Kosovo albanians will never forget Spain which in 99' helped with their F-18.
After 10 years they saw a big change in Kosovo where at last people can live peacefully.

Also Italy is very upset but this Spanish position is no news because since Zapatero took office there have been many problems in Nato and Eu ...

>> "Hopefully, Spains actions will cause other Serb supporting nations to follow suit."

You think that this is good for Serbia's position? Watch US and EU leaders to push others for recognition to isolate Spain. Spain is a huge country, Slovakia, Romania, and Greece need EU more than ever and can't resist for ever (see Portugal). Spain really upset them by the way they pulled the troops, other NATO members got a few hours advance before the media.

"I believe that Spain is pulling out because there are no Serbs left to protect in Kosovo."

Hmmmm...I was just reading how Serbs are being "denied human rights" so they must be there.

Translation: Eventhough we do not recognize Kosovo as an independent state, the reality is that it has become one and for political purposes at home we need to not show a support for that.

"...that the contingent of 620 Spanish soldiers would pull out by the end of the summer this year.

I personally am pleased with their departure and hope that they will be replaced by Kosova Security Forces.

Or maybe one needs just wait for the end of Zapatero- in any case he is given as loser in next elections.
(ben, 21 March 2009 14:02)

Ben, if the right wing Partido Popular come back to power after next election, they wont be in a hurry to recognise Pristina's UDD. If they do you can watch the Basques and Catalans tell Madrid, "adios amigos".

The Italians are even more with the Spaniards given that they operate in the same sector and till yesterday Madrid was saying it would stay.

http://www.repubblica.it/2009/03/sezioni/esteri/spagna-kosovo/spagna-kosovo/spagna-kosovo.html

Anyways , more KFOR troops will leave Kosovo soon. It's a positive thing for the K.Albs. Especially when the troops belong to the non-recognizing countries.

With this thing, Spain lost some leverage on the other western countries in dealing with Kosovo. In what will come after EULEX, Spain won't have a strong influence. Thanks to Spain anyway for the help given to Kosovo during the last years.

If they do you can watch the Basques and Catalans tell Madrid, "adios amigos".
(Niall O'Doherty, 22 March 2009 13:22)

If you go above the sarcastic UDD and be serious you will learn that the freedom of one nation is not political project of someone but a natural demand for independence and sovereignty of one nation.

Hence, if Basques and Catalans feel that they are marginalised in Spain I don't think that they will look at Kosova's or any other case- they will simply say we don't want to do with Spain no longer. Hence the problem there for Spain is not Kosova and will not be controlled by ignoring the sufferings and the love for freedom of Kosovars.

It is the myopia and the immaturity of the Spanish political elite that believes that if Darfur continues to suffer under Sudan the principle of the territorial integrity of states will be preserved and they will continue to keep Basques and Catalans in their political borders.

Theoretically, Spain’s positioning towards Kosova might change depending on what happens to Basque Country referendum. If Basques achieve their long term aim of holding a referendum on present constitutional order, then all obstacles towards kosova’s secession cease immediately. Current Spanish position is justified along the lines that, because Spain denies Basques the rights to internal and external self determination, same treatment implies to Kosovars by default. The 2008 ruling of constitutional court argued rather politically that Spaniards too had to have a say if a referendum takes place or not. If Basques win on their attempt to hold another referendum in 2010, regardless of that referendum’s outcome, expect recognition very soon. Spanish decision non to recognise doesn’t need to be taken personally, but it doesn’t stop us thinking that they got this one terribly wrong. Among other European non recognitions, Spanish decision is the most bewildering.

Does anyone have any idea of what is going on with Spain? This is not anymore position of ‘national interest’ this looks almost as hostile position- ironically towards a country that was persecuted just 9 years ago in middle of Europe and now also recognized by international court- ICTY, Hague.

I guess Spain needs to be mad on Serbia that even that has done awful crimes in Kosova feels no need to ask any apologies. Moreover, it pushes for ICJ opinion that most probably after Hague’s verdict will set a rule that human rights are above territorial integrity and with that perhaps weaken the Spanish positions. But that is Serbia that is insisting not Kosova- we say it is sui-generis case.

Or maybe one needs just wait for the end of Zapatero- in any case he is given as loser in next elections.

I congratulate the decision of the spanish MOD and at the same time thank them for their contribution in Kosovo.
The Kosovo albanians will never forget Spain which in 99' helped with their F-18.
After 10 years they saw a big change in Kosovo where at last people can live peacefully.

>> "Hopefully, Spains actions will cause other Serb supporting nations to follow suit."

You think that this is good for Serbia's position? Watch US and EU leaders to push others for recognition to isolate Spain. Spain is a huge country, Slovakia, Romania, and Greece need EU more than ever and can't resist for ever (see Portugal). Spain really upset them by the way they pulled the troops, other NATO members got a few hours advance before the media.

"I believe that Spain is pulling out because there are no Serbs left to protect in Kosovo."

Hmmmm...I was just reading how Serbs are being "denied human rights" so they must be there.

Translation: Eventhough we do not recognize Kosovo as an independent state, the reality is that it has become one and for political purposes at home we need to not show a support for that.

Hopefully, Spains actions will cause other Serb supporting nations to follow suit. I believe that Spain is pulling out because there are no Serbs left to protect in Kosovo.

"...that the contingent of 620 Spanish soldiers would pull out by the end of the summer this year.

I personally am pleased with their departure and hope that they will be replaced by Kosova Security Forces.

very good job from jeremic, i hope the isolation of the occupational forces outside an UN-resolution will continue.

we have to be thankfull to spain (not just because they where the reason for EULEX under UNMIK and therefore Russian veto-control, so the "out-of-the-blue-story" from us-administration is - of course - a lie.

stopping EULEX would be the next logical step. we have to make it clear to all EU-states that didn't accept occupation, that stopping EULEX is fastening up the end & collapse of project kosovo, and that as probably the last peaceful opportunity.

i think "fastening up" and "peacefull" is the key-argumentation for the end of EULEX.

good luck for that!

Thank you Spain! At least there are some countries in Europe that believe in democracy and international rules.

"Official Washington says it is very disappointed with Madrid's decision to withdraw its troops from NATO-led KFOR peacekeeping force in Kosovo."

I can't wait for Nato's allies to declare that they will be quitting Iraq and Afghanistan too! Why should they be so stupid to continue being canon fodder for the Yankees' global neo-colonial ambitions?

U.S. State Department Spokesman Robert Wood told a news conference in Washington on Friday that "in 1999, NATO allies agreed on several principles", which include that they would "go in together, and exit together. And Mr. Wood what principles were agreed before you all went in together? Because all NATO did in Kosovo was supervise and in some cases facilitate the UCK's war of terror against an innocent civilian population destroying the lives and property of thousands and thousands and thousands of indigenous peoples. Between 1999-2004 NATO protected nobody except their own interests while most of the territory was cleansed by the UCK of its Serb and Roma populations. Maybe the Spanish now know that this was to be the main principle of NATO's war - to rid Kosovo of Serbs. We all saw what was going on. Maybe the Spanish now know that NATO is a paper tiger whose only claim to fame is supervising wars on innocent civilian populations whom they do not even bother to protect. Perhaps like me they are ashamed of what happened to a European people in the heart of the Balkans at the beginning of the 21 century.

Uncle Sam corporation disappointed? Then it must be good.

Oh this is just the start of many disappointments to come.

The Italians are even more with the Spaniards given that they operate in the same sector and till yesterday Madrid was saying it would stay.

http://www.repubblica.it/2009/03/sezioni/esteri/spagna-kosovo/spagna-kosovo/spagna-kosovo.html

Anyways , more KFOR troops will leave Kosovo soon. It's a positive thing for the K.Albs. Especially when the troops belong to the non-recognizing countries.

good decision!

the more of you leave southern Serbia, the earlier the US-occupiers will be alone and therefore earlier start thinking about unconditional recognition of serbian sovereignty.

time works for us.


let´s just see what future brings.

Also Italy is very upset but this Spanish position is no news because since Zapatero took office there have been many problems in Nato and Eu ...

With this thing, Spain lost some leverage on the other western countries in dealing with Kosovo. In what will come after EULEX, Spain won't have a strong influence. Thanks to Spain anyway for the help given to Kosovo during the last years.

If they do you can watch the Basques and Catalans tell Madrid, "adios amigos".
(Niall O'Doherty, 22 March 2009 13:22)

If you go above the sarcastic UDD and be serious you will learn that the freedom of one nation is not political project of someone but a natural demand for independence and sovereignty of one nation.

Hence, if Basques and Catalans feel that they are marginalised in Spain I don't think that they will look at Kosova's or any other case- they will simply say we don't want to do with Spain no longer. Hence the problem there for Spain is not Kosova and will not be controlled by ignoring the sufferings and the love for freedom of Kosovars.

It is the myopia and the immaturity of the Spanish political elite that believes that if Darfur continues to suffer under Sudan the principle of the territorial integrity of states will be preserved and they will continue to keep Basques and Catalans in their political borders.

Or maybe one needs just wait for the end of Zapatero- in any case he is given as loser in next elections.
(ben, 21 March 2009 14:02)

Ben, if the right wing Partido Popular come back to power after next election, they wont be in a hurry to recognise Pristina's UDD. If they do you can watch the Basques and Catalans tell Madrid, "adios amigos".