Moscow wants status "back on agenda"

So, at this moment in time neither side is willing to budge. It'll be interesting to see if any companies take Thaci's offer of doing business in Kosovo, especially mining and energy companies and if they do, what would Serbia's response be from a legal perspective. I'd be surprised if there was any major investment this year anyway with the world in recession. Next year will be interesting, not withstanding the ICJ taking up the issue of Kosovo's legality.

It's obvious that Kosovo will never gain a UN seat, even if the ICJ rules in it's favour but i don't think the US is bothered about that. As long as it controls ALL of Kosovo, can maintain bondsteel and ultimately mine Kosovo's coal, it will have achieved it's aim.

But it'll be very interesting if the ICJ rules in Serbia's favour. The US and UK have already said it's an advisory opinion only and that they would continue as normal in Kosovo, but how would commercial companies act? Would they be willing to invest in Kosovo? If they did, what would Serbia's legal recourse be in such a situation?

If companies knew that they would be sued by Serbia for investing in Kosovo in this case, and hence there was no investment, where would Kosovo go from here? Would the EU and US still be willing to pump billions of dollars in, or would they start talking to Serbia about some form of accomodation, whatever that may be?

This is good news in that so long as Russia fights for a Serbian Kosovo, it will be hard for Kosovo to secure any of the trappings of independence. As such, Kosovo will remain relatively poor for the time being. There's nothing like frustration and poverty to bring one back to the negotiating table.

Tell us something about the status of South Ossetia and Abkhazia?? Don’t bother us about Kosova. Do your homework.

Also the forgotten Chechnya???

Stop bothering us about things that you don't care directly- since you withdraw even your last presence in UNMIK with that showing that you have no interests at all in Kosova.
You say situation is stable, UNMIK is inexistent- we have no interest there let’s withdraw our staff from Kosova and then you come here to preach us about thing that you obviously have no direct interest in.

However, it is interesting the arrogance of Russia. They do continua to talk about Kosova even that the Kosova’s issue was debated for 10 years in UN, of which 2 years of negotiation, it is recognized by 56 states of which all of G7 group
While on other hand there is no issue in S. Ossetia and Abkhazia, which status was never debated in UN- and no one dears to challenge them in this.

They just invaded a sovereign country recognized a pathetic “independence” to two micro regions and they say if you want to OPEN the status negotiations about S Ossetia and Abkhazia you will have to kick-out my troops out from there- can you??? Pathetic bullies! And still dear to talk about international law.

Russian behaviour is a typical case of a bully that abuses form good education of others or the unwillingness to challenge them.

I fully support Tories leader David Cameroon stance on Russian aggression on Georgia when he said: "The only language a bully understands is when you stand up to them," http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2008/sep/01/foreignpolicy.conservatives

If Russia wants to feed the Serbian extremists as in 90s that's fine but don't believe people believe you.

I am wandering how is allowed in Kosova.
EA

That's right EA. If Kosovo is independent how come he was able to "sneak in to Kosovo"? Why don't you throw him out? I mean it's your "sovereign country"! Or is it?

Here is a headline from a credible and widely read Czeck and German newspapers:

"The now deposed Czech government had acknowledged Kosovo's independence despite the opposing viewpoints of the majority of parliamentary groups and the Czech's President, which is why there is a possibility of reexamining the disputable decision, the Vice President told a Frankfurt daily paper.

The Czecks could be the first to reverse recognition! And if they do you can expect others to follow. It only takes one to start it.

There is a lot of buzz about this in the Czech Media, just google it and read for your self.

Russia has our back and that is more important the America's right now...the winds of change are coming my friends, i feel bad for that albanians that will be left out...Kosovo is ours! (SERBIA'S)

CCCC

Sirius Black "And so have 30% of UN members, 60% of UN SC members, 85% of NATO countries, 87% of G8 countries, and 81% of EU countries."

Unfortunately only the small number you quoted is important - 30%. Your status is defined by a seat at the UN, not by NATO membership, or IMF membership, etc. It's s pity for the albo's but i don't see that small 30% increasing much before the ICJ ruling, after which I expect it to drop quite a bit when Serbia wins it's case.

I think you've confused yourself with your argument about Russia. the more that Russia gets involved in the Serbian economy, the more interest it has in Kosovo. Russia's prmary export is energy. Kosovo's primary potential revenue is energy - lignite/coal. With such large energy reserves, I'm sure that Russia and China as well as the EU and US are VERY interested in Kosovo's coal reserves.

Kosovo is far from over but i'm sure that many Serbs would probably agree to an independent Kosovo minus Mitrovica, but Albanians being Albanains are just plain greedy. You want to have your cake and eat it. You talk about wanting a peace in the region, the reality on the ground, but hypocritically claim the northern part which is dominated by Serbs as being yours as well. WHY? Why do you claim the north when you can't live with Serbs?

To any objective observer it is obvious - Kosovo "independence" is a nationalistic Albanian agenda to strip other countries in the region of their land and their resources.

Unfortunately it hasn't, and won't, work. Kosovo will never be granted independence and whilst that situation remains, it will never be allowed to develop it's so called "energy sector". If it could have, it already would have by now. The Eu and US are caught in a legal trap which is why they are determined to get a seat for Kosovo at the UN. Thanks to Russia, that isn't going to happen.

Kosovo is grounded and going nowhere fast. Now THAT is the reality, and you all know it. Worse, you KNOW you can't change it either.

Why didn't the cowardly so called self styled Kosovo leadership try and Ban this Russian official from entering Kosovo,.. because its not a good idea to throw rocks at a Bear.

so, the self-declared "cops" of al-banida didn´t arrest him (like kostunica 2 weeks ago), did they?

i guess he is a totaly different league for the scum in carnival-uniforms then beating up women....

after withdrawing the russian cops from occupied parts of kosmet, i see this as another serious signal that it´s getting serious.

at least for EULEX and self-declared kosovo-"cops" and kosovo-"border"-patrol ....

"If he was in Kosovska Mitrovica talking about status, why he didn't drove few kilometers south to Prishtina and talk to Kosovan government about status."
(prizreni, 27 March 2009 14:22)

No need. Status is clearly defined already as far as he is concerned and he obviously doesn't recognize Pristina government.
It would be beneath him to go there.

Roberto wrote,


the russian bear is growling: RRRRRoaRRRRR...

(no offense to my russian frnds and colleagues)

Roberto, I seriously doubt you would have any Russian friends thanks to your so obvious hatred for Serbs.

"There's nothing like frustration and poverty to bring one back to the negotiating table.

Daniel, Kosovo was poorer when it was part of Serbia.
(SiriusBlack, 27 March 2009 13:59)"

I would guess Kosovo is relatively poorer compared to the rest of Serbia now than it was 10 years ago.

This is no suprise by the Russians, The USA wants help on its war on terror, it wants help with Iran, The US is willing to talk to Russia, Kosovo, AB and OS are all pawns in a big political game to the super powers.

Kosovo is no special case when the western powers granted Kosovo indpendence it was a green light for other ethnic controlled provinces to claim there independence.

Why did the west back Kosovo simple because the West wanted Yugoslavia which was pro Russian to be split up.

The west only backed Georgia because it stood against Russia. AB and OS were never originally part of Georgia this happen during Soviet times.

Afganistan, N Korea and Iran are going to be big challenges in 2009 and the US wants or needs Russias help, and as someone for the UK we can scarifice Kosovo to get the Russians onside.

The Bush years are over and Obama wants good relations with Russia so there will have to be give and take.

Dear brothers !

Spit at all those barkers and be sure Russia will no more repeat the mistakes of the passed decade. You must feel safe under the Russian umbrella. None will dare to attack you again. Let them live on a powder barrel until we find a solution to satisfy us.

It's a big pity that Serbian Parliament and Government and President cared more not to spoil their relations with NATO than protesting the anniversary of the bombings. Yet the misfortune of the Serbs has one good and long lasting sequence. I mean that 10 years ago they let us realize how close we really are. At the price of more than 2000 Serbian lives we started to revive our traditional relations interrupted during the two Joes.

God bless you all even if you do not vote for Nikolic !

"Konuzin was giving a lecture on “Russia in the Modern World”.


There's no correlation between the two. Russia and the modern world should'nt even be mentionend on the same book, let alone the same sentence. LOL.

Empty words won't make up for russian withdrawal of the troops from UNMIK. The signs are clear that Russia is abandoning its stance on Kosova, and rightfully so, one can't fight a losing "battle" forever. As far as these statements go, it's depressing to see how people like Mr. Ambassador, still play cat and mouse with poor people's feeling from this part of Kosova. The least Mr. Ambassador could do is pay these people's electric bill if he is really concern about their problems. I am actually serious about this. Even an empty promise of, let's say, Russia will help K-Serb minority with electricity, would sound better and more trustful than promises of opening the status question again. It would re-ignite pro Russian feelings, but the way I see it, is that Russians don't want to be involved in this anymore. Mr. Ambassador's visit came right after troop withdrawal to soften the blow of some Serb radical's hopes.

As for some comments here that pretend to realize that economic situation will take Kosova under Serbia's arm again, consider a simple fact. During Milosevic times K-Albanian unemployment was as high as 90% (under Serbia). At that time almost entire K-Albanian community was kicked out of their jobs with no other alternative of living but emigration. Surely the plan was evil but it failed. Now unemployment is still extremly high, according to statistics at around 45%. How do these numbers work in support to your case? Kosova was always poor and will remain poor for some years to come, but this is an economic issue and will require ingenious economic solutions. Losing sovereignty to Serbia surely it's not one of them.

Mr Konuzin says "talks on Kosovo’s status can be resumed".

Unfortunately, for talks you need two parties. Kosovans are done with status talks. And so have 30% of UN members, 60% of UN SC members, 85% of NATO countries, 87% of G8 countries, and 81% of EU countries.

I have to admit all this Russian support, seams to me has to do a lot with the ease with which Russian firms are buying off Serbian firms. Once they have bought them all or at least most of them, i.e. taken over total control of Serbia’s economy, their support will diminish.

Don't even start me on, whether we like it or not, how Russia today is probably the number one pro-US country in the world.

God bless ...

There's nothing like frustration and poverty to bring one back to the negotiating table.

Daniel, Kosovo was poorer when it was part of Serbia.

If he was in Kosovska Mitrovica talking about status, why he didn't drove few kilometers south to Prishtina and talk to Kosovan government about status.

If this gentleman from Russia and all the other individuals bullying around with their ideas lived in Kosovo, then it would have mattered what they say.

Right now, what an ordinary farmer in Kosovo says about Kosovo's status matters more than what the leaders of Russia, Serbia or any other country for that matter.

This is where Serbia and Russia failed – they failed to listen to the most important player in this game– the resident of Kosovo.

Russia today is probably the number one pro-US country in the world.

God bless ...
(SiriusBlack, 27 March 2009 12:41)

Depending what you mean. If it is about criminals like "Dubya" - this cannot be further from truth. And bombing of Serbia made Clinton even in Hungary (save Russia) pretty unpopular. The overwhelming majority here (HU) is either neutral or a tiny bit positive towards the southern neighbor. Bombing is not a very popular way in Europe to improve your rating.

But if it is about America as a "brand", in particular about to admire the technological progress, R&D, science and what is being offered to the consumers - than every single country in the world, even North Korea is the #1 "pro-US country" as you say.

And of course every one want to have Indian food prices and American salary, not the other way.

[Russia has our back and that is more important the America's right now...the winds of change are coming my friends, i feel bad for that albanians that will be left out.]

Obilic,

Believe me Kosovans would love nothing more than to be left out from Serbo-Russian circle or as you call it "wind of change"

I am wandering how is allowed in Kosova. He is another Russian bluff.

Radoslav, Slovenians alone have invested some 300 Mil EUR and almost all companies have been privatized. Serbia will not make a peep if Germany, UK, France etc tell her not to. Think about it, what does US want to do with the coal? USA has coal for 200 years...and military bases all over the Balkans!

>>"Would the EU and US still be willing to pump billions of dollars in, or would they start talking to Serbia about some form of accomodation, whatever that may be?"

Funny how you totally forgot the 2 million Albanians living there, as if EU does whatever it wants. The only Serbia will get: "EU or Kosova and if you choose Kosova you loose both" (as Holbrooke said)

>>>"As such, Kosovo will remain relatively poor for the time being. There's nothing like frustration and poverty to bring one back to the negotiating table."

You made me laugh, I doubt you know Albanians. We have never been rich, always poor. Try a different scenario: unless Serbia recognizes, all the Balkan countries get in EU expect Serbia...

EU has already said that they will invest and fund Kosova to bring it up to speed. With the crisis that will have to wait, but if you think you can starve out the Albanians, try again. Name ONE Albanian politician who would even suggest that we accept serbian rule?

Now the Arabs and Caribbean countries are starting to recognize and pressure will start on others...

EU is going easy on Serbia because they want you to get hooked on the EU idea, that's all. The decision is for later.

“Russia in the Modern World” with recipes of yesterday.

about #12.

Radoslav, agreed that Kosovo isn't going anywhere fast but one thing that Kosovo has is time. It has waited for over a century and I am sure it can wait another few years to obtain a UN seat.

On that, it is very interesting how a lot of Serbs and pro-Serbs in this forum think that seat in he UN is Kosovo's ultimate goal. Whilst at the moment that might be true, I am not sure that in the longer run UN is going to exist in its current form. So, perhaps a seat in the UN might prove to be irrelevant, in the same way that ICJ's decision looks like being also.

At the end of the day, Kosovo is on the same side as US, UK, EU whilst Serbia with Russia and it will never again be part of Serbia. Now how’s THAT for a reality, which you know and dread. Worse, you dream of changing it but you know you can’t do that either.

God bless …

Without Serbia's agreement 'Kosova' will never be secure. It is a wierd invention and contrary to all logic.

Albanians ethnically cleansed Serbs from Kosovo and so get given independence? That is what has happened. Supporting the UDI is as bad as saying Milosevic was a good guy!

No difference!

'Kosova' is not secure and will never be so under the current circumstances.

I thought Pristina could prevent Serbian and pro-Belgrade personnel from entering "Kosova" at will? No?

Oh, and from the Russian comments, its bye bye UN, WHO, EU, UEFA etc for Pristina!

my dear albanian friends...

If I were in your shoes, I wouldn´t overestimate those helpless attempts to be present at the UN...

it only shows what the Albanians real problem actually is - simply not being what they are actually claiming to be.

no chance whatsoever of being a real state....

you can waste money ( that was given to you by internationals anyway ) for travelling to the UN and showing up before some cameras, some journalist without work will certainly point the camera on you, but the real music plays where you do not get access.

and the reason for that remains not only in Moscow... keep in mind two thirds of this entire planet are against your illusion.

ps: roberto ( who definitely has nothing to do with San Fran ), perhaps you should take care about what you are posting here...

"lowe,
are you implying that Kosovo would have been represented somehow at "UN, WHO, EU, UEFA etc" through Serbia? I highly doubt it.

The most exposure that Kosovo got at the UN was through its foreign minister last week - this would have been impossible if Kosovo somehow magically was re-absorbed by Serbia.

With this attitude of Russia and its cronies, the idea of joining Albania is becoming more and more attractive for the Kosovars :-)

Heck, half of Albania's national soccer team members are from Kosovo anyway.
(Dardan, 28 March 2009 14:33)"

No Dardan, I was merely remindng all that Kosovo is destined to remain outside these organizations unless it comes to an agreement with Serbia. That minister from Pristina may have been given the floor by the UN recently. So what? So did Yasser Arafat decades ago and today the Palestinians are still outside the UN.

Pristina to merge with Tirana you say? I dare Pristina to shoot itself in the foot and do that! In case you forgot the West (your benefactors) expressedly forbade Pristina to do that aka Ahtisaari!

As I said earlier, Kosovo has reached an impasse which only an agreement with Belgrade would break it.


"Russia can think whatever it wants, but Kosovo's independence is a done deal, not going back.
(Ian, UK, 28 March 2009 15:42)"

Okay, if a done deal means being outside the UN and other organizations permanently, then, okay. its a done deal. Personally I think its more accurate to say that Kosovo has been done in!

“We need to make sure that South Ossetian doesn’t become a member of international organizations and that that territory doesn’t receive any further legal subjectivity. I’d like to believe that we will, providing we stubbornly defend our position, be able to return to the issue of South Ossetian’s status. I believe that the Serbian government also adheres to this policy,” he said.

There - I fixed it.

“Russia in the Modern World” with recipes of yesterday.
(Blomi, 27 March 2009 13:31)

the russian bear is growling: RRRRRoaRRRRR...

(no offense to my russian frnds and colleagues)

and i am NOT shaking in my boots. should we be?

but anyway, freedom of speech, right? except in russia or w/russians, where dissidence is "rewarded" with the old axe in the back.
(or plutonium)

sorry, eta pravda...

you know, guys and gals, the more things change (in putin-russia) the more they remain the same.

roberto/ frisco

Dardan, my dear...

I am quite careful with my words, you simply do not realize it.

as for "twisting the truth"... as you are writing about:

if you stuck to the truth, you wouldn´t call yourself Dardan. ...since it is a known fact that todays Albanians have no connection to the ancient illyrians whatsoever.

but, this simple truth seems not to have broken through to you yet.

some day it will.

Russia can think whatever it wants, but Kosovo's independence is a done deal, not going back.

"Oh, and from the Russian comments, its bye bye UN, WHO, EU, UEFA etc for Pristina!
(lowe, 28 March 2009 00:53)"

lowe,
are you implying that Kosovo would have been represented somehow at "UN, WHO, EU, UEFA etc" through Serbia? I highly doubt it.

The most exposure that Kosovo got at the UN was through its foreign minister last week - this would have been impossible if Kosovo somehow magically was re-absorbed by Serbia.

With this attitude of Russia and its cronies, the idea of joining Albania is becoming more and more attractive for the Kosovars :-)

Heck, half of Albania's national soccer team members are from Kosovo anyway.

"Actually Kosovo is set to join IMF soon, then later the World Bank. Kosovo is also a member of some of the smaller sporting organisations. Obviously I don't expect Kosovo to join all the big organisations right now. It will take time, but it will happen. Personally I think its more accurate to say that Serbia has been done in!
(Ian, UK, 29 March 2009 18:07) "

Ian UK,

Obviously I was referring to Kosovo being unable to join any international organisation which has STATEHOOD as a prerequisite, ie. UN membership where the probablity for Kosovo is practically zero. You sounded confident that this will happen in time. Well, I wouldn't hold my breath for this to happen if I were you. Don't believe me? Just look at Taiwan. It is still waiting after almost 40 years to enter the UN. And Taiwan is a wealthy country unlike impoverished Kosovo!

Okay, if a done deal means being outside the UN and other organizations permanently, then, okay. its a done deal. Personally I think its more accurate to say that Kosovo has been done in!
(lowe, 29 March 2009 06:10)

Actually Kosovo is set to join IMF soon, then later the World Bank. Kosovo is also a member of some of the smaller sporting organisations. Obviously I don't expect Kosovo to join all the big organisations right now. It will take time, but it will happen. Personally I think its more accurate to say that Serbia has been done in!

Jovan wrote: "and the reason for that remains not only in Moscow... keep in mind two thirds of this entire planet are against your illusion. "

Jovan, you would be twisting the truth if you claim that 2/3 of the planet are against the independence. The truth is that out of all the UN members, only a handful (yes, handful - dozen or so) publicly spoke against the independence (countries dealing with secessionist movements of their own and some countries that followed Tito’s non-aligned movement). This is about 2/30 of the world.

Majority of countries that have not recognized Kosovo yet did not say that they will not recognize. Please be careful with your estimations.

Tell us something about the status of South Ossetia and Abkhazia?? Don’t bother us about Kosova. Do your homework.

Also the forgotten Chechnya???

Stop bothering us about things that you don't care directly- since you withdraw even your last presence in UNMIK with that showing that you have no interests at all in Kosova.
You say situation is stable, UNMIK is inexistent- we have no interest there let’s withdraw our staff from Kosova and then you come here to preach us about thing that you obviously have no direct interest in.

However, it is interesting the arrogance of Russia. They do continua to talk about Kosova even that the Kosova’s issue was debated for 10 years in UN, of which 2 years of negotiation, it is recognized by 56 states of which all of G7 group
While on other hand there is no issue in S. Ossetia and Abkhazia, which status was never debated in UN- and no one dears to challenge them in this.

They just invaded a sovereign country recognized a pathetic “independence” to two micro regions and they say if you want to OPEN the status negotiations about S Ossetia and Abkhazia you will have to kick-out my troops out from there- can you??? Pathetic bullies! And still dear to talk about international law.

Russian behaviour is a typical case of a bully that abuses form good education of others or the unwillingness to challenge them.

I fully support Tories leader David Cameroon stance on Russian aggression on Georgia when he said: "The only language a bully understands is when you stand up to them," http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2008/sep/01/foreignpolicy.conservatives

If Russia wants to feed the Serbian extremists as in 90s that's fine but don't believe people believe you.

I am wandering how is allowed in Kosova. He is another Russian bluff.

Mr Konuzin says "talks on Kosovo’s status can be resumed".

Unfortunately, for talks you need two parties. Kosovans are done with status talks. And so have 30% of UN members, 60% of UN SC members, 85% of NATO countries, 87% of G8 countries, and 81% of EU countries.

I have to admit all this Russian support, seams to me has to do a lot with the ease with which Russian firms are buying off Serbian firms. Once they have bought them all or at least most of them, i.e. taken over total control of Serbia’s economy, their support will diminish.

Don't even start me on, whether we like it or not, how Russia today is probably the number one pro-US country in the world.

God bless ...

“Russia in the Modern World” with recipes of yesterday.

"Konuzin was giving a lecture on “Russia in the Modern World”.


There's no correlation between the two. Russia and the modern world should'nt even be mentionend on the same book, let alone the same sentence. LOL.

If this gentleman from Russia and all the other individuals bullying around with their ideas lived in Kosovo, then it would have mattered what they say.

Right now, what an ordinary farmer in Kosovo says about Kosovo's status matters more than what the leaders of Russia, Serbia or any other country for that matter.

This is where Serbia and Russia failed – they failed to listen to the most important player in this game– the resident of Kosovo.

There's nothing like frustration and poverty to bring one back to the negotiating table.

Daniel, Kosovo was poorer when it was part of Serbia.

If he was in Kosovska Mitrovica talking about status, why he didn't drove few kilometers south to Prishtina and talk to Kosovan government about status.

Radoslav, Slovenians alone have invested some 300 Mil EUR and almost all companies have been privatized. Serbia will not make a peep if Germany, UK, France etc tell her not to. Think about it, what does US want to do with the coal? USA has coal for 200 years...and military bases all over the Balkans!

>>"Would the EU and US still be willing to pump billions of dollars in, or would they start talking to Serbia about some form of accomodation, whatever that may be?"

Funny how you totally forgot the 2 million Albanians living there, as if EU does whatever it wants. The only Serbia will get: "EU or Kosova and if you choose Kosova you loose both" (as Holbrooke said)

>>>"As such, Kosovo will remain relatively poor for the time being. There's nothing like frustration and poverty to bring one back to the negotiating table."

You made me laugh, I doubt you know Albanians. We have never been rich, always poor. Try a different scenario: unless Serbia recognizes, all the Balkan countries get in EU expect Serbia...

EU has already said that they will invest and fund Kosova to bring it up to speed. With the crisis that will have to wait, but if you think you can starve out the Albanians, try again. Name ONE Albanian politician who would even suggest that we accept serbian rule?

Now the Arabs and Caribbean countries are starting to recognize and pressure will start on others...

EU is going easy on Serbia because they want you to get hooked on the EU idea, that's all. The decision is for later.

Empty words won't make up for russian withdrawal of the troops from UNMIK. The signs are clear that Russia is abandoning its stance on Kosova, and rightfully so, one can't fight a losing "battle" forever. As far as these statements go, it's depressing to see how people like Mr. Ambassador, still play cat and mouse with poor people's feeling from this part of Kosova. The least Mr. Ambassador could do is pay these people's electric bill if he is really concern about their problems. I am actually serious about this. Even an empty promise of, let's say, Russia will help K-Serb minority with electricity, would sound better and more trustful than promises of opening the status question again. It would re-ignite pro Russian feelings, but the way I see it, is that Russians don't want to be involved in this anymore. Mr. Ambassador's visit came right after troop withdrawal to soften the blow of some Serb radical's hopes.

As for some comments here that pretend to realize that economic situation will take Kosova under Serbia's arm again, consider a simple fact. During Milosevic times K-Albanian unemployment was as high as 90% (under Serbia). At that time almost entire K-Albanian community was kicked out of their jobs with no other alternative of living but emigration. Surely the plan was evil but it failed. Now unemployment is still extremly high, according to statistics at around 45%. How do these numbers work in support to your case? Kosova was always poor and will remain poor for some years to come, but this is an economic issue and will require ingenious economic solutions. Losing sovereignty to Serbia surely it's not one of them.

[Russia has our back and that is more important the America's right now...the winds of change are coming my friends, i feel bad for that albanians that will be left out.]

Obilic,

Believe me Kosovans would love nothing more than to be left out from Serbo-Russian circle or as you call it "wind of change"

about #12.

Radoslav, agreed that Kosovo isn't going anywhere fast but one thing that Kosovo has is time. It has waited for over a century and I am sure it can wait another few years to obtain a UN seat.

On that, it is very interesting how a lot of Serbs and pro-Serbs in this forum think that seat in he UN is Kosovo's ultimate goal. Whilst at the moment that might be true, I am not sure that in the longer run UN is going to exist in its current form. So, perhaps a seat in the UN might prove to be irrelevant, in the same way that ICJ's decision looks like being also.

At the end of the day, Kosovo is on the same side as US, UK, EU whilst Serbia with Russia and it will never again be part of Serbia. Now how’s THAT for a reality, which you know and dread. Worse, you dream of changing it but you know you can’t do that either.

God bless …

This is good news in that so long as Russia fights for a Serbian Kosovo, it will be hard for Kosovo to secure any of the trappings of independence. As such, Kosovo will remain relatively poor for the time being. There's nothing like frustration and poverty to bring one back to the negotiating table.

So, at this moment in time neither side is willing to budge. It'll be interesting to see if any companies take Thaci's offer of doing business in Kosovo, especially mining and energy companies and if they do, what would Serbia's response be from a legal perspective. I'd be surprised if there was any major investment this year anyway with the world in recession. Next year will be interesting, not withstanding the ICJ taking up the issue of Kosovo's legality.

It's obvious that Kosovo will never gain a UN seat, even if the ICJ rules in it's favour but i don't think the US is bothered about that. As long as it controls ALL of Kosovo, can maintain bondsteel and ultimately mine Kosovo's coal, it will have achieved it's aim.

But it'll be very interesting if the ICJ rules in Serbia's favour. The US and UK have already said it's an advisory opinion only and that they would continue as normal in Kosovo, but how would commercial companies act? Would they be willing to invest in Kosovo? If they did, what would Serbia's legal recourse be in such a situation?

If companies knew that they would be sued by Serbia for investing in Kosovo in this case, and hence there was no investment, where would Kosovo go from here? Would the EU and US still be willing to pump billions of dollars in, or would they start talking to Serbia about some form of accomodation, whatever that may be?

Russia has our back and that is more important the America's right now...the winds of change are coming my friends, i feel bad for that albanians that will be left out...Kosovo is ours! (SERBIA'S)

CCCC

“Russia in the Modern World” with recipes of yesterday.
(Blomi, 27 March 2009 13:31)

the russian bear is growling: RRRRRoaRRRRR...

(no offense to my russian frnds and colleagues)

and i am NOT shaking in my boots. should we be?

but anyway, freedom of speech, right? except in russia or w/russians, where dissidence is "rewarded" with the old axe in the back.
(or plutonium)

sorry, eta pravda...

you know, guys and gals, the more things change (in putin-russia) the more they remain the same.

roberto/ frisco

so, the self-declared "cops" of al-banida didn´t arrest him (like kostunica 2 weeks ago), did they?

i guess he is a totaly different league for the scum in carnival-uniforms then beating up women....

after withdrawing the russian cops from occupied parts of kosmet, i see this as another serious signal that it´s getting serious.

at least for EULEX and self-declared kosovo-"cops" and kosovo-"border"-patrol ....

I am wandering how is allowed in Kosova.
EA

That's right EA. If Kosovo is independent how come he was able to "sneak in to Kosovo"? Why don't you throw him out? I mean it's your "sovereign country"! Or is it?

Sirius Black "And so have 30% of UN members, 60% of UN SC members, 85% of NATO countries, 87% of G8 countries, and 81% of EU countries."

Unfortunately only the small number you quoted is important - 30%. Your status is defined by a seat at the UN, not by NATO membership, or IMF membership, etc. It's s pity for the albo's but i don't see that small 30% increasing much before the ICJ ruling, after which I expect it to drop quite a bit when Serbia wins it's case.

I think you've confused yourself with your argument about Russia. the more that Russia gets involved in the Serbian economy, the more interest it has in Kosovo. Russia's prmary export is energy. Kosovo's primary potential revenue is energy - lignite/coal. With such large energy reserves, I'm sure that Russia and China as well as the EU and US are VERY interested in Kosovo's coal reserves.

Kosovo is far from over but i'm sure that many Serbs would probably agree to an independent Kosovo minus Mitrovica, but Albanians being Albanains are just plain greedy. You want to have your cake and eat it. You talk about wanting a peace in the region, the reality on the ground, but hypocritically claim the northern part which is dominated by Serbs as being yours as well. WHY? Why do you claim the north when you can't live with Serbs?

To any objective observer it is obvious - Kosovo "independence" is a nationalistic Albanian agenda to strip other countries in the region of their land and their resources.

Unfortunately it hasn't, and won't, work. Kosovo will never be granted independence and whilst that situation remains, it will never be allowed to develop it's so called "energy sector". If it could have, it already would have by now. The Eu and US are caught in a legal trap which is why they are determined to get a seat for Kosovo at the UN. Thanks to Russia, that isn't going to happen.

Kosovo is grounded and going nowhere fast. Now THAT is the reality, and you all know it. Worse, you KNOW you can't change it either.

Russia can think whatever it wants, but Kosovo's independence is a done deal, not going back.

Russia today is probably the number one pro-US country in the world.

God bless ...
(SiriusBlack, 27 March 2009 12:41)

Depending what you mean. If it is about criminals like "Dubya" - this cannot be further from truth. And bombing of Serbia made Clinton even in Hungary (save Russia) pretty unpopular. The overwhelming majority here (HU) is either neutral or a tiny bit positive towards the southern neighbor. Bombing is not a very popular way in Europe to improve your rating.

But if it is about America as a "brand", in particular about to admire the technological progress, R&D, science and what is being offered to the consumers - than every single country in the world, even North Korea is the #1 "pro-US country" as you say.

And of course every one want to have Indian food prices and American salary, not the other way.

Okay, if a done deal means being outside the UN and other organizations permanently, then, okay. its a done deal. Personally I think its more accurate to say that Kosovo has been done in!
(lowe, 29 March 2009 06:10)

Actually Kosovo is set to join IMF soon, then later the World Bank. Kosovo is also a member of some of the smaller sporting organisations. Obviously I don't expect Kosovo to join all the big organisations right now. It will take time, but it will happen. Personally I think its more accurate to say that Serbia has been done in!

Why didn't the cowardly so called self styled Kosovo leadership try and Ban this Russian official from entering Kosovo,.. because its not a good idea to throw rocks at a Bear.

“We need to make sure that South Ossetian doesn’t become a member of international organizations and that that territory doesn’t receive any further legal subjectivity. I’d like to believe that we will, providing we stubbornly defend our position, be able to return to the issue of South Ossetian’s status. I believe that the Serbian government also adheres to this policy,” he said.

There - I fixed it.

"If he was in Kosovska Mitrovica talking about status, why he didn't drove few kilometers south to Prishtina and talk to Kosovan government about status."
(prizreni, 27 March 2009 14:22)

No need. Status is clearly defined already as far as he is concerned and he obviously doesn't recognize Pristina government.
It would be beneath him to go there.

Roberto wrote,


the russian bear is growling: RRRRRoaRRRRR...

(no offense to my russian frnds and colleagues)

Roberto, I seriously doubt you would have any Russian friends thanks to your so obvious hatred for Serbs.

Here is a headline from a credible and widely read Czeck and German newspapers:

"The now deposed Czech government had acknowledged Kosovo's independence despite the opposing viewpoints of the majority of parliamentary groups and the Czech's President, which is why there is a possibility of reexamining the disputable decision, the Vice President told a Frankfurt daily paper.

The Czecks could be the first to reverse recognition! And if they do you can expect others to follow. It only takes one to start it.

There is a lot of buzz about this in the Czech Media, just google it and read for your self.

"Oh, and from the Russian comments, its bye bye UN, WHO, EU, UEFA etc for Pristina!
(lowe, 28 March 2009 00:53)"

lowe,
are you implying that Kosovo would have been represented somehow at "UN, WHO, EU, UEFA etc" through Serbia? I highly doubt it.

The most exposure that Kosovo got at the UN was through its foreign minister last week - this would have been impossible if Kosovo somehow magically was re-absorbed by Serbia.

With this attitude of Russia and its cronies, the idea of joining Albania is becoming more and more attractive for the Kosovars :-)

Heck, half of Albania's national soccer team members are from Kosovo anyway.

"There's nothing like frustration and poverty to bring one back to the negotiating table.

Daniel, Kosovo was poorer when it was part of Serbia.
(SiriusBlack, 27 March 2009 13:59)"

I would guess Kosovo is relatively poorer compared to the rest of Serbia now than it was 10 years ago.

This is no suprise by the Russians, The USA wants help on its war on terror, it wants help with Iran, The US is willing to talk to Russia, Kosovo, AB and OS are all pawns in a big political game to the super powers.

Kosovo is no special case when the western powers granted Kosovo indpendence it was a green light for other ethnic controlled provinces to claim there independence.

Why did the west back Kosovo simple because the West wanted Yugoslavia which was pro Russian to be split up.

The west only backed Georgia because it stood against Russia. AB and OS were never originally part of Georgia this happen during Soviet times.

Afganistan, N Korea and Iran are going to be big challenges in 2009 and the US wants or needs Russias help, and as someone for the UK we can scarifice Kosovo to get the Russians onside.

The Bush years are over and Obama wants good relations with Russia so there will have to be give and take.

Without Serbia's agreement 'Kosova' will never be secure. It is a wierd invention and contrary to all logic.

Albanians ethnically cleansed Serbs from Kosovo and so get given independence? That is what has happened. Supporting the UDI is as bad as saying Milosevic was a good guy!

No difference!

'Kosova' is not secure and will never be so under the current circumstances.

Dardan, my dear...

I am quite careful with my words, you simply do not realize it.

as for "twisting the truth"... as you are writing about:

if you stuck to the truth, you wouldn´t call yourself Dardan. ...since it is a known fact that todays Albanians have no connection to the ancient illyrians whatsoever.

but, this simple truth seems not to have broken through to you yet.

some day it will.

Jovan wrote: "and the reason for that remains not only in Moscow... keep in mind two thirds of this entire planet are against your illusion. "

Jovan, you would be twisting the truth if you claim that 2/3 of the planet are against the independence. The truth is that out of all the UN members, only a handful (yes, handful - dozen or so) publicly spoke against the independence (countries dealing with secessionist movements of their own and some countries that followed Tito’s non-aligned movement). This is about 2/30 of the world.

Majority of countries that have not recognized Kosovo yet did not say that they will not recognize. Please be careful with your estimations.

Dear brothers !

Spit at all those barkers and be sure Russia will no more repeat the mistakes of the passed decade. You must feel safe under the Russian umbrella. None will dare to attack you again. Let them live on a powder barrel until we find a solution to satisfy us.

It's a big pity that Serbian Parliament and Government and President cared more not to spoil their relations with NATO than protesting the anniversary of the bombings. Yet the misfortune of the Serbs has one good and long lasting sequence. I mean that 10 years ago they let us realize how close we really are. At the price of more than 2000 Serbian lives we started to revive our traditional relations interrupted during the two Joes.

God bless you all even if you do not vote for Nikolic !

I thought Pristina could prevent Serbian and pro-Belgrade personnel from entering "Kosova" at will? No?

Oh, and from the Russian comments, its bye bye UN, WHO, EU, UEFA etc for Pristina!

"lowe,
are you implying that Kosovo would have been represented somehow at "UN, WHO, EU, UEFA etc" through Serbia? I highly doubt it.

The most exposure that Kosovo got at the UN was through its foreign minister last week - this would have been impossible if Kosovo somehow magically was re-absorbed by Serbia.

With this attitude of Russia and its cronies, the idea of joining Albania is becoming more and more attractive for the Kosovars :-)

Heck, half of Albania's national soccer team members are from Kosovo anyway.
(Dardan, 28 March 2009 14:33)"

No Dardan, I was merely remindng all that Kosovo is destined to remain outside these organizations unless it comes to an agreement with Serbia. That minister from Pristina may have been given the floor by the UN recently. So what? So did Yasser Arafat decades ago and today the Palestinians are still outside the UN.

Pristina to merge with Tirana you say? I dare Pristina to shoot itself in the foot and do that! In case you forgot the West (your benefactors) expressedly forbade Pristina to do that aka Ahtisaari!

As I said earlier, Kosovo has reached an impasse which only an agreement with Belgrade would break it.


"Russia can think whatever it wants, but Kosovo's independence is a done deal, not going back.
(Ian, UK, 28 March 2009 15:42)"

Okay, if a done deal means being outside the UN and other organizations permanently, then, okay. its a done deal. Personally I think its more accurate to say that Kosovo has been done in!

my dear albanian friends...

If I were in your shoes, I wouldn´t overestimate those helpless attempts to be present at the UN...

it only shows what the Albanians real problem actually is - simply not being what they are actually claiming to be.

no chance whatsoever of being a real state....

you can waste money ( that was given to you by internationals anyway ) for travelling to the UN and showing up before some cameras, some journalist without work will certainly point the camera on you, but the real music plays where you do not get access.

and the reason for that remains not only in Moscow... keep in mind two thirds of this entire planet are against your illusion.

ps: roberto ( who definitely has nothing to do with San Fran ), perhaps you should take care about what you are posting here...

"Actually Kosovo is set to join IMF soon, then later the World Bank. Kosovo is also a member of some of the smaller sporting organisations. Obviously I don't expect Kosovo to join all the big organisations right now. It will take time, but it will happen. Personally I think its more accurate to say that Serbia has been done in!
(Ian, UK, 29 March 2009 18:07) "

Ian UK,

Obviously I was referring to Kosovo being unable to join any international organisation which has STATEHOOD as a prerequisite, ie. UN membership where the probablity for Kosovo is practically zero. You sounded confident that this will happen in time. Well, I wouldn't hold my breath for this to happen if I were you. Don't believe me? Just look at Taiwan. It is still waiting after almost 40 years to enter the UN. And Taiwan is a wealthy country unlike impoverished Kosovo!