Tadić visits medieval Kosovo monastery

A province has 'banned' the entry of Tadic - what does that mean? Absolutely nothing.

When push came to shove, the internationals stepped in and told the provincial government to knock it off.

So why the gloating?

The so-called Kosovo government is powerless. I recall recently that its leadership said Tadic would be arrested if he tried to go into Kosovo. Now, all of the sudden, they are pretending they are letting him in as a private citizen. They are gutless. You know when Tadic goes into Kosovo he the Serbs will not be greeting him as a private citizen; they will greet him as their president. He will not tell them, "I'm visiting you as a private Serbian citizen." He will tell them he's their president. There is no winning for Kosovo's Albanians in this situation. This is a win-win for Serbia and a loss-loss for the Albanians.

did u see the list of names...?The also had the passport numbers attached. Tell me why would you show your passport id number if you think you're not visiting a sovereign country?!

Hahahahaha..
I expect Tadic not to show at the Serbia-Kosovo border.

It doesn't matter whether Kosovo allows him or not.The point is that Kosovo government is being asked and Tadic is being informed that Kosovo government needs to approve it.

So they let him in due to pressure. What did Tadic win? Did he prove that Serbian officials can get in when they want and do what they want? If he repeats it next week, then yes. It's Easter so nice timing

Has everyone missed the point? Kosovo is run by UNMIK. Only UNMIK has the power to allow or deny entry, not EULEX or Pristina. It might look good for the press that Feith says he's in charge but UNMIK takes command, not EULEX. If EULEX ever deny Tadic anything, he can simply move up the UN food chain and bypass Feith.

Besides, all this will be irrelevant in a year or so when Serbia wins it's case at the ICJ. Pristina will not be able to claim any legitimacy at all and UNMIK and EULEX will be the focus of negotiations with Serbia.

That's right 'A' - I am against the way that Kosovo is claiming independence via the UDI and the support of nations with their own agenda. In complete contradiction to international law and Resolution 1244.

Therefore I must be a 'Serbophile' and Communist. Hardly logical.

happy easter

Oh Kate it is a big deal because he had to ask for permission to enter another country so as you and the other serbians see it is not anymore Serbia in power over Republic of Kosova so if they want entrance they have to ask for permission but as you can see we are democratic country and we allowed him entry of course for religiuos purposes.

Dear president Tadic, happy Easter. This was a really nice surprise to go to Decani and spread the message of peace for all people in Kosovo.
Obviously he didn't need the permission, especially not by Peter Feith. It is just very sad that he had to be brought there by KROF helicopter 'under tight security'. This just proves that the message of peace is urgently needed in the southern province.

Serbia is right, Kosova is not a state and this shameful act by our government of being told what to do proves it. I have never been so ashamed of our "government" since the end of the war. Serbia won this one clear cut. Congrats.

Mr Feith recommends that Mr Tadic be alowed in as it is a religious holiday. So are we to assume that if it were not he should not be allowed. This is one of the most ridiculous things I have ever read.

HAHAHA. The albo newspapers claim Tadic's office sent a request to EULEX. You mean his office informed EULEX that he was coming. And he forced kfor (=nato) to provide a helicopter. This pathetic attempt by the albanians to save face is laughable.

Yes, Kate. But still Internationals had to ask the Republic of Kosovo Government.
Pushing the shove or pulling the dirt is not a problem. Ya man asked KS Government for permission.

As predicted, all the Albanian groupthinkers here are spinning this into a victory despite being told what to do by EULEX only a day after boasting Tadic will not enter their "country".

How is it that Tadic asked permission? He came, EULEX saw, Pristina squirmed, Feith executed, and now those who can't stand to see their "country's" government pwned are somehow still claiming a victory. Even Thaci himself couldn't find something to excuse but said it was a wise thing to do - of course in hindsight. God forbid he should look dumbfounded.

I'm more inclined to agree with "european" here. Both sides are given the idea that their own authority is being honored - Tadic thinks he can enter Kosovo after EULEX provides him access, and Pristina thinks it has any authority after Feith granted them the honor acknowledging their existence. If Tadic notified anybody it was the official authorities in the region - UNMIK/EULEX.

The point is Tadic came to Kosovo, and he crossed the Ibar. The point is Pristina couldn't do a damn thing. The point is Albanians here are now trying to spin it into a victory for their wounded pride. The point here is that on a message of peace, Albanians here have little no no interest in talking about peace unless it is solely and exclusively on their terms. Yet if Tadic or anyone else can come and go as they please with the approval of EULEX, one need not worry too much about the terms Pristina proposes.

Good job Tadic.
Good job EULEX.

Do you Albanians visiting this site have nothing better to do than to slag Serbia off?
Also, you should be aware of the good old saying "What goes around comes around".

letting Pristina have the appearance of "granting" Tadic entry into a sovereign country and letting Tadic have the appearance of "visiting his southern province" is a win win situation for all concerned - the alternative - him not informing or them not granting him entry - can only be trouble for everyone - including the internationals...

This proves one thing: Neither Serbs or Albanians are in charge of Kosovo. The EU/America is. If not for them, Serbs wouldn't ask anyone for permission to enter it's own territory and if not for the West Albanians wouldn't let Serbs enter. Albanians have systematically expelled Serbs from Kosovo so why would they want them to come back? The West is playing a game making it seem like both Serbs and Albanians are right. Kosovo today is truly a lawless territory under nobodys/everybodys control.

This just shows how poorly thought out and one sided the Ahtisaari plan really was.

Camp Albania complains how it grants Serbians more minority rights than anywhere in the world, yet time and time again they attempt to ban Serbs from visiting their Holy sites or bringing hope to our people.

While I may support partition as a solution, there is no way I could support any of our historical or cultural sites having any sort of visitation restrictions on them.

How would the Albanian leadership behave if they were fully in charge? Obviously they would be more than happy to completely cut us off from what we consider to be the very cradle and foundation of our civilization. I suspect they will continue to attempt to co-opt such sites claiming they are actually Albanian sites originally.

Clearly the current Albanian leadership is only interested in starting another war.

"He arrived at the monastery, located some 100 kilometers west of Priština, in a KFOR helicopter, and under strong security measures in place."

"Tadić's cabinet said earlier in the day that no permission for the visit had been sought from the temporary institutions in the province."


"Also today, reports said that EU's special representative in Kosovo Pieter Feith had said that he had recommended to the government in Priština to make Tadić's visit Kosovo possible"

"a Priština government spokesman told Beta news agency that any official that does not go to the Kosovo institutions would not be allowed to enter the territory."

Albanian language daily Express reported in Priština yesterday that the president's cabinet sent its request for Tadić to visit Kosovo to Feith on April 14."

"Kosovo Albanian Prime Minister Hashim Thaci, who was visiting Slovenia, said that "authorities in Kosovo will very quickly make a wise decision over this issue"

If we follow the timeline, we find that Tadic is already in Kosovo before Feith starts babbling about "recommending Tadic's visit".

Seems like K-albs weren't even aware that he was coming until he arrived and then started pulling some Orwellian double speak and erasing the past to write a newer version of the event.

According to this report, it looks like Pristina is still figuring out whether to give him permission to come - even though he's already there.

Silly Rabbits, trix are for kids.

This is insane. This what happens when passions run to high and common sense is lost in the process. The president of Serbia and for that matter any Serbian citizen should be able to visit Kosovo anytime it wants and vice versa. Why do we need to have borders. In the old days you could travel from one end of Yugo to the other end without the fear of being stopped and harrassed by hooligans, now a days you cant travel from one village to another without being insulted. Is this what we are trying to create? I praised Mr. Tadic -- he brought a conciliatory message perhaps others need to follow it. We cant have peace and prosperity if we dont respect and help each other out. Kosovo goverment should have never taken a hard stand on this visit. In fact it should encourage all Serbs to visit their monasteries and other religious sites. Is anyone thinking of how to generate income or do they just think of how to steal and protect their close interests? We desperately need Surroi to take charge.

Well he applied for a permission to enter Kosova and it was granted. I Didn't know you had to request a permission to visit your own provins. But this is the evidence that he is visiting The Republic of Kosovo. LOL LOL... Why ask the ICJ when reality says Kosovo is Independent.

>> "A province has 'banned' the entry of Tadic - what does that mean? Absolutely nothing. When push came to shove, the internationals stepped in and told the provincial government to knock it off."

"Provincial" ? Read again what Feith said. You have the right to decide who gets in, but you should allow him since it's Easter and you need to improve relations with serbia and vice-versa. It's Easter and he is going to a Church, not to hold a rally or support parallel institutions. Great humanitarian gesture from the Republic of Kosova.

How humiliating for the "President" to have to ask for permission to enter from hi "southern Province." This is nothing to brag about in Serbia, it's extremely humiliating, unless he is trying to break the ice

Welldone Tadic. This is the way to behave. You ask for permission first and Prishtina will think about it. It's hard to believe however that Kosova is still part of Serbia.

Tadic is where he should be, in the cradle of the Serbian civilization; the Serbian monuments are the true problem for Albanians because they show that Kosovo was Serbia from the earliest times; that's why the Albanians are so keen to destroy them and everything that's Christian in the Province; cheers Europe ...

My message today in Visoki Dečani is a message of peace, peace for Serbs and Albanians who live in Kosovo and Serbia, because without peace we cannot secure decent living. Without faith in peace we cannot live normal lives," Tadić said today.

"for Serbs and Albanians who live in Kosovo and Serbia"

Sir/Madam
Just read the above paragraph and if this does not mean two different countries, then I am insane.
Way to go Mr. Tadic, you just gave up Kosovo for good with this statemant.

@Rada

Tadic actually said "Moja poruka je poruka mira za Srbe i Albance, sve koji žive na Kosovu u našoj Srbiji",

Which translates as "My message is a message of peace for Serbs and Albanians, all who live in Kosovo, in our Serbia"

Need peerimission from uck terrorist government to enter our Holy Land? Yeah right, uck does as their masters tell them to do. I can only imagine what would happen if they dare not follow any of their orders.

"Tadić's cabinet also said that no permission for the visit had been sought from the temporary institutions in the province."

What's the big fuss? K-Albanians got pwned this time.

In 2003, a group of Albanian men in Pec told me that Decani Monastery was built on top of an original mosque.
I thought about this for some time until I discovered that no muslim had ever settled in the Metohija region prior to the erection of Decani Monastery or for a long time later.

I don't blame those Albanian men for their ignorance. I do blame the greedy, uncultured, ruthless americans in the US State Department who spread this drivel.

MB,Ireland

Now that's a head of state comes to visit a country. He first asks permission a day or two before, that permission is then reviewed, and then a decision is made to let that person enter or not.

Good job Kosovo!

Tadic did not ask permission as I read it. so Kosovo didn't have anything to not grant, whether they could have or not.

The "province" has become a country, like it or not. Too bad you as a British Serbophile and Communistphile could not do anything with that.

ha ha, one more proof of: dogs that yell don't bite...

so there was no albanian trash-talker to see & to arrest his president...

don't be too nervous albos, as you show us here, you'll get million chances to arrest your president & your pm, but the problem is that you will shut up just like today...

only tadic is able to fly in a helicopter of the short-time occupiers, something kostunica or the russian ambassador (a few weeks ago) would never do.

on the other hand, you just have to check B92's pictures (of the day) if you want to know why yelling haven't been seen & feith out of the blue transformed from an "observer" to an albanian tribal chief...

i guess you don't want to mess with your good known and very own gendermarie....

respect where respect belongs, if anyone can handle yelling, than thats the boss of DS...

Tadic sent his request to or through Eulex. Who in turn said it is the Kosovo authorities decision.
Bottom line is Serbia is in control of nothing.
How can you want to continue this way when the whole world through res 1244 is saying that you cannot be trusted to have any power of control over that which you claim as your own. Plus the double embarrassment of having all your elected officials praise such a document.

Tadic with this visit, just recognized de facto the independence of Kosova.
As I have said before Serbian politicians should not be prevented to enter Kosova, as long as they promote a message of peace and reconciliation. And Tadic did that, so it's a good thing, and he should be congratulated for that. Happy easter btw to all the Orthodox faithful.

Now on the issues of protocol and their significance. Every single detail of this story underlines the fact that Tadic just recognized de facto Kosova's independence and the supremacy of the Ahtisaari's plan over Res 1244.
- According to Kermabon, Tadic's office requested permission from EULEX office in Belgrade - normal since Kosova doesn't have a diplomatic representation there - from Peter Sorensen - the same Peter that Jeremic quite unwisely antagonized a couple of months ago. Jeremic, back then tried to make it appear as if Sorensen was not important and he would only talk to UNMIK. Today UNMIK sees its funding cut and Sorensen is the person to talk to in Belgrade, regarding Kosova.
- Albanian media published the actual letter of the request, together with passport numbers of Tadic's visiting party, so the request was made officially.
- Peter Faith sent the request to Kosova's government, in line with EULEX's role of advising the government and facilitating communication betw Kosova and Serbia. The decision was then made by Kosova institutions to allow such a visit, reversing an earlier stance to block him.
- Thaci would have loved nothing better than to deny entry, or at least humiliate Tadic, letting him wait at the border for a few hours. Clearly he was pressured by Faith against this. Had Thaci been a little bit more imaginative, instead of going in Slovenia, he should have gone himself with Sejdiu in Decan and roll the red carpet, play the national anthems of Kosova and Serbia and give Tadic an official welcome from the President of Kosova to the President of Serbia. But, I guess that would have provoked a lot of vomit throughout Kosova.

What does this visit tell us about the state of things:
- Tadic, recognized de facto the independence of Kosova. People that say that Thaci, and Sejdiu are not important, that UNMIK and 1244 have supremacy over EULEX and Ahtisaari's plan, that "Kosovo je Serbia" etc, etc, should see the writting on the wall. To a great degree, UNMIK and Res 1244 have faded out and EULEX and Ahtisaari Plan have faded in.
- Kosova is not as independent/sovereign as it would like to be. EULEX still have a lot of pull over the big things. EULEX likes to act as if their role is purely advisoral, but in fact it's more like a back seat driver with its own steering wheel. After all, Ahtisaari plan envisioned Kosova with a "supervised independence" not full independence, a fact not yet forgotten by EULEX and the significant Western powers. Now, the limits of the supervision are debatable, but it feels as if they are set to be deliberately fluid.

Wow, I just read some of the crazy comments and speculation on this site today. It is Good Friday and although I am no fan of Tadic, I sincerely hope his visit to our Southern province was not politically motivated. He entered as he intended even though the Albanians said they would arrest him. Obviously no chance of that.

Simple fact - Kosovo is occupied territory and is neither controlled entirely by the Albanians, Serbians or the occupiers. Each have their areas of influences and control. If that were not the case then this endless debate about status wouldn't be occuring. It's that simple and one event is not going to prove one thing or another. Until the powers that be are brave and unselfish enough to start real negotiations on a final solution, this debate will never end. I agree with Jeff that this concept of borders really needs to be revised as it is the basis for murder throughout the world.

It is sad to see Serbian citizens and diaspora, be they ethnic Serbian or Albanian, arguing about our holy land on this holy day. Peace to all of us!

I think that Kosovo is an independent country and Serbs have to face the reality.

There is no way that Prishtina wants to ban the entry to any president in the world and moreover to the Serbian president.

But of course they would need to notify their will to visit and the entry is easy guaranteed.

If Tadic or other president enters a country that doesn’t control and happens something to him who should be blamed??

Tdic notified his will to visit Kosova and the Kosova's authorities are taking the necessary measures to guarantee the safety to president Tadic according to the Kosova's laws.

To be more clear, if Tadi's security personnel can be armed and what kind of arms can carry, how many of them can be, is defined by the Kosova's laws not by Sebian laws or by the will and the good judgment of the security and protocol people of Serbia.

K-Albanians although very often attacked as unwilling to compromise (attack is the best defence) NEVER attacked or created any problems to the tourist-nationalist-victim visits of Tadic and Kostunica in the past. I mean they could simply lay down in the road ad ban him from entering in Kosova, but they never did that.

But there is a good question, in my opinion, to be addressed to Tadic et al is: where this fashion of visiting Kosova in religious holidays is coming from???

Serb never visited the monoesters of Kosova.

The mighty Milosevic was only once in 1989 in Kosova and created all the mess that he did, and he NEVER visited Kosova again.

So where is all this fashion coming from??? Again the victim card: our sacred monasteries were taken from us??? Here you got the answer why it will NEVER be banned Tadic or any other president of visiting Kosova since their victim alibi/weapon will disappear.

‘Also today, reports said that EU's special representative in Kosovo Pieter Feith had said that he had recommended to the government in Priština to make Tadić's visit Kosovo possible.’
It wouldn’t have been wise for Kosovans to upset Feith (keep your friends close...). It’s wiser to take their advice and allow Tadic in (...and your enemies closer.)

Once again Serbia tries to incite a violent Albanian response by sending their president over for a few minutes by helicopter just to light a candle. And once again Serbia fails seeing as though the Albanians don't fall easily through these traps.

That candle wasn't for Easter. It was Tadic saying "goodbye Kosovo." :D

Whats the big fuss here? Read carefully the duties of EULEX according to the Constitution of the Republic of Kosovo. Monitoring, non arbitrary. They're not an authority. Since, Kosovo and Serbia have not established their diplomatic relations yet, it's reasonable for Tadic to ask EU office in Belgrade. What's important, Tadic did not ask UNMIK, this time. LOL. Whats important, Tadic asked ICO which monitors the implementation of Ahtisaari plan.

Next time, Tadic will ask for visa at the Republic of Kosovo Embassy in Belgrade.
And the permission of this trip was not free. Had to cave in for something in return.

"Kosova should be open to all Serbs as it is open to all Albanians from Albania and Macedonia. People would be free to come in and out of Kosova as they wish. The borders are there only to mark where a jurisdiction starts and the other finishes."

This is the idea I too share village-bey even though rhetoric around here can get heated. I think if more Albanian leaders show their openness rather than throwing around threats of expulsion and bans, Serbs and Albanians can reduce the level of mutual distrust.

I'd even say that it's about time K-Albanian leaders personally work at establishing better relations with the Serb communities, of which they claim are part of their state. Regardless of semantics and letterhead logos, it's not just Tadic who should be visiting the Serbs this Easter weekend, but officials from Pristina in a sign of good faith. If not people like Thaci, then at least more seasoned politicans like Surroi.

Yes, it was a good speech which is unfortunately overshadowed by the subject of Tadic's arrival.

@ Kate and @ Raso

Your President visited High Decani did not resemble a 'political meeting' it was to a reasonable human being who reads these news more of a private religious meeting to try to come the tensions in the neighbouring country.

Holly Molly he was escorted by the Nato troops, and there was no rhetoric from what we are used to Serbian politicans 'Kosovo is Serbia' it was a message of peace. Finally the reason of Serbia has started to prevail and that your ex president Milosevic, has lost you Kosovo wich you have democratically elected him and brought him to power.

The sooner you let this honourable man Mr Tadic lead you with his will, the sooner you cease to become something that resembles a pariach state and sooner your lives will improve.

Meanwhile Kosovo is to commemorated the Exodus day. And also the death of Haradinaj brother in Decan. Hahahaha. I bets are that Tadic cancelled his trip.

Welcome to Kosova Mr Tadic. Kosova should be open to all Serbs as it is open to all Albanians from Albania and Macedonia. People would be free to come in and out of Kosova as they wish. The borders are there only to mark where a jurisdiction starts and the other finishes.
Good speech by the way, this time Mr President talked primarily of peace rather than drugs.

Dear all, regarding President Boris Tadić's statement in Visoki Dečani, Beta news agency has since corrected its original report in Serbian, and our article here has been updated with the correct version of the President's statement.

Regards,

B92

If many of the comments here are to believed as representative, then it goes to show that we are still using politics of the playground.
In the midst of this some ethnic Serbs are trying to use every excuse to blame one of their own (Tadic) for the Kosovo situation. Some Albanians are openly calling for EULEX to be thrown out.
To the Albanians I say, this is hardly a big issue, so forget the tears, or the 'outrage' - Tadic is a relatively decent politician, a man who can be dealt with. Lets sit down.

To the Serbs I'd say, this was a minor victory of sorts, but it hardly changes anything of substance.

Its almost as if some of you enjoy being upset or outraged / victorious about something. I suggest you guys find some sport to excercise your emotions on.
Kosovo is too important to use for some kind of personal emotional satisfaction.

EULEX must leave now!

I think Tadic is a very clever man. He showed every straight forward thinking Serb that if you want to visit a different country just ask normally and politely and you'll be able to go. Good on you mr T. Kosova will never ban serbs from visiting their holly sites and this was proven today.

Mike
It is apparent that my yardstick is different than yours, but thank god we agree on something. You say that threats of expulsions and bans towards Serbian politicians contrasts Mr Tadic’s message of peace.
Well any peace effort is welcomed but your Mr President is a bit inconsistent. Only last month on his address to United Nations Mr Tadic spoke of grave concerns about Albanian mafia and their usual drug dealings, putting in danger mighty Serbia herself. Fair enough he is a politician and speaks to different audiences but contradictions are huge. I do understand that he is trying a fine balancing act but Serbia’s problems need addressing not retouching.

United states of albania
(lili, 18 April 2009 12:06)

Roberto,

You asked about what "Albanian irredentism is". Lili gave you the answer. That's the distorted mirror image of "Velika Srbija". If even the original is not necessarily the best medicine, how about that image...

Deceiver,

How can lighing a candle incite violence from anyone? If it does, there is no need for anyone else to post another message on any blog regarding Kosovo since everything would be absolutely clear. For other posters, why is Tadic's visit such a surprise or such a massive insult? If there wasn't an inferiority complex within a certain portion of Kosovo's and Albania's population, Tadic's visit would be a non-event.

as always,serb officials give a good help to albanian nationalizm!
we had began to forget about serbian pretention about kosova,with our independence!
this guy,with the benediction of nato and eulex,came and said:don't forget!Thanks to him, we wake up from our euforic state of mind...
bad news for all,but the war is not over according to Tadic,so thanks,we receive your message Mister tadic, and as we do not want to be part of Your serbia,we will begin to do what needed!
and one again thank you kfor,eulex and tadic to remind to albanians that the war is not over and that the job has not been done!
United states of albania

you ask why tadic visit is an insult.
I will tell you how we do feel about it,as albanians:
Mr Tadic choses a church in kosovo,for political reason and absolutly not religious reasons.He came and said his unfriendly words at the moment we are commemorating the 10 anniversary of the albanian exodus and the killing of more than 12000 of us by your sodiers and paramilitary with the benediction of pricisly this church and these monks in Decan..he came just as Milosevic came in gazimestan to promise to impose serbian rules over kosova...
He came and remind us of your crime,and he gave us the promise of new crimes to come in the name of your "kosovo je serbia!"
He did not come to call for peace with his candle,on the contrary he came to bring war again in kosova...
Mr tadi4 came in kosova not to ask for forgiveness but to encourage new serbian crimes.
As I said,we have to be thankfull to eulex and kfor for this message "live" in kosova:it reminds us of your crimes and awake us from our stade of eufory due to independence.IT reminds us that we have be ready and not let it happen again.

So they let him in due to pressure. What did Tadic win? Did he prove that Serbian officials can get in when they want and do what they want? If he repeats it next week, then yes. It's Easter so nice timing

did u see the list of names...?The also had the passport numbers attached. Tell me why would you show your passport id number if you think you're not visiting a sovereign country?!

Hahahahaha..
I expect Tadic not to show at the Serbia-Kosovo border.

It doesn't matter whether Kosovo allows him or not.The point is that Kosovo government is being asked and Tadic is being informed that Kosovo government needs to approve it.

Oh Kate it is a big deal because he had to ask for permission to enter another country so as you and the other serbians see it is not anymore Serbia in power over Republic of Kosova so if they want entrance they have to ask for permission but as you can see we are democratic country and we allowed him entry of course for religiuos purposes.

Welldone Tadic. This is the way to behave. You ask for permission first and Prishtina will think about it. It's hard to believe however that Kosova is still part of Serbia.

Well he applied for a permission to enter Kosova and it was granted. I Didn't know you had to request a permission to visit your own provins. But this is the evidence that he is visiting The Republic of Kosovo. LOL LOL... Why ask the ICJ when reality says Kosovo is Independent.

The "province" has become a country, like it or not. Too bad you as a British Serbophile and Communistphile could not do anything with that.

>> "A province has 'banned' the entry of Tadic - what does that mean? Absolutely nothing. When push came to shove, the internationals stepped in and told the provincial government to knock it off."

"Provincial" ? Read again what Feith said. You have the right to decide who gets in, but you should allow him since it's Easter and you need to improve relations with serbia and vice-versa. It's Easter and he is going to a Church, not to hold a rally or support parallel institutions. Great humanitarian gesture from the Republic of Kosova.

How humiliating for the "President" to have to ask for permission to enter from hi "southern Province." This is nothing to brag about in Serbia, it's extremely humiliating, unless he is trying to break the ice

Now that's a head of state comes to visit a country. He first asks permission a day or two before, that permission is then reviewed, and then a decision is made to let that person enter or not.

Good job Kosovo!

A province has 'banned' the entry of Tadic - what does that mean? Absolutely nothing.

When push came to shove, the internationals stepped in and told the provincial government to knock it off.

So why the gloating?

Meanwhile Kosovo is to commemorated the Exodus day. And also the death of Haradinaj brother in Decan. Hahahaha. I bets are that Tadic cancelled his trip.

Whats the big fuss here? Read carefully the duties of EULEX according to the Constitution of the Republic of Kosovo. Monitoring, non arbitrary. They're not an authority. Since, Kosovo and Serbia have not established their diplomatic relations yet, it's reasonable for Tadic to ask EU office in Belgrade. What's important, Tadic did not ask UNMIK, this time. LOL. Whats important, Tadic asked ICO which monitors the implementation of Ahtisaari plan.

Next time, Tadic will ask for visa at the Republic of Kosovo Embassy in Belgrade.
And the permission of this trip was not free. Had to cave in for something in return.

Yes, Kate. But still Internationals had to ask the Republic of Kosovo Government.
Pushing the shove or pulling the dirt is not a problem. Ya man asked KS Government for permission.

There is no way that Prishtina wants to ban the entry to any president in the world and moreover to the Serbian president.

But of course they would need to notify their will to visit and the entry is easy guaranteed.

If Tadic or other president enters a country that doesn’t control and happens something to him who should be blamed??

Tdic notified his will to visit Kosova and the Kosova's authorities are taking the necessary measures to guarantee the safety to president Tadic according to the Kosova's laws.

To be more clear, if Tadi's security personnel can be armed and what kind of arms can carry, how many of them can be, is defined by the Kosova's laws not by Sebian laws or by the will and the good judgment of the security and protocol people of Serbia.

K-Albanians although very often attacked as unwilling to compromise (attack is the best defence) NEVER attacked or created any problems to the tourist-nationalist-victim visits of Tadic and Kostunica in the past. I mean they could simply lay down in the road ad ban him from entering in Kosova, but they never did that.

But there is a good question, in my opinion, to be addressed to Tadic et al is: where this fashion of visiting Kosova in religious holidays is coming from???

Serb never visited the monoesters of Kosova.

The mighty Milosevic was only once in 1989 in Kosova and created all the mess that he did, and he NEVER visited Kosova again.

So where is all this fashion coming from??? Again the victim card: our sacred monasteries were taken from us??? Here you got the answer why it will NEVER be banned Tadic or any other president of visiting Kosova since their victim alibi/weapon will disappear.

Tadic sent his request to or through Eulex. Who in turn said it is the Kosovo authorities decision.
Bottom line is Serbia is in control of nothing.
How can you want to continue this way when the whole world through res 1244 is saying that you cannot be trusted to have any power of control over that which you claim as your own. Plus the double embarrassment of having all your elected officials praise such a document.

The so-called Kosovo government is powerless. I recall recently that its leadership said Tadic would be arrested if he tried to go into Kosovo. Now, all of the sudden, they are pretending they are letting him in as a private citizen. They are gutless. You know when Tadic goes into Kosovo he the Serbs will not be greeting him as a private citizen; they will greet him as their president. He will not tell them, "I'm visiting you as a private Serbian citizen." He will tell them he's their president. There is no winning for Kosovo's Albanians in this situation. This is a win-win for Serbia and a loss-loss for the Albanians.

I think that Kosovo is an independent country and Serbs have to face the reality.

Do you Albanians visiting this site have nothing better to do than to slag Serbia off?
Also, you should be aware of the good old saying "What goes around comes around".

Has everyone missed the point? Kosovo is run by UNMIK. Only UNMIK has the power to allow or deny entry, not EULEX or Pristina. It might look good for the press that Feith says he's in charge but UNMIK takes command, not EULEX. If EULEX ever deny Tadic anything, he can simply move up the UN food chain and bypass Feith.

Besides, all this will be irrelevant in a year or so when Serbia wins it's case at the ICJ. Pristina will not be able to claim any legitimacy at all and UNMIK and EULEX will be the focus of negotiations with Serbia.

That's right 'A' - I am against the way that Kosovo is claiming independence via the UDI and the support of nations with their own agenda. In complete contradiction to international law and Resolution 1244.

Therefore I must be a 'Serbophile' and Communist. Hardly logical.

My message today in Visoki Dečani is a message of peace, peace for Serbs and Albanians who live in Kosovo and Serbia, because without peace we cannot secure decent living. Without faith in peace we cannot live normal lives," Tadić said today.

"for Serbs and Albanians who live in Kosovo and Serbia"

Sir/Madam
Just read the above paragraph and if this does not mean two different countries, then I am insane.
Way to go Mr. Tadic, you just gave up Kosovo for good with this statemant.

Serbia is right, Kosova is not a state and this shameful act by our government of being told what to do proves it. I have never been so ashamed of our "government" since the end of the war. Serbia won this one clear cut. Congrats.

HAHAHA. The albo newspapers claim Tadic's office sent a request to EULEX. You mean his office informed EULEX that he was coming. And he forced kfor (=nato) to provide a helicopter. This pathetic attempt by the albanians to save face is laughable.

"He arrived at the monastery, located some 100 kilometers west of Priština, in a KFOR helicopter, and under strong security measures in place."

"Tadić's cabinet said earlier in the day that no permission for the visit had been sought from the temporary institutions in the province."


"Also today, reports said that EU's special representative in Kosovo Pieter Feith had said that he had recommended to the government in Priština to make Tadić's visit Kosovo possible"

"a Priština government spokesman told Beta news agency that any official that does not go to the Kosovo institutions would not be allowed to enter the territory."

Albanian language daily Express reported in Priština yesterday that the president's cabinet sent its request for Tadić to visit Kosovo to Feith on April 14."

"Kosovo Albanian Prime Minister Hashim Thaci, who was visiting Slovenia, said that "authorities in Kosovo will very quickly make a wise decision over this issue"

If we follow the timeline, we find that Tadic is already in Kosovo before Feith starts babbling about "recommending Tadic's visit".

Seems like K-albs weren't even aware that he was coming until he arrived and then started pulling some Orwellian double speak and erasing the past to write a newer version of the event.

According to this report, it looks like Pristina is still figuring out whether to give him permission to come - even though he's already there.

Silly Rabbits, trix are for kids.

Need peerimission from uck terrorist government to enter our Holy Land? Yeah right, uck does as their masters tell them to do. I can only imagine what would happen if they dare not follow any of their orders.

ha ha, one more proof of: dogs that yell don't bite...

so there was no albanian trash-talker to see & to arrest his president...

don't be too nervous albos, as you show us here, you'll get million chances to arrest your president & your pm, but the problem is that you will shut up just like today...

only tadic is able to fly in a helicopter of the short-time occupiers, something kostunica or the russian ambassador (a few weeks ago) would never do.

on the other hand, you just have to check B92's pictures (of the day) if you want to know why yelling haven't been seen & feith out of the blue transformed from an "observer" to an albanian tribal chief...

i guess you don't want to mess with your good known and very own gendermarie....

respect where respect belongs, if anyone can handle yelling, than thats the boss of DS...

I think Tadic is a very clever man. He showed every straight forward thinking Serb that if you want to visit a different country just ask normally and politely and you'll be able to go. Good on you mr T. Kosova will never ban serbs from visiting their holly sites and this was proven today.

Once again Serbia tries to incite a violent Albanian response by sending their president over for a few minutes by helicopter just to light a candle. And once again Serbia fails seeing as though the Albanians don't fall easily through these traps.

That candle wasn't for Easter. It was Tadic saying "goodbye Kosovo." :D

As predicted, all the Albanian groupthinkers here are spinning this into a victory despite being told what to do by EULEX only a day after boasting Tadic will not enter their "country".

How is it that Tadic asked permission? He came, EULEX saw, Pristina squirmed, Feith executed, and now those who can't stand to see their "country's" government pwned are somehow still claiming a victory. Even Thaci himself couldn't find something to excuse but said it was a wise thing to do - of course in hindsight. God forbid he should look dumbfounded.

I'm more inclined to agree with "european" here. Both sides are given the idea that their own authority is being honored - Tadic thinks he can enter Kosovo after EULEX provides him access, and Pristina thinks it has any authority after Feith granted them the honor acknowledging their existence. If Tadic notified anybody it was the official authorities in the region - UNMIK/EULEX.

The point is Tadic came to Kosovo, and he crossed the Ibar. The point is Pristina couldn't do a damn thing. The point is Albanians here are now trying to spin it into a victory for their wounded pride. The point here is that on a message of peace, Albanians here have little no no interest in talking about peace unless it is solely and exclusively on their terms. Yet if Tadic or anyone else can come and go as they please with the approval of EULEX, one need not worry too much about the terms Pristina proposes.

Good job Tadic.
Good job EULEX.

Dear all, regarding President Boris Tadić's statement in Visoki Dečani, Beta news agency has since corrected its original report in Serbian, and our article here has been updated with the correct version of the President's statement.

Regards,

B92

@ Kate and @ Raso

Your President visited High Decani did not resemble a 'political meeting' it was to a reasonable human being who reads these news more of a private religious meeting to try to come the tensions in the neighbouring country.

Holly Molly he was escorted by the Nato troops, and there was no rhetoric from what we are used to Serbian politicans 'Kosovo is Serbia' it was a message of peace. Finally the reason of Serbia has started to prevail and that your ex president Milosevic, has lost you Kosovo wich you have democratically elected him and brought him to power.

The sooner you let this honourable man Mr Tadic lead you with his will, the sooner you cease to become something that resembles a pariach state and sooner your lives will improve.

Tadic with this visit, just recognized de facto the independence of Kosova.
As I have said before Serbian politicians should not be prevented to enter Kosova, as long as they promote a message of peace and reconciliation. And Tadic did that, so it's a good thing, and he should be congratulated for that. Happy easter btw to all the Orthodox faithful.

Now on the issues of protocol and their significance. Every single detail of this story underlines the fact that Tadic just recognized de facto Kosova's independence and the supremacy of the Ahtisaari's plan over Res 1244.
- According to Kermabon, Tadic's office requested permission from EULEX office in Belgrade - normal since Kosova doesn't have a diplomatic representation there - from Peter Sorensen - the same Peter that Jeremic quite unwisely antagonized a couple of months ago. Jeremic, back then tried to make it appear as if Sorensen was not important and he would only talk to UNMIK. Today UNMIK sees its funding cut and Sorensen is the person to talk to in Belgrade, regarding Kosova.
- Albanian media published the actual letter of the request, together with passport numbers of Tadic's visiting party, so the request was made officially.
- Peter Faith sent the request to Kosova's government, in line with EULEX's role of advising the government and facilitating communication betw Kosova and Serbia. The decision was then made by Kosova institutions to allow such a visit, reversing an earlier stance to block him.
- Thaci would have loved nothing better than to deny entry, or at least humiliate Tadic, letting him wait at the border for a few hours. Clearly he was pressured by Faith against this. Had Thaci been a little bit more imaginative, instead of going in Slovenia, he should have gone himself with Sejdiu in Decan and roll the red carpet, play the national anthems of Kosova and Serbia and give Tadic an official welcome from the President of Kosova to the President of Serbia. But, I guess that would have provoked a lot of vomit throughout Kosova.

What does this visit tell us about the state of things:
- Tadic, recognized de facto the independence of Kosova. People that say that Thaci, and Sejdiu are not important, that UNMIK and 1244 have supremacy over EULEX and Ahtisaari's plan, that "Kosovo je Serbia" etc, etc, should see the writting on the wall. To a great degree, UNMIK and Res 1244 have faded out and EULEX and Ahtisaari Plan have faded in.
- Kosova is not as independent/sovereign as it would like to be. EULEX still have a lot of pull over the big things. EULEX likes to act as if their role is purely advisoral, but in fact it's more like a back seat driver with its own steering wheel. After all, Ahtisaari plan envisioned Kosova with a "supervised independence" not full independence, a fact not yet forgotten by EULEX and the significant Western powers. Now, the limits of the supervision are debatable, but it feels as if they are set to be deliberately fluid.

Mr Feith recommends that Mr Tadic be alowed in as it is a religious holiday. So are we to assume that if it were not he should not be allowed. This is one of the most ridiculous things I have ever read.

This proves one thing: Neither Serbs or Albanians are in charge of Kosovo. The EU/America is. If not for them, Serbs wouldn't ask anyone for permission to enter it's own territory and if not for the West Albanians wouldn't let Serbs enter. Albanians have systematically expelled Serbs from Kosovo so why would they want them to come back? The West is playing a game making it seem like both Serbs and Albanians are right. Kosovo today is truly a lawless territory under nobodys/everybodys control.

This just shows how poorly thought out and one sided the Ahtisaari plan really was.

Camp Albania complains how it grants Serbians more minority rights than anywhere in the world, yet time and time again they attempt to ban Serbs from visiting their Holy sites or bringing hope to our people.

While I may support partition as a solution, there is no way I could support any of our historical or cultural sites having any sort of visitation restrictions on them.

How would the Albanian leadership behave if they were fully in charge? Obviously they would be more than happy to completely cut us off from what we consider to be the very cradle and foundation of our civilization. I suspect they will continue to attempt to co-opt such sites claiming they are actually Albanian sites originally.

Clearly the current Albanian leadership is only interested in starting another war.

Tadic is where he should be, in the cradle of the Serbian civilization; the Serbian monuments are the true problem for Albanians because they show that Kosovo was Serbia from the earliest times; that's why the Albanians are so keen to destroy them and everything that's Christian in the Province; cheers Europe ...

EULEX must leave now!

Tadic did not ask permission as I read it. so Kosovo didn't have anything to not grant, whether they could have or not.

‘Also today, reports said that EU's special representative in Kosovo Pieter Feith had said that he had recommended to the government in Priština to make Tadić's visit Kosovo possible.’
It wouldn’t have been wise for Kosovans to upset Feith (keep your friends close...). It’s wiser to take their advice and allow Tadic in (...and your enemies closer.)

"Tadić's cabinet also said that no permission for the visit had been sought from the temporary institutions in the province."

What's the big fuss? K-Albanians got pwned this time.

Wow, I just read some of the crazy comments and speculation on this site today. It is Good Friday and although I am no fan of Tadic, I sincerely hope his visit to our Southern province was not politically motivated. He entered as he intended even though the Albanians said they would arrest him. Obviously no chance of that.

Simple fact - Kosovo is occupied territory and is neither controlled entirely by the Albanians, Serbians or the occupiers. Each have their areas of influences and control. If that were not the case then this endless debate about status wouldn't be occuring. It's that simple and one event is not going to prove one thing or another. Until the powers that be are brave and unselfish enough to start real negotiations on a final solution, this debate will never end. I agree with Jeff that this concept of borders really needs to be revised as it is the basis for murder throughout the world.

It is sad to see Serbian citizens and diaspora, be they ethnic Serbian or Albanian, arguing about our holy land on this holy day. Peace to all of us!

Welcome to Kosova Mr Tadic. Kosova should be open to all Serbs as it is open to all Albanians from Albania and Macedonia. People would be free to come in and out of Kosova as they wish. The borders are there only to mark where a jurisdiction starts and the other finishes.
Good speech by the way, this time Mr President talked primarily of peace rather than drugs.

In 2003, a group of Albanian men in Pec told me that Decani Monastery was built on top of an original mosque.
I thought about this for some time until I discovered that no muslim had ever settled in the Metohija region prior to the erection of Decani Monastery or for a long time later.

I don't blame those Albanian men for their ignorance. I do blame the greedy, uncultured, ruthless americans in the US State Department who spread this drivel.

MB,Ireland

Mike
It is apparent that my yardstick is different than yours, but thank god we agree on something. You say that threats of expulsions and bans towards Serbian politicians contrasts Mr Tadic’s message of peace.
Well any peace effort is welcomed but your Mr President is a bit inconsistent. Only last month on his address to United Nations Mr Tadic spoke of grave concerns about Albanian mafia and their usual drug dealings, putting in danger mighty Serbia herself. Fair enough he is a politician and speaks to different audiences but contradictions are huge. I do understand that he is trying a fine balancing act but Serbia’s problems need addressing not retouching.

Dear president Tadic, happy Easter. This was a really nice surprise to go to Decani and spread the message of peace for all people in Kosovo.
Obviously he didn't need the permission, especially not by Peter Feith. It is just very sad that he had to be brought there by KROF helicopter 'under tight security'. This just proves that the message of peace is urgently needed in the southern province.

letting Pristina have the appearance of "granting" Tadic entry into a sovereign country and letting Tadic have the appearance of "visiting his southern province" is a win win situation for all concerned - the alternative - him not informing or them not granting him entry - can only be trouble for everyone - including the internationals...

@Rada

Tadic actually said "Moja poruka je poruka mira za Srbe i Albance, sve koji žive na Kosovu u našoj Srbiji",

Which translates as "My message is a message of peace for Serbs and Albanians, all who live in Kosovo, in our Serbia"

as always,serb officials give a good help to albanian nationalizm!
we had began to forget about serbian pretention about kosova,with our independence!
this guy,with the benediction of nato and eulex,came and said:don't forget!Thanks to him, we wake up from our euforic state of mind...
bad news for all,but the war is not over according to Tadic,so thanks,we receive your message Mister tadic, and as we do not want to be part of Your serbia,we will begin to do what needed!
and one again thank you kfor,eulex and tadic to remind to albanians that the war is not over and that the job has not been done!
United states of albania

If many of the comments here are to believed as representative, then it goes to show that we are still using politics of the playground.
In the midst of this some ethnic Serbs are trying to use every excuse to blame one of their own (Tadic) for the Kosovo situation. Some Albanians are openly calling for EULEX to be thrown out.
To the Albanians I say, this is hardly a big issue, so forget the tears, or the 'outrage' - Tadic is a relatively decent politician, a man who can be dealt with. Lets sit down.

To the Serbs I'd say, this was a minor victory of sorts, but it hardly changes anything of substance.

Its almost as if some of you enjoy being upset or outraged / victorious about something. I suggest you guys find some sport to excercise your emotions on.
Kosovo is too important to use for some kind of personal emotional satisfaction.

happy easter

United states of albania
(lili, 18 April 2009 12:06)

Roberto,

You asked about what "Albanian irredentism is". Lili gave you the answer. That's the distorted mirror image of "Velika Srbija". If even the original is not necessarily the best medicine, how about that image...

you ask why tadic visit is an insult.
I will tell you how we do feel about it,as albanians:
Mr Tadic choses a church in kosovo,for political reason and absolutly not religious reasons.He came and said his unfriendly words at the moment we are commemorating the 10 anniversary of the albanian exodus and the killing of more than 12000 of us by your sodiers and paramilitary with the benediction of pricisly this church and these monks in Decan..he came just as Milosevic came in gazimestan to promise to impose serbian rules over kosova...
He came and remind us of your crime,and he gave us the promise of new crimes to come in the name of your "kosovo je serbia!"
He did not come to call for peace with his candle,on the contrary he came to bring war again in kosova...
Mr tadi4 came in kosova not to ask for forgiveness but to encourage new serbian crimes.
As I said,we have to be thankfull to eulex and kfor for this message "live" in kosova:it reminds us of your crimes and awake us from our stade of eufory due to independence.IT reminds us that we have be ready and not let it happen again.

This is insane. This what happens when passions run to high and common sense is lost in the process. The president of Serbia and for that matter any Serbian citizen should be able to visit Kosovo anytime it wants and vice versa. Why do we need to have borders. In the old days you could travel from one end of Yugo to the other end without the fear of being stopped and harrassed by hooligans, now a days you cant travel from one village to another without being insulted. Is this what we are trying to create? I praised Mr. Tadic -- he brought a conciliatory message perhaps others need to follow it. We cant have peace and prosperity if we dont respect and help each other out. Kosovo goverment should have never taken a hard stand on this visit. In fact it should encourage all Serbs to visit their monasteries and other religious sites. Is anyone thinking of how to generate income or do they just think of how to steal and protect their close interests? We desperately need Surroi to take charge.

"Kosova should be open to all Serbs as it is open to all Albanians from Albania and Macedonia. People would be free to come in and out of Kosova as they wish. The borders are there only to mark where a jurisdiction starts and the other finishes."

This is the idea I too share village-bey even though rhetoric around here can get heated. I think if more Albanian leaders show their openness rather than throwing around threats of expulsion and bans, Serbs and Albanians can reduce the level of mutual distrust.

I'd even say that it's about time K-Albanian leaders personally work at establishing better relations with the Serb communities, of which they claim are part of their state. Regardless of semantics and letterhead logos, it's not just Tadic who should be visiting the Serbs this Easter weekend, but officials from Pristina in a sign of good faith. If not people like Thaci, then at least more seasoned politicans like Surroi.

Yes, it was a good speech which is unfortunately overshadowed by the subject of Tadic's arrival.

Deceiver,

How can lighing a candle incite violence from anyone? If it does, there is no need for anyone else to post another message on any blog regarding Kosovo since everything would be absolutely clear. For other posters, why is Tadic's visit such a surprise or such a massive insult? If there wasn't an inferiority complex within a certain portion of Kosovo's and Albania's population, Tadic's visit would be a non-event.