Tear gas used on Serb demonstrators again

It is amazing how some can twist violent Serbian protests against 5 Albanian families rebuilding their homes into the plight of the poor oppressed Serbian people.

KPS please arrest those responsible for organizing these violent protests.

As a Canadian I'm appalled at the way the Serbian people are being treated in Kosovo. Shame on the EU and the U.S. for not protecting the serbian people from the KLA bandits. This is a clear provocation by EULEX and the U.S. No one ever talkes about the silent ethnic cleansing of the Serbian populace in Kosovo that has gone on. Serbs were once the majority. When will the Serbian people be allowed to move back and re-build their homes. President Tadic its time to get up from under the thumb of the U.S. administration. Stand up for your country.

"..with a significantly larger contingent of EULEX police officers and soldiers .."

the same soldiers to guard 'democratic' values were watching- standing still when Serbian churches were burning and Albanians were in a collective orchestrated act of destroying Serb property.

At their own words then they said:'We are here to protect the Albanians".

Obviously nothing changed with EULEX. They were supposed to be have another function than to protect only Albanians. But as it is usually the case, they've lied about what their real mission is.

Undercover of 'legal' body to guard the institutions and ensure democracy in Kosovo they've turned into an executive force of US/EU totalitarian regime (which shows now all signs of unrestrained fascism)
- they were from the beginning.

These powers said goodbye long ago to anything relating to law or democracy. Their 'law and 'democracy' is an empty shell, the inside is rotten.

Just to send the strength to our brave brothers and sisters:
nothing is more dignified than fighting totalitarianism. Every decent person of this world is with you and on your side of this battle.Think of the Iraqis and of the innocent children of Avganistan being killed every day as victims of US imperial wars.Lets pray that the US goes to pieces, they will.

A global fund should be established by Serbs for Serbs who want to return to their homes in Kosovo and have them rebuilt.
This fund could be used in the struggle for Serbian human rights in Kosovo. Organisation is the key, organised funding and organised action within the rule of law.

A starting point should be Mitrovica and the focus should switch from prevention of a few Albanians in the North from rebuilding homes to intention in the South of Mitrovica. A focus on the organised reclaiming of Serbian property in Albanian areas.

By doing this if EULEX prevent the Serbs and other minorities from returning to South Mitrovica and at the same time protect Albanians returning to the north then EULEX can be prosecuted for racism in its policing in Kosovo, this in turn will expose the racism of the Albanian authorities in Kosovo.

Miles

Most Americans have no idea what is really going on in Kosovo, Serbs need to get the word out and have the US media start reporting the truth.

Well done EULEX, dont let these criminals provoke Albanians to make another March 2004 on them, so they can cry to UN. Im glad Europe is seeing what Belgrade is trying with.

“the same soldiers to guard 'democratic' values were watching- standing still when Serbian churches were burning and Albanians were in a collective orchestrated act of destroying Serb property”

Right, so that’s why 63 Kfor troops and 123 Unmik and Kosova police were injured fighting the Albanian mobs, and 11 Albanian rioters were shot dead. Try to separate your rhetoric and facts.

“Shame on the EU and the U.S. for not protecting the Serbian people from the KLA bandits. This is a clear provocation by EULEX and the U.S.”

I guess “protecting Serbian people from KLA bandits” refers to supporting this attempt by 100 Serb radicals to prevent 5 Albanian families from rebuilding their own homes.

“Serbs were once the majority.”

Oh yeh, maybe, though I think you may be referring to several centuries ago, certainly not at any time since the original Serbian seizure of Kosovo from the Ottomans in 1913, when Albanians were already a 75% majority. Get your facts right.

“A global fund should be established by Serbs for Serbs who want to return to their homes in Kosovo and have them rebuilt.”

Not a bad idea at all, that money can be added to the funds already provided by the Kosova government and the UN and EU to rebuild and resettle Serbs throughout Kosovo, under the protection of international and Kosova police and military, as has ben going on, in small numbers, for years (the small numbers are not due to any protests by Albanians or obstruction by the K government)

”This fund could be used in the struggle for Serbian human rights in Kosovo.”

This seems a good idea to me.

”the focus should switch from prevention of a few Albanians in the North from rebuilding homes to intention in the South of Mitrovica. A focus on the organised reclaiming of Serbian property in Albanian areas.”

Yes, yes, but surely this is the point about this ridiculous protest. How does preventing 5 people from rebuilding their own houses help Serbs who want to return elsewhere in Kosovo? The short-sightedness of this is amazing. What if tomorrow a bunch of Albanians turn up to where some Serbs are or have been returning and demand the same as these Serbian provocateurs are demanding in the north? Whose interests are they serving anyway?

”By doing this if EULEX prevent the Serbs and other minorities from returning to South Mitrovica and at the same time protect Albanians returning to the north” etc.

Prevent? What in the world are you talking about? International troops and police and KPS have been facilitating Serb returns to various parts of Kosovo for years, funded by Kosova govt. and international sources, under the auspices of the Kosova government Ministry of Returns, which is headed by a K Serb.

In the article in question the word violent was no where to be found. So please, when inventing opinoins of a news article refer to the article, or provide credible source pertaining to your point of view.

Furthermore, public demonstrations and the right to do so is the corner stone of democracy. I would have thought that Team Albania would have known that already, considering the shining example of democracy they've displayed for all the world to see.

:"According to Milošević, the Albanians have continued restoring the five homes in the neighbourhood, ignoring previously signed agreements, and do not want to negotiate with the Serb community.

Serbs also want permission to begin restoration of their own houses in the south of the town, plans which have been on hold since an agreement was signed by the two communities in 2000."

Furthermore, it is both insulting and immoral to have any sort of attack on the Serbian villagers' demostrations. It is very clear that, in the least, these 5 rebuilders did not abide by the aforementioned agreement. To make this point stick, consider what the purpose of an agreement is, if one party to the agreement is not willing to own up to their end of the bargain. Another crystal clear example as to why the Kosovar Serbs cannot (not will not) live with their Albanian counterparts, while under an authoritative Albanian rule.

The remarks from Team Albania with respect to Serb oppression, in all of its glorious forms, within the borders of Kosovo is reprehensible, but alas this is the face of modern democracy. To the greedy go the spoils.

Until the international bodies wake up and regocnize what has been happening under their own noses, until the morally questionable international journalist decide to actively investigate a story themselves, write the truth, the whole truth then and only then will all actors in this ugly game of Kosovo be forced to make the hard decisions, to make the necessary concessions, to make their own peoples, and their neighbours content within their own geopolitical sphere, will we see a lasting peace in the Balkans, specifically Kosovo.
If we continue down the same path, it will not be long before tides shift and superpowers broker different alignments, and the eternal Balkanic flame will ignite into another inferno.

To those who somehow believe that EULEX and KFOR are being irrational in preventing 100 Serbs from stopping 5 Albanians to rebuild their homes, you should also be aware that there's a fine line between democratic protest and violent protest.

I guess my comments are sometimes too radical for b92 to post, but all I am saying is how can they have a right to rebuild their houses when they want to steal our land?

What is happening to Serbs there is complete fascism.

Its simple the west only looks one way the good and the bad. Serbs are bad the Albanians are good and of course the west is good with out saying. Keep the politics simple so the politicians can look semi smart. That way they don't get headaches and they can feel good about them selfs because they are on the good side right simpletons logic.

The US media reporting the truth,is that a joke?

passing by, if you are speaking of the US govt., no reconsideration is necessary nor likely to happen. The acts of 3 immigrants does not undo the history of Kosovo.
Should make you proud that the govt is not going to judge you due to the fact you have the same ethnic background as someone like Milosevic. No matter what your ethnic background I can assure you there are criminals present.

To amazed:
Aren't you amazed with the big "Thanks" three albanian immigrants planned to say for the hospitality and support of my country. Fortunately, they were stopped and sentenced to life in prison. My government must reconsider supporting those guys.

If these are normal "families" rebuilding their homes, then why has Halit Barani, former UCK troublemaker from the March 2004 pogrom been spotted in Brdjani? The answer is obvious. This is a well organized ethnic cleansing campaign and the professionals from March 2004 are now coming to Brdjani to finish the job. EU should protect the few remaining Serbs and refuse to take part in the ongoing ethnic cleansing.

I take no joy from anyone being tear-gassed, beaten by police, etc -- i've had my unwelcome dealings with police in the past -- at various demonstrations in detroit -- and it can be pretty awful. Nor do i take any joy in people losing their electricity, or any of the other nasty things happening to (some) people in kosovo/a.

BUT i cannot ignore the political context behind all of these actions, and which neighbor is seeking maximum gain from the maximum misery of the people, "their" people, the "other" people, any people.

this is an old game in the Balkans, and yet it seems that the very people that were used and then left to their own devices (in this case the serbs of kosovar) are re-experiencing it all over again -- or maybe it never really ever ceased. as i have said many times, they are both victims AND actors. they can change their fates, but only when they break from the belgrade regime, and deal with their fellow citizens of Kosovo/a. and this is unlikely to happen given the current circumstances.

the principle of right of return MUST be accepted and guaranteed for ALL refugees who actively desire to return, Period! and they must be protected, in that the police forces are 100% right.

This is a well organized ethnic cleansing campaign and the professionals from March 2004 are now coming to Brdjani to finish the job. EU should protect the few remaining Serbs and refuse to take part in the ongoing ethnic cleansing.
(kufr, 30 April 2009 23:42)

What are you talking about?
Who is ethnically cleansing who here? Are the Albanians protesting here against the Serbs settlements or is it vice versa? Forget about division of Kosova theory. Its not going to happen. This demonstrations have only one agenda a division as a last straw of some sort.

Kosova liked it or not at this moment has its police, constitution, parlament, even its own President. This Policy of division its clearly not working. You think you can get Kosova back, fine do it by diplomatic means, as these Milosevic's era of twisting, lying and truth evasions its not going to happen. Noone is bying it.

i have seen the lives of both ethnic groups. i can say that albanian towns are much more improved than serbian towns when it comes to public services and infrastructures. job opportunities are less for serbians as you can rarely see a serbian staff in govt offices. building contractor banners indicate no serbian contractor working. roads and public buildings are new in albanian areas while old in serbian areas. ECONOMIC DISCRIMINATION IS ONLY ONE FACTOR OF CONFLICT. IDEOLOGY IS ANOTHER THING.

#10 “In the article in question the word violent was no where to be found. So please, when inventing opinoins of a news article refer to the article, or provide credible source pertaining to your point of view.”

Here is a source:
http://www.eulex-kosovo.eu/?id=8&n=94

“Serbs also want permission to begin restoration of their own houses in the south of the town, plans which have been on hold since an agreement was signed by the two communities in 2000."

I read of this agreement over and over, so can you please refer us to this agreement, so everyone can have a better picture of this issue??

I wonder if EULEX would use the same means to "control" Albanian mob trying to stop the Serbs from coming back and rebuilding.

Tadic, you are a total disgrace. You knew that EULEX is not going to honour anything you signed with UN and you still let them come in.
Why don't you just recognize Kosovo and Vojvodina and spare the Serbs all the anguish. You have already lost most if not all Kosovo by your non action. Once all the right institutions are active in Kosovo and under Albanian command ICJ will not help you get it back. You must be able to prevent them from taking place but trusting EULEX or KFOR to act is not going to get you anywhere. Posession is 9/10 of the law as they say.

"Protesters" they are not but a BUNCH OF CRIMINALS and they need to be clean from Kosova

pss:
1. You are wrong: they came from Kosovo.
2. you are wrong: my ethnicity has nothing to do with Balkans.
3. The only reason I visit those sites is since I discovered that problem about a year ago I started not just reading news, but comments to those news and evaluate them considering normal human values.
4. I'm far away for to be proud of my government - it's not much better then enywhere else.

PZ,
thanks for the link...

All that I asked for was a source to reference. However, upon the question of this agreement, I too have read about it's existence, but have not seen it. I must trust journalistic integrity of the article as it is, as I must trust the source that you've provided. They're both second degree sources and that is the best that I can provide.

As a Canadian I'm appalled at the way the Serbian people are being treated in Kosovo. Shame on the EU and the U.S. for not protecting the serbian people from the KLA bandits. This is a clear provocation by EULEX and the U.S. No one ever talkes about the silent ethnic cleansing of the Serbian populace in Kosovo that has gone on. Serbs were once the majority. When will the Serbian people be allowed to move back and re-build their homes. President Tadic its time to get up from under the thumb of the U.S. administration. Stand up for your country.

KPS please arrest those responsible for organizing these violent protests.

It is amazing how some can twist violent Serbian protests against 5 Albanian families rebuilding their homes into the plight of the poor oppressed Serbian people.

"..with a significantly larger contingent of EULEX police officers and soldiers .."

the same soldiers to guard 'democratic' values were watching- standing still when Serbian churches were burning and Albanians were in a collective orchestrated act of destroying Serb property.

At their own words then they said:'We are here to protect the Albanians".

Obviously nothing changed with EULEX. They were supposed to be have another function than to protect only Albanians. But as it is usually the case, they've lied about what their real mission is.

Undercover of 'legal' body to guard the institutions and ensure democracy in Kosovo they've turned into an executive force of US/EU totalitarian regime (which shows now all signs of unrestrained fascism)
- they were from the beginning.

These powers said goodbye long ago to anything relating to law or democracy. Their 'law and 'democracy' is an empty shell, the inside is rotten.

Just to send the strength to our brave brothers and sisters:
nothing is more dignified than fighting totalitarianism. Every decent person of this world is with you and on your side of this battle.Think of the Iraqis and of the innocent children of Avganistan being killed every day as victims of US imperial wars.Lets pray that the US goes to pieces, they will.

Most Americans have no idea what is really going on in Kosovo, Serbs need to get the word out and have the US media start reporting the truth.

A global fund should be established by Serbs for Serbs who want to return to their homes in Kosovo and have them rebuilt.
This fund could be used in the struggle for Serbian human rights in Kosovo. Organisation is the key, organised funding and organised action within the rule of law.

A starting point should be Mitrovica and the focus should switch from prevention of a few Albanians in the North from rebuilding homes to intention in the South of Mitrovica. A focus on the organised reclaiming of Serbian property in Albanian areas.

By doing this if EULEX prevent the Serbs and other minorities from returning to South Mitrovica and at the same time protect Albanians returning to the north then EULEX can be prosecuted for racism in its policing in Kosovo, this in turn will expose the racism of the Albanian authorities in Kosovo.

Miles

To amazed:
Aren't you amazed with the big "Thanks" three albanian immigrants planned to say for the hospitality and support of my country. Fortunately, they were stopped and sentenced to life in prison. My government must reconsider supporting those guys.

I guess my comments are sometimes too radical for b92 to post, but all I am saying is how can they have a right to rebuild their houses when they want to steal our land?

What is happening to Serbs there is complete fascism.

If these are normal "families" rebuilding their homes, then why has Halit Barani, former UCK troublemaker from the March 2004 pogrom been spotted in Brdjani? The answer is obvious. This is a well organized ethnic cleansing campaign and the professionals from March 2004 are now coming to Brdjani to finish the job. EU should protect the few remaining Serbs and refuse to take part in the ongoing ethnic cleansing.

Its simple the west only looks one way the good and the bad. Serbs are bad the Albanians are good and of course the west is good with out saying. Keep the politics simple so the politicians can look semi smart. That way they don't get headaches and they can feel good about them selfs because they are on the good side right simpletons logic.

Well done EULEX, dont let these criminals provoke Albanians to make another March 2004 on them, so they can cry to UN. Im glad Europe is seeing what Belgrade is trying with.

The US media reporting the truth,is that a joke?

In the article in question the word violent was no where to be found. So please, when inventing opinoins of a news article refer to the article, or provide credible source pertaining to your point of view.

Furthermore, public demonstrations and the right to do so is the corner stone of democracy. I would have thought that Team Albania would have known that already, considering the shining example of democracy they've displayed for all the world to see.

:"According to Milošević, the Albanians have continued restoring the five homes in the neighbourhood, ignoring previously signed agreements, and do not want to negotiate with the Serb community.

Serbs also want permission to begin restoration of their own houses in the south of the town, plans which have been on hold since an agreement was signed by the two communities in 2000."

Furthermore, it is both insulting and immoral to have any sort of attack on the Serbian villagers' demostrations. It is very clear that, in the least, these 5 rebuilders did not abide by the aforementioned agreement. To make this point stick, consider what the purpose of an agreement is, if one party to the agreement is not willing to own up to their end of the bargain. Another crystal clear example as to why the Kosovar Serbs cannot (not will not) live with their Albanian counterparts, while under an authoritative Albanian rule.

The remarks from Team Albania with respect to Serb oppression, in all of its glorious forms, within the borders of Kosovo is reprehensible, but alas this is the face of modern democracy. To the greedy go the spoils.

Until the international bodies wake up and regocnize what has been happening under their own noses, until the morally questionable international journalist decide to actively investigate a story themselves, write the truth, the whole truth then and only then will all actors in this ugly game of Kosovo be forced to make the hard decisions, to make the necessary concessions, to make their own peoples, and their neighbours content within their own geopolitical sphere, will we see a lasting peace in the Balkans, specifically Kosovo.
If we continue down the same path, it will not be long before tides shift and superpowers broker different alignments, and the eternal Balkanic flame will ignite into another inferno.

“the same soldiers to guard 'democratic' values were watching- standing still when Serbian churches were burning and Albanians were in a collective orchestrated act of destroying Serb property”

Right, so that’s why 63 Kfor troops and 123 Unmik and Kosova police were injured fighting the Albanian mobs, and 11 Albanian rioters were shot dead. Try to separate your rhetoric and facts.

“Shame on the EU and the U.S. for not protecting the Serbian people from the KLA bandits. This is a clear provocation by EULEX and the U.S.”

I guess “protecting Serbian people from KLA bandits” refers to supporting this attempt by 100 Serb radicals to prevent 5 Albanian families from rebuilding their own homes.

“Serbs were once the majority.”

Oh yeh, maybe, though I think you may be referring to several centuries ago, certainly not at any time since the original Serbian seizure of Kosovo from the Ottomans in 1913, when Albanians were already a 75% majority. Get your facts right.

“A global fund should be established by Serbs for Serbs who want to return to their homes in Kosovo and have them rebuilt.”

Not a bad idea at all, that money can be added to the funds already provided by the Kosova government and the UN and EU to rebuild and resettle Serbs throughout Kosovo, under the protection of international and Kosova police and military, as has ben going on, in small numbers, for years (the small numbers are not due to any protests by Albanians or obstruction by the K government)

”This fund could be used in the struggle for Serbian human rights in Kosovo.”

This seems a good idea to me.

”the focus should switch from prevention of a few Albanians in the North from rebuilding homes to intention in the South of Mitrovica. A focus on the organised reclaiming of Serbian property in Albanian areas.”

Yes, yes, but surely this is the point about this ridiculous protest. How does preventing 5 people from rebuilding their own houses help Serbs who want to return elsewhere in Kosovo? The short-sightedness of this is amazing. What if tomorrow a bunch of Albanians turn up to where some Serbs are or have been returning and demand the same as these Serbian provocateurs are demanding in the north? Whose interests are they serving anyway?

”By doing this if EULEX prevent the Serbs and other minorities from returning to South Mitrovica and at the same time protect Albanians returning to the north” etc.

Prevent? What in the world are you talking about? International troops and police and KPS have been facilitating Serb returns to various parts of Kosovo for years, funded by Kosova govt. and international sources, under the auspices of the Kosova government Ministry of Returns, which is headed by a K Serb.

To those who somehow believe that EULEX and KFOR are being irrational in preventing 100 Serbs from stopping 5 Albanians to rebuild their homes, you should also be aware that there's a fine line between democratic protest and violent protest.

passing by, if you are speaking of the US govt., no reconsideration is necessary nor likely to happen. The acts of 3 immigrants does not undo the history of Kosovo.
Should make you proud that the govt is not going to judge you due to the fact you have the same ethnic background as someone like Milosevic. No matter what your ethnic background I can assure you there are criminals present.

"Protesters" they are not but a BUNCH OF CRIMINALS and they need to be clean from Kosova

This is a well organized ethnic cleansing campaign and the professionals from March 2004 are now coming to Brdjani to finish the job. EU should protect the few remaining Serbs and refuse to take part in the ongoing ethnic cleansing.
(kufr, 30 April 2009 23:42)

What are you talking about?
Who is ethnically cleansing who here? Are the Albanians protesting here against the Serbs settlements or is it vice versa? Forget about division of Kosova theory. Its not going to happen. This demonstrations have only one agenda a division as a last straw of some sort.

Kosova liked it or not at this moment has its police, constitution, parlament, even its own President. This Policy of division its clearly not working. You think you can get Kosova back, fine do it by diplomatic means, as these Milosevic's era of twisting, lying and truth evasions its not going to happen. Noone is bying it.

I wonder if EULEX would use the same means to "control" Albanian mob trying to stop the Serbs from coming back and rebuilding.

Tadic, you are a total disgrace. You knew that EULEX is not going to honour anything you signed with UN and you still let them come in.
Why don't you just recognize Kosovo and Vojvodina and spare the Serbs all the anguish. You have already lost most if not all Kosovo by your non action. Once all the right institutions are active in Kosovo and under Albanian command ICJ will not help you get it back. You must be able to prevent them from taking place but trusting EULEX or KFOR to act is not going to get you anywhere. Posession is 9/10 of the law as they say.

I take no joy from anyone being tear-gassed, beaten by police, etc -- i've had my unwelcome dealings with police in the past -- at various demonstrations in detroit -- and it can be pretty awful. Nor do i take any joy in people losing their electricity, or any of the other nasty things happening to (some) people in kosovo/a.

BUT i cannot ignore the political context behind all of these actions, and which neighbor is seeking maximum gain from the maximum misery of the people, "their" people, the "other" people, any people.

this is an old game in the Balkans, and yet it seems that the very people that were used and then left to their own devices (in this case the serbs of kosovar) are re-experiencing it all over again -- or maybe it never really ever ceased. as i have said many times, they are both victims AND actors. they can change their fates, but only when they break from the belgrade regime, and deal with their fellow citizens of Kosovo/a. and this is unlikely to happen given the current circumstances.

the principle of right of return MUST be accepted and guaranteed for ALL refugees who actively desire to return, Period! and they must be protected, in that the police forces are 100% right.

i have seen the lives of both ethnic groups. i can say that albanian towns are much more improved than serbian towns when it comes to public services and infrastructures. job opportunities are less for serbians as you can rarely see a serbian staff in govt offices. building contractor banners indicate no serbian contractor working. roads and public buildings are new in albanian areas while old in serbian areas. ECONOMIC DISCRIMINATION IS ONLY ONE FACTOR OF CONFLICT. IDEOLOGY IS ANOTHER THING.

#10 “In the article in question the word violent was no where to be found. So please, when inventing opinoins of a news article refer to the article, or provide credible source pertaining to your point of view.”

Here is a source:
http://www.eulex-kosovo.eu/?id=8&n=94

“Serbs also want permission to begin restoration of their own houses in the south of the town, plans which have been on hold since an agreement was signed by the two communities in 2000."

I read of this agreement over and over, so can you please refer us to this agreement, so everyone can have a better picture of this issue??

pss:
1. You are wrong: they came from Kosovo.
2. you are wrong: my ethnicity has nothing to do with Balkans.
3. The only reason I visit those sites is since I discovered that problem about a year ago I started not just reading news, but comments to those news and evaluate them considering normal human values.
4. I'm far away for to be proud of my government - it's not much better then enywhere else.

PZ,
thanks for the link...

All that I asked for was a source to reference. However, upon the question of this agreement, I too have read about it's existence, but have not seen it. I must trust journalistic integrity of the article as it is, as I must trust the source that you've provided. They're both second degree sources and that is the best that I can provide.