Can Serbs driven out of Kosovo return?

Someone needs to forward this information over to the bubble in Pristina where it is still popular to think all Serbs have to do is come back and everything will be waiting for them.

UN, US and EU must make sure that Serbia builds ALL the houses they burned and that the Kosova Govt builds ALL the houses Albanians burned so people get their property back. It should be a condition for any aid or EU talks. No one should have any objections to this.

to EA

Do You remember 90's?? There was time when Albanians destabilise our country - Serbia. Maybe You like live in IDP Camps?? This is our land - we can back to our land. And we can refuse "independent" Kosovo in our land - like our brothers in North.

"Welcome to Kosova to anyone who recognises the Kosova's institutions and abide to Kosova law.

If you are thinking to destabilise with your coming my advise would be stay where you are."

Kind of funny since that was the Serbian rationale for Kosovo and look where it got them. It's always funny when the separatists become the ones enforcing loyalty and compliance.

Kosovo is the heartland of everything that is Serbian. So, naturally, all Serbs that were expelled should return. However, all Albanians that wish to steal Serbian territory should first be removed from power and thereby guarantee the save return of all refugees. If not then partition is at the top of the list.

"Nenad Stašić has also assumed the role of the leader of a group of locals which have been attempting to return to Kosovo since 2001. So far, without any success."

Welcome to Kosova to anyone who recognises the Kosova's institutions and abide to Kosova law.

If you are thinking to destabilise with your coming my advise would be stay where you are.

Jetoni, US:
Unlike the serbs, you & yours are most likely free to return without fear of persecution from the majority. Unlike the serbs, any house that you rebuild is unlikely to be vandalised even before you move in.

Overwhelming majority of K-albanians who left or were forced to leave during the 90's and who wished too, have returned.

Overwhelming majority of K-serbs haven't.

And that is what the article is about.


village-bey:
Nowhere in the article above do I see that Bogdanovic has said that "the majority of Serbs who have left will not return."

Nowhere do I see that "That has been the case for the majority of the families but minister cannot pretend that they waited ten years to come up with that decision."

Or that the "Majority of the Serbs decided to leave for good soon after Nato moved in."

Tell me please, what makes you think you have the right to speak on behalf of the 'majority' of these people?

'Many' very probably have put down roots in Serbia proper & points overseas, but 'many more' have not. And 'many' of the former may very well wish to return even so.

Subjective word that 'many' isn't it. But 'majority' isn't.

The point of the article is that those that wish to return have very real fears about doing so & these fears are not imaginary as is evident from the experiences of those who have attempted to do so, found the same persecution in place, & who fled all over again.

The point is that most of the war criminals on the KLA side are still walking around loose in Kosovo, & in some cases, in government.

The point is until these potential returnees feel safe enough to do so, they will not return. And the fault there lies squarely with 'pristina' far more than 'belgrade' as it is 'pristina' that claims to control Kosovo.


cfeta:
> Kosova is a democratic place where everyone would live free and safe..

Funny, according to the last 'freedom house' report, 'Kosovo in Serbia' had a 'Politcal Rights' rating of 6 out of 7, & a 'Civil Rights' rating of 5 out of 7 - on a scale where 1 is the best & 7 the worst.

And is categorised as 'Not Free'.

This is listed under the section for 'disputed territories'.

This the same 'free & safe Kosova' you're talking about?

Might add that that Serbia has ratings of 3, & 2 respectively & is categorised as free.

Might add that this NGO is funded by your allies in the US dept. of state.

Minister’s job is becoming easer by the minute. He is being frank for a change and admitting that the majority of Serbs who have left will not return. We are reminded that many of Serbs have sold their properties and settled their affairs. For the first time we are hearing that Serbs might not want to return. That has been the case for the majority of the families but minister cannot pretend that they waited ten years to come up with that decision. Majority of the Serbs decided to leave for good soon after Nato moved in. Anyone in Kosova knows that the bulk of property transactions happened during 1999-2001 period. Minister cannot afford to be ill-informed.
His admission confirms how ill-conceived previous and continuous policy of total separation was. It is a pity that his government is continuing with this dogma. How can Serbs return in an area with an Albanian majority when all they hear from their leaders is that Albanians are out to exterminate them?

Agim,

I share a similar view as you do, but I am afraid that this makes too much sense for any politician to go ahead with even a portion of it.

I say this because it would be a great thing to have our house back in Kosova/o - the house that my father and mother built with blood, sweat and tears through the years, only to be burned with everything inside.

Agim,

You are 100% right. Simple as that.

I would like to know more of return attempts. I have heard and read so many times "we tried to return", but usually not about reasons for unsuccesful returns. Are we talking about issues of unsuccessful border crossings, of other obstacles by state/municipal officials, protesting Albanian villagers/neighbors, or nonexistant, destroyed houses/homes?

"but i also agree that if there are returnees whose aim is to make trouble in kosova/0, they will not be welcomed with open arms nor should they."

roberto
frisco
(roberto, 4 May 2009 04:30)

Why always so negative Roberto? Just for once could you give the Serbs benefit of a doubt?
I have never seen one positive sentence about Serbs written by you. You sure are taking all this so personally.
Chill out. If there are any trouble makers amongst them then let's hear about it then, but let's think positive for now.

UN, US and EU must make sure that Serbia builds ALL the houses they burned and that the Kosova Govt builds ALL the houses Albanians burned so people get their property back. It should be a condition for any aid or EU talks. No one should have any objections to this.
(Agim, 3 May 2009 18:47)

In principe a very good idea, I just oppose the idea that it's given back entirely for free. UN/US/Belgrade/Pristina should give at first "help for self-help" and not as a gift.

And of course precisely who did burn - they should be forced to contribute to the repair. Where UN/US/BG/PS/EU should kick in: not everyone is construction expert or home designer.

Otherwise imagine, Jovan calls Gjon: "please burn my hose, I will burn yours - and the stupid US/EU will give both of us a bigger and better one for free".

I think no one (serbs) would love to live in Kosova until the Serbian gov. would recognise Republic of Kosova.. Kosova is a democratic place where everyone would live free and safe... it needs only a better relationships with its neighbour and that will be possible when everyone accept others as the equal..

Kosovars should not worry. In 50-100 years, serbia will be majority albanian and then will have no choice but to accept Kosovo. Have a look at whats happening in Macedonia, can it really said that its "Macedonian" apart from in name? "Russians" in russia will have halved in number and muslim population in that country would have increased significantly so Serbia wont have its orthodox friends to call upon anymore.

Serbia's situation is similar to Israel's when it comes to two ethicities and 2 countries. israel needs Palestine to be created otherwise in 50 years, Israelis will be a minority in Isral...leaving aside how Israel came to be for moment.

the displaced K-Serbs should be encouraged and funded to return to north Kosovo where they will have safety in numbers. It will also further solidify the already existing de facto partition at the Ibar.

Peter,
We do are not analysing a census here but even if we did I think in all likelihood sustain my theory. Inferences are drawn on what your minister said yesterday. “A large number of Serbs from Kosovo has integrated. They have sold their houses, settled their issues. Ten years have gone by, new generations have been born, and perhaps not everyone will wish to return”. He can’t say a majority for obvious reasons. The other important statement comes in the form of a direct figure.
“About 150 Serb and other non-Albanian families exiled from Kosovo in 1999 have submitted requests to return home”. Although this figure is not be a direct reflection on peoples desire to return, it is nonetheless an indication on those prepared to return, and you must agree there is a correlation.
The other evidence is anecdotal I agree but it still sustain what many people have said already.
There are a lot of other structural factors that we need to consider in order deconstruct your bias towards the true figure of Serbs that have left.
Your minister rightly says: “Still, the government and international organizations must do everything to enable those who wish to do so, to go back to where they have lived for centuries,". We don’t know if his calculation includes army and police personnel, (at a time nearly reached 50,000 figure). What about their families? What about settlers of the previous wars of Bosnia and Croatia. Many things are still up in the air, so all we can do is speculate.
Bottom line is that Serbia hasn’t done close enough to encourage those who genuinely want to return, make a life for themselves in Kosova.

the "250,000 needing to return" is pure nationalist hyperbole and rhetoric, of course, but as things (IF things) begin to normalize, there will be more and more returns; it could and should become commonplace.

but i also agree that if there are returnees whose aim is to make trouble in kosova/0, they will not be welcomed with open arms nor should they.

roberto
frisco

"Kosova is a democratic place where everyone would live free and safe..."
(cfeta, 3 May 2009 22:39)

First of all, Kosovo is, was, and always will be Serbia/Serbian. Next, at least show some respect to the name of the land you have stolen. Previous to NATO's illegal and criminal involvement 10 years ago, Kosovo has never been referred to as 'kosova'. Check your history books. KOSOVO IS SERBIA! CCCC

Hi again Peter,
Let’s have a look at property transactions. I’m again making a presumption here thinking that someone who sells his/her house, property has already decided to leave, (you might disagree).
According to Simeon Mitropolitski who’s looking at property transaction for period 1999-2000 states of Serbs and I quote.
“A growing majority, on the other hand, tries to find buyers for their former houses and lands because they don't believe that Kosovo could be forced back under Serb rule anytime soon”.
He continues.
“How many Serbs from Kosovo have sold their houses so far? No one knows the exact number, but British soldiers say that near the check-point Merdare on the road between the provincial capital of Pristina and the Serb capital of Belgrade you can see hundreds of Serbs and Albanians meeting three days a week. Many of them are there with only one purpose - to make a property transaction”. And that’s only at Medare. I could tell you personal stories but I know that you are not interested in that so I won’t bother but there are many little pieces like this that complete a picture.
But hey please do not take my word for it.
http://www.ired.com/news/mkt/kosovo.htm
On the other hand I would love to hear of any evidence that you might have that points to the contrary.
Regards

village-bey:
Property transactions now? From a limited period immediately following the war? Based on the subjective data from 3rd party sources? Hardly what I would call a good quantitative basis for any sort of objective analysis.

But good enough for conjecture on your part I guess.

People who have been forced to leave in that manner are not likely to have much in the way of cash or convertible assets. At least not enough for any decent period of time. And as we know, 'belgrade' hasn't done a lot to support them.

My guess is that for some people, there was not much choice.

The sale of properties due to circumstance can hardly be equated to a desire to 'never return'.

And the sale of properties by an unknown proportion of the IDP's can hardly be used to support your assumption' that the "Majority of the Serbs decided to leave for good soon after Nato moved in".


Now please explain why the IDP's should have any faith in either the ability or the intent of the 'authorities in pristina' to provide a safe environment for their return?

Please explain why these IDP's should feel secure in Kosovo when people like Haradinaj are walking around free in Kosovo?

And please explain why some of those IDP's who have returned to Kosovo in the past have been 'persuaded' to leave again?

And lastly, please explain how it is that you think that people who have lived in a place for generation after generation, can so easily forget both their heritage & their home.

village-bey:
> We do are not analysing a census here but even if we did I think in all likelihood sustain my theory.

Pity that you didn't identify it as such in your earlier post then rather than making a bald assertion without any proof or provenance.

Is true that over time, more & more of the IDP's will build new lives elsewhere, does not negate the desire to return to their place of origin. That is where their roots are. That is where their loved one's are buried. That is the place they call home.

Here is one such story among 'many': http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900sid/SHES-7BZQB7?OpenDocument

And probably most of the IDP's feel the same way.

That's my 'theory'.


> Although this figure is not be a direct reflection on peoples desire to return, it is nonetheless an indication on those prepared to return, and you must agree there is a correlation.

Hardly. The only correlation I see is the direct one between the ratio ['prepared to return' / 'wish to return'] & the returnees 'perception of safety' in Kosovo - the better they feel their chances of a normal life are in Kosovo, the more of them will go back.


> There are a lot of other structural factors that we need to consider in order deconstruct your bias towards the true figure of Serbs that have left.

Bias? Figure I have used in the past (& not in the post above) is approx. 200,000 - source UNHCR: http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/category,REFERENCE,,,MNE,463b21dc2,0.html

Army & police personnel? Apart from the locals, they came during the war, they left at the conclusion.

As for the locals, while some undoubtably were guilty of war crimes, a lot of others are probably only guilty of circumstance.

And aside from the obvious additional complication of their professions, makes no difference to their desires.

Their families? Guilt by association? Hope that's not your argument.

Settlers? Probably want to return, but probably not to Kosovo. Granted. As to the number, recall seeing it somewhere, but have forgotten. 18,000? Is probably irrelevant as UNHCR would probably see them as being refugees from wherever they came from & not IDP's from Kosovo.

Anyway, is all beside the point.


> Bottom line is that Serbia hasn’t done close enough to encourage those who genuinely want to return, make a life for themselves in Kosova.

Shall I repeat what I have already written in my previous post above? Issues which you have made no attempt to answer?

'Bottom line' is that until K-albanian attitudes towards the IDP's changes, there will be no return of any significance, regardless of any 'encouragement' or otherwise from 'belgrade'.

Ok, so a more realistic Kosovo policy. Here is my wishlist:
- a realistic number of refugees (few people believe the 250,000)
- refugees detailed by village/town from which they come. Only that way outsiders can easily decide where the problems are in Kosovo
- an analysis why they don't return (hostility, unsafety, unemployment, land and/or house occupied, house destroyed, job in Belgrade, etc)
- figures how many people have sold their homes. This seems to me a more realistic approach then asking whether people want to return soon.
- an active policy addressing those obstacles. Seeking international attention and prodding the internationals for solutions.

All the comments so far seem to be very polarized based on ethnicity.
Though the problem of return is complicated; facts are rather simple:
It is against Kosovo’s government interest to create the environment where Serbs would feel comfortable to return.
• Most Serbs from Kosovo have already settled in Serbia and began living new lives as Serbian citizens.
• It is not likely that too many Serbs will return to Kosovo any time soon (and by that, I mean ever).
• Within decade or two Kosovo will become one of the most homogenous countries in the world.
• Illegal emancipation/independence of Kosovo will give legal authority to Serbs in Bosnia to do same thing that Kosovo Albanians have done (Kosovo Independence now sets legal president to all separatist movements all over the world).

Kosovo is a part of Serbia not its own country. Look at it like this...look at all the illegal immigration into the US. What if all the illegals in Texas decided that they wanted Texas to be its own country and then declared independence. Then forced out the Americans or killed them and burned down their homes. What would the world say to that? This is the same thing that has happened in Kosovo. Illegal immigrants took over part of Serbia and decalred it their own. Why did the world let this happen? Because they are mooslim!! The UN, EU, and US need to stand up to these people.

I think no one (serbs) would love to live in Kosova until the Serbian gov. would recognise Republic of Kosova.. Kosova is a democratic place where everyone would live free and safe... it needs only a better relationships with its neighbour and that will be possible when everyone accept others as the equal..

"Nenad Stašić has also assumed the role of the leader of a group of locals which have been attempting to return to Kosovo since 2001. So far, without any success."

Welcome to Kosova to anyone who recognises the Kosova's institutions and abide to Kosova law.

If you are thinking to destabilise with your coming my advise would be stay where you are.

to EA

Do You remember 90's?? There was time when Albanians destabilise our country - Serbia. Maybe You like live in IDP Camps?? This is our land - we can back to our land. And we can refuse "independent" Kosovo in our land - like our brothers in North.

the "250,000 needing to return" is pure nationalist hyperbole and rhetoric, of course, but as things (IF things) begin to normalize, there will be more and more returns; it could and should become commonplace.

but i also agree that if there are returnees whose aim is to make trouble in kosova/0, they will not be welcomed with open arms nor should they.

roberto
frisco

Kosovo is the heartland of everything that is Serbian. So, naturally, all Serbs that were expelled should return. However, all Albanians that wish to steal Serbian territory should first be removed from power and thereby guarantee the save return of all refugees. If not then partition is at the top of the list.

Minister’s job is becoming easer by the minute. He is being frank for a change and admitting that the majority of Serbs who have left will not return. We are reminded that many of Serbs have sold their properties and settled their affairs. For the first time we are hearing that Serbs might not want to return. That has been the case for the majority of the families but minister cannot pretend that they waited ten years to come up with that decision. Majority of the Serbs decided to leave for good soon after Nato moved in. Anyone in Kosova knows that the bulk of property transactions happened during 1999-2001 period. Minister cannot afford to be ill-informed.
His admission confirms how ill-conceived previous and continuous policy of total separation was. It is a pity that his government is continuing with this dogma. How can Serbs return in an area with an Albanian majority when all they hear from their leaders is that Albanians are out to exterminate them?

Someone needs to forward this information over to the bubble in Pristina where it is still popular to think all Serbs have to do is come back and everything will be waiting for them.

Kosovars should not worry. In 50-100 years, serbia will be majority albanian and then will have no choice but to accept Kosovo. Have a look at whats happening in Macedonia, can it really said that its "Macedonian" apart from in name? "Russians" in russia will have halved in number and muslim population in that country would have increased significantly so Serbia wont have its orthodox friends to call upon anymore.

Serbia's situation is similar to Israel's when it comes to two ethicities and 2 countries. israel needs Palestine to be created otherwise in 50 years, Israelis will be a minority in Isral...leaving aside how Israel came to be for moment.

UN, US and EU must make sure that Serbia builds ALL the houses they burned and that the Kosova Govt builds ALL the houses Albanians burned so people get their property back. It should be a condition for any aid or EU talks. No one should have any objections to this.

"Welcome to Kosova to anyone who recognises the Kosova's institutions and abide to Kosova law.

If you are thinking to destabilise with your coming my advise would be stay where you are."

Kind of funny since that was the Serbian rationale for Kosovo and look where it got them. It's always funny when the separatists become the ones enforcing loyalty and compliance.

Peter,
We do are not analysing a census here but even if we did I think in all likelihood sustain my theory. Inferences are drawn on what your minister said yesterday. “A large number of Serbs from Kosovo has integrated. They have sold their houses, settled their issues. Ten years have gone by, new generations have been born, and perhaps not everyone will wish to return”. He can’t say a majority for obvious reasons. The other important statement comes in the form of a direct figure.
“About 150 Serb and other non-Albanian families exiled from Kosovo in 1999 have submitted requests to return home”. Although this figure is not be a direct reflection on peoples desire to return, it is nonetheless an indication on those prepared to return, and you must agree there is a correlation.
The other evidence is anecdotal I agree but it still sustain what many people have said already.
There are a lot of other structural factors that we need to consider in order deconstruct your bias towards the true figure of Serbs that have left.
Your minister rightly says: “Still, the government and international organizations must do everything to enable those who wish to do so, to go back to where they have lived for centuries,". We don’t know if his calculation includes army and police personnel, (at a time nearly reached 50,000 figure). What about their families? What about settlers of the previous wars of Bosnia and Croatia. Many things are still up in the air, so all we can do is speculate.
Bottom line is that Serbia hasn’t done close enough to encourage those who genuinely want to return, make a life for themselves in Kosova.

UN, US and EU must make sure that Serbia builds ALL the houses they burned and that the Kosova Govt builds ALL the houses Albanians burned so people get their property back. It should be a condition for any aid or EU talks. No one should have any objections to this.
(Agim, 3 May 2009 18:47)

In principe a very good idea, I just oppose the idea that it's given back entirely for free. UN/US/Belgrade/Pristina should give at first "help for self-help" and not as a gift.

And of course precisely who did burn - they should be forced to contribute to the repair. Where UN/US/BG/PS/EU should kick in: not everyone is construction expert or home designer.

Otherwise imagine, Jovan calls Gjon: "please burn my hose, I will burn yours - and the stupid US/EU will give both of us a bigger and better one for free".

the displaced K-Serbs should be encouraged and funded to return to north Kosovo where they will have safety in numbers. It will also further solidify the already existing de facto partition at the Ibar.

Jetoni, US:
Unlike the serbs, you & yours are most likely free to return without fear of persecution from the majority. Unlike the serbs, any house that you rebuild is unlikely to be vandalised even before you move in.

Overwhelming majority of K-albanians who left or were forced to leave during the 90's and who wished too, have returned.

Overwhelming majority of K-serbs haven't.

And that is what the article is about.


village-bey:
Nowhere in the article above do I see that Bogdanovic has said that "the majority of Serbs who have left will not return."

Nowhere do I see that "That has been the case for the majority of the families but minister cannot pretend that they waited ten years to come up with that decision."

Or that the "Majority of the Serbs decided to leave for good soon after Nato moved in."

Tell me please, what makes you think you have the right to speak on behalf of the 'majority' of these people?

'Many' very probably have put down roots in Serbia proper & points overseas, but 'many more' have not. And 'many' of the former may very well wish to return even so.

Subjective word that 'many' isn't it. But 'majority' isn't.

The point of the article is that those that wish to return have very real fears about doing so & these fears are not imaginary as is evident from the experiences of those who have attempted to do so, found the same persecution in place, & who fled all over again.

The point is that most of the war criminals on the KLA side are still walking around loose in Kosovo, & in some cases, in government.

The point is until these potential returnees feel safe enough to do so, they will not return. And the fault there lies squarely with 'pristina' far more than 'belgrade' as it is 'pristina' that claims to control Kosovo.


cfeta:
> Kosova is a democratic place where everyone would live free and safe..

Funny, according to the last 'freedom house' report, 'Kosovo in Serbia' had a 'Politcal Rights' rating of 6 out of 7, & a 'Civil Rights' rating of 5 out of 7 - on a scale where 1 is the best & 7 the worst.

And is categorised as 'Not Free'.

This is listed under the section for 'disputed territories'.

This the same 'free & safe Kosova' you're talking about?

Might add that that Serbia has ratings of 3, & 2 respectively & is categorised as free.

Might add that this NGO is funded by your allies in the US dept. of state.

Agim,

I share a similar view as you do, but I am afraid that this makes too much sense for any politician to go ahead with even a portion of it.

I say this because it would be a great thing to have our house back in Kosova/o - the house that my father and mother built with blood, sweat and tears through the years, only to be burned with everything inside.

Agim,

You are 100% right. Simple as that.

I would like to know more of return attempts. I have heard and read so many times "we tried to return", but usually not about reasons for unsuccesful returns. Are we talking about issues of unsuccessful border crossings, of other obstacles by state/municipal officials, protesting Albanian villagers/neighbors, or nonexistant, destroyed houses/homes?

"Kosova is a democratic place where everyone would live free and safe..."
(cfeta, 3 May 2009 22:39)

First of all, Kosovo is, was, and always will be Serbia/Serbian. Next, at least show some respect to the name of the land you have stolen. Previous to NATO's illegal and criminal involvement 10 years ago, Kosovo has never been referred to as 'kosova'. Check your history books. KOSOVO IS SERBIA! CCCC

"but i also agree that if there are returnees whose aim is to make trouble in kosova/0, they will not be welcomed with open arms nor should they."

roberto
frisco
(roberto, 4 May 2009 04:30)

Why always so negative Roberto? Just for once could you give the Serbs benefit of a doubt?
I have never seen one positive sentence about Serbs written by you. You sure are taking all this so personally.
Chill out. If there are any trouble makers amongst them then let's hear about it then, but let's think positive for now.

village-bey:
> We do are not analysing a census here but even if we did I think in all likelihood sustain my theory.

Pity that you didn't identify it as such in your earlier post then rather than making a bald assertion without any proof or provenance.

Is true that over time, more & more of the IDP's will build new lives elsewhere, does not negate the desire to return to their place of origin. That is where their roots are. That is where their loved one's are buried. That is the place they call home.

Here is one such story among 'many': http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900sid/SHES-7BZQB7?OpenDocument

And probably most of the IDP's feel the same way.

That's my 'theory'.


> Although this figure is not be a direct reflection on peoples desire to return, it is nonetheless an indication on those prepared to return, and you must agree there is a correlation.

Hardly. The only correlation I see is the direct one between the ratio ['prepared to return' / 'wish to return'] & the returnees 'perception of safety' in Kosovo - the better they feel their chances of a normal life are in Kosovo, the more of them will go back.


> There are a lot of other structural factors that we need to consider in order deconstruct your bias towards the true figure of Serbs that have left.

Bias? Figure I have used in the past (& not in the post above) is approx. 200,000 - source UNHCR: http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/category,REFERENCE,,,MNE,463b21dc2,0.html

Army & police personnel? Apart from the locals, they came during the war, they left at the conclusion.

As for the locals, while some undoubtably were guilty of war crimes, a lot of others are probably only guilty of circumstance.

And aside from the obvious additional complication of their professions, makes no difference to their desires.

Their families? Guilt by association? Hope that's not your argument.

Settlers? Probably want to return, but probably not to Kosovo. Granted. As to the number, recall seeing it somewhere, but have forgotten. 18,000? Is probably irrelevant as UNHCR would probably see them as being refugees from wherever they came from & not IDP's from Kosovo.

Anyway, is all beside the point.


> Bottom line is that Serbia hasn’t done close enough to encourage those who genuinely want to return, make a life for themselves in Kosova.

Shall I repeat what I have already written in my previous post above? Issues which you have made no attempt to answer?

'Bottom line' is that until K-albanian attitudes towards the IDP's changes, there will be no return of any significance, regardless of any 'encouragement' or otherwise from 'belgrade'.

Hi again Peter,
Let’s have a look at property transactions. I’m again making a presumption here thinking that someone who sells his/her house, property has already decided to leave, (you might disagree).
According to Simeon Mitropolitski who’s looking at property transaction for period 1999-2000 states of Serbs and I quote.
“A growing majority, on the other hand, tries to find buyers for their former houses and lands because they don't believe that Kosovo could be forced back under Serb rule anytime soon”.
He continues.
“How many Serbs from Kosovo have sold their houses so far? No one knows the exact number, but British soldiers say that near the check-point Merdare on the road between the provincial capital of Pristina and the Serb capital of Belgrade you can see hundreds of Serbs and Albanians meeting three days a week. Many of them are there with only one purpose - to make a property transaction”. And that’s only at Medare. I could tell you personal stories but I know that you are not interested in that so I won’t bother but there are many little pieces like this that complete a picture.
But hey please do not take my word for it.
http://www.ired.com/news/mkt/kosovo.htm
On the other hand I would love to hear of any evidence that you might have that points to the contrary.
Regards

village-bey:
Property transactions now? From a limited period immediately following the war? Based on the subjective data from 3rd party sources? Hardly what I would call a good quantitative basis for any sort of objective analysis.

But good enough for conjecture on your part I guess.

People who have been forced to leave in that manner are not likely to have much in the way of cash or convertible assets. At least not enough for any decent period of time. And as we know, 'belgrade' hasn't done a lot to support them.

My guess is that for some people, there was not much choice.

The sale of properties due to circumstance can hardly be equated to a desire to 'never return'.

And the sale of properties by an unknown proportion of the IDP's can hardly be used to support your assumption' that the "Majority of the Serbs decided to leave for good soon after Nato moved in".


Now please explain why the IDP's should have any faith in either the ability or the intent of the 'authorities in pristina' to provide a safe environment for their return?

Please explain why these IDP's should feel secure in Kosovo when people like Haradinaj are walking around free in Kosovo?

And please explain why some of those IDP's who have returned to Kosovo in the past have been 'persuaded' to leave again?

And lastly, please explain how it is that you think that people who have lived in a place for generation after generation, can so easily forget both their heritage & their home.

Kosovo is a part of Serbia not its own country. Look at it like this...look at all the illegal immigration into the US. What if all the illegals in Texas decided that they wanted Texas to be its own country and then declared independence. Then forced out the Americans or killed them and burned down their homes. What would the world say to that? This is the same thing that has happened in Kosovo. Illegal immigrants took over part of Serbia and decalred it their own. Why did the world let this happen? Because they are mooslim!! The UN, EU, and US need to stand up to these people.

All the comments so far seem to be very polarized based on ethnicity.
Though the problem of return is complicated; facts are rather simple:
It is against Kosovo’s government interest to create the environment where Serbs would feel comfortable to return.
• Most Serbs from Kosovo have already settled in Serbia and began living new lives as Serbian citizens.
• It is not likely that too many Serbs will return to Kosovo any time soon (and by that, I mean ever).
• Within decade or two Kosovo will become one of the most homogenous countries in the world.
• Illegal emancipation/independence of Kosovo will give legal authority to Serbs in Bosnia to do same thing that Kosovo Albanians have done (Kosovo Independence now sets legal president to all separatist movements all over the world).

Ok, so a more realistic Kosovo policy. Here is my wishlist:
- a realistic number of refugees (few people believe the 250,000)
- refugees detailed by village/town from which they come. Only that way outsiders can easily decide where the problems are in Kosovo
- an analysis why they don't return (hostility, unsafety, unemployment, land and/or house occupied, house destroyed, job in Belgrade, etc)
- figures how many people have sold their homes. This seems to me a more realistic approach then asking whether people want to return soon.
- an active policy addressing those obstacles. Seeking international attention and prodding the internationals for solutions.