K. Albanians reject partition ideas

I agree with only partition with Northern Mitro,Zubin Potok and leposaveic in exchange with Preshevo,Medvedgja and Bujanovc. Otherwise lets stay the way we are.

Now that we have partitioned Yugoslavia and then Serbia we want it all to stop.
Too bad Albanians. You can stop an avalanche. It must run it's course.
You started the avalanche anyway. Now ride it out.

Why is Serbia not sacred enough not to be partitioned but Kosovo is? Who decides where the limits are? Guess what, you don't make these decisions despite what you might've been told by your masters.

Be happy with partition because chances are you will get nothing.
I think the American can see writing on the wall. Why can't you?

Partition will eventually happen, it has to happen and it will happen. Macedonia would not change the name because it will melt down as a state/country but honestly they have to. If slavo Macedonians don’t change their name they know they will be isolated as they already are. Kosova is a non sence state as it is right now. Am Albanian but Kosova is non sence at the current geopolitical format. Kosova and all Albanians of Ex Yugoslavia should be in one state. Tito idea of creating multinational states has failed. Real Balkan maps based on national origin and ethnicity will make more sense will be more justified and easy any ethnic conflicts. The will be gainers and losers but at the end everyone will be happy. Bosnia is not going anywhere even that tried to create a “Switzerland “over there, thing that was not tried in Macedonia “ Albanians were smarted cause they want it all in 50 years” I really hope to see another Balkan Conference and a new map of Balkans with Bosnia and Macedonia much smaller, Serbia and Albania much bigger as they should have been. Greece and Bulgaria will be happy too because no more Macedonia name dispute. Everyone will be happy. Ask a Bosnian or Macedonian Slav and you will see that they will agree as well.

Multi-ethnicity existed within Yugoslavia and since the West destroy it this whole idea of create multi-ethnic mini-states was doomed to failure just like everything else the West has done in recent times. They have made a complete mess of it and the damage is already done.

Kosovo is an inseparable part of Serbia and the only partition we can speak about would be a functional one. The Albanians rule themselves in our province on the basis of more than autonomy, less than independence. Period.

As for BiH, that may be a little different. Personally I would prefer it forms some kind of union with Serbia as the Muslim part is doomed to failure on its own, however, we can exchange the Croatian parts for Krajina and problem solved.

Serbia is the only place where true multi-ethnicity functions and is still tolerated after the West's endless and destructive games of divide and conquer.

What brought up the question of partition, huh? What happened to the "flood of recognitions from Arab states"? Where are the recognitions from El Salvador and the Dominican Republic? The IMF and World Bank admissions are a joke - half of the votes are controlled by ten western european countries and the us. Kosovo will be able to borrow money - HA! It's not borrowing when you can never pay it back - it's welfare. This is like me celebrating for opening a bank account with $100. Yup, next year will be very interesting, indeed, Mr. dave(UK). The price of oil is going back up, (Russia gets stronger when that happens), China is owning more and more of america, and the labor party is losing power in the UK. Will the UK sink with america or will it jump ship? The wheel is turning ...

East Kosova for north Kosova and let's not forget western Macedonia and southern Montenegro.

The problem is once we start talking about redrawing the borders everyone wants to draw them according to THEIR benefit.

So Serbia gets back North KiM. Ok, Albanians want the whole "Presevo swap". It seems logical, but then again why should Serbia give it up? We're talking about Kosovo, a theoretically independent coutnry, not Serbia.

Ok, what about Bosnia? Serbia gets RS, Croatia gets Eastern Hercegovina, and Sarajevo becomes, what? it's own little pashalik?

What about Montenegro? Macedonia? And on and on and on. I've got my own idea of how to redraw the Balkans, but so does everyone else.

Don't forget the partition of Northern Epirus in South albania. It belongs to Greece!

We Russians have our own part of responsibility for the situation in Kosovo. Not only we were unable to defend our brothers but Eltsyn's gang has sacrifised Serbia for the membership in useless G-8. If only we give little moral support to Slobo no partition would be discussed today.

I believe that K-people should rather praise Eltsyn & Kozirev but not Clinton & Bush. Those in K-Albanistan must have no shame at all if they are not going to return to the robbed side even a part of their Fatherland ! I do believe time will come when they will pray to have half of what they are refusing now. Together we can turn their life into an endless nightmare with their main patron agonizing.

God save Kosovo and Metohija !
.

The problem is neither the Serb goverment or The Kosovo Albanian goverment want partition. However is NATO getting tired of policing Kosvo? we all know KFOR can not be withdrawn. The so called stability in the region is nothing todo with Kosovo independence but the presence of NATO troops. The US has what it wants it can keep an eye on Islamic Extremist activity with the bondsteel base and Serbia almost in the EU fold.

I doubt the US will want Serbia divided up any more not with progress been made with Tadic and CO.

Bosnia well how do you get two peoples to live in peace who hate each other??

One point after WW2 the Soviets, US and UK all agreed multi-ethnic cultures do not work and moved thousands of ethnic Germans back to Germany. We have seen this time and time again around the world.

Another point Stalin nor the west wanted to govern Yugoslavia because of the historical tensions.

I will be interesting to see what happens over the next couple of years.

Partition is the only answer. With partition all the current mess will end and everyone, although not perfectly happy, can live in peace with regional cooperation.

Is this person also against partitioning of Serbia?

No double standards please!

And mind: Kosovo is a province, so no right of leaving...

AgIm,

Then these countries recognize ilegal states. Let them recognize Tibet! If they dare...

No, they are afraid of China.

And mind that Kosovo cannot enter UN. And Spain will block Kosovo entry in EU.

The result: an illegal statelet that actually is a EU colony!

vermut,

That is: Kosovo is a Serbian province!

Indeed, it is. Great to see we agree!

Time to stop this nonsense! I am getting sick of it. And so are a lot of us in Western Europe!

Ex-ambassador Montgomery speaks for no one but himself. In the five years since his sudden departure from the diplomatic scene, he has been living in a villa on the Dalmatian coast and passing the time by writing occasional op-ed columns on world affairs. It is doubtful that anyone in major world capitals takes much notice of what he has to say.

Oh yeah MikeC,
North Epirus, We southern Albanians we are all about it. It shows how much you know about "North Epirus". Let's do a referendum and see how many "greeks" you will find in "North Epirus". There are about 900 000 to 1 million Orthodox Albanians in Southern Albania/ Northern Epirus area, and only 40 000 of them claim to be Greek. And I am a Orthodox Albanian from "North Epirus".

-- According to this former diplomat, the international community efforts to create multi-ethnic societies there have failed, FoNet news agency reports.

In principle I agree, even though it's one man's suggestion. Several issues:

Srpska, on what borders? Croatia and the Muslims will flip out if the current borders .

Kosova: I doubt Serbia will want to exchange Presheva Valley for strategic reasons (and Kosova needs the lake in N Kosova.) If Serbs can;t live with Albs in Kosova Albanians in Serbia surely can't live with Serbs. So if we divide it will be a clean cut!
All the famous Monasteries are south of Ibar. This isn't about land, is it?

Macedonia will not go along
The best ares in Crna Gora are those taken from Albanians (from Tivar /Bar to Ulqin)

Albanians have more to gain but US /EU will not go for it, they need to at least maintain the appearance of peace and love among people.

Partition of northern Kosovo = partition of Preshevo Valley.

Pick and choose if you wish. If you don't, let's stay where we are right now.

This is the whole point of the Helsinki final act that you cannot change borders anymore this is why Kosovo is illegal and RS cannot seperate because there has to be mutual agreement and that will never happen. Kosovo needs to come back to the negotiating table and working out another deal for autonomy with serbia as everyone knows that Kosovo cannot sustain itself financially and serbia sovereignty over kosovo is LAW.

AA,

It is time US and the West admit that this illegal Kosovo indepenence was a mistake.

If we make an exception for Kosovo why not for Ossetia?

The West should un-recognize Kosovo immediatelly. Real negotiations should be started.

Hey, Slovakia split in peace from Czech Republic. It can be done!

NO SPECIAL TREATMENT FOR KOSOVO!!

In addition to this time excellent posting from Roberto: these lala-dreams about mono-ethnic countries, territory swaps, etc. are the strongest in areas where politicians failed to create meaningful jobs for the population.

As a consequence such experiments are doomed because after land-swaps the same kind of people continue to sit in plush chairs - continuing the same failures.

"bosnia will NOT be partitioned, that would only continue the milosevic/karadic/ and their willing executioners' dreams, and the civilized world will not allow it."

I'm not saying that milosevic or karadzic aren't horrible people, but the fact is that they only started the war when the croats and muslims wanted to secede from Yugoslavia. The Croats and Muslims were pushed by the "Civilized World" to secede because Yugoslavia would be much harder to control than 6 small countries damaged by war.

"we (the civilized world) are all moving towards some form or another of multi-ethic, multi-cultural paradigms,"

To refer to the U.S. as the "Civilized World" is pretty funny. Did you forget about the Iraq war? That isn't really civilized. In fact your entire foreign policy is based on exerting either financial or military pressure and not friendly negotiation, also not really civilized. The U.S. is in no way a multi-ethnic society. Despite having a black president minorities still suffer from discrimination and live well below the same standards as their white counterparts.

Why don't you fix your own house and then start preaching to others.

Zoran, I see you haven't given up the Greater Serbia idea. Arrest Mladic before you even suggest that Bosniaks join Serbia.

---What brought up the question of partition, huh? What happened to the "flood of recognitions from Arab states"? Where are the recognitions from El Salvador and the Dominican Republic? The IMF and World Bank admissions are a joke - half of the votes are controlled by ten western european countries and the us. Kosovo will be able to borrow money - HA! It's not borrowing when you can never pay it back - it's welfare.
---
How much has Serbia borrowed lately? Ha! This is ONE man's opinion that will not happen in Kosova because 5% of the population can't separate and it's already integrating.

And since Serbia wants to join EU, EU rules Serbia.

100 and 96 nations have voted to accept Kosova in World Bank and IMF respectively.

What happened to "no more recognitions until ICJ rules" ? We will get more recognitions, don't worry. 60 in a year it's pretty good.

Indeed, regarding what happened in YU and SU: Yeltsin is guilty like hell, he was a monumental failure.

And in exchange for his family not to get prosecuted later for some funny "business" and not-so-funny Dollar bilions - he agreed to give full power (completely violating the democratic process) to an ex-KGB strongman.

But it was not an easy job for Yeltsin to like a man, who was either hating or looking down anything even remotely Russian (and as far as I know, Milosevic was!)

In any case, three villains (Clinton, Yeltsin, Milosevic) working together proved: they can do miracles with Kosovo. Their names will be remembered and their only hope, there is no afterlife.

All of the politicians have gained power with the 'patriotism' card'. Hence we all have Corruption. I do not think partition of anything will happen in the balkans. But I am strongly convinced that Kosovo is independent, and I do not think that an ex... will make the major powers say 'you are right',..

(Dulo, 6 June 2009 22:36)

Dulo,

All the "major powers" care about are their presumed interests. For us here any partition, be that of Jugoslavija, Czechoslovakia, Soviet Union, Austro-Hungarian empire is a major tragedy.

Forget Kosovo - if you calculate the industrial power of the "follower" countries of once mighty Austro-Hungarian empire, that will look pathetic and immediately we will question: "what for"?

Or look at the communication/road/rail policies. As long as there is "one" Jugoslavija or "one" Soviet Union, the prices stay reasonable. You could travel by rail reasonably cheap in reasonable comfort from Pec to Ljubljana or from Lvov to Novosibirsk without much fuss. Now, these once cheap "domestic" tickets became "international" - and a much higher tariff is being applied. So people now try to trick the tariff. Or who does not - just uses the MOST ENVIRONMENTALLY UNFRIENDLY way of transport: airplanes.

Balkans deserve to have a much better infrastructure (roads, railways) than it has now - and the partitioning makes the otherwise lousy situation even worse.

Regarding Kosovo independence: here I am an outsider, you have to find some solution with Serbs, not with Americans or Russians. Kosovo indeed looks very different than the rest of Serbia, that needs to be addressed somehow.

Just to consider:

1) a stone with "Kuwait" sign on it did not stop Saddam Hussein to invade it, even if everyone recognizes Kuwait independence. Would be Iraq and Kuwait in a "union" with proper constitution and proper mechanism, the likes of Saddam Hussein could not come to power that easy and their harm would be limited.

2) For Turkmenians, the life in Soviet Union did mean much more freedom and more human rights than during independence, under Saparmurat Niyazov alias "Turkmenbashi".

Oh Mr Kuci... Partition of Serbia is OK but partition of Kosovo is bad idea...

HYPOCRITE!!

These ethnically-pure paradises that many of you dream about are actually the antiquated, racist dreams of the 19th century, "prettified" for 21st century consumption.

the concept is immoral, unworkable, impractical, and in fact impossible. there is no such thing as ethnically-pure, it can only be imagined, approximated, and it inevitably leads to more hatred, racism, ugliness. many people on this site have yet to learn that.

i do not give a d-mn what montgomery has to say about it, and in fact his comments are utterly irrelevant to the situation.

bosnia will NOT be partitioned, that would only continue the milosevic/karadic/ and their willing executioners' dreams, and the civilized world will not allow it.

kosovo/a will continue to be multi-ethnic, as will serbia, and bosnia, and every other nation of the balkans and on this planet. period. nothing can change that, and anything that tries will lead to horror and genocide, as we have experienced throughout the 90s. no more, thank you very much.

now, the other question is how successful these multi-ethnic states, societies will function. judging strictly by most of the comments here, not very, but i do not think they are representative. we (the civilized world) are all moving towards some form or another of multi-ethic, multi-cultural paradigms, and each needs to be worked out by the people involved, and in respect of human rights. that is the model of the EU, at least that is what the eu strives for -- any such entity can only work as well as the people involved with it. there has to be the willingness to make it happen, and the leadership to move things in that direction. otherwise we will continue to have nothing but more war and misery.

i think the idea of swapping lands, though it may SEEM to be just, is a wretched one. yes it did happen in much of the world, before, during and after ww2, and with a tremendous cost in human suffering. since that time the (civilized) world has been moving in the other direction.


roberto
frisco

No partition of Bosnia... fine with me. But then also no partition of Serbia.

No double standards please!!

This reminds me of British and Irish History. Ireland didn't want to be partitioned, however it happened in 1922, despite Dublin's refusal to recognise Northern Ireland as part of the UK until 1998. That is why the UK is called the "United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland". Whats happens next? Serbia may call itself the "Republic of Serbia and Northern Kosovo" and Kosovo sticks to the "Republic of Kosovo". The UK tried to keep what it could of Ireland, so it only makes sense if Serbia tries to keep what it can of Kosovo. I don't want Kosovo to be partitioned, but there is a good chance it will happen. Kosovo might have to change it's flag :(

So Serbia gets back North KiM. Ok, Albanians want the whole "Presevo swap". It seems logical, but then again why should Serbia give it up? We're talking about Kosovo, a theoretically independent coutnry, not Serbia.

--
You don't have to. The problem is that each person has it's ideas and the West knows what Serbia /Serbs did so they have their no-s.

To Roberto and Ataman

I think your comments have been far mor sencible that I have read today. I strongly agree with the idea of multhiethnic balkans. I have thought that no Serb will agree with me on this one. What happened in the balkans should have not happened, But it did. Every nation is paying the price. All of the politicians have gained power with the 'patriotism' card'. Hence we all have Corruption. I do not think partition of anything will happen in the balkans. But I am strongly convinced that Kosovo is independent, and I do not think that an ex... will make the major powers say 'you are right',..

Ultimately, when the time comes nobody will fortunately consult mr. Kuci
on what he believes is an only rightful future for Kosovo.

The partition when it happens will be negotiated by the two parties. However, Presevo valley will not be in the equation. I think the idea of carving up Serbia is done for good. Even the US is starting to shift its policy toward Serbia. The negotiations will be about KiM nothing more.

And it's a good thing that they do reject partition ideas (many Albanians here should think the same way), as history has taught us.

Redrawing borders to suit ethnic division across Europe brought about WWII (Danzig Corridor to connect Germany with East Prussia and reclaimation of Silesia and Pomerania being key factors in the invasion of Poland) and forty years later, brought about the Yugoslav Wars, both causing a great deal of death, destruction and hatred.

With everything that happened in these wars, does anyone honestly think that creating an ethnically pure state solves anything?

Land is addictive and perception is subjective, so who is going to determine whose land is whose? If everyone on the planet would agree to a certain plan for redrawing the world's borders in such a way to please everybody, then go right ahead, but we all know that is impossible, and therefore another solution needs to be put into place, ie. territorial integrity and international law!!!

This is why I never really agreed with Kosovo's seccession from Serbia, because I do not believe it solved anything. Milosevic was taken down (which was a good thing, because the guy destroyed Yugoslavia with his fervent nationalism), so why was there a need to create an independent state for the people of Kosovo?

Why could the Albanians not continue to live in Serbia under the new government, who was prepared to create equal rights for all their citizens, all ethnicities?

International law is there to protect the rights of ethnic minortities, and the UN is there to carry it out. People must respect borders as they are now, unless they want another bloodbath in the Balkans over land.

Thankfully, the West refused to back Albanian seccession in Macedonia and South Serbia in 2001, they must continue to be vigilant and make sure to take down groups that continue to fan the flames of hate with their nationalist bullshit.

For once I agree with roberto (though I don't see why Kosovo should have been the exception to his rule).

Peace in the Balkans, keep the borders as they were. Montenegro should be the last piece of the puzzle.

Ron, I fully agree with you. Problem is it is hard to get Kosovo back to the table because they west support their UDI and the terrorists who the Serbian military fought against are the ones in control in Pristina. Unless NATO withdraw their support and moderates are "elected" in Pristina that understand this is also in their best interest. Nationalists on both sides are not constructive to a compromise and come to a mutual agreement.

Ron, I fully agree with you. Problem is it is hard to get Kosovo back to the table because they west support their UDI and the terrorists who the Serbian military fought against are the ones in control in Pristina. Unless NATO withdraw their support and moderates are "elected" in Pristina that understand this is also in their best interest. Nationalists on both sides are not constructive to a compromise and come to a mutual agreement.

Peter, I agree with most of what you said but am confused about montenegro piece the last piece of the pie. If you mean that montenegro is the last division of FRY i would agreed as it has always been a republic on its own, that's why Serbia didin't do anything when they ceceded as they had every right to ( I am serbian ) but kosovo was only province and the humanitarian angle is pure BS. If the haliburton didn't have a vested interest in the nabucco pipeline through the region this issue would not even be here, it's the only reason they Bonsteel exists. NATO doesn't give a shit about the K-albs or Serbia or anyone else in the region. It's always been about securing oil and transit routes for that oil from the caspian sea to the west.

I agree with only partition with Northern Mitro,Zubin Potok and leposaveic in exchange with Preshevo,Medvedgja and Bujanovc. Otherwise lets stay the way we are.

Now that we have partitioned Yugoslavia and then Serbia we want it all to stop.
Too bad Albanians. You can stop an avalanche. It must run it's course.
You started the avalanche anyway. Now ride it out.

Why is Serbia not sacred enough not to be partitioned but Kosovo is? Who decides where the limits are? Guess what, you don't make these decisions despite what you might've been told by your masters.

Be happy with partition because chances are you will get nothing.
I think the American can see writing on the wall. Why can't you?

Is this person also against partitioning of Serbia?

No double standards please!

And mind: Kosovo is a province, so no right of leaving...

Multi-ethnicity existed within Yugoslavia and since the West destroy it this whole idea of create multi-ethnic mini-states was doomed to failure just like everything else the West has done in recent times. They have made a complete mess of it and the damage is already done.

Kosovo is an inseparable part of Serbia and the only partition we can speak about would be a functional one. The Albanians rule themselves in our province on the basis of more than autonomy, less than independence. Period.

As for BiH, that may be a little different. Personally I would prefer it forms some kind of union with Serbia as the Muslim part is doomed to failure on its own, however, we can exchange the Croatian parts for Krajina and problem solved.

Serbia is the only place where true multi-ethnicity functions and is still tolerated after the West's endless and destructive games of divide and conquer.

East Kosova for north Kosova and let's not forget western Macedonia and southern Montenegro.

Don't forget the partition of Northern Epirus in South albania. It belongs to Greece!

What brought up the question of partition, huh? What happened to the "flood of recognitions from Arab states"? Where are the recognitions from El Salvador and the Dominican Republic? The IMF and World Bank admissions are a joke - half of the votes are controlled by ten western european countries and the us. Kosovo will be able to borrow money - HA! It's not borrowing when you can never pay it back - it's welfare. This is like me celebrating for opening a bank account with $100. Yup, next year will be very interesting, indeed, Mr. dave(UK). The price of oil is going back up, (Russia gets stronger when that happens), China is owning more and more of america, and the labor party is losing power in the UK. Will the UK sink with america or will it jump ship? The wheel is turning ...

These ethnically-pure paradises that many of you dream about are actually the antiquated, racist dreams of the 19th century, "prettified" for 21st century consumption.

the concept is immoral, unworkable, impractical, and in fact impossible. there is no such thing as ethnically-pure, it can only be imagined, approximated, and it inevitably leads to more hatred, racism, ugliness. many people on this site have yet to learn that.

i do not give a d-mn what montgomery has to say about it, and in fact his comments are utterly irrelevant to the situation.

bosnia will NOT be partitioned, that would only continue the milosevic/karadic/ and their willing executioners' dreams, and the civilized world will not allow it.

kosovo/a will continue to be multi-ethnic, as will serbia, and bosnia, and every other nation of the balkans and on this planet. period. nothing can change that, and anything that tries will lead to horror and genocide, as we have experienced throughout the 90s. no more, thank you very much.

now, the other question is how successful these multi-ethnic states, societies will function. judging strictly by most of the comments here, not very, but i do not think they are representative. we (the civilized world) are all moving towards some form or another of multi-ethic, multi-cultural paradigms, and each needs to be worked out by the people involved, and in respect of human rights. that is the model of the EU, at least that is what the eu strives for -- any such entity can only work as well as the people involved with it. there has to be the willingness to make it happen, and the leadership to move things in that direction. otherwise we will continue to have nothing but more war and misery.

i think the idea of swapping lands, though it may SEEM to be just, is a wretched one. yes it did happen in much of the world, before, during and after ww2, and with a tremendous cost in human suffering. since that time the (civilized) world has been moving in the other direction.


roberto
frisco

Partition is the only answer. With partition all the current mess will end and everyone, although not perfectly happy, can live in peace with regional cooperation.

Zoran, I see you haven't given up the Greater Serbia idea. Arrest Mladic before you even suggest that Bosniaks join Serbia.

---What brought up the question of partition, huh? What happened to the "flood of recognitions from Arab states"? Where are the recognitions from El Salvador and the Dominican Republic? The IMF and World Bank admissions are a joke - half of the votes are controlled by ten western european countries and the us. Kosovo will be able to borrow money - HA! It's not borrowing when you can never pay it back - it's welfare.
---
How much has Serbia borrowed lately? Ha! This is ONE man's opinion that will not happen in Kosova because 5% of the population can't separate and it's already integrating.

And since Serbia wants to join EU, EU rules Serbia.

100 and 96 nations have voted to accept Kosova in World Bank and IMF respectively.

What happened to "no more recognitions until ICJ rules" ? We will get more recognitions, don't worry. 60 in a year it's pretty good.

We Russians have our own part of responsibility for the situation in Kosovo. Not only we were unable to defend our brothers but Eltsyn's gang has sacrifised Serbia for the membership in useless G-8. If only we give little moral support to Slobo no partition would be discussed today.

I believe that K-people should rather praise Eltsyn & Kozirev but not Clinton & Bush. Those in K-Albanistan must have no shame at all if they are not going to return to the robbed side even a part of their Fatherland ! I do believe time will come when they will pray to have half of what they are refusing now. Together we can turn their life into an endless nightmare with their main patron agonizing.

God save Kosovo and Metohija !
.

Partition of northern Kosovo = partition of Preshevo Valley.

Pick and choose if you wish. If you don't, let's stay where we are right now.

AgIm,

Then these countries recognize ilegal states. Let them recognize Tibet! If they dare...

No, they are afraid of China.

And mind that Kosovo cannot enter UN. And Spain will block Kosovo entry in EU.

The result: an illegal statelet that actually is a EU colony!

So Serbia gets back North KiM. Ok, Albanians want the whole "Presevo swap". It seems logical, but then again why should Serbia give it up? We're talking about Kosovo, a theoretically independent coutnry, not Serbia.

--
You don't have to. The problem is that each person has it's ideas and the West knows what Serbia /Serbs did so they have their no-s.

vermut,

That is: Kosovo is a Serbian province!

Indeed, it is. Great to see we agree!

Time to stop this nonsense! I am getting sick of it. And so are a lot of us in Western Europe!

To Roberto and Ataman

I think your comments have been far mor sencible that I have read today. I strongly agree with the idea of multhiethnic balkans. I have thought that no Serb will agree with me on this one. What happened in the balkans should have not happened, But it did. Every nation is paying the price. All of the politicians have gained power with the 'patriotism' card'. Hence we all have Corruption. I do not think partition of anything will happen in the balkans. But I am strongly convinced that Kosovo is independent, and I do not think that an ex... will make the major powers say 'you are right',..

AA,

It is time US and the West admit that this illegal Kosovo indepenence was a mistake.

If we make an exception for Kosovo why not for Ossetia?

The West should un-recognize Kosovo immediatelly. Real negotiations should be started.

Hey, Slovakia split in peace from Czech Republic. It can be done!

NO SPECIAL TREATMENT FOR KOSOVO!!

Oh yeah MikeC,
North Epirus, We southern Albanians we are all about it. It shows how much you know about "North Epirus". Let's do a referendum and see how many "greeks" you will find in "North Epirus". There are about 900 000 to 1 million Orthodox Albanians in Southern Albania/ Northern Epirus area, and only 40 000 of them claim to be Greek. And I am a Orthodox Albanian from "North Epirus".

-- According to this former diplomat, the international community efforts to create multi-ethnic societies there have failed, FoNet news agency reports.

In principle I agree, even though it's one man's suggestion. Several issues:

Srpska, on what borders? Croatia and the Muslims will flip out if the current borders .

Kosova: I doubt Serbia will want to exchange Presheva Valley for strategic reasons (and Kosova needs the lake in N Kosova.) If Serbs can;t live with Albs in Kosova Albanians in Serbia surely can't live with Serbs. So if we divide it will be a clean cut!
All the famous Monasteries are south of Ibar. This isn't about land, is it?

Macedonia will not go along
The best ares in Crna Gora are those taken from Albanians (from Tivar /Bar to Ulqin)

Albanians have more to gain but US /EU will not go for it, they need to at least maintain the appearance of peace and love among people.

Partition will eventually happen, it has to happen and it will happen. Macedonia would not change the name because it will melt down as a state/country but honestly they have to. If slavo Macedonians don’t change their name they know they will be isolated as they already are. Kosova is a non sence state as it is right now. Am Albanian but Kosova is non sence at the current geopolitical format. Kosova and all Albanians of Ex Yugoslavia should be in one state. Tito idea of creating multinational states has failed. Real Balkan maps based on national origin and ethnicity will make more sense will be more justified and easy any ethnic conflicts. The will be gainers and losers but at the end everyone will be happy. Bosnia is not going anywhere even that tried to create a “Switzerland “over there, thing that was not tried in Macedonia “ Albanians were smarted cause they want it all in 50 years” I really hope to see another Balkan Conference and a new map of Balkans with Bosnia and Macedonia much smaller, Serbia and Albania much bigger as they should have been. Greece and Bulgaria will be happy too because no more Macedonia name dispute. Everyone will be happy. Ask a Bosnian or Macedonian Slav and you will see that they will agree as well.

This is the whole point of the Helsinki final act that you cannot change borders anymore this is why Kosovo is illegal and RS cannot seperate because there has to be mutual agreement and that will never happen. Kosovo needs to come back to the negotiating table and working out another deal for autonomy with serbia as everyone knows that Kosovo cannot sustain itself financially and serbia sovereignty over kosovo is LAW.

The problem is neither the Serb goverment or The Kosovo Albanian goverment want partition. However is NATO getting tired of policing Kosvo? we all know KFOR can not be withdrawn. The so called stability in the region is nothing todo with Kosovo independence but the presence of NATO troops. The US has what it wants it can keep an eye on Islamic Extremist activity with the bondsteel base and Serbia almost in the EU fold.

I doubt the US will want Serbia divided up any more not with progress been made with Tadic and CO.

Bosnia well how do you get two peoples to live in peace who hate each other??

One point after WW2 the Soviets, US and UK all agreed multi-ethnic cultures do not work and moved thousands of ethnic Germans back to Germany. We have seen this time and time again around the world.

Another point Stalin nor the west wanted to govern Yugoslavia because of the historical tensions.

I will be interesting to see what happens over the next couple of years.

Ex-ambassador Montgomery speaks for no one but himself. In the five years since his sudden departure from the diplomatic scene, he has been living in a villa on the Dalmatian coast and passing the time by writing occasional op-ed columns on world affairs. It is doubtful that anyone in major world capitals takes much notice of what he has to say.

Oh Mr Kuci... Partition of Serbia is OK but partition of Kosovo is bad idea...

HYPOCRITE!!

No partition of Bosnia... fine with me. But then also no partition of Serbia.

No double standards please!!

The partition when it happens will be negotiated by the two parties. However, Presevo valley will not be in the equation. I think the idea of carving up Serbia is done for good. Even the US is starting to shift its policy toward Serbia. The negotiations will be about KiM nothing more.

This reminds me of British and Irish History. Ireland didn't want to be partitioned, however it happened in 1922, despite Dublin's refusal to recognise Northern Ireland as part of the UK until 1998. That is why the UK is called the "United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland". Whats happens next? Serbia may call itself the "Republic of Serbia and Northern Kosovo" and Kosovo sticks to the "Republic of Kosovo". The UK tried to keep what it could of Ireland, so it only makes sense if Serbia tries to keep what it can of Kosovo. I don't want Kosovo to be partitioned, but there is a good chance it will happen. Kosovo might have to change it's flag :(

The problem is once we start talking about redrawing the borders everyone wants to draw them according to THEIR benefit.

So Serbia gets back North KiM. Ok, Albanians want the whole "Presevo swap". It seems logical, but then again why should Serbia give it up? We're talking about Kosovo, a theoretically independent coutnry, not Serbia.

Ok, what about Bosnia? Serbia gets RS, Croatia gets Eastern Hercegovina, and Sarajevo becomes, what? it's own little pashalik?

What about Montenegro? Macedonia? And on and on and on. I've got my own idea of how to redraw the Balkans, but so does everyone else.

Ron, I fully agree with you. Problem is it is hard to get Kosovo back to the table because they west support their UDI and the terrorists who the Serbian military fought against are the ones in control in Pristina. Unless NATO withdraw their support and moderates are "elected" in Pristina that understand this is also in their best interest. Nationalists on both sides are not constructive to a compromise and come to a mutual agreement.

And it's a good thing that they do reject partition ideas (many Albanians here should think the same way), as history has taught us.

Redrawing borders to suit ethnic division across Europe brought about WWII (Danzig Corridor to connect Germany with East Prussia and reclaimation of Silesia and Pomerania being key factors in the invasion of Poland) and forty years later, brought about the Yugoslav Wars, both causing a great deal of death, destruction and hatred.

With everything that happened in these wars, does anyone honestly think that creating an ethnically pure state solves anything?

Land is addictive and perception is subjective, so who is going to determine whose land is whose? If everyone on the planet would agree to a certain plan for redrawing the world's borders in such a way to please everybody, then go right ahead, but we all know that is impossible, and therefore another solution needs to be put into place, ie. territorial integrity and international law!!!

This is why I never really agreed with Kosovo's seccession from Serbia, because I do not believe it solved anything. Milosevic was taken down (which was a good thing, because the guy destroyed Yugoslavia with his fervent nationalism), so why was there a need to create an independent state for the people of Kosovo?

Why could the Albanians not continue to live in Serbia under the new government, who was prepared to create equal rights for all their citizens, all ethnicities?

International law is there to protect the rights of ethnic minortities, and the UN is there to carry it out. People must respect borders as they are now, unless they want another bloodbath in the Balkans over land.

Thankfully, the West refused to back Albanian seccession in Macedonia and South Serbia in 2001, they must continue to be vigilant and make sure to take down groups that continue to fan the flames of hate with their nationalist bullshit.

For once I agree with roberto (though I don't see why Kosovo should have been the exception to his rule).

Peace in the Balkans, keep the borders as they were. Montenegro should be the last piece of the puzzle.

In addition to this time excellent posting from Roberto: these lala-dreams about mono-ethnic countries, territory swaps, etc. are the strongest in areas where politicians failed to create meaningful jobs for the population.

As a consequence such experiments are doomed because after land-swaps the same kind of people continue to sit in plush chairs - continuing the same failures.

Ultimately, when the time comes nobody will fortunately consult mr. Kuci
on what he believes is an only rightful future for Kosovo.

"bosnia will NOT be partitioned, that would only continue the milosevic/karadic/ and their willing executioners' dreams, and the civilized world will not allow it."

I'm not saying that milosevic or karadzic aren't horrible people, but the fact is that they only started the war when the croats and muslims wanted to secede from Yugoslavia. The Croats and Muslims were pushed by the "Civilized World" to secede because Yugoslavia would be much harder to control than 6 small countries damaged by war.

"we (the civilized world) are all moving towards some form or another of multi-ethic, multi-cultural paradigms,"

To refer to the U.S. as the "Civilized World" is pretty funny. Did you forget about the Iraq war? That isn't really civilized. In fact your entire foreign policy is based on exerting either financial or military pressure and not friendly negotiation, also not really civilized. The U.S. is in no way a multi-ethnic society. Despite having a black president minorities still suffer from discrimination and live well below the same standards as their white counterparts.

Why don't you fix your own house and then start preaching to others.

Indeed, regarding what happened in YU and SU: Yeltsin is guilty like hell, he was a monumental failure.

And in exchange for his family not to get prosecuted later for some funny "business" and not-so-funny Dollar bilions - he agreed to give full power (completely violating the democratic process) to an ex-KGB strongman.

But it was not an easy job for Yeltsin to like a man, who was either hating or looking down anything even remotely Russian (and as far as I know, Milosevic was!)

In any case, three villains (Clinton, Yeltsin, Milosevic) working together proved: they can do miracles with Kosovo. Their names will be remembered and their only hope, there is no afterlife.

All of the politicians have gained power with the 'patriotism' card'. Hence we all have Corruption. I do not think partition of anything will happen in the balkans. But I am strongly convinced that Kosovo is independent, and I do not think that an ex... will make the major powers say 'you are right',..

(Dulo, 6 June 2009 22:36)

Dulo,

All the "major powers" care about are their presumed interests. For us here any partition, be that of Jugoslavija, Czechoslovakia, Soviet Union, Austro-Hungarian empire is a major tragedy.

Forget Kosovo - if you calculate the industrial power of the "follower" countries of once mighty Austro-Hungarian empire, that will look pathetic and immediately we will question: "what for"?

Or look at the communication/road/rail policies. As long as there is "one" Jugoslavija or "one" Soviet Union, the prices stay reasonable. You could travel by rail reasonably cheap in reasonable comfort from Pec to Ljubljana or from Lvov to Novosibirsk without much fuss. Now, these once cheap "domestic" tickets became "international" - and a much higher tariff is being applied. So people now try to trick the tariff. Or who does not - just uses the MOST ENVIRONMENTALLY UNFRIENDLY way of transport: airplanes.

Balkans deserve to have a much better infrastructure (roads, railways) than it has now - and the partitioning makes the otherwise lousy situation even worse.

Regarding Kosovo independence: here I am an outsider, you have to find some solution with Serbs, not with Americans or Russians. Kosovo indeed looks very different than the rest of Serbia, that needs to be addressed somehow.

Just to consider:

1) a stone with "Kuwait" sign on it did not stop Saddam Hussein to invade it, even if everyone recognizes Kuwait independence. Would be Iraq and Kuwait in a "union" with proper constitution and proper mechanism, the likes of Saddam Hussein could not come to power that easy and their harm would be limited.

2) For Turkmenians, the life in Soviet Union did mean much more freedom and more human rights than during independence, under Saparmurat Niyazov alias "Turkmenbashi".

Ron, I fully agree with you. Problem is it is hard to get Kosovo back to the table because they west support their UDI and the terrorists who the Serbian military fought against are the ones in control in Pristina. Unless NATO withdraw their support and moderates are "elected" in Pristina that understand this is also in their best interest. Nationalists on both sides are not constructive to a compromise and come to a mutual agreement.

Peter, I agree with most of what you said but am confused about montenegro piece the last piece of the pie. If you mean that montenegro is the last division of FRY i would agreed as it has always been a republic on its own, that's why Serbia didin't do anything when they ceceded as they had every right to ( I am serbian ) but kosovo was only province and the humanitarian angle is pure BS. If the haliburton didn't have a vested interest in the nabucco pipeline through the region this issue would not even be here, it's the only reason they Bonsteel exists. NATO doesn't give a shit about the K-albs or Serbia or anyone else in the region. It's always been about securing oil and transit routes for that oil from the caspian sea to the west.