German foundation dubs Kosovo “unfinished state”

Kosovo will never be a 'state', and we Serbs will make sure of that. That is all that EULEX needs to know.
Cheers!!

Arta, your comments amuse me. YOU have no say in partition because you clearly have no idea of the reality on the ground. I am American and I see the truth that the north is still almost completely Serbian. The small Albanian enclaves accept this and live quite peacefully with their neighbors. They also enjoy almost 24-hour power - which is more than I can say for the rest of Kosovo. What can anyone do to stop it short of actual war? No civilized state has the stomach for more fighting so the EU will keep putting off the north "issue" for months and years. I laugh when I see jokers like Haradinaj claim that he can solve the north "problem." Who is he kidding? The EU will not back any Albanian-led incursion just as they will not assist a massive return of Serbs to terrorist hotbeds like Pec and Decani. Sorry if you don't like it but Pristina is not making policy in Kosovo...

I don't know what's more interesting, the article or the comments. The article clearly points out the major difficulties facing Kosovo, either as a "state" or as an international protectorate. No advancements have been made to bring Albanian and Serb communities together and if anyone has ever been to the north and Gracanica, one is hard pressed to believe they are not in Serbia. So in many respects, this report is basically saying the EU has indeed simply glopped a fresh coat of paint over a decaying house and is trying to sell it to the wary buyer.

But not surprising, the first two comments come from Albanians who clearly had trouble reading the article as the first somehow equated these problems to Serbia and then banked on the EU not fixing Kosovo but punishing Serbia, while the other made the assumption that since the report was co-authored by someone with a Serbian-sounding name, the report is obviously biased. Yet even if it wasn't, he'd rather starve (or eat his own hubris). Typical mentality for diaspora nationalism. What these and other nationalists fail to understand is that the onus of improvement and consolidation rests with Kosovo itself. Not the rest of Serbia, and not the EU. But I suspect that because of the multi-layered bureaucratic approach given to Kosovo by the West that worked so well last time in Bosnia, Kosovo will continue to lag behind in every way as it has done for the last 50 years.

" The Friedrich Ebert Foundation analysis also recommends that the EU set more conditions to Serbia, and to make changes in the EULEX mission. "

I totally agree. Love it or hate it, EU started Kosova and they will have to finish it. This does not bode well for Serbia as demands will be placed, as soon as EU wakes up.

As for the economy: EU will pump in some more investment guarantees, a state with 2 million people is chump change for them.
(aRTA, 28 July 2009 13:36)

Looks like someone missed the point of the article:)

It is about Kosovo not succeeding as a soveriegn state. To get in the EU Serbia will not have to do anything regarding Kosovo - so get over it. Once that happens, you know who will never be allowed in the EU? I will give you one guess...

Interesting response by 'aRTA'. His example above is a case in point & symptomatic of the problems EU faces in making any progress at all in Kosovo. Unfortunately this isn't a magic act - cannot make the issues disappear..

> Kosovo has only limited sovereignty and is de facto divided into a Serb north and an Albanian dominated south, while neither UNMIK nor EULEX have so far been able to do anything "to prevent the partition of the country"

> ..every important macroeconomic indicator points to negative development in Kosovo, a situation only made worse by the global economic crisis.

> They also point to low economic growth, a rising trade deficit and high poverty and unemployment rates.

> “Eighteen months of independence have done nothing to ameliorate this catastrophic situation," says the analysis.

Well, over 50% of albanians there live below poverty line, they can go and thank those uck terrorists who were appointed in power by america.

As for the economy: EU will pump in some more investment guarantees, a state with 2 million people is chump change for them.
(aRTA, 28 July 2009 13:36)
EU must not pump any more Euro for illegal state.

"signed by Vedran Džinić"


I rest my case with that. And what all these "commentators" fail to realize is that Albanians would rather starve independently then be force-fed under Serbia.
(Rebel, 28 July 2009 14:25)

Vedran is a common Bosniak name.

"and i do believe the serb nationalists are really living in lala land if they think they can sail into the eu, while still torturing kosovo/a. that is one (sick) fantasy, altho certain esp.ly ethically challenged eu leaders are no doubt encouraging such ideas. "

Roberto from Frisco, please feel free to explain to us how are Serbs torturing Albanians in Kosovo?

Please don't make ridiculous statements which are clearly your wild imagination.
Show us some examples of how Serbs torture Albanians there. Actually it is the other way around.
No electriciy for the Serbs, armed escorts to church and school (disgusgint behaviour as even kids need protection there), regular bashings of Serbs and many others.

How can you sleep at night knowing how much you are blaming the victims for their situation?

As for the economy: EU will pump in some more investment guarantees, a state with 2 million people is chump change for them.
(aRTA, 28 July 2009 13:36)

Sure, throw more good money after bad. EU does not want to lose money but make money and if Kosovo is a bad investment for them they will walk away.

roberto says... "and i do believe the serb nationalists are really living in lala land if they think they can sail into the eu, while still torturing kosovo/a"

You are an extremist.

You are not a person who promotes peace and understanding.

Your comments perpetuate division and hatred.

Well, over 50% of albanians there live below poverty line, they can go and thank those uck terrorists who were appointed in power by america.
(Ratko, 28 July 2009 16:43)
during serbian regn,it was 100pc of kosovars who were living in poverty!so the progress is notable!

As for the economy: EU will pump in some more investment guarantees, a state with 2 million people is chump change for them.
(aRTA, 28 July 2009 13:36)

I thought I would offer some reading into why the above-mentioned statement is naive and wrong. Many, many economists have shown that there are huge correlations between aid and increased corruption, crime, and failed states. Here is a link to a factual basis for this argument - and one can see that Kosovo relying on foreign aid is simply not going to work. Without self responsibility Kosovo will continue to be a failed state.

http://www.nyu.edu/fas/institute/dri/Easterly/File/Was_Development_Assistance_a_Mistake.pdf

"but we have achieved in few years what established countries have not yet achieved!"

- Like what???

And how do you explain why many Albanians I have spoken to have said it was better here and less screwed up before 1999?

"signed by Vedran Džinić"


I rest my case with that. And what all these "commentators" fail to realize is that Albanians would rather starve independently then be force-fed under Serbia.

"Kosovo will never be a 'state', and we Serbs will make sure of that. That is all that EULEX needs to know."

And EU knows that you can't do anything, just delay you EU date. Instead of giving up the North and joining Albania, Kosova will keep it all and still join Albania un-officially. We get one more too this way. If Serbs could do anything, we know what you started in 1999 and you would have stopped 2/18/2008 as well.

--"Kosovo has only limited sovereignty and is de facto divided into a Serb north and an Albanian dominated south, while neither UNMIK nor EULEX have so far been able to do anything "to prevent the partition of the country"

That's because they are taking it one step at the time.

---"It is about Kosovo not succeeding as a soveriegn state. To get in the EU Serbia will not have to do anything regarding Kosovo - so get over it. Once that happens, you know who will never be allowed in the EU? I will give you one guess..."

Keep dreaming. EU wants everyone in, so blackmailing will not happen. If you get in, it will be with a lot and lot of conditioning. France, UK and Germany recognized Kosova and that seals its fate. No partition either.

Arta, your comments amuse me. YOU have no say in partition because you clearly have no idea of the reality on the ground. I am American and I see the truth that the north is still almost completely Serbian. The small Albanian enclaves accept this and live quite peacefully with their neighbors. They also enjoy almost 24-hour power - which is more than I can say for the rest of Kosovo. What can anyone do to stop it short of actual war? No civilized state has the stomach for more fighting so the EU will keep putting off the north "issue" for months and years. I laugh when I see jokers like Haradinaj claim that he can solve the north "problem." Who is he kidding? The EU will not back any Albanian-led incursion just as they will not assist a massive return of Serbs to terrorist hotbeds like Pec and Decani. Sorry if you don't like it but Pristina is not making policy in Kosovo...
(Jason, 28 July 2009 20:26)

Thanks Jason for providing an unbiased comment.

Nothing new. Everybody is aware that Kosovo is still in consolodation phase. Nothing more was expected.
Things are improving and will be improving

Keep dreaming. EU wants everyone in, so blackmailing will not happen. If you get in, it will be with a lot and lot of conditioning. France, UK and Germany recognized Kosova and that seals its fate. No partition either.
(aRTA, 28 July 2009 18:14)

So?? 5 EU stated don't recognized Kosovo as "independent" state. So - every dreams about Kosovo's EU integration will be crushed ;)
And when Serbia will join EU - than Kosovo will change into european Black Hole ;)

The F.E. Foundation WOULD say that. They opposed independence, because their Balkans experts said Kosovo would not work as a state. They are (intellectually) interested in seeing that their predictions come true. If Kosovo succeeds in the end, they will look a little silly.

" The Friedrich Ebert Foundation analysis also recommends that the EU set more conditions to Serbia, and to make changes in the EULEX mission. "

I totally agree. Love it or hate it, EU started Kosova and they will have to finish it. This does not bode well for Serbia as demands will be placed, as soon as EU wakes up.

As for the economy: EU will pump in some more investment guarantees, a state with 2 million people is chump change for them.

arta, you should read the article twice or even three times before you´re posting your thoughts, I guess.

@rebel:

Vedran Dzinic, a muslim name from the beginning to the end - and you are suggesting it´s a biased Serb who wrote that report...

funny.

@roger:
don´t take "roberto" too serious, he´s writing about lala-land, but in the same time he still believes that others buy his alleged san francisco-identity.

everyone I know, who lives there says the same - don´t call my city "frisco".

We are in a global economic meltdown but Kosova is doing all right. I want to know why the authors think that all indicators for Kosova are pointing negative?

"A professional and uncorrupted police force?!?! Are we both talking about KPS??? "

According to the first EULEX Programme Report July 2009
[link] it is both.

There is room for improvement (a bureaucrat can always find room for improvement, otherwise he's out of business) but this was mostly in the area of long-range planning, additional reports that would be desirable, more equipment needed, etc. I found this section of the report especially quite heartening.
(Amer, 29 July 2009 23:29)

Amer, this is EULEX evaluating ITSELF! Of course it is a glowing self-evaluation. This report is about as true as the ones the Pentagon gives saying that the war in Iraq and Afghanistan are going great. I am not saying that there are not some very good officers in KPS - there are some I know personally... but the majority of the KPS and the system itself is a corrupt or innefficient joke. They make 225 euro a month - how can there NOT be corruption there? The police, judges, and prosecutors are all owned by one of the few crimes families.

Of it's an unfinished state. Rome wasn't built overnight!

Vedran is a Croatian name.

ok ,milan,imagine you could block our entry to europe;And then? do you thing that we will not be here? do you think that you will not have us as neighbours?Do you think that we all will die of it?
No Milan be sure,no!We will just look to be united,we will just look east or south,just like you do now with russia!
And even if all countries around us are against us,we will survive as we did for centuries despite your constant killings!
Don't worry,this will only make us more albanian and more united!

I don't blame the Albanians i totally blame the USA and EU for this mess!!!

- Like what???"

Like an efficient and uncorrupted police force, numerous NGOs and CSOs that keep an eye on the government, the beginnings of a professional army, a free press, a direct route to the sea ... And this is just what a foreigner knows about.

A professional and uncorrupted police force?!?! Are we both talking about KPS??? I know for a fact that they are anything but uncorrupted. As far as press goes - I will grant you that much. I am still in shock about the police force comment. Amer, you usually make sound, logical arguments (even though I often disagree) but on this one, you are way out there.

Don't worry,this will only make us more albanian and more united!
(lili, 29 July 2009 20:55)

More albanian, more united and more marginalized - like "independent" Northern Cyprus (more turkish, more united with Turkey - and without any chance to join european prosperity)...

After reading this article my advice to people from Kosovo who are Albanian is to quit blaming Serbs or waiting for other countries to come in and make things better in Kosovo.

If you want a successful democratic country first start by giving the serbs and other minorities there basic human rights. Then how about electing hard working capable people to govt to replace the criminals in power now. Until these things happen you will continue to be Europe's blackest hole.

The F.E. Foundation WOULD say that. They opposed independence, because their Balkans experts said Kosovo would not work as a state. They are (intellectually) interested in seeing that their predictions come true. If Kosovo succeeds in the end, they will look a little silly.
(Webber, 28 July 2009 18:16)

Doesn't it feel good when your predictions are correct? I'm sure the Foundation feels the same way. The truth hurts sometimes...

To ACE and some others ....Really what for albanians need EU when two countries have more natural reserves as any country have in Balkan,EU or abroad most of you do you know how many barrels of crude oil and cubic m3 of natural gas has Albania more as Kuwait have by sq feet and Kosovo in lignite,gold,chrome etc Really only they need to destroy the corruption and after take little time and here we go A golden states in EU and after that they should impose visa for all other EU state..And those natural finding's are done by Canadian drilling company's,USA,SWISS and some EU countries ...
(ARGO, 30 July 2009 00:59)

Yes, this is true about resources... this is one of the main reasons the US and EU are involved in Kosovo. The whole mission is based upon geopolitical reasons, not human rights reasons. If the resources are managed properly they can benefit Kosovo greatly. That is a big "if" though...

this german foundation is not serious as far as kosovo is concerned!may be they should change their staff because as long as they have nostalgic for ex yu,they will have troubles with the present situation.Of course,kosova is not perfekt_and we all know with what handicaps kosovo started_ but we have achieved in few years what established countries have not yet achieved! of course we are still not having european standard of living,but every day is better and every day we see progress and believe me nobody will accept to go back to yu!
So keep on foolin yourself if you want,but kosovars will not and they are dedicated to make a succes of the kosovo story.Don't worry for us:in all our history,we have not had a better living and we DO see it ,in case some in serbia or germania do not see this reality!

well, i do agree that Kosovo/a continues to face daunting problems. and that most Kosovars are not living in the lap of luxury, unlike their counterparts in serbia, macedonia, bosnia, etc (??) but then as our Kosovar colleagues never tire of pointing out, the worst day of post-independence is so immeasurably better than the "best" day under Serbian colonial domination. so let's keep a perspective.

and i do believe the serb nationalists are really living in lala land if they think they can sail into the eu, while still torturing kosovo/a. that is one (sick) fantasy, altho certain esp.ly ethically challenged eu leaders are no doubt encouraging such ideas.

IF that were to occur (which it never will) then i'm sure Kosovo/a really would unite with albania, one way or another, for its survival.

so, as some people here like to point out, you will reap what you sow.

roberto
frisco

"'"but we have achieved in few years what established countries have not yet achieved!"

- Like what???"

Like an efficient and uncorrupted police force, numerous NGOs and CSOs that keep an eye on the government, the beginnings of a professional army, a free press, a direct route to the sea ... And this is just what a foreigner knows about.

"And how do you explain why many Albanians I have spoken to have said it was better here and less screwed up before 1999?"

There are people of a certain age in all the old Communist countries that think things were better in the old days - there was always "work" (whether anything of value was accomplished or not was irrelevant), being fired was practically impossible, salaries were paid on time (even if low and of almost no value in the west), and maybe most importantly, no one was much better off than anyone else. And in Yugoslavia, you could not only travel but even work abroad! Legally!

"A professional and uncorrupted police force?!?! Are we both talking about KPS??? "

According to the first EULEX Programme Report July 2009
http://www.eulex-kosovo.eu/?id=8&n=123 it is both.

There is room for improvement (a bureaucrat can always find room for improvement, otherwise he's out of business) but this was mostly in the area of long-range planning, additional reports that would be desirable, more equipment needed, etc. I found this section of the report especially quite heartening.

To ACE and some others ....Really what for albanians need EU when two countries have more natural reserves as any country have in Balkan,EU or abroad most of you do you know how many barrels of crude oil and cubic m3 of natural gas has Albania more as Kuwait have by sq feet and Kosovo in lignite,gold,chrome etc Really only they need to destroy the corruption and after take little time and here we go A golden states in EU and after that they should impose visa for all other EU state..And those natural finding's are done by Canadian drilling company's,USA,SWISS and some EU countries ...

"Amer, this is EULEX evaluating ITSELF! Of course it is a glowing self-evaluation. "

EULEX is reviewing the work done by UNMIK - they have no stake in the results they report.

The police receive a good report, but the report on the courts is much less positive: it's not simply praise of the situation in general.

This report bears out what other reports - on public perception - have shown: people are pleased with their police, definitely not with the courts.

" The Friedrich Ebert Foundation analysis also recommends that the EU set more conditions to Serbia, and to make changes in the EULEX mission. "

I totally agree. Love it or hate it, EU started Kosova and they will have to finish it. This does not bode well for Serbia as demands will be placed, as soon as EU wakes up.

As for the economy: EU will pump in some more investment guarantees, a state with 2 million people is chump change for them.

"signed by Vedran Džinić"


I rest my case with that. And what all these "commentators" fail to realize is that Albanians would rather starve independently then be force-fed under Serbia.

well, i do agree that Kosovo/a continues to face daunting problems. and that most Kosovars are not living in the lap of luxury, unlike their counterparts in serbia, macedonia, bosnia, etc (??) but then as our Kosovar colleagues never tire of pointing out, the worst day of post-independence is so immeasurably better than the "best" day under Serbian colonial domination. so let's keep a perspective.

and i do believe the serb nationalists are really living in lala land if they think they can sail into the eu, while still torturing kosovo/a. that is one (sick) fantasy, altho certain esp.ly ethically challenged eu leaders are no doubt encouraging such ideas.

IF that were to occur (which it never will) then i'm sure Kosovo/a really would unite with albania, one way or another, for its survival.

so, as some people here like to point out, you will reap what you sow.

roberto
frisco

"Kosovo will never be a 'state', and we Serbs will make sure of that. That is all that EULEX needs to know."

And EU knows that you can't do anything, just delay you EU date. Instead of giving up the North and joining Albania, Kosova will keep it all and still join Albania un-officially. We get one more too this way. If Serbs could do anything, we know what you started in 1999 and you would have stopped 2/18/2008 as well.

--"Kosovo has only limited sovereignty and is de facto divided into a Serb north and an Albanian dominated south, while neither UNMIK nor EULEX have so far been able to do anything "to prevent the partition of the country"

That's because they are taking it one step at the time.

---"It is about Kosovo not succeeding as a soveriegn state. To get in the EU Serbia will not have to do anything regarding Kosovo - so get over it. Once that happens, you know who will never be allowed in the EU? I will give you one guess..."

Keep dreaming. EU wants everyone in, so blackmailing will not happen. If you get in, it will be with a lot and lot of conditioning. France, UK and Germany recognized Kosova and that seals its fate. No partition either.

We are in a global economic meltdown but Kosova is doing all right. I want to know why the authors think that all indicators for Kosova are pointing negative?

Well, over 50% of albanians there live below poverty line, they can go and thank those uck terrorists who were appointed in power by america.
(Ratko, 28 July 2009 16:43)
during serbian regn,it was 100pc of kosovars who were living in poverty!so the progress is notable!

Nothing new. Everybody is aware that Kosovo is still in consolodation phase. Nothing more was expected.
Things are improving and will be improving

The F.E. Foundation WOULD say that. They opposed independence, because their Balkans experts said Kosovo would not work as a state. They are (intellectually) interested in seeing that their predictions come true. If Kosovo succeeds in the end, they will look a little silly.

this german foundation is not serious as far as kosovo is concerned!may be they should change their staff because as long as they have nostalgic for ex yu,they will have troubles with the present situation.Of course,kosova is not perfekt_and we all know with what handicaps kosovo started_ but we have achieved in few years what established countries have not yet achieved! of course we are still not having european standard of living,but every day is better and every day we see progress and believe me nobody will accept to go back to yu!
So keep on foolin yourself if you want,but kosovars will not and they are dedicated to make a succes of the kosovo story.Don't worry for us:in all our history,we have not had a better living and we DO see it ,in case some in serbia or germania do not see this reality!

Of it's an unfinished state. Rome wasn't built overnight!

Kosovo will never be a 'state', and we Serbs will make sure of that. That is all that EULEX needs to know.
Cheers!!

Well, over 50% of albanians there live below poverty line, they can go and thank those uck terrorists who were appointed in power by america.

"'"but we have achieved in few years what established countries have not yet achieved!"

- Like what???"

Like an efficient and uncorrupted police force, numerous NGOs and CSOs that keep an eye on the government, the beginnings of a professional army, a free press, a direct route to the sea ... And this is just what a foreigner knows about.

"And how do you explain why many Albanians I have spoken to have said it was better here and less screwed up before 1999?"

There are people of a certain age in all the old Communist countries that think things were better in the old days - there was always "work" (whether anything of value was accomplished or not was irrelevant), being fired was practically impossible, salaries were paid on time (even if low and of almost no value in the west), and maybe most importantly, no one was much better off than anyone else. And in Yugoslavia, you could not only travel but even work abroad! Legally!

"signed by Vedran Džinić"


I rest my case with that. And what all these "commentators" fail to realize is that Albanians would rather starve independently then be force-fed under Serbia.
(Rebel, 28 July 2009 14:25)

Vedran is a common Bosniak name.

" The Friedrich Ebert Foundation analysis also recommends that the EU set more conditions to Serbia, and to make changes in the EULEX mission. "

I totally agree. Love it or hate it, EU started Kosova and they will have to finish it. This does not bode well for Serbia as demands will be placed, as soon as EU wakes up.

As for the economy: EU will pump in some more investment guarantees, a state with 2 million people is chump change for them.
(aRTA, 28 July 2009 13:36)

Looks like someone missed the point of the article:)

It is about Kosovo not succeeding as a soveriegn state. To get in the EU Serbia will not have to do anything regarding Kosovo - so get over it. Once that happens, you know who will never be allowed in the EU? I will give you one guess...

Interesting response by 'aRTA'. His example above is a case in point & symptomatic of the problems EU faces in making any progress at all in Kosovo. Unfortunately this isn't a magic act - cannot make the issues disappear..

> Kosovo has only limited sovereignty and is de facto divided into a Serb north and an Albanian dominated south, while neither UNMIK nor EULEX have so far been able to do anything "to prevent the partition of the country"

> ..every important macroeconomic indicator points to negative development in Kosovo, a situation only made worse by the global economic crisis.

> They also point to low economic growth, a rising trade deficit and high poverty and unemployment rates.

> “Eighteen months of independence have done nothing to ameliorate this catastrophic situation," says the analysis.

I don't know what's more interesting, the article or the comments. The article clearly points out the major difficulties facing Kosovo, either as a "state" or as an international protectorate. No advancements have been made to bring Albanian and Serb communities together and if anyone has ever been to the north and Gracanica, one is hard pressed to believe they are not in Serbia. So in many respects, this report is basically saying the EU has indeed simply glopped a fresh coat of paint over a decaying house and is trying to sell it to the wary buyer.

But not surprising, the first two comments come from Albanians who clearly had trouble reading the article as the first somehow equated these problems to Serbia and then banked on the EU not fixing Kosovo but punishing Serbia, while the other made the assumption that since the report was co-authored by someone with a Serbian-sounding name, the report is obviously biased. Yet even if it wasn't, he'd rather starve (or eat his own hubris). Typical mentality for diaspora nationalism. What these and other nationalists fail to understand is that the onus of improvement and consolidation rests with Kosovo itself. Not the rest of Serbia, and not the EU. But I suspect that because of the multi-layered bureaucratic approach given to Kosovo by the West that worked so well last time in Bosnia, Kosovo will continue to lag behind in every way as it has done for the last 50 years.

As for the economy: EU will pump in some more investment guarantees, a state with 2 million people is chump change for them.
(aRTA, 28 July 2009 13:36)
EU must not pump any more Euro for illegal state.

ok ,milan,imagine you could block our entry to europe;And then? do you thing that we will not be here? do you think that you will not have us as neighbours?Do you think that we all will die of it?
No Milan be sure,no!We will just look to be united,we will just look east or south,just like you do now with russia!
And even if all countries around us are against us,we will survive as we did for centuries despite your constant killings!
Don't worry,this will only make us more albanian and more united!

Arta, your comments amuse me. YOU have no say in partition because you clearly have no idea of the reality on the ground. I am American and I see the truth that the north is still almost completely Serbian. The small Albanian enclaves accept this and live quite peacefully with their neighbors. They also enjoy almost 24-hour power - which is more than I can say for the rest of Kosovo. What can anyone do to stop it short of actual war? No civilized state has the stomach for more fighting so the EU will keep putting off the north "issue" for months and years. I laugh when I see jokers like Haradinaj claim that he can solve the north "problem." Who is he kidding? The EU will not back any Albanian-led incursion just as they will not assist a massive return of Serbs to terrorist hotbeds like Pec and Decani. Sorry if you don't like it but Pristina is not making policy in Kosovo...

"and i do believe the serb nationalists are really living in lala land if they think they can sail into the eu, while still torturing kosovo/a. that is one (sick) fantasy, altho certain esp.ly ethically challenged eu leaders are no doubt encouraging such ideas. "

Roberto from Frisco, please feel free to explain to us how are Serbs torturing Albanians in Kosovo?

Please don't make ridiculous statements which are clearly your wild imagination.
Show us some examples of how Serbs torture Albanians there. Actually it is the other way around.
No electriciy for the Serbs, armed escorts to church and school (disgusgint behaviour as even kids need protection there), regular bashings of Serbs and many others.

How can you sleep at night knowing how much you are blaming the victims for their situation?

roberto says... "and i do believe the serb nationalists are really living in lala land if they think they can sail into the eu, while still torturing kosovo/a"

You are an extremist.

You are not a person who promotes peace and understanding.

Your comments perpetuate division and hatred.

arta, you should read the article twice or even three times before you´re posting your thoughts, I guess.

@rebel:

Vedran Dzinic, a muslim name from the beginning to the end - and you are suggesting it´s a biased Serb who wrote that report...

funny.

@roger:
don´t take "roberto" too serious, he´s writing about lala-land, but in the same time he still believes that others buy his alleged san francisco-identity.

everyone I know, who lives there says the same - don´t call my city "frisco".

Arta, your comments amuse me. YOU have no say in partition because you clearly have no idea of the reality on the ground. I am American and I see the truth that the north is still almost completely Serbian. The small Albanian enclaves accept this and live quite peacefully with their neighbors. They also enjoy almost 24-hour power - which is more than I can say for the rest of Kosovo. What can anyone do to stop it short of actual war? No civilized state has the stomach for more fighting so the EU will keep putting off the north "issue" for months and years. I laugh when I see jokers like Haradinaj claim that he can solve the north "problem." Who is he kidding? The EU will not back any Albanian-led incursion just as they will not assist a massive return of Serbs to terrorist hotbeds like Pec and Decani. Sorry if you don't like it but Pristina is not making policy in Kosovo...
(Jason, 28 July 2009 20:26)

Thanks Jason for providing an unbiased comment.

Keep dreaming. EU wants everyone in, so blackmailing will not happen. If you get in, it will be with a lot and lot of conditioning. France, UK and Germany recognized Kosova and that seals its fate. No partition either.
(aRTA, 28 July 2009 18:14)

So?? 5 EU stated don't recognized Kosovo as "independent" state. So - every dreams about Kosovo's EU integration will be crushed ;)
And when Serbia will join EU - than Kosovo will change into european Black Hole ;)

As for the economy: EU will pump in some more investment guarantees, a state with 2 million people is chump change for them.
(aRTA, 28 July 2009 13:36)

Sure, throw more good money after bad. EU does not want to lose money but make money and if Kosovo is a bad investment for them they will walk away.

"but we have achieved in few years what established countries have not yet achieved!"

- Like what???

And how do you explain why many Albanians I have spoken to have said it was better here and less screwed up before 1999?

Vedran is a Croatian name.

Don't worry,this will only make us more albanian and more united!
(lili, 29 July 2009 20:55)

More albanian, more united and more marginalized - like "independent" Northern Cyprus (more turkish, more united with Turkey - and without any chance to join european prosperity)...

"A professional and uncorrupted police force?!?! Are we both talking about KPS??? "

According to the first EULEX Programme Report July 2009
http://www.eulex-kosovo.eu/?id=8&n=123 it is both.

There is room for improvement (a bureaucrat can always find room for improvement, otherwise he's out of business) but this was mostly in the area of long-range planning, additional reports that would be desirable, more equipment needed, etc. I found this section of the report especially quite heartening.

After reading this article my advice to people from Kosovo who are Albanian is to quit blaming Serbs or waiting for other countries to come in and make things better in Kosovo.

If you want a successful democratic country first start by giving the serbs and other minorities there basic human rights. Then how about electing hard working capable people to govt to replace the criminals in power now. Until these things happen you will continue to be Europe's blackest hole.

I don't blame the Albanians i totally blame the USA and EU for this mess!!!

The F.E. Foundation WOULD say that. They opposed independence, because their Balkans experts said Kosovo would not work as a state. They are (intellectually) interested in seeing that their predictions come true. If Kosovo succeeds in the end, they will look a little silly.
(Webber, 28 July 2009 18:16)

Doesn't it feel good when your predictions are correct? I'm sure the Foundation feels the same way. The truth hurts sometimes...

As for the economy: EU will pump in some more investment guarantees, a state with 2 million people is chump change for them.
(aRTA, 28 July 2009 13:36)

I thought I would offer some reading into why the above-mentioned statement is naive and wrong. Many, many economists have shown that there are huge correlations between aid and increased corruption, crime, and failed states. Here is a link to a factual basis for this argument - and one can see that Kosovo relying on foreign aid is simply not going to work. Without self responsibility Kosovo will continue to be a failed state.

http://www.nyu.edu/fas/institute/dri/Easterly/File/Was_Development_Assistance_a_Mistake.pdf

To ACE and some others ....Really what for albanians need EU when two countries have more natural reserves as any country have in Balkan,EU or abroad most of you do you know how many barrels of crude oil and cubic m3 of natural gas has Albania more as Kuwait have by sq feet and Kosovo in lignite,gold,chrome etc Really only they need to destroy the corruption and after take little time and here we go A golden states in EU and after that they should impose visa for all other EU state..And those natural finding's are done by Canadian drilling company's,USA,SWISS and some EU countries ...

- Like what???"

Like an efficient and uncorrupted police force, numerous NGOs and CSOs that keep an eye on the government, the beginnings of a professional army, a free press, a direct route to the sea ... And this is just what a foreigner knows about.

A professional and uncorrupted police force?!?! Are we both talking about KPS??? I know for a fact that they are anything but uncorrupted. As far as press goes - I will grant you that much. I am still in shock about the police force comment. Amer, you usually make sound, logical arguments (even though I often disagree) but on this one, you are way out there.

"A professional and uncorrupted police force?!?! Are we both talking about KPS??? "

According to the first EULEX Programme Report July 2009
[link] it is both.

There is room for improvement (a bureaucrat can always find room for improvement, otherwise he's out of business) but this was mostly in the area of long-range planning, additional reports that would be desirable, more equipment needed, etc. I found this section of the report especially quite heartening.
(Amer, 29 July 2009 23:29)

Amer, this is EULEX evaluating ITSELF! Of course it is a glowing self-evaluation. This report is about as true as the ones the Pentagon gives saying that the war in Iraq and Afghanistan are going great. I am not saying that there are not some very good officers in KPS - there are some I know personally... but the majority of the KPS and the system itself is a corrupt or innefficient joke. They make 225 euro a month - how can there NOT be corruption there? The police, judges, and prosecutors are all owned by one of the few crimes families.

To ACE and some others ....Really what for albanians need EU when two countries have more natural reserves as any country have in Balkan,EU or abroad most of you do you know how many barrels of crude oil and cubic m3 of natural gas has Albania more as Kuwait have by sq feet and Kosovo in lignite,gold,chrome etc Really only they need to destroy the corruption and after take little time and here we go A golden states in EU and after that they should impose visa for all other EU state..And those natural finding's are done by Canadian drilling company's,USA,SWISS and some EU countries ...
(ARGO, 30 July 2009 00:59)

Yes, this is true about resources... this is one of the main reasons the US and EU are involved in Kosovo. The whole mission is based upon geopolitical reasons, not human rights reasons. If the resources are managed properly they can benefit Kosovo greatly. That is a big "if" though...

"Amer, this is EULEX evaluating ITSELF! Of course it is a glowing self-evaluation. "

EULEX is reviewing the work done by UNMIK - they have no stake in the results they report.

The police receive a good report, but the report on the courts is much less positive: it's not simply praise of the situation in general.

This report bears out what other reports - on public perception - have shown: people are pleased with their police, definitely not with the courts.