Kosovo: Serb man remanded in custody

Vučković was in the province visiting his parents who live near Prizren. His family has rejected any possibility that was involved in committing war crimes.

If so, why live in Belgrade since 1999? Now, he thought that no one will recognize him and decided to come back and threaten people again, thinking that is still 1998/99. I guess he ran out of luck this time around. Time to pay up your dues.
(Kosova-USA, 14 August 2009 11:36)

Because they dont want to live in ghettos with barbwire around them!

Team Albanian answer me this one question why have serbs left kosovo??? why and answer me this why are crimes against serbs committed by albanian, never recorded or follow up???

You blame Belgrade but politicians in Belgrade dont live in the situation Kosovo Serbs are now...

Serbs dont want anything to do with this monsterous state because the state wants to wipe them out! FACT!!!

How can You be the victims yet more serbs and other minoritys have left kosovo, while albanians left kosovo because of NATO bombing!

I won a bet with my co-workers that the first three ridiculous posts would come from no other than Arta, Kosovo-USA, and PRN. All three give us internationals a very bad impression of Albanians, and they fail to disappoint once again!

International courts should take over this case because there is no way this man can get a fair investigation from KPS. Before one of the Albanian apologists starts whining about the terrorist suspects from Gnjilane, remember this: Serbia has arrested, charged, and convicted its own people so these clowns from Gnjilane will get a fair trial. Second of all, all the world is watching Serbia because it has a chance to get into the EU... this is far more than I can say for Kosovo since it will never be in the EU. Our monitors and advisers here get no cooperation from KPS because of the corruption. Even some internationals are corrupted by Albanian money... just look at some recent high profile convicted UCK terrorists who have been released. Oh, wait, this was done on the sly and has not even been in the media. Yet. I will leak what I can when I get some further details...

Dear Olf,
I don’t usually engage in futile discussions, after I post my opinion on the matter. Sometimes, like this time, I reply.
Thank you for being so ‘concerned’ about well-being of people of Serbia, but you don’t have to remind me (and I would presume, anybody else you mentioned in your comment) about it. Life in Serbia is not easy and it has not been easy for decades now – but people are resilient and hard working, and they make a living for themselves the best way they can. The same applies to my relatives, who thankfully live in Belgrade (or not far from it), so, apart from the fact that they could be living more comfortably then they do at the moment, at least they (and myself) don’t have to live in fear for their lives, surrounded with barb wires, and lacking essential amenities like electricity and running water – the life conditions of Serbian population in Kosovo today. When put into perspective, it does make struggling with life’s hardships somewhat easier, doesn’t it?

I was quite correct in guessing there would be outrage from some Albanians (like PRN or Mr. Water) at my post. I still am amazed at how arrogant some can be deny any international could support Serbs here. The truth is that I am only an observer, albeit a disgusted one. How can you guys possibly think that every single American holds your mindset?!

"Secondly I would suggest that you give this leaks to higher authoritys so the bad apples can be dealt with, for kosovo ( the place that pays your morgage indirectly) and for the stability.
From your post I doubt you want that."

Leaking information is not the same thing as reporting criminal behavior. I am all for giving information on criminal activity to proper authorities when I receive it but I don't have anyone to turn to when I do. Reports are written and they disappear. Courts overturn verdicts and don't notify the prosecutor or public. Why? Because of bribery. I am simply willing to expose some of the truths going on in the justice system.

On that note I am just trying to illustrate that this experiment in Kosovo is a disaster... for Serbs, and for many hard working Albanians who deserve better.

Jason (or if makes you feel better, Jovan, Valon, Lisa, or any other name)

30 days ONLY???

Keep him for unlimited period until trial starts and ends.

He is an important fish to be let free.
(PRN, 14 August 2009 11:35)

How do you know if he is important or not? You don't even know who he is.

Have you ever heard of him before?

Team Albania has come out in force condemning this man before any evidence is even announced, but dare anyone detail an Albanian they will come out fighting with gloves off telling us how dare we judge someone so quickly.

blero:

The Serbian army could have eliminated all albanians if they wanted to. They did leave because of the bombing and fear of what might happen to them because they knew the gruesome crimes uck has done in Kosmet prior to the army arriving. You should know all that. A lot of albaninas loyal to Serbia were also brutally murdered and tortured.

"His family has rejected any possibility that was involved in committing war crimes."

Oh, OK then, let him go.

On a serious note: He should be afforded consular access, the crimes alleged are extremely serious and the sentence reflects them.

Greta work by the other locals that recognized him.

30 days ONLY???

Keep him for unlimited period until trial starts and ends.

He is an important fish to be let free.

Is there any official statement from KPS as to what ‘war crimes’ exactly did this man commit? If they are going to hold him in the custody, some explanation that is not vague is due, certainly. Otherwise, don’t be surprised when people start assuming that his apprehension is illegal and ethnically motivated.
If he did commit crimes he should be sentenced appropriately, but I am having doubts, and I think they are quite reasonable ones, that if he was the one to commit them, he would not have come back to the place where someone could recognize him.
It would have been nice if KPS was so efficient to apprehend murderer/s of youths in Gorazdevac, but we all know that did not happen.

Here's something of interest. Check http://www.kosovo-film.com

It's a film called "KOSOVO Can you imagine?"

It has already won awards so hopefully the world will become more aware of what's going on in the province.

Spread the word.

" won a bet with my co-workers that the first three ridiculous posts would come from no other than Arta, Kosovo-USA, and PRN."

-- Yep, they never dissapoint.

Now here's where I'm going to draw ire from the "a nationalists". What exactly did this man do? What constitutes "threatening gestures" to neighbors? I mean we read about "threatening gestures" happening all the time in Kosovo. Why just a few days ago a few drunk Albanians at a wedding made "threatening gestures" at a Serbian deacon. Did the KPS haul his bum to jail? Don't think so. And am I the only one who thinks it's just a little too convenient that after all this time, Vuckovic makes a drive down to Prizren and all of a sudden makes noise to wake the neighbors. Either this guy is being intentionally set up, or he's plain stupid (if it's the latter, then he does deserve to sit in jail for being obnoxious). But whatever the case, our Albanian friends here are once again ready to fire up the electric chair for a man with alleged charges, but still play the "how do you know it was one of us" card when the crime is perpetrated against someone else?

Vučković was in the province visiting his parents who live near Prizren. His family has rejected any possibility that was involved in committing war crimes.

If so, why live in Belgrade since 1999? Now, he thought that no one will recognize him and decided to come back and threaten people again, thinking that is still 1998/99. I guess he ran out of luck this time around. Time to pay up your dues.

This is a standard pattern: If a serb complain or reclaim property, some albanian witnesses pop out of no where and accuse him from war crimes, even if the person was minor in 99 and stayed in kosovo after the war(see simunovic case who tried to get his house in pristina back from some k-alb squatters).
Wind will turn sooner or later...

How can You be the victims yet more serbs and other minoritys have left kosovo, while albanians left kosovo because of NATO bombing!
(Vuk, 14 August 2009 12:48)

No K-Albanian left kosova becasue of NATO bombing.
I can see that Milosevic's idea and propaganda still lives on.

hello Jason,
After all you are doing your job, obviously you have not been corrupted as yet by the Albanians. But I'm wondering if you did you would write the opposite, right? So if you wright all this and mention that you are an "international" and internationals are corruptable. Than it's very easy to connect the dots about certain ethics.
Secondly I would suggest that you give this leaks to higher authoritys so the bad apples can be dealt with, for kosovo ( the place that pays your morgage indirectly) and for the stability.
From your post I doubt you want that.
Why else would you give us this "leak" in a place that is mixed with Serbians being Albanians, Albanians and Serbians being internationals and the combinations never seem to end.

Why is it bad that Kosovo is conducting an investigation? They have the right for thirty days to present above reasnable doubt that he is guilty. If not he will be freed.
An advanced UN country as Serbia still can't explain the barracks bombing with out moephed information. Mladic and karadic took decades and still nothing about the other one.
All the wanted Albanians valwnteered for the Hague. Not enough evidence was produced so they are set free. This kla is a Serbian mouthfull in my opinion and only subtitutes real evidence. Ceku was loughin with the Bulgarians last time at serbia expence becouse the lack of evidence for your so called Terrorists.
If you are serious about your job you would be able to do a simple analyses that 8out of 11 countrys in the Balkans were they stand, from a historical and political dealings with Serbia. Two share Hungarian lands and the third is being ruined by the corrent holder of ex yugo.
I don't think they hired you for petronisation there. But you never know

12,000 Albanian civilians were killed, how many Serbs have been arrested by Serbia?
(aRTA, 14 August 2009 17:01)

Where are is this 12 thousands killed civilians?? International investigitations from 1999 found only about 3000 victims - INCLUDING Serbs and Roma killed by Albanians. And terrorist killed by security forces (oh yes mr Arta - lot of killed Albanians were armed, so they were not "civilians")

Serbian police arrested war crimes - e.g. Ivan Nikolić sentenced for 8 years in prison. And - where are albanian war crimes arrested by KPS and sentenced for killing Serbs or Romas??

Yes, keep this poor soul in jail on the accusation of an Albanian neighbor. Seems that all you have to do in Kosovo is point a finger at a Serb, if the finger is Albanian, and off to jail goes the Serb. But when it comes to an investigation by a European investigator, Marty, into a horrible crime, the Albanians here say "stay out". Where did the organs go, and where are the bodies buried?

"according to another paper, it wasn't "threatening gestures" aimed at a random Albanian, but a "threat/blackmail" - the dictionary gives both meanings - directed toward a a former victim.
(Amer, 14 August 2009 19:17)"

Amer, hey let's be honest here. If he did indeed do something criminal, let's hear it, let him be charged with it, and let's get the legal paperwork going. No problems there. But all these stories of Serbs and Albanians arresting each other on charges that are not made accessible to the public only generates the back and forth diatribes we get here. And "blackmail" constitutes war crimes? That's a new one to me. Most of Southeastern Europe would be in the Hague if that were the penalty.

Jason,

Bravo for sticking to your guns and keeping your comments both professional and objective. You really don't me telling you that, but your posts over the last few days have been great.

I won a bet with my co-workers that the first three ridiculous posts would come from no other than Arta, Kosovo-USA, and PRN. All three give us internationals a very bad impression of Albanians, and they fail to disappoint once again!

International courts should take over this case because there is no way this man can get a fair investigation from KPS. Before one of the Albanian apologists starts whining about the terrorist suspects from Gnjilane, remember this: Serbia has arrested, charged, and convicted its own people so these clowns from Gnjilane will get a fair trial. Second of all, all the world is watching Serbia because it has a chance to get into the EU... this is far more than I can say for Kosovo since it will never be in the EU. (Jason)

Dear Jason(ic),

I have worked with internationals all my life, and still do, but most of them do not fall under the self-fulfilling prophecy trap. Your comment are in line with Seselj/Milosevic, but you go further when you say

"...this is far more than I can say for Kosovo since it will never be in the EU."

This comments can only be generated by someone who is educated in Balkans.

So stop hiding your ID because your are either way portraying a losing side identity.

#39 "Johny"

Clearly you are an Albanian impersonating an American. The name John, which the familiar version is "Johnny" is spelled with 2 "n's" - so you will have to try better than that to fool everyone.

Apparently you have not read anything I have written because you fail to understand that exposing corruption is much harder than telling the head of mission that things are screwed up here. He is part of the problem considering that the press releases claim that everything is at "full operational capability" and that inter-ethnic cooperation is coming along splendidly. (Actually it is, only in the sphere of smuggling drugs, fuel, and weapons though!)

I am not sure what part of our complaints to EU head and other officials that goes unanswered or ignored is - but we cannot do any more than we are doing.

So, stop pretending to be an objective American like I am, and admit that you are just another ALbanian pretending to be a Westerner on this site.

Once again Jason, if you do not believe what you are doing is right why would you be happy to be a part of a “disastrous experiment” such as Kosovo (as you put it)?
The only thing you have managed to illustrate (as far as I am concerned) is that you are not up to challenge.
As per my last post, bickering behind the back does no good to anybody.
You have the facts go to the right "post box" or "knock at the right door".
(blero, 14 August 2009 17:37)

Blero, there are many people working here that want to improve the situation in Kosovo, regardless of who is in control. I am one of them. I am simply highlighting the bias of the mission here. I believe that I have helped some here and made some minor differences here and there, yet the corruption is so endemic that nothing major happens. Criminals still run Pristina, and Serbs are still mistreated. I am supporting the Serbs here who claim they are discriminated against - because they are. I do the best I can with this corrupt system, but my reporting goes unnoticed or ignored. Ask around and you will find many frustrated internationals here. The mission IS a mess but it would be far worse if there were no internationals here to try and help out the Serbian population. You can call me brainwashed if it makes you feel better, but to infer that there is no problem in the way Serbs are treated in Kosovo is intellectually dishonest.

p.s. I think you will see that Serb accused of "War Crimes" released in the next few days...

This is the usual method of ensuring Serbs do not return and of taking Serb property, illegally.

What is a war criminal in Kosovo - someone who defends their properties from Albanian terrorists. The whole thing is such a tragedy. Who was ethnically cleansed from Kosovo. The Serbs were.

How?

By Albanians who through the centuries have lied and stolen time and time again and bowed to their different imperial masters.

From 1997 - 2004 the UCK waged a war of terror against an innocent Serb population. They are the real war criminals. Does the West care? No. Why? Because the UCK are their criminals.

Why don’t we cool of a bit!
None of us knows if he is guilty or not.
None.
If there are proofs that he is guilty that will be made available in the near future.
If he is innocent he will be set free.
Leave the final word to facts.
Why does everything have to be political and become a words battlefield between the pro Kosovo and Pro Serbia camp?
Jason, there is no denying that Kosovo courts are not to the level of international ones but please do not try to convince me that the Serbian courts are.
If you as an “international monitor” can provide valuable information on the case please do so, however please do it in the way that it will serve the justice.
Do not use your “position” to slag the people you work with. Behind the back bickering helps nobody.
Finally Jason: with all due respect, I accept that fact that you might understand how the Kosovo judiciary system works (if you are working as a monitor, as you said) but let me assure you that you have no idea on how the Serbian judiciary system work.
Are you going to “monitor” the judiciary proceedings on the ex KLA fighters from Gjilan (Gnjilan) also?
Jason, there has not been (and there have been to many to count) and there will not be (for a long time) any fair court proceedings in Serbia when the accused is Albanian full stop.
Jason, you said that the world is watching Serbia…. So what are you doing in Kosovo? If you are not fulfilling your duties, should you be here?

Jason, there is a saying that you should know:
Little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
Arrogance is even more.

One more note.
I am actually getting bored of the “Albanians left Kosovo because of the NATO bombing” saga.
We left and we know why we did it for.
Once and for always, we left to avoid reprisals from Serbian army, police and paramilitaries.
The number of dead Albanians would have been tenfold of what it was during the Kosovo war if civilians did not leave.

JOHNY

2. Unlike Serbia who hides war criminals for decades and by doing this is in daily contravention with international justice; all those accused for crimes by the Hague who had Albanian ethnicity were sent to the Hague. All, including the former prime minister; while he was still holding that position. Its Hague's job to prove their

Johny, one of my very good diplomat friend told me one day what frustration he had to see Mladic freely moving in front of the Nato local offices and this 4 years after his indictment at Hague...because they were "orders" not to arrest him, and guess from whom these orders were....
So again things are not as easy as they seem...

Yes Serbia has its part of the guilt but I believe that they have done much more than any other country involved in this dirty war to turn the page and clean their past.

Kosovo is run by a bunch of criminals, it is an open secret, get rid of them and maybe then your terrible image abroad will change!
Your stubborn nationalism will lead you straight into a wall!

its not like albanians didnt say they'd do it. they said if you arrest terrorists in presevo then we'll harass innocent serbs. lets see how eulex sahibs handle this. and just so you know we dont do in presevo etc. 10% of what we should and what we have intel on. its all dirty politics.

blero:

wow wow occupation you are kidding me right? Yes yes those poor albanians, so oppressed, driving arouond in mercedes, bmw, audi, while the average Serb had a zastava. Didn't nato bomb a whole column of albanians and then blamed Serbs? Or when they said that "Rugova was just executed by Serb forces." Or fake Racak massacre.

How many Serbs were living in Kosmet before the war and how many are left now?

You should know how many Serbs were tortured and brutally murdered by uck terrorists.

Likewise, Mike. I am glad that there are a bunch of other internationals here that see this massive injustice occurring on a daily basis. Hopefully we can make some waves...

I watched this thread with great interest. Notwithstanding the nationalists comments from both sides here is my two pennies worth having worked in Kosovo. The court system is frankly a joke. The police, prosecutors and judge get in a room and discuss over coffee and cigarettes the case. The remand hearing (unless things have changed) takes place in the judge’s office. It is not an open hearing – remember justice must also be seen to be done. I have rarely seen the prosecutor or the judge read any statements – if any are available. Moving back to the arrest stage – I have never seen any KPS officer make original notes of the arrest at the time or as soon as practicable afterwards. This is a basic piece of policing that I am sure is taught but never seems to happen. This is true of both Serb and Albanian Officers. Statements are of a very low quality. They often, in my experience include hearsay. Police officers insist on conducting interrogations not interviews. An interrogation implies some degree of pressure or inducement to confess. An interview is a search for the truth that requires skill, training and patience. I have rarely seen any of these skills displayed by the KPS. I must conclude therefore that regardless of guilt or innocence this individual will not receive a fair trial because there appears to be no transparency in the process as I have experienced it.

(Ratko, 14 August 2009 16:01)

Thank you for enlightening me on the reasons why my family had to leave our house during those times.
Until today I thought that my family had to leave to avoid meeting Arkan and his “peace loving gang”.
It seems that one learns something new everyday.
Ratko, please find me a single “Kosovo Albanian” that will prove your theory.
Only one will do: no need for two.
I guess it should not be hard for you to find one out of 2 million of us.
Also Ratko could you please clarify who are you referring to when you use strong words like “Albanians loyal to Serbia”?
Please define the term “Albanian loyal to Serbia”.
In my books that would be a man happy to be occupied, hunted and masacred, live as a third class citizen, humiliated, raped,…..should I continue?
I don’t believe you will find one either (well not one that calls himself Albanian).
##########

On that note I am just trying to illustrate that this experiment in Kosovo is a disaster... for Serbs, and for many hard working Albanians who deserve better.

(Jason, 14 August 2009 16:28)

Jason, in your professional opinion what would be the better that we deserve, what would be the opposite of the disaster?
Back under Serbia???
I do believe that you have to a lot of convincing and brainwashing…. Do you have 1000 years?
Once again Jason, if you do not believe what you are doing is right why would you be happy to be a part of a “disastrous experiment” such as Kosovo (as you put it)?
The only thing you have managed to illustrate (as far as I am concerned) is that you are not up to challenge.
As per my last post, bickering behind the back does no good to anybody.
You have the facts go to the right "post box" or "knock at the right door".

Just fyi, he should be out of jail for a wrongful accusation in the next few days... just call it an educated guess:)

Jason,
I’ve been reading quite some comments from you lately. I don’t know what your ‘real job’ is in Kosovo, but if you are here to help improve the judiciary system and wanting to improve the situation in Kosovo, regardless of who is in control, then please do it, stop wasting your precious time on news blogs, since if you think you are doing it by posting comments on the news, then there is no need for you to be in Kosovo.
Do you really believe you would be here if things in Kosovo were at the international standard levels (i.e. EU &USA)? If you remember, it was the Kosovo authorities who called on international community to send missions to Kosovo so they could help us improve the situation, because they knew, (we all know) that things are not were they should have been, but the important thing is that we really want to improve the situation.
“On that note I am just trying to illustrate that this experiment in Kosovo is a disaster... for Serbs, and for many hard working Albanians who deserve better”.
With this you just prove that you are not really interested at improving things, but rather ‘restore the previous ones’ (prior to1999). If you really think that Kosovo Independence and/or the international missions are a disaster, then how come you are part of it?
I hear the Serb posters saying that K Serbs are marginalized, living with barb wires around, no freedom of movement, etc etc. I understand that Serbs in Kosovo are more vulnerable, but what is the Serbian state or you guys here doing to decrease all that? Posting comments here, calling all Albanians terrorists, drug dealers, denying that anything bad happened to Kosovo Albanians for decades, etc etc. This is neither going to help us forgive and nor forget, subsequently not going to help improve the situation of the Serbs in K.

To Jason,

As you can see if you don't agree with the Albanian point of view you are treated as someone who obviously doesn't know what they are talking about.

In the famous words of J.R. Ewing (Dallas, old series), "Darling do you believe me or your lying eyes"?

This was said to his ever suffering wife who found him in bed with another woman.

The same here from Team Albania. Jason is there watching what is going on but they are still trying to tell him he doesn't know what he is talking about. Then, they have the audacity to question why he is still there if he doesn't agree with what he is doing.

He agrees with what HE is doing, but doesn't agree with what his government is doing, so he is trying to make a little bit of difference to the ones he sees as victims.

God bless you Jason. If everyone left who didn't agree with what their governments were doing, Kosovo Serbs would be left with only the enemy looking after them.

Keep up the good work. Don't ever confuse the dislike of your government by us as dislike of your people.

Give him life in prison "NOW"
Just the thought of him walking free after all he done in Kosovo is madness. This is all that awaits the criminals from the 1999 conflict.

--"International courts should take over this case because there is no way this man can get a fair investigation from KPS.

Before one of the Albanian apologists starts whining about the terrorist suspects from Gnjilane, remember this: Serbia has arrested, charged, and convicted its own people so these clowns from Gnjilane will get a fair trial. Second of all, all the world is watching Serbia because it has a chance to get into the EU"

This Serbian suspect will also get a fair trial. EULEX is watching, and sadly there is no EULEX in Serbia (for now). Funny how the "brutal Albanian terrorists" were living there for 10 years and Serbia just discovered their supposed crimes and arrested them with the cameraman waiting.

Kosova will do a fair investigation otherwise other potential returnees will be scared, and that's not good for multi-ethnicity.

Maybe Serbia should stop arresting Albanians on bogus charges or do an exchange?

12,000 Albanian civilians were killed, how many Serbs have been arrested by Serbia?

It's quite concerning that we know nothing of the allegations or the man yet folk have found him guilty.

Or does anyone no better?

would be far worse if there were no internationals here to try and help out the Serbian population. You can call me brainwashed if it makes you feel better, but to infer that there is no problem in the way Serbs are treated in Kosovo is intellectually dishonest.

p.s. I think you will see that Serb accused of "War Crimes" released in the next few days...
(Jason, 14 August 2009 19:29)

Jason, thanks for giving us some info from the reality on the ground. I know by doing this you will exposed to the lowest level nationalist posters and hope that you will not be giving up!

A few weeks back there were some Albanian posters "daring" to also enlight us with was is happening there and they were immediately called traitors. Haven't see them for a while, unfortunately...

Good luck in you impossible mission!

First of all Kosovo IS Srbija. No matter what ANYONE has to say - Kosovo's passports are non-existant, due to the population for the last decade, it is the poorest "country" in the world, it is the gateway for trafficking (take your pick of the top three).

If the KPS really wants to do their job - find the murderers of the Serbs from 7 years ago & arrest those who desecrated OUR monasteries.

The way Kosovo is today is destined for failure due to the fact that the world WILL NOT support, back up or protect a "country" that hides from reality. Remember, you can RUN, but you cannot HIDE - there's a first class suite waiting for thachi & ceku as well as many others in the Hague. If you request it, you might even get a room next to gotovina!

CCCC

Why is Serbia not arresting its war criminals? How are NATO; and Serbia not doing its job to arrest them in any way related? Your post is full of discrepancies.
(johny, 15 August 2009 21:09)

Johny, pls read my post carefully again, this happend around 98 whereas he was indicted in 95 and furthermore I didn't mention that it happened in Serbia...

As I said a few times, things are not as clear as they are presented!

Irak's WMO were the biggest world threat in 2003... can you tell me what happened with it?

(Zoran, 14 August 2009 14:52)

A Serbian director (Boris Malagurski) spreading anti Albanian propaganda…………. Well, that's new!!!

I'm thrilled with those bloodthirsty comments.

Vuk, Jason, Jelena etc

here is the link to something that you can do to help Serbia.
http://www.b92.net/eng/news/politics-article.php?yyyy=2009&mm=08&dd=14&nav_id=61153.
Or maybe you dont care about Serbia. All you want is to post anti Kosovo comments in here. People of serbia see this and thats why they care no less for this guy. Problems in Serbia are far greater than arrest of a war criminal.

To: Jelena

It's interesting to blame the Albanians or any other minority, but we forget how we came to that point.

Even prior to lets say '97 there were more army personnel in Kosovo/a then any other region in Yugo... After Tito died and the students and minors protested for their right to be a republic the govt. of Belgrade started to oppress the Kosovo/a Albanians...and you can make the same case about K. Serbs...

Today the govt. is doing it to Sandjak muslims and southern Albanians...to what end will Belgrade go to?

Where does this viscous cycle end?

There is so much misinformation out there that even a well educated person can't tell the truth anymore.

That part of the world should be ex communicated until the ppl of the balkans learn how to live with each other in peace. Not the fake kind that in front of cameras oh yes we want peace but behind close doors they would like to tear the opposite side to pieces if only they had their way....

If you look at both sides they all have deficiencies. One being the legal system. If an individual CAN NOT trust the legal system then both sides will have probles for years to come.


Peace to all and to a better future....

Jason what is exactly an American? I am not trying to act. I don't need to. I was born in the USA of Albanian parents. Still however a guy named Jason does not get to determine who is an American and who is not. Why exactly do you feel you are an American and I am not? What are the criteria you use to determine that I am not an American while you are?

You didn't answer any of my points towards your double standards and your bias on the issues you raise. Now also you get to decide who is American or not. Why the bias? You are supposed to be an impartial monitor. Yet you get a fellow citizen ( yes of Albanian ancestry; nonetheless American) who questions you on the issues you raise and you immediately decide that I am not an American. You got a lot of soul searching to do buddy. We in America put you there so you do a superb job; impartially. We did not put you there to be biased complain about things not working while not being proactive in solving them. If it was all good and dandy you wouldn't be there buddy. You're there for a reason; that is to bring Kosova as close to US ideals as possible. You are not there as the mouthpiece of neither Serbian government or the Albanian government. Remember you are there for the people; no matter the ethnicity. You are there to help them. Any sort of ethnic bias disqualifies you from your duties; and if you really wanted to help in the case, the moment you yourself discovered that you are being biased towards any ethnicity you should have courage to move one and leave Kosova. Tell that to your bodies as well. If any of you guys really want to help Kosova you should not be biased towards any ethnicity or help or penalize anyone due to their ethnicity. Good luck in your job. Be more open minded. Not all criticism is bad. All of us here Americans, Serbs, and Albanians want Kosova to be an advanced developed place where there's jobs and security for people. You being one of those who are employed there to make that happen should be ok with criticism coming from all sides even if that criticism may not seem right to you.

Olf, for once I have to agree with you. It is indeed a failure on the internationals like us more so than locals. That said, it does not take the accountability away from local politicians, judges, and police either. It has been a decade so there should be more progress than there has been I think. There needs to be a lot more done now, since the EU people are doing mostly monitoring. I think there should be someone overseeing the EU... maybe the UN. But then again, the UN was never free from corruption either, so what do we do from here?

"How do you know if he is important or not? You don't even know who he is.

Have you ever heard of him before? "

Perhaps Albanian readers have access to additional information? Something like this obviously requires a certain amount of time to check out, but EULEX is there to make sure that everything is done by the book.

Why do you guys have such a problem with Jason posting things as he sees it through his eyes and his perceptions?

For the educated and liberal albanian guys (or whatever nationality of albanian decent) stop and think for a minute. In my view there is a slight shift in world perceptions about kosovo. Not all people see it in black and white as was hitherto presented. That is not to belittle the crimes of a regime. But today, in 2009, can any genuine people put their hand on their heart and say the multi ethnic ideal is not failing? You can't blame Serbia 100% for that. If the guy wants to state his opinion that is up to him. It worries me that intelligent people effectively tell him to do everything from within and otherwise keep his mouth shut because that is not in their interests.

Amer, a hug part of the problem is EULEX, so this program report will not do anything to help, I'm afraid. It is extremely difficult to expose or investigate corruption when the entire system itself is biased. The EU takes a "hands off" approach to everything the criminal politicians in Pristina do. The US has other interests in Kosovo, so they are not going to be much help in exposing anything. The status-quo suits them just fine.

'God bless you Jason.'

anyroads i sure hope jason's not equally efficient recruiting serb fans in real life as he is here :)

im 100% sure that more and more such arrests will follow! kps i doing a great job!

Team Albania has come out in force condemning this man before any evidence is even announced, but dare anyone detail an Albanian they will come out fighting with gloves off telling us how dare we judge someone so quickly.
(Peggy, 14 August 2009 14:02)

I am sorry but weren't you the most vocal of team Serbia saying Albanians threw a handgranade half hour after B92 posted the article. And there was no mention of an ethnicity in the article at all. Talk about hypocrisy.

Second, Jason being an American myself it would be foolish to make an assumption that all Americans think the same. You being one yourself should know that; shouldn't even think about writing statements like that. Its the fabric of our nation.
Having said that I cannot post here without pointing out double standards and wrong assumptions you're making.Along with the Serbian camp here.

1. No matter how hard the Serbs try to make it sounds as supposedly the amount of crimes was equal that is a pure lie. Doesn't take a genius to prove that. Look at the victims.

2. Unlike Serbia who hides war criminals for decades and by doing this is in daily contravention with international justice; all those accused for crimes by the Hague who had Albanian ethnicity were sent to the Hague. All, including the former prime minister; while he was still holding that position. Its Hague's job to prove their accusations. They didn't in majority of cases hence they're free.

3. In Kosova EULEX monitors its institutions. I am not aware that the same thing is happening in Serbia. So based on what specific information are you stating that Serbia is being monitored since there is no monitoring international body there to make sure their justice system is fair like there is an EULEX monitoring Kosova. Are you simply making an assumption here or do you know something we do not know?



Based on this fact that Serbia's justice system is not monitored by international bodies like EULEX monitors Kosova then what makes you so sure that ethnic Albanians in Serbia are being served unbiased justice? Again do you know something the rest of us does not know?

4. Based on the above then can you explain to me how it is not a double standard for ethnic Albanians arrested in Serbia to be judged in Serbian courts and for ethnic Serbs arrested in Kosova to be judged in international courts. Why the differentiation? Shouldn't ethnic Albanians have the same right to access international courts which have higher standards and no bias towards them? Why do you want Albanians to be excluded from accessing them but you want Serbs to have privileged access to them. Why the bias?




Since you live in Kosova and see all this stuff happening around you. What have you done to make justice. My tax dollars pay your check. What have personally done to stop all the bad things you have seen. Have you bothered sending your evidence to the had of EULEX? If not; not only you are not doing your jobb since you're monitoring criminal activity and not reporting it to the right people but you're involuntarily being part of it by keeping quiet.You are in Kosova because we want to make it a better place.

Wow, Johny you don't want Jason to be impartial, admit it, you want him to be on your side and since he is not you want him out of Kosovo.

You would praise him if he was biased and completely stood behind the Albanians. I'm sure you would not want him to leave because of his bias.

Please stop with the rubbish. We can see right through you and the reason Jason is backing Serbs of Kosovo more than your lot is because he can see who the real victims there are. It's hard not to feel for the people who are constantly suffering because of racial prejudice, but then some people don't have a heart so they condemn the ones who do.

Why do you guys have such a problem with Jason posting things as he sees it through his eyes and his perceptions?

For the educated and liberal albanian guys (or whatever nationality of albanian decent) stop and think for a minute. In my view there is a slight shift in world perceptions about kosovo. Not all people see it in black and white as was hitherto presented. That is not to belittle the crimes of a regime. But today, in 2009, can any genuine people put their hand on their heart and say the multi ethnic ideal is not failing? You can't blame Serbia 100% for that. If the guy wants to state his opinion that is up to him. It worries me that intelligent people effectively tell him to do everything from within and otherwise keep his mouth shut because that is not in their interests.
(Irnbru, 15 August 2009 14:14)

Thank you for understanding what I am saying about my observations in Kosovo.I have not made blanket statements about all Albanians (or all Serbs for that matter) but I am just calling things as I see them. I don't expect everyone to agree with me, but I am glad that some listen.

"Johny," You missed my point completely. I could care less what ethnic background you are or where you were born, but being either of Albanian or Serbian descent means that you have something at stake in this argument. You said you were American, but you should disclose that you have Albanian heritage at first rather than try to be an unbiased American. As to your points, I cannot begin to explain to an outsider how overwhelming this system is and with your mind already made up about the situation here (which goes back to your ethnic roots) I have not the time nor inclination to try and explain it to you further.

Why is Serbia not arresting its war criminals? How are NATO; and Serbia not doing its job to arrest them in any way related? Your post is full of discrepancies.
(johny, 15 August 2009 21:09)

Sorry, forgot to mention, if I'm well informed 48 out of 50 indicted have been arrested, but maybe you know more, then pls let us all know! Can you say the same for Kosovo, Bosnia, Croatia?

On Thursday, a judge made a decision to extend his custody on a prosecutor's request, "due to the gravity of the act the accused is suspected of and due to fear that he might flee Kosovo, considering that he lives in Serbia since 1999".



I wonder why the guy didn't go back to Kosova for 10 years. However if he's innocent then this is his chance to clear his name once and for all.

Well said John, and plesae be carefull when you express your opinion. If you are not supporting Serbian position that you are called all names etc as it is seen in here.
jason, your post has many truths. However, Internationals(you, me ...) are here reform the judicary system, policing ect since Serbia has wrecked it for 10 years just for UN to fail it completely for the further9 yeras.
To sum this one up, if police, judges etc do not perfrom according to EU standards than the guilt should be with us Internationals not the locals. Gettign paid 10000Euro per month and producing police, judges etc like IRNBRU desribes is disgrace.
I personallu, dont blame the locals as much locals as I blame us Internationals.
Further failer of any system that inm judicary and policing is your, mine and onterh Internationals very very expensive failure.

blame us Internationals.
Further failer of any system that inm judicary and policing is your, mine and onterh Internationals very very expensive failure.
(Olf, 15 August 2009 16:00)

For once I agree with most of your post with one little bemol!
It is not about being anti serb or anti kosovar, it is about justice, and if you really are there to implement the rule of law, then don't you think that first the "country" has to be lawfully recognized and not hanging in the air like now!
I can certainly share your frustration in trying to implement a nearly impossible mission, but again, it started wrongly and therefore will be very difficult to get it straight.

Last but not least I would have personally have moral difficulties to be at a place which is run by crimininals, irrespective if they change their camouflage for a white shirt!

Amer, I am in fact doing just that - searching for someone to talk to. Unfortunately, so far with little success. I will keep trying though, maybe I will get lucky one of these times.

Please do not confuse the leadership and corruption issues with the entire population. I am not, nor have I made blanket statements regarding everyone in Kosovo. I think there good people are having the same problems I am...

To: Terminator


That should apply to all parties... not just one group. If they committed a crime they should do the time.....

And ppl should move forward and look to the future... of securing a future where their kids do not have to go through propagandist crap from communism to Milosevic to current inciters of hate.

The land will always be there, we ppl only get to enjoy it for a little bit in our lifetimes, so lets make the best of it.... and learn to live together peacefully....


Peace to all...

Mike - according to another paper, it wasn't "threatening gestures" aimed at a random Albanian, but a "threat/blackmail" - the dictionary gives both meanings - directed toward a a former victim.

A couple of Americans with blood ties in Serbia are trying to demonstrate how this ‘massive’ number of US citizens are against Kosova’s independence. I’ve got news for you my friends, it was the US that made Kosova independent. A few immigrants can’t change that.

Jason and Olf please do continue to look at things and issues with a critical eye; always looking for improvement. That is the greatest thing you can do for the people living there. Yes there is a bias on my part but that does not in any way undo your bigness too, Jason. Nowhere in my posts I claimed be impartial or act like one. You did however and I could not help but point your bias. I am referring to when you stated that citizens of Serb ethnicity in Kosova should have the privilege to access the superior international justice system while the citizens of Albanian ethnicity in Serbia should be denied such privilege. One does not need to be of Albanian ancestry to see that you are being biased there.
There is nothing wrong with having disagreements. I for one disagree with many things Of states and I agree with many things he also states. However the difference is that throughout the time he has been posting here I haven't seen him show bias to any ethnic group. He's as critical towards Albanians as he does towards the Serbs. This is the kind of people we need in the international missions in Kosova. All I'm saying is for you to continue to point out any negatives you see there; however if you wanna do all of the people there a service be impartial. The statement you made regarding access to the international justice system compromises your impartiality; sorry to say but it reeks of bias.

Swiss guy. Can you please explain to me how are the supposed orders from the West to their NATO troops not to arrest Mladic related to Serbia not arresting Mladic? I was not aware that Serbia is governed by NATO and I wasn't aware that Serbia has started to listen to NATO. So if NATO has no will to arrest Mladic; while you so confidently state that Serbia really wants to clean its past. Why is Serbia not arresting its war criminals? How are NATO; and Serbia not doing its job to arrest them in any way related? Your post is full of discrepancies.

'There needs to be a lot more done now, since the EU people are doing mostly monitoring. '

They're doing something right - they're keeping statistics. "What gets measured gets improved," like the engineers say. Have you seen the Programme Report that EULEX came out with a while ago? Both EULEX and the government in Prishtina - not to mention the public - recognize the problems that corruption causes, and both EULEX and the Kosovars they're working with will be focusing on it: it's going to be a measure of their success (or otherwise). There are concrete measures that can be taken, and knowing that follow-up reports will be published will help to focus everybody's attention on actually taking the necessary steps. The government is now discussing an anti-corruption law, which seems to be a good place to start.

BTW, there are numerous CSOs and NGOs working throughout the country focusing on combating various types of corruption - with a little looking-round maybe Jason can find someone interested in his direct observations?

Yes Swiss guy not only the same can be said about Kosova; but we can say that unlike Serbia there are no state institutions hiding war criminals and aiding them to evade justice. There is nobody that Hague wanted from Kosova that didn't go to the Hague. If you are so well informed you should also know this. That unlike the Serbs; all the Albanians that were wanted by the Hague volunteered to go there; to clear their name. They went on their own. Can you say that about Serbia? No you cannot.You cannot also be blind to the fact that each day Serbia hides war criminals it is breaking international law.
I cannot talk about Croatia and Bosnia. Also you cannot lump everything to the same basket here. When we talk about Serbia and Kosova we talk about those two alone. One cannot blame NATO or any other institution when Serbia itself refuses to catch 2 of the most wanted Serb war criminals. As far as we can see Kosova voluntarily cooperated with the Hague while Serbia disrupts the Hague by hiding and aiding its war criminals. I am not aware of anyone that Hague wants in Kosova and Kosova is not cooperating with Hague. I am aware of people wanted in Serbia ad Serbia does not cooperate with the Hague. It seems like you're trying to hide behind a fig leaf too much; turning into a Serb mouthpiece more and more you post here, rather than being an impartial observer.

'The US has other interests in Kosovo, so they are not going to be much help in exposing anything. The status-quo suits them just fine.
(Jason, 16 August 2009 09:14) '

The attitude of the internationals was the reason I suggested contacting the local organizations - it's their country, they want to deal with corruption in their own interest.

It's not going to be Sweden there tomorrow, but with transparency and free elections, there will be improvement.

Good for you, for being willing to help.

This guy is clearly guilty of threatening and attempting to harm others...so what he is a serb minority? Stop overreacting and realize that you are biased, if he was Albanian or non-Serb you would have jumped the gun calling him/her a terrorist, blah blah.

PEACE

'Amer, hey let's be honest here. If he did indeed do something criminal, let's hear it, let him be charged with it, and let's get the legal paperwork going. No problems there.'

Exactly, but it takes a while to gather evidence and formulate charges - people don't just commit "murder in general," a particular victim and the circumstances have to be determined, so the accused knows what he has to defend himself against. So the police have to have some time to do their work. That's all.

'Amer, I am in fact doing just that - searching for someone to talk to. Unfortunately, so far with little success. I will keep trying though, maybe I will get lucky one of these times.'

Jason, you could start with the EULEX Programme Report (p. 145) - http://www.eulex-kosovo.eu/?id=8&n=123.

It mentions QOHU! (Stand Up!), Fol '08 (Speak Up '08), KDI (advocacy and legal advice center) as being among the most active in the area of anti-corruption fighting.

"To sum this one up, if police, judges etc do not perfrom according to EU standards than the guilt should be with us Internationals not the locals. Gettign paid 10000Euro per month and producing police, judges etc like IRNBRU describes is disgrace.
I personallu, dont blame the locals as much locals as I blame us Internationals.
Further failer of any system that inm judicary and policing is your, mine and onterh Internationals very very expensive failure.
(Olf, 15 August 2009 16:00)3

Seems that our "internationals"here are "new" in kosova and in B92 forum,so they have missed some splendid pages of international presence in kosovo!As i was in kosovo from the beginning of your presence,can i remind you that YOU did chose these juges,and WE did protest when you did it ,because of their previous attitude!Can i remind you that sylvie Pantz-une catastrophe ambulante,as french will put it_had to face lawyers protest for these stupis,inefficient and unpraticable "internationals"laws?
must i tell you about the articles that we made for the corruption that unmik has installed in kosovo,Have i to talk about all these internationals inplicated in women trafficking-from policemen to your n2,have your heard drug trafficking in mitrovica north organized by Nato men? etc etc
unmik has chosen "flexible"(it was their word) albanians.By flexible you have to understand with no moral values,and able to shut eyes and mouth when seing "international mess"!
My brother is an expat too.And when he visited me in Prishtina,we met a "good friend" of him at grand hotel:this guy was working in KEK and my brother did tell us ,in front of him:you see this guy,well if you have electricity today(and in fact we did have it non stop then) in 2 years time,you will not have electricity anymore,because this guy is a specialist "des coups tordus"" (nasty tricks) in africa, and will corrupt from A to Z all the system here..The guy just laughed at my brother remark,but 2 years later we did have have electricity anymore as at the beginning...
Your protegeeare in all our institutions,and you did select them on their flexibility..
So,don't come here to accuse us of your turpitudes!But Try to have your nasty tricks revealed!
(just read albanians newspapers of that time to begin. your quest;;°!

Zoran!..That movie is done by a serb team and financed by the serbian government. No wonder is going to make serbs look good and albanians bad. Do you really think that the world is so naive to believe everything you tell them on that documentary.

30 days ONLY???

Keep him for unlimited period until trial starts and ends.

He is an important fish to be let free.

Vučković was in the province visiting his parents who live near Prizren. His family has rejected any possibility that was involved in committing war crimes.

If so, why live in Belgrade since 1999? Now, he thought that no one will recognize him and decided to come back and threaten people again, thinking that is still 1998/99. I guess he ran out of luck this time around. Time to pay up your dues.

"His family has rejected any possibility that was involved in committing war crimes."

Oh, OK then, let him go.

On a serious note: He should be afforded consular access, the crimes alleged are extremely serious and the sentence reflects them.

Greta work by the other locals that recognized him.

I won a bet with my co-workers that the first three ridiculous posts would come from no other than Arta, Kosovo-USA, and PRN. All three give us internationals a very bad impression of Albanians, and they fail to disappoint once again!

International courts should take over this case because there is no way this man can get a fair investigation from KPS. Before one of the Albanian apologists starts whining about the terrorist suspects from Gnjilane, remember this: Serbia has arrested, charged, and convicted its own people so these clowns from Gnjilane will get a fair trial. Second of all, all the world is watching Serbia because it has a chance to get into the EU... this is far more than I can say for Kosovo since it will never be in the EU. (Jason)

Dear Jason(ic),

I have worked with internationals all my life, and still do, but most of them do not fall under the self-fulfilling prophecy trap. Your comment are in line with Seselj/Milosevic, but you go further when you say

"...this is far more than I can say for Kosovo since it will never be in the EU."

This comments can only be generated by someone who is educated in Balkans.

So stop hiding your ID because your are either way portraying a losing side identity.

Give him life in prison "NOW"
Just the thought of him walking free after all he done in Kosovo is madness. This is all that awaits the criminals from the 1999 conflict.

(Zoran, 14 August 2009 14:52)

A Serbian director (Boris Malagurski) spreading anti Albanian propaganda…………. Well, that's new!!!

Vučković was in the province visiting his parents who live near Prizren. His family has rejected any possibility that was involved in committing war crimes.

If so, why live in Belgrade since 1999? Now, he thought that no one will recognize him and decided to come back and threaten people again, thinking that is still 1998/99. I guess he ran out of luck this time around. Time to pay up your dues.
(Kosova-USA, 14 August 2009 11:36)

Because they dont want to live in ghettos with barbwire around them!

Team Albanian answer me this one question why have serbs left kosovo??? why and answer me this why are crimes against serbs committed by albanian, never recorded or follow up???

You blame Belgrade but politicians in Belgrade dont live in the situation Kosovo Serbs are now...

Serbs dont want anything to do with this monsterous state because the state wants to wipe them out! FACT!!!

How can You be the victims yet more serbs and other minoritys have left kosovo, while albanians left kosovo because of NATO bombing!

How can You be the victims yet more serbs and other minoritys have left kosovo, while albanians left kosovo because of NATO bombing!
(Vuk, 14 August 2009 12:48)

No K-Albanian left kosova becasue of NATO bombing.
I can see that Milosevic's idea and propaganda still lives on.

hello Jason,
After all you are doing your job, obviously you have not been corrupted as yet by the Albanians. But I'm wondering if you did you would write the opposite, right? So if you wright all this and mention that you are an "international" and internationals are corruptable. Than it's very easy to connect the dots about certain ethics.
Secondly I would suggest that you give this leaks to higher authoritys so the bad apples can be dealt with, for kosovo ( the place that pays your morgage indirectly) and for the stability.
From your post I doubt you want that.
Why else would you give us this "leak" in a place that is mixed with Serbians being Albanians, Albanians and Serbians being internationals and the combinations never seem to end.

Why is it bad that Kosovo is conducting an investigation? They have the right for thirty days to present above reasnable doubt that he is guilty. If not he will be freed.
An advanced UN country as Serbia still can't explain the barracks bombing with out moephed information. Mladic and karadic took decades and still nothing about the other one.
All the wanted Albanians valwnteered for the Hague. Not enough evidence was produced so they are set free. This kla is a Serbian mouthfull in my opinion and only subtitutes real evidence. Ceku was loughin with the Bulgarians last time at serbia expence becouse the lack of evidence for your so called Terrorists.
If you are serious about your job you would be able to do a simple analyses that 8out of 11 countrys in the Balkans were they stand, from a historical and political dealings with Serbia. Two share Hungarian lands and the third is being ruined by the corrent holder of ex yugo.
I don't think they hired you for petronisation there. But you never know

Why don’t we cool of a bit!
None of us knows if he is guilty or not.
None.
If there are proofs that he is guilty that will be made available in the near future.
If he is innocent he will be set free.
Leave the final word to facts.
Why does everything have to be political and become a words battlefield between the pro Kosovo and Pro Serbia camp?
Jason, there is no denying that Kosovo courts are not to the level of international ones but please do not try to convince me that the Serbian courts are.
If you as an “international monitor” can provide valuable information on the case please do so, however please do it in the way that it will serve the justice.
Do not use your “position” to slag the people you work with. Behind the back bickering helps nobody.
Finally Jason: with all due respect, I accept that fact that you might understand how the Kosovo judiciary system works (if you are working as a monitor, as you said) but let me assure you that you have no idea on how the Serbian judiciary system work.
Are you going to “monitor” the judiciary proceedings on the ex KLA fighters from Gjilan (Gnjilan) also?
Jason, there has not been (and there have been to many to count) and there will not be (for a long time) any fair court proceedings in Serbia when the accused is Albanian full stop.
Jason, you said that the world is watching Serbia…. So what are you doing in Kosovo? If you are not fulfilling your duties, should you be here?

Jason, there is a saying that you should know:
Little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
Arrogance is even more.

One more note.
I am actually getting bored of the “Albanians left Kosovo because of the NATO bombing” saga.
We left and we know why we did it for.
Once and for always, we left to avoid reprisals from Serbian army, police and paramilitaries.
The number of dead Albanians would have been tenfold of what it was during the Kosovo war if civilians did not leave.

--"International courts should take over this case because there is no way this man can get a fair investigation from KPS.

Before one of the Albanian apologists starts whining about the terrorist suspects from Gnjilane, remember this: Serbia has arrested, charged, and convicted its own people so these clowns from Gnjilane will get a fair trial. Second of all, all the world is watching Serbia because it has a chance to get into the EU"

This Serbian suspect will also get a fair trial. EULEX is watching, and sadly there is no EULEX in Serbia (for now). Funny how the "brutal Albanian terrorists" were living there for 10 years and Serbia just discovered their supposed crimes and arrested them with the cameraman waiting.

Kosova will do a fair investigation otherwise other potential returnees will be scared, and that's not good for multi-ethnicity.

Maybe Serbia should stop arresting Albanians on bogus charges or do an exchange?

12,000 Albanian civilians were killed, how many Serbs have been arrested by Serbia?

Vuk, Jason, Jelena etc

here is the link to something that you can do to help Serbia.
http://www.b92.net/eng/news/politics-article.php?yyyy=2009&mm=08&dd=14&nav_id=61153.
Or maybe you dont care about Serbia. All you want is to post anti Kosovo comments in here. People of serbia see this and thats why they care no less for this guy. Problems in Serbia are far greater than arrest of a war criminal.

I won a bet with my co-workers that the first three ridiculous posts would come from no other than Arta, Kosovo-USA, and PRN. All three give us internationals a very bad impression of Albanians, and they fail to disappoint once again!

International courts should take over this case because there is no way this man can get a fair investigation from KPS. Before one of the Albanian apologists starts whining about the terrorist suspects from Gnjilane, remember this: Serbia has arrested, charged, and convicted its own people so these clowns from Gnjilane will get a fair trial. Second of all, all the world is watching Serbia because it has a chance to get into the EU... this is far more than I can say for Kosovo since it will never be in the EU. Our monitors and advisers here get no cooperation from KPS because of the corruption. Even some internationals are corrupted by Albanian money... just look at some recent high profile convicted UCK terrorists who have been released. Oh, wait, this was done on the sly and has not even been in the media. Yet. I will leak what I can when I get some further details...

"How do you know if he is important or not? You don't even know who he is.

Have you ever heard of him before? "

Perhaps Albanian readers have access to additional information? Something like this obviously requires a certain amount of time to check out, but EULEX is there to make sure that everything is done by the book.

(Ratko, 14 August 2009 16:01)

Thank you for enlightening me on the reasons why my family had to leave our house during those times.
Until today I thought that my family had to leave to avoid meeting Arkan and his “peace loving gang”.
It seems that one learns something new everyday.
Ratko, please find me a single “Kosovo Albanian” that will prove your theory.
Only one will do: no need for two.
I guess it should not be hard for you to find one out of 2 million of us.
Also Ratko could you please clarify who are you referring to when you use strong words like “Albanians loyal to Serbia”?
Please define the term “Albanian loyal to Serbia”.
In my books that would be a man happy to be occupied, hunted and masacred, live as a third class citizen, humiliated, raped,…..should I continue?
I don’t believe you will find one either (well not one that calls himself Albanian).
##########

On that note I am just trying to illustrate that this experiment in Kosovo is a disaster... for Serbs, and for many hard working Albanians who deserve better.

(Jason, 14 August 2009 16:28)

Jason, in your professional opinion what would be the better that we deserve, what would be the opposite of the disaster?
Back under Serbia???
I do believe that you have to a lot of convincing and brainwashing…. Do you have 1000 years?
Once again Jason, if you do not believe what you are doing is right why would you be happy to be a part of a “disastrous experiment” such as Kosovo (as you put it)?
The only thing you have managed to illustrate (as far as I am concerned) is that you are not up to challenge.
As per my last post, bickering behind the back does no good to anybody.
You have the facts go to the right "post box" or "knock at the right door".

Team Albania has come out in force condemning this man before any evidence is even announced, but dare anyone detail an Albanian they will come out fighting with gloves off telling us how dare we judge someone so quickly.
(Peggy, 14 August 2009 14:02)

I am sorry but weren't you the most vocal of team Serbia saying Albanians threw a handgranade half hour after B92 posted the article. And there was no mention of an ethnicity in the article at all. Talk about hypocrisy.

Second, Jason being an American myself it would be foolish to make an assumption that all Americans think the same. You being one yourself should know that; shouldn't even think about writing statements like that. Its the fabric of our nation.
Having said that I cannot post here without pointing out double standards and wrong assumptions you're making.Along with the Serbian camp here.

1. No matter how hard the Serbs try to make it sounds as supposedly the amount of crimes was equal that is a pure lie. Doesn't take a genius to prove that. Look at the victims.

2. Unlike Serbia who hides war criminals for decades and by doing this is in daily contravention with international justice; all those accused for crimes by the Hague who had Albanian ethnicity were sent to the Hague. All, including the former prime minister; while he was still holding that position. Its Hague's job to prove their accusations. They didn't in majority of cases hence they're free.

3. In Kosova EULEX monitors its institutions. I am not aware that the same thing is happening in Serbia. So based on what specific information are you stating that Serbia is being monitored since there is no monitoring international body there to make sure their justice system is fair like there is an EULEX monitoring Kosova. Are you simply making an assumption here or do you know something we do not know?



Based on this fact that Serbia's justice system is not monitored by international bodies like EULEX monitors Kosova then what makes you so sure that ethnic Albanians in Serbia are being served unbiased justice? Again do you know something the rest of us does not know?

4. Based on the above then can you explain to me how it is not a double standard for ethnic Albanians arrested in Serbia to be judged in Serbian courts and for ethnic Serbs arrested in Kosova to be judged in international courts. Why the differentiation? Shouldn't ethnic Albanians have the same right to access international courts which have higher standards and no bias towards them? Why do you want Albanians to be excluded from accessing them but you want Serbs to have privileged access to them. Why the bias?




Since you live in Kosova and see all this stuff happening around you. What have you done to make justice. My tax dollars pay your check. What have personally done to stop all the bad things you have seen. Have you bothered sending your evidence to the had of EULEX? If not; not only you are not doing your jobb since you're monitoring criminal activity and not reporting it to the right people but you're involuntarily being part of it by keeping quiet.You are in Kosova because we want to make it a better place.

To: Jelena

It's interesting to blame the Albanians or any other minority, but we forget how we came to that point.

Even prior to lets say '97 there were more army personnel in Kosovo/a then any other region in Yugo... After Tito died and the students and minors protested for their right to be a republic the govt. of Belgrade started to oppress the Kosovo/a Albanians...and you can make the same case about K. Serbs...

Today the govt. is doing it to Sandjak muslims and southern Albanians...to what end will Belgrade go to?

Where does this viscous cycle end?

There is so much misinformation out there that even a well educated person can't tell the truth anymore.

That part of the world should be ex communicated until the ppl of the balkans learn how to live with each other in peace. Not the fake kind that in front of cameras oh yes we want peace but behind close doors they would like to tear the opposite side to pieces if only they had their way....

If you look at both sides they all have deficiencies. One being the legal system. If an individual CAN NOT trust the legal system then both sides will have probles for years to come.


Peace to all and to a better future....

On Thursday, a judge made a decision to extend his custody on a prosecutor's request, "due to the gravity of the act the accused is suspected of and due to fear that he might flee Kosovo, considering that he lives in Serbia since 1999".



I wonder why the guy didn't go back to Kosova for 10 years. However if he's innocent then this is his chance to clear his name once and for all.

This is a standard pattern: If a serb complain or reclaim property, some albanian witnesses pop out of no where and accuse him from war crimes, even if the person was minor in 99 and stayed in kosovo after the war(see simunovic case who tried to get his house in pristina back from some k-alb squatters).
Wind will turn sooner or later...

im 100% sure that more and more such arrests will follow! kps i doing a great job!

Yes, keep this poor soul in jail on the accusation of an Albanian neighbor. Seems that all you have to do in Kosovo is point a finger at a Serb, if the finger is Albanian, and off to jail goes the Serb. But when it comes to an investigation by a European investigator, Marty, into a horrible crime, the Albanians here say "stay out". Where did the organs go, and where are the bodies buried?

30 days ONLY???

Keep him for unlimited period until trial starts and ends.

He is an important fish to be let free.
(PRN, 14 August 2009 11:35)

How do you know if he is important or not? You don't even know who he is.

Have you ever heard of him before?

Team Albania has come out in force condemning this man before any evidence is even announced, but dare anyone detail an Albanian they will come out fighting with gloves off telling us how dare we judge someone so quickly.

Here's something of interest. Check http://www.kosovo-film.com

It's a film called "KOSOVO Can you imagine?"

It has already won awards so hopefully the world will become more aware of what's going on in the province.

Spread the word.

blero:

The Serbian army could have eliminated all albanians if they wanted to. They did leave because of the bombing and fear of what might happen to them because they knew the gruesome crimes uck has done in Kosmet prior to the army arriving. You should know all that. A lot of albaninas loyal to Serbia were also brutally murdered and tortured.

Mike - according to another paper, it wasn't "threatening gestures" aimed at a random Albanian, but a "threat/blackmail" - the dictionary gives both meanings - directed toward a a former victim.

Is there any official statement from KPS as to what ‘war crimes’ exactly did this man commit? If they are going to hold him in the custody, some explanation that is not vague is due, certainly. Otherwise, don’t be surprised when people start assuming that his apprehension is illegal and ethnically motivated.
If he did commit crimes he should be sentenced appropriately, but I am having doubts, and I think they are quite reasonable ones, that if he was the one to commit them, he would not have come back to the place where someone could recognize him.
It would have been nice if KPS was so efficient to apprehend murderer/s of youths in Gorazdevac, but we all know that did not happen.

Jason what is exactly an American? I am not trying to act. I don't need to. I was born in the USA of Albanian parents. Still however a guy named Jason does not get to determine who is an American and who is not. Why exactly do you feel you are an American and I am not? What are the criteria you use to determine that I am not an American while you are?

You didn't answer any of my points towards your double standards and your bias on the issues you raise. Now also you get to decide who is American or not. Why the bias? You are supposed to be an impartial monitor. Yet you get a fellow citizen ( yes of Albanian ancestry; nonetheless American) who questions you on the issues you raise and you immediately decide that I am not an American. You got a lot of soul searching to do buddy. We in America put you there so you do a superb job; impartially. We did not put you there to be biased complain about things not working while not being proactive in solving them. If it was all good and dandy you wouldn't be there buddy. You're there for a reason; that is to bring Kosova as close to US ideals as possible. You are not there as the mouthpiece of neither Serbian government or the Albanian government. Remember you are there for the people; no matter the ethnicity. You are there to help them. Any sort of ethnic bias disqualifies you from your duties; and if you really wanted to help in the case, the moment you yourself discovered that you are being biased towards any ethnicity you should have courage to move one and leave Kosova. Tell that to your bodies as well. If any of you guys really want to help Kosova you should not be biased towards any ethnicity or help or penalize anyone due to their ethnicity. Good luck in your job. Be more open minded. Not all criticism is bad. All of us here Americans, Serbs, and Albanians want Kosova to be an advanced developed place where there's jobs and security for people. You being one of those who are employed there to make that happen should be ok with criticism coming from all sides even if that criticism may not seem right to you.

Once again Jason, if you do not believe what you are doing is right why would you be happy to be a part of a “disastrous experiment” such as Kosovo (as you put it)?
The only thing you have managed to illustrate (as far as I am concerned) is that you are not up to challenge.
As per my last post, bickering behind the back does no good to anybody.
You have the facts go to the right "post box" or "knock at the right door".
(blero, 14 August 2009 17:37)

Blero, there are many people working here that want to improve the situation in Kosovo, regardless of who is in control. I am one of them. I am simply highlighting the bias of the mission here. I believe that I have helped some here and made some minor differences here and there, yet the corruption is so endemic that nothing major happens. Criminals still run Pristina, and Serbs are still mistreated. I am supporting the Serbs here who claim they are discriminated against - because they are. I do the best I can with this corrupt system, but my reporting goes unnoticed or ignored. Ask around and you will find many frustrated internationals here. The mission IS a mess but it would be far worse if there were no internationals here to try and help out the Serbian population. You can call me brainwashed if it makes you feel better, but to infer that there is no problem in the way Serbs are treated in Kosovo is intellectually dishonest.

p.s. I think you will see that Serb accused of "War Crimes" released in the next few days...

I was quite correct in guessing there would be outrage from some Albanians (like PRN or Mr. Water) at my post. I still am amazed at how arrogant some can be deny any international could support Serbs here. The truth is that I am only an observer, albeit a disgusted one. How can you guys possibly think that every single American holds your mindset?!

"Secondly I would suggest that you give this leaks to higher authoritys so the bad apples can be dealt with, for kosovo ( the place that pays your morgage indirectly) and for the stability.
From your post I doubt you want that."

Leaking information is not the same thing as reporting criminal behavior. I am all for giving information on criminal activity to proper authorities when I receive it but I don't have anyone to turn to when I do. Reports are written and they disappear. Courts overturn verdicts and don't notify the prosecutor or public. Why? Because of bribery. I am simply willing to expose some of the truths going on in the justice system.

On that note I am just trying to illustrate that this experiment in Kosovo is a disaster... for Serbs, and for many hard working Albanians who deserve better.

Jason (or if makes you feel better, Jovan, Valon, Lisa, or any other name)

" won a bet with my co-workers that the first three ridiculous posts would come from no other than Arta, Kosovo-USA, and PRN."

-- Yep, they never dissapoint.

Now here's where I'm going to draw ire from the "a nationalists". What exactly did this man do? What constitutes "threatening gestures" to neighbors? I mean we read about "threatening gestures" happening all the time in Kosovo. Why just a few days ago a few drunk Albanians at a wedding made "threatening gestures" at a Serbian deacon. Did the KPS haul his bum to jail? Don't think so. And am I the only one who thinks it's just a little too convenient that after all this time, Vuckovic makes a drive down to Prizren and all of a sudden makes noise to wake the neighbors. Either this guy is being intentionally set up, or he's plain stupid (if it's the latter, then he does deserve to sit in jail for being obnoxious). But whatever the case, our Albanian friends here are once again ready to fire up the electric chair for a man with alleged charges, but still play the "how do you know it was one of us" card when the crime is perpetrated against someone else?

Jason,
I’ve been reading quite some comments from you lately. I don’t know what your ‘real job’ is in Kosovo, but if you are here to help improve the judiciary system and wanting to improve the situation in Kosovo, regardless of who is in control, then please do it, stop wasting your precious time on news blogs, since if you think you are doing it by posting comments on the news, then there is no need for you to be in Kosovo.
Do you really believe you would be here if things in Kosovo were at the international standard levels (i.e. EU &USA)? If you remember, it was the Kosovo authorities who called on international community to send missions to Kosovo so they could help us improve the situation, because they knew, (we all know) that things are not were they should have been, but the important thing is that we really want to improve the situation.
“On that note I am just trying to illustrate that this experiment in Kosovo is a disaster... for Serbs, and for many hard working Albanians who deserve better”.
With this you just prove that you are not really interested at improving things, but rather ‘restore the previous ones’ (prior to1999). If you really think that Kosovo Independence and/or the international missions are a disaster, then how come you are part of it?
I hear the Serb posters saying that K Serbs are marginalized, living with barb wires around, no freedom of movement, etc etc. I understand that Serbs in Kosovo are more vulnerable, but what is the Serbian state or you guys here doing to decrease all that? Posting comments here, calling all Albanians terrorists, drug dealers, denying that anything bad happened to Kosovo Albanians for decades, etc etc. This is neither going to help us forgive and nor forget, subsequently not going to help improve the situation of the Serbs in K.

Wow, Johny you don't want Jason to be impartial, admit it, you want him to be on your side and since he is not you want him out of Kosovo.

You would praise him if he was biased and completely stood behind the Albanians. I'm sure you would not want him to leave because of his bias.

Please stop with the rubbish. We can see right through you and the reason Jason is backing Serbs of Kosovo more than your lot is because he can see who the real victims there are. It's hard not to feel for the people who are constantly suffering because of racial prejudice, but then some people don't have a heart so they condemn the ones who do.

A couple of Americans with blood ties in Serbia are trying to demonstrate how this ‘massive’ number of US citizens are against Kosova’s independence. I’ve got news for you my friends, it was the US that made Kosova independent. A few immigrants can’t change that.

This guy is clearly guilty of threatening and attempting to harm others...so what he is a serb minority? Stop overreacting and realize that you are biased, if he was Albanian or non-Serb you would have jumped the gun calling him/her a terrorist, blah blah.

PEACE

Jason and Olf please do continue to look at things and issues with a critical eye; always looking for improvement. That is the greatest thing you can do for the people living there. Yes there is a bias on my part but that does not in any way undo your bigness too, Jason. Nowhere in my posts I claimed be impartial or act like one. You did however and I could not help but point your bias. I am referring to when you stated that citizens of Serb ethnicity in Kosova should have the privilege to access the superior international justice system while the citizens of Albanian ethnicity in Serbia should be denied such privilege. One does not need to be of Albanian ancestry to see that you are being biased there.
There is nothing wrong with having disagreements. I for one disagree with many things Of states and I agree with many things he also states. However the difference is that throughout the time he has been posting here I haven't seen him show bias to any ethnic group. He's as critical towards Albanians as he does towards the Serbs. This is the kind of people we need in the international missions in Kosova. All I'm saying is for you to continue to point out any negatives you see there; however if you wanna do all of the people there a service be impartial. The statement you made regarding access to the international justice system compromises your impartiality; sorry to say but it reeks of bias.

Swiss guy. Can you please explain to me how are the supposed orders from the West to their NATO troops not to arrest Mladic related to Serbia not arresting Mladic? I was not aware that Serbia is governed by NATO and I wasn't aware that Serbia has started to listen to NATO. So if NATO has no will to arrest Mladic; while you so confidently state that Serbia really wants to clean its past. Why is Serbia not arresting its war criminals? How are NATO; and Serbia not doing its job to arrest them in any way related? Your post is full of discrepancies.

'Amer, I am in fact doing just that - searching for someone to talk to. Unfortunately, so far with little success. I will keep trying though, maybe I will get lucky one of these times.'

Jason, you could start with the EULEX Programme Report (p. 145) - http://www.eulex-kosovo.eu/?id=8&n=123.

It mentions QOHU! (Stand Up!), Fol '08 (Speak Up '08), KDI (advocacy and legal advice center) as being among the most active in the area of anti-corruption fighting.

Dear Olf,
I don’t usually engage in futile discussions, after I post my opinion on the matter. Sometimes, like this time, I reply.
Thank you for being so ‘concerned’ about well-being of people of Serbia, but you don’t have to remind me (and I would presume, anybody else you mentioned in your comment) about it. Life in Serbia is not easy and it has not been easy for decades now – but people are resilient and hard working, and they make a living for themselves the best way they can. The same applies to my relatives, who thankfully live in Belgrade (or not far from it), so, apart from the fact that they could be living more comfortably then they do at the moment, at least they (and myself) don’t have to live in fear for their lives, surrounded with barb wires, and lacking essential amenities like electricity and running water – the life conditions of Serbian population in Kosovo today. When put into perspective, it does make struggling with life’s hardships somewhat easier, doesn’t it?

blero:

wow wow occupation you are kidding me right? Yes yes those poor albanians, so oppressed, driving arouond in mercedes, bmw, audi, while the average Serb had a zastava. Didn't nato bomb a whole column of albanians and then blamed Serbs? Or when they said that "Rugova was just executed by Serb forces." Or fake Racak massacre.

How many Serbs were living in Kosmet before the war and how many are left now?

You should know how many Serbs were tortured and brutally murdered by uck terrorists.

"according to another paper, it wasn't "threatening gestures" aimed at a random Albanian, but a "threat/blackmail" - the dictionary gives both meanings - directed toward a a former victim.
(Amer, 14 August 2009 19:17)"

Amer, hey let's be honest here. If he did indeed do something criminal, let's hear it, let him be charged with it, and let's get the legal paperwork going. No problems there. But all these stories of Serbs and Albanians arresting each other on charges that are not made accessible to the public only generates the back and forth diatribes we get here. And "blackmail" constitutes war crimes? That's a new one to me. Most of Southeastern Europe would be in the Hague if that were the penalty.

Jason,

Bravo for sticking to your guns and keeping your comments both professional and objective. You really don't me telling you that, but your posts over the last few days have been great.

I'm thrilled with those bloodthirsty comments.

To: Terminator


That should apply to all parties... not just one group. If they committed a crime they should do the time.....

And ppl should move forward and look to the future... of securing a future where their kids do not have to go through propagandist crap from communism to Milosevic to current inciters of hate.

The land will always be there, we ppl only get to enjoy it for a little bit in our lifetimes, so lets make the best of it.... and learn to live together peacefully....


Peace to all...

12,000 Albanian civilians were killed, how many Serbs have been arrested by Serbia?
(aRTA, 14 August 2009 17:01)

Where are is this 12 thousands killed civilians?? International investigitations from 1999 found only about 3000 victims - INCLUDING Serbs and Roma killed by Albanians. And terrorist killed by security forces (oh yes mr Arta - lot of killed Albanians were armed, so they were not "civilians")

Serbian police arrested war crimes - e.g. Ivan Nikolić sentenced for 8 years in prison. And - where are albanian war crimes arrested by KPS and sentenced for killing Serbs or Romas??

Just fyi, he should be out of jail for a wrongful accusation in the next few days... just call it an educated guess:)

First of all Kosovo IS Srbija. No matter what ANYONE has to say - Kosovo's passports are non-existant, due to the population for the last decade, it is the poorest "country" in the world, it is the gateway for trafficking (take your pick of the top three).

If the KPS really wants to do their job - find the murderers of the Serbs from 7 years ago & arrest those who desecrated OUR monasteries.

The way Kosovo is today is destined for failure due to the fact that the world WILL NOT support, back up or protect a "country" that hides from reality. Remember, you can RUN, but you cannot HIDE - there's a first class suite waiting for thachi & ceku as well as many others in the Hague. If you request it, you might even get a room next to gotovina!

CCCC

Why do you guys have such a problem with Jason posting things as he sees it through his eyes and his perceptions?

For the educated and liberal albanian guys (or whatever nationality of albanian decent) stop and think for a minute. In my view there is a slight shift in world perceptions about kosovo. Not all people see it in black and white as was hitherto presented. That is not to belittle the crimes of a regime. But today, in 2009, can any genuine people put their hand on their heart and say the multi ethnic ideal is not failing? You can't blame Serbia 100% for that. If the guy wants to state his opinion that is up to him. It worries me that intelligent people effectively tell him to do everything from within and otherwise keep his mouth shut because that is not in their interests.
(Irnbru, 15 August 2009 14:14)

Thank you for understanding what I am saying about my observations in Kosovo.I have not made blanket statements about all Albanians (or all Serbs for that matter) but I am just calling things as I see them. I don't expect everyone to agree with me, but I am glad that some listen.

"Johny," You missed my point completely. I could care less what ethnic background you are or where you were born, but being either of Albanian or Serbian descent means that you have something at stake in this argument. You said you were American, but you should disclose that you have Albanian heritage at first rather than try to be an unbiased American. As to your points, I cannot begin to explain to an outsider how overwhelming this system is and with your mind already made up about the situation here (which goes back to your ethnic roots) I have not the time nor inclination to try and explain it to you further.

Yes Swiss guy not only the same can be said about Kosova; but we can say that unlike Serbia there are no state institutions hiding war criminals and aiding them to evade justice. There is nobody that Hague wanted from Kosova that didn't go to the Hague. If you are so well informed you should also know this. That unlike the Serbs; all the Albanians that were wanted by the Hague volunteered to go there; to clear their name. They went on their own. Can you say that about Serbia? No you cannot.You cannot also be blind to the fact that each day Serbia hides war criminals it is breaking international law.
I cannot talk about Croatia and Bosnia. Also you cannot lump everything to the same basket here. When we talk about Serbia and Kosova we talk about those two alone. One cannot blame NATO or any other institution when Serbia itself refuses to catch 2 of the most wanted Serb war criminals. As far as we can see Kosova voluntarily cooperated with the Hague while Serbia disrupts the Hague by hiding and aiding its war criminals. I am not aware of anyone that Hague wants in Kosova and Kosova is not cooperating with Hague. I am aware of people wanted in Serbia ad Serbia does not cooperate with the Hague. It seems like you're trying to hide behind a fig leaf too much; turning into a Serb mouthpiece more and more you post here, rather than being an impartial observer.

its not like albanians didnt say they'd do it. they said if you arrest terrorists in presevo then we'll harass innocent serbs. lets see how eulex sahibs handle this. and just so you know we dont do in presevo etc. 10% of what we should and what we have intel on. its all dirty politics.

This is the usual method of ensuring Serbs do not return and of taking Serb property, illegally.

What is a war criminal in Kosovo - someone who defends their properties from Albanian terrorists. The whole thing is such a tragedy. Who was ethnically cleansed from Kosovo. The Serbs were.

How?

By Albanians who through the centuries have lied and stolen time and time again and bowed to their different imperial masters.

From 1997 - 2004 the UCK waged a war of terror against an innocent Serb population. They are the real war criminals. Does the West care? No. Why? Because the UCK are their criminals.

To Jason,

As you can see if you don't agree with the Albanian point of view you are treated as someone who obviously doesn't know what they are talking about.

In the famous words of J.R. Ewing (Dallas, old series), "Darling do you believe me or your lying eyes"?

This was said to his ever suffering wife who found him in bed with another woman.

The same here from Team Albania. Jason is there watching what is going on but they are still trying to tell him he doesn't know what he is talking about. Then, they have the audacity to question why he is still there if he doesn't agree with what he is doing.

He agrees with what HE is doing, but doesn't agree with what his government is doing, so he is trying to make a little bit of difference to the ones he sees as victims.

God bless you Jason. If everyone left who didn't agree with what their governments were doing, Kosovo Serbs would be left with only the enemy looking after them.

Keep up the good work. Don't ever confuse the dislike of your government by us as dislike of your people.

Well said John, and plesae be carefull when you express your opinion. If you are not supporting Serbian position that you are called all names etc as it is seen in here.
jason, your post has many truths. However, Internationals(you, me ...) are here reform the judicary system, policing ect since Serbia has wrecked it for 10 years just for UN to fail it completely for the further9 yeras.
To sum this one up, if police, judges etc do not perfrom according to EU standards than the guilt should be with us Internationals not the locals. Gettign paid 10000Euro per month and producing police, judges etc like IRNBRU desribes is disgrace.
I personallu, dont blame the locals as much locals as I blame us Internationals.
Further failer of any system that inm judicary and policing is your, mine and onterh Internationals very very expensive failure.

'There needs to be a lot more done now, since the EU people are doing mostly monitoring. '

They're doing something right - they're keeping statistics. "What gets measured gets improved," like the engineers say. Have you seen the Programme Report that EULEX came out with a while ago? Both EULEX and the government in Prishtina - not to mention the public - recognize the problems that corruption causes, and both EULEX and the Kosovars they're working with will be focusing on it: it's going to be a measure of their success (or otherwise). There are concrete measures that can be taken, and knowing that follow-up reports will be published will help to focus everybody's attention on actually taking the necessary steps. The government is now discussing an anti-corruption law, which seems to be a good place to start.

BTW, there are numerous CSOs and NGOs working throughout the country focusing on combating various types of corruption - with a little looking-round maybe Jason can find someone interested in his direct observations?

Likewise, Mike. I am glad that there are a bunch of other internationals here that see this massive injustice occurring on a daily basis. Hopefully we can make some waves...

#39 "Johny"

Clearly you are an Albanian impersonating an American. The name John, which the familiar version is "Johnny" is spelled with 2 "n's" - so you will have to try better than that to fool everyone.

Apparently you have not read anything I have written because you fail to understand that exposing corruption is much harder than telling the head of mission that things are screwed up here. He is part of the problem considering that the press releases claim that everything is at "full operational capability" and that inter-ethnic cooperation is coming along splendidly. (Actually it is, only in the sphere of smuggling drugs, fuel, and weapons though!)

I am not sure what part of our complaints to EU head and other officials that goes unanswered or ignored is - but we cannot do any more than we are doing.

So, stop pretending to be an objective American like I am, and admit that you are just another ALbanian pretending to be a Westerner on this site.

JOHNY

2. Unlike Serbia who hides war criminals for decades and by doing this is in daily contravention with international justice; all those accused for crimes by the Hague who had Albanian ethnicity were sent to the Hague. All, including the former prime minister; while he was still holding that position. Its Hague's job to prove their

Johny, one of my very good diplomat friend told me one day what frustration he had to see Mladic freely moving in front of the Nato local offices and this 4 years after his indictment at Hague...because they were "orders" not to arrest him, and guess from whom these orders were....
So again things are not as easy as they seem...

Yes Serbia has its part of the guilt but I believe that they have done much more than any other country involved in this dirty war to turn the page and clean their past.

Kosovo is run by a bunch of criminals, it is an open secret, get rid of them and maybe then your terrible image abroad will change!
Your stubborn nationalism will lead you straight into a wall!

'Amer, hey let's be honest here. If he did indeed do something criminal, let's hear it, let him be charged with it, and let's get the legal paperwork going. No problems there.'

Exactly, but it takes a while to gather evidence and formulate charges - people don't just commit "murder in general," a particular victim and the circumstances have to be determined, so the accused knows what he has to defend himself against. So the police have to have some time to do their work. That's all.

Olf, for once I have to agree with you. It is indeed a failure on the internationals like us more so than locals. That said, it does not take the accountability away from local politicians, judges, and police either. It has been a decade so there should be more progress than there has been I think. There needs to be a lot more done now, since the EU people are doing mostly monitoring. I think there should be someone overseeing the EU... maybe the UN. But then again, the UN was never free from corruption either, so what do we do from here?

'The US has other interests in Kosovo, so they are not going to be much help in exposing anything. The status-quo suits them just fine.
(Jason, 16 August 2009 09:14) '

The attitude of the internationals was the reason I suggested contacting the local organizations - it's their country, they want to deal with corruption in their own interest.

It's not going to be Sweden there tomorrow, but with transparency and free elections, there will be improvement.

Good for you, for being willing to help.

'God bless you Jason.'

anyroads i sure hope jason's not equally efficient recruiting serb fans in real life as he is here :)

Amer, I am in fact doing just that - searching for someone to talk to. Unfortunately, so far with little success. I will keep trying though, maybe I will get lucky one of these times.

Please do not confuse the leadership and corruption issues with the entire population. I am not, nor have I made blanket statements regarding everyone in Kosovo. I think there good people are having the same problems I am...

It's quite concerning that we know nothing of the allegations or the man yet folk have found him guilty.

Or does anyone no better?

would be far worse if there were no internationals here to try and help out the Serbian population. You can call me brainwashed if it makes you feel better, but to infer that there is no problem in the way Serbs are treated in Kosovo is intellectually dishonest.

p.s. I think you will see that Serb accused of "War Crimes" released in the next few days...
(Jason, 14 August 2009 19:29)

Jason, thanks for giving us some info from the reality on the ground. I know by doing this you will exposed to the lowest level nationalist posters and hope that you will not be giving up!

A few weeks back there were some Albanian posters "daring" to also enlight us with was is happening there and they were immediately called traitors. Haven't see them for a while, unfortunately...

Good luck in you impossible mission!

I watched this thread with great interest. Notwithstanding the nationalists comments from both sides here is my two pennies worth having worked in Kosovo. The court system is frankly a joke. The police, prosecutors and judge get in a room and discuss over coffee and cigarettes the case. The remand hearing (unless things have changed) takes place in the judge’s office. It is not an open hearing – remember justice must also be seen to be done. I have rarely seen the prosecutor or the judge read any statements – if any are available. Moving back to the arrest stage – I have never seen any KPS officer make original notes of the arrest at the time or as soon as practicable afterwards. This is a basic piece of policing that I am sure is taught but never seems to happen. This is true of both Serb and Albanian Officers. Statements are of a very low quality. They often, in my experience include hearsay. Police officers insist on conducting interrogations not interviews. An interrogation implies some degree of pressure or inducement to confess. An interview is a search for the truth that requires skill, training and patience. I have rarely seen any of these skills displayed by the KPS. I must conclude therefore that regardless of guilt or innocence this individual will not receive a fair trial because there appears to be no transparency in the process as I have experienced it.

Why do you guys have such a problem with Jason posting things as he sees it through his eyes and his perceptions?

For the educated and liberal albanian guys (or whatever nationality of albanian decent) stop and think for a minute. In my view there is a slight shift in world perceptions about kosovo. Not all people see it in black and white as was hitherto presented. That is not to belittle the crimes of a regime. But today, in 2009, can any genuine people put their hand on their heart and say the multi ethnic ideal is not failing? You can't blame Serbia 100% for that. If the guy wants to state his opinion that is up to him. It worries me that intelligent people effectively tell him to do everything from within and otherwise keep his mouth shut because that is not in their interests.

blame us Internationals.
Further failer of any system that inm judicary and policing is your, mine and onterh Internationals very very expensive failure.
(Olf, 15 August 2009 16:00)

For once I agree with most of your post with one little bemol!
It is not about being anti serb or anti kosovar, it is about justice, and if you really are there to implement the rule of law, then don't you think that first the "country" has to be lawfully recognized and not hanging in the air like now!
I can certainly share your frustration in trying to implement a nearly impossible mission, but again, it started wrongly and therefore will be very difficult to get it straight.

Last but not least I would have personally have moral difficulties to be at a place which is run by crimininals, irrespective if they change their camouflage for a white shirt!

Why is Serbia not arresting its war criminals? How are NATO; and Serbia not doing its job to arrest them in any way related? Your post is full of discrepancies.
(johny, 15 August 2009 21:09)

Johny, pls read my post carefully again, this happend around 98 whereas he was indicted in 95 and furthermore I didn't mention that it happened in Serbia...

As I said a few times, things are not as clear as they are presented!

Irak's WMO were the biggest world threat in 2003... can you tell me what happened with it?

Why is Serbia not arresting its war criminals? How are NATO; and Serbia not doing its job to arrest them in any way related? Your post is full of discrepancies.
(johny, 15 August 2009 21:09)

Sorry, forgot to mention, if I'm well informed 48 out of 50 indicted have been arrested, but maybe you know more, then pls let us all know! Can you say the same for Kosovo, Bosnia, Croatia?

Amer, a hug part of the problem is EULEX, so this program report will not do anything to help, I'm afraid. It is extremely difficult to expose or investigate corruption when the entire system itself is biased. The EU takes a "hands off" approach to everything the criminal politicians in Pristina do. The US has other interests in Kosovo, so they are not going to be much help in exposing anything. The status-quo suits them just fine.

"To sum this one up, if police, judges etc do not perfrom according to EU standards than the guilt should be with us Internationals not the locals. Gettign paid 10000Euro per month and producing police, judges etc like IRNBRU describes is disgrace.
I personallu, dont blame the locals as much locals as I blame us Internationals.
Further failer of any system that inm judicary and policing is your, mine and onterh Internationals very very expensive failure.
(Olf, 15 August 2009 16:00)3

Seems that our "internationals"here are "new" in kosova and in B92 forum,so they have missed some splendid pages of international presence in kosovo!As i was in kosovo from the beginning of your presence,can i remind you that YOU did chose these juges,and WE did protest when you did it ,because of their previous attitude!Can i remind you that sylvie Pantz-une catastrophe ambulante,as french will put it_had to face lawyers protest for these stupis,inefficient and unpraticable "internationals"laws?
must i tell you about the articles that we made for the corruption that unmik has installed in kosovo,Have i to talk about all these internationals inplicated in women trafficking-from policemen to your n2,have your heard drug trafficking in mitrovica north organized by Nato men? etc etc
unmik has chosen "flexible"(it was their word) albanians.By flexible you have to understand with no moral values,and able to shut eyes and mouth when seing "international mess"!
My brother is an expat too.And when he visited me in Prishtina,we met a "good friend" of him at grand hotel:this guy was working in KEK and my brother did tell us ,in front of him:you see this guy,well if you have electricity today(and in fact we did have it non stop then) in 2 years time,you will not have electricity anymore,because this guy is a specialist "des coups tordus"" (nasty tricks) in africa, and will corrupt from A to Z all the system here..The guy just laughed at my brother remark,but 2 years later we did have have electricity anymore as at the beginning...
Your protegeeare in all our institutions,and you did select them on their flexibility..
So,don't come here to accuse us of your turpitudes!But Try to have your nasty tricks revealed!
(just read albanians newspapers of that time to begin. your quest;;°!

Zoran!..That movie is done by a serb team and financed by the serbian government. No wonder is going to make serbs look good and albanians bad. Do you really think that the world is so naive to believe everything you tell them on that documentary.