Schroeder: Kosovo recognition “grave mistake”

Funny to read all the childish comments accusing those who oppose an independent Kosovo to be working for Russian Gazprom. 135 countires have not recognized Kosovo. That's about 90% or the world population. I guess all of them work for Gazprom.

“I criticized the recognition of Kosovo independence, because it was rushed and conditioned by pressure from the then American administration,”

How is that Gazprom job going Schroeder? Right or wrong, it wasn't rushed, 10 years was enough.

I criticized the recognition of Kosovo independence, because it was rushed and pushed through by pressure from the then American administration,” Schroeder said.
b92

Although iam delighted by Schroeder's public admission that the illegal recognition of kosovo was a grave mistake
however, his admission doesn't absolve Germany and other western countries from their guilty part in deciding to dismember Serbia.

His admission also confirms the EU countries that have recognised this illegal entity have done so not under their own free will but under the enormous pressure of criminal Bush and his administration.

It's about timeother western politicians get out of their closet and publicly admit that kosovo's recognition was a mistake and take measures to annul that decision.

Damn right it was mistake! And now clean up your mess...

So when a well known German says that the illegal recognition of Kosovo was a huge mistake, he is on the Russian payroll? How predictable and pathetic of Albanians to say so.

I suppose when the World court rules in Serbia’s favor soon, they too well be on the Russians payroll.

He added that there can be no parallels drawn between the NATO interventions of 1999, in which the German government participated, because that was a “united European decision.”

Please stop there...and dont reveal to us that now you are on Putin's payroll.

Kosovo is occupied by NATO and is as “independent” today as it was during the NAZI occupation.

It is easy for someone to criticise a political decision such as the declaration of independence of Kosovo, without suggesting an alternative solution or opinion.

He is stating that desicion to declare and recognise was rushed. So it is he actually suggesting - that we should have waiting another year, two years, 10 years? or is he saying that it was the wrong decision all together? If so, Mr.Schreoder should suggest an alternative, concrete and properly thoughtout solution, rather than just making empty statements like a PR machine.

That goes to anyone that criticises the independence - please tell what else should have been done.

Please do not make predictable statements like 'Kosovo je Serbija', our cradle, blah blah.... think practically - Kosovo remaining in Serbia was never possible without the use of force and widespread violence, because no albanian in Kosovo was willing to accept that. The only way Kosovo could have remained in Serbia would have been for serb army to try and finish the job they were trying to do in 98/99.

Please do not make predictable statements like 'Kosovo je Serbija', our cradle, blah blah.... think practically - Kosovo remaining in Serbia was never possible without the use of force and widespread violence, because no albanian in Kosovo was willing to accept that. The only way Kosovo could have remained in Serbia would have been for serb army to try and finish the job they were trying to do in 98/99.
(nikshala, 15 October 2009 12:16)

Niki- I actually think quite a few Albanians were happy to be part of Serbia and I think quite a few would be happy now to be a part of Serbia. I wouldn't say a majority but certainly a minority.
Secondly the Serbian army did not try to exterminate the ALbanian population but were conducting counter-insurgency campaign against bandits that in conjunction with their US/UK/German Superiors have ruined Kosovo and have ruined the livelihood of the majority of ALbanians (pro-Serbian or not) forever. There is no future in Kosovo for Serbs and ALbanians. The ooner you relaize that the better.

Russian payroll,
next step,become Schroederevic!

What money can do,we talk about corruption in Balkans and we forget that everyone,even Germans can be corrupted!!!

Schroederevic,you make me laugh!

"That goes to anyone that criticises the independence - please tell what else should have been done. (nikshala)"

-- That's certainly a fair enough question, and in keeping with your "No 'Kosovo je Srbija'" policy for a response (which I never ascribe to), I think a more optimal solution, now that I think of it, would have been accepting Ischinger's proposal of a "status neutral" solution for the foreseeable future for Kosovo.

Let's be honest, if there was going to be any efforts at keeping Kosovo within Belgrade's administrative influence, significant changes would have had to have followed: namely the setting aside of at least 60 seats for Albanians in the Belgrade Skupstina, the recognition of Albanian as an official language in Serbia and its use on all signs and documents, and the mental preparedness of 100,000 or more Albanians eventually moving to Belgrade.

Somehow I don't think the rest of Serbia would have wanted that. But, if "independence" was going to be little more than a sham front for creating a US dependency in the region, I also don't think rushing in and making it painfully obvious that recognitions were US-forced would have helped.

Rather, I would have turned Kosovo into an official EU-mandate under the UN. Pump the region full of money and manpower, and continue placing "standards" before "status". Were that the scenario, more Serbs would have returned, northern Kosovo would have been integrated with the rest, and corruption by Thaci and the rest would have been seriously checked.

It's obvious Kosovo's acceptance onto the world stage has been met with muted applause, and the more the region entrenches itself along parallel structures (mainly in response to current conditions), the less likely it will be for this entity to gain the needed sovereignty to classify itself as a state.

Schroederovic - HAHAHA. Before the illegal aggression on Serbia uck gave millions of dollars to clinton administration + PR/lobby firms in america. I wonder where uck got all that money from?

Nikshala,

I appreciate your clear and rational input, opposed to unintelligent, overly emotional stampede.

They way as international politics is, it is possible only for persons like Mr. Schroeder to speak his mind about Kosovo. He doesn't have to bear consequences of his opinions. He pretty well knows that he doesn't have to take further actions in Kosovo case; speaking is all there is.

And what he says is no news to anyone. Or is it?

Many European leaders went to support the independence for one reason. They were afraid of continued violence, sparked off by militant Kosovo Albanians –and then answered to by Serbian forces. Many politicians in governments and parliaments of European countries gave in in fear of this very likely result. They didn't spend time considering matter much deeper but rushed to support recognition of Kosovo independence.

How could anyone seriously believe that there were alternative ways? Kosovo Albanians made it impossible, the same way as you by your writing: "The only way Kosovo could have remained in Serbia would have been for serb army to try and finish the job they were trying to do in 98/99". You spread the fear. And you certainly would have ignited the violence.

So, Nikshala, now you start hearing opinions of people who have suffered hangover due to these indirectly forced recognitions. Now they are sobering up. It is just another thing does it matter anymore. Most likely not.

Nikshala, you write: "Kosovo remaining in Serbia was never possible without the use of force and widespread violence [...]."

First I must admit that I'm a bit astonished about your wording. Earlier you have stated that Kosovo never was a part of Serbia, just of Yugoslavia. But, back to the issue:

We also understand that Kosovo's separation from Serbia only was possible by the use of force and violence.

And maybe the result as it is, is better for Serbia –although hard to swallow. It is a widespread view that Kosovo was not a healthy branch in the tree of Serbia. So, cut it off!

So happened. Not by Serbian doctors, but others.

Nikshala, you shouldn't whine and complain. You got what you wanted. How long do I have to wait you to get Kosovo on it's feet and in order, to exist as a country of democracy, freedom of thought, and of equal chances?Another year, two years, 10 years?

Or you stay waiting for Serbia's support and help?

You've got to love the hypocrisy from the Albanian Camp but what else do you expect, there's no such thing as Morals.
Claiming that Schroeder is now against independance because he works for Gazprom but everyone knows well that the reason 50 countries recognised Kosovo is because USA $$ and the albanian drug money that was used to buy the recognition from little islands!

I didn't realise that Serbia was that rich.
According to the Albanians here, everyone who supports Serbia has been paid off by Serbia.

That would mean that 130 countries around the world and many influencial journalists and academics were all paid off by the Serbs.

Serbia must be the richest country in Europe.

Poor Schroeder, four wives and no salary to pay for them. Hold on, Vollodja gave him a salary: one milion € yearly. And he is talking like a salary man.
Merkel think differently. And she is the Kanzlerin. Schroeder works for Putin.

In Germany nobody takes seriously Schröders statements.The serious medias in Germany are avoided Schröder,because of his pro-russian stance. He has no credible, becuase he is working for the russian government and he also advocating the poor russian policy.

it's funny that a guy who contributed to the withdrawal of serbian troops from kosovo all of a sudden turns into a "schroederevic" and a putin's man simply because he says the truth - that the unilateral declaration of independence was a mistake that didn't bring the results everyone hoped for. some albanian trolls on this site are really pathetic.

schröder can afford to speak more freely as a retired politician and especially as someone who supports more independence for europe from the us. divisions over kosovo in europe are very real and the main reason many of the countries recognised kosovo is indeed to please the us. it was good for kosovo that it is so irrelevant to most countries and that serbia is not so important either, actually.

and nikshala, the main argument against kosovo's independence is not "kosovo is serbia". it is that it is illegal. as for other viable options, well, first of all there is no need to hurry since kosovo is not going to be really independent for at least 20 more years, i reckon. it will be a protectorate. i mean, what kind of "independence" is this "supervised independence" anyway? it is also obvious that for the duration of the same period kosovo and serbia would be entities independent from one another. so, the interim solution would be independence in all but the name, for example, with serbian enclaves perhaps under direct control of belgrade. in 20 years time a lot of heads would cool down a bit, so perhaps new negotiations could begin. that's not much different from what kosovo has now anyway.

Probably in his contract of 1 milion euros from Gazprom there is also some interviws..but Mr.Schroder certain remarks could have been done while in office...
Now are almost ridicolous...

Kosovo is occupied by NATO and is as “independent” today as it was during the NAZI occupation.
(Michael Thomas, 15 October 2009 12:52)

Some nations like to be babysitted and for some reason i can see this continuing for a few more years.
When USA/EU realise that they are throwing money down the drain they will pull out!
The best part is that Serbia isnt paying Kosovo's loan anymore, saving money there while letting the USA/EU fix up the infrastructure. Once complete the governing will go back to Serbia:)

Thank you Mr. Former Chancellor but you are one minute late and one dollar short. We no longer care what you think, because you no longer matter.

I'm not at all surprised with Gazprom Schroder , if you ask him if it was right or wrong that the Berlin Wall fell , he would say ...hmm i was big mistake and rushed..

Cheers!

So if we follow k-a logic, the Russian territory and sphere of influence is increasing day after day, soon soon ICJ will located in Moscow too :)

Yes, we all know that Schroder is close to Russia and he never hided it, Merkel is hiding it but her foreign policy towards Russia isn't any different!

As to Schroder's comment, well in line with the reality and it looks like more and more politicians are speaking about this mistake, but yes, just to say that it was a mistake isn't sufficient, the damage has been done, the question is what to do next!

naah, with one of three main energy-pipelines to western-eu the isolation would be as penetrant as today ...

with - obviously - too much foreigners in belgrade ...

no gerd, there is no real reason for making serbia a province/satelite of the us within eu ...

and don´t forget: mankind learns from mistakes and corrects them ... it´s this positive attitude of character that differs us from the monkeys, not the thumb ....

by sitting in the gazprom-board you activley work on the liberation of kosmet ...

Schroeder is not alone. More european politics know that recognition of Kosovo pseudostate was wrong decision.

Olli

very hard to get your point but nevermind.
What Nik stated is the fact that Serbs have ignored all the time. The same fact was stated by Croatia and Bosnia but ignored by Serbia. What happened is wars, deaths, rappes etc.

If not independence what in the world do you suggest then?

You mention International law the one that was always chenaged to suit the situation, what happend in Kosovo situation.

Also, expecting Kosovo to be in its own feet is to premature since countries like Serbia and Bosnia that exist for longer time are struggling.

Kosovo is building it Institutions still with the help of all. Population is being used to having the identity thay always wanted.
Things are improving slowly for sure.

I suppose when the World court rules in Serbia’s favor soon, they too well be on the Russians payroll.
(Canadian, 15 October 2009 15:00)
Have you not seen the deludge of comments immediately after the request clarifying that should the court rule in favor of Kosovo then it was due to the influence of the corrupt west?

I must say that I'm surprised what took Schroeder so long to ask for a salary increase from Putin's Gazprom. During the bombardment of Yugoslavia, he attacked the Left Party in the German parliament for being Russian spies. Well, during that time Yeltsin was technically in power and Schroeder not a Kreml puppet.

But Schroeder hoped that his politically son, Steinmeier will become the next German cancelor. But the Germans are tired of Putin's slave and gave Schroeder's party the worst result since the WW2. I'm looking forward to see Schroeder taking apart in Germany after those words.

Cheers

He is on Russian payroll. He works for Gazprom; Putin's private company.

"The recognition of Kosovo was a greave mistake"... Well so was the Congress of Berlin 1876. All the troubles on the Balkans could be traced from then!

"Do you really believe the Serbs can accomplish this when many Serbs are still leaving Kosova. Please be realistic! (Lazo)"

-- Not only are they doing it, they're actually entrenching themselves institutionally and receiving indirect support from the EU in return for Belgrade not interfering with the Albanian sectors. I've been to Kosovo Province and have seen this up close, and in my opinion, it's the only way to keep Serbs in Kosovo. After November 15, three more Serbian muinicipalities will be created south of the Ibar, which no one doubts will coordinate with Belgrade.

Both Nikshala and Mike have valid points.

Too bad the negotiating teams weren't half as creative during the status negotiations.

Look who speaks! It is Scroederowsky, Russia's German yes-man, on Russia's payroll for a long time. Apparently his bosses ordered him to speak. I never thought that after Ulrich there will be a second German like him.
Sure he had a difficult childhood and a youth full of privations. Once he realized all the nice things money can buy he didn't show any scruple to sell himself to the Russians. I am sure a lot of Germans were reluctant to vote in September for the socialist candidate thinking well that after a while he too could wind up on Russia's payroll.

What is Herr Schroder doing now? He has disappeared from political life...I am wandering why....but not wasting my time))

The so-called parallel structures that the 4% Serb population of kosova are unsuccessfully attempting amounts to about 125,000 serbs out of 2.1 million Albanians. Do you really believe the Serbs can accomplish this when many Serbs are still leaving Kosova. Please be realistic!
(Lazo, 16 October 2009 00:14)


YES!!! The Serbs can!
Israel defended it's country against the whole middle east in 1968. Kosovo is Serbia. I don't care how many Albania's live in our country, but if they don't respect our laws, Move!

Schroeder WHO??????

Mike,

The so-called parallel structures that the 4% Serb population of kosova are unsuccessfully attempting amounts to about 125,000 serbs out of 2.1 million Albanians. Do you really believe the Serbs can accomplish this when many Serbs are still leaving Kosova. Please be realistic!

listen to u guys! u commenting something said by a man who is dead politically. not that he was much alive when he was Kanzler!!! i think both sides, serbs and albanians, shouldnt care about waht Schroeder says. it is irrelevant. yep

its entertainment at its best again!

Mr.Schroder is saying something that doesnt fit into the narrowminded k-albanian world, and all these kiddies have to contribute is " he is on Moscows payroll"...

well my dear albanian friends, ten years ago, you called him a hero for human rights, right?

that´s the problem with you K-albanians.

you have no real friends, and that´s why the US will let you down sooner or later...

Serbia will be going to improve relations more and more...so that means you greater-albanian separatists will be losing more and more...

and there it is, the old phrase of history repeating itself.

you will be the losers, again.


let´s just see what future brings, my friends.

I am quite confident, and with reason.

For the record
The first jet fighters to bomb serbian targets were German Tornados
we all know that Gerhard schroeder is in GAZPROM's payroll so what you accept from him.

Many of the major EU countries (esp. Germany & UK) are now starting to realise that Kosovo independence was a mistake. It is a major crime centre; it is a beach-head for Saudi funded Islamic extremism in Europe; and its independence sours the necessary relationship the big countries need with Serbia to settle the Balkans going forward. Historically, of course, it consolidates the movement of Albanians to southern Serbia, which was cynically engineered by the Nazis.

It is only a matter of tmie before EU policy reverses. Some sort of power-sharing regime like Northern Ireland might be needed, along with both agreeing EU accession terms.

“I criticized the recognition of Kosovo independence, because it was rushed and conditioned by pressure from the then American administration,”

How is that Gazprom job going Schroeder? Right or wrong, it wasn't rushed, 10 years was enough.

It is easy for someone to criticise a political decision such as the declaration of independence of Kosovo, without suggesting an alternative solution or opinion.

He is stating that desicion to declare and recognise was rushed. So it is he actually suggesting - that we should have waiting another year, two years, 10 years? or is he saying that it was the wrong decision all together? If so, Mr.Schreoder should suggest an alternative, concrete and properly thoughtout solution, rather than just making empty statements like a PR machine.

That goes to anyone that criticises the independence - please tell what else should have been done.

Please do not make predictable statements like 'Kosovo je Serbija', our cradle, blah blah.... think practically - Kosovo remaining in Serbia was never possible without the use of force and widespread violence, because no albanian in Kosovo was willing to accept that. The only way Kosovo could have remained in Serbia would have been for serb army to try and finish the job they were trying to do in 98/99.

Russian payroll,
next step,become Schroederevic!

What money can do,we talk about corruption in Balkans and we forget that everyone,even Germans can be corrupted!!!

Schroederevic,you make me laugh!

He added that there can be no parallels drawn between the NATO interventions of 1999, in which the German government participated, because that was a “united European decision.”

Please stop there...and dont reveal to us that now you are on Putin's payroll.

Poor Schroeder, four wives and no salary to pay for them. Hold on, Vollodja gave him a salary: one milion € yearly. And he is talking like a salary man.
Merkel think differently. And she is the Kanzlerin. Schroeder works for Putin.

I'm not at all surprised with Gazprom Schroder , if you ask him if it was right or wrong that the Berlin Wall fell , he would say ...hmm i was big mistake and rushed..

Cheers!

Damn right it was mistake! And now clean up your mess...

I criticized the recognition of Kosovo independence, because it was rushed and pushed through by pressure from the then American administration,” Schroeder said.
b92

Although iam delighted by Schroeder's public admission that the illegal recognition of kosovo was a grave mistake
however, his admission doesn't absolve Germany and other western countries from their guilty part in deciding to dismember Serbia.

His admission also confirms the EU countries that have recognised this illegal entity have done so not under their own free will but under the enormous pressure of criminal Bush and his administration.

It's about timeother western politicians get out of their closet and publicly admit that kosovo's recognition was a mistake and take measures to annul that decision.

Look who speaks! It is Scroederowsky, Russia's German yes-man, on Russia's payroll for a long time. Apparently his bosses ordered him to speak. I never thought that after Ulrich there will be a second German like him.
Sure he had a difficult childhood and a youth full of privations. Once he realized all the nice things money can buy he didn't show any scruple to sell himself to the Russians. I am sure a lot of Germans were reluctant to vote in September for the socialist candidate thinking well that after a while he too could wind up on Russia's payroll.

In Germany nobody takes seriously Schröders statements.The serious medias in Germany are avoided Schröder,because of his pro-russian stance. He has no credible, becuase he is working for the russian government and he also advocating the poor russian policy.

Probably in his contract of 1 milion euros from Gazprom there is also some interviws..but Mr.Schroder certain remarks could have been done while in office...
Now are almost ridicolous...

Mike,

The so-called parallel structures that the 4% Serb population of kosova are unsuccessfully attempting amounts to about 125,000 serbs out of 2.1 million Albanians. Do you really believe the Serbs can accomplish this when many Serbs are still leaving Kosova. Please be realistic!

Please do not make predictable statements like 'Kosovo je Serbija', our cradle, blah blah.... think practically - Kosovo remaining in Serbia was never possible without the use of force and widespread violence, because no albanian in Kosovo was willing to accept that. The only way Kosovo could have remained in Serbia would have been for serb army to try and finish the job they were trying to do in 98/99.
(nikshala, 15 October 2009 12:16)

Niki- I actually think quite a few Albanians were happy to be part of Serbia and I think quite a few would be happy now to be a part of Serbia. I wouldn't say a majority but certainly a minority.
Secondly the Serbian army did not try to exterminate the ALbanian population but were conducting counter-insurgency campaign against bandits that in conjunction with their US/UK/German Superiors have ruined Kosovo and have ruined the livelihood of the majority of ALbanians (pro-Serbian or not) forever. There is no future in Kosovo for Serbs and ALbanians. The ooner you relaize that the better.

So when a well known German says that the illegal recognition of Kosovo was a huge mistake, he is on the Russian payroll? How predictable and pathetic of Albanians to say so.

I suppose when the World court rules in Serbia’s favor soon, they too well be on the Russians payroll.

Kosovo is occupied by NATO and is as “independent” today as it was during the NAZI occupation.

Schroederovic - HAHAHA. Before the illegal aggression on Serbia uck gave millions of dollars to clinton administration + PR/lobby firms in america. I wonder where uck got all that money from?

He is on Russian payroll. He works for Gazprom; Putin's private company.

Nikshala,

I appreciate your clear and rational input, opposed to unintelligent, overly emotional stampede.

They way as international politics is, it is possible only for persons like Mr. Schroeder to speak his mind about Kosovo. He doesn't have to bear consequences of his opinions. He pretty well knows that he doesn't have to take further actions in Kosovo case; speaking is all there is.

And what he says is no news to anyone. Or is it?

Many European leaders went to support the independence for one reason. They were afraid of continued violence, sparked off by militant Kosovo Albanians –and then answered to by Serbian forces. Many politicians in governments and parliaments of European countries gave in in fear of this very likely result. They didn't spend time considering matter much deeper but rushed to support recognition of Kosovo independence.

How could anyone seriously believe that there were alternative ways? Kosovo Albanians made it impossible, the same way as you by your writing: "The only way Kosovo could have remained in Serbia would have been for serb army to try and finish the job they were trying to do in 98/99". You spread the fear. And you certainly would have ignited the violence.

So, Nikshala, now you start hearing opinions of people who have suffered hangover due to these indirectly forced recognitions. Now they are sobering up. It is just another thing does it matter anymore. Most likely not.

Nikshala, you write: "Kosovo remaining in Serbia was never possible without the use of force and widespread violence [...]."

First I must admit that I'm a bit astonished about your wording. Earlier you have stated that Kosovo never was a part of Serbia, just of Yugoslavia. But, back to the issue:

We also understand that Kosovo's separation from Serbia only was possible by the use of force and violence.

And maybe the result as it is, is better for Serbia –although hard to swallow. It is a widespread view that Kosovo was not a healthy branch in the tree of Serbia. So, cut it off!

So happened. Not by Serbian doctors, but others.

Nikshala, you shouldn't whine and complain. You got what you wanted. How long do I have to wait you to get Kosovo on it's feet and in order, to exist as a country of democracy, freedom of thought, and of equal chances?Another year, two years, 10 years?

Or you stay waiting for Serbia's support and help?

What is Herr Schroder doing now? He has disappeared from political life...I am wandering why....but not wasting my time))

Olli

very hard to get your point but nevermind.
What Nik stated is the fact that Serbs have ignored all the time. The same fact was stated by Croatia and Bosnia but ignored by Serbia. What happened is wars, deaths, rappes etc.

If not independence what in the world do you suggest then?

You mention International law the one that was always chenaged to suit the situation, what happend in Kosovo situation.

Also, expecting Kosovo to be in its own feet is to premature since countries like Serbia and Bosnia that exist for longer time are struggling.

Kosovo is building it Institutions still with the help of all. Population is being used to having the identity thay always wanted.
Things are improving slowly for sure.

I must say that I'm surprised what took Schroeder so long to ask for a salary increase from Putin's Gazprom. During the bombardment of Yugoslavia, he attacked the Left Party in the German parliament for being Russian spies. Well, during that time Yeltsin was technically in power and Schroeder not a Kreml puppet.

But Schroeder hoped that his politically son, Steinmeier will become the next German cancelor. But the Germans are tired of Putin's slave and gave Schroeder's party the worst result since the WW2. I'm looking forward to see Schroeder taking apart in Germany after those words.

Cheers

it's funny that a guy who contributed to the withdrawal of serbian troops from kosovo all of a sudden turns into a "schroederevic" and a putin's man simply because he says the truth - that the unilateral declaration of independence was a mistake that didn't bring the results everyone hoped for. some albanian trolls on this site are really pathetic.

schröder can afford to speak more freely as a retired politician and especially as someone who supports more independence for europe from the us. divisions over kosovo in europe are very real and the main reason many of the countries recognised kosovo is indeed to please the us. it was good for kosovo that it is so irrelevant to most countries and that serbia is not so important either, actually.

and nikshala, the main argument against kosovo's independence is not "kosovo is serbia". it is that it is illegal. as for other viable options, well, first of all there is no need to hurry since kosovo is not going to be really independent for at least 20 more years, i reckon. it will be a protectorate. i mean, what kind of "independence" is this "supervised independence" anyway? it is also obvious that for the duration of the same period kosovo and serbia would be entities independent from one another. so, the interim solution would be independence in all but the name, for example, with serbian enclaves perhaps under direct control of belgrade. in 20 years time a lot of heads would cool down a bit, so perhaps new negotiations could begin. that's not much different from what kosovo has now anyway.

Funny to read all the childish comments accusing those who oppose an independent Kosovo to be working for Russian Gazprom. 135 countires have not recognized Kosovo. That's about 90% or the world population. I guess all of them work for Gazprom.

Schroeder is not alone. More european politics know that recognition of Kosovo pseudostate was wrong decision.

"That goes to anyone that criticises the independence - please tell what else should have been done. (nikshala)"

-- That's certainly a fair enough question, and in keeping with your "No 'Kosovo je Srbija'" policy for a response (which I never ascribe to), I think a more optimal solution, now that I think of it, would have been accepting Ischinger's proposal of a "status neutral" solution for the foreseeable future for Kosovo.

Let's be honest, if there was going to be any efforts at keeping Kosovo within Belgrade's administrative influence, significant changes would have had to have followed: namely the setting aside of at least 60 seats for Albanians in the Belgrade Skupstina, the recognition of Albanian as an official language in Serbia and its use on all signs and documents, and the mental preparedness of 100,000 or more Albanians eventually moving to Belgrade.

Somehow I don't think the rest of Serbia would have wanted that. But, if "independence" was going to be little more than a sham front for creating a US dependency in the region, I also don't think rushing in and making it painfully obvious that recognitions were US-forced would have helped.

Rather, I would have turned Kosovo into an official EU-mandate under the UN. Pump the region full of money and manpower, and continue placing "standards" before "status". Were that the scenario, more Serbs would have returned, northern Kosovo would have been integrated with the rest, and corruption by Thaci and the rest would have been seriously checked.

It's obvious Kosovo's acceptance onto the world stage has been met with muted applause, and the more the region entrenches itself along parallel structures (mainly in response to current conditions), the less likely it will be for this entity to gain the needed sovereignty to classify itself as a state.

So if we follow k-a logic, the Russian territory and sphere of influence is increasing day after day, soon soon ICJ will located in Moscow too :)

Yes, we all know that Schroder is close to Russia and he never hided it, Merkel is hiding it but her foreign policy towards Russia isn't any different!

As to Schroder's comment, well in line with the reality and it looks like more and more politicians are speaking about this mistake, but yes, just to say that it was a mistake isn't sufficient, the damage has been done, the question is what to do next!

Kosovo is occupied by NATO and is as “independent” today as it was during the NAZI occupation.
(Michael Thomas, 15 October 2009 12:52)

Some nations like to be babysitted and for some reason i can see this continuing for a few more years.
When USA/EU realise that they are throwing money down the drain they will pull out!
The best part is that Serbia isnt paying Kosovo's loan anymore, saving money there while letting the USA/EU fix up the infrastructure. Once complete the governing will go back to Serbia:)

I didn't realise that Serbia was that rich.
According to the Albanians here, everyone who supports Serbia has been paid off by Serbia.

That would mean that 130 countries around the world and many influencial journalists and academics were all paid off by the Serbs.

Serbia must be the richest country in Europe.

I suppose when the World court rules in Serbia’s favor soon, they too well be on the Russians payroll.
(Canadian, 15 October 2009 15:00)
Have you not seen the deludge of comments immediately after the request clarifying that should the court rule in favor of Kosovo then it was due to the influence of the corrupt west?

"The recognition of Kosovo was a greave mistake"... Well so was the Congress of Berlin 1876. All the troubles on the Balkans could be traced from then!

listen to u guys! u commenting something said by a man who is dead politically. not that he was much alive when he was Kanzler!!! i think both sides, serbs and albanians, shouldnt care about waht Schroeder says. it is irrelevant. yep

You've got to love the hypocrisy from the Albanian Camp but what else do you expect, there's no such thing as Morals.
Claiming that Schroeder is now against independance because he works for Gazprom but everyone knows well that the reason 50 countries recognised Kosovo is because USA $$ and the albanian drug money that was used to buy the recognition from little islands!

Schroeder WHO??????

Both Nikshala and Mike have valid points.

Too bad the negotiating teams weren't half as creative during the status negotiations.

naah, with one of three main energy-pipelines to western-eu the isolation would be as penetrant as today ...

with - obviously - too much foreigners in belgrade ...

no gerd, there is no real reason for making serbia a province/satelite of the us within eu ...

and don´t forget: mankind learns from mistakes and corrects them ... it´s this positive attitude of character that differs us from the monkeys, not the thumb ....

by sitting in the gazprom-board you activley work on the liberation of kosmet ...

For the record
The first jet fighters to bomb serbian targets were German Tornados
we all know that Gerhard schroeder is in GAZPROM's payroll so what you accept from him.

"Do you really believe the Serbs can accomplish this when many Serbs are still leaving Kosova. Please be realistic! (Lazo)"

-- Not only are they doing it, they're actually entrenching themselves institutionally and receiving indirect support from the EU in return for Belgrade not interfering with the Albanian sectors. I've been to Kosovo Province and have seen this up close, and in my opinion, it's the only way to keep Serbs in Kosovo. After November 15, three more Serbian muinicipalities will be created south of the Ibar, which no one doubts will coordinate with Belgrade.

The so-called parallel structures that the 4% Serb population of kosova are unsuccessfully attempting amounts to about 125,000 serbs out of 2.1 million Albanians. Do you really believe the Serbs can accomplish this when many Serbs are still leaving Kosova. Please be realistic!
(Lazo, 16 October 2009 00:14)


YES!!! The Serbs can!
Israel defended it's country against the whole middle east in 1968. Kosovo is Serbia. I don't care how many Albania's live in our country, but if they don't respect our laws, Move!

Thank you Mr. Former Chancellor but you are one minute late and one dollar short. We no longer care what you think, because you no longer matter.

its entertainment at its best again!

Mr.Schroder is saying something that doesnt fit into the narrowminded k-albanian world, and all these kiddies have to contribute is " he is on Moscows payroll"...

well my dear albanian friends, ten years ago, you called him a hero for human rights, right?

that´s the problem with you K-albanians.

you have no real friends, and that´s why the US will let you down sooner or later...

Serbia will be going to improve relations more and more...so that means you greater-albanian separatists will be losing more and more...

and there it is, the old phrase of history repeating itself.

you will be the losers, again.


let´s just see what future brings, my friends.

I am quite confident, and with reason.

Many of the major EU countries (esp. Germany & UK) are now starting to realise that Kosovo independence was a mistake. It is a major crime centre; it is a beach-head for Saudi funded Islamic extremism in Europe; and its independence sours the necessary relationship the big countries need with Serbia to settle the Balkans going forward. Historically, of course, it consolidates the movement of Albanians to southern Serbia, which was cynically engineered by the Nazis.

It is only a matter of tmie before EU policy reverses. Some sort of power-sharing regime like Northern Ireland might be needed, along with both agreeing EU accession terms.