Bomb explodes under Kosovo ministry car

"Patriots will never allow the creation of Serb municipalities on Kosvan [sic] soil.(Flamur)"

-- Then instead of wasting your precious time on a Serbian news site, I strongly recommend you send an irate email to Peter Feith, who is about to do just that by creating three more "Serbian municipalities", in addition to the three already north of the Ibar and the creation of Kosovska Mitrovica as a separate municipality in less than two weeks. And if your stern letter doesn't force him to change his mind, perhaps you can just set more EULEX vehicles on fire? But be careful though. Doing so, risks tarnishing that image of "Europe's youngest democrats" your leaders in Pristina spent nearly $6 million on a 60 second commercial trying to prove. Tread lightly.

Patriots will never allow the creation of Serb municipalities on Kosvan soil. I hope the government heed the message of this incident.
(Flamur, 4 November 2009 14:14)

Thanks for the truth here, Flamur. You just made a fool out of Kosovo-USA who would blame Serbs for this... Sad to see your brutal nationalism though but at least you show the world the "tolerance" here in Kosovo.

The truth is that no one knows who did it or why, but those that claim to know look foolish indeed.

when an albanian person uses "K-Albo" it isn't an ethnic slur; it is a way of turning this ubiquitous, racist slur on its head.
roberto
frisco
(roberto, 5 November 2009 04:44)

Ouch, we happen to know better what is "ethnic slur" than some happy residents of San Francisco who only once in a while are in the area. :-P

The word "Albo" is not and never was a racist slur. Serbs never use it. Albanians use that word only once in a while. It is a simplified word made by joint Serbia-Albania team merely for American consum, since an average person there has a difficulty to put on the paper a longer phrase than "Coca-Cola". ;-)

The racist slur towards Albanians is "Siptar" (pronounced as 'shiptar') and the racist slur towards Serbs is "Shkija". In Hungarian the equivalents are 'siptár" and "rác'; however, the later can be a family name, too. "Rác" or "Rácz" originates from the word "Rashkian" (form Rash) but is "normally" used as a derogative word every "non-siptár" resident of (ex)Yugo. Now it's use greatly decreased. I do hear Hungarians say "szkipetár" (in English try to say: "skeepataaa") sometimes. That is not a swearword per se, but it's sometimes used with mocking in mind. Better to avoid tough. Of course, it's not about Serbs or Croats :-)

Romanians don't really have bad words for Serbs or Albanians - but for Hungarians they do have "Bozgor".

Anyway, "Bozgor", "Rác", "Shkija", "Shiptar" and "Siptár" are absolutely un-kosher to use and "Szkipetár" is better to avoid near Oktogon area in Budapest (some money-change offices, bakeries). On the other hand while it sounds so similar - the words "Rash" and (in Hungarian) "Skiptár" or it's Albanian 1:1 equivalent are just fine to use. For your American ear Rác/Rash, Shqiptar/Szkipetár/Siptár sounds the same probably. You probably can't distinguish even the pronouncing the words "Shkija" from "Shiptar". But one is Albanian-used swearword towards Serbs, the other is Serbian/Bulgarian/Hungarian- used swearword towards Albanians.

Sorry for teaching the teacher, but no one knows everything. I know from my granddad and from my wife, teachers have a bad habit to teach everyone everything ex-cathedra. That's OK, but they have to endure some lessions back in exchange. ;-)

How is this news? This happens every day in "multiethnic and democratic Kosovo". Mafia activity in a mafia territory. Kosovo is becoming more and more like Talialbania.

Dibrani wrote:

"Serbs would be the most priviledged minority anywhere in the world, with artificial municipalities created around their communities so as to give them completely disporportionate power in the country."

Oh yes, Serbs are the most priviliged minority in the world in Kosovo. Whe else get the privilege of being escorted to schools and churches? Who else gets 24hr barbed wire protection from their neighbours? Who else gets to go to a cemetary to visit their deceased loved ones only to find that the cemetery was vandalised?

Besides, Serbs don't want privileges awarded to them by Albanians in their own country. Kosovo is Serbian and Serbs are not a minority in Serbia. All Serbs want is for Thaci and Co. to disappear from their posts and end up in prison where they belong. All Serbs want is to be governed by Belgrade as they should and all they want is to live in peace and safety.
They don't want your version of privileges.

He is probobly not listening to uck terrorists, so they had to give him a warning.

Yes the motive is quite clear! A Serb enclave in eastern Kosovo is being targeted by the usual suspects.

Demi wrote:

"It is somthing that we cannot accept because of respect to all the albanians who were murdered by serb paramilitary forces wich operated in kosovo at that time of war. And because we dont want to because we have nothing related to serbs."

Rubbish and you know it. You have not accepted Serbia for many decades now and there was no war and no killing. It is you who started the war anyway by terrorising the Serbs of Kosovo and murdering Serbian police there.

Don't come here and use the war as an excuse. You always wanted to secede. Why? Tell the truth now.

speaking of political correctness, i wonder why do some people think that using "kosova" or "kosovo/a" is politically correct? i mean, "kosovo" is clearly a slavic word, it entered the english language in that form long time ago and i honestly don't see how is it politically correct when you refuse to pronounce a serbian word in a serbian way and use the albanian pronounciation. "kosovo" is just a loan word in albanian, so it's not albanian any more than it is english. and i mean this even if you support kosovo's independence. this also seems more widespread in english than in some other languages, though i can't tell for sure.

i don't know if sebrs find this offensive, but normally people are not very happy when their language is not respected. from my experience the word "kosovo" definitely doesn't offend anyone, so you are definitely on the safe side with it anyway.

Dibrani wrote:

"Serbs would be the most priviledged minority anywhere in the world, with artificial municipalities created around their communities so as to give them completely disporportionate power in the country."

-- It takes more than shiny institutions to bring a people on board. Why, isn't this the same type of tactics Belgrade offered the K Albanians prior to 2008? Offers that were repelled because the rationale was "why should I be a minority in your state when the US is going to give me one of my own?"

Pristina can offer the K Serbs the farm, but no attempts at promising them privileges that even Albanians couldn't enjoy have enticed them to accept Albanian authority. You rejected Belgrade's offers, and now Serbs have rejected Pristina's with the rationale "why should I be a minority in your 'state' when I can enjoy direct links to my 'own' state?"

If the rationale works for you, it works for them, and as long as the political balance is not upset, EULEX doesn't seem to really care.

Kosovo-USA, there are no o-ops, as well as victims in this case. It was carefully orchestrated so possibly the "target" has gotten the warning not to go to the car.

"Whether the Serbs vote or not is irrelevant. The last dregs of thew Serb occupation of Kosova will be gone within months. (Flamur)"

-- The "dregs" that you most likely refer to, were repelled in 1999 10 years ago. Are you in some way arguing that Belgrade still has some control over your lives? If yes, I'd be curious what information you have, though I suspect this is just more angry nationalistic nonense. If anything, the creation of three more municipalities (most importantly Gracanica) mean the K Serbs south of the Ibar can finally start to kick out the "dregs" of Albanian tyranny. You live on your side of the fence, they live on there's and no one bothers the other. Why is that so hard for people like you to accept? What would dominating the lives of people that want nothing to do with your "government" bring you besides social unrest, political instability, and the heavy hand of EULEX castrating Pristina's authority even further?

there´s nothing that could be surprising here - if they are not occupied with killing and abusing Serbs and other non-albanians, they start assaulting each other.

as far as I am concerned, I feel more sympathy for those who drowned while trying to escape from "multiethnic and democratic" "kosova republjik", those criminals can go on with liquidating each other - no one will miss them.

ops, I guess you did not know that the victim is an K-Albo.
(Kosova-USA, 4 November 2009 15:40)

Ooops, If Roberto reads your post he will not be happy to see you disrespecfully calling your fellow citizens "k-albo", you'll have to give him an apology for sure....
As to the "warning", well, sad but true and certainly will remain unpunished!

Demi,

Kosovo is not an independent state. It is a UN governed Serbian province. Please check 1244.

Thanks in advance!

Peace to all!

"...Under the current deal Serbs would be the most priviledged minority anywhere in the world, with artificial municipalities created around their communities so as to give them completely disporportionate power in the country....
(Dibrani, 4 November 2009 18:01)..."

Says who? You? Thachi? Haradinai? Ceku? UCK fighters?
You surely don't really believe Serbs believe you. Don't make them laugh.
Everybody know that K-Albanians desperately need Serbs to vote in these "elections" just to provide them with false argument wiht which they could parade infront of their Western "friends" telling them they are "multiethnic and democratic society". And after that, Serb and non-Albanians will be forgotten and left to the mercy of KLA.

Ya we spent 6million $ on it. No big deal. Accepetd it is quite a good add.
(goni, 4 November 2009 19:47)

Interesting add in did, but believe me, some lipstick on.... would have the same impact..., it remains what it is....

Who done it???
At least the motive is clear on this case. Just follow the tracks.

The truth is that no one knows who did it or why, but those that claim to know look foolish indeed.
(Jason, 4 November 2009 15:35)
ej Mr.Holmes you work for eulex-p, so tell us who done it this time?

The decentralization plan currently on the table by the Kosova government is creating states within the state. Under the current deal Serbs would be the most priviledged minority anywhere in the world, with artificial municipalities created around their communities so as to give them completely disporportionate power in the country. Let's just hope the Serbs take Belgrades advice and don't vote and that the decentralization plan falls apart.
(Dibrani, 4 November 2009 18:01)

Or what?

Yes the motive is quite clear! A Serb enclave in eastern Kosovo is being targeted by the usual suspects.
(KosovoCA, 4 November 2009 14:51)

ops, I guess you did not know that the victim is an K-Albo.

(Peggy, 4 November 2009 20:56)
Said:
Who else gets 24hr barbed wire protection from their neighbours? Who else gets to go to a cemetary to visit their deceased loved ones only to find that the cemetery was vandalised?

Well Peggy first of all I said that Kosova Serbs WOULD BE a highly priveledged minority not they ARE a priviledged minority. I can acknowledge the fact that Serbs currently live in uncomfortable conditions, but this is largely due to their lack of engagement with the institutions of Kosova and to an even greater extent the orders coming from Belgrade. By implementing the decentralization plan and encouraging the Serb minority to vote, the Kosovar government is showing impressive maturity and extending an olive branch to Serbs, which they would be wise to take advantage of.
I really hope you can understand this too but by looking at the second part of your comment you probably are past the point of rehabilitation.

"Europe's youngest democrats" your leaders in Pristina spent nearly $6 million on a 60 second commercial trying to prove.

This particular person in here seems to have problem with the add. It is not the first time it attacks it. I wonder why?
Or maybe to do with the job that you do?

Ya we spent 6million $ on it. No big deal. Accepetd it is quite a good add.

Peggy I guess they have no choice. They can live peacefully live together with albanians or they have to move from Kosovo. It woulden't help if Belgrade would have govern Kosovo because the prolems would still have been there. And we K.albanians(2 millon) dont want to be in the same state as Serbia. It is somthing that we cannot accept because of respect to all the albanians who were murdered by serb paramilitary forces wich operated in kosovo at that time of war. And because we dont want to because we have nothing related to serbs.


The only way Serbia would have a small chance to gain control over Kosovo is by force and by force keep it inside its border. We albanians clearly will never give up our independence who has ended the war with Serbian and made Kosovo stabil and safe. Somthing wich is comfirmed by Nato wich will reduce the Kfor troops to only 5-8000 men.

The decentralization plan currently on the table by the Kosova government is creating states within the state. Under the current deal Serbs would be the most priviledged minority anywhere in the world, with artificial municipalities created around their communities so as to give them completely disporportionate power in the country. Let's just hope the Serbs take Belgrades advice and don't vote and that the decentralization plan falls apart.

Whether the Serbs vote or not is irrelevant. The last dregs of thew Serb occupation of Kosova will be gone within months.

>>ops, I guess you did not know that the victim is an K-Albo.
(Kosova-USA)>>

when an albanian person uses "K-Albo" it isn't an ethnic slur; it is a way of turning this ubiquitous, racist slur on its head. and it is used with irony (duh.) when those of the other side use it, as they do sooooo often, it is loaded to the brim with animosity and psychic violence. oh must we always explain the obvious?

but anyway, enough of damn bombs and guns and killings and mass murder and intimidation... haven't the hellish 90's been enough?! how much more, in kosovo/a, in serbia, wherever... i am so sick of it all, whatever the ethnicity of the victim or perpetrator. WHO CARES! enough violence.

there have to be better ways for us all too limited humanoids.

roberto
frisco

Or what?
(Jack, 4 November 2009 19:27)

or the decrtralization plan doesn't fall apart and Serbs do vote and claim their stake as a part of Kosovar society, those are their options. We can debate legality of independence and the events of the past until we turn blue in the face, the reality is that Kosova is moving on and Kosova Serbs are being given a golden opportunity to take charge of their future or continue being manipulated by belgrade.

Patriots will never allow the creation of Serb municipalities on Kosvan soil. I hope the government heed the message of this incident.

but anyway, enough of damn bombs and guns and killings and mass murder and intimidation... haven't the hellish 90's been enough?! how much more, in kosovo/a, in serbia, wherever... i am so sick of it all, whatever the ethnicity of the victim or perpetrator. WHO CARES! enough violence.

there have to be better ways for us all too limited humanoids.

roberto
frisco
(roberto, 5 November 2009 04:44)

OK, Roberto, an other lession for teacher ;-)
This is not the North Bay Area, neither South Bay Area. But luckily, it's not East Palo Alto or a trailer park in Milpitas either. ;-)

It was done most likely a polite, cultural way - not the brutal way of Milo Djukanovic versus certain Croatian journalists.

Normally, people in, say, Hungary (Serbia, KosMet, Russia, etc) are either mind their own business or wash each other's hand.

Here, an unfortunate Albanian decided to do somewhat what other Albanians (with more CONNECTIONS to DANGEROUS places) did mean as "undesirable". In better detail: he decided to do somewhat what seem to favor Serbs. That is not a bad thing per se, because even the wife of certain "Dangerous Big Albanian" is a Serb. But she is the sister of a "Dangerous Big Serb" and that makes it a special case.

But if you cross the way of "Dangerous Hungarians", "Dangerous Albanians", "Dangerous Serbs" (and so on) - and you are not "Dangerous" enough, they ( = dangerous people) will most of the time send you a friendly reminder to mind your business.

For instance, they will inquire that hopefully your new car has 100% CASCO insurance coverage and if not, you better to close that insurance deal ASAP and don't approach your car afterwards because it may go ka-boom.

Not a big deal, you will get some good cash for it and buy a newer model. But you may consider to consult these "dangerous" Albanians / Serbs / Ukrainians / Russians / etc. next time before you decide to act on your own.

That is a day-to-day practice. Like Chicago during the "Prohibition". :-/

Now when the usual rule-of-the-thumb is not followed is a rare case. Like with Milo Djukanovic. From Mafia's point of view obviously Milo does not follow the rules, while Drenica decided to be more conservative this time.

The more gentleman-like approach of Drenica is "appreciated" - but still not enough ;-)

I am a coward, not dangerous, do not know any dangerous Serbs or Albanians and do not want to know any. So I am not worried about the cars at this moment. The bad side of the business: these cars are not BMW-s. I guess, it's not a coincidence.

It sounds as though the victim was "cautioned".

albanians can pronunce and spell it whichever way they want, they at least live there and i am pretty sure they are aware that the word they are using is serbian. it is the pc police officers from western countries that puzzle me since to my mind they are going against their own principles. the dumbest form is coming from people who spell it "kosovo/a" since they probably think they are being neutral in that way and to my mind you are definitely not neutral when you say that a serbian and albanian pronunciation of a serbian word are equal and even more so since the serbian version of that serbian word has been a part of the english language for so long. i've met albanians from kosovo and they called it "kosovo", not "kosova" when speaking my language, so i really don't see what's the point.

you can support independence of kosovo, but there is no need to disrespect serbs and their language. after all, they are supposed to be a part of this multicultural paradise (you can just see so much love and tolerance on this site every day) and their contribution to this wonderful country would be that they gave it a name. and it's not like albanians have a completely different word for it (like, say, suomi/finland).

i am even pretty sure that albanians use "kosova" when speaking english more because the pc police officers from the west are doing that than because they themselves feel they need to.

"i don't know if sebrs find this offensive, but normally people are not very happy when their language is not respected. from my experience the word "kosovo" definitely doesn't offend anyone, so you are definitely on the safe side with it anyway."
(malcolm x, 5 November 2009 14:18)

You're right about that Malcolm. Albanians are up in arms when they see word shiptar saying that they have been insulted by it. Now it's the spelling not the pronounciaciaon that is a problem here, apparently, but here they are chaning how the word sounds and think that they are not offending anyone.

They know what they are doing and why. Like with others things, they take what is Serbian, change is slightly and call it their own. Like history for instance. Now it appears that churchs in Kosovo were always Albanian, which somehow they forgot diruing 2004.
Bottom line, not enough of their own history in that region so they steal and distort in order to make it their own.

Who done it???
At least the motive is clear on this case. Just follow the tracks.

Patriots will never allow the creation of Serb municipalities on Kosvan soil. I hope the government heed the message of this incident.

Yes the motive is quite clear! A Serb enclave in eastern Kosovo is being targeted by the usual suspects.
(KosovoCA, 4 November 2009 14:51)

ops, I guess you did not know that the victim is an K-Albo.

>>ops, I guess you did not know that the victim is an K-Albo.
(Kosova-USA)>>

when an albanian person uses "K-Albo" it isn't an ethnic slur; it is a way of turning this ubiquitous, racist slur on its head. and it is used with irony (duh.) when those of the other side use it, as they do sooooo often, it is loaded to the brim with animosity and psychic violence. oh must we always explain the obvious?

but anyway, enough of damn bombs and guns and killings and mass murder and intimidation... haven't the hellish 90's been enough?! how much more, in kosovo/a, in serbia, wherever... i am so sick of it all, whatever the ethnicity of the victim or perpetrator. WHO CARES! enough violence.

there have to be better ways for us all too limited humanoids.

roberto
frisco

The decentralization plan currently on the table by the Kosova government is creating states within the state. Under the current deal Serbs would be the most priviledged minority anywhere in the world, with artificial municipalities created around their communities so as to give them completely disporportionate power in the country. Let's just hope the Serbs take Belgrades advice and don't vote and that the decentralization plan falls apart.

The truth is that no one knows who did it or why, but those that claim to know look foolish indeed.
(Jason, 4 November 2009 15:35)
ej Mr.Holmes you work for eulex-p, so tell us who done it this time?

Or what?
(Jack, 4 November 2009 19:27)

or the decrtralization plan doesn't fall apart and Serbs do vote and claim their stake as a part of Kosovar society, those are their options. We can debate legality of independence and the events of the past until we turn blue in the face, the reality is that Kosova is moving on and Kosova Serbs are being given a golden opportunity to take charge of their future or continue being manipulated by belgrade.

Whether the Serbs vote or not is irrelevant. The last dregs of thew Serb occupation of Kosova will be gone within months.

Peggy I guess they have no choice. They can live peacefully live together with albanians or they have to move from Kosovo. It woulden't help if Belgrade would have govern Kosovo because the prolems would still have been there. And we K.albanians(2 millon) dont want to be in the same state as Serbia. It is somthing that we cannot accept because of respect to all the albanians who were murdered by serb paramilitary forces wich operated in kosovo at that time of war. And because we dont want to because we have nothing related to serbs.


The only way Serbia would have a small chance to gain control over Kosovo is by force and by force keep it inside its border. We albanians clearly will never give up our independence who has ended the war with Serbian and made Kosovo stabil and safe. Somthing wich is comfirmed by Nato wich will reduce the Kfor troops to only 5-8000 men.

Demi wrote:

"It is somthing that we cannot accept because of respect to all the albanians who were murdered by serb paramilitary forces wich operated in kosovo at that time of war. And because we dont want to because we have nothing related to serbs."

Rubbish and you know it. You have not accepted Serbia for many decades now and there was no war and no killing. It is you who started the war anyway by terrorising the Serbs of Kosovo and murdering Serbian police there.

Don't come here and use the war as an excuse. You always wanted to secede. Why? Tell the truth now.

"Europe's youngest democrats" your leaders in Pristina spent nearly $6 million on a 60 second commercial trying to prove.

This particular person in here seems to have problem with the add. It is not the first time it attacks it. I wonder why?
Or maybe to do with the job that you do?

Ya we spent 6million $ on it. No big deal. Accepetd it is quite a good add.

(Peggy, 4 November 2009 20:56)
Said:
Who else gets 24hr barbed wire protection from their neighbours? Who else gets to go to a cemetary to visit their deceased loved ones only to find that the cemetery was vandalised?

Well Peggy first of all I said that Kosova Serbs WOULD BE a highly priveledged minority not they ARE a priviledged minority. I can acknowledge the fact that Serbs currently live in uncomfortable conditions, but this is largely due to their lack of engagement with the institutions of Kosova and to an even greater extent the orders coming from Belgrade. By implementing the decentralization plan and encouraging the Serb minority to vote, the Kosovar government is showing impressive maturity and extending an olive branch to Serbs, which they would be wise to take advantage of.
I really hope you can understand this too but by looking at the second part of your comment you probably are past the point of rehabilitation.

How is this news? This happens every day in "multiethnic and democratic Kosovo". Mafia activity in a mafia territory. Kosovo is becoming more and more like Talialbania.

Dibrani wrote:

"Serbs would be the most priviledged minority anywhere in the world, with artificial municipalities created around their communities so as to give them completely disporportionate power in the country."

Oh yes, Serbs are the most priviliged minority in the world in Kosovo. Whe else get the privilege of being escorted to schools and churches? Who else gets 24hr barbed wire protection from their neighbours? Who else gets to go to a cemetary to visit their deceased loved ones only to find that the cemetery was vandalised?

Besides, Serbs don't want privileges awarded to them by Albanians in their own country. Kosovo is Serbian and Serbs are not a minority in Serbia. All Serbs want is for Thaci and Co. to disappear from their posts and end up in prison where they belong. All Serbs want is to be governed by Belgrade as they should and all they want is to live in peace and safety.
They don't want your version of privileges.

Patriots will never allow the creation of Serb municipalities on Kosvan soil. I hope the government heed the message of this incident.
(Flamur, 4 November 2009 14:14)

Thanks for the truth here, Flamur. You just made a fool out of Kosovo-USA who would blame Serbs for this... Sad to see your brutal nationalism though but at least you show the world the "tolerance" here in Kosovo.

The truth is that no one knows who did it or why, but those that claim to know look foolish indeed.

Yes the motive is quite clear! A Serb enclave in eastern Kosovo is being targeted by the usual suspects.

He is probobly not listening to uck terrorists, so they had to give him a warning.

there´s nothing that could be surprising here - if they are not occupied with killing and abusing Serbs and other non-albanians, they start assaulting each other.

as far as I am concerned, I feel more sympathy for those who drowned while trying to escape from "multiethnic and democratic" "kosova republjik", those criminals can go on with liquidating each other - no one will miss them.

Demi,

Kosovo is not an independent state. It is a UN governed Serbian province. Please check 1244.

Thanks in advance!

Peace to all!

"Patriots will never allow the creation of Serb municipalities on Kosvan [sic] soil.(Flamur)"

-- Then instead of wasting your precious time on a Serbian news site, I strongly recommend you send an irate email to Peter Feith, who is about to do just that by creating three more "Serbian municipalities", in addition to the three already north of the Ibar and the creation of Kosovska Mitrovica as a separate municipality in less than two weeks. And if your stern letter doesn't force him to change his mind, perhaps you can just set more EULEX vehicles on fire? But be careful though. Doing so, risks tarnishing that image of "Europe's youngest democrats" your leaders in Pristina spent nearly $6 million on a 60 second commercial trying to prove. Tread lightly.

ops, I guess you did not know that the victim is an K-Albo.
(Kosova-USA, 4 November 2009 15:40)

Ooops, If Roberto reads your post he will not be happy to see you disrespecfully calling your fellow citizens "k-albo", you'll have to give him an apology for sure....
As to the "warning", well, sad but true and certainly will remain unpunished!

Ya we spent 6million $ on it. No big deal. Accepetd it is quite a good add.
(goni, 4 November 2009 19:47)

Interesting add in did, but believe me, some lipstick on.... would have the same impact..., it remains what it is....

"...Under the current deal Serbs would be the most priviledged minority anywhere in the world, with artificial municipalities created around their communities so as to give them completely disporportionate power in the country....
(Dibrani, 4 November 2009 18:01)..."

Says who? You? Thachi? Haradinai? Ceku? UCK fighters?
You surely don't really believe Serbs believe you. Don't make them laugh.
Everybody know that K-Albanians desperately need Serbs to vote in these "elections" just to provide them with false argument wiht which they could parade infront of their Western "friends" telling them they are "multiethnic and democratic society". And after that, Serb and non-Albanians will be forgotten and left to the mercy of KLA.

when an albanian person uses "K-Albo" it isn't an ethnic slur; it is a way of turning this ubiquitous, racist slur on its head.
roberto
frisco
(roberto, 5 November 2009 04:44)

Ouch, we happen to know better what is "ethnic slur" than some happy residents of San Francisco who only once in a while are in the area. :-P

The word "Albo" is not and never was a racist slur. Serbs never use it. Albanians use that word only once in a while. It is a simplified word made by joint Serbia-Albania team merely for American consum, since an average person there has a difficulty to put on the paper a longer phrase than "Coca-Cola". ;-)

The racist slur towards Albanians is "Siptar" (pronounced as 'shiptar') and the racist slur towards Serbs is "Shkija". In Hungarian the equivalents are 'siptár" and "rác'; however, the later can be a family name, too. "Rác" or "Rácz" originates from the word "Rashkian" (form Rash) but is "normally" used as a derogative word every "non-siptár" resident of (ex)Yugo. Now it's use greatly decreased. I do hear Hungarians say "szkipetár" (in English try to say: "skeepataaa") sometimes. That is not a swearword per se, but it's sometimes used with mocking in mind. Better to avoid tough. Of course, it's not about Serbs or Croats :-)

Romanians don't really have bad words for Serbs or Albanians - but for Hungarians they do have "Bozgor".

Anyway, "Bozgor", "Rác", "Shkija", "Shiptar" and "Siptár" are absolutely un-kosher to use and "Szkipetár" is better to avoid near Oktogon area in Budapest (some money-change offices, bakeries). On the other hand while it sounds so similar - the words "Rash" and (in Hungarian) "Skiptár" or it's Albanian 1:1 equivalent are just fine to use. For your American ear Rác/Rash, Shqiptar/Szkipetár/Siptár sounds the same probably. You probably can't distinguish even the pronouncing the words "Shkija" from "Shiptar". But one is Albanian-used swearword towards Serbs, the other is Serbian/Bulgarian/Hungarian- used swearword towards Albanians.

Sorry for teaching the teacher, but no one knows everything. I know from my granddad and from my wife, teachers have a bad habit to teach everyone everything ex-cathedra. That's OK, but they have to endure some lessions back in exchange. ;-)

Dibrani wrote:

"Serbs would be the most priviledged minority anywhere in the world, with artificial municipalities created around their communities so as to give them completely disporportionate power in the country."

-- It takes more than shiny institutions to bring a people on board. Why, isn't this the same type of tactics Belgrade offered the K Albanians prior to 2008? Offers that were repelled because the rationale was "why should I be a minority in your state when the US is going to give me one of my own?"

Pristina can offer the K Serbs the farm, but no attempts at promising them privileges that even Albanians couldn't enjoy have enticed them to accept Albanian authority. You rejected Belgrade's offers, and now Serbs have rejected Pristina's with the rationale "why should I be a minority in your 'state' when I can enjoy direct links to my 'own' state?"

If the rationale works for you, it works for them, and as long as the political balance is not upset, EULEX doesn't seem to really care.

speaking of political correctness, i wonder why do some people think that using "kosova" or "kosovo/a" is politically correct? i mean, "kosovo" is clearly a slavic word, it entered the english language in that form long time ago and i honestly don't see how is it politically correct when you refuse to pronounce a serbian word in a serbian way and use the albanian pronounciation. "kosovo" is just a loan word in albanian, so it's not albanian any more than it is english. and i mean this even if you support kosovo's independence. this also seems more widespread in english than in some other languages, though i can't tell for sure.

i don't know if sebrs find this offensive, but normally people are not very happy when their language is not respected. from my experience the word "kosovo" definitely doesn't offend anyone, so you are definitely on the safe side with it anyway.

The decentralization plan currently on the table by the Kosova government is creating states within the state. Under the current deal Serbs would be the most priviledged minority anywhere in the world, with artificial municipalities created around their communities so as to give them completely disporportionate power in the country. Let's just hope the Serbs take Belgrades advice and don't vote and that the decentralization plan falls apart.
(Dibrani, 4 November 2009 18:01)

Or what?

"Whether the Serbs vote or not is irrelevant. The last dregs of thew Serb occupation of Kosova will be gone within months. (Flamur)"

-- The "dregs" that you most likely refer to, were repelled in 1999 10 years ago. Are you in some way arguing that Belgrade still has some control over your lives? If yes, I'd be curious what information you have, though I suspect this is just more angry nationalistic nonense. If anything, the creation of three more municipalities (most importantly Gracanica) mean the K Serbs south of the Ibar can finally start to kick out the "dregs" of Albanian tyranny. You live on your side of the fence, they live on there's and no one bothers the other. Why is that so hard for people like you to accept? What would dominating the lives of people that want nothing to do with your "government" bring you besides social unrest, political instability, and the heavy hand of EULEX castrating Pristina's authority even further?

It sounds as though the victim was "cautioned".

but anyway, enough of damn bombs and guns and killings and mass murder and intimidation... haven't the hellish 90's been enough?! how much more, in kosovo/a, in serbia, wherever... i am so sick of it all, whatever the ethnicity of the victim or perpetrator. WHO CARES! enough violence.

there have to be better ways for us all too limited humanoids.

roberto
frisco
(roberto, 5 November 2009 04:44)

OK, Roberto, an other lession for teacher ;-)
This is not the North Bay Area, neither South Bay Area. But luckily, it's not East Palo Alto or a trailer park in Milpitas either. ;-)

It was done most likely a polite, cultural way - not the brutal way of Milo Djukanovic versus certain Croatian journalists.

Normally, people in, say, Hungary (Serbia, KosMet, Russia, etc) are either mind their own business or wash each other's hand.

Here, an unfortunate Albanian decided to do somewhat what other Albanians (with more CONNECTIONS to DANGEROUS places) did mean as "undesirable". In better detail: he decided to do somewhat what seem to favor Serbs. That is not a bad thing per se, because even the wife of certain "Dangerous Big Albanian" is a Serb. But she is the sister of a "Dangerous Big Serb" and that makes it a special case.

But if you cross the way of "Dangerous Hungarians", "Dangerous Albanians", "Dangerous Serbs" (and so on) - and you are not "Dangerous" enough, they ( = dangerous people) will most of the time send you a friendly reminder to mind your business.

For instance, they will inquire that hopefully your new car has 100% CASCO insurance coverage and if not, you better to close that insurance deal ASAP and don't approach your car afterwards because it may go ka-boom.

Not a big deal, you will get some good cash for it and buy a newer model. But you may consider to consult these "dangerous" Albanians / Serbs / Ukrainians / Russians / etc. next time before you decide to act on your own.

That is a day-to-day practice. Like Chicago during the "Prohibition". :-/

Now when the usual rule-of-the-thumb is not followed is a rare case. Like with Milo Djukanovic. From Mafia's point of view obviously Milo does not follow the rules, while Drenica decided to be more conservative this time.

The more gentleman-like approach of Drenica is "appreciated" - but still not enough ;-)

I am a coward, not dangerous, do not know any dangerous Serbs or Albanians and do not want to know any. So I am not worried about the cars at this moment. The bad side of the business: these cars are not BMW-s. I guess, it's not a coincidence.

Kosovo-USA, there are no o-ops, as well as victims in this case. It was carefully orchestrated so possibly the "target" has gotten the warning not to go to the car.

"i don't know if sebrs find this offensive, but normally people are not very happy when their language is not respected. from my experience the word "kosovo" definitely doesn't offend anyone, so you are definitely on the safe side with it anyway."
(malcolm x, 5 November 2009 14:18)

You're right about that Malcolm. Albanians are up in arms when they see word shiptar saying that they have been insulted by it. Now it's the spelling not the pronounciaciaon that is a problem here, apparently, but here they are chaning how the word sounds and think that they are not offending anyone.

They know what they are doing and why. Like with others things, they take what is Serbian, change is slightly and call it their own. Like history for instance. Now it appears that churchs in Kosovo were always Albanian, which somehow they forgot diruing 2004.
Bottom line, not enough of their own history in that region so they steal and distort in order to make it their own.

albanians can pronunce and spell it whichever way they want, they at least live there and i am pretty sure they are aware that the word they are using is serbian. it is the pc police officers from western countries that puzzle me since to my mind they are going against their own principles. the dumbest form is coming from people who spell it "kosovo/a" since they probably think they are being neutral in that way and to my mind you are definitely not neutral when you say that a serbian and albanian pronunciation of a serbian word are equal and even more so since the serbian version of that serbian word has been a part of the english language for so long. i've met albanians from kosovo and they called it "kosovo", not "kosova" when speaking my language, so i really don't see what's the point.

you can support independence of kosovo, but there is no need to disrespect serbs and their language. after all, they are supposed to be a part of this multicultural paradise (you can just see so much love and tolerance on this site every day) and their contribution to this wonderful country would be that they gave it a name. and it's not like albanians have a completely different word for it (like, say, suomi/finland).

i am even pretty sure that albanians use "kosova" when speaking english more because the pc police officers from the west are doing that than because they themselves feel they need to.