U.S.: Belgrade must cooperate with Priština

"Brush said that Serbia needs to define what it means by military neutrality."

What it means Brush is that Serbia wants to remain neutral and peacful by not joining NATO.

Brush said that Serbia needs to define what it means by military neutrality.
--
It means Serbia will never join NATO or any other immoral organisation. There will never be any co-operation with terrorists and criminals in Pristina either.

The only hope Kosovo has of any peaceful and prosperous future is to return to the negotiating table but first the criminal in Pristina need to be replaced with moderate politicians.

The United States is still speaking in the imperative case; still dictating the conditions. You must, you will, I command you.

The US was responsible for bankrolling both financially and morally the UCK's cleansing of Kosovo between 1999 - 2004. The US should hang its head in shame and repent for its aggressive actions in former YU and elsewhere around the world.

Lot of nonsences... From one side - USA don't expect that Serbia recognize Kosovo’s pseudoindependence, but "must" cooperate with illegal state. If ICJ will declare, that UDI was illegal - for USA this is nothing (so - probably international law is for USA nothing). Military neutrality of Serbia - is for USA "unclear". They attacked Serbia in 1999 without declaring war - and today they expected good relations with them.

No, thanks. I don't need similar country as a "friend".

Dear fellow readers,

As usual, U.S. imperial officials issue directives to the "natives" around important dates on the calendar, just to remind us about who sets the agenda.

They advise us to cooperate with KLA criminals and terrorists, while simultaneously urging us to join NATO to help them in the "war on terror".

Telegraphing her punches in advance, Jennifer Brush tells Serbia that she will be instructing the KLA regime in Pristina to refuse to schedule any status talks with Serbia in the event that the U.S. efforts to influence the ICJ are not successful. Nothing new there.

It is nice to hear that the U.S. and its vassal NATO hangers on would like to substitute some Serbian cannon-fodder for the unemployed members of their own underclasses that they are firing into the breach against Islamic fundamentalists that they originally programmed to undermine Russia. But only a fool would consent to join the same criminal NATO organization that attacked Serbia. It seems that U.S. officials such as Ms. Brush don't remember Lincoln's remark: "You can't fool all of the people all of the time."

As for her calling on Serbia to define what it means by military neutrality... there is no doubt that the U.S. embassy is not satisfied with pulling the strings of the Serbian government and now want to take the next logical step by acquiring a right to mis-interpret the Serbian constitution at will. To call NATO an extension of multilateral relations is so patently absurd that one has to wonder what B92's brave interviewer said in response...

The comment that "President Tadić and former ambassador Cameron Munter had a lot to do with the improved [bilateral] relations" is nothing more than a confirmation that the State Department's deployment of Munter to Serbia was precisely intended to facilitate direct meddling in the Serbian political process.

However, it would be a serious mistake to misinterpret all of this as some kind of progress on the U.S. agenda for the neutering and complete occupation of Serbia. On the contrary, the increasing transparency of the foreign meddling in this country, combined with the arrogant and condescending manner in which such U.S. apparatchiks dictate to the free-spirited Serbian people can have no other result except to bring a complete reversal of the occupation and of even the most basic U.S.-Serbian cooperation.

On that promising note, may I return my very best wishes for the New Year to all those fervently working on the doomed occupation project here in the blessed land of the truly free people Serbia.

Happy 2010!

SIncerely,

John Bosnitch
Journalist
Belgrade
e-mail: john.b@imcnews.com

Serbia must coooperate with UNMIK.

Girls, boys, let's stop the nonsense. Kosovo is a Serbian province ruled by UN. There is no such thing as an independent Kosovo!

The UN is control. Not the US!

Or does the US say to Georgia that it should cooperate with Abkhazia and South Ossetia?

No double standards please!

Yes Demi, we have people like you living in the Eest and dictating terms for Kosovo Albanians. If everything is so find and dandy, tell me why the US insists on Belgrade co-operating with Pristina? We all know it's not for the benefit of Serbians.

The fact is that Kosovo Albanians do not want to live in a prison camp all of their lives and they will have a choice to either negotiate or to remain in a black hole. Fortuntely, it will be their decision on not those living comfortably in the West.

Serbia will never recognise Kosovo and neither will it become a member of NATO. Pressure is being applied now only because the cookie is crumbling.

I dont know if american officials are this stupid or if they think Serbians are?
She wants Serbs to cooperate with albanian government in Kosmet,that in itself would suggest recognition.
As for biden, to suggest his visiting Serbia can absolve him for his feverish lobbying for the destruction of serbia is perverse.

US is proud for all we did. We did it in the name of Liberty, Democracy and Peace. We may have made some mistakes but those are miniscule in comparison with good deeds. One has to be reminded thet it was the US liberating Europe and rebuilding it into a region leading the world in many spheres. It was US who stopped Saddam into Kuwait. It is US donating billions in food and medicines and dollars to fight hunger, sicknesses, Aids, and wars.
(Mirub Jager, 27 December 2009 18:02)

I never heard such a narrow minded views. Not even from one American. You might be American (by birth or naturalized) but your name Mirub is definitely Albanian. So now i can understand your comments. You have liberated Europe, as far as i remember Albanians were on the other side. I just wonder if you forgot about your Albanian roots?

"There is no other way if you dont want to be an Russian province ofcourse."
Demi

In that case we'll be a Russian province because as long as there is a Serbia Kosovo will belong to it. Kosovo is Serbian territory, regardless of how many albanians live there. Sooner or later it will get back to its rightfull owners the Serbs.

Once again spokespeople for my country act as if they just were made aware of international relations yesterday:

1. US: Belgrade must cooperate with Pristina even though we don't expect, nor are we forcing, them to recognize Kosovo

-- Serbia is already cooperating with the necessary respresentatives in Pristina, namely EULEX. Good cooperation produced a status neutral agreement with the one power with sole executive authority in the protectorate, as well as cooperation between EULEX police and Serbian MUPs. Belgrade even got 4 more municipalities out of the deal. I don't know what other type of cooperation the US expects since I haven't seen one gesture from the Albanians towards Belgrade.

2. US: Serbia should join NATO. What's with this neutral military thing?

-- Personally, I'm all in favor of Serbia remaining neutral, 1999 notwithstanding. NATO's purpose in Europe has served its end. As a member of the PfP, Serbia can enjoy good cooperation with NATO without having to pay its annual dues, nor ship its soldiers overseas. I wouldn't be surprised if more countries already a part of NATO would want to break away.

3. US: Relations were dignificantly improved with Biden's visit.

-- Hitting the "reset" button is certainly a start, but let's not assume everyone's happy hunky dory now. Biden's rather symbolic visit was matched by Medvedev's substantive visit. If Washington truly wants Belgrade as a strategic partner, it's going to have to do more than make nice faces for the photos.

'Jennifer Brush, said that Belgrade must cooperate with Priština.'

How dare you, Ms. Brush. Who in the hell do you think you are?

It was the Democratic Party led Regime in Washington in the late 90s that engineered the conflict in Kosovo i Metohija with all their connivance and sordid antics.

It was your regime, Ms. Brush, that backed and urged on a terrorist organisation in the Southern Serbian Province to torment its own Albanian people as well as the minority Serbs and Roma.

When Madeleine Albright was told by her lawyers that the bombing of Serbia was illegal and broke International Law, she simply retorted with the arrogant, ignorant statement; "Well then, let's hire new lawyers"

Ms.Brush, instead of your arrogant pontificating to Serbia, it is now high time you got your regime back in Washington to begin to make amends to the Serb Nation for the litany of atrocities which Washington committed over the last 2 decades, throughout the Balkans.

MB,Ireland

How about Washington recognize the Republic Of Texas and have dialogue with them, as equals, independent and sovereign nations. Will that ever happen? Not a chance!

Mrs Brush should take notice of something very important, if she plans to have success in improving serbo-american relations:
Serbia does not have to cooperate with this cripple-freak-creation...

that is no option.

nobody really cares what America says anymore they are not even a top 3 superpower anymore because RUSSIAN,CHINA,INDIA are the tops and what i got to say to this is America you should cooperate with CHINA,RUSSIA,INDIA even though nobody will tell you to recognise their superpower status.

The USA must understand: it is NOT for Belgrade to cooperate with Pristina, it is FOR Pristina to cooperate with Belgrade. Who should the people of Kosovo serve? The people of Kosovo should render unto the Serbs that which belongs unto the Serbs and render unto the Albanians that which belongs unto the ALbanians. But, because of USA & NATO imperialism, Pristina has taken everything, both Albanian and Serbian.

The only hope Kosovo has of any peaceful and prosperous future is to return to the negotiating table but first the criminal in Pristina need to be replaced with moderate politicians.
(Zoran, 27 December 2009 14:54)

It will never happend!! Kosovo since 1999 is peaceful and the people are free and safe. Kosovo has a more prosperous future now than before 1999 and the country is doing real good since Serbia got out of the picture. You can negotiate with who ever you want but you will never negotiate with albanians. We have settled our so called status and it is a done deal. OPnly with war you have a small chance to change that.


And Yes Serbia will recognize Kosovo, be an Nato member and get into EU. There is no other way if you dont want to be an Russian province ofcourse.

"I think it would be best for humanitarian reasons if Kosovo and Serbia co-operated with one another in the same way East and West Germany did." (Ian UK)

-- Dear God, are you getting all practical on us Ian? :)

In theory there shouldn't be anything wrong with this at all. In fact, I seem to recall Wolfgang Ischinger made this very same proposal in November/December 2007 when he called for Kosovo to be "status neutral" for the indefinite future and, are you ready for this, was crazy enough to reinvigorate the "standards before status" condition.

It sounds great, but I hardly think people like Thaci, Sejdiu, Haradinaj, or Ceku would be willing do "agree to disagree". K-Albanian politics have sadly become too radicalized for compromise at this juncture.

Funny US telling Serbia to cooperate with terrorist who stole our land with US help and NATO aggression.

By the way, how long has that joke of an embargo been going on against Cuba. Is anyone telling the US what it must do? Hmmmm....

Mirub,

I'm sure your voice sounds good to you, as you gaze into the mirror in the bathroom, after brushing your teeth; but you speaking in the name of the U.S. as some moral or just voice - who you kidding?

@Mirub: you wrote: "US is proud for all we did. We did it in the name of Liberty, Democracy and Peace. We may have made some mistakes but those are miniscule in comparison with good deeds. One has to be reminded thet it was the US liberating Europe and rebuilding it into a region leading the world in many spheres. It was US who stopped Saddam into Kuwait. It is US donating billions in food and medicines and dollars to fight hunger, sicknesses, Aids, and wars.

So, we still, after 65 years be happy what they did? I was not there! After that the Americans invaded dozens countries and installed puppet regimes (Chili and others). And Iraq, what has that to do with Europe, besided that we all know it was a big lie when you invaded Iraq, it is occupation, not liberation!! The aid they give is really small compared to many other countries and doesn't go to europe/Serbia. I am not interested where it goes but believe me, The Netherlands is by far ahead of support to 3rd world countries. So better learn history and what is going on nowadays!

Dear Mr Mirub Jager

You really have no idea what the US government gets up to, do you?

The CIA gave Saddam his first real job, they trained him as a CIA operative in the early 1960s and paid him to assassinate the then prime minister of Iraq. Shortly thereafter, they put him in power, an along came Donald Rumsfeld whogave him chemical weapons to attack the Kurds. Later he was urged to take on the Iranians after the Revolution, again at the behest of the US government. Then he was told to invade Kuwait, ask the lady ambassador who was there at the time what she told Saddam he could and could not do. Fast forward to YU, the US government, bombed the Serbs in Croatia, Bosnia and Kosovo. Can you tell me what right you have to bomb anyone?

On one point I agree with you, yes, you have an empire with over 1,000 bases all around the world after attacking over 100 countries since WW2 but you should not too cocky lest you forget that it is the Chinese who is bankrolling you, you are broke both financially and morally and the empire should do well to remember that he who pays the piper calls the tune. Pax Bank Cathay.

Ron,

Are u serious when claiming the UN rules Kosovo ??? I don't want to be cynical but UN is so active in Kosovo that I honestly don't even remember the name of UNMIK's chief....
The last and only time I saw and heard of him was at New York when he made his annual statement on the situation in Kosovo...his predecessors were omnipresent !!! and never hesitate to quash kosovo government's acts if necessary...

I'm sorry but now, it's obvious to anyone that UNMIK doesn't exist any more.....at least it's powerless...

must? how about USA getting out of Serbia's business?

When will True Serbs -the European ones - wake up and take over Serbia and chase all pro-russians to Bellorussia where they belong.

Serbia belongs in Nato, EU, side by side with all Ballkans state: Albania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, Bosnia, Sllovenia, and Rumania,

In the foreseeable future, I cannot see Serbia recognising Kosovo and I cannot see Kosovo giving up it's independence. I think it would be best for humanitarian reasons if Kosovo and Serbia co-operated with one another in the same way East and West Germany did. Therefore I think Serbia's and Kosovo's police should work together and their security forces should work together to stop international terrorism, organised crime, epidemics, and for the case of natural disasters. So for humanitarian reasons I think Kosovar and Serbian authorities should work with one another.

Serbia MUST nothing any more!!! Serbia has done more than enough of her MUSTS for the sake of her offenders, courtesy of West's illegal and bullying methods and demands.
Now is high time that the West do some MUSTS!!!Like the humanitarian MUST of bringing all of the etnically cleansed Kraina Serbs back to their land and homes.NOW!!!

Also,many of us Serbs would highly appreciate if you would restrain yourselves from insulting our intelligence with absurd offers and trying to "work" us like a bunch of saps ,and start treating us with respect that is well deserved for the centuries of sacrifice for fighting and defeating evil for all humanity.

The Serbs were among the first to get Kunnzl's book "How to Read Donald Duck?",and see his poster collection. We were "Socialists" at one time,and we've learned how to read "Donald Duck"long time ago,but that was before the duck went quackO.
One can still find them in Belgrade's used book stores. The books, that is.

tom,

Please check the GDP of those 3 countries. Yes China is important and will be a superpower. The Chinese are smart and we can work with them. We respect them. India is our friend. We work with Indian firms on a daily basis. Myself I will do it tomorrow because most of our team is in India.
As for unfriendly Russia it stopped to be a superpover after the collapse of 1991. Because of a shrinking population (could go down to 100 millions by 2050 due to alkoholism)and a long list of problems Russia never can be a superpover again.

Mrs. Brush! There is NO WAY that Serbia will cooperate with your "PUPPETS" in Pristina. Kosovo is a part of Serbia whether the US accept this or not.

and if the ICJ declared that the kosovo independence declaration was illegal then the US should accept and encourage pristina to go back to the negotiating table for status talks.

"The UN is in control. Not the US!"
Zoran

If US pays for and hosts UN then US is in control not some Mickey Mouse countries members of UN. US is an Empire like it or not and you have a choice as our President Bush put it "are you with us or against us".

The US was responsible for bankrolling both financially and morally the UCK's cleansing of Kosovo between 1999 - 2004. The US should hang its head in shame and repent for its aggressive actions in former YU and elsewhere around the world.
(iseult henry, 27 December 2009 16:24)

US is proud for all we did. We did it in the name of Liberty, Democracy and Peace. We may have made some mistakes but those are miniscule in comparison with good deeds. One has to be reminded thet it was the US liberating Europe and rebuilding it into a region leading the world in many spheres. It was US who stopped Saddam into Kuwait. It is US donating billions in food and medicines and dollars to fight hunger, sicknesses, Aids, and wars.

Allow me first to state MIRUB is not an Albanian name.
Serbia should thank USA for not letting Russia go into Yugoslavia with tanks as they did in Hungary, Chzekoslovakia, Poland, Afganistan, Georgia etc.

There is no power in the world more benevolent and righteous than USA and there has never been such as history tells.
To the USA bashers:If tomorrow the requirement of visas from Serbia to US is annulled 99% of those Serbs that can afford a ticket to New York would be fighting to get on the first plane.

To the economists that know about USA troubles but they solved their own, I say; Other Peoples Money. China is other people.
USA is and will be by far the strongest economy for a long long time. Strong economy grants a super-power status.
USA gives to every country around the world financial assistance. Somehow even If they don't like it they never say NO.
Therefore, Kosovo is in good hands. I was just an intern in a law firm when I met VP Biden then a senator. A Kosovar-American co-worker was talking to him when he said " Don't you worry about a thing, You gyus are on the good side".

There is an old Serbian saying that goes something like “pricaj usta da nebudnu pusta”; meaning open your mouth and say anything so that is not barren regardless of how stupid it may sound. Now you can read Ms Jennifer Brush opening her mouth to make sure that people notice that the US is in Belgrade, but there is another old saying in English and it goes something like “it is better to keep ones mouth closed and be through of as a fool than to open it and remove any doubt”.
Here is my challenge to Ms Brush, how about you convince Microsoft to open a factory in Pristina and improve the life of your allies and then you might not be laughed at all the time you guys open your mouths.

nobody really cares what America says anymore they are not even a top 3 superpower anymore because RUSSIAN,CHINA,INDIA are the tops and what i got to say to this is America you should cooperate with CHINA,RUSSIA,INDIA even though nobody will tell you to recognise their superpower status.
(tom, 27 December 2009 17:24)

Tom,

Russia, China and India can't even feed their own people let alone be superpowers. There is only one Superpower and I think everyone knows who that is.

"As for unfriendly Russia it stopped to be a superpover after the collapse of 1991. Because of a shrinking population (could go down to 100 millions by 2050 due to alkoholism)and a long list of problems Russia never can be a superpover again." (Joe)

-- I wouldn't necessarily dismiss “unfriendly” Russia (whatever that means) as glibly as you do, my Russophobic friend. True, we can't really call Russia a "superpower" in the Cold War sense anymore, but we can't call America that either since it never really had the global clout you like to think it did. Russia is certainly a regional power and has proven to be very capable in getting what it wants in Central Asia, the Caucasus, and Eastern Europe, and both America and the EU are smart enough to know the extent of their own international influence. If that weren't the case, Georgia would be whole, North and South Stream would be bankrupt, Ukraine would already be in NATO, and Serbia would be forced to acquiesce to the United States' regional hegemony. This should all be self-evident to someone who's as aware of geopolitics as you always claim to be. As for Russia's population dying off due to "alkoholism" as you phonetically write, that’s an exaggerated stereotype akin to Americans dying off because of obesity from eating too many Big Macs.

Don't allow your obvious Russophobia to translate into ignorance. We had enough of that narrowmindedness after 8 years of intellectually bankrupt neo-conservatism. Russia is one among many major powers in this multipolar world whether we like it or not.

Joe, unfortunately you’re just another Albanian. I was talking about China for a long time, but was ridiculed by your Albanians, but now that China is No 2 world economy and very soon No1, you can work with them, but they have not recognized Kosovo and neither is your new other “best friend” India. Now you go to India with your team and make sure you clean all the toilets properly.
Here is a promise we can keep, when the south stream gas pipeline goes through Serbia and a branch line is supposed to go to Albania, well if you like we can stop it from being built and your Albanians can freeze their butts off. Just drop a line if you wants us to do this.
Haven’t you also heard that you beloved US approached pleading China to recognize Kosovo, they just flatly refused. Haven’t you seen how China belittled the mighty US of A in Copenhagen in front of the world, but maybe not seeing that the freedom loving press in the west has not mentioned a word, how democratic of them.
I don’t think you even understand what GDP means let alone how the economy of a third world country like Albania functions, but you can GDP all you like but the fact is that the US is finished.
Here is also something for you Albanians to chew over. NATO went to Moscow to ask the Russians for help in Afghanistan and the Russians gave them a list of conditions to fulfill before lifting a finger. The latest information is that NATO will accept those conditions and when it does you guys are FINISHED – no more Kosovo.
You beloved US has 70 million poor and between 6 to 7 million live on the streets or in parks. Now what was that about Russians; maybe now you might need a drink eh?

@ LAN UK
You are proposing East-West Germany model for Belgrade-Prishtina cooperation? Bild a wall? That sounds great, and would solve a few problems right away. Belgrade should provide the material for the wall and pay the work force. Prishtina supplies the work force and solves the unemployment problem for at least some Albanians willing to work.Prishtina's drug smuggler-human traffickers economy is helped too: the entrepreneurs have to work more making the holes in the wall to get their merch on the other side, thus charging more for their services. The wall has to be patched up. And the beat goes on.

Russia, China and India can't even feed their own people let alone be superpowers. There is only one Superpower and I think everyone knows who that is.
(Michael R., 27 December 2009 21:16)

And just how well is America doing in this department?
Michael Moore would be the best person to ask bout the homless and sick in America and just how many of them are there.

Yes, UN is ruling Kosovo. Please check 1244. Kosovo is still a Serbian province. Like Abkhazia is a Georgian regions.

No double standards!

Pristina needs to cooperate with Belgrade. Don't get it twisted Mrs. Lobbiest from The brave and the Free.. for Independent kosovo

No Joe, I wouldn't call the BBC reporter "Russophobic" because the article mentions the alarming population decline. It does not however connect this issue with a decline in international standing. True the population decline is certainly a critical issue, and true the standard of living in Russia has plummeted over the last 20 years. That was never really in doubt. But I think neither you nor I doubt that Russia will continue to be a major regional power in the years and decades to come.

You also point out Russia's policy "constant bullying". While you have certainly laid bare your distaste for Russia, I wonder if you would simply equate these tactics with Realpolitik? Certainly the United States is no stranger to such tactics, and you have on a number of occasions here been proud to boast of America's power as a military power that pressure smaller powers into cooperation. You're certainly no critic of American Realpolitik, and that is your own opinion. But I've always argued that if America can do it, why can't other powers with similar capabilities? While I approve of neither, Russia’s actions in Georgia are no less (ig)noble than our actions in Serbia. If you want to argue that Russia’s operating on a “monkey see, money do” policy, then ok, but I used the term “Russophobia” because you clearly disapprove of similar tactics pursued by Moscow. Again, it’s neither right nor wrong what they or America does. It’s part of the world system that strong power use the capabilities given to them. I would certainly not write Russia off.

Mike,

Please read this link.http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7971719.stm
Will you call this journalist a "Russophobic" too because he describes some hard facts?
As for Russia nobody denies her regional power status. The same goes for Germany and France. What some people however dislike with Russia is the constant bullying of her small neighbors. Is it really necessary? France and Germany don't do it with their small neighbors. Is this bullying a sign of insecurity? ...a tendancy to appear more important than her regional status?

"As far as the eventual membership of Serbia in NATO is concerned, Brush said that the decision is up to Serbia to make, but that the U.S. and Alliance members believe that NATO membership would be good for Serbia."

Good for Serbia or good for the Yankees themselves? Obama faces growing domestic pressure in the face of the growing number of body bags returning from Afghanistan, Iraq etc. And the only way out is to have foreign suckers replace US soldiers to these places.

Belgrade should not be tricked by honeyed words from a someone who clearly speaks with a forked tongue.

"Russia, China and India can't even feed their own people let alone be superpowers. There is only one Superpower and I think everyone knows who that is.
(Michael R., 27 December 2009 21:16) "

Yes, we know who this "superpower" is. It is still vain enough to call itself the world's richest country although it is all but bankrupt in reality. http://www.federalbudget.com/

And it is, in case you didn't know, futilely begging the Chinese (who "can't even feed their own people" according to you) to buy up its financial IOUs.

"5. You guys keep mentioning China, but U.S. debt enabled China's prosperity. The only reason China grew this year was large government spending to prop up the economy. It can't last forever. In the near to medium term most Asian countries, China and India included, will not be going anywhere fast if U.S. demand does not pick up.

6. Sj...please stop worrying about Albanians freezing their butts off unless Russia decides to be gracious. Albania is currently sitting on trillions of cubic feet of the stuff located in the north of the country. In the not-so-distant future, I'm fairly certaing, those reservers will be able to supply Albania, Kosovo, and a host of neighbors for a fraction of the cost of South Stream.

Regarding the tone of the U.S., as printed in B92, yes, it does sound a bit arrogant...especially when compared to the tone Russia adopts when dealing with Georgia, Ukraine, Poland, and every other country in its erstwhile "backyard."

One more thing...among the countries in serious trouble from climate change...are China and India two classic cases of "cutting off the nose to spite the face."
(Ment, 28 December 2009 20:35"

For your info, the Chinese are diversifying away from the US market to others and their own fast growing domestic one. They are no longer enamored with the greenback for obvious reasons and in fact are actively finding ways to rid themselves of their current levels of dollar reserves. The US will soon be broke and left high and dry.

As for Albanian oil reserves, well, when you guys bring it out of the sea, maybe we will finally see an end to your rampant trafickings in drugs, human and body organs. But until the oil comes out of the ground, continue to freeze in the butt. By the way, I am not sure if your figures for Albanian oil reserves are exaggerated. I noted that you did not provide any reliable source for your trillions-of-cubic-feet claim -- we normally measure oil reserves in barrels don't we? And remember not all oil reserves are geologically recoverable -- I am not sure to what extent is your Albanian reserves commercially viable -- again no relilable data source from you.

If China and India are cutting their noses over the climate issue, I would think that the US would be amputated at least an arm and a leg -- it is currently the world's largest carbon emitter and continues to give excuses at Cophenhagen when asked to bite the bullet and take the required stiff cuts in emissions for its own sake.

Well Zoran, the US doesen't ínsist on serbia to recognize Kosovo but wants to make sure that Serbia understands that there will be no negotiation and Kosovo will stay independent as long as US exist.


And how is Kosovo an ''prison camp'' when we have good relations with all our neighbours beside Serbia and are recognized by all important countrys of the world like Great Britian,US,France,Germany,Italy,Sweden,Japan and many others?


Me and you both knows that Serbia will not be an EU memberstate before it recognize Kosovo . Do you think Tadic will give up EU to fight an allready lost battle for Kosovo ?


Kosovo independence is an strong reality and Serbia can't do nothing to block it.Recognition will come with time but the most important thing for Kosovo is the devolpment of the country. In that way Kosovo will be equal to neighbouring countrys and Serbia will not even dare to lay it's eye on Kosovo. That day will come and there is no need for more recognition. An UN seat is no worth for Kosovo because we allready got an seat at Un through Albania. We have a vote as albanians. When Kosovo have an UN seat then albanians have to votes at the UN.

Never heard or known an albanian called Mirub,maybe you know them better than i do....i am albanian though.
(blunt, 28 December 2009 18:45)

Just happened that one was with me in the army. Mirub Kuqi from Pristina. Maybe he was not Albanian but identified himself as one. He got beaten by two Slovenians, I defended him many times. Maybe he was Turkish?

For your information, sj, our poor in the USA would be considered middle class in Russia and Serbia. Sad but true, our pet animals live better than most people in the world .(Michael R., 28 December 2009 21:03)
I have to give credit to people like you who are so “patriotic” towards their adopted country.
Your statement has the smell of “I have never been there but the media tells me it bad over there”. I have been to a lot of places and yes there are good and bad bits everywhere, but considering that the US boasts its superiority in everything I was amazed at the level poverty within the State of New York; then the level of poverty in the States around the great lakes; Georgia; Alabama etc. The similarities between these places and parts of Sudan and Somalia have to be seen to be believed. The only thing missing was a soup kitchen flying the UN flag.
Your high standard of living is due to China’s lending your Government money. I’ll ask you to tell me the conditions when the lending stops and you have to start paying it back.

"I know the idea of frozen Albanians gives a few posters here pleasant wet dreams, but so sorry...we're not in Northern Europe.

(Ment, 29 December 2009 00:22)"

What about the idea of frozen K-Serbs? Do you derive pleasant wet dreams from it? http://www.b92.net/eng/news/society-article.php?yyyy=2009&mm=12&dd=25&nav_id=64021

Joe wrote:

"Please check the GDP of those 3 countries. Yes China is important and will be a superpower. The Chinese are smart and we can work with them. We respect them. India is our friend. We work with Indian firms on a daily basis. Myself I will do it tomorrow because most of our team is in India."

So when are China and India going to recognise you and establish diplomatic relations?
You need this in order to have serious investment in Kosovo from them.

For your information, sj,
our poor in the USA would be considered middle class in Russia and Serbia. Sad but true, our pet animals live better than most people in the world .
(Michael R., 28 December 2009 21:03)

Really! So the middle class in Serbia sleep in and around dumpsters, park benches and under bridges.

If you are going to lie, please choose a lie which has some fabricated evidence to support it. It might have a chance to fly.

Demi wrote:

"And how is Kosovo an ''prison camp'' when we have good relations with all our neighbours beside Serbia and are recognized by all important countrys of the world like Great Britian,US,France,Germany,Italy,Sweden,Japan and many others? "

So how much investment is Kosovo getting from their mates?
Good intentions are fine but back them up with cold hard investment.

Ms. Brush is being both frank and honest by stating that Belgrade must cooperate with Prishtina. Otherwise, Serbia's chances for entering the EU, which she so desperately needs to do, will result in more isolation for Serbia. Remember, visa restrictions can be imposed again and the SAA privilage, at
any time, can be rescinded.

Guys, aren't you bored with all this long lasting rhetoric? Haven't you noticed that you're all saying the same things without really listening and discussing?

Mike, sj
========

Speaking of Russia...

1. the population decline is a big problem for that country (Putin started bribing couples to increase fertility after all)

2. the biggest problem with Russia is the fact that the engine of its economy is the selling of raw materials. It has little else to offer. In the absense of the rule of law and wanton confiscations of Western companies' properties, Gazprom has been unable to invest in new capacity in sometime now. It simply does not possess the expertise that the Western oil companies have.

3. South Stream will take a LONG time (if ever) to develop. Gazprom is hugely in debt and Nabucco costs only half as much.

4. Technological advancements in the "finished" U.S. have created a glut of gas in the States. It may even make the U.S. an exporter of the natural gas, relieving a lot of pressure on the supply side of gas for Europe (and the rest of the world actually). I'm willing to bet the new technologies will be used in the EU as well to get more gas out. This equals diversification of supply. Russia should be worried.

5. You guys keep mentioning China, but U.S. debt enabled China's prosperity. The only reason China grew this year was large government spending to prop up the economy. It can't last forever. In the near to medium term most Asian countries, China and India included, will not be going anywhere fast if U.S. demand does not pick up.

6. Sj...please stop worrying about Albanians freezing their butts off unless Russia decides to be gracious. Albania is currently sitting on trillions of cubic feet of the stuff located in the north of the country. In the not-so-distant future, I'm fairly certaing, those reservers will be able to supply Albania, Kosovo, and a host of neighbors for a fraction of the cost of South Stream.

Regarding the tone of the U.S., as printed in B92, yes, it does sound a bit arrogant...especially when compared to the tone Russia adopts when dealing with Georgia, Ukraine, Poland, and every other country in its erstwhile "backyard."

One more thing...among the countries in serious trouble from climate change...are China and India two classic cases of "cutting off the nose to spite the face."

(Logic, 27 December 2009 22:41)

First off my name is Ian not Lan.
Secondly I never knew there was a wall between East and West Germany as you implied. I knew that there was a wall around West Berlin which we commonly know as the "Berlin Wall".
Also I said that Kosovo and Serbia should unofficially co-operate with one another for humanitarian reasons like East and West Germany did.
Kosovo is Serbia's de facto neighbour to the South, even though Serbia refuses to recognise Kosovo, Serbia will have to start working with the Kosovar authorities in some shape or form.

Time will tell though... either one of us might end up being very surprised.
(Ment, 28 December 2009 23:46)

A couple of dollars in the right places and the gas fields will belong to Gazprom no matter how much you Albanians dislike the Russians.
I strongly suggest that you get a map of the region because Albania borders with Serbia, Greece, Montenegro and Macedonia. However, if your thinking of Kosovo, your only there temporarily and you are not allowed to put a toothpick in the ground without Belgrade giving you the green light. Ask yourself the question; Kosovo is a “member” for the world bank and IMF – why don’t you get a loan???? If you want the answer let me know!
I like dealing with you guys, you’re so simple to pick off. Have you any idea the cost of building a pipeline through Montenegro??? For your information its very mountainous and that why pipelines are constructed on flat ground – it’s cheaper. Where would you go with a pipeline through Macedonia?? Would you go then through Romania, Hungary then Croatia with a branch line to Bosnia (the Croat/Bosniak part)??

It seems that our neophyte propagandists have not been properly schooled. In the last 20 years, if any of their "predictions" had come true then the USA would be enslaved by Serbia and Russia by now. However, we in the USA still continue to enjoy the highest standard of living in the world.

By Mike's own admission, Russia has failed miserably! So I ask, when are all the doom and gloom scenarios going to take place in the USA so I can move to Serbia.

Let me close by posting one of the most bizarre comments I have ever read:

You beloved US has 70 million poor and between 6 to 7 million live on the streets or in parks. Now what was that about Russians; maybe now you might need a drink eh?
(sj, 28 December 2009 07:00)

For your information, sj,
our poor in the USA would be considered middle class in Russia and Serbia. Sad but true, our pet animals live better than most people in the world .

Sj
===

Well, I used the following article regarding Albania's reserves...

http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/main/news/7297/

Then again... I might be wrong.

Second...Albania at least, uses mostly electric appliances for heating, not gas. (I'm willing to bet you did not know that). So whatever you might believe...no freezing for us any time soon. Oh and did I mention, our winters are fairly mild?

Third...

I would be very surprised indeed if Gazprom would be able to buy what you say.

I think you underestimate how strong anti-Russian feelings run in Albania.

Finally, Italy and Greece aren't our only neighbors.

Montenegro, Macedonia, Bosnia, Croatia are currently not included in either pipeline, so there you go. I never claimed Albania would be able to supply the entire Europe.

Time will tell though... either one of us might end up being very surprised.

Rastko
" You might be American (by birth or naturalized) but your name Mirub is definitely Albanian"

Never heard or known an albanian called Mirub,maybe you know them better than i do....i am albanian though.

(Ment, 28 December 2009 20:35)

Ment, you see I know a little more about the resources in that region than you. In the first instance those reserves are not that big so the Albanians will freeze if they don’t get gas from Southstream. Watch and learn. Secondly, where are you going to transport that gas to? Italy; it will not agree to have a pipeline over its territory; perhaps through Serbia? I think not; Greece, Oh, I don’t think so; Bulgaria, no.
Here is something in the wind that might also dampen your future – Gasprom will end up buying those reserves for a fraction of the cost by bribing Albanian’s politicians.
If your that ignorant and don’t understand then here is an explanation; Russia’s dealings with Georgia, Ukraine and Poland is the same as the US dealings with Serbia, Iraq, Iran, and anyone else that does not sing its praises. It’s called global politics.

"As far as China...yes, it is trying to diversify away (primarily by attempting to boost it's own consumption) but it's a process that will take quite a bit of time to put it mildly. The Chinese save excessively because they have no public safety net to speak of. That's not the sort of thing you change overnight, whatever the Chinese government may wish. As I mentioned earlier, China's fortunes for the time being rest with consumption in the West.

In the mean time, Americans are already learning to live within their means. In the longer term that should lead to a more balanced world and U.S., and Chinese economy. No one looses really.
(Ment, 29 December 2009 00:22)"

China may still be exporting a lot to the West but don't forget it gives the West lots if not even more business in return. This current dependence is not one way as you seemed to think, and it will gradually decline in the years ahead.

Americans learning to live within their means after decades of spendthriftness???? I am reminded here of a couple of English sayings: "The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak", "old habits die hard" and the one about not expecting the leopard to change its spots. Meanwhile its deficit continue to hit record levels unseen before in the entire history of our planet! http://www.brillig.com/debt_clock/

"I know the idea of frozen Albanians gives a few posters here pleasant wet dreams"


that just looks all wrong. I would hate it if any people froze to death.

Kosovo's Albanians may bow down to their American Lords, but Serbians don't. Too bad for you. By the way, I'm American, why don't you bow down to me too?

If albanians don't like to live in Serbia - so maybe Serbia could doing similar like Israel - build wall along Ibar and around serbian enclaves in Kosovo and leave rest for Albanians for build their own black hole.

"Lowe
====

You asked for my opinion...I gave you my opinion. Other Serbs/Albanians have other opinions...it's none of my business. I don't speak for them, they don't speak for me.

If there are Serb families that are not paying bills because they cannot afford them, then I can definitely sympathize. Many Albanian families in Albania have the same problem. In these cases, I have nothing against KEK working out an arrangement with these folk.

The situation I'm talking about involves those Kosovo Serbs that refuse to pay bills because the don't "recognize" KEK as a legitimate institution, since it answers to Prishtina rather than Belgrade. Same applies to those Serb-dominated medical institutions in Kosovo that refuse to fill out the proper paperwork for medications required by Prishtina with the excuse that they don't "recognize" that government...thereby jeopardizing the lives of Serb patients in their care.

The Kosovo Serbs have selected their patron...Belgrade and Kosovo Albanians have Prishtina. Let these two entities alone play their political games. That's what they were elected to do.
(Ment, 30 December 2009 18:04) "

You have conveniently gone from alleging that there are people who derive pleasure from freezing Albanians to now professing to sympathize (from a distance) with freezing K-Serbs. The turnaround is so abrupt but convenient is it not? Don't expect me to buy it though.

"Lowe
====

No, frozen Serbs are not my idea of entertainment at all.

I also believe you should not be playing politics with your electric bills...that's the business of Belgrade and Prishtina.

(Ment, 29 December 2009 18:38)"

So you don't approve of Serbs left to freeze in poorly insulated containers in winter? Good. Then go tell the many K-Albanians who obviously do.

And if not paying your electrical bills because you have no job (due to discrimination and lack of physical security) is playing politics, why don't you voluntarily shut down the heating at your home for the rest of winter and tell me whether playing such games is fun or not.

Lowe
====

You asked for my opinion...I gave you my opinion. Other Serbs/Albanians have other opinions...it's none of my business. I don't speak for them, they don't speak for me.

If there are Serb families that are not paying bills because they cannot afford them, then I can definitely sympathize. Many Albanian families in Albania have the same problem. In these cases, I have nothing against KEK working out an arrangement with these folk.

The situation I'm talking about involves those Kosovo Serbs that refuse to pay bills because the don't "recognize" KEK as a legitimate institution, since it answers to Prishtina rather than Belgrade. Same applies to those Serb-dominated medical institutions in Kosovo that refuse to fill out the proper paperwork for medications required by Prishtina with the excuse that they don't "recognize" that government...thereby jeopardizing the lives of Serb patients in their care.

The Kosovo Serbs have selected their patron...Belgrade and Kosovo Albanians have Prishtina. Let these two entities alone play their political games. That's what they were elected to do.

Lowe
=====

South Stream is a natural gas pipeline and I was talking about natural gas.

At least bother to read the article and the comment in its entirety first before jumping into the usual rant about trafficking and what not.

Now, I'm no expert on this stuff...but here's the link (I posted it earlier for the benefit of sj too)

And again, the only reason why Albania would be worried about "losing" South Stream is not because of the "freezing Albanians" but rather the pipeline royalties it would miss out on.

Once again, Albania does not presently have a natural gas infrastructure and it relies mostly on electricity for its heating needs.

I know the idea of frozen Albanians gives a few posters here pleasant wet dreams, but so sorry...we're not in Northern Europe.

As far as China...yes, it is trying to diversify away (primarily by attempting to boost it's own consumption) but it's a process that will take quite a bit of time to put it mildly. The Chinese save excessively because they have no public safety net to speak of. That's not the sort of thing you change overnight, whatever the Chinese government may wish. As I mentioned earlier, China's fortunes for the time being rest with consumption in the West.

In the mean time, Americans are already learning to live within their means. In the longer term that should lead to a more balanced world and U.S., and Chinese economy. No one looses really.

Lowe
====

No, frozen Serbs are not my idea of entertainment at all.

I also believe you should not be playing politics with your electric bills...that's the business of Belgrade and Prishtina.

Sj
==

Sounds like a lot of wishful thinking to me...but hey, whatever floats your boat.

The only hope Kosovo has of any peaceful and prosperous future is to return to the negotiating table but first the criminal in Pristina need to be replaced with moderate politicians.
(Zoran, 27 December 2009 14:54)

It will never happend!! Kosovo since 1999 is peaceful and the people are free and safe. Kosovo has a more prosperous future now than before 1999 and the country is doing real good since Serbia got out of the picture. You can negotiate with who ever you want but you will never negotiate with albanians. We have settled our so called status and it is a done deal. OPnly with war you have a small chance to change that.


And Yes Serbia will recognize Kosovo, be an Nato member and get into EU. There is no other way if you dont want to be an Russian province ofcourse.

The US was responsible for bankrolling both financially and morally the UCK's cleansing of Kosovo between 1999 - 2004. The US should hang its head in shame and repent for its aggressive actions in former YU and elsewhere around the world.
(iseult henry, 27 December 2009 16:24)

US is proud for all we did. We did it in the name of Liberty, Democracy and Peace. We may have made some mistakes but those are miniscule in comparison with good deeds. One has to be reminded thet it was the US liberating Europe and rebuilding it into a region leading the world in many spheres. It was US who stopped Saddam into Kuwait. It is US donating billions in food and medicines and dollars to fight hunger, sicknesses, Aids, and wars.

When will True Serbs -the European ones - wake up and take over Serbia and chase all pro-russians to Bellorussia where they belong.

Serbia belongs in Nato, EU, side by side with all Ballkans state: Albania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, Bosnia, Sllovenia, and Rumania,

"The UN is in control. Not the US!"
Zoran

If US pays for and hosts UN then US is in control not some Mickey Mouse countries members of UN. US is an Empire like it or not and you have a choice as our President Bush put it "are you with us or against us".

Brush said that Serbia needs to define what it means by military neutrality.
--
It means Serbia will never join NATO or any other immoral organisation. There will never be any co-operation with terrorists and criminals in Pristina either.

The only hope Kosovo has of any peaceful and prosperous future is to return to the negotiating table but first the criminal in Pristina need to be replaced with moderate politicians.

Ron,

Are u serious when claiming the UN rules Kosovo ??? I don't want to be cynical but UN is so active in Kosovo that I honestly don't even remember the name of UNMIK's chief....
The last and only time I saw and heard of him was at New York when he made his annual statement on the situation in Kosovo...his predecessors were omnipresent !!! and never hesitate to quash kosovo government's acts if necessary...

I'm sorry but now, it's obvious to anyone that UNMIK doesn't exist any more.....at least it's powerless...

tom,

Please check the GDP of those 3 countries. Yes China is important and will be a superpower. The Chinese are smart and we can work with them. We respect them. India is our friend. We work with Indian firms on a daily basis. Myself I will do it tomorrow because most of our team is in India.
As for unfriendly Russia it stopped to be a superpover after the collapse of 1991. Because of a shrinking population (could go down to 100 millions by 2050 due to alkoholism)and a long list of problems Russia never can be a superpover again.

Lot of nonsences... From one side - USA don't expect that Serbia recognize Kosovo’s pseudoindependence, but "must" cooperate with illegal state. If ICJ will declare, that UDI was illegal - for USA this is nothing (so - probably international law is for USA nothing). Military neutrality of Serbia - is for USA "unclear". They attacked Serbia in 1999 without declaring war - and today they expected good relations with them.

No, thanks. I don't need similar country as a "friend".

In the foreseeable future, I cannot see Serbia recognising Kosovo and I cannot see Kosovo giving up it's independence. I think it would be best for humanitarian reasons if Kosovo and Serbia co-operated with one another in the same way East and West Germany did. Therefore I think Serbia's and Kosovo's police should work together and their security forces should work together to stop international terrorism, organised crime, epidemics, and for the case of natural disasters. So for humanitarian reasons I think Kosovar and Serbian authorities should work with one another.

Serbia must coooperate with UNMIK.

Girls, boys, let's stop the nonsense. Kosovo is a Serbian province ruled by UN. There is no such thing as an independent Kosovo!

The UN is control. Not the US!

Or does the US say to Georgia that it should cooperate with Abkhazia and South Ossetia?

No double standards please!

"Brush said that Serbia needs to define what it means by military neutrality."

What it means Brush is that Serbia wants to remain neutral and peacful by not joining NATO.

The United States is still speaking in the imperative case; still dictating the conditions. You must, you will, I command you.

The US was responsible for bankrolling both financially and morally the UCK's cleansing of Kosovo between 1999 - 2004. The US should hang its head in shame and repent for its aggressive actions in former YU and elsewhere around the world.

Dear fellow readers,

As usual, U.S. imperial officials issue directives to the "natives" around important dates on the calendar, just to remind us about who sets the agenda.

They advise us to cooperate with KLA criminals and terrorists, while simultaneously urging us to join NATO to help them in the "war on terror".

Telegraphing her punches in advance, Jennifer Brush tells Serbia that she will be instructing the KLA regime in Pristina to refuse to schedule any status talks with Serbia in the event that the U.S. efforts to influence the ICJ are not successful. Nothing new there.

It is nice to hear that the U.S. and its vassal NATO hangers on would like to substitute some Serbian cannon-fodder for the unemployed members of their own underclasses that they are firing into the breach against Islamic fundamentalists that they originally programmed to undermine Russia. But only a fool would consent to join the same criminal NATO organization that attacked Serbia. It seems that U.S. officials such as Ms. Brush don't remember Lincoln's remark: "You can't fool all of the people all of the time."

As for her calling on Serbia to define what it means by military neutrality... there is no doubt that the U.S. embassy is not satisfied with pulling the strings of the Serbian government and now want to take the next logical step by acquiring a right to mis-interpret the Serbian constitution at will. To call NATO an extension of multilateral relations is so patently absurd that one has to wonder what B92's brave interviewer said in response...

The comment that "President Tadić and former ambassador Cameron Munter had a lot to do with the improved [bilateral] relations" is nothing more than a confirmation that the State Department's deployment of Munter to Serbia was precisely intended to facilitate direct meddling in the Serbian political process.

However, it would be a serious mistake to misinterpret all of this as some kind of progress on the U.S. agenda for the neutering and complete occupation of Serbia. On the contrary, the increasing transparency of the foreign meddling in this country, combined with the arrogant and condescending manner in which such U.S. apparatchiks dictate to the free-spirited Serbian people can have no other result except to bring a complete reversal of the occupation and of even the most basic U.S.-Serbian cooperation.

On that promising note, may I return my very best wishes for the New Year to all those fervently working on the doomed occupation project here in the blessed land of the truly free people Serbia.

Happy 2010!

SIncerely,

John Bosnitch
Journalist
Belgrade
e-mail: john.b@imcnews.com

nobody really cares what America says anymore they are not even a top 3 superpower anymore because RUSSIAN,CHINA,INDIA are the tops and what i got to say to this is America you should cooperate with CHINA,RUSSIA,INDIA even though nobody will tell you to recognise their superpower status.
(tom, 27 December 2009 17:24)

Tom,

Russia, China and India can't even feed their own people let alone be superpowers. There is only one Superpower and I think everyone knows who that is.

Ms. Brush is being both frank and honest by stating that Belgrade must cooperate with Prishtina. Otherwise, Serbia's chances for entering the EU, which she so desperately needs to do, will result in more isolation for Serbia. Remember, visa restrictions can be imposed again and the SAA privilage, at
any time, can be rescinded.

I dont know if american officials are this stupid or if they think Serbians are?
She wants Serbs to cooperate with albanian government in Kosmet,that in itself would suggest recognition.
As for biden, to suggest his visiting Serbia can absolve him for his feverish lobbying for the destruction of serbia is perverse.

"There is no other way if you dont want to be an Russian province ofcourse."
Demi

In that case we'll be a Russian province because as long as there is a Serbia Kosovo will belong to it. Kosovo is Serbian territory, regardless of how many albanians live there. Sooner or later it will get back to its rightfull owners the Serbs.

(Logic, 27 December 2009 22:41)

First off my name is Ian not Lan.
Secondly I never knew there was a wall between East and West Germany as you implied. I knew that there was a wall around West Berlin which we commonly know as the "Berlin Wall".
Also I said that Kosovo and Serbia should unofficially co-operate with one another for humanitarian reasons like East and West Germany did.
Kosovo is Serbia's de facto neighbour to the South, even though Serbia refuses to recognise Kosovo, Serbia will have to start working with the Kosovar authorities in some shape or form.

How about Washington recognize the Republic Of Texas and have dialogue with them, as equals, independent and sovereign nations. Will that ever happen? Not a chance!

Yes Demi, we have people like you living in the Eest and dictating terms for Kosovo Albanians. If everything is so find and dandy, tell me why the US insists on Belgrade co-operating with Pristina? We all know it's not for the benefit of Serbians.

The fact is that Kosovo Albanians do not want to live in a prison camp all of their lives and they will have a choice to either negotiate or to remain in a black hole. Fortuntely, it will be their decision on not those living comfortably in the West.

Serbia will never recognise Kosovo and neither will it become a member of NATO. Pressure is being applied now only because the cookie is crumbling.

nobody really cares what America says anymore they are not even a top 3 superpower anymore because RUSSIAN,CHINA,INDIA are the tops and what i got to say to this is America you should cooperate with CHINA,RUSSIA,INDIA even though nobody will tell you to recognise their superpower status.

US is proud for all we did. We did it in the name of Liberty, Democracy and Peace. We may have made some mistakes but those are miniscule in comparison with good deeds. One has to be reminded thet it was the US liberating Europe and rebuilding it into a region leading the world in many spheres. It was US who stopped Saddam into Kuwait. It is US donating billions in food and medicines and dollars to fight hunger, sicknesses, Aids, and wars.
(Mirub Jager, 27 December 2009 18:02)

I never heard such a narrow minded views. Not even from one American. You might be American (by birth or naturalized) but your name Mirub is definitely Albanian. So now i can understand your comments. You have liberated Europe, as far as i remember Albanians were on the other side. I just wonder if you forgot about your Albanian roots?

Mrs. Brush! There is NO WAY that Serbia will cooperate with your "PUPPETS" in Pristina. Kosovo is a part of Serbia whether the US accept this or not.

and if the ICJ declared that the kosovo independence declaration was illegal then the US should accept and encourage pristina to go back to the negotiating table for status talks.

The USA must understand: it is NOT for Belgrade to cooperate with Pristina, it is FOR Pristina to cooperate with Belgrade. Who should the people of Kosovo serve? The people of Kosovo should render unto the Serbs that which belongs unto the Serbs and render unto the Albanians that which belongs unto the ALbanians. But, because of USA & NATO imperialism, Pristina has taken everything, both Albanian and Serbian.

Mike,

Please read this link.http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7971719.stm
Will you call this journalist a "Russophobic" too because he describes some hard facts?
As for Russia nobody denies her regional power status. The same goes for Germany and France. What some people however dislike with Russia is the constant bullying of her small neighbors. Is it really necessary? France and Germany don't do it with their small neighbors. Is this bullying a sign of insecurity? ...a tendancy to appear more important than her regional status?

'Jennifer Brush, said that Belgrade must cooperate with Priština.'

How dare you, Ms. Brush. Who in the hell do you think you are?

It was the Democratic Party led Regime in Washington in the late 90s that engineered the conflict in Kosovo i Metohija with all their connivance and sordid antics.

It was your regime, Ms. Brush, that backed and urged on a terrorist organisation in the Southern Serbian Province to torment its own Albanian people as well as the minority Serbs and Roma.

When Madeleine Albright was told by her lawyers that the bombing of Serbia was illegal and broke International Law, she simply retorted with the arrogant, ignorant statement; "Well then, let's hire new lawyers"

Ms.Brush, instead of your arrogant pontificating to Serbia, it is now high time you got your regime back in Washington to begin to make amends to the Serb Nation for the litany of atrocities which Washington committed over the last 2 decades, throughout the Balkans.

MB,Ireland

Allow me first to state MIRUB is not an Albanian name.
Serbia should thank USA for not letting Russia go into Yugoslavia with tanks as they did in Hungary, Chzekoslovakia, Poland, Afganistan, Georgia etc.

There is no power in the world more benevolent and righteous than USA and there has never been such as history tells.
To the USA bashers:If tomorrow the requirement of visas from Serbia to US is annulled 99% of those Serbs that can afford a ticket to New York would be fighting to get on the first plane.

To the economists that know about USA troubles but they solved their own, I say; Other Peoples Money. China is other people.
USA is and will be by far the strongest economy for a long long time. Strong economy grants a super-power status.
USA gives to every country around the world financial assistance. Somehow even If they don't like it they never say NO.
Therefore, Kosovo is in good hands. I was just an intern in a law firm when I met VP Biden then a senator. A Kosovar-American co-worker was talking to him when he said " Don't you worry about a thing, You gyus are on the good side".

Funny US telling Serbia to cooperate with terrorist who stole our land with US help and NATO aggression.

By the way, how long has that joke of an embargo been going on against Cuba. Is anyone telling the US what it must do? Hmmmm....

Once again spokespeople for my country act as if they just were made aware of international relations yesterday:

1. US: Belgrade must cooperate with Pristina even though we don't expect, nor are we forcing, them to recognize Kosovo

-- Serbia is already cooperating with the necessary respresentatives in Pristina, namely EULEX. Good cooperation produced a status neutral agreement with the one power with sole executive authority in the protectorate, as well as cooperation between EULEX police and Serbian MUPs. Belgrade even got 4 more municipalities out of the deal. I don't know what other type of cooperation the US expects since I haven't seen one gesture from the Albanians towards Belgrade.

2. US: Serbia should join NATO. What's with this neutral military thing?

-- Personally, I'm all in favor of Serbia remaining neutral, 1999 notwithstanding. NATO's purpose in Europe has served its end. As a member of the PfP, Serbia can enjoy good cooperation with NATO without having to pay its annual dues, nor ship its soldiers overseas. I wouldn't be surprised if more countries already a part of NATO would want to break away.

3. US: Relations were dignificantly improved with Biden's visit.

-- Hitting the "reset" button is certainly a start, but let's not assume everyone's happy hunky dory now. Biden's rather symbolic visit was matched by Medvedev's substantive visit. If Washington truly wants Belgrade as a strategic partner, it's going to have to do more than make nice faces for the photos.

Joe, unfortunately you’re just another Albanian. I was talking about China for a long time, but was ridiculed by your Albanians, but now that China is No 2 world economy and very soon No1, you can work with them, but they have not recognized Kosovo and neither is your new other “best friend” India. Now you go to India with your team and make sure you clean all the toilets properly.
Here is a promise we can keep, when the south stream gas pipeline goes through Serbia and a branch line is supposed to go to Albania, well if you like we can stop it from being built and your Albanians can freeze their butts off. Just drop a line if you wants us to do this.
Haven’t you also heard that you beloved US approached pleading China to recognize Kosovo, they just flatly refused. Haven’t you seen how China belittled the mighty US of A in Copenhagen in front of the world, but maybe not seeing that the freedom loving press in the west has not mentioned a word, how democratic of them.
I don’t think you even understand what GDP means let alone how the economy of a third world country like Albania functions, but you can GDP all you like but the fact is that the US is finished.
Here is also something for you Albanians to chew over. NATO went to Moscow to ask the Russians for help in Afghanistan and the Russians gave them a list of conditions to fulfill before lifting a finger. The latest information is that NATO will accept those conditions and when it does you guys are FINISHED – no more Kosovo.
You beloved US has 70 million poor and between 6 to 7 million live on the streets or in parks. Now what was that about Russians; maybe now you might need a drink eh?

There is an old Serbian saying that goes something like “pricaj usta da nebudnu pusta”; meaning open your mouth and say anything so that is not barren regardless of how stupid it may sound. Now you can read Ms Jennifer Brush opening her mouth to make sure that people notice that the US is in Belgrade, but there is another old saying in English and it goes something like “it is better to keep ones mouth closed and be through of as a fool than to open it and remove any doubt”.
Here is my challenge to Ms Brush, how about you convince Microsoft to open a factory in Pristina and improve the life of your allies and then you might not be laughed at all the time you guys open your mouths.

It seems that our neophyte propagandists have not been properly schooled. In the last 20 years, if any of their "predictions" had come true then the USA would be enslaved by Serbia and Russia by now. However, we in the USA still continue to enjoy the highest standard of living in the world.

By Mike's own admission, Russia has failed miserably! So I ask, when are all the doom and gloom scenarios going to take place in the USA so I can move to Serbia.

Let me close by posting one of the most bizarre comments I have ever read:

You beloved US has 70 million poor and between 6 to 7 million live on the streets or in parks. Now what was that about Russians; maybe now you might need a drink eh?
(sj, 28 December 2009 07:00)

For your information, sj,
our poor in the USA would be considered middle class in Russia and Serbia. Sad but true, our pet animals live better than most people in the world .

Russia, China and India can't even feed their own people let alone be superpowers. There is only one Superpower and I think everyone knows who that is.
(Michael R., 27 December 2009 21:16)

And just how well is America doing in this department?
Michael Moore would be the best person to ask bout the homless and sick in America and just how many of them are there.

@ LAN UK
You are proposing East-West Germany model for Belgrade-Prishtina cooperation? Bild a wall? That sounds great, and would solve a few problems right away. Belgrade should provide the material for the wall and pay the work force. Prishtina supplies the work force and solves the unemployment problem for at least some Albanians willing to work.Prishtina's drug smuggler-human traffickers economy is helped too: the entrepreneurs have to work more making the holes in the wall to get their merch on the other side, thus charging more for their services. The wall has to be patched up. And the beat goes on.

Yes, UN is ruling Kosovo. Please check 1244. Kosovo is still a Serbian province. Like Abkhazia is a Georgian regions.

No double standards!

Pristina needs to cooperate with Belgrade. Don't get it twisted Mrs. Lobbiest from The brave and the Free.. for Independent kosovo

Mirub,

I'm sure your voice sounds good to you, as you gaze into the mirror in the bathroom, after brushing your teeth; but you speaking in the name of the U.S. as some moral or just voice - who you kidding?

@Mirub: you wrote: "US is proud for all we did. We did it in the name of Liberty, Democracy and Peace. We may have made some mistakes but those are miniscule in comparison with good deeds. One has to be reminded thet it was the US liberating Europe and rebuilding it into a region leading the world in many spheres. It was US who stopped Saddam into Kuwait. It is US donating billions in food and medicines and dollars to fight hunger, sicknesses, Aids, and wars.

So, we still, after 65 years be happy what they did? I was not there! After that the Americans invaded dozens countries and installed puppet regimes (Chili and others). And Iraq, what has that to do with Europe, besided that we all know it was a big lie when you invaded Iraq, it is occupation, not liberation!! The aid they give is really small compared to many other countries and doesn't go to europe/Serbia. I am not interested where it goes but believe me, The Netherlands is by far ahead of support to 3rd world countries. So better learn history and what is going on nowadays!

Serbia MUST nothing any more!!! Serbia has done more than enough of her MUSTS for the sake of her offenders, courtesy of West's illegal and bullying methods and demands.
Now is high time that the West do some MUSTS!!!Like the humanitarian MUST of bringing all of the etnically cleansed Kraina Serbs back to their land and homes.NOW!!!

Also,many of us Serbs would highly appreciate if you would restrain yourselves from insulting our intelligence with absurd offers and trying to "work" us like a bunch of saps ,and start treating us with respect that is well deserved for the centuries of sacrifice for fighting and defeating evil for all humanity.

The Serbs were among the first to get Kunnzl's book "How to Read Donald Duck?",and see his poster collection. We were "Socialists" at one time,and we've learned how to read "Donald Duck"long time ago,but that was before the duck went quackO.
One can still find them in Belgrade's used book stores. The books, that is.

Well Zoran, the US doesen't ínsist on serbia to recognize Kosovo but wants to make sure that Serbia understands that there will be no negotiation and Kosovo will stay independent as long as US exist.


And how is Kosovo an ''prison camp'' when we have good relations with all our neighbours beside Serbia and are recognized by all important countrys of the world like Great Britian,US,France,Germany,Italy,Sweden,Japan and many others?


Me and you both knows that Serbia will not be an EU memberstate before it recognize Kosovo . Do you think Tadic will give up EU to fight an allready lost battle for Kosovo ?


Kosovo independence is an strong reality and Serbia can't do nothing to block it.Recognition will come with time but the most important thing for Kosovo is the devolpment of the country. In that way Kosovo will be equal to neighbouring countrys and Serbia will not even dare to lay it's eye on Kosovo. That day will come and there is no need for more recognition. An UN seat is no worth for Kosovo because we allready got an seat at Un through Albania. We have a vote as albanians. When Kosovo have an UN seat then albanians have to votes at the UN.

"I think it would be best for humanitarian reasons if Kosovo and Serbia co-operated with one another in the same way East and West Germany did." (Ian UK)

-- Dear God, are you getting all practical on us Ian? :)

In theory there shouldn't be anything wrong with this at all. In fact, I seem to recall Wolfgang Ischinger made this very same proposal in November/December 2007 when he called for Kosovo to be "status neutral" for the indefinite future and, are you ready for this, was crazy enough to reinvigorate the "standards before status" condition.

It sounds great, but I hardly think people like Thaci, Sejdiu, Haradinaj, or Ceku would be willing do "agree to disagree". K-Albanian politics have sadly become too radicalized for compromise at this juncture.

"As far as the eventual membership of Serbia in NATO is concerned, Brush said that the decision is up to Serbia to make, but that the U.S. and Alliance members believe that NATO membership would be good for Serbia."

Good for Serbia or good for the Yankees themselves? Obama faces growing domestic pressure in the face of the growing number of body bags returning from Afghanistan, Iraq etc. And the only way out is to have foreign suckers replace US soldiers to these places.

Belgrade should not be tricked by honeyed words from a someone who clearly speaks with a forked tongue.

"Russia, China and India can't even feed their own people let alone be superpowers. There is only one Superpower and I think everyone knows who that is.
(Michael R., 27 December 2009 21:16) "

Yes, we know who this "superpower" is. It is still vain enough to call itself the world's richest country although it is all but bankrupt in reality. http://www.federalbudget.com/

And it is, in case you didn't know, futilely begging the Chinese (who "can't even feed their own people" according to you) to buy up its financial IOUs.

Mrs Brush should take notice of something very important, if she plans to have success in improving serbo-american relations:
Serbia does not have to cooperate with this cripple-freak-creation...

that is no option.

must? how about USA getting out of Serbia's business?

Mike, sj
========

Speaking of Russia...

1. the population decline is a big problem for that country (Putin started bribing couples to increase fertility after all)

2. the biggest problem with Russia is the fact that the engine of its economy is the selling of raw materials. It has little else to offer. In the absense of the rule of law and wanton confiscations of Western companies' properties, Gazprom has been unable to invest in new capacity in sometime now. It simply does not possess the expertise that the Western oil companies have.

3. South Stream will take a LONG time (if ever) to develop. Gazprom is hugely in debt and Nabucco costs only half as much.

4. Technological advancements in the "finished" U.S. have created a glut of gas in the States. It may even make the U.S. an exporter of the natural gas, relieving a lot of pressure on the supply side of gas for Europe (and the rest of the world actually). I'm willing to bet the new technologies will be used in the EU as well to get more gas out. This equals diversification of supply. Russia should be worried.

5. You guys keep mentioning China, but U.S. debt enabled China's prosperity. The only reason China grew this year was large government spending to prop up the economy. It can't last forever. In the near to medium term most Asian countries, China and India included, will not be going anywhere fast if U.S. demand does not pick up.

6. Sj...please stop worrying about Albanians freezing their butts off unless Russia decides to be gracious. Albania is currently sitting on trillions of cubic feet of the stuff located in the north of the country. In the not-so-distant future, I'm fairly certaing, those reservers will be able to supply Albania, Kosovo, and a host of neighbors for a fraction of the cost of South Stream.

Regarding the tone of the U.S., as printed in B92, yes, it does sound a bit arrogant...especially when compared to the tone Russia adopts when dealing with Georgia, Ukraine, Poland, and every other country in its erstwhile "backyard."

One more thing...among the countries in serious trouble from climate change...are China and India two classic cases of "cutting off the nose to spite the face."

"As for unfriendly Russia it stopped to be a superpover after the collapse of 1991. Because of a shrinking population (could go down to 100 millions by 2050 due to alkoholism)and a long list of problems Russia never can be a superpover again." (Joe)

-- I wouldn't necessarily dismiss “unfriendly” Russia (whatever that means) as glibly as you do, my Russophobic friend. True, we can't really call Russia a "superpower" in the Cold War sense anymore, but we can't call America that either since it never really had the global clout you like to think it did. Russia is certainly a regional power and has proven to be very capable in getting what it wants in Central Asia, the Caucasus, and Eastern Europe, and both America and the EU are smart enough to know the extent of their own international influence. If that weren't the case, Georgia would be whole, North and South Stream would be bankrupt, Ukraine would already be in NATO, and Serbia would be forced to acquiesce to the United States' regional hegemony. This should all be self-evident to someone who's as aware of geopolitics as you always claim to be. As for Russia's population dying off due to "alkoholism" as you phonetically write, that’s an exaggerated stereotype akin to Americans dying off because of obesity from eating too many Big Macs.

Don't allow your obvious Russophobia to translate into ignorance. We had enough of that narrowmindedness after 8 years of intellectually bankrupt neo-conservatism. Russia is one among many major powers in this multipolar world whether we like it or not.

Lowe
=====

South Stream is a natural gas pipeline and I was talking about natural gas.

At least bother to read the article and the comment in its entirety first before jumping into the usual rant about trafficking and what not.

Now, I'm no expert on this stuff...but here's the link (I posted it earlier for the benefit of sj too)

And again, the only reason why Albania would be worried about "losing" South Stream is not because of the "freezing Albanians" but rather the pipeline royalties it would miss out on.

Once again, Albania does not presently have a natural gas infrastructure and it relies mostly on electricity for its heating needs.

I know the idea of frozen Albanians gives a few posters here pleasant wet dreams, but so sorry...we're not in Northern Europe.

As far as China...yes, it is trying to diversify away (primarily by attempting to boost it's own consumption) but it's a process that will take quite a bit of time to put it mildly. The Chinese save excessively because they have no public safety net to speak of. That's not the sort of thing you change overnight, whatever the Chinese government may wish. As I mentioned earlier, China's fortunes for the time being rest with consumption in the West.

In the mean time, Americans are already learning to live within their means. In the longer term that should lead to a more balanced world and U.S., and Chinese economy. No one looses really.

Dear Mr Mirub Jager

You really have no idea what the US government gets up to, do you?

The CIA gave Saddam his first real job, they trained him as a CIA operative in the early 1960s and paid him to assassinate the then prime minister of Iraq. Shortly thereafter, they put him in power, an along came Donald Rumsfeld whogave him chemical weapons to attack the Kurds. Later he was urged to take on the Iranians after the Revolution, again at the behest of the US government. Then he was told to invade Kuwait, ask the lady ambassador who was there at the time what she told Saddam he could and could not do. Fast forward to YU, the US government, bombed the Serbs in Croatia, Bosnia and Kosovo. Can you tell me what right you have to bomb anyone?

On one point I agree with you, yes, you have an empire with over 1,000 bases all around the world after attacking over 100 countries since WW2 but you should not too cocky lest you forget that it is the Chinese who is bankrolling you, you are broke both financially and morally and the empire should do well to remember that he who pays the piper calls the tune. Pax Bank Cathay.

Never heard or known an albanian called Mirub,maybe you know them better than i do....i am albanian though.
(blunt, 28 December 2009 18:45)

Just happened that one was with me in the army. Mirub Kuqi from Pristina. Maybe he was not Albanian but identified himself as one. He got beaten by two Slovenians, I defended him many times. Maybe he was Turkish?

For your information, sj,
our poor in the USA would be considered middle class in Russia and Serbia. Sad but true, our pet animals live better than most people in the world .
(Michael R., 28 December 2009 21:03)

Really! So the middle class in Serbia sleep in and around dumpsters, park benches and under bridges.

If you are going to lie, please choose a lie which has some fabricated evidence to support it. It might have a chance to fly.

Demi wrote:

"And how is Kosovo an ''prison camp'' when we have good relations with all our neighbours beside Serbia and are recognized by all important countrys of the world like Great Britian,US,France,Germany,Italy,Sweden,Japan and many others? "

So how much investment is Kosovo getting from their mates?
Good intentions are fine but back them up with cold hard investment.

Joe wrote:

"Please check the GDP of those 3 countries. Yes China is important and will be a superpower. The Chinese are smart and we can work with them. We respect them. India is our friend. We work with Indian firms on a daily basis. Myself I will do it tomorrow because most of our team is in India."

So when are China and India going to recognise you and establish diplomatic relations?
You need this in order to have serious investment in Kosovo from them.

"5. You guys keep mentioning China, but U.S. debt enabled China's prosperity. The only reason China grew this year was large government spending to prop up the economy. It can't last forever. In the near to medium term most Asian countries, China and India included, will not be going anywhere fast if U.S. demand does not pick up.

6. Sj...please stop worrying about Albanians freezing their butts off unless Russia decides to be gracious. Albania is currently sitting on trillions of cubic feet of the stuff located in the north of the country. In the not-so-distant future, I'm fairly certaing, those reservers will be able to supply Albania, Kosovo, and a host of neighbors for a fraction of the cost of South Stream.

Regarding the tone of the U.S., as printed in B92, yes, it does sound a bit arrogant...especially when compared to the tone Russia adopts when dealing with Georgia, Ukraine, Poland, and every other country in its erstwhile "backyard."

One more thing...among the countries in serious trouble from climate change...are China and India two classic cases of "cutting off the nose to spite the face."
(Ment, 28 December 2009 20:35"

For your info, the Chinese are diversifying away from the US market to others and their own fast growing domestic one. They are no longer enamored with the greenback for obvious reasons and in fact are actively finding ways to rid themselves of their current levels of dollar reserves. The US will soon be broke and left high and dry.

As for Albanian oil reserves, well, when you guys bring it out of the sea, maybe we will finally see an end to your rampant trafickings in drugs, human and body organs. But until the oil comes out of the ground, continue to freeze in the butt. By the way, I am not sure if your figures for Albanian oil reserves are exaggerated. I noted that you did not provide any reliable source for your trillions-of-cubic-feet claim -- we normally measure oil reserves in barrels don't we? And remember not all oil reserves are geologically recoverable -- I am not sure to what extent is your Albanian reserves commercially viable -- again no relilable data source from you.

If China and India are cutting their noses over the climate issue, I would think that the US would be amputated at least an arm and a leg -- it is currently the world's largest carbon emitter and continues to give excuses at Cophenhagen when asked to bite the bullet and take the required stiff cuts in emissions for its own sake.

(Ment, 28 December 2009 20:35)

Ment, you see I know a little more about the resources in that region than you. In the first instance those reserves are not that big so the Albanians will freeze if they don’t get gas from Southstream. Watch and learn. Secondly, where are you going to transport that gas to? Italy; it will not agree to have a pipeline over its territory; perhaps through Serbia? I think not; Greece, Oh, I don’t think so; Bulgaria, no.
Here is something in the wind that might also dampen your future – Gasprom will end up buying those reserves for a fraction of the cost by bribing Albanian’s politicians.
If your that ignorant and don’t understand then here is an explanation; Russia’s dealings with Georgia, Ukraine and Poland is the same as the US dealings with Serbia, Iraq, Iran, and anyone else that does not sing its praises. It’s called global politics.

Sj
===

Well, I used the following article regarding Albania's reserves...

http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/main/news/7297/

Then again... I might be wrong.

Second...Albania at least, uses mostly electric appliances for heating, not gas. (I'm willing to bet you did not know that). So whatever you might believe...no freezing for us any time soon. Oh and did I mention, our winters are fairly mild?

Third...

I would be very surprised indeed if Gazprom would be able to buy what you say.

I think you underestimate how strong anti-Russian feelings run in Albania.

Finally, Italy and Greece aren't our only neighbors.

Montenegro, Macedonia, Bosnia, Croatia are currently not included in either pipeline, so there you go. I never claimed Albania would be able to supply the entire Europe.

Time will tell though... either one of us might end up being very surprised.

"Lowe
====

No, frozen Serbs are not my idea of entertainment at all.

I also believe you should not be playing politics with your electric bills...that's the business of Belgrade and Prishtina.

(Ment, 29 December 2009 18:38)"

So you don't approve of Serbs left to freeze in poorly insulated containers in winter? Good. Then go tell the many K-Albanians who obviously do.

And if not paying your electrical bills because you have no job (due to discrimination and lack of physical security) is playing politics, why don't you voluntarily shut down the heating at your home for the rest of winter and tell me whether playing such games is fun or not.

No Joe, I wouldn't call the BBC reporter "Russophobic" because the article mentions the alarming population decline. It does not however connect this issue with a decline in international standing. True the population decline is certainly a critical issue, and true the standard of living in Russia has plummeted over the last 20 years. That was never really in doubt. But I think neither you nor I doubt that Russia will continue to be a major regional power in the years and decades to come.

You also point out Russia's policy "constant bullying". While you have certainly laid bare your distaste for Russia, I wonder if you would simply equate these tactics with Realpolitik? Certainly the United States is no stranger to such tactics, and you have on a number of occasions here been proud to boast of America's power as a military power that pressure smaller powers into cooperation. You're certainly no critic of American Realpolitik, and that is your own opinion. But I've always argued that if America can do it, why can't other powers with similar capabilities? While I approve of neither, Russia’s actions in Georgia are no less (ig)noble than our actions in Serbia. If you want to argue that Russia’s operating on a “monkey see, money do” policy, then ok, but I used the term “Russophobia” because you clearly disapprove of similar tactics pursued by Moscow. Again, it’s neither right nor wrong what they or America does. It’s part of the world system that strong power use the capabilities given to them. I would certainly not write Russia off.

Rastko
" You might be American (by birth or naturalized) but your name Mirub is definitely Albanian"

Never heard or known an albanian called Mirub,maybe you know them better than i do....i am albanian though.

For your information, sj, our poor in the USA would be considered middle class in Russia and Serbia. Sad but true, our pet animals live better than most people in the world .(Michael R., 28 December 2009 21:03)
I have to give credit to people like you who are so “patriotic” towards their adopted country.
Your statement has the smell of “I have never been there but the media tells me it bad over there”. I have been to a lot of places and yes there are good and bad bits everywhere, but considering that the US boasts its superiority in everything I was amazed at the level poverty within the State of New York; then the level of poverty in the States around the great lakes; Georgia; Alabama etc. The similarities between these places and parts of Sudan and Somalia have to be seen to be believed. The only thing missing was a soup kitchen flying the UN flag.
Your high standard of living is due to China’s lending your Government money. I’ll ask you to tell me the conditions when the lending stops and you have to start paying it back.

Lowe
====

No, frozen Serbs are not my idea of entertainment at all.

I also believe you should not be playing politics with your electric bills...that's the business of Belgrade and Prishtina.

Sj
==

Sounds like a lot of wishful thinking to me...but hey, whatever floats your boat.

Lowe
====

You asked for my opinion...I gave you my opinion. Other Serbs/Albanians have other opinions...it's none of my business. I don't speak for them, they don't speak for me.

If there are Serb families that are not paying bills because they cannot afford them, then I can definitely sympathize. Many Albanian families in Albania have the same problem. In these cases, I have nothing against KEK working out an arrangement with these folk.

The situation I'm talking about involves those Kosovo Serbs that refuse to pay bills because the don't "recognize" KEK as a legitimate institution, since it answers to Prishtina rather than Belgrade. Same applies to those Serb-dominated medical institutions in Kosovo that refuse to fill out the proper paperwork for medications required by Prishtina with the excuse that they don't "recognize" that government...thereby jeopardizing the lives of Serb patients in their care.

The Kosovo Serbs have selected their patron...Belgrade and Kosovo Albanians have Prishtina. Let these two entities alone play their political games. That's what they were elected to do.

Guys, aren't you bored with all this long lasting rhetoric? Haven't you noticed that you're all saying the same things without really listening and discussing?

Time will tell though... either one of us might end up being very surprised.
(Ment, 28 December 2009 23:46)

A couple of dollars in the right places and the gas fields will belong to Gazprom no matter how much you Albanians dislike the Russians.
I strongly suggest that you get a map of the region because Albania borders with Serbia, Greece, Montenegro and Macedonia. However, if your thinking of Kosovo, your only there temporarily and you are not allowed to put a toothpick in the ground without Belgrade giving you the green light. Ask yourself the question; Kosovo is a “member” for the world bank and IMF – why don’t you get a loan???? If you want the answer let me know!
I like dealing with you guys, you’re so simple to pick off. Have you any idea the cost of building a pipeline through Montenegro??? For your information its very mountainous and that why pipelines are constructed on flat ground – it’s cheaper. Where would you go with a pipeline through Macedonia?? Would you go then through Romania, Hungary then Croatia with a branch line to Bosnia (the Croat/Bosniak part)??

"As far as China...yes, it is trying to diversify away (primarily by attempting to boost it's own consumption) but it's a process that will take quite a bit of time to put it mildly. The Chinese save excessively because they have no public safety net to speak of. That's not the sort of thing you change overnight, whatever the Chinese government may wish. As I mentioned earlier, China's fortunes for the time being rest with consumption in the West.

In the mean time, Americans are already learning to live within their means. In the longer term that should lead to a more balanced world and U.S., and Chinese economy. No one looses really.
(Ment, 29 December 2009 00:22)"

China may still be exporting a lot to the West but don't forget it gives the West lots if not even more business in return. This current dependence is not one way as you seemed to think, and it will gradually decline in the years ahead.

Americans learning to live within their means after decades of spendthriftness???? I am reminded here of a couple of English sayings: "The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak", "old habits die hard" and the one about not expecting the leopard to change its spots. Meanwhile its deficit continue to hit record levels unseen before in the entire history of our planet! http://www.brillig.com/debt_clock/

"I know the idea of frozen Albanians gives a few posters here pleasant wet dreams"


that just looks all wrong. I would hate it if any people froze to death.

"I know the idea of frozen Albanians gives a few posters here pleasant wet dreams, but so sorry...we're not in Northern Europe.

(Ment, 29 December 2009 00:22)"

What about the idea of frozen K-Serbs? Do you derive pleasant wet dreams from it? http://www.b92.net/eng/news/society-article.php?yyyy=2009&mm=12&dd=25&nav_id=64021

Kosovo's Albanians may bow down to their American Lords, but Serbians don't. Too bad for you. By the way, I'm American, why don't you bow down to me too?

If albanians don't like to live in Serbia - so maybe Serbia could doing similar like Israel - build wall along Ibar and around serbian enclaves in Kosovo and leave rest for Albanians for build their own black hole.

"Lowe
====

You asked for my opinion...I gave you my opinion. Other Serbs/Albanians have other opinions...it's none of my business. I don't speak for them, they don't speak for me.

If there are Serb families that are not paying bills because they cannot afford them, then I can definitely sympathize. Many Albanian families in Albania have the same problem. In these cases, I have nothing against KEK working out an arrangement with these folk.

The situation I'm talking about involves those Kosovo Serbs that refuse to pay bills because the don't "recognize" KEK as a legitimate institution, since it answers to Prishtina rather than Belgrade. Same applies to those Serb-dominated medical institutions in Kosovo that refuse to fill out the proper paperwork for medications required by Prishtina with the excuse that they don't "recognize" that government...thereby jeopardizing the lives of Serb patients in their care.

The Kosovo Serbs have selected their patron...Belgrade and Kosovo Albanians have Prishtina. Let these two entities alone play their political games. That's what they were elected to do.
(Ment, 30 December 2009 18:04) "

You have conveniently gone from alleging that there are people who derive pleasure from freezing Albanians to now professing to sympathize (from a distance) with freezing K-Serbs. The turnaround is so abrupt but convenient is it not? Don't expect me to buy it though.