"Serbia won’t support break-up of Bosnia"

Wise words, Mr. Tadic! Always great to read some politician having a balanced opinion!

Serbians can be proud of you!

So, Mr. Tadic, you mean that the Serbian government won't support the Serbian people of Republik Srpska to achieve their democratic right of self-determination in their coming referendum.

Do you think, Mr. Tadic, that you are representing the view of the majority of people in Serbia?

I think not.

MB,Ireland

Haha bravo Tadic and Jeremic, these two play the game well they tell the west what they want to hear, and do what they want to do. Hence the trade agreements between Serbia and RS and passport for Serb Bosnians!

Now do the same in Crna Gora Tadic, undermine Djukanovic regime!

Long Live Serbs, Serbia and Vasojevici!

What he says in public and what is done in the end are two very, very different things.
Swear upon the up keep of the Dayton Agreement and do what you like. The west has taught the Serbs well with no come back what so ever. I have never felt more proud of my fellow Serbs than at these moments when they throw the same mud back at the US/EU and these can do nothing.

Of course mr Tadics opinion goes as long as Kosovo remains part of Serbia. Besides, if the bosnian Serbs want independence I don't think even mr Tadic can do anything about that.
This is just international politics. What will actually happend to Bosnia only time will tell.

Tadic is a man with principles. How could anyone take him seriously when he's defending Kosovo and the territorial integrity of Serbia if he would support the break-up of Bosnia at the same time?

These two things don't go together, unlike a lot of other people he understood it...

Nor should Serbia support a referendum. At least not publically. Either way, Serbia is doing all it can behind the scenes to help. Nor should Serbia try to stop a referendum either.

Serbia is begining to listen what internationals are saying. You need to repair your awful image worldwide.

The recepe for changing the image inculde:
Handing Mladic & Hadzic, recognise Kosovo independence, ALWAYS condem breakup of Bosnia, and decentralise Serbia to the highest standard of autonomy/self-rule and de-militarlise

"A flaw of the Balkans is that people are ready to speak only about their own casualties, not others' as well," Tadić said, adding that this should change.”

Nice word Tadic, your statement gives me the feeling that you talk before you speak, because and correct me if I am wrong, but I have never heard you or anyone else who represent Serbia recognizing the thousands of lives that Albanians has endured, and it should be noticed that Albanian lives did not go to waste by Serbian hands only during the war, Albanians were slaughtered long before that.

The current government of Kosova has in contrary to you made this statement long before you and has recognized the loses of Serbian lives (as few as they may be in comparison to Albanian lives), so it makes sense that you should recognize the slaughtered Albanians, for god´s sake you have mass graves deriving from the Kosovo war just outside Belgrade and make a formal apology to the Albanians, Bosnian-muslims and Croatians because you know very well that Serbia is to blame for everything.

In lack of better words its so crazy that you even attempt to take the blame away from Serbia. I’m so tired of saying this, and I’m so tired of you (serb camp) claiming the contrary, Serbia should bee the first to apologize.

The only black sheep in the Balkans is Serbia. For god´s sake, se the truth in the eye, confirm you fault, apologies, and move for god´s sake along with your live. Believe me we Albanians do not want you friendship, but it is necessary to cooperate so that the economy etc also can make progress.

Every statement that comes from Serbia is in plain truth a lie and an attempt to change reality. Stop prolonging your own suffering, you are not fooling anyone, except perhaps you mother Russia and other renegade states that shares your love for their minorities.

Such a good feeling nowadays to know that I as an Albanian am no longer a minority within Serbia but I am a majority within the free end independent state of Kosova.

Joan,

I think it boils down mainly to Milosevic.

He angered the West in the early 90s by building a reputation for being the primary agressor among leading politicians in ex-Yu. The West punished him for it with crippling sanctions from 1993-1995.

He managed to redeem himself by offering valuable assistance in the Dayton peace process in 1995, and those sanctions were then lifted in 1996.

His response to the KLA uprising in the late 90s was condemned by the West. After several unsuccessful diplomatic attempts to persuade him to back off, the West warned him that he would be bombed into submission.

Milosevic still refused to stand down, and the West refused to be beaten in a war of words by a stubborn leader of a small country that just so happened to be a staunch supporter of Russia. Let's not forget, too, that much of the world had already come to see Serbia as a villain as a result of the wars in Bosnia and Croatia, so it wasn't hard to garner political support for an air campaign that would likely yield, at most, a handful of Western casualties. The Americans had already pulverized Baghdad in this way in 1991, so there was strong belief in the strategy.

Call it right, call it wrong, call it whatever you want. In the end, the world is never fair, and politicians everywhere have to play a game. The strongest nations set and break the rules as they see fit. That's how it's always been, and that's how it always will be.

RS was Milosevic's consolation prize, and he wasn't happy with that. He went back looking for more and lost. Had he worked to restore a generous autonomy for Kosovo (an autonomy he himself had taken away in 1989), he probably could have kept Serbia intact. But he couldn't bring himself to play by the rules of diplomacy and we know what happened next. 78 days of bombing and Serbia withdrew. 16 months later, Milosevic was ousted after 13 years of uninterrupted rule. Six months after that, he was arrested by his own people, and then on 28 June, of all days, shipped to the Hague. Gee, do you think someone was trying to make an example of him?

its to late for that republica srpdska is pretty much independent and if he does not know but it is 92% Serbs and the other thing is its called REPUBLICA SRPSKA its another entity in bosnia that's not called bosnia and this guy says he is president. if republica srpska is not gone why is there a president in the republic and why is there a parliament building in there and why is there only Serbian flags being waved in republica srpska i know because its not part of bosnia.

"Tadic is smart. The moment Serbia backs the independence of RS, it will be essentially giving up Kosovo." (Denis)

-- That's pretty much the long and short of it.

One State Policy for all, or
One State Policy for none.

Can someone explain to me the difference between the situation in Kosovo and RS. This seems rather similiar, yet handled differently, I wonder why ?

Can someone explain to me the difference between the situation in Kosovo and RS. This seems rather similiar, yet handled differently, I wonder why ?
(Joan, 18 January 2010 16:34)

In RS the Serbs were successful in the ethnic cleansing of the bosnian muslims and croats.In Kosovo they were very close but were bombed by NATO and were forced to leave the region.

"The only black sheep in the Balkans is Serbia. For god´s sake, se the truth in the eye, confirm you fault, apologies, ....Believe me we Albanians do not want you friendship, but....

Every statement that comes from Serbia is in plain truth a lie and an attempt to change reality. "

Very balanced view, not.

Tadic is smart. The moment Serbia backs the independence of RS, it will be essentially giving up Kosovo.

But if Serbia is really smart is to accept a partion of Kosovo, take Northern Mitrovica and than back the independence of RS. As for the rest of Kosovo, Serbia knows that it will never control it, no matter how much of tough talk we see here.

Kosovo has existed before thousand years.
(Demi, 18 January 2010 18:59)
--
You do know that Kosovo is a Serbian name do you not? More fully "kosovo polje", meaning the 'field (or plain) of blackbirds'.

For Kosovo to exist before a thousand years must mean Serbians were there for quite some time.

"Can someone explain to me the difference between the situation in Kosovo and RS. This seems rather similiar, yet handled differently, I wonder why ?
(Joan, "

In Kosovo, the Serb forces were forced out in the fighting, and the final status of the area was left to be determined under the watchful guidance of the UN. After 10 years of UN tutelage and years of fruitless negotiations, Kosovo declared independence, against which there is no general international legal prohibition. Some countries have recognized as being sovereign and independent, others haven't - it's a matter for every country to determine for itself.

The fighting in Bosnia was ended by an agreement among the three nationalities that included respect for the negotiated borders within the country. This Dayton Accord was guaranteed by the Serbia and Russia, among others. A unilateral decision to secede by RS would be in violation of this international agreement, making it in violation of international law, and thus its declaration of independence would be a violation of international law. (As was the case in No. Cyprus.)

Also, the territory RS claims gained its Serbian majority by ethnic cleansing; Kosovo had a large majority of ethnic Albanians long before the start of the fighting.

If the majority in RS want a referendum, then it can only be legal to give it to them. Hence (kosovo). If they choose declare independance "illegally" "breaking the DAYTON aggreement, so be it. It can justified. The same excuses the Serbo-Albanians used can be used by the Bosnian Serbs. A precedent has been set, now let us watch the dominoe effect. :)

I don't think it really matters what position Serbia takes. BiH is in trouble regardless and I believe Tadic is aware of that.

The Dayton accords have worked out well for RS while Federacija is having problems and is practically bankrupt. Croatians are leaving en mass and have little prospects there so I believe there will come a time when Serbia, BiH and Croatia negotiate what's best for the region without Western interference.

I suspect it will include the return of Serbians to Krajina and given special status. In exchange, Croatians will have their own region in BiH with special status. The borders will open and we will once again have similar freedoms as we once did in Yugoslavia.

Kosovo will be stuck until ethnic Albanians elect moderate and realistic leaders that teach peace and tolerence. Then we can finalise status negotiations and prosper in peace - but this will take time.

Can someone explain to me the difference between the situation in Kosovo and RS. This seems rather similiar, yet handled differently, I wonder why ?
(Joan, 18 January 2010 16:34)


The different is that ''RS'' diden't exist before 1991. Kosovo has existed before thousand years. And the different thing is also that K.albanians has been repressed by the serbs for 100 years. B.serbs has never been repressed by bosnian muslims.


Can anyone tell me what they called ''republica srpska'' before the bosnian war ?

I dont think you know anything about Albania or Kosova.
In reality Kosova is the Jerusalem of Albanians.
There is a song: ' Without Kosova there is no Albania, and without Albania there is no Kosova".
(Kosova-USA---

-- This is the emotional/irrational I speak of. Thanks "Kosova -USA" , good day.

In other words, Tadic is saying, "I don't support the breakup of BiH through referendum, but I cannot stop it". All politicians speak through both sides of their mouths. BTW, to the Albanians here, Serbia will NEVER RECOGNIZE an Albanian governed Kosovo. Why is that so hard for you to understand? It is not your land.

Can someone explain to me the difference between the situation in Kosovo and RS. This seems rather similiar, yet handled differently, I wonder why ?
(Joan, 18)-

And everyone should wonder why. Global hypocracy at its best I would say. RS has more legal right to independance than Serbias southern province of Kosovo does. If the Serbo-albanians have had issues with the Serbian govn't then why not go back to your native land? You all seem to be so patriotic, yet you lack the connection to your homeland. Claiming the phony attrocities has gotten you nowhere, evidence is everywhere of what the Serbo-albanians did to the native Serbs. America owns the Serbo-albanian mentality, and for emotional/irrational reasons they CHOOSE to sumbit themselves to it.

The different is that ''RS'' diden't exist before 1991. Kosovo has existed before thousand years. And the different thing is also that K.albanians has been repressed by the serbs for 100 years. B.serbs has never been repressed by bosnian muslims.


Can anyone tell me what they called ''republica srpska'' before the bosnian war ?
(Demi, 18 January ---

Research before you think, then think before you speak.

There is a song: ' Without Kosova there is no Albania, and without Albania there is no Kosova".
(Kosova-USA,

So according to your logic "Albania" still doesn't exist? Your people should maybe re-write the song with some accuracy. haha

RS being 92% Serb speaks for itself. I doubt even Serbia is 92% Serb. The reason for its unnatural weighting is known by all.
The reason they crave independence is not for politics nor multicultural Onanism, it wants to be free to wash its hands of its guilt, believing that the last man standing must by default be right. BiH would rather be free of the nightmare of RS's cruel ambitions but whilst it rests upon BiH soil then they must learn to somehow trust each other. Given Bos Serbs track record this a tall order. The best way is to rid ethnic partisan politics from the elections and allow only parties with public policies for all to stand. Tadic is a talker, he is yet to provide any support of substance for the integrity of Bosnia. His words of sympathy for the victims of Srebrenica killing fields is a long awaited change, but it would be better if he identified the perpetrators; not just the generals but the all too willing participants. As long as they are walking the streets, serving the coffees, living a normal life then no-one can see a safe and free Bosnia.

Tadic, Tadic, Tadic.. you speak as if the Serbian people do not hear you. At the moment you are NOT speaking for your people. I understand that maybe you need to deal with ONE territorial issue at a time, but if the will of RS is to excercise their right for referendum, then so be it. NOW shall practice our Democracy that our friends in America have introduced to us or no ?

Such a good feeling nowadays to know that I as an Albanian am no longer a minority within Serbia but I am a majority within the free end independent state of Kosova.
(p2, ---Serbo-Albanians need to know that they treat themselves as the minority, not vise-versa. You seem to enjoy the "victim" game, so enjoy while it lasts.. good day.

Serbo-Albanians need to know that they treat themselves as the minority, not vise-versa. You seem to enjoy the "victim" game, so enjoy while it lasts.. good day.
(Darko, 18 January 2010 16:29)----

Strong observation. I agree %100.

And everyone should wonder why. Global hypocracy at its best I would say. RS has more legal right to independance than Serbias southern province of Kosovo does. If the Serbo-albanians have had issues with the Serbian govn't then why not go back to your native land? You all seem to be so patriotic, yet you lack the connection to your homeland. Claiming the phony attrocities has gotten you nowhere, evidence is everywhere of what the Serbo-albanians did to the native Serbs. America owns the Serbo-albanian mentality, and for emotional/irrational reasons they CHOOSE to sumbit themselves to it.
(Cunningham, 18 January 2010 19:21)

I dont think you know anything about Albania or Kosova.
In reality Kosova is the Jerusalem of Albanians.
There is a song: ' Without Kosova there is no Albania, and without Albania there is no Kosova".

Tadic wouldn't, however the Serbian Radical Party would if they got into power.

(Zoran, 18 January 2010 18:36)

Zoran,

i think your equation of solving the BiH and Kosovo conundrums lacks two important variables: the interests of Albanians and Bosnian Muslims. Isn't it what the previous policymakers of the former Yugoslavia ignored to factor in when they engaged in the "peaceful" dissolution of the former Yugoslavia?
It was precisely this kind of attitude--hegemonic--on the part of both Serbia and Croatia with regards to Bosnia (and other ethnic groups) that precipitated the bloodiest ethnic conflict in the territory of Europe since WWII.
You speak of peace as if you possess a moral credibility when in fact, Serbia is mostly associated with the most brutal atrocities committed in both BiH and Kosovo. Studies on the war (i the former Yugoslavia) have produced enough qualitative and quantitative data that discredit your theory. Even though Serbia had legitimate grievances in Bosnia and Kosovo, the government's response to addressing those issues were beyond morality.

I guess if you strongly believe in reconciliation, as you claim to do, I would suggest that you start with yourself and then proceed across other ethnic groups by extension.

You do know that Kosovo is a Serbian name do you not? More fully "kosovo polje", meaning the 'field (or plain) of blackbirds'.

For Kosovo to exist before a thousand years must mean Serbians were there for quite some time.
(Zoran, 18 January 2010 21:11)

I don't think you are explaining anything. Kosovo has a greek root just like Metohija. So your claims that Kosovo is a Slavic word are false.

Further naming of areas means nothing. This is another false and ridiculous Serb claim. It's the same as the one that says Albanians came from Causcasus, but really none has any proof of that besides the fact that there was a region there called Albania. Completely ignoring the fact that there was an Illirian tribe in the heart of today's Albania called Albanoi, and a major city called Albanapolis, documented since the 3rd century when Serbs were not even in the Balkans.

In any case, the names of these regions at best means that Serbs were more powerful and culturaly more advanced at the time, and were able to name these regions based on their language due to their conquests centuries ago or so. Illyrians never had a written language or left anything behind to show they had their own language, this does not mean that they did not exist.

In any case history maybe is the last thing that matters now. There is no history that can justify killings in Kosovo in 1999.

There is nothig that will make K-Alb to agree on Serbia ruling them. We'd rather live in our own hell than in the Serbian paradise.

The times of brotherhood and unity are long gone.

Everyone knows that it will be another war, sooner or later. But this time it will be a war of equals, a tank for a tank, a canon for a canon.

Zoran,

per your both comments:

in every democracy--and democratic development is what Serbia and Croatia, as well as other states in the region, are veering towards--public's opinion is an important factor in policymaking. It is the public who elects politicians (and these politicians court their votes) and until significant changes --educational, economic, and in terms of political culture --happen in Serbia, Croatia, and Kosovo, true reconciliation and integration would never occur. I think your perception on this matter is a good example of this.

Serbia and Croatia should take the lead in reconciling their own grievances, the same way they should take the lead in reconciling with the rest of the regional states, but mere words and old age aspirations of both states in becoming major players in the region, have negated any kind of progress.

Albanians were not promised everything. When the war of 1999 ended, it ended with a strong prospect for selfgovernance and regional integration. I think that policy continues to be transplanted.
The fact remains that Serbia cannot ignore over 2 million Albanians living in her borders. And, since the best predictor of future behavior is past behavior (an empirical law), nothing on Serbia's current policy toward the region (Kosovo) suggests that Serbia is a changed State and Society.

It is absurd to think that you accomplished a tangible victory against the NATO forces in 1999. The UNSC was a small moral victory of some sort; and it was done with Serbia's public opinion in mind.

'B.serbs has never been repressed by bosnian muslims.'

Demi. Do you know the Croatian song Dina Grabovica about a Croat woman in Herzegovina who was killed for refusing to marry a Bosnian Muslim in Ottoman times. I think its safe to assume many Serb and Croat women suffered the same treatment.

And do you forget that the Bosnian Muslims had one of the most brutal SS divisions in WW2, which killed Serbs en masse.

For 500 years Muslims oppressed Serbs. For 5 years Serbs oppressed Muslims.

Was the Dayton accord designed to be the law in perpetuity? K albs are saying that 1244 allowed UDI as it was specifically not forbidden. Letter of the law, spirit of the law who cares. When the time comes for RS to do what it needs to do let us see who is in power making the "interpretations" necessary to support realpolitik.

'Serbia already took on the strongest military power in the world, who had highly sophisticated weapons and we still managed to get UNSCR1244 securing our integrity and describes Kosovo as an autonomous province.'

If 1244 was such a great deal, then why did the FRY representative ask the Security Council not to pass it? The reason they gave for requesting this was that 1244 would lead to the loss of Kosovo, as was brought up in the ICJ statements.

I guess if you strongly believe in reconciliation, as you claim to do, I would suggest that you start with yourself and then proceed across other ethnic groups by extension.
(Arian, 19 January 2010 03:49)
--
Arian, when I talk about peace negotiations, I am not excluding anyone. All must be involved and a decision made for the people with minimal interference by external factors. That is when true peace can be established and that includes negotiations by Serbians, Croatians, Bosnian Muslims and ethnic Albanians.

The problem we have is that the Bosnian Muslims and Kosovo Albanians were promised everything while they still have Milosevic era "politicans" who continue to live in the past and attempt to impose a solution that is the cause of the problem. They US lied to them and cannot deliver its promise.

A new generation of politicians need to be elected and come forward to conduct real negotiations. This is slowly occuring and I can see things moving now with the elections in Croatia. I suspect it will start with Serbian/Croatian negotiations and we will set the momentum for the other regions, once they boot out their leaders who are stuck in the past.

The war failed Denis, however the problem is one side was promised everything and they are attempting to impose that on the other side. Only true negotiations will fix that but first we need true politicians elected. Ethnic Albanians in Kosovo are quite a few years behind though.

Serbia and Croatia must lead the way.
(Zoran, 19 January 2010 11:35)

I would not want a war, no way, but we will not have a choice. Serbia will seek war sooner or later when it gets a chance, this is an absolute certanty, and you know it very well. We trusted you once when we had autonomy and you abolished it and everything went to hell, you want us to trust you again? Based on what? What tells you that another Milosevic will not come along and abolish the agreement (autonomy) once again. You did it once you can do it again, especially in a country where ultra-nationalists still get 40+% of the vote.

Talking about leading the way .... who are you kidding! K-Alb tried peacefully to negotiate with you 20 years ago, when Serbs could not even comprehend such a thing.... it was then when Serbs got everything and K-Alb got nothing.

'I would imagine Amer, that they thought they were voting for a resolution that did something along the lines of 'maintaining the territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia'
(Sam, 19 January 2010 23:28) '

Which Serbia said resolution 1244 did not do - at the time of the discussion and then before the vote. Serbia subsequently changed its mind as to what it claimed it was promised. As I said, why didn't these other countries listen to Serbia in June 1999? Claiming they never considered the position at the time, when the minutes of the meetings quote the Serbian delegates directly, is strange. Even stranger is that none of them attempted to explain how this discrepancy arose.

If 1244 was such a great deal, then why did the FRY representative ask the Security Council not to pass it? The reason they gave for requesting this was that 1244 would lead to the loss of Kosovo, as was brought up in the ICJ statements.
(Amer, 19 January 2010 14:43)

I think at the time they were probably frightened they would have to give some sort of Taiwan solution which would mean in reality Serbia would have no control over Kosovo. With the situation as it is now, Serbia would be more than happy with that, but under Milosevic they didn't want to give anything more than the old autonomy back.

If 1244 in anyway suggested that an independent Kosovo would be acceptable there's no way Russia or China would have agreed to it, as both countries said in their ICJ statements.

Why is it an unacceptable violation of Dayton when Bosnian Serbs want a referendum on independence but not when Silhadzic and the EU try to force through a new centralised constitution that no Christian in Bosnia wants?

I think Tadic is doing the right thing. Say he supports Bosnia's territorial integrity but in reality do nothing, sit back, put his feet up and enjoy the show.

Everyone knows that it will be another war, sooner or later. But this time it will be a war of equals, a tank for a tank, a canon for a canon.
(Denis, 19 January 2010 01:44)
--
Another war? Why choose war over negotiations? Serbia already took on the strongest military power in the world, who had highly sophisticated weapons and we still managed to get UNSCR1244 securing our integrity and describes Kosovo as an autonomous province. The Serbian army was largely untouched.

The war failed Denis, however the problem is one side was promised everything and they are attempting to impose that on the other side. Only true negotiations will fix that but first we need true politicians elected. Ethnic Albanians in Kosovo are quite a few years behind though.

Serbia and Croatia must lead the way.

'If 1244 in anyway suggested that an independent Kosovo would be acceptable there's no way Russia or China would have agreed to it, as both countries said in their ICJ statements.
(Sam, 19 January 2010 16:33) '

Argentina also said the same thing (and Brazil, I think) - which makes you wonder what they were all doing on June 10, 1999. The Serbian delegation tried to get the draft text of the resolution changed, using the argument that it would lead to the loss of Kosovo, and was refused, and then they asked for the Resolution itself to be voted down, and it was passed.

I gave links and references to these in a reply a week or so ago to Kate - she can explain.

Why these countries denied understanding what they were voting on is up to them to explain. Didn't they listen to Serbia at all?

Argentina also said the same thing (and Brazil, I think) - which makes you wonder what they were all doing on June 10, 1999. The Serbian delegation tried to get the draft text of the resolution changed, using the argument that it would lead to the loss of Kosovo, and was refused, and then they asked for the Resolution itself to be voted down, and it was passed.

I gave links and references to these in a reply a week or so ago to Kate - she can explain.

Why these countries denied understanding what they were voting on is up to them to explain. Didn't they listen to Serbia at all?
(Amer, 19 January 2010 20:14)

I would imagine Amer, that they thought they were voting for a resolution that did something along the lines of 'maintaining the territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia'

Kosovo has existed before thousand years.
(Demi, 18 January 2010 18:59)
--
You do know that Kosovo is a Serbian name do you not? More fully "kosovo polje", meaning the 'field (or plain) of blackbirds'.

Serb camp said:"For Kosovo to exist before a thousand years must mean Serbians were there for quite some time".


Serbs can only wish they were before in the balkans before Dardania. Dardania the Illyrian original name of the region compromising modern day Kosova and Serbia

Serbia is begining to listen what internationals are saying. You need to repair your awful image worldwide.

The recepe for changing the image inculde:
Handing Mladic & Hadzic, recognise Kosovo independence, ALWAYS condem breakup of Bosnia, and decentralise Serbia to the highest standard of autonomy/self-rule and de-militarlise

"A flaw of the Balkans is that people are ready to speak only about their own casualties, not others' as well," Tadić said, adding that this should change.”

Nice word Tadic, your statement gives me the feeling that you talk before you speak, because and correct me if I am wrong, but I have never heard you or anyone else who represent Serbia recognizing the thousands of lives that Albanians has endured, and it should be noticed that Albanian lives did not go to waste by Serbian hands only during the war, Albanians were slaughtered long before that.

The current government of Kosova has in contrary to you made this statement long before you and has recognized the loses of Serbian lives (as few as they may be in comparison to Albanian lives), so it makes sense that you should recognize the slaughtered Albanians, for god´s sake you have mass graves deriving from the Kosovo war just outside Belgrade and make a formal apology to the Albanians, Bosnian-muslims and Croatians because you know very well that Serbia is to blame for everything.

In lack of better words its so crazy that you even attempt to take the blame away from Serbia. I’m so tired of saying this, and I’m so tired of you (serb camp) claiming the contrary, Serbia should bee the first to apologize.

The only black sheep in the Balkans is Serbia. For god´s sake, se the truth in the eye, confirm you fault, apologies, and move for god´s sake along with your live. Believe me we Albanians do not want you friendship, but it is necessary to cooperate so that the economy etc also can make progress.

Every statement that comes from Serbia is in plain truth a lie and an attempt to change reality. Stop prolonging your own suffering, you are not fooling anyone, except perhaps you mother Russia and other renegade states that shares your love for their minorities.

Such a good feeling nowadays to know that I as an Albanian am no longer a minority within Serbia but I am a majority within the free end independent state of Kosova.

So, Mr. Tadic, you mean that the Serbian government won't support the Serbian people of Republik Srpska to achieve their democratic right of self-determination in their coming referendum.

Do you think, Mr. Tadic, that you are representing the view of the majority of people in Serbia?

I think not.

MB,Ireland

"The only black sheep in the Balkans is Serbia. For god´s sake, se the truth in the eye, confirm you fault, apologies, ....Believe me we Albanians do not want you friendship, but....

Every statement that comes from Serbia is in plain truth a lie and an attempt to change reality. "

Very balanced view, not.

Haha bravo Tadic and Jeremic, these two play the game well they tell the west what they want to hear, and do what they want to do. Hence the trade agreements between Serbia and RS and passport for Serb Bosnians!

Now do the same in Crna Gora Tadic, undermine Djukanovic regime!

Long Live Serbs, Serbia and Vasojevici!

And everyone should wonder why. Global hypocracy at its best I would say. RS has more legal right to independance than Serbias southern province of Kosovo does. If the Serbo-albanians have had issues with the Serbian govn't then why not go back to your native land? You all seem to be so patriotic, yet you lack the connection to your homeland. Claiming the phony attrocities has gotten you nowhere, evidence is everywhere of what the Serbo-albanians did to the native Serbs. America owns the Serbo-albanian mentality, and for emotional/irrational reasons they CHOOSE to sumbit themselves to it.
(Cunningham, 18 January 2010 19:21)

I dont think you know anything about Albania or Kosova.
In reality Kosova is the Jerusalem of Albanians.
There is a song: ' Without Kosova there is no Albania, and without Albania there is no Kosova".

I don't think it really matters what position Serbia takes. BiH is in trouble regardless and I believe Tadic is aware of that.

The Dayton accords have worked out well for RS while Federacija is having problems and is practically bankrupt. Croatians are leaving en mass and have little prospects there so I believe there will come a time when Serbia, BiH and Croatia negotiate what's best for the region without Western interference.

I suspect it will include the return of Serbians to Krajina and given special status. In exchange, Croatians will have their own region in BiH with special status. The borders will open and we will once again have similar freedoms as we once did in Yugoslavia.

Kosovo will be stuck until ethnic Albanians elect moderate and realistic leaders that teach peace and tolerence. Then we can finalise status negotiations and prosper in peace - but this will take time.

Wise words, Mr. Tadic! Always great to read some politician having a balanced opinion!

Serbians can be proud of you!

The different is that ''RS'' diden't exist before 1991. Kosovo has existed before thousand years. And the different thing is also that K.albanians has been repressed by the serbs for 100 years. B.serbs has never been repressed by bosnian muslims.


Can anyone tell me what they called ''republica srpska'' before the bosnian war ?
(Demi, 18 January ---

Research before you think, then think before you speak.

Tadic wouldn't, however the Serbian Radical Party would if they got into power.

Can someone explain to me the difference between the situation in Kosovo and RS. This seems rather similiar, yet handled differently, I wonder why ?
(Joan, 18 January 2010 16:34)

In RS the Serbs were successful in the ethnic cleansing of the bosnian muslims and croats.In Kosovo they were very close but were bombed by NATO and were forced to leave the region.

Can someone explain to me the difference between the situation in Kosovo and RS. This seems rather similiar, yet handled differently, I wonder why ?
(Joan, 18 January 2010 16:34)


The different is that ''RS'' diden't exist before 1991. Kosovo has existed before thousand years. And the different thing is also that K.albanians has been repressed by the serbs for 100 years. B.serbs has never been repressed by bosnian muslims.


Can anyone tell me what they called ''republica srpska'' before the bosnian war ?

Can someone explain to me the difference between the situation in Kosovo and RS. This seems rather similiar, yet handled differently, I wonder why ?
(Joan, 18)-

And everyone should wonder why. Global hypocracy at its best I would say. RS has more legal right to independance than Serbias southern province of Kosovo does. If the Serbo-albanians have had issues with the Serbian govn't then why not go back to your native land? You all seem to be so patriotic, yet you lack the connection to your homeland. Claiming the phony attrocities has gotten you nowhere, evidence is everywhere of what the Serbo-albanians did to the native Serbs. America owns the Serbo-albanian mentality, and for emotional/irrational reasons they CHOOSE to sumbit themselves to it.

What he says in public and what is done in the end are two very, very different things.
Swear upon the up keep of the Dayton Agreement and do what you like. The west has taught the Serbs well with no come back what so ever. I have never felt more proud of my fellow Serbs than at these moments when they throw the same mud back at the US/EU and these can do nothing.

Such a good feeling nowadays to know that I as an Albanian am no longer a minority within Serbia but I am a majority within the free end independent state of Kosova.
(p2, ---Serbo-Albanians need to know that they treat themselves as the minority, not vise-versa. You seem to enjoy the "victim" game, so enjoy while it lasts.. good day.

There is a song: ' Without Kosova there is no Albania, and without Albania there is no Kosova".
(Kosova-USA,

So according to your logic "Albania" still doesn't exist? Your people should maybe re-write the song with some accuracy. haha

its to late for that republica srpdska is pretty much independent and if he does not know but it is 92% Serbs and the other thing is its called REPUBLICA SRPSKA its another entity in bosnia that's not called bosnia and this guy says he is president. if republica srpska is not gone why is there a president in the republic and why is there a parliament building in there and why is there only Serbian flags being waved in republica srpska i know because its not part of bosnia.

"Can someone explain to me the difference between the situation in Kosovo and RS. This seems rather similiar, yet handled differently, I wonder why ?
(Joan, "

In Kosovo, the Serb forces were forced out in the fighting, and the final status of the area was left to be determined under the watchful guidance of the UN. After 10 years of UN tutelage and years of fruitless negotiations, Kosovo declared independence, against which there is no general international legal prohibition. Some countries have recognized as being sovereign and independent, others haven't - it's a matter for every country to determine for itself.

The fighting in Bosnia was ended by an agreement among the three nationalities that included respect for the negotiated borders within the country. This Dayton Accord was guaranteed by the Serbia and Russia, among others. A unilateral decision to secede by RS would be in violation of this international agreement, making it in violation of international law, and thus its declaration of independence would be a violation of international law. (As was the case in No. Cyprus.)

Also, the territory RS claims gained its Serbian majority by ethnic cleansing; Kosovo had a large majority of ethnic Albanians long before the start of the fighting.

I dont think you know anything about Albania or Kosova.
In reality Kosova is the Jerusalem of Albanians.
There is a song: ' Without Kosova there is no Albania, and without Albania there is no Kosova".
(Kosova-USA---

-- This is the emotional/irrational I speak of. Thanks "Kosova -USA" , good day.

Tadic, Tadic, Tadic.. you speak as if the Serbian people do not hear you. At the moment you are NOT speaking for your people. I understand that maybe you need to deal with ONE territorial issue at a time, but if the will of RS is to excercise their right for referendum, then so be it. NOW shall practice our Democracy that our friends in America have introduced to us or no ?

Serbo-Albanians need to know that they treat themselves as the minority, not vise-versa. You seem to enjoy the "victim" game, so enjoy while it lasts.. good day.
(Darko, 18 January 2010 16:29)----

Strong observation. I agree %100.

Of course mr Tadics opinion goes as long as Kosovo remains part of Serbia. Besides, if the bosnian Serbs want independence I don't think even mr Tadic can do anything about that.
This is just international politics. What will actually happend to Bosnia only time will tell.

Kosovo has existed before thousand years.
(Demi, 18 January 2010 18:59)
--
You do know that Kosovo is a Serbian name do you not? More fully "kosovo polje", meaning the 'field (or plain) of blackbirds'.

For Kosovo to exist before a thousand years must mean Serbians were there for quite some time.

If the majority in RS want a referendum, then it can only be legal to give it to them. Hence (kosovo). If they choose declare independance "illegally" "breaking the DAYTON aggreement, so be it. It can justified. The same excuses the Serbo-Albanians used can be used by the Bosnian Serbs. A precedent has been set, now let us watch the dominoe effect. :)

Can someone explain to me the difference between the situation in Kosovo and RS. This seems rather similiar, yet handled differently, I wonder why ?

Nor should Serbia support a referendum. At least not publically. Either way, Serbia is doing all it can behind the scenes to help. Nor should Serbia try to stop a referendum either.

In other words, Tadic is saying, "I don't support the breakup of BiH through referendum, but I cannot stop it". All politicians speak through both sides of their mouths. BTW, to the Albanians here, Serbia will NEVER RECOGNIZE an Albanian governed Kosovo. Why is that so hard for you to understand? It is not your land.

You do know that Kosovo is a Serbian name do you not? More fully "kosovo polje", meaning the 'field (or plain) of blackbirds'.

For Kosovo to exist before a thousand years must mean Serbians were there for quite some time.
(Zoran, 18 January 2010 21:11)

I don't think you are explaining anything. Kosovo has a greek root just like Metohija. So your claims that Kosovo is a Slavic word are false.

Further naming of areas means nothing. This is another false and ridiculous Serb claim. It's the same as the one that says Albanians came from Causcasus, but really none has any proof of that besides the fact that there was a region there called Albania. Completely ignoring the fact that there was an Illirian tribe in the heart of today's Albania called Albanoi, and a major city called Albanapolis, documented since the 3rd century when Serbs were not even in the Balkans.

In any case, the names of these regions at best means that Serbs were more powerful and culturaly more advanced at the time, and were able to name these regions based on their language due to their conquests centuries ago or so. Illyrians never had a written language or left anything behind to show they had their own language, this does not mean that they did not exist.

In any case history maybe is the last thing that matters now. There is no history that can justify killings in Kosovo in 1999.

There is nothig that will make K-Alb to agree on Serbia ruling them. We'd rather live in our own hell than in the Serbian paradise.

The times of brotherhood and unity are long gone.

Everyone knows that it will be another war, sooner or later. But this time it will be a war of equals, a tank for a tank, a canon for a canon.

Everyone knows that it will be another war, sooner or later. But this time it will be a war of equals, a tank for a tank, a canon for a canon.
(Denis, 19 January 2010 01:44)
--
Another war? Why choose war over negotiations? Serbia already took on the strongest military power in the world, who had highly sophisticated weapons and we still managed to get UNSCR1244 securing our integrity and describes Kosovo as an autonomous province. The Serbian army was largely untouched.

The war failed Denis, however the problem is one side was promised everything and they are attempting to impose that on the other side. Only true negotiations will fix that but first we need true politicians elected. Ethnic Albanians in Kosovo are quite a few years behind though.

Serbia and Croatia must lead the way.

Tadic is smart. The moment Serbia backs the independence of RS, it will be essentially giving up Kosovo.

But if Serbia is really smart is to accept a partion of Kosovo, take Northern Mitrovica and than back the independence of RS. As for the rest of Kosovo, Serbia knows that it will never control it, no matter how much of tough talk we see here.

"Tadic is smart. The moment Serbia backs the independence of RS, it will be essentially giving up Kosovo." (Denis)

-- That's pretty much the long and short of it.

One State Policy for all, or
One State Policy for none.

(Zoran, 18 January 2010 18:36)

Zoran,

i think your equation of solving the BiH and Kosovo conundrums lacks two important variables: the interests of Albanians and Bosnian Muslims. Isn't it what the previous policymakers of the former Yugoslavia ignored to factor in when they engaged in the "peaceful" dissolution of the former Yugoslavia?
It was precisely this kind of attitude--hegemonic--on the part of both Serbia and Croatia with regards to Bosnia (and other ethnic groups) that precipitated the bloodiest ethnic conflict in the territory of Europe since WWII.
You speak of peace as if you possess a moral credibility when in fact, Serbia is mostly associated with the most brutal atrocities committed in both BiH and Kosovo. Studies on the war (i the former Yugoslavia) have produced enough qualitative and quantitative data that discredit your theory. Even though Serbia had legitimate grievances in Bosnia and Kosovo, the government's response to addressing those issues were beyond morality.

I guess if you strongly believe in reconciliation, as you claim to do, I would suggest that you start with yourself and then proceed across other ethnic groups by extension.

Tadic is a man with principles. How could anyone take him seriously when he's defending Kosovo and the territorial integrity of Serbia if he would support the break-up of Bosnia at the same time?

These two things don't go together, unlike a lot of other people he understood it...

Joan,

I think it boils down mainly to Milosevic.

He angered the West in the early 90s by building a reputation for being the primary agressor among leading politicians in ex-Yu. The West punished him for it with crippling sanctions from 1993-1995.

He managed to redeem himself by offering valuable assistance in the Dayton peace process in 1995, and those sanctions were then lifted in 1996.

His response to the KLA uprising in the late 90s was condemned by the West. After several unsuccessful diplomatic attempts to persuade him to back off, the West warned him that he would be bombed into submission.

Milosevic still refused to stand down, and the West refused to be beaten in a war of words by a stubborn leader of a small country that just so happened to be a staunch supporter of Russia. Let's not forget, too, that much of the world had already come to see Serbia as a villain as a result of the wars in Bosnia and Croatia, so it wasn't hard to garner political support for an air campaign that would likely yield, at most, a handful of Western casualties. The Americans had already pulverized Baghdad in this way in 1991, so there was strong belief in the strategy.

Call it right, call it wrong, call it whatever you want. In the end, the world is never fair, and politicians everywhere have to play a game. The strongest nations set and break the rules as they see fit. That's how it's always been, and that's how it always will be.

RS was Milosevic's consolation prize, and he wasn't happy with that. He went back looking for more and lost. Had he worked to restore a generous autonomy for Kosovo (an autonomy he himself had taken away in 1989), he probably could have kept Serbia intact. But he couldn't bring himself to play by the rules of diplomacy and we know what happened next. 78 days of bombing and Serbia withdrew. 16 months later, Milosevic was ousted after 13 years of uninterrupted rule. Six months after that, he was arrested by his own people, and then on 28 June, of all days, shipped to the Hague. Gee, do you think someone was trying to make an example of him?

Was the Dayton accord designed to be the law in perpetuity? K albs are saying that 1244 allowed UDI as it was specifically not forbidden. Letter of the law, spirit of the law who cares. When the time comes for RS to do what it needs to do let us see who is in power making the "interpretations" necessary to support realpolitik.

RS being 92% Serb speaks for itself. I doubt even Serbia is 92% Serb. The reason for its unnatural weighting is known by all.
The reason they crave independence is not for politics nor multicultural Onanism, it wants to be free to wash its hands of its guilt, believing that the last man standing must by default be right. BiH would rather be free of the nightmare of RS's cruel ambitions but whilst it rests upon BiH soil then they must learn to somehow trust each other. Given Bos Serbs track record this a tall order. The best way is to rid ethnic partisan politics from the elections and allow only parties with public policies for all to stand. Tadic is a talker, he is yet to provide any support of substance for the integrity of Bosnia. His words of sympathy for the victims of Srebrenica killing fields is a long awaited change, but it would be better if he identified the perpetrators; not just the generals but the all too willing participants. As long as they are walking the streets, serving the coffees, living a normal life then no-one can see a safe and free Bosnia.

'Serbia already took on the strongest military power in the world, who had highly sophisticated weapons and we still managed to get UNSCR1244 securing our integrity and describes Kosovo as an autonomous province.'

If 1244 was such a great deal, then why did the FRY representative ask the Security Council not to pass it? The reason they gave for requesting this was that 1244 would lead to the loss of Kosovo, as was brought up in the ICJ statements.

'B.serbs has never been repressed by bosnian muslims.'

Demi. Do you know the Croatian song Dina Grabovica about a Croat woman in Herzegovina who was killed for refusing to marry a Bosnian Muslim in Ottoman times. I think its safe to assume many Serb and Croat women suffered the same treatment.

And do you forget that the Bosnian Muslims had one of the most brutal SS divisions in WW2, which killed Serbs en masse.

For 500 years Muslims oppressed Serbs. For 5 years Serbs oppressed Muslims.

The war failed Denis, however the problem is one side was promised everything and they are attempting to impose that on the other side. Only true negotiations will fix that but first we need true politicians elected. Ethnic Albanians in Kosovo are quite a few years behind though.

Serbia and Croatia must lead the way.
(Zoran, 19 January 2010 11:35)

I would not want a war, no way, but we will not have a choice. Serbia will seek war sooner or later when it gets a chance, this is an absolute certanty, and you know it very well. We trusted you once when we had autonomy and you abolished it and everything went to hell, you want us to trust you again? Based on what? What tells you that another Milosevic will not come along and abolish the agreement (autonomy) once again. You did it once you can do it again, especially in a country where ultra-nationalists still get 40+% of the vote.

Talking about leading the way .... who are you kidding! K-Alb tried peacefully to negotiate with you 20 years ago, when Serbs could not even comprehend such a thing.... it was then when Serbs got everything and K-Alb got nothing.

Why is it an unacceptable violation of Dayton when Bosnian Serbs want a referendum on independence but not when Silhadzic and the EU try to force through a new centralised constitution that no Christian in Bosnia wants?

I think Tadic is doing the right thing. Say he supports Bosnia's territorial integrity but in reality do nothing, sit back, put his feet up and enjoy the show.

I guess if you strongly believe in reconciliation, as you claim to do, I would suggest that you start with yourself and then proceed across other ethnic groups by extension.
(Arian, 19 January 2010 03:49)
--
Arian, when I talk about peace negotiations, I am not excluding anyone. All must be involved and a decision made for the people with minimal interference by external factors. That is when true peace can be established and that includes negotiations by Serbians, Croatians, Bosnian Muslims and ethnic Albanians.

The problem we have is that the Bosnian Muslims and Kosovo Albanians were promised everything while they still have Milosevic era "politicans" who continue to live in the past and attempt to impose a solution that is the cause of the problem. They US lied to them and cannot deliver its promise.

A new generation of politicians need to be elected and come forward to conduct real negotiations. This is slowly occuring and I can see things moving now with the elections in Croatia. I suspect it will start with Serbian/Croatian negotiations and we will set the momentum for the other regions, once they boot out their leaders who are stuck in the past.

Zoran,

per your both comments:

in every democracy--and democratic development is what Serbia and Croatia, as well as other states in the region, are veering towards--public's opinion is an important factor in policymaking. It is the public who elects politicians (and these politicians court their votes) and until significant changes --educational, economic, and in terms of political culture --happen in Serbia, Croatia, and Kosovo, true reconciliation and integration would never occur. I think your perception on this matter is a good example of this.

Serbia and Croatia should take the lead in reconciling their own grievances, the same way they should take the lead in reconciling with the rest of the regional states, but mere words and old age aspirations of both states in becoming major players in the region, have negated any kind of progress.

Albanians were not promised everything. When the war of 1999 ended, it ended with a strong prospect for selfgovernance and regional integration. I think that policy continues to be transplanted.
The fact remains that Serbia cannot ignore over 2 million Albanians living in her borders. And, since the best predictor of future behavior is past behavior (an empirical law), nothing on Serbia's current policy toward the region (Kosovo) suggests that Serbia is a changed State and Society.

It is absurd to think that you accomplished a tangible victory against the NATO forces in 1999. The UNSC was a small moral victory of some sort; and it was done with Serbia's public opinion in mind.

If 1244 was such a great deal, then why did the FRY representative ask the Security Council not to pass it? The reason they gave for requesting this was that 1244 would lead to the loss of Kosovo, as was brought up in the ICJ statements.
(Amer, 19 January 2010 14:43)

I think at the time they were probably frightened they would have to give some sort of Taiwan solution which would mean in reality Serbia would have no control over Kosovo. With the situation as it is now, Serbia would be more than happy with that, but under Milosevic they didn't want to give anything more than the old autonomy back.

If 1244 in anyway suggested that an independent Kosovo would be acceptable there's no way Russia or China would have agreed to it, as both countries said in their ICJ statements.

'If 1244 in anyway suggested that an independent Kosovo would be acceptable there's no way Russia or China would have agreed to it, as both countries said in their ICJ statements.
(Sam, 19 January 2010 16:33) '

Argentina also said the same thing (and Brazil, I think) - which makes you wonder what they were all doing on June 10, 1999. The Serbian delegation tried to get the draft text of the resolution changed, using the argument that it would lead to the loss of Kosovo, and was refused, and then they asked for the Resolution itself to be voted down, and it was passed.

I gave links and references to these in a reply a week or so ago to Kate - she can explain.

Why these countries denied understanding what they were voting on is up to them to explain. Didn't they listen to Serbia at all?

Argentina also said the same thing (and Brazil, I think) - which makes you wonder what they were all doing on June 10, 1999. The Serbian delegation tried to get the draft text of the resolution changed, using the argument that it would lead to the loss of Kosovo, and was refused, and then they asked for the Resolution itself to be voted down, and it was passed.

I gave links and references to these in a reply a week or so ago to Kate - she can explain.

Why these countries denied understanding what they were voting on is up to them to explain. Didn't they listen to Serbia at all?
(Amer, 19 January 2010 20:14)

I would imagine Amer, that they thought they were voting for a resolution that did something along the lines of 'maintaining the territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia'

'I would imagine Amer, that they thought they were voting for a resolution that did something along the lines of 'maintaining the territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia'
(Sam, 19 January 2010 23:28) '

Which Serbia said resolution 1244 did not do - at the time of the discussion and then before the vote. Serbia subsequently changed its mind as to what it claimed it was promised. As I said, why didn't these other countries listen to Serbia in June 1999? Claiming they never considered the position at the time, when the minutes of the meetings quote the Serbian delegates directly, is strange. Even stranger is that none of them attempted to explain how this discrepancy arose.

Kosovo has existed before thousand years.
(Demi, 18 January 2010 18:59)
--
You do know that Kosovo is a Serbian name do you not? More fully "kosovo polje", meaning the 'field (or plain) of blackbirds'.

Serb camp said:"For Kosovo to exist before a thousand years must mean Serbians were there for quite some time".


Serbs can only wish they were before in the balkans before Dardania. Dardania the Illyrian original name of the region compromising modern day Kosova and Serbia