“Quasi statehood won’t spread to north”

PRN,

You are dreaming. Serbs are the overwhelming majority in the north and you cannot force anything there. It is hypocritical for you to call for self determination in the south of Kosovo yet deny it in the north.

Not surprising that K-alb trolls always start the commenting of the day, what else are there to do? Are there any churches left to destroy? Serbians to bully? But i suggest that you at least try to get a decent legal job and a life, €U wont do everything for you, you know...

PRN - Kosovo never "liberated" itself. It was NATO that won the war, not the KLA or any other Albanian terrorist organisation.

Team Albanian, why would serbs join and live with the same people as those who killed tortured and destroyed there belongings and churchs both from 1940s all the way up to today!

You forget this is not 1999! Theres more than one player on the world stage and im afraid Serbia has two and you have one whos economy and is loosing two wars :)
And yes you can slate Russia but i belive it was only a couple of weeks ago that Nato Begged for Russian help in Afghanistan as well as Russia supplys the west with gas and other natural resources ;)

LONG LIVE SERBIA, SERBS AND VASOJEVICI!

Well, I'm glad the true reality is finally being realised. Attempting to impose something on an unwilling party is a recipe for instability, be they Serbian, ethnic Albanian or others.

The functional partition of Kosovo has been mentioned for quite some time and when we finally sit at the negotiating table to conclude this reality, we can finally move to the next level.

Kosovo's status will be based on ethnic Albanian rule within their areas while Serbia will control the rest. We need to finalise other important issues such as freedom of movement (people and goods), safety and the separated economies.

Lets hope the extremists start calming down and finally accept negotiations as the only path to lasting peace.

PRN: "...as if for Kosovo the Serbs and Serbian government have the last say....
Beyond rediculeness...If that was the case Kosovo would never liberate itself."


But that's exactly the point. The entire international community knows that nothing can move ahead without an agreement between Serbia and the Pristina government.

Kosovo remains legally a province of Serbia, therefore of course Serbia will have the last say.

The plan, announced by the ethnic Albanian authorities and head of the International Civilian Office (ICO) Pieter Feith “has no chances of success because it does not have the approval of the Serbs and the Serbian government”, Ivanović told Tanjug news agency on Sunday.

...as if for Kosovo the Serbs and Serbian government have the last say....

Beyond rediculeness...If that was the case Kosovo would never liberate itself.

I couldn't agree more with Mr. Ivanovic.

I would love to know what the "rest" will be, since you can't never cross the river"
(Kosova-USA, 25 January 2010 12:54)
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"can't never" is a double negative, which means "always".

But as you know, the Gorani are loyal Serbian citizens and control quite a bit of territory in the South. As part of negotiations, they will fall within Serbian structures. There are other pockets here and there also.

Remember, extremists will be removed sooner or later out of necessity otherwise the province will remain isolated indefinitely. I doubt the EU wants that?

PRN - Kosovo never "liberated" itself. It was NATO that won the war, not the KLA or any other Albanian terrorist organisation.
(Radoslav, 25 January 2010 11:13)
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Radoslav, if NATO won then there would be no need for UNSCR1244, guaranteeing Serbia's territorial integrity and placing the province under UN administration. The battle continues to this day, it is just not military. What we need is to end the battle and compromise so everyone wins.

to amer:

And who are you to speak on behalf of all Serbs? Who are you to tell us what to do with our Holy Land? Stop demonizing Serbia and get a life!

Kosovo's status will be based on ethnic Albanian rule within their areas while Serbia will control the rest. We need to finalise other important issues such as freedom of movement (people and goods), safety and the separated economies.

Lets hope the extremists start calming down and finally accept negotiations as the only path to lasting peace.
(Zoran, 25 January 2010 11:47)

"while Serbia will control the rest"

I would love to know what the "rest" will be, since you can't never cross the river"

Or maybe they'd just settle for what they've got?
(Amer, 25 January 2010 14:21)
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Amer, you seem a little detached. Why would Kosovo Albanians want to integrate into Serbian structures when we are offering self-rule?

Serbia doesn't need to take Kosovo "back". It is already in Kosovo, with structures in place where loyal citizens reside, especially the North. Ethnic Albanians have had their parallel structures for decades and we tolerate them even today.

We need pragmatic negotiations to provide a chance for realistic peace in the province. Functionally, it is already partitioned and we just need to accept that fact and move on.

These comments about Kosovo being independent or Kosovo is Serbia are pointless. We can spend the rest of our lives arguing about that and achieve nothing - or we can negotiate peace based on reality.

Please study this statement and compare it with articles published by this same news media.

"Serbia will stand by its institutions, particularly the local government ones, and all other institutions that continued operating beyond 1999." Jovanovic

A prior Article says: "Serbian Kosovo Minister Goran Bogdanović said that the size of the Kosovo administration must be decreased drastically"

"There will be no new institutions, and the existing ones will have their support from the Serbian government."Jovanovic

Article says:" The Strpce government premises were taken over recently by the local administration that was elected in the local elections organized in late 2009 by the Kosovo Albanian government in Priština."

"Those institutions can in no way be called parallel, because they are the only institutions trusted by the Serbs and ethnic non-Albanians, and represent places where they can ask for services and settle their daily needs," Ivanović explained.

Mr Ivanovic, with all due respect if this is true than why there is another Serb administration in Strpce which has Roma, Albanians and Montenegrin amongst, unlike the Belgrade supported administration in the same municipality.

“There would of course be a right to secede. (Amer, 25 January 2010 14:21)”

Seems to me everyone EXCEPT Serbs have this “right” Amer.

Anyways, I support partition, so I understand what you’re saying, but we Serbs get stuck with the short end of the stick every time.

Its 100% clear that the only somewhat safe solution for the region was Yugoslavia. Maybe the EU will play the same role, or maybe the Balkans will be the death knell for the EU eventually, just as we did to our once beautiful Yugoslavia.

'We can spend the rest of our lives arguing about that and achieve nothing - or we can negotiate peace based on reality.
(Zoran, 25 January 2010 16:32) '

If you want to negotiate you can't start out by assuming you'll keep everything you've already got. Serbia wants all of Inner Serbia + Vojvodina + whatever parts of Kosovo it can get, plus the ability to ignore the Albanians. To get the Albanians back to the table, you have to offer them a better deal than what they already have, namely, a chance to win everything - an entirely new government with equal Albanian representation in the new state of Illyria, the ability to make laws affecting the entire new country. And so forth. They might go for this, who knows, but negotiations where Serbia can only win back part of what it's lost seem pointless.

To get the Albanians back to the table, you have to offer them a better deal than what they already have, namely, a chance to win everything...
(Amer, 25 January 2010 17:03)
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Ethnic Albanians will not get anything more than what Serbia is offering except we also offer the chance of peace, prosperity and freedom. That is about everything most ethnic Albanians want and it's already being offered. It's waiting on the negotiating table my friends.

The extremists will not have their way whatever happens and following their path just leads to the status quo. That's where frustration and instability lives. It is unsustainable.

Zoran Kosovo is independent and the north is no problem because it belongs to Kosovo. Serbs there will have no chance to say they are in Serbia because all serbian institutions there will be dead by the year 2011. If they like to live and have a good life they have to turn to the institutions of Kosovo for help and support.


It is not albanian extrmists who wants independence but all albanians wants independece from Serbia. There is nothing to negotiate about that. And there is no albanian extremist in Kosovo only serbian ones bombing places all aurond N.mitrovica. and the goverment in Belgrade is helping them to do that by assisting them.



But in the end therr will never be negotiations about the status as long as Kosovo consider it self independent and 65 recognition are still there. Serbia has lost Kosovo forever and will have no chance to get it back. Not as long as the majority in Kosovo is albanians at least.

Its 100% clear that the only somewhat safe solution for the region was Yugoslavia. Maybe the EU will play the same role, or maybe the Balkans will be the death knell for the EU eventually, just as we did to our once beautiful Yugoslavia.
(Matthew, 25 January 2010 17:28)
It did seem to work for Yugoslavia prior to Serbia's decision that they should assume control of Yugoslavia.

If Serbia is serious about starting negotiations all over it's going to have to be prepared to offer a lot more than it did last time, since the Albanians are in a lot better position than they were before. For example, you're going to have to change the name of the country - no Albanian is going to call himself a "Serb." Kosovo might do, or maybe "Illyria." Then, the Albanians and maybe the Hungarians are going to have to be constitutive peoples, with all that implies for national languages, schools, etc. throughout the country. As in Lebanon, the top government positions can be divided among the peoples - so the President would always be a Serb, for example, the PM an Albanian, the head of parliament an Hungarian. There would of course be a right to secede. The language of street signs would be determined at the municipal level, with multiple names where necessary. Albanians, start drawing up your list - if the Serbs want Kosovo back, they should have to take the Albanians along with it. Or maybe they'd just settle for what they've got?

"If Serbia is serious about starting negotiations all over it's going to have to be prepared to offer a lot more than it did last time, since the Albanians are in a lot better position than they were before. For example, you're going to have to change the name of the country - no Albanian is going to call himself a "Serb." Kosovo might do, or maybe "Illyria." Then, the Albanians and maybe the Hungarians are going to have to be constitutive peoples, with all that implies for national languages, schools, etc. throughout the country. As in Lebanon, the top government positions can be divided among the peoples - so the President would always be a Serb, for example, the PM an Albanian, the head of parliament an Hungarian. There would of course be a right to secede. The language of street signs would be determined at the municipal level, with multiple names where necessary. Albanians, start drawing up your list - if the Serbs want Kosovo back, they should have to take the Albanians along with it. Or maybe they'd just settle for what they've got?"
(Amer, 25 January 2010 14:21)

Uhhh, adding to your ironic statement (I read it as ironic) and in case people don't understand the irony, don't forget the increased possibility of another Milosevic rising in Serbia. You know, some Serb politician is bound to start talking about the excessive rights of the Albanians and use Serb discontent to personal gain (the second part of the sentence is optional). The inter-ethnic incidents are bound to increase, from a purely statistical point of view (more contact => more cooperation, but also more incidents) and the media on both sides will feast on those incidents, adding fuel to the fire. Don't forget also the creation of liberation movements among the Albanians, if what you propose happens. Remember how it all started? Kosovo was within Serbia, but that was not enough for Serbian regime. There were moderates in Serbia, but they couldn't stop Milosevic from rising.
You are proposing something similar to Bosnia for Serbia and Kosovo, but we all see how Bosnia is functioning, they (Federation+RS) block each other all the time, and I don't know if the Serb politicians would want that, I don't know if the people in Belgrade would want their integration in EU stopped by some dudes in Kosovo.
I think they and we should rather wait a couple generations, until the perceptions of this whole Kosovo story change from both sides. So the answer to your question would be, they'd just settle for what they've got.

these are the last manuvers of the Serbian state. Soon you wont hera much besides we are doing all we can speech.

See you in 5 yeras with a new municipality run by Serbs under Prishtina

O Oliver....the sovereignty of Kosovo and EULEX will spread to Little Columbia, you can count on that.

(KU, 25 January 2010 17:00)

Uhhh, adding to your ironic statement (I read it as ironic)

>>Yeah, pretty much.

don't forget the increased possibility of another Milosevic rising in Serbia.

>> You're right - if this is presented to the Serbian people as a done deal. To make it work, there would need to be a period of public discussion, allowing for changes to the constitution that would "make it possible to get Kosovo back."

Don't forget also the creation of liberation movements among the Albanians, if what you propose happens. Remember how it all started? Kosovo was within Serbia, but that was not enough for Serbian regime. There were moderates in Serbia, but they couldn't stop Milosevic from rising.

>> The Albanians won't need liberation movements if they are making the laws. If they are represented throughout the government (Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces comes to mind), there's little chance of Serbs using force against them. Didn't the moderate Serbs say that if the Albanians had cooperated before they could have defeated Milosevic? The problem was, they wanted the help without offering anything specific that the Albanians themselves wanted.

You are proposing something similar to Bosnia for Serbia and Kosovo

>> Actually the model I had in mind was the old Lebanon. But as long as the Serbs have free entry to their monasteries and can continue talking about Kosovo being the heart of Serbia, what more would they want? Their Serbian president would be the president of a larger country, they will continue not learning Albanian, ...

... I don't know if the people in Belgrade would want their integration in EU stopped by some dudes in Kosovo.

>> Why would some dudes in Kosovo want to block the integration of Illyria in the EU? That's what they're facing now, anyway - the new EU Minister for Expansion (Fule - whatever his title is) said during his confirmation hearings that the EU is never again going to allow a country in with unresolved border problems, not after the problems they've had with Cyprus. This would seem to be Kosovo's trump card.

I think they and we should rather wait a couple generations, until the perceptions of this whole Kosovo story change from both sides. So the answer to your question would be, they'd just settle for what they've got.

>> This is probably the most realistic solution, but it was an interesting thought-experiment to try to imagine what kind of offer might prompt the people in Prishtina to sit down to negotiate. Obviously, simply picking up where they left off, as Jeremic proposes doing, is a non-starter.

Mathew - I wouldn't be surprised to see some kind of Balkan Union in the future, if maybe informal. But tempers have to cool first. KU may be right about it taking a couple of generations. Look at the still-fragile peace in No. Ireland.

"On the other hand, the institutions being imposed by the ethnic Albanian authorities in Kosovo are parallel institutions, and their intention to spread their quasi-independence to areas populated by the Serbs has no chance of success, said Ivanović."

What is Ivanovic trying to hide behind this counter accusation?His fear that the Serbs in North Kosovo could decide to participate in the institution lead by Prishtina like it have done nearly 40% of the Serbs in the rest Kosovo? The declaration of many top leaders from Belgrade and the fact that they have been very rude and undiplomatic, shows that Belgrade couldn't contain oneself.

Belgrade have to accept the fact that the worl is not carring as much as Serbia would like about their point of view about the sovereignty and statehood of some states in Serbias direct neigborhood.

For us Albanians there is no status issue. We are all set since we consider the status to be settled; hence in our view there is no need for talks. The Serbs it seems like they do not get this. Now for the Serbs this is also the case, because according to their Constitution Kosova's status has been settled only by the Serb voters and they have picked for all those who live in Kosova (90% of whom were not allowed to vote) autonomy as the final status. Now since according to your Constitution you have already settled Kosova's status what's all this demagogy about negotiations. There is no need to negotiate and talk because Serbia, as written in the Constitution, has already settled the status issue. Now since the status issue was resolved by Serbia without Albanian participation, then what are the reasons that you need Albanians to sit on a table with the Serbs, since the major issue was resolved without any input by the Albanian side. Now every issue that is not related to the status is of secondary importance when compared to the status issue itself. If the primary issue, which was the status, was resolved without Albanian participation by the state of Serbia then likewise Serbia has the capability to resolve every other issue without Albanian participation, just like it did with the status. So what is the reason Albanians should sit on a table with the Serbs if Serbia considers the status issue to be settled and if Serbia considers it has the capability and legitimity to take such actions and make such decisions without Albanian participation?

Oliver,

no country has two judicial systems in place simultaneously. Considering the fact that these parallel structures don't even adhere to Resolution 12:45 PM which was agreed by all parties EULEX needs to bring Rule of Law to Little Columbia.

Now, Mr. Feith is trying to incorporate north of Kosovo and bring an end to all the violence in that area. I expect you to oppose it, why wouldn't you? You have your pockets lined up with Belgrade's Dinars and your interests are personal interests, not Serbia's interests, not Kosovar minority interests but purely yours. You were at first under Prishtina's Euro and now you've switched to the highest bidder.

Good for you!!

"“Quasi statehood won’t spread to north”Oliver Ivanović well said for Quasi Srpska entity."
Lenard

At least this quasi Srpska entity has the backing of the entire world garantead through the Dayton accord. Not the same can be said about Kosovo. Croats in Bosnia could only dream about having their own quasi republic. Ha ha ha!

“Quasi statehood won’t spread to north”Oliver Ivanović well said for Quasi Srpska entity.

So basically Oliver is telling the Serbs south of the Ibar to accept Kosova.

Also Jason, I get your point but what I don't get is your hypocrisy. 95% of the Serbs in the North according to you can go their separate way from Kosova. But 95% of Kosova can't go their separate way from Serbia? The least you can do is work on hiding your hypocrisy a little better.
(johny, 26 January 2010 19:17)

Johny that was my point... the very people that want to force Serbs in the north to live under Pristina do not want to be forced to live under Belgrade. What are your thoughts on partition?

"At least this quasi Srpska entity has the backing of the entire world garantead through the Dayton accord."

Why most of the Serbs are so sure that the whole is supporting them, only because they are convinced of that?! The Dayton Peace Agreement war signt by the main regional actors and the main powerfull states like USA,UK,Germany,France and Russia. This are some of the most powerfull countrys in the world, but not the whole world. And what they are trying know to correct the mistakes they made in front of the Republica Srpska.

The most powerfull countrys when they agree to accept the legal and justified independence of Kosovo they never granted a Republica Srpska in Norther Kosovo. Maybe they would, if the Serbs would take a constructiv part in the talks, maybe there would be a second republica Srpska.

They are a simple protectorate of the west, they may be recognized by many countries however not by majority and you are stuck with Serbia maintaining sovereignty over Kosovo in UN because after all it is Serbia.
(Neb, 26 January 2010 05:15)

Can you please expound a little on this idea that Serbia maintains sovereignty over Kosova? What is your idea of soverignty cause I am a little perplexed?

I, for one, am under no illusion that Kosova is sovereign but you shouldn't be under any illusion that Serbia maintains any sort of sovereignty over Kosova either.

Looks like Quasi Lenard is really bitter about Republika Srpska, but I suggest that he goes and joins Stipe in his early morning exercises to get fit and then lead the Croatian Army to victory in Brcko.
Too bad for the Croats in Bosnia because they will be history by 2012.

Integration of the N.Mitrovica will only be done by internationals if it ever happens. My personal opinion is to let them be the way they want to be as long as EULEX makes sure they cause no trouble for the rest of the people in Kosova.
(johny, 27 January 2010 00:27)

That is a sound and rational opinion, perhaps held by many Albanians. The problem though is that without proper police in the north, criminal elements can operate freely. It is certainly not as bad as some paint it out to be, but any amount of trafficking of drugs is too much. That leaves the situation frozen, unfortunately.

Also Jason, I get your point but what I don't get is your hypocrisy. 95% of the Serbs in the North according to you can go their separate way from Kosova. But 95% of Kosova can't go their separate way from Serbia? The least you can do is work on hiding your hypocrisy a little better.
(johny, 26 January 2010 19:17)
Ossetia, Abkhazie, Karabakh, Transnistria, Iraqi Kurdistan, Republika Srpska can't be independent, becouse international law, but Kosovo can??

Who is hypocrite Johny??

# Oliver,

no country has two judicial systems in place simultaneously. Considering the fact that these parallel structures don't even adhere to Resolution 12:45 PM which was agreed by all parties EULEX needs to bring Rule of Law to Little Columbia.

Now, Mr. Feith is trying to incorporate north of Kosovo and bring an end to all the violence in that area. I expect you to oppose it, why wouldn't you? You have your pockets lined up with Belgrade's Dinars and your interests are personal interests, not Serbia's interests, not Kosovar minority interests but purely yours. You were at first under Prishtina's Euro and now you've switched to the highest bidder.

Good for you!!
(KOSOVARi, 25 January 2010 21:36)

thanks, Kosovari. i always try to acknowledge well written, funny, spot-on comments. all of our unpaid labor... oh well.

so many of these politicians are shallow opportunists.

and yes, law and order, or as close as we can get to it, needs spread across Kosovo/a, but still and always with respect for local people and communities. just as we need to expect from serbia, in regards to predominantly albanian areas, or locales of other minorities, for that matter.

in my opinion, the idea of partitioning and (supposed) ethnic separation/apartheid is ridiculous and utterly retro. there are members of many different communities living in kosovo/a (incl mitrovica), serbia, bosnia, etc. live with it, deal with it. yugoslavia is dead -- milosevic and co. destroyed it and it will never come back together. but in no world does that imply that different people can't learn to live together. they always have, and always will. but it must be with respect and support from the govt(s), and thus blgd lost kosovo/a forever. that does not mean, by any stretch, that kosovo/a is "lost" to all serbs, or anyone else.

it seems to me that eulex has a major responsibility to see that persons of all minorities are granted equal rights and respect. that will not and cannot happen so long as serbia foments trouble, sends in its agents, facilitates mafia, and in every way continues to undermine kosovo/a and its neighbors.

finally i wish to point out that SOME posters on the other side now appear to be accepting the idea that kosovo/a no longer "belongs" to serbia. so at least we are making some strides here, tentative as they might be.

thank you.

robert-o
frisco

no country has two judicial systems in place simultaneously. Considering the fact that these parallel structures don't even adhere to Resolution 12:45 PM which was agreed by all parties EULEX needs to bring Rule of Law to Little Columbia.

Now, Mr. Feith is trying to incorporate north of Kosovo and bring an end to all the violence in that area. I expect you to oppose it, why wouldn't you? You have your pockets lined up with Belgrade's Dinars and your interests are personal interests, not Serbia's interests, not Kosovar minority interests but purely yours. You were at first under Prishtina's Euro and now you've switched to the highest bidder.

Good for you!!
(KOSOVARi, 25 January 2010 21:36)

First of all, stop parroting Kosovo-USA... If you two are referring to the country of ColOmbia, then please spell it properly. As of right now, you refer to the District of Columbia, Washington D.C. While D.C. is indeed far more dangerous than N. Mitro, I doubt you refer to my nation's capitol.

Second of all, if Feith wants to stop violence in the north, imposing Albanian authority on an unwilling population is going to do the complete opposite. Simple math: 95% do not want anything to do with Pristina, and if it is forced upon them, they will resist. Some can argue they have the right to do so under the UN Charter, Article 51, which authorizes self-defense. I am sure some of you will disagree but I digress....

As it stands now, you Albanians that are not from the north, particularly Zvecan, Zubin Potok, and Leposavic. You, and non-Albanians who have never even been here like Amer and Joe have yet to explain what is so important to YOU up there.

Again, simple math: If the EU wants to stop violence up north, they can anger 5% (arguably less) of the population or 95%. Feith needs to at least call a spade a spade and not pretend he is trying to spread peace.

This is so painfully apparent.

As much as Albanians want to think they have independence they know deep down they are far from it. They are a simple protectorate of the west, they may be recognized by many countries however not by majority and you are stuck with Serbia maintaining sovereignty over Kosovo in UN because after all it is Serbia. Nevertheless with out Serbia agreeing for Kosovo being a UN member it simple wont be there.
(Neb, 26 January 2010 05:15)

If that doesn't bother us; why does it bother you Serbs so much?

Also Jason, I get your point but what I don't get is your hypocrisy. 95% of the Serbs in the North according to you can go their separate way from Kosova. But 95% of Kosova can't go their separate way from Serbia? The least you can do is work on hiding your hypocrisy a little better.

Johny that was my point... the very people that want to force Serbs in the north to live under Pristina do not want to be forced to live under Belgrade. What are your thoughts on partition?
(Jason, 26 January 2010 20:24)

Belgrade lost its chance when it implemented its Constitution. Without voiding the part where it talks about status, nobody will take Belgrade seriously on any status talks, partition included. Including Albanians such as myself. Once that is done people might actually start to listen. Until then its simply demagogy. The ball is on Serbia's side. If they want partition they have to do two things. Change the Constitution, and after that make the proposal possibly at the UNSC meeting. Since this is not happening and there are actually no indications that it will eventually happen then we can only conclude Serbia is not interested in partition but only interested in the submission of the Albanian side.

Integration of the N.Mitrovica will only be done by internationals if it ever happens. My personal opinion is to let them be the way they want to be as long as EULEX makes sure they cause no trouble for the rest of the people in Kosova.

Ossetia, Abkhazie, Karabakh, Transnistria, Iraqi Kurdistan, Republika Srpska can't be independent, becouse international law, but Kosovo can??

Who is hypocrite Johny??
(Milan, 27 January 2010 18:14)

Eritrea, Finland, East Timor, just to name a few. All of them became independent while being provinces. The point is that there is no universal approach towards independence movements in international law; and this is exactly the point you Serbs try to avoid at any cost.

The most absurd thing I hear is that albanians think that Kosovo is independant, you are not. You are very much dependant, at best you are "autonomous" insofar as NATO/EULEX allow you to be. Remember they are in charge and you are not. You will be slaves to them rather than equals to the rest of Serbia. With NATO you will be serfs to wage war in the deserts of afghanistan at the whims of your western OWNERS rather than living free and autonomous in Kosovo as a part of Serbia. Both Serbs and albanians have a love for Kosovo, it can be shared, but compromise is needed now, you need a moderate in Pristina who can see the long terms benefits instead of mob bosses and terrorists in Pristina.

I couldn't agree more with Mr. Ivanovic.
(Mike, 25 January 2010 14:49
--
LET EXTREMIST SPEAK
I am from Kosovo and we have a culture of free speech.
I probably wouldn't go to see a radical speaker.

no country has two judicial systems in place simultaneously. Considering the fact that these parallel structures don't even adhere to Resolution 12:45 PM which was agreed by all parties EULEX needs to bring Rule of Law to Little Columbia.

Now, Mr. Feith is trying to incorporate north of Kosovo and bring an end to all the violence in that area. I expect you to oppose it, why wouldn't you? You have your pockets lined up with Belgrade's Dinars and your interests are personal interests, not Serbia's interests, not Kosovar minority interests but purely yours. You were at first under Prishtina's Euro and now you've switched to the highest bidder.

Good for you!!
(KOSOVARi, 25 January 2010 21:36)

KOSOVARi - I support You. There can't be two different judical systems on the territory of Republic of Serbia. So illegal kosovan judical system - should be liqudated.

About Resolution 1244: do You remember Annex 2 point 6 of these resolution?? Resolution is still obligatory - so according this point - To Kosovo can back serbian border guard and military. If You support international law - You must support liquidation illegal kosovan border guard and back serbian forces to the border crossings.

Ps. There is any Kosovan Euros - most of money coming from European Union. Without their Euros - Priština budget wil be crushed. Most of money spend in North - coming from Belgrade. Serbs from North - don't want illegal criminal Euros from Priština.

Kosovo's status will be based on ethnic Albanian rule within their areas while Serbia will control the rest. We need to finalise other important issues such as freedom of movement (people and goods), safety and the separated economies.

(Zoran, 25 January 2010 11:47)

The Serbian government never talked about kosovo partition, neither did the kosovo government. They claim all the territory. As for Eulex, they want to establish the rule of law under one chain of command without serbian interference. Ivanovic seems to challenge the authority of Eulex/UNMIK, ignoring the fact that the 1244 resolution says that kosovo is under UN administration, which means that serbia does't have any decion making in kosovo. Of course they can look after Serbs in kosovo, through the international reps.

At this stage, Serbia is not required to recognize Kosovo as an independent state, but to have some cooperation on important technical/practical issues. Later, when serbia will be ready to become a fully EU member, we will see what this cooperation will mean.

As much as Albanians want to think they have independence they know deep down they are far from it. They are a simple protectorate of the west, they may be recognized by many countries however not by majority and you are stuck with Serbia maintaining sovereignty over Kosovo in UN because after all it is Serbia. Nevertheless with out Serbia agreeing for Kosovo being a UN member it simple wont be there.

Looks like Quasi Lenard is really bitter about Republika Srpska. sj.- I was just praising Dodik in my last post of how he was brilliant ,good worker ,but a funny thing happened B92 censored my observation and refuse to post it go figure lol. Do you think they are anti quasi Srpska and Dodik that wold explain it.

And finally - You forgot, that Albanians have their national state like Finns, Eritreans or Timoreans. This state is Albania. Finns who live today in Sweden or Russia have ANY autonomy. They are only minority in this countries. Tigray peoples in Ethiopia - have ANY autonomy - they are only minority in Ethiopia. Nobody expected for creation of second finnish state in Sweden or second tigray state in Ethiopia. So - nobody expected for creation second albanian state on the territory of Republic of Serbia.

P.S. Why You don't support Ossetians or Abkkazians or Kurds - they have any state. Albanians have their own national state - Albania. So why You need second one with grabbing territory of neighbour country??
(Milan, 27 January 2010 22:19)

Majority of Cyprus are Greeks. Yet they are independent and have their own state. According to you they shouldn't because Greece should be their state.
Austria even though they are Germanic have their own state. According to you they shouldn't because Germany should be their state. You see even in this there is no universal approach. Let me not even bother with other areas in the world.

P.S Territory is not of Serbia. There were others who had occupied the territory for thousands of years before Serbs made it to the Balkans. Not only that but they were invaded for thousands of years. Serbia did not own the territory. Those who live there do.

Eritrea, Finland, East Timor, just to name a few. All of them became independent while being provinces. The point is that there is no universal approach towards independence movements in international law; and this is exactly the point you Serbs try to avoid at any cost.
(johny, 27 January 2010 19:16)

Johny - East Timor was conquered by Indonesia with break international law after Portugal give them independence.
Eritrea - was annexed by Ethiopia after collapse of Italian colonial imperium.
Finland... Are You joking?? Finland was state connected with personal union with Russia.

And finally - You forgot, that Albanians have their national state like Finns, Eritreans or Timoreans. This state is Albania. Finns who live today in Sweden or Russia have ANY autonomy. They are only minority in this countries. Tigray peoples in Ethiopia - have ANY autonomy - they are only minority in Ethiopia. Nobody expected for creation of second finnish state in Sweden or second tigray state in Ethiopia. So - nobody expected for creation second albanian state on the territory of Republic of Serbia.

P.S. Why You don't support Ossetians or Abkkazians or Kurds - they have any state. Albanians have their own national state - Albania. So why You need second one with grabbing territory of neighbour country??

Majority of Cyprus are Greeks. Yet they are independent and have their own state. According to you they shouldn't because Greece should be their state.
Austria even though they are Germanic have their own state. According to you they shouldn't because Germany should be their state. You see even in this there is no universal approach. Let me not even bother with other areas in the world.

P.S Territory is not of Serbia. There were others who had occupied the territory for thousands of years before Serbs made it to the Balkans. Not only that but they were invaded for thousands of years. Serbia did not own the territory. Those who live there do.
(johny, 28 January 2010 01:03)

Johhny - Your arguments are very poor. If You know - Cyprus was british colony. Cypriot Greeks wanted to be part of Greece, but Turkey said "NO" and after aggrement with UK was created Cyprus state, despite fact, that Cyprus from thousand years was ethnically and culturally greek island. Kosovo is predominantly albanian - from mayby 100 years (after turkish cleansings of 1876-1912).

Austria - have their own long history as independent state from hundreds years. Kosovo - have any tradition of existing as independent state.

Ps. Yes - During thousand years lot of times changed rulers of Kosovo. But Kosovo's history is linked with history of Serbia. Here was CENTRE of medieval serbian state, here were burned serbian kings. Cultural heritage of Kosovo - is mostly serbian (UNESCO heritage in Kosovo - is serbian). Only time when territory of Kosovo existed as independent state was when Kosovo was under serbian Brankovići dynasty rule. Until end of 19th century - most of Kosovo population was serbian/slavic. In 1913 - Kosovo back to Serbia after long turkish occupation. So - it's serbian land, where during long turkish occupation Albanians coming from Albania became majority. Similar to Sudetenland - where during long german occupation of Czech lands, Germans became majority. Do You remember Sudetenland and 1938?? Kosovo is Serbian Sudetenland. And will back to Serbia, like Sudetenland back to Czech Republic.

Ps. 2 Today - international law prefer territorial integrity of states more than minority attemps for independence. For minorities - international and european law offer political, economical and cultural autonomy.

Kosovo's status will be based on ethnic Albanian rule within their areas while Serbia will control the rest. We need to finalise other important issues such as freedom of movement (people and goods), safety and the separated economies.

Lets hope the extremists start calming down and finally accept negotiations as the only path to lasting peace.
(Zoran, 25 January 2010 11:47)

"while Serbia will control the rest"

I would love to know what the "rest" will be, since you can't never cross the river"

The plan, announced by the ethnic Albanian authorities and head of the International Civilian Office (ICO) Pieter Feith “has no chances of success because it does not have the approval of the Serbs and the Serbian government”, Ivanović told Tanjug news agency on Sunday.

...as if for Kosovo the Serbs and Serbian government have the last say....

Beyond rediculeness...If that was the case Kosovo would never liberate itself.

these are the last manuvers of the Serbian state. Soon you wont hera much besides we are doing all we can speech.

See you in 5 yeras with a new municipality run by Serbs under Prishtina

PRN,

You are dreaming. Serbs are the overwhelming majority in the north and you cannot force anything there. It is hypocritical for you to call for self determination in the south of Kosovo yet deny it in the north.

If Serbia is serious about starting negotiations all over it's going to have to be prepared to offer a lot more than it did last time, since the Albanians are in a lot better position than they were before. For example, you're going to have to change the name of the country - no Albanian is going to call himself a "Serb." Kosovo might do, or maybe "Illyria." Then, the Albanians and maybe the Hungarians are going to have to be constitutive peoples, with all that implies for national languages, schools, etc. throughout the country. As in Lebanon, the top government positions can be divided among the peoples - so the President would always be a Serb, for example, the PM an Albanian, the head of parliament an Hungarian. There would of course be a right to secede. The language of street signs would be determined at the municipal level, with multiple names where necessary. Albanians, start drawing up your list - if the Serbs want Kosovo back, they should have to take the Albanians along with it. Or maybe they'd just settle for what they've got?

PRN - Kosovo never "liberated" itself. It was NATO that won the war, not the KLA or any other Albanian terrorist organisation.

Team Albanian, why would serbs join and live with the same people as those who killed tortured and destroyed there belongings and churchs both from 1940s all the way up to today!

You forget this is not 1999! Theres more than one player on the world stage and im afraid Serbia has two and you have one whos economy and is loosing two wars :)
And yes you can slate Russia but i belive it was only a couple of weeks ago that Nato Begged for Russian help in Afghanistan as well as Russia supplys the west with gas and other natural resources ;)

LONG LIVE SERBIA, SERBS AND VASOJEVICI!

O Oliver....the sovereignty of Kosovo and EULEX will spread to Little Columbia, you can count on that.

Not surprising that K-alb trolls always start the commenting of the day, what else are there to do? Are there any churches left to destroy? Serbians to bully? But i suggest that you at least try to get a decent legal job and a life, €U wont do everything for you, you know...

PRN: "...as if for Kosovo the Serbs and Serbian government have the last say....
Beyond rediculeness...If that was the case Kosovo would never liberate itself."


But that's exactly the point. The entire international community knows that nothing can move ahead without an agreement between Serbia and the Pristina government.

Kosovo remains legally a province of Serbia, therefore of course Serbia will have the last say.

'We can spend the rest of our lives arguing about that and achieve nothing - or we can negotiate peace based on reality.
(Zoran, 25 January 2010 16:32) '

If you want to negotiate you can't start out by assuming you'll keep everything you've already got. Serbia wants all of Inner Serbia + Vojvodina + whatever parts of Kosovo it can get, plus the ability to ignore the Albanians. To get the Albanians back to the table, you have to offer them a better deal than what they already have, namely, a chance to win everything - an entirely new government with equal Albanian representation in the new state of Illyria, the ability to make laws affecting the entire new country. And so forth. They might go for this, who knows, but negotiations where Serbia can only win back part of what it's lost seem pointless.

PRN - Kosovo never "liberated" itself. It was NATO that won the war, not the KLA or any other Albanian terrorist organisation.
(Radoslav, 25 January 2010 11:13)
--
Radoslav, if NATO won then there would be no need for UNSCR1244, guaranteeing Serbia's territorial integrity and placing the province under UN administration. The battle continues to this day, it is just not military. What we need is to end the battle and compromise so everyone wins.

to amer:

And who are you to speak on behalf of all Serbs? Who are you to tell us what to do with our Holy Land? Stop demonizing Serbia and get a life!

Zoran Kosovo is independent and the north is no problem because it belongs to Kosovo. Serbs there will have no chance to say they are in Serbia because all serbian institutions there will be dead by the year 2011. If they like to live and have a good life they have to turn to the institutions of Kosovo for help and support.


It is not albanian extrmists who wants independence but all albanians wants independece from Serbia. There is nothing to negotiate about that. And there is no albanian extremist in Kosovo only serbian ones bombing places all aurond N.mitrovica. and the goverment in Belgrade is helping them to do that by assisting them.



But in the end therr will never be negotiations about the status as long as Kosovo consider it self independent and 65 recognition are still there. Serbia has lost Kosovo forever and will have no chance to get it back. Not as long as the majority in Kosovo is albanians at least.

For us Albanians there is no status issue. We are all set since we consider the status to be settled; hence in our view there is no need for talks. The Serbs it seems like they do not get this. Now for the Serbs this is also the case, because according to their Constitution Kosova's status has been settled only by the Serb voters and they have picked for all those who live in Kosova (90% of whom were not allowed to vote) autonomy as the final status. Now since according to your Constitution you have already settled Kosova's status what's all this demagogy about negotiations. There is no need to negotiate and talk because Serbia, as written in the Constitution, has already settled the status issue. Now since the status issue was resolved by Serbia without Albanian participation, then what are the reasons that you need Albanians to sit on a table with the Serbs, since the major issue was resolved without any input by the Albanian side. Now every issue that is not related to the status is of secondary importance when compared to the status issue itself. If the primary issue, which was the status, was resolved without Albanian participation by the state of Serbia then likewise Serbia has the capability to resolve every other issue without Albanian participation, just like it did with the status. So what is the reason Albanians should sit on a table with the Serbs if Serbia considers the status issue to be settled and if Serbia considers it has the capability and legitimity to take such actions and make such decisions without Albanian participation?

"If Serbia is serious about starting negotiations all over it's going to have to be prepared to offer a lot more than it did last time, since the Albanians are in a lot better position than they were before. For example, you're going to have to change the name of the country - no Albanian is going to call himself a "Serb." Kosovo might do, or maybe "Illyria." Then, the Albanians and maybe the Hungarians are going to have to be constitutive peoples, with all that implies for national languages, schools, etc. throughout the country. As in Lebanon, the top government positions can be divided among the peoples - so the President would always be a Serb, for example, the PM an Albanian, the head of parliament an Hungarian. There would of course be a right to secede. The language of street signs would be determined at the municipal level, with multiple names where necessary. Albanians, start drawing up your list - if the Serbs want Kosovo back, they should have to take the Albanians along with it. Or maybe they'd just settle for what they've got?"
(Amer, 25 January 2010 14:21)

Uhhh, adding to your ironic statement (I read it as ironic) and in case people don't understand the irony, don't forget the increased possibility of another Milosevic rising in Serbia. You know, some Serb politician is bound to start talking about the excessive rights of the Albanians and use Serb discontent to personal gain (the second part of the sentence is optional). The inter-ethnic incidents are bound to increase, from a purely statistical point of view (more contact => more cooperation, but also more incidents) and the media on both sides will feast on those incidents, adding fuel to the fire. Don't forget also the creation of liberation movements among the Albanians, if what you propose happens. Remember how it all started? Kosovo was within Serbia, but that was not enough for Serbian regime. There were moderates in Serbia, but they couldn't stop Milosevic from rising.
You are proposing something similar to Bosnia for Serbia and Kosovo, but we all see how Bosnia is functioning, they (Federation+RS) block each other all the time, and I don't know if the Serb politicians would want that, I don't know if the people in Belgrade would want their integration in EU stopped by some dudes in Kosovo.
I think they and we should rather wait a couple generations, until the perceptions of this whole Kosovo story change from both sides. So the answer to your question would be, they'd just settle for what they've got.

To get the Albanians back to the table, you have to offer them a better deal than what they already have, namely, a chance to win everything...
(Amer, 25 January 2010 17:03)
--
Ethnic Albanians will not get anything more than what Serbia is offering except we also offer the chance of peace, prosperity and freedom. That is about everything most ethnic Albanians want and it's already being offered. It's waiting on the negotiating table my friends.

The extremists will not have their way whatever happens and following their path just leads to the status quo. That's where frustration and instability lives. It is unsustainable.

“Quasi statehood won’t spread to north”Oliver Ivanović well said for Quasi Srpska entity.

I couldn't agree more with Mr. Ivanovic.

Its 100% clear that the only somewhat safe solution for the region was Yugoslavia. Maybe the EU will play the same role, or maybe the Balkans will be the death knell for the EU eventually, just as we did to our once beautiful Yugoslavia.
(Matthew, 25 January 2010 17:28)
It did seem to work for Yugoslavia prior to Serbia's decision that they should assume control of Yugoslavia.

Well, I'm glad the true reality is finally being realised. Attempting to impose something on an unwilling party is a recipe for instability, be they Serbian, ethnic Albanian or others.

The functional partition of Kosovo has been mentioned for quite some time and when we finally sit at the negotiating table to conclude this reality, we can finally move to the next level.

Kosovo's status will be based on ethnic Albanian rule within their areas while Serbia will control the rest. We need to finalise other important issues such as freedom of movement (people and goods), safety and the separated economies.

Lets hope the extremists start calming down and finally accept negotiations as the only path to lasting peace.

"On the other hand, the institutions being imposed by the ethnic Albanian authorities in Kosovo are parallel institutions, and their intention to spread their quasi-independence to areas populated by the Serbs has no chance of success, said Ivanović."

What is Ivanovic trying to hide behind this counter accusation?His fear that the Serbs in North Kosovo could decide to participate in the institution lead by Prishtina like it have done nearly 40% of the Serbs in the rest Kosovo? The declaration of many top leaders from Belgrade and the fact that they have been very rude and undiplomatic, shows that Belgrade couldn't contain oneself.

Belgrade have to accept the fact that the worl is not carring as much as Serbia would like about their point of view about the sovereignty and statehood of some states in Serbias direct neigborhood.

"“Quasi statehood won’t spread to north”Oliver Ivanović well said for Quasi Srpska entity."
Lenard

At least this quasi Srpska entity has the backing of the entire world garantead through the Dayton accord. Not the same can be said about Kosovo. Croats in Bosnia could only dream about having their own quasi republic. Ha ha ha!

I would love to know what the "rest" will be, since you can't never cross the river"
(Kosova-USA, 25 January 2010 12:54)
--
"can't never" is a double negative, which means "always".

But as you know, the Gorani are loyal Serbian citizens and control quite a bit of territory in the South. As part of negotiations, they will fall within Serbian structures. There are other pockets here and there also.

Remember, extremists will be removed sooner or later out of necessity otherwise the province will remain isolated indefinitely. I doubt the EU wants that?

(KU, 25 January 2010 17:00)

Uhhh, adding to your ironic statement (I read it as ironic)

>>Yeah, pretty much.

don't forget the increased possibility of another Milosevic rising in Serbia.

>> You're right - if this is presented to the Serbian people as a done deal. To make it work, there would need to be a period of public discussion, allowing for changes to the constitution that would "make it possible to get Kosovo back."

Don't forget also the creation of liberation movements among the Albanians, if what you propose happens. Remember how it all started? Kosovo was within Serbia, but that was not enough for Serbian regime. There were moderates in Serbia, but they couldn't stop Milosevic from rising.

>> The Albanians won't need liberation movements if they are making the laws. If they are represented throughout the government (Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces comes to mind), there's little chance of Serbs using force against them. Didn't the moderate Serbs say that if the Albanians had cooperated before they could have defeated Milosevic? The problem was, they wanted the help without offering anything specific that the Albanians themselves wanted.

You are proposing something similar to Bosnia for Serbia and Kosovo

>> Actually the model I had in mind was the old Lebanon. But as long as the Serbs have free entry to their monasteries and can continue talking about Kosovo being the heart of Serbia, what more would they want? Their Serbian president would be the president of a larger country, they will continue not learning Albanian, ...

... I don't know if the people in Belgrade would want their integration in EU stopped by some dudes in Kosovo.

>> Why would some dudes in Kosovo want to block the integration of Illyria in the EU? That's what they're facing now, anyway - the new EU Minister for Expansion (Fule - whatever his title is) said during his confirmation hearings that the EU is never again going to allow a country in with unresolved border problems, not after the problems they've had with Cyprus. This would seem to be Kosovo's trump card.

I think they and we should rather wait a couple generations, until the perceptions of this whole Kosovo story change from both sides. So the answer to your question would be, they'd just settle for what they've got.

>> This is probably the most realistic solution, but it was an interesting thought-experiment to try to imagine what kind of offer might prompt the people in Prishtina to sit down to negotiate. Obviously, simply picking up where they left off, as Jeremic proposes doing, is a non-starter.

Mathew - I wouldn't be surprised to see some kind of Balkan Union in the future, if maybe informal. But tempers have to cool first. KU may be right about it taking a couple of generations. Look at the still-fragile peace in No. Ireland.

Please study this statement and compare it with articles published by this same news media.

"Serbia will stand by its institutions, particularly the local government ones, and all other institutions that continued operating beyond 1999." Jovanovic

A prior Article says: "Serbian Kosovo Minister Goran Bogdanović said that the size of the Kosovo administration must be decreased drastically"

"There will be no new institutions, and the existing ones will have their support from the Serbian government."Jovanovic

Article says:" The Strpce government premises were taken over recently by the local administration that was elected in the local elections organized in late 2009 by the Kosovo Albanian government in Priština."

"Those institutions can in no way be called parallel, because they are the only institutions trusted by the Serbs and ethnic non-Albanians, and represent places where they can ask for services and settle their daily needs," Ivanović explained.

Mr Ivanovic, with all due respect if this is true than why there is another Serb administration in Strpce which has Roma, Albanians and Montenegrin amongst, unlike the Belgrade supported administration in the same municipality.

Or maybe they'd just settle for what they've got?
(Amer, 25 January 2010 14:21)
--
Amer, you seem a little detached. Why would Kosovo Albanians want to integrate into Serbian structures when we are offering self-rule?

Serbia doesn't need to take Kosovo "back". It is already in Kosovo, with structures in place where loyal citizens reside, especially the North. Ethnic Albanians have had their parallel structures for decades and we tolerate them even today.

We need pragmatic negotiations to provide a chance for realistic peace in the province. Functionally, it is already partitioned and we just need to accept that fact and move on.

These comments about Kosovo being independent or Kosovo is Serbia are pointless. We can spend the rest of our lives arguing about that and achieve nothing - or we can negotiate peace based on reality.

Oliver,

no country has two judicial systems in place simultaneously. Considering the fact that these parallel structures don't even adhere to Resolution 12:45 PM which was agreed by all parties EULEX needs to bring Rule of Law to Little Columbia.

Now, Mr. Feith is trying to incorporate north of Kosovo and bring an end to all the violence in that area. I expect you to oppose it, why wouldn't you? You have your pockets lined up with Belgrade's Dinars and your interests are personal interests, not Serbia's interests, not Kosovar minority interests but purely yours. You were at first under Prishtina's Euro and now you've switched to the highest bidder.

Good for you!!

“There would of course be a right to secede. (Amer, 25 January 2010 14:21)”

Seems to me everyone EXCEPT Serbs have this “right” Amer.

Anyways, I support partition, so I understand what you’re saying, but we Serbs get stuck with the short end of the stick every time.

Its 100% clear that the only somewhat safe solution for the region was Yugoslavia. Maybe the EU will play the same role, or maybe the Balkans will be the death knell for the EU eventually, just as we did to our once beautiful Yugoslavia.

Looks like Quasi Lenard is really bitter about Republika Srpska, but I suggest that he goes and joins Stipe in his early morning exercises to get fit and then lead the Croatian Army to victory in Brcko.
Too bad for the Croats in Bosnia because they will be history by 2012.

Looks like Quasi Lenard is really bitter about Republika Srpska. sj.- I was just praising Dodik in my last post of how he was brilliant ,good worker ,but a funny thing happened B92 censored my observation and refuse to post it go figure lol. Do you think they are anti quasi Srpska and Dodik that wold explain it.

So basically Oliver is telling the Serbs south of the Ibar to accept Kosova.

# Oliver,

no country has two judicial systems in place simultaneously. Considering the fact that these parallel structures don't even adhere to Resolution 12:45 PM which was agreed by all parties EULEX needs to bring Rule of Law to Little Columbia.

Now, Mr. Feith is trying to incorporate north of Kosovo and bring an end to all the violence in that area. I expect you to oppose it, why wouldn't you? You have your pockets lined up with Belgrade's Dinars and your interests are personal interests, not Serbia's interests, not Kosovar minority interests but purely yours. You were at first under Prishtina's Euro and now you've switched to the highest bidder.

Good for you!!
(KOSOVARi, 25 January 2010 21:36)

thanks, Kosovari. i always try to acknowledge well written, funny, spot-on comments. all of our unpaid labor... oh well.

so many of these politicians are shallow opportunists.

and yes, law and order, or as close as we can get to it, needs spread across Kosovo/a, but still and always with respect for local people and communities. just as we need to expect from serbia, in regards to predominantly albanian areas, or locales of other minorities, for that matter.

in my opinion, the idea of partitioning and (supposed) ethnic separation/apartheid is ridiculous and utterly retro. there are members of many different communities living in kosovo/a (incl mitrovica), serbia, bosnia, etc. live with it, deal with it. yugoslavia is dead -- milosevic and co. destroyed it and it will never come back together. but in no world does that imply that different people can't learn to live together. they always have, and always will. but it must be with respect and support from the govt(s), and thus blgd lost kosovo/a forever. that does not mean, by any stretch, that kosovo/a is "lost" to all serbs, or anyone else.

it seems to me that eulex has a major responsibility to see that persons of all minorities are granted equal rights and respect. that will not and cannot happen so long as serbia foments trouble, sends in its agents, facilitates mafia, and in every way continues to undermine kosovo/a and its neighbors.

finally i wish to point out that SOME posters on the other side now appear to be accepting the idea that kosovo/a no longer "belongs" to serbia. so at least we are making some strides here, tentative as they might be.

thank you.

robert-o
frisco

no country has two judicial systems in place simultaneously. Considering the fact that these parallel structures don't even adhere to Resolution 12:45 PM which was agreed by all parties EULEX needs to bring Rule of Law to Little Columbia.

Now, Mr. Feith is trying to incorporate north of Kosovo and bring an end to all the violence in that area. I expect you to oppose it, why wouldn't you? You have your pockets lined up with Belgrade's Dinars and your interests are personal interests, not Serbia's interests, not Kosovar minority interests but purely yours. You were at first under Prishtina's Euro and now you've switched to the highest bidder.

Good for you!!
(KOSOVARi, 25 January 2010 21:36)

KOSOVARi - I support You. There can't be two different judical systems on the territory of Republic of Serbia. So illegal kosovan judical system - should be liqudated.

About Resolution 1244: do You remember Annex 2 point 6 of these resolution?? Resolution is still obligatory - so according this point - To Kosovo can back serbian border guard and military. If You support international law - You must support liquidation illegal kosovan border guard and back serbian forces to the border crossings.

Ps. There is any Kosovan Euros - most of money coming from European Union. Without their Euros - Priština budget wil be crushed. Most of money spend in North - coming from Belgrade. Serbs from North - don't want illegal criminal Euros from Priština.

I couldn't agree more with Mr. Ivanovic.
(Mike, 25 January 2010 14:49
--
LET EXTREMIST SPEAK
I am from Kosovo and we have a culture of free speech.
I probably wouldn't go to see a radical speaker.

The most absurd thing I hear is that albanians think that Kosovo is independant, you are not. You are very much dependant, at best you are "autonomous" insofar as NATO/EULEX allow you to be. Remember they are in charge and you are not. You will be slaves to them rather than equals to the rest of Serbia. With NATO you will be serfs to wage war in the deserts of afghanistan at the whims of your western OWNERS rather than living free and autonomous in Kosovo as a part of Serbia. Both Serbs and albanians have a love for Kosovo, it can be shared, but compromise is needed now, you need a moderate in Pristina who can see the long terms benefits instead of mob bosses and terrorists in Pristina.

Kosovo's status will be based on ethnic Albanian rule within their areas while Serbia will control the rest. We need to finalise other important issues such as freedom of movement (people and goods), safety and the separated economies.

(Zoran, 25 January 2010 11:47)

The Serbian government never talked about kosovo partition, neither did the kosovo government. They claim all the territory. As for Eulex, they want to establish the rule of law under one chain of command without serbian interference. Ivanovic seems to challenge the authority of Eulex/UNMIK, ignoring the fact that the 1244 resolution says that kosovo is under UN administration, which means that serbia does't have any decion making in kosovo. Of course they can look after Serbs in kosovo, through the international reps.

At this stage, Serbia is not required to recognize Kosovo as an independent state, but to have some cooperation on important technical/practical issues. Later, when serbia will be ready to become a fully EU member, we will see what this cooperation will mean.

As much as Albanians want to think they have independence they know deep down they are far from it. They are a simple protectorate of the west, they may be recognized by many countries however not by majority and you are stuck with Serbia maintaining sovereignty over Kosovo in UN because after all it is Serbia. Nevertheless with out Serbia agreeing for Kosovo being a UN member it simple wont be there.

no country has two judicial systems in place simultaneously. Considering the fact that these parallel structures don't even adhere to Resolution 12:45 PM which was agreed by all parties EULEX needs to bring Rule of Law to Little Columbia.

Now, Mr. Feith is trying to incorporate north of Kosovo and bring an end to all the violence in that area. I expect you to oppose it, why wouldn't you? You have your pockets lined up with Belgrade's Dinars and your interests are personal interests, not Serbia's interests, not Kosovar minority interests but purely yours. You were at first under Prishtina's Euro and now you've switched to the highest bidder.

Good for you!!
(KOSOVARi, 25 January 2010 21:36)

First of all, stop parroting Kosovo-USA... If you two are referring to the country of ColOmbia, then please spell it properly. As of right now, you refer to the District of Columbia, Washington D.C. While D.C. is indeed far more dangerous than N. Mitro, I doubt you refer to my nation's capitol.

Second of all, if Feith wants to stop violence in the north, imposing Albanian authority on an unwilling population is going to do the complete opposite. Simple math: 95% do not want anything to do with Pristina, and if it is forced upon them, they will resist. Some can argue they have the right to do so under the UN Charter, Article 51, which authorizes self-defense. I am sure some of you will disagree but I digress....

As it stands now, you Albanians that are not from the north, particularly Zvecan, Zubin Potok, and Leposavic. You, and non-Albanians who have never even been here like Amer and Joe have yet to explain what is so important to YOU up there.

Again, simple math: If the EU wants to stop violence up north, they can anger 5% (arguably less) of the population or 95%. Feith needs to at least call a spade a spade and not pretend he is trying to spread peace.

This is so painfully apparent.

Also Jason, I get your point but what I don't get is your hypocrisy. 95% of the Serbs in the North according to you can go their separate way from Kosova. But 95% of Kosova can't go their separate way from Serbia? The least you can do is work on hiding your hypocrisy a little better.
(johny, 26 January 2010 19:17)

Johny that was my point... the very people that want to force Serbs in the north to live under Pristina do not want to be forced to live under Belgrade. What are your thoughts on partition?

"At least this quasi Srpska entity has the backing of the entire world garantead through the Dayton accord."

Why most of the Serbs are so sure that the whole is supporting them, only because they are convinced of that?! The Dayton Peace Agreement war signt by the main regional actors and the main powerfull states like USA,UK,Germany,France and Russia. This are some of the most powerfull countrys in the world, but not the whole world. And what they are trying know to correct the mistakes they made in front of the Republica Srpska.

The most powerfull countrys when they agree to accept the legal and justified independence of Kosovo they never granted a Republica Srpska in Norther Kosovo. Maybe they would, if the Serbs would take a constructiv part in the talks, maybe there would be a second republica Srpska.

As much as Albanians want to think they have independence they know deep down they are far from it. They are a simple protectorate of the west, they may be recognized by many countries however not by majority and you are stuck with Serbia maintaining sovereignty over Kosovo in UN because after all it is Serbia. Nevertheless with out Serbia agreeing for Kosovo being a UN member it simple wont be there.
(Neb, 26 January 2010 05:15)

If that doesn't bother us; why does it bother you Serbs so much?

Also Jason, I get your point but what I don't get is your hypocrisy. 95% of the Serbs in the North according to you can go their separate way from Kosova. But 95% of Kosova can't go their separate way from Serbia? The least you can do is work on hiding your hypocrisy a little better.

They are a simple protectorate of the west, they may be recognized by many countries however not by majority and you are stuck with Serbia maintaining sovereignty over Kosovo in UN because after all it is Serbia.
(Neb, 26 January 2010 05:15)

Can you please expound a little on this idea that Serbia maintains sovereignty over Kosova? What is your idea of soverignty cause I am a little perplexed?

I, for one, am under no illusion that Kosova is sovereign but you shouldn't be under any illusion that Serbia maintains any sort of sovereignty over Kosova either.

Ossetia, Abkhazie, Karabakh, Transnistria, Iraqi Kurdistan, Republika Srpska can't be independent, becouse international law, but Kosovo can??

Who is hypocrite Johny??
(Milan, 27 January 2010 18:14)

Eritrea, Finland, East Timor, just to name a few. All of them became independent while being provinces. The point is that there is no universal approach towards independence movements in international law; and this is exactly the point you Serbs try to avoid at any cost.

Majority of Cyprus are Greeks. Yet they are independent and have their own state. According to you they shouldn't because Greece should be their state.
Austria even though they are Germanic have their own state. According to you they shouldn't because Germany should be their state. You see even in this there is no universal approach. Let me not even bother with other areas in the world.

P.S Territory is not of Serbia. There were others who had occupied the territory for thousands of years before Serbs made it to the Balkans. Not only that but they were invaded for thousands of years. Serbia did not own the territory. Those who live there do.
(johny, 28 January 2010 01:03)

Johhny - Your arguments are very poor. If You know - Cyprus was british colony. Cypriot Greeks wanted to be part of Greece, but Turkey said "NO" and after aggrement with UK was created Cyprus state, despite fact, that Cyprus from thousand years was ethnically and culturally greek island. Kosovo is predominantly albanian - from mayby 100 years (after turkish cleansings of 1876-1912).

Austria - have their own long history as independent state from hundreds years. Kosovo - have any tradition of existing as independent state.

Ps. Yes - During thousand years lot of times changed rulers of Kosovo. But Kosovo's history is linked with history of Serbia. Here was CENTRE of medieval serbian state, here were burned serbian kings. Cultural heritage of Kosovo - is mostly serbian (UNESCO heritage in Kosovo - is serbian). Only time when territory of Kosovo existed as independent state was when Kosovo was under serbian Brankovići dynasty rule. Until end of 19th century - most of Kosovo population was serbian/slavic. In 1913 - Kosovo back to Serbia after long turkish occupation. So - it's serbian land, where during long turkish occupation Albanians coming from Albania became majority. Similar to Sudetenland - where during long german occupation of Czech lands, Germans became majority. Do You remember Sudetenland and 1938?? Kosovo is Serbian Sudetenland. And will back to Serbia, like Sudetenland back to Czech Republic.

Ps. 2 Today - international law prefer territorial integrity of states more than minority attemps for independence. For minorities - international and european law offer political, economical and cultural autonomy.

Johny that was my point... the very people that want to force Serbs in the north to live under Pristina do not want to be forced to live under Belgrade. What are your thoughts on partition?
(Jason, 26 January 2010 20:24)

Belgrade lost its chance when it implemented its Constitution. Without voiding the part where it talks about status, nobody will take Belgrade seriously on any status talks, partition included. Including Albanians such as myself. Once that is done people might actually start to listen. Until then its simply demagogy. The ball is on Serbia's side. If they want partition they have to do two things. Change the Constitution, and after that make the proposal possibly at the UNSC meeting. Since this is not happening and there are actually no indications that it will eventually happen then we can only conclude Serbia is not interested in partition but only interested in the submission of the Albanian side.

Integration of the N.Mitrovica will only be done by internationals if it ever happens. My personal opinion is to let them be the way they want to be as long as EULEX makes sure they cause no trouble for the rest of the people in Kosova.

Integration of the N.Mitrovica will only be done by internationals if it ever happens. My personal opinion is to let them be the way they want to be as long as EULEX makes sure they cause no trouble for the rest of the people in Kosova.
(johny, 27 January 2010 00:27)

That is a sound and rational opinion, perhaps held by many Albanians. The problem though is that without proper police in the north, criminal elements can operate freely. It is certainly not as bad as some paint it out to be, but any amount of trafficking of drugs is too much. That leaves the situation frozen, unfortunately.

Also Jason, I get your point but what I don't get is your hypocrisy. 95% of the Serbs in the North according to you can go their separate way from Kosova. But 95% of Kosova can't go their separate way from Serbia? The least you can do is work on hiding your hypocrisy a little better.
(johny, 26 January 2010 19:17)
Ossetia, Abkhazie, Karabakh, Transnistria, Iraqi Kurdistan, Republika Srpska can't be independent, becouse international law, but Kosovo can??

Who is hypocrite Johny??

Eritrea, Finland, East Timor, just to name a few. All of them became independent while being provinces. The point is that there is no universal approach towards independence movements in international law; and this is exactly the point you Serbs try to avoid at any cost.
(johny, 27 January 2010 19:16)

Johny - East Timor was conquered by Indonesia with break international law after Portugal give them independence.
Eritrea - was annexed by Ethiopia after collapse of Italian colonial imperium.
Finland... Are You joking?? Finland was state connected with personal union with Russia.

And finally - You forgot, that Albanians have their national state like Finns, Eritreans or Timoreans. This state is Albania. Finns who live today in Sweden or Russia have ANY autonomy. They are only minority in this countries. Tigray peoples in Ethiopia - have ANY autonomy - they are only minority in Ethiopia. Nobody expected for creation of second finnish state in Sweden or second tigray state in Ethiopia. So - nobody expected for creation second albanian state on the territory of Republic of Serbia.

P.S. Why You don't support Ossetians or Abkkazians or Kurds - they have any state. Albanians have their own national state - Albania. So why You need second one with grabbing territory of neighbour country??

And finally - You forgot, that Albanians have their national state like Finns, Eritreans or Timoreans. This state is Albania. Finns who live today in Sweden or Russia have ANY autonomy. They are only minority in this countries. Tigray peoples in Ethiopia - have ANY autonomy - they are only minority in Ethiopia. Nobody expected for creation of second finnish state in Sweden or second tigray state in Ethiopia. So - nobody expected for creation second albanian state on the territory of Republic of Serbia.

P.S. Why You don't support Ossetians or Abkkazians or Kurds - they have any state. Albanians have their own national state - Albania. So why You need second one with grabbing territory of neighbour country??
(Milan, 27 January 2010 22:19)

Majority of Cyprus are Greeks. Yet they are independent and have their own state. According to you they shouldn't because Greece should be their state.
Austria even though they are Germanic have their own state. According to you they shouldn't because Germany should be their state. You see even in this there is no universal approach. Let me not even bother with other areas in the world.

P.S Territory is not of Serbia. There were others who had occupied the territory for thousands of years before Serbs made it to the Balkans. Not only that but they were invaded for thousands of years. Serbia did not own the territory. Those who live there do.