"Greece won't recognize Kosovo"

1) "from one hand they ask the EU for help and from the other hand is against EU policy in balkan".
(niko kurkuli, 17 February 2010 09:49)

Το niko kurkuli: The policy of the EU in Balkans in NOT to recognise the illegal pseudo-state of Kosovo. If some individual members have done so without "thinking", it is their problem not Greece's...

2) "the best thing for greece is to sort out them self with their debt and after that to call for all greek immigrants to leave england and go back to cuprys and greece"
(hazel, 17 February 2010 09:56)

To hazel: First of all Greece is still 30 years in front of the poor little Albania that's why Albanians still live in... Greece. And Greece does not have immigrants in UK. Nothing. The only country in Europe that has the majority of it's population elsewhere is the poor little Albania. In Italy and Greece...

3) "a $450 Billion debt means you have no sovereignty, in fact Germany wants to take away all your voting rights until you pay up. Greece has already been removed from one meeting, no vote, and FYROM will join NATO in June."
(Dritan, 17 February 2010 10:01)

To Dritan:
a) Greece does not have 450 billion dept. You say it does. Officially she has about 200 billion less...
b)Nobody wants to take away the voting rights from EU and nobody can. What you say is simply a lie that has come out of your mind for propaganda.
c) Greece has NOT been removed from any NATO meeting and nobody can remove Greece from any organization she is a member of. Because unlike the poor little Albania and FYROM, Greece is still a powerful and important country. And FYROM will NOT join NATO in June if Greece does not want to. As Kosovo will never be recognised by Greece - no matter if the whole planet recognise it. Kosovo is part of Serbia, Albanians are occupiers there, and for Greece the situation remains the same.

The Greek dept will soon be decreased. And the Greek goverment has NOT asked from any money from EU ever. The 1 million Albanians living in Greece having free education and lealth care (unfortunately) will still be eating the bread that Greece gives them - while the poor little Albania cannot...

# the best thing for greece is to sort out them self with their debt and after that to call for all greek immigrants to leave england and go back to cuprys and greece.is time to clean our streets from these unwanted immigrants.BY THE WAY :HAPPY BIRTHDAY KOSOVO
(hazel, 17 February 2010 09:56)

My God. An Albanian immigrant in UK calling for the removal of GREEK immigrants there? Wow.

What is the world coming to?

It is also funny that Albanians in Kosovo complain about a Greek bailout when:

1. Kosovo is the biggest welfare recipient in Europe.

2. Kosovo is not an EU member.

Interesting.

Don't be too surprised if Russia helps out Greece here. Officials were in Moscow a few days ago for talks.

the best thing for greece is to sort out them self with their debt and after that to call for all greek immigrants to leave england and go back to cuprys and greece.is time to clean our streets from these unwanted immigrants.
(hazel, 17 February 2010 09:56)
--
More honesty coming from the Albanian side here. It's not just hazel but many Albanians seem to express similar opinions. How is the EU ever to accept such mentality?

Now why should Greece or any of the other remaining 5 recognise Kosovo? I read recently that applying pressure on these states would likely cause more problems for the EU than good so it's time to forget about those remaining five recognitions. It's time to admit Kosovo was a still birth and to negotiate a future beneficial to all.

Here we have one country, Greece, that the EU was not able to bribe. Wondering by the way why countries don't recognize Kosovo by thier free will? Rather great sums of money and promises of speedy integration into the EU has made some weak countries sell their soul to the devil. Kosovo is the unwanted child. Your suggar daddy is paying others to play with you. How sad!

the best thing for greece is to sort out them self with their debt and after that to call for all greek immigrants to leave england and go back to cuprys and greece.is time to clean our streets from these unwanted immigrants.BY THE WAY :HAPPY BIRTHDAY KOSOVO
(hazel, 17 February 2010 09:56

Since you seem totally ignorant let me tell you that the Greek Cypriots living in uk were born as British citizens because Cyprus prior to 1960 was a British colony.
Therefore,they are not asylum seekers like yourself.

Furthermore,Cyprus is a full member of the EU and greek Cypriots have the right to settle in UK.

On the article, Greece is not saying something different now than it was saying before.

There won't be any recognition until there is a full compliance by kosovo with international law.

Amazing how the k-a nationalist blogers are talking about a soverein EU country, first you should understand what being a country means let alone being a EU country. With this poor mentality you really go nowhere!
I do not know any country in the world that has a number, 1244 for instance....

My sources in the finance industry have told me that the EU has to help Greece. When I mentioned that Germany was not keen, both laughed and replied that if there is no help then the EU goes under including Germany.
So much for Greece recognizing an “independent Kosovo”! You so called FM is a liar, again!

Hello, Albanians, this story is about Greece saying it has NO intention of recognizing an independent Albanian Kosovo, and not about its current economic situation. Please stick to the subject. By the way, the US owes a few more bucks than Greece, and is in a more dire financial situation, don't you think? Why aren't you spewing your vitriol at America too?

First it was Cyprus that stated that they will never recognize. Then the albanians said that Cyprus is so small etc etc. Then Spain, who is holding the presidency of EU stated clearly that recognition will never be done. Then albanians said that they should not care for Spain (which is one of the key countries in EU). Now, Greece is also clear about the issue - no recognition. And of course the albanians must point out the economy of Greece. Well, let me tell you. It will take some time for Greece to recover for sure, but Kosovo will always be a international governd piece of land.

hazel says.."greek immigrants to leave england and go back to cuprys and greece.is time to clean our streets from these unwanted immigrants"

Your first language is obviously not English.
You want to clean out "our streets" leaving me to believe that you live in England.
Then you must be an immigrant too.
If England is going to deport immigrants you could be the first on the bus.

You are a piece of work hazel.

LOL, oh no, i would have let them phantasize a few more days...

on the other hand, as we can read, they still know better ... :-)

so greece has to give something politically, that germany and france can keep their euro-currency ???

sweet, reminds me of my youngest nephew, but he is 3 years old ... :-)

greece has one of the biggest trade-fleets in the world, if germany and france phantasize too much, then both can swim for their chinese goods ...

a little bit of theatre ("we didn´t know anything about greece") is OK, but daydreams something completly differen.

and even if the indiependent-of-hearts are right, it will be the usual good cop-bad cop game like with 50 years candidate turkey: greece says yes, while cyprus tells EU it´s real position .... :-)

the best thing for greece is to sort out them self with their debt and after that to call for all greek immigrants to leave england and go back to cuprys and greece.is time to clean our streets from these unwanted immigrants.BY THE WAY :HAPPY BIRTHDAY KOSOVO
(hazel, 17 February 2010 09:56)

God Almighty, you are either a troll or you havent a clue.

Yes lets boot out the Greeks and Cypriots out of the UK even though 1) they were born there & 2) they are EU citizens.

Hyseni is a liar afterall! I'm sure Greece will stick on its principle and cannot be easily bought by any country to recognize an illegal entity.

Greece is not Macedonia

"he best thing for greece is to sort out them self with their debt and after that to call for all greek immigrants to leave england and go back to cuprys and greece.is time to clean our streets from these unwanted immigrants.BY THE WAY :HAPPY BIRTHDAY KOSOVO
(hazel, 17 February 2010 09:56)"

I think you have just broken the law in the UK. Let me be clear. That is entirely unacceptable.

Albanians out there, stop living in lala land and understand that when a country with as rich a history as Greece is against your independence, it doesn't make them all of the sudden a loser nation. Kosovo as an independent state could never compare with Greece. In fact, it would be hard for it to do more than reach the status of the Maldives. Greece has made it clear that it will not recognize the UDI. You'll have to live with that. The reason your officials are making up rumors about recognitions is that their American supporters (Clinton et al) are advising them that this is a good strategy that may make other countries more willing to consider recognizing Kosovo. Well, it won't work. There are smarter people on the other side. Smart and principled beats smart and corrupt any time.

CDI, and don't even bother saying UDI becasue is not true and everybody knows it. Kosova/o did not do this alone, but in COORDINATION with most developed and powerfull countries of the world.
(Kosova-USA, 17 February 2010 12:39)

Don't be selfish, this song is already two years old and is already not classified in any charts..., moreover this illegal UDI has brought no solutions to the problem, no solutions to the misery that kosovo is in, sorry, it brought some dreams that might turn into a nightmare.
Address the real problems that you have down there and maybe you will have acquire some respect.

As I said before, Greece is in a better position than Kosovo being inside the EU than on the outside. Insulting Greece with the comments the Albanian poster use here won't help your cause. It only shows your lack of civility and ignorance. At least Greece had an economy to worry about. Kosovo hasn't grown one yet and still requires the West to pay its bills. Don't sound like a stable government to me.

Greece doesn't have anyone to rule it like Kosovo. And this economic situation that Greece is in is temporary. The EU will not let Greece fail and will help out one of its members. Kosovo should beware, though. China started to give up US denominated treasuries, which would indicate that they are losing confidence in the dollar. When we have to start paying higher interest payments to other countries to buy our debt, you can be sure that we will have to give up on special projects, like Kosovo, to take care of our people at home and reduce our reliance on foreigners buying our debt at higher costs.

Now all the Albanians need to kiss and make up with Greece because the US won't back you in that fight. Greece is in NATO like us. Kosovo isn't.

Oops, Hyeni got caught mis-speaking (lying) again. Pristina does have a good diplomatic policy I must say - just make up stuff for their made up country.

"If you analyze the 5 EU countries that have not recognized Kosovo, you'll soon realise that they have not done so due to their own interests"
nikshala

Let me tell you that those European countries who have recognized Kosovo have done so because of their own interest. One, and the main interest, is to send all those criminal albanian elements back to Kosovo without them blaming Milosevic this time around.
Besides, look at America and how it has spread its military all over the world. Why? To preserve world peace or to dominate those territories economically. Ask yourself why mighty America has so many poor people? 25 percent of american children live in poverty. And you want to say that they are in Kosovo for some other reason. Tell them they have to close Bondsteel and we'll see how much they care for Kosovo.

"If you analyze the 5 EU countries that have not recognized Kosovo, you'll soon realise that they have not done so due to their own interests"
nikshala
What world do you live in Ms/Mr nikshala? All countries do things that is in their interest. Why do you think the US created your little black hole (A_Kosovo) in the first place? Now I read in the Washington Post that they want to dump you like a hot potato. Seems like they have interests elsewhere - oops, there's that "interest" word again. Just keep erecting those statues in Pristina for your masters, they will topple one day just like the one of Saddam did in Baghdad.

As soon as I read Hyseni's comment yesterday, I knew Greece would turn around and say the opposite today.

Why? Because this is not the first time Hyseni/Thaci have made the same declaration only to be rebutted by Greece.

Whether Greece follows anti-Albanian politics or not, it does not change the fact that Hyseni is being amateurish and an embarrassment.

You'd think he'd learn about not counting chickens before they hatched, especially when dealing with controversial countries.

>> "It isn't clear to me what the source of Hyseni's information is

Mr Ambassador check with your boss, Germany. The same country that gave you $9.25 Billion from EU funds last year. Imagine if Serbia had gotten $9 Billion for free last year, and you have gotten them for 20 years. Where is the money?

Lying and a $450 Billion debt means you have no sovereignty, in fact Germany wants to take away all your voting rights until you pay up. Greece has already been removed from one meeting, no vote, and FYROM will join NATO in June.

You are better than other Balkan people now?

the greek governament is in so much trouble.from one hand they ask the EU for help and from the other hand is against EU policy in balkan.the best thing the EU can do is throw this banckrupt country out of EU and everething will be fine.at least we will safe some money.

"Here we have one country, Greece, that the EU was not able to bribe. Wondering by the way why countries don't recognize Kosovo by thier free will? Rather great sums of money and promises of speedy integration into the EU has made some weak countries sell their soul to the devil. Kosovo is the unwanted child. Your suggar daddy is paying others to play with you. How sad!
(Mikael C, 17 February 2010 11:02) "

Mikael C,

You are naive to believe that the countries that have not recognized Kosovo, have not done so because of their free will, belief in international law, and Serbia's just position.

If you analyze the 5 EU countries that have not recognized Kosovo, you'll soon realise that they have not done so due to their own interests:

Spain - Basque problem
Romanina - its own separatists problems
Cyprus - pretty obvious - North / South problem
Greek - always an ally of Serbia, othrodox religion, and generally anti-albanian foreign policy throughout history.
etc....

I could go on and on....

the best thing for greece is to sort out them self with their debt and after that to call for all greek immigrants to leave england and go back to cuprys and greece.is time to clean our streets from these unwanted immigrants.BY THE WAY :HAPPY BIRTHDAY KOSOVO

"It isn't clear to me what the source of Hyseni's information is, or his precise statements. Greece's stable, principled stance on the issue is known,"

The statement should have been:

The Greece’s unprincipled and immoral stance on this issue is known.

You cannot cry over Macedonia stealing your history and then support the same Slavic invaders on Kosova.

You know very well whose project is the so called Macedonia.

>>"1. Kosovo is the biggest welfare recipient in Europe."

:) The biggest welfare receive is GREECE with $9.25 Billion last year, google it. Kosova gets about 200-300 Million, Serbia more than 500 million.

Greece is #1 welfare blackhole even after 20 years in EU, they get more than Poland and more than Romania. How many people does Greece has and how many they do?
This is why EU has had it with the corrupt and dishonest Greece. A bailout will mean a surrender of EU voting power, it's not free because they want to teach others a lesson.

Putin to help Greece with tens of billions? Where is the $1 Billion loan he was going to give to Serbia?

nikshala,
very clever of you to unmask the real reasons behind all international rationale surround kosovo. i suspect that you haven't noticed the national interest of the usa's support for kosovo udi... camp... uhh... jellywood? no! camp kleghorn? no! camp bondo? nope!
can someone help me here... whats the camp that has made usa so interested in kosovo?
ahh yes, bondsteel...
i wonder if there was any national interest there?
so again nikshala, what is your point exactly? everyone is out for their own interests? and as long as your interests align with someone else's they will support you, otherwise they won't? i am sure glad that i had your insight... makes my political degree almost useless without it.

The isolation brings into mind the very first days of the political war against yugoslavia, when ex-YU was banned from international events (pre-1991).
Of course, in contrast to Greece, Yugoslavia had invested in real economy, while Greece invested only in .... investments (banking, etc...) with no real economy to back anything up.

However, West has no special issues to destroy a real economy and a fake one.
Perhaps the greeks knew from day one?
who knows?

Anyways, in case you didnt notice, our PM was with Putin and Medvijedev yesterday.

David Wright said:

"Greece is in a world of trouble and will be forced to accept any punishment given to them in order to get their house in order"

=========================

So I'm guessing that you know something the Greek president doesn't know.

They just came out and said they will not recognise Kosovo and here you are saying they will.
What do you know and who told you?

Dritan,

Read the whole article before you start making assumptions. Greece only lost voting rights at one session, not forever. And Germany is one country out of 27 in the EU. They are not in charge of the EU. Where did you get 10 years as a figure from? I don't see how that will force Greece to recognize Kosovo. Can you explain that? And did you read the Treaty of Lisbon. Here is it:

http://register.consilium.europa.eu/pdf/en/08/st06/st06655.en08.pdf

Google has a translation service if you need to understand what is written.

One more question. What is Kosovo doing to wean itself off of handouts? Does your government have a plan to turn itself into a real government or are they just going to beg for the rest of their lives?

There won't be any recognition until there is a full compliance by kosovo with international law.
(Leonidas, 17 February 2010 11:34)

interantional law, bla,bla,bla....
Can you show me and others some concrete proof of that interantional law , where it says that 2mil people have no right for self determination?
What interantional law Kosova/o has broken by declaring CDI, and don't even bother saying UDI becasue is not true and everybody knows it. Kosova/o did not do this alone, but in COORDINATION with most developed and powerfull countries of the world.

By the way, the US owes a few more bucks than Greece, and is in a more dire financial situation, don't you think? Why aren't you spewing your vitriol at America too?
(svojgazda, 17 February 2010 15:58) Wrong Greece is way worse off the U.S. Debt is 85% of its GDP while the Greeks debt is a whopping 120% of its GDP. The Greeks have to come up with 25 billion by March to service its debt and a total of 50 billion before the end of the year. In this economic climate it will be very difficult and Greece used up all of its trust and creditworthiness. The Greeks thought they were so smart cooking up the books and puling a fast one but in the end they look very foolish.

It's kind of cute to see a three-paragraph article produce this much thrashing around by Albanian diasporas here. It's equally funny to see the majority of their comments somehow attempt to relate Greece's current economic situation to the hypothetical thoughts of Germany somehow bailing them out in exchange for recognizing Kosovo. What's cute here is that some people honestly think the world revolves around Albanians, and that once again something that would benefit them is completely dependent on the hoped policies of a third-party. I don't know how many times Greece said they would not recognize and we immediately get "insider" Albanian information as to when they will recognize, and why they will recognize (which is usually peppered by arrogant xenophobia and empty chest-thumping nationalism). I'd like to say it's wishful thinking from one or two clueless individuals, but it appears this type of hallucinogenic thinking is contagious.

Two more things that caught my attention:

1. Fellow members of Team Belgrade, ignore "hazel" she's about as on the spot as PRN but far less funny.

2. "international law, bla bla" (Kosova-USA)

-- Ah, I see you're a seasoned member of Kosovo's defense team at the ICJ.

last year. Russia has finally realized that their entire economy is dependant on the price of oil. Until Russia can diversify their economy they are in no position to offer bailouts to anyone.
(David Wright, 17 February 2010 17:50)

U mean oil, gaz, gold, silver, platinum, copper, aluminium, coal, fertilizers, uranium, wood, steel, extensive railway network, extensive fiber optic network, sizable telecom companies, uf uf uf, the list is too long. And of course a few billionairs that have to re-invest in Russia in order not to loose what they "cheaply" acquired in the past....
And the Central bank reserve aren't bad either!
Doesn't mean that they shouldn't diversify:)

CDI, and don't even bother saying UDI becasue is not true and everybody knows it. Kosova/o did not do this alone, but in COORDINATION with most developed and powerfull countries of the world.
(Kosova-USA, 17 February 2010 12:39)
Your most developed and powerfull countries of the world are most of hypocritical and disingenuous countries of the world.

Hyseni brought this upon himself. What kind of idiot of a foreign minister speaks with confidence on behalf of a country that is known to have issues with your independence? A key regional player, at that. And I though Jeremic was bad!

the best thing for greece is to sort out them self with their debt and after that to call for all greek immigrants to leave england and go back to cuprys and greece.is time to clean our streets from these unwanted immigrants.BY THE WAY :HAPPY BIRTHDAY KOSOVO
(hazel, 17 February 2010 09:56)

In few years our friend with islamofascist views will claim:

EnglandA is illirian acient land and
King Arthur was an Albanian.

Send the illegal Anglosaxons back to Germany?

It's high time that the Irish Government stood up to US pressure and withdraw the silly recognition it gave to that cesspit of a regime on 29 Feb '08.
My ill-advised government really should have known better.

MB,Ireland

Lenard you are right except you should know how the European central bank (central banks are an anti capitalist institution created to permit socialism and mask it as capitalism) works. Greece is able to use debt (bonds) as collateral. Greece is paying between 3 and 7 percent on it's debt. These bonds are sent to the ecb and Greece can take out loans at 1 percent to pay off the debt held in bonds. Therefore the rest of Europe picks up the tab in the form of inflation. Prices are already skyrocketing and rising in Greece. Greece has one of the most socialistic governments in the world. Roughly 10% of all people in the country are directly employed by the government. Shows socialism doesn't really work. Whereas Singapore and countries to that liking that are the most capitalistic haven't suffered a bit even with declines around the socialistic world

The 1 million Albanians living in Greece having free education and lealth care (unfortunately) will still be eating the bread that Greece gives them - while the poor little Albania cannot...
(The Greek, 17 February 2010 11:45)
I don't know where you live or what you do but one thing I know for sure that you don't have the slightest idea when it comes to Greece, you claim to be Greek but claim there no greek emigrants in the UK, for your info I have meet many of them there, also they're plenty in Germany not to mention here in the states.
As for the Albanians living in Greece please spare me, they're breaking their back all day working for half salary wages, no benefits and sometimes not even get paid, free health care? yeah right,and for the bread thing you forgot that in the 50s when greeks were chopping each other it was the other way around, but I cannot blame you for not knowing the history but your teacher.

no matter what our dear albanian friends are writing here, it´s almost everytime full of anger, hatred and aggression.

my dear albanian friends, you won´t get far with that attitude!

your socalled "independence" is only a temporary aberration, there can be no doubt that this is all only an episode and that Serbia will prevail.

you know, the US will let you down, that´s almost as sure as that the sun is going to rise tomorrow morning...

it´s all only a question of time, and you should be aware of that. it´s in your very own interest, to keep that in mind.

the Slobo-era is over, and there is no reason at all that you can maintain your destructive and xenophobic attitude towards the state you live in.

always remember, when you look around you, it´s Serbia, all of it!

as for this funny person Hyseni, he certainly doesn´t believe that himself, what he is trying to sell to the k-albanian youth in southern Serbia.

so sad, for him. so funny for us.

"1. Kosovo is the biggest welfare recipient in Europe."

" 25 percent of american children live in poverty."

Both of these statements are not true. You can't just make up stats to support your points (unless your name is Glenn Beck).

Greece is in a world of trouble and will be forced to accept any punishment given to them in order to get their house in order. Please dont compare Greek debt to US debt because its absurd. Greece does not have the ability to sell their debt to anyone unlike the Americans. Greece should not hold their breath on Russia bailing them out either. Russia's economy is just beggining to recover from last year. Russia has finally realized that their entire economy is dependant on the price of oil. Until Russia can diversify their economy they are in no position to offer bailouts to anyone.

Mikael C,

I completely agree with you. The countries that have recognized Kosovo have done so out of their own interest. Whether its achiving relative stability in Balkans, Bondsteel,lobby groups in US, other countries appeasing US, or some other geo-political factor, I don't really know.

What matters is that our interest currently align with their interests. But that could all change in the future.

Bobbie, as far as bondsteel is concerend - why would US invlove most of Europe in bombing Serbia and spending billions when all they had to do was ask Albania or Macedonia if they could build a base there? with a bit of financial incetives they would have agreed in the same way that Poland and Czech Republic agreed to host the missle sites ( and now probably to be located in Romania).

Nowhere in my post did i say that Greece would recognize Kosovo. Greece's recognition of Kosovo is a non-issue compared to their current economic problems. You continue to argue over crumbs while everyone else is fighting to keep the farm.
(David Wright, 17 February 2010 21:49)

Seeing how we are discussing the topic of Greece not recognising Kosovo and you have openly said that Greece will be punished isn't that implying that Greece will eventually recognise Kosovo?

Maybe you should comment on a story which concerns economics of Greece instead if you don't want to be misunderstood.

As for the Albanians living in Greece please spare me, they're breaking their back all day working for half salary wages, (arti, 17 February 2010 21:26)

Many Albanians in Greece are illegal immigrants and cannot be afforded the protection of the state. The US has the same problem with many illegal mexicans who are working below minimum wages. This is not the fault of Greece, but Albania and its porous borders.

The Albanian government should take the initiative to re-patriate these Albanian immigrants back to Albania if Greece is so bad.
The same goes for the many illegal Albanians in Italy.

"Papandreou was in Belgrade in early January when he said that the complex issue of Kosovo should be solved based on the UN Charter and respect of international law. "

I.e., we're waiting for the ICJ to rule that Kosovo's DoI is in accordance with international law. Then we'll recognize.

Many Albanians in Greece are illegal immigrants and cannot be afforded the protection of the state. The US has the same problem with many illegal mexicans who are working below minimum wages. This is not the fault of Greece, but Albania and its porous borders.

The Albanian government should take the initiative to re-patriate these Albanian immigrants back to Albania if Greece is so bad.
The same goes for the many illegal Albanians in Italy.
(Jugoslavjia, 18 February 2010 20:31)

Wrong, most of the Albanians in Greece and Italy (almost 95% according to Greek and italian gov) are legal immigrants, they do have papers with which they move back and forth, and the border passing now it's almost inexistent.

The Albanians are the most productive work force in Greece as they work several jobs and are generally young and qualified workers. Albanians are bankrolling the bankrupt Greek pension plans, their bank saving deposits per capita are the highest ones in Greece totaling some $12Billion, a great help for the bankrupt Greek banking system.

They do all this amongst some of the worst treatement, and discrimination. They have to change their names, their religion, declare themselves as being Alb-Greeks. Read every human rights report for the alst 2 decades about Greece to see they always criticize Greece for the treatement of Albanian immigrants.

And to think that 50 years ago Albania sheltered and fed some 200K of them while they were killing each other. But as they say, what goes around, comes around.

"They just came out and said they will not recognise Kosovo and here you are saying they will.
What do you know and who told you?"

Nowhere in my post did i say that Greece would recognize Kosovo. Greece's recognition of Kosovo is a non-issue compared to their current economic problems. You continue to argue over crumbs while everyone else is fighting to keep the farm.

Dritan,

You need to speak with logic instead of from hate. Your comments lack any reality. Greece can borrow from the EU because it is a member. Kosovo won't be a member. Greece's economy affects the value of the Euro because it is part of the Eurozone so the EU won't let it fall. Some news sources say that a plan to help Greece is already in the works. And just because Merkel says something doesn't mean the EU does. Germany doesn't control the EU. There are other members, such as France, Spain, Italy, etc. that must vote. Last I read, some of the Eurozone countries were experiencing economic problems themselves. They will help out a member, but not Kosovo.

You comment that you expect a handout reflects what I said about being beggars. I see if everyday outside the wire here. Everyone in Kosovo wants something for free but no one is willing to work for it. You should read this article. The title explains the gist of the article. Your free lunch will be coming to an end soon.:

West wants Kosovo to stop relying on donors

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE61F1WO20100216

Your comments along with Gjako's remind me of one of the Albanian posters here who predicted the demise of Serbia after independence. It didn't happen. Instead of wishing bad luck on Greece because they won't recognize Kosovo as a country, you should be worried about your own economy. "150% of GDP in debt, no industry and low tax receipts mean trouble" sounds exactly like Kosovo instead of Greece. Greece will survive. I don't know about Kosovo.

Here you go :
"Greece loses EU voting power in blow to sovereignty
The European Union has shown its righteous wrath by stripping Greece of its vote at a crucial meeting next month, the worst humiliation ever suffered by an EU member state.

The council of EU finance ministers said Athens must comply with austerity demands by March 16 or lose control over its own tax and spend policies altogether. It if fails to do so, the EU will itself impose cuts under the draconian Article 126.9 of the Lisbon Treaty in what would amount to economic suzerainty.
"

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/financetopics/financialcrisis/7252288/Greece-loses-EU-voting-power-in-blow-to-sovereignty.html?utm_source=tmg&utm_medium=TD_eu&utm_campaign=finance1702pm

Germany wants to make it permanent until Greece is able to cut the budget and manage (a decade or two!)

I am pleased as punch, but not because Greece is threatening not to recognize Kosovo. This matters not a bit!

What really exhilarates me
is that Greece is in financial ruins. And to make matters even better is that Serbia has not and will not recover from its military defeat in 1999. But, what really puts icing on the cake for me is that that Kosovo has successfully engineered its independence and the West wholeheartedly supports it.

I guess the organ grinder now has two performing monkeys.

'Russia's economy is just beggining to recover from last year. Russia has finally realized that their entire economy is dependant on the price of oil.

(David Wright, 17 February 2010 17:50) '

It's not so much their economy that's recovering as the price of oil, thanks largely to China's spending spree. Russia's financial "cushions" built up during the good days will run out this year, and with Putin raising pensions and lowering the pension age (elections are coming up) this may happen sooner than later. There's a billion-dollar loan in the works from the World Bank, and more foreign loans are expected in the upcoming years, not a sign of a recovering economy. Don't worry about the oligarchs, though - they've doubled their net worth during the crisis.

>>Does your government have a plan to turn itself into a real government or are they just going to beg for the rest of their lives?"

Yes, we have a plan. Be like Greece, borrow, get free EU money and then even ask for a bailout. Problems?

>> The 1 million Albanians living in Greece having free education and lealth care (unfortunately) will still be eating the bread that Greece gives them

They earn that bread and then some. Greece gives nothing, just takes and takes and takes. In June we will get visas and go to a real EU country, don't worry. Afghanistan, Nigerians, Arabs and Pakistanis will fill the void.

>>Greece only lost voting rights at one session, not forever. And Germany is one country out of 27 in the EU. They are not in charge of the EU. Where did you get 10 years as a figure from?

If EU was to bail the thieving and lying Greek Government they will will lose voting rights until they pay it back, that's what Merkel's government said. If they don't cut as much as they want, EU makes them a protectorate with zero say in their economy. Of course you will see strikes and possibly a collapse of the state. If Germany says no it is a no, they are the richest and paying for this.

Greece is toast for a good decade, 150% of GDP in debt, no industry and low tax receipts mean trouble.

What really exhilarates me
is that Greece is in financial ruins. And to make matters even better is that Serbia has not and will not recover from its military defeat in 1999.
(Gjako, 18 February 2010 01:53)

Snow is slowly gone here and I started today to recover our cars from under the white stuff. Is still THAT bad over there in Sweden near Trollhätten?

Relax, the spring is coming soon.

Dear Peggy,

When a team enters the first league it cannot be a champion in the fist, second or third season.
Kosovo just entered to that "league" and so far got 65 UN regonition, got a full member to a Internationl Monetary Fund and World Bank.
By the the way only 30 UN memebers denied recognition, (not Greek President for information)the others are waiting.

Cheers

nikshala,
i hope your attempt to change your point to a hypothetical "why" argument doesn't make you warm at night.
let me ask you why they wouldn't do it.
it is not for us to answer such general questions as 'why does someone do something'.
notice though that while you're trying to hide from your original post that in the cases of 'why' we might throw in iraq. why was iraq attacked. please oh please say wmds. but just for your curios nature you might correlated iraq's new massive us military base with kosovo's massive us military base. romanian, bulgaria, poland and any other eastern eurpoean country you may try to include in your false argument do not have such massive bases. they're just tiny ones, easy to swallow sized.
so again, why wouldn't us do it?

the best thing for greece is to sort out them self with their debt and after that to call for all greek immigrants to leave england and go back to cuprys and greece.is time to clean our streets from these unwanted immigrants.BY THE WAY :HAPPY BIRTHDAY KOSOVO

the greek governament is in so much trouble.from one hand they ask the EU for help and from the other hand is against EU policy in balkan.the best thing the EU can do is throw this banckrupt country out of EU and everething will be fine.at least we will safe some money.

There won't be any recognition until there is a full compliance by kosovo with international law.
(Leonidas, 17 February 2010 11:34)

interantional law, bla,bla,bla....
Can you show me and others some concrete proof of that interantional law , where it says that 2mil people have no right for self determination?
What interantional law Kosova/o has broken by declaring CDI, and don't even bother saying UDI becasue is not true and everybody knows it. Kosova/o did not do this alone, but in COORDINATION with most developed and powerfull countries of the world.

"It isn't clear to me what the source of Hyseni's information is, or his precise statements. Greece's stable, principled stance on the issue is known,"

The statement should have been:

The Greece’s unprincipled and immoral stance on this issue is known.

You cannot cry over Macedonia stealing your history and then support the same Slavic invaders on Kosova.

You know very well whose project is the so called Macedonia.

>> "It isn't clear to me what the source of Hyseni's information is

Mr Ambassador check with your boss, Germany. The same country that gave you $9.25 Billion from EU funds last year. Imagine if Serbia had gotten $9 Billion for free last year, and you have gotten them for 20 years. Where is the money?

Lying and a $450 Billion debt means you have no sovereignty, in fact Germany wants to take away all your voting rights until you pay up. Greece has already been removed from one meeting, no vote, and FYROM will join NATO in June.

You are better than other Balkan people now?

>>"1. Kosovo is the biggest welfare recipient in Europe."

:) The biggest welfare receive is GREECE with $9.25 Billion last year, google it. Kosova gets about 200-300 Million, Serbia more than 500 million.

Greece is #1 welfare blackhole even after 20 years in EU, they get more than Poland and more than Romania. How many people does Greece has and how many they do?
This is why EU has had it with the corrupt and dishonest Greece. A bailout will mean a surrender of EU voting power, it's not free because they want to teach others a lesson.

Putin to help Greece with tens of billions? Where is the $1 Billion loan he was going to give to Serbia?

I am pleased as punch, but not because Greece is threatening not to recognize Kosovo. This matters not a bit!

What really exhilarates me
is that Greece is in financial ruins. And to make matters even better is that Serbia has not and will not recover from its military defeat in 1999. But, what really puts icing on the cake for me is that that Kosovo has successfully engineered its independence and the West wholeheartedly supports it.

I guess the organ grinder now has two performing monkeys.

"Here we have one country, Greece, that the EU was not able to bribe. Wondering by the way why countries don't recognize Kosovo by thier free will? Rather great sums of money and promises of speedy integration into the EU has made some weak countries sell their soul to the devil. Kosovo is the unwanted child. Your suggar daddy is paying others to play with you. How sad!
(Mikael C, 17 February 2010 11:02) "

Mikael C,

You are naive to believe that the countries that have not recognized Kosovo, have not done so because of their free will, belief in international law, and Serbia's just position.

If you analyze the 5 EU countries that have not recognized Kosovo, you'll soon realise that they have not done so due to their own interests:

Spain - Basque problem
Romanina - its own separatists problems
Cyprus - pretty obvious - North / South problem
Greek - always an ally of Serbia, othrodox religion, and generally anti-albanian foreign policy throughout history.
etc....

I could go on and on....

Amazing how the k-a nationalist blogers are talking about a soverein EU country, first you should understand what being a country means let alone being a EU country. With this poor mentality you really go nowhere!
I do not know any country in the world that has a number, 1244 for instance....

"1. Kosovo is the biggest welfare recipient in Europe."

" 25 percent of american children live in poverty."

Both of these statements are not true. You can't just make up stats to support your points (unless your name is Glenn Beck).

Greece is in a world of trouble and will be forced to accept any punishment given to them in order to get their house in order. Please dont compare Greek debt to US debt because its absurd. Greece does not have the ability to sell their debt to anyone unlike the Americans. Greece should not hold their breath on Russia bailing them out either. Russia's economy is just beggining to recover from last year. Russia has finally realized that their entire economy is dependant on the price of oil. Until Russia can diversify their economy they are in no position to offer bailouts to anyone.

Here we have one country, Greece, that the EU was not able to bribe. Wondering by the way why countries don't recognize Kosovo by thier free will? Rather great sums of money and promises of speedy integration into the EU has made some weak countries sell their soul to the devil. Kosovo is the unwanted child. Your suggar daddy is paying others to play with you. How sad!

My sources in the finance industry have told me that the EU has to help Greece. When I mentioned that Germany was not keen, both laughed and replied that if there is no help then the EU goes under including Germany.
So much for Greece recognizing an “independent Kosovo”! You so called FM is a liar, again!

The isolation brings into mind the very first days of the political war against yugoslavia, when ex-YU was banned from international events (pre-1991).
Of course, in contrast to Greece, Yugoslavia had invested in real economy, while Greece invested only in .... investments (banking, etc...) with no real economy to back anything up.

However, West has no special issues to destroy a real economy and a fake one.
Perhaps the greeks knew from day one?
who knows?

Anyways, in case you didnt notice, our PM was with Putin and Medvijedev yesterday.

1) "from one hand they ask the EU for help and from the other hand is against EU policy in balkan".
(niko kurkuli, 17 February 2010 09:49)

Το niko kurkuli: The policy of the EU in Balkans in NOT to recognise the illegal pseudo-state of Kosovo. If some individual members have done so without "thinking", it is their problem not Greece's...

2) "the best thing for greece is to sort out them self with their debt and after that to call for all greek immigrants to leave england and go back to cuprys and greece"
(hazel, 17 February 2010 09:56)

To hazel: First of all Greece is still 30 years in front of the poor little Albania that's why Albanians still live in... Greece. And Greece does not have immigrants in UK. Nothing. The only country in Europe that has the majority of it's population elsewhere is the poor little Albania. In Italy and Greece...

3) "a $450 Billion debt means you have no sovereignty, in fact Germany wants to take away all your voting rights until you pay up. Greece has already been removed from one meeting, no vote, and FYROM will join NATO in June."
(Dritan, 17 February 2010 10:01)

To Dritan:
a) Greece does not have 450 billion dept. You say it does. Officially she has about 200 billion less...
b)Nobody wants to take away the voting rights from EU and nobody can. What you say is simply a lie that has come out of your mind for propaganda.
c) Greece has NOT been removed from any NATO meeting and nobody can remove Greece from any organization she is a member of. Because unlike the poor little Albania and FYROM, Greece is still a powerful and important country. And FYROM will NOT join NATO in June if Greece does not want to. As Kosovo will never be recognised by Greece - no matter if the whole planet recognise it. Kosovo is part of Serbia, Albanians are occupiers there, and for Greece the situation remains the same.

The Greek dept will soon be decreased. And the Greek goverment has NOT asked from any money from EU ever. The 1 million Albanians living in Greece having free education and lealth care (unfortunately) will still be eating the bread that Greece gives them - while the poor little Albania cannot...

"Papandreou was in Belgrade in early January when he said that the complex issue of Kosovo should be solved based on the UN Charter and respect of international law. "

I.e., we're waiting for the ICJ to rule that Kosovo's DoI is in accordance with international law. Then we'll recognize.

By the way, the US owes a few more bucks than Greece, and is in a more dire financial situation, don't you think? Why aren't you spewing your vitriol at America too?
(svojgazda, 17 February 2010 15:58) Wrong Greece is way worse off the U.S. Debt is 85% of its GDP while the Greeks debt is a whopping 120% of its GDP. The Greeks have to come up with 25 billion by March to service its debt and a total of 50 billion before the end of the year. In this economic climate it will be very difficult and Greece used up all of its trust and creditworthiness. The Greeks thought they were so smart cooking up the books and puling a fast one but in the end they look very foolish.

the best thing for greece is to sort out them self with their debt and after that to call for all greek immigrants to leave england and go back to cuprys and greece.is time to clean our streets from these unwanted immigrants.BY THE WAY :HAPPY BIRTHDAY KOSOVO
(hazel, 17 February 2010 09:56

Since you seem totally ignorant let me tell you that the Greek Cypriots living in uk were born as British citizens because Cyprus prior to 1960 was a British colony.
Therefore,they are not asylum seekers like yourself.

Furthermore,Cyprus is a full member of the EU and greek Cypriots have the right to settle in UK.

On the article, Greece is not saying something different now than it was saying before.

There won't be any recognition until there is a full compliance by kosovo with international law.

Here you go :
"Greece loses EU voting power in blow to sovereignty
The European Union has shown its righteous wrath by stripping Greece of its vote at a crucial meeting next month, the worst humiliation ever suffered by an EU member state.

The council of EU finance ministers said Athens must comply with austerity demands by March 16 or lose control over its own tax and spend policies altogether. It if fails to do so, the EU will itself impose cuts under the draconian Article 126.9 of the Lisbon Treaty in what would amount to economic suzerainty.
"

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/financetopics/financialcrisis/7252288/Greece-loses-EU-voting-power-in-blow-to-sovereignty.html?utm_source=tmg&utm_medium=TD_eu&utm_campaign=finance1702pm

Germany wants to make it permanent until Greece is able to cut the budget and manage (a decade or two!)

Don't be too surprised if Russia helps out Greece here. Officials were in Moscow a few days ago for talks.

the best thing for greece is to sort out them self with their debt and after that to call for all greek immigrants to leave england and go back to cuprys and greece.is time to clean our streets from these unwanted immigrants.
(hazel, 17 February 2010 09:56)
--
More honesty coming from the Albanian side here. It's not just hazel but many Albanians seem to express similar opinions. How is the EU ever to accept such mentality?

Now why should Greece or any of the other remaining 5 recognise Kosovo? I read recently that applying pressure on these states would likely cause more problems for the EU than good so it's time to forget about those remaining five recognitions. It's time to admit Kosovo was a still birth and to negotiate a future beneficial to all.

'Russia's economy is just beggining to recover from last year. Russia has finally realized that their entire economy is dependant on the price of oil.

(David Wright, 17 February 2010 17:50) '

It's not so much their economy that's recovering as the price of oil, thanks largely to China's spending spree. Russia's financial "cushions" built up during the good days will run out this year, and with Putin raising pensions and lowering the pension age (elections are coming up) this may happen sooner than later. There's a billion-dollar loan in the works from the World Bank, and more foreign loans are expected in the upcoming years, not a sign of a recovering economy. Don't worry about the oligarchs, though - they've doubled their net worth during the crisis.

>>Does your government have a plan to turn itself into a real government or are they just going to beg for the rest of their lives?"

Yes, we have a plan. Be like Greece, borrow, get free EU money and then even ask for a bailout. Problems?

>> The 1 million Albanians living in Greece having free education and lealth care (unfortunately) will still be eating the bread that Greece gives them

They earn that bread and then some. Greece gives nothing, just takes and takes and takes. In June we will get visas and go to a real EU country, don't worry. Afghanistan, Nigerians, Arabs and Pakistanis will fill the void.

>>Greece only lost voting rights at one session, not forever. And Germany is one country out of 27 in the EU. They are not in charge of the EU. Where did you get 10 years as a figure from?

If EU was to bail the thieving and lying Greek Government they will will lose voting rights until they pay it back, that's what Merkel's government said. If they don't cut as much as they want, EU makes them a protectorate with zero say in their economy. Of course you will see strikes and possibly a collapse of the state. If Germany says no it is a no, they are the richest and paying for this.

Greece is toast for a good decade, 150% of GDP in debt, no industry and low tax receipts mean trouble.

The 1 million Albanians living in Greece having free education and lealth care (unfortunately) will still be eating the bread that Greece gives them - while the poor little Albania cannot...
(The Greek, 17 February 2010 11:45)
I don't know where you live or what you do but one thing I know for sure that you don't have the slightest idea when it comes to Greece, you claim to be Greek but claim there no greek emigrants in the UK, for your info I have meet many of them there, also they're plenty in Germany not to mention here in the states.
As for the Albanians living in Greece please spare me, they're breaking their back all day working for half salary wages, no benefits and sometimes not even get paid, free health care? yeah right,and for the bread thing you forgot that in the 50s when greeks were chopping each other it was the other way around, but I cannot blame you for not knowing the history but your teacher.

# the best thing for greece is to sort out them self with their debt and after that to call for all greek immigrants to leave england and go back to cuprys and greece.is time to clean our streets from these unwanted immigrants.BY THE WAY :HAPPY BIRTHDAY KOSOVO
(hazel, 17 February 2010 09:56)

My God. An Albanian immigrant in UK calling for the removal of GREEK immigrants there? Wow.

What is the world coming to?

It is also funny that Albanians in Kosovo complain about a Greek bailout when:

1. Kosovo is the biggest welfare recipient in Europe.

2. Kosovo is not an EU member.

Interesting.

LOL, oh no, i would have let them phantasize a few more days...

on the other hand, as we can read, they still know better ... :-)

so greece has to give something politically, that germany and france can keep their euro-currency ???

sweet, reminds me of my youngest nephew, but he is 3 years old ... :-)

greece has one of the biggest trade-fleets in the world, if germany and france phantasize too much, then both can swim for their chinese goods ...

a little bit of theatre ("we didn´t know anything about greece") is OK, but daydreams something completly differen.

and even if the indiependent-of-hearts are right, it will be the usual good cop-bad cop game like with 50 years candidate turkey: greece says yes, while cyprus tells EU it´s real position .... :-)

First it was Cyprus that stated that they will never recognize. Then the albanians said that Cyprus is so small etc etc. Then Spain, who is holding the presidency of EU stated clearly that recognition will never be done. Then albanians said that they should not care for Spain (which is one of the key countries in EU). Now, Greece is also clear about the issue - no recognition. And of course the albanians must point out the economy of Greece. Well, let me tell you. It will take some time for Greece to recover for sure, but Kosovo will always be a international governd piece of land.

CDI, and don't even bother saying UDI becasue is not true and everybody knows it. Kosova/o did not do this alone, but in COORDINATION with most developed and powerfull countries of the world.
(Kosova-USA, 17 February 2010 12:39)

Don't be selfish, this song is already two years old and is already not classified in any charts..., moreover this illegal UDI has brought no solutions to the problem, no solutions to the misery that kosovo is in, sorry, it brought some dreams that might turn into a nightmare.
Address the real problems that you have down there and maybe you will have acquire some respect.

"If you analyze the 5 EU countries that have not recognized Kosovo, you'll soon realise that they have not done so due to their own interests"
nikshala
What world do you live in Ms/Mr nikshala? All countries do things that is in their interest. Why do you think the US created your little black hole (A_Kosovo) in the first place? Now I read in the Washington Post that they want to dump you like a hot potato. Seems like they have interests elsewhere - oops, there's that "interest" word again. Just keep erecting those statues in Pristina for your masters, they will topple one day just like the one of Saddam did in Baghdad.

Hyseni is a liar afterall! I'm sure Greece will stick on its principle and cannot be easily bought by any country to recognize an illegal entity.

Greece is not Macedonia

"They just came out and said they will not recognise Kosovo and here you are saying they will.
What do you know and who told you?"

Nowhere in my post did i say that Greece would recognize Kosovo. Greece's recognition of Kosovo is a non-issue compared to their current economic problems. You continue to argue over crumbs while everyone else is fighting to keep the farm.

Albanians out there, stop living in lala land and understand that when a country with as rich a history as Greece is against your independence, it doesn't make them all of the sudden a loser nation. Kosovo as an independent state could never compare with Greece. In fact, it would be hard for it to do more than reach the status of the Maldives. Greece has made it clear that it will not recognize the UDI. You'll have to live with that. The reason your officials are making up rumors about recognitions is that their American supporters (Clinton et al) are advising them that this is a good strategy that may make other countries more willing to consider recognizing Kosovo. Well, it won't work. There are smarter people on the other side. Smart and principled beats smart and corrupt any time.

As I said before, Greece is in a better position than Kosovo being inside the EU than on the outside. Insulting Greece with the comments the Albanian poster use here won't help your cause. It only shows your lack of civility and ignorance. At least Greece had an economy to worry about. Kosovo hasn't grown one yet and still requires the West to pay its bills. Don't sound like a stable government to me.

Greece doesn't have anyone to rule it like Kosovo. And this economic situation that Greece is in is temporary. The EU will not let Greece fail and will help out one of its members. Kosovo should beware, though. China started to give up US denominated treasuries, which would indicate that they are losing confidence in the dollar. When we have to start paying higher interest payments to other countries to buy our debt, you can be sure that we will have to give up on special projects, like Kosovo, to take care of our people at home and reduce our reliance on foreigners buying our debt at higher costs.

Now all the Albanians need to kiss and make up with Greece because the US won't back you in that fight. Greece is in NATO like us. Kosovo isn't.

hazel says.."greek immigrants to leave england and go back to cuprys and greece.is time to clean our streets from these unwanted immigrants"

Your first language is obviously not English.
You want to clean out "our streets" leaving me to believe that you live in England.
Then you must be an immigrant too.
If England is going to deport immigrants you could be the first on the bus.

You are a piece of work hazel.

"If you analyze the 5 EU countries that have not recognized Kosovo, you'll soon realise that they have not done so due to their own interests"
nikshala

Let me tell you that those European countries who have recognized Kosovo have done so because of their own interest. One, and the main interest, is to send all those criminal albanian elements back to Kosovo without them blaming Milosevic this time around.
Besides, look at America and how it has spread its military all over the world. Why? To preserve world peace or to dominate those territories economically. Ask yourself why mighty America has so many poor people? 25 percent of american children live in poverty. And you want to say that they are in Kosovo for some other reason. Tell them they have to close Bondsteel and we'll see how much they care for Kosovo.

Oops, Hyeni got caught mis-speaking (lying) again. Pristina does have a good diplomatic policy I must say - just make up stuff for their made up country.

the best thing for greece is to sort out them self with their debt and after that to call for all greek immigrants to leave england and go back to cuprys and greece.is time to clean our streets from these unwanted immigrants.BY THE WAY :HAPPY BIRTHDAY KOSOVO
(hazel, 17 February 2010 09:56)

God Almighty, you are either a troll or you havent a clue.

Yes lets boot out the Greeks and Cypriots out of the UK even though 1) they were born there & 2) they are EU citizens.

Hello, Albanians, this story is about Greece saying it has NO intention of recognizing an independent Albanian Kosovo, and not about its current economic situation. Please stick to the subject. By the way, the US owes a few more bucks than Greece, and is in a more dire financial situation, don't you think? Why aren't you spewing your vitriol at America too?

Mikael C,

I completely agree with you. The countries that have recognized Kosovo have done so out of their own interest. Whether its achiving relative stability in Balkans, Bondsteel,lobby groups in US, other countries appeasing US, or some other geo-political factor, I don't really know.

What matters is that our interest currently align with their interests. But that could all change in the future.

Bobbie, as far as bondsteel is concerend - why would US invlove most of Europe in bombing Serbia and spending billions when all they had to do was ask Albania or Macedonia if they could build a base there? with a bit of financial incetives they would have agreed in the same way that Poland and Czech Republic agreed to host the missle sites ( and now probably to be located in Romania).

It's kind of cute to see a three-paragraph article produce this much thrashing around by Albanian diasporas here. It's equally funny to see the majority of their comments somehow attempt to relate Greece's current economic situation to the hypothetical thoughts of Germany somehow bailing them out in exchange for recognizing Kosovo. What's cute here is that some people honestly think the world revolves around Albanians, and that once again something that would benefit them is completely dependent on the hoped policies of a third-party. I don't know how many times Greece said they would not recognize and we immediately get "insider" Albanian information as to when they will recognize, and why they will recognize (which is usually peppered by arrogant xenophobia and empty chest-thumping nationalism). I'd like to say it's wishful thinking from one or two clueless individuals, but it appears this type of hallucinogenic thinking is contagious.

Two more things that caught my attention:

1. Fellow members of Team Belgrade, ignore "hazel" she's about as on the spot as PRN but far less funny.

2. "international law, bla bla" (Kosova-USA)

-- Ah, I see you're a seasoned member of Kosovo's defense team at the ICJ.

Dear Peggy,

When a team enters the first league it cannot be a champion in the fist, second or third season.
Kosovo just entered to that "league" and so far got 65 UN regonition, got a full member to a Internationl Monetary Fund and World Bank.
By the the way only 30 UN memebers denied recognition, (not Greek President for information)the others are waiting.

Cheers

"he best thing for greece is to sort out them self with their debt and after that to call for all greek immigrants to leave england and go back to cuprys and greece.is time to clean our streets from these unwanted immigrants.BY THE WAY :HAPPY BIRTHDAY KOSOVO
(hazel, 17 February 2010 09:56)"

I think you have just broken the law in the UK. Let me be clear. That is entirely unacceptable.

nikshala,
very clever of you to unmask the real reasons behind all international rationale surround kosovo. i suspect that you haven't noticed the national interest of the usa's support for kosovo udi... camp... uhh... jellywood? no! camp kleghorn? no! camp bondo? nope!
can someone help me here... whats the camp that has made usa so interested in kosovo?
ahh yes, bondsteel...
i wonder if there was any national interest there?
so again nikshala, what is your point exactly? everyone is out for their own interests? and as long as your interests align with someone else's they will support you, otherwise they won't? i am sure glad that i had your insight... makes my political degree almost useless without it.

David Wright said:

"Greece is in a world of trouble and will be forced to accept any punishment given to them in order to get their house in order"

=========================

So I'm guessing that you know something the Greek president doesn't know.

They just came out and said they will not recognise Kosovo and here you are saying they will.
What do you know and who told you?

As soon as I read Hyseni's comment yesterday, I knew Greece would turn around and say the opposite today.

Why? Because this is not the first time Hyseni/Thaci have made the same declaration only to be rebutted by Greece.

Whether Greece follows anti-Albanian politics or not, it does not change the fact that Hyseni is being amateurish and an embarrassment.

You'd think he'd learn about not counting chickens before they hatched, especially when dealing with controversial countries.

no matter what our dear albanian friends are writing here, it´s almost everytime full of anger, hatred and aggression.

my dear albanian friends, you won´t get far with that attitude!

your socalled "independence" is only a temporary aberration, there can be no doubt that this is all only an episode and that Serbia will prevail.

you know, the US will let you down, that´s almost as sure as that the sun is going to rise tomorrow morning...

it´s all only a question of time, and you should be aware of that. it´s in your very own interest, to keep that in mind.

the Slobo-era is over, and there is no reason at all that you can maintain your destructive and xenophobic attitude towards the state you live in.

always remember, when you look around you, it´s Serbia, all of it!

as for this funny person Hyseni, he certainly doesn´t believe that himself, what he is trying to sell to the k-albanian youth in southern Serbia.

so sad, for him. so funny for us.

As for the Albanians living in Greece please spare me, they're breaking their back all day working for half salary wages, (arti, 17 February 2010 21:26)

Many Albanians in Greece are illegal immigrants and cannot be afforded the protection of the state. The US has the same problem with many illegal mexicans who are working below minimum wages. This is not the fault of Greece, but Albania and its porous borders.

The Albanian government should take the initiative to re-patriate these Albanian immigrants back to Albania if Greece is so bad.
The same goes for the many illegal Albanians in Italy.

CDI, and don't even bother saying UDI becasue is not true and everybody knows it. Kosova/o did not do this alone, but in COORDINATION with most developed and powerfull countries of the world.
(Kosova-USA, 17 February 2010 12:39)
Your most developed and powerfull countries of the world are most of hypocritical and disingenuous countries of the world.

the best thing for greece is to sort out them self with their debt and after that to call for all greek immigrants to leave england and go back to cuprys and greece.is time to clean our streets from these unwanted immigrants.BY THE WAY :HAPPY BIRTHDAY KOSOVO
(hazel, 17 February 2010 09:56)

In few years our friend with islamofascist views will claim:

EnglandA is illirian acient land and
King Arthur was an Albanian.

Send the illegal Anglosaxons back to Germany?

Dritan,

You need to speak with logic instead of from hate. Your comments lack any reality. Greece can borrow from the EU because it is a member. Kosovo won't be a member. Greece's economy affects the value of the Euro because it is part of the Eurozone so the EU won't let it fall. Some news sources say that a plan to help Greece is already in the works. And just because Merkel says something doesn't mean the EU does. Germany doesn't control the EU. There are other members, such as France, Spain, Italy, etc. that must vote. Last I read, some of the Eurozone countries were experiencing economic problems themselves. They will help out a member, but not Kosovo.

You comment that you expect a handout reflects what I said about being beggars. I see if everyday outside the wire here. Everyone in Kosovo wants something for free but no one is willing to work for it. You should read this article. The title explains the gist of the article. Your free lunch will be coming to an end soon.:

West wants Kosovo to stop relying on donors

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE61F1WO20100216

Your comments along with Gjako's remind me of one of the Albanian posters here who predicted the demise of Serbia after independence. It didn't happen. Instead of wishing bad luck on Greece because they won't recognize Kosovo as a country, you should be worried about your own economy. "150% of GDP in debt, no industry and low tax receipts mean trouble" sounds exactly like Kosovo instead of Greece. Greece will survive. I don't know about Kosovo.

Lenard you are right except you should know how the European central bank (central banks are an anti capitalist institution created to permit socialism and mask it as capitalism) works. Greece is able to use debt (bonds) as collateral. Greece is paying between 3 and 7 percent on it's debt. These bonds are sent to the ecb and Greece can take out loans at 1 percent to pay off the debt held in bonds. Therefore the rest of Europe picks up the tab in the form of inflation. Prices are already skyrocketing and rising in Greece. Greece has one of the most socialistic governments in the world. Roughly 10% of all people in the country are directly employed by the government. Shows socialism doesn't really work. Whereas Singapore and countries to that liking that are the most capitalistic haven't suffered a bit even with declines around the socialistic world

Dritan,

Read the whole article before you start making assumptions. Greece only lost voting rights at one session, not forever. And Germany is one country out of 27 in the EU. They are not in charge of the EU. Where did you get 10 years as a figure from? I don't see how that will force Greece to recognize Kosovo. Can you explain that? And did you read the Treaty of Lisbon. Here is it:

http://register.consilium.europa.eu/pdf/en/08/st06/st06655.en08.pdf

Google has a translation service if you need to understand what is written.

One more question. What is Kosovo doing to wean itself off of handouts? Does your government have a plan to turn itself into a real government or are they just going to beg for the rest of their lives?

Hyseni brought this upon himself. What kind of idiot of a foreign minister speaks with confidence on behalf of a country that is known to have issues with your independence? A key regional player, at that. And I though Jeremic was bad!

nikshala,
i hope your attempt to change your point to a hypothetical "why" argument doesn't make you warm at night.
let me ask you why they wouldn't do it.
it is not for us to answer such general questions as 'why does someone do something'.
notice though that while you're trying to hide from your original post that in the cases of 'why' we might throw in iraq. why was iraq attacked. please oh please say wmds. but just for your curios nature you might correlated iraq's new massive us military base with kosovo's massive us military base. romanian, bulgaria, poland and any other eastern eurpoean country you may try to include in your false argument do not have such massive bases. they're just tiny ones, easy to swallow sized.
so again, why wouldn't us do it?

What really exhilarates me
is that Greece is in financial ruins. And to make matters even better is that Serbia has not and will not recover from its military defeat in 1999.
(Gjako, 18 February 2010 01:53)

Snow is slowly gone here and I started today to recover our cars from under the white stuff. Is still THAT bad over there in Sweden near Trollhätten?

Relax, the spring is coming soon.

It's high time that the Irish Government stood up to US pressure and withdraw the silly recognition it gave to that cesspit of a regime on 29 Feb '08.
My ill-advised government really should have known better.

MB,Ireland

Nowhere in my post did i say that Greece would recognize Kosovo. Greece's recognition of Kosovo is a non-issue compared to their current economic problems. You continue to argue over crumbs while everyone else is fighting to keep the farm.
(David Wright, 17 February 2010 21:49)

Seeing how we are discussing the topic of Greece not recognising Kosovo and you have openly said that Greece will be punished isn't that implying that Greece will eventually recognise Kosovo?

Maybe you should comment on a story which concerns economics of Greece instead if you don't want to be misunderstood.

Many Albanians in Greece are illegal immigrants and cannot be afforded the protection of the state. The US has the same problem with many illegal mexicans who are working below minimum wages. This is not the fault of Greece, but Albania and its porous borders.

The Albanian government should take the initiative to re-patriate these Albanian immigrants back to Albania if Greece is so bad.
The same goes for the many illegal Albanians in Italy.
(Jugoslavjia, 18 February 2010 20:31)

Wrong, most of the Albanians in Greece and Italy (almost 95% according to Greek and italian gov) are legal immigrants, they do have papers with which they move back and forth, and the border passing now it's almost inexistent.

The Albanians are the most productive work force in Greece as they work several jobs and are generally young and qualified workers. Albanians are bankrolling the bankrupt Greek pension plans, their bank saving deposits per capita are the highest ones in Greece totaling some $12Billion, a great help for the bankrupt Greek banking system.

They do all this amongst some of the worst treatement, and discrimination. They have to change their names, their religion, declare themselves as being Alb-Greeks. Read every human rights report for the alst 2 decades about Greece to see they always criticize Greece for the treatement of Albanian immigrants.

And to think that 50 years ago Albania sheltered and fed some 200K of them while they were killing each other. But as they say, what goes around, comes around.

last year. Russia has finally realized that their entire economy is dependant on the price of oil. Until Russia can diversify their economy they are in no position to offer bailouts to anyone.
(David Wright, 17 February 2010 17:50)

U mean oil, gaz, gold, silver, platinum, copper, aluminium, coal, fertilizers, uranium, wood, steel, extensive railway network, extensive fiber optic network, sizable telecom companies, uf uf uf, the list is too long. And of course a few billionairs that have to re-invest in Russia in order not to loose what they "cheaply" acquired in the past....
And the Central bank reserve aren't bad either!
Doesn't mean that they shouldn't diversify:)