Steinberg visits Serb enclave in Kosovo

OK, let's look first at the B92 interview.

B92: The news that came from New York yesterday was that the UN secretary-general was concerned with current situation in Kosovo and especially with the plan of Kosovo’s government and Mr. (Pieter) Feith to integrate the north of Kosovo. He said that the plan was drafted without any kind of consultations with the UN and the same we heard from the EU, from Mr. (Spanish FM Miguel Angel) Moratinos earlier that the EU is not behind that plan. Your government supports it and how do you think that contributes to the stability of the region?


Steinberg: I have not had a chance to read the secretary general’s report so I don’t want to comment on specifics of that but I think we’ve made very clear that we support the efforts of the government of Kosovo to move forward in a way that respects the rights of all the citizens of Kosovo. It’s important that all the communities feel engaged and represented, that’s at the heart of the Ahtisaari plan, that’s the heart of what we believe if Kosovo is going to have a future, is to take care and respect the interest of all the people.

Read it again, please.

1) Steinberg had no chance to read secretary general’s report (is it an excuse)?
2) Where did Steinberg answer the very simple question of B92:

"Your government supports it and how do you think that contributes to the stability of the region?"

Really, how? Any fact please and not the usual fairy tale like "lawless North" and such because I was there and there is nothing more "lawless" there than in "South".

OK, move on.

"Earlier on Thursday, Steinberg said in Priština that the U.S. supports the development of Kosovo, pointing out that his country considers Kosovo "a friend". "

ROFL!

---

"After his meeting with Sejdiu, Steinberg said that the U.S. had "special ties to the people in Kosovo" and that was "firmly committed to Kosovo's progress towards the EU and visa liberalization".

Wait, are we talking about U.S. visa liberalization or EU visa liberalization? ROFL.

----

Steinberg and Kosovo officials also discussed "the importance of building good neighborly relations", said reports.

"We are working on the challenges. We want to overcome the difficulties that are still present between Serbia and Kosovo," Steinberg said.

Did they propose any concrete steps which would make the life of K-Albanians easier to visit areas of Serbia under Belgrade's control? Anyone negotiating? Anyone taking care about "Welcome to Kosovo" charge for tourists?

ROFL, ROFL, ROFL

http://media.urbandictionary.com/image/large/rofl-50476.jpg

If it would be a normal man - I wold say "shame". This guy is a serviceman - so don't blame him, this is just diplomacy at worst. Sad.

"1) Steinberg had no chance to read secretary general’s report (is it an excuse)?" (Ataman)

-- Give the man a break. He was swamped with taking photos with Sejdiu and probably asking FM Lajcak why Slovakia won't cooperate.

"2) Where did Steinberg answer the very simple question of B92:
'Your government supports it and how do you think that contributes to the stability of the region?'"

-- He didn't because as an underling of the State Department armed with little more than canned responses to questions, he's not paid, and certainly not trained, to demonstrate individual thought of that magnitude.

"Really, how? Any fact please and not the usual fairy tale like 'lawless North' and such because I was there and there is nothing more 'lawless' there than in 'South'".

-- Well thankfully he didn't go into the "lawless north" vs. "flourishing democracy" that the broken down PC (Dell) likes to say from time to time. I do have to say it was interesting he travelled to Gracanica, though I doubt he visited the Serb visa office. Best to just get his photo taken in front of the monastery and talk with those democratically-elected individuals the US recognizes (though he might have had to shout a little to be heard over the collective running of generators).

'"Earlier on Thursday, Steinberg said in Priština that the U.S. supports the development of Kosovo, pointing out that his country considers Kosovo "a friend".'

-- That's a completely canned statement, little different from any touring music group going "Hello (insert name of place the band is playing)!" Wait for the cheers to die down and then follow up with "we've been touring for (x) months now and I gotta say (current city) is the best city and the best crowd we've been to!"

The only difference is instead of over-stimulated teenage girls bearing their chests for the lead singer, it's Sejdiu in front of Steinberg.

"Did they propose any concrete steps which would make the life of K-Albanians easier to visit areas of Serbia under Belgrade's control? Anyone negotiating?"

-- No because that would be a recognition of Washington's plans not going according to how they envisioned it. A few empty statements - exactly as I predicted: shoot straight, fly right, stay in school, blah blah blah - and that's it.

Notice how he didn't even entertain any thoughts of how to "integrate" the north, right?

Sounds to me like Standards Before Status. Should have stuck with that plan before letting Kosovo declare independence.

Notice how he didn't even entertain any thoughts of how to "integrate" the north, right?
(Mike, 9 April 2010 19:16)

Yes - and sadly there are so many little steps possible, completely missed. At average it takes about 10 minutes to "taw" a Serb or Albanian. My passport is a great tool. Depending with whom I am speaking I usually show the "best" side of me. After 5-10 minutes I turn around ;-)

Here Albanians are easier to deal with simply because of the "first sight" effect.

My usual topic is:

- "You see this passport - this is really the best all over Kosovo"
- "Oh, yes, it is, indeed! America is the best"
- "But wait, I mean ALL KOSOVO. Just look better inside!"
(a minute of shock follows)

- "To tell the truth... we have many Serbian friends... And we have problem with corruption in Pristina". We never had problems with Russians...

The good (even the so-so) service is always appreciated with handshake, hand-on-heart gesticulation and a good tip, 15% or more. The prices are anyway way to low. Let them feel good.

BTW: I forgot to remove my Russian frame - the first day I drove in KiM gloriously displaying where the car is from. That made a little crowd gather in some places ;-)

Out of topic - but as a tourist I have to say somewhat pretty nasty about both communities: TRASH!!!

Few pictures:

1) What is that trash in the background? What is that red material behind of the third pine? An Albanian flag on the ground? And plastic bags in the green? C'mon!

http://img714.imageshack.us/img714/6420/28512248.jpg

2) What is that white plastic bag disturbing the view? And building material is good, just placing it at a respectful distance from the grave is even better.

http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/8269/37670472.jpg

3) Beautiful landscape in the background, Albanian cemetery + plastic trash + pieces of Albanian flag on the ground in the front. It's not work of Serbs, it's "work" of your own carelessness.

http://img25.imageshack.us/img25/2319/70067387.jpg

4) Çernobiliq / Černobilić is ugly, but what I see in the front of it is at least as ugly.

http://img708.imageshack.us/img708/7718/84699514.jpg

Please, clean up the mess, not just out of respect but the tourists like the landscape being free from these things.

Serbs, too are guilty, sorry not to post their mess - it was a day earlier and it was raining. Later we did see trash in Djavolja Varos - no excuse for that!

As far as UÇK: Plastic bags stuck to graveyard is a disgrace even if I deeply disagree what for these young men died. Still, may they rest in peace - without trash being stuck here and there.

I would punish 100 Euro for each piece of trash, no mercy. In cemeteries (see above), Djavolja Varos, monasteries, etc. the "fee" would be 500 Euro.

Ataman, you're right. Trash in a cemetery is not a good look.

Just wondering if you saw any people visiting those cemeteries. I am not making excuses for either side, but could those cemeteries be abandoned?
You can always spot a Serbian cemetery in an Albanian area because they are destroyed but a Serbian cemetery in a Serbian area should be kept a little better. Like you said, at least keep it clean.

OK, let's look first at the B92 interview.

B92: The news that came from New York yesterday was that the UN secretary-general was concerned with current situation in Kosovo and especially with the plan of Kosovo’s government and Mr. (Pieter) Feith to integrate the north of Kosovo. He said that the plan was drafted without any kind of consultations with the UN and the same we heard from the EU, from Mr. (Spanish FM Miguel Angel) Moratinos earlier that the EU is not behind that plan. Your government supports it and how do you think that contributes to the stability of the region?


Steinberg: I have not had a chance to read the secretary general’s report so I don’t want to comment on specifics of that but I think we’ve made very clear that we support the efforts of the government of Kosovo to move forward in a way that respects the rights of all the citizens of Kosovo. It’s important that all the communities feel engaged and represented, that’s at the heart of the Ahtisaari plan, that’s the heart of what we believe if Kosovo is going to have a future, is to take care and respect the interest of all the people.

Read it again, please.

1) Steinberg had no chance to read secretary general’s report (is it an excuse)?
2) Where did Steinberg answer the very simple question of B92:

"Your government supports it and how do you think that contributes to the stability of the region?"

Really, how? Any fact please and not the usual fairy tale like "lawless North" and such because I was there and there is nothing more "lawless" there than in "South".

OK, move on.

"Earlier on Thursday, Steinberg said in Priština that the U.S. supports the development of Kosovo, pointing out that his country considers Kosovo "a friend". "

ROFL!

---

"After his meeting with Sejdiu, Steinberg said that the U.S. had "special ties to the people in Kosovo" and that was "firmly committed to Kosovo's progress towards the EU and visa liberalization".

Wait, are we talking about U.S. visa liberalization or EU visa liberalization? ROFL.

----

Steinberg and Kosovo officials also discussed "the importance of building good neighborly relations", said reports.

"We are working on the challenges. We want to overcome the difficulties that are still present between Serbia and Kosovo," Steinberg said.

Did they propose any concrete steps which would make the life of K-Albanians easier to visit areas of Serbia under Belgrade's control? Anyone negotiating? Anyone taking care about "Welcome to Kosovo" charge for tourists?

ROFL, ROFL, ROFL

http://media.urbandictionary.com/image/large/rofl-50476.jpg

If it would be a normal man - I wold say "shame". This guy is a serviceman - so don't blame him, this is just diplomacy at worst. Sad.

"1) Steinberg had no chance to read secretary general’s report (is it an excuse)?" (Ataman)

-- Give the man a break. He was swamped with taking photos with Sejdiu and probably asking FM Lajcak why Slovakia won't cooperate.

"2) Where did Steinberg answer the very simple question of B92:
'Your government supports it and how do you think that contributes to the stability of the region?'"

-- He didn't because as an underling of the State Department armed with little more than canned responses to questions, he's not paid, and certainly not trained, to demonstrate individual thought of that magnitude.

"Really, how? Any fact please and not the usual fairy tale like 'lawless North' and such because I was there and there is nothing more 'lawless' there than in 'South'".

-- Well thankfully he didn't go into the "lawless north" vs. "flourishing democracy" that the broken down PC (Dell) likes to say from time to time. I do have to say it was interesting he travelled to Gracanica, though I doubt he visited the Serb visa office. Best to just get his photo taken in front of the monastery and talk with those democratically-elected individuals the US recognizes (though he might have had to shout a little to be heard over the collective running of generators).

'"Earlier on Thursday, Steinberg said in Priština that the U.S. supports the development of Kosovo, pointing out that his country considers Kosovo "a friend".'

-- That's a completely canned statement, little different from any touring music group going "Hello (insert name of place the band is playing)!" Wait for the cheers to die down and then follow up with "we've been touring for (x) months now and I gotta say (current city) is the best city and the best crowd we've been to!"

The only difference is instead of over-stimulated teenage girls bearing their chests for the lead singer, it's Sejdiu in front of Steinberg.

"Did they propose any concrete steps which would make the life of K-Albanians easier to visit areas of Serbia under Belgrade's control? Anyone negotiating?"

-- No because that would be a recognition of Washington's plans not going according to how they envisioned it. A few empty statements - exactly as I predicted: shoot straight, fly right, stay in school, blah blah blah - and that's it.

Notice how he didn't even entertain any thoughts of how to "integrate" the north, right?

Sounds to me like Standards Before Status. Should have stuck with that plan before letting Kosovo declare independence.

Notice how he didn't even entertain any thoughts of how to "integrate" the north, right?
(Mike, 9 April 2010 19:16)

Yes - and sadly there are so many little steps possible, completely missed. At average it takes about 10 minutes to "taw" a Serb or Albanian. My passport is a great tool. Depending with whom I am speaking I usually show the "best" side of me. After 5-10 minutes I turn around ;-)

Here Albanians are easier to deal with simply because of the "first sight" effect.

My usual topic is:

- "You see this passport - this is really the best all over Kosovo"
- "Oh, yes, it is, indeed! America is the best"
- "But wait, I mean ALL KOSOVO. Just look better inside!"
(a minute of shock follows)

- "To tell the truth... we have many Serbian friends... And we have problem with corruption in Pristina". We never had problems with Russians...

The good (even the so-so) service is always appreciated with handshake, hand-on-heart gesticulation and a good tip, 15% or more. The prices are anyway way to low. Let them feel good.

BTW: I forgot to remove my Russian frame - the first day I drove in KiM gloriously displaying where the car is from. That made a little crowd gather in some places ;-)

Out of topic - but as a tourist I have to say somewhat pretty nasty about both communities: TRASH!!!

Few pictures:

1) What is that trash in the background? What is that red material behind of the third pine? An Albanian flag on the ground? And plastic bags in the green? C'mon!

http://img714.imageshack.us/img714/6420/28512248.jpg

2) What is that white plastic bag disturbing the view? And building material is good, just placing it at a respectful distance from the grave is even better.

http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/8269/37670472.jpg

3) Beautiful landscape in the background, Albanian cemetery + plastic trash + pieces of Albanian flag on the ground in the front. It's not work of Serbs, it's "work" of your own carelessness.

http://img25.imageshack.us/img25/2319/70067387.jpg

4) Çernobiliq / Černobilić is ugly, but what I see in the front of it is at least as ugly.

http://img708.imageshack.us/img708/7718/84699514.jpg

Please, clean up the mess, not just out of respect but the tourists like the landscape being free from these things.

Serbs, too are guilty, sorry not to post their mess - it was a day earlier and it was raining. Later we did see trash in Djavolja Varos - no excuse for that!

As far as UÇK: Plastic bags stuck to graveyard is a disgrace even if I deeply disagree what for these young men died. Still, may they rest in peace - without trash being stuck here and there.

I would punish 100 Euro for each piece of trash, no mercy. In cemeteries (see above), Djavolja Varos, monasteries, etc. the "fee" would be 500 Euro.

Ataman, you're right. Trash in a cemetery is not a good look.

Just wondering if you saw any people visiting those cemeteries. I am not making excuses for either side, but could those cemeteries be abandoned?
You can always spot a Serbian cemetery in an Albanian area because they are destroyed but a Serbian cemetery in a Serbian area should be kept a little better. Like you said, at least keep it clean.