Cablegate: FM no longer "modern face of Serbia"

Oh, if only we could get hold of US intelligence cables during the 90's regarding Yugoslavia. That would make interesting reading.

Jeremic should take the fact that he continues to upset people like Levitte as a compliment to the good job he's doing.

So far nothing secret at all

The Vuk does not bow down to the French imperialists, I think that's a very favorable leak. Good work Mr. Jeremic, you are employed to look after the best interests of Serbia, not the EU/French. Keep up the good work.

I think Vuk will be pleased with this - no publicity is bad publicity. He seems to have wound a few self-righteous western diplomats by simply sticking to his principles and getting slated for not agreeing with them.

Good on him. I still think he looks like The Count from Sesame Street though.

@Dave - Exactly! He is not the lapdog that the 'internationals' would like.

Levitte also criticized Jeremić for not doing anything to encourage Serbs to join Kosovo Albanian institutions and take part in the Kosovo Albanian government.
--
These people are more deluded than I thought. It's no wonder they cause instability throughout the world.

Congratulations Vuk - you are doing better than some people have given you credit for!!!

Are Vuk and Tadic working on a 'nice-guy/nasty guy' routine? If so, the act shows promise! It shows some signs of subtlety in Belgrade politics at last. It is definitely an improvement on the bull-headed politics of Milosevic who invited a bombing and got his wish.

Whatever the justifications for the bombing, there is no adequate justification for supporting the udi. If Vuk has to fall out with the 'odd' French diplomat to get the point over, that is to be expected and recommended.

The fact that Wikileaks gets worldwide coverage on TV and the Press should be a big enough clue as to the origins of this organisation. It is part of the American PR machine.

No sane person would ever believe an American politician, so how do the World’s Oligarchs get us to believe their mad stories? Why not disguise them as “leaks” and feign anger and frustration when these stories (which are presented as truthful) get into the public domain?

Down with Tadić, Nikolić, Dačić, Jeremić and Wikileaks!

Long Live Serbia!

The first thing I did last night when I saw the cables up at the Guardian website was to look up Serbia, Bosnia and Kosovo.

I was v disappointed that all I got was basically whats written here. I mean where is the beef about what the US really think about dealing with Kosovo Albanian politicians, some of whom are connected crime syndicates? Where is US reports about co-operation with Serbian parties, views on the torching of their embassy in Belgrade, meeting with Serbian businessmen etc?

These cables are medium level communications but where the hell are the ones from Belgrade, Zagreb, Sarajevo and Pristina?

Don't get me wrong I know we are not important these days but these documents were not seized in order of importance. One would think there would be more than a few lines.

Michael Thomas I reckon you should take it easy. Calm down on the conspiracy theories!

While I really don't care about the criticism leveled at Jeremic for failing to encourage Serbs to join a governing body they don't recognize and itself has proven incapable of functioning properly on its own, I do have to chuckle at the photo B92 selected for the article, as if Vuk was actually offended at not being regarded as the "modern face of Belgrade" by someone.

"I do have to chuckle at the photo B92 selected for the article, as if Vuk was actually offended at not being regarded as the "modern face of Belgrade" by someone.
(Mike, 29 November 2010 16:16) "

Shows how many people read the NYT - this MFOB comment obviously goes back to that fawning article that appeared in the Sunday magazine a couple of years ago.

That Jeremic's word was not trusted by other diplomats has been mentioned in the past (WAZ, for example), but now is being cited everywhere. Shows you the level of most of this stuff - gossip. Not that gossip isn't useful, it's part of what we send people abroad to collect, but there certainly haven't been any revelations you couldn't have expected. Reporters have picked up most of this, but it's been off the record. Well, now it's on it. The Arabs would like the US to do them a favor and take the Iranian bomb out? Whoever would have thought it? I wonder what the equivalent Russian cables would have them saying.

What might be interesting is to compare what William Montgomery wrote back to D.C. at the time and how he remembers it now in his new book. If these cables include those sent from Belgrade during his tenure, that is.

These Wikileaks are nothing more than BPH leaks - just small, frequent, not too embarrassing, benign leaks.

Anyone who objects to American hypocrisy is a true hero. Read that 1 in every 6 americans is considered poor. Funny how America claims to want to help people in other countries when they can't even help their own.

Jeremic should take the fact that he continues to upset people like Levitte as a compliment to the good job he's doing.
(Dave, 29 November 2010 15:20)
======================

I wonder if the Albanians will stop saying that he works for them.
The old saying that every time he opens his mouth or travels another country recognizes them is proving wrong. All he is doing is being a thorn in the west's side.
They just made him look even better.

I'm vindicated! Check B92 archives. I've been been saying that Italy (and soon Germany) are RUS' main Western allies.

I wonder if the Albanians will stop saying that he works for them.
(peggy, 29 November 2010 20:57)

Why ?! The fact that he works for the Albanians, doesn't necessarily prevent him from working for other masters, too.

Anyone who objects to American hypocrisy is a true hero. Read that 1 in every 6 americans is considered poor. Funny how America claims to want to help people in other countries when they can't even help their own.
(MikeC, 29 November 2010 21:32)

MikeC,

You must keep in mind that being considered poor in the USA is of someone whose living standard is that of a middle class person living in Serbia.

"These cables are medium level communications but where the hell are the ones from Belgrade, Zagreb, Sarajevo and Pristina?

(bganon, 29 November 2010 19:10) "

Only a small number of the total mass have been made available so far. WL is supposed to start putting out the entire corpus today, according to Le Monde. We'll probably have to wait a while for anything relating to the Balkans. I think it was the Guardian that said there are nearly a thousand from Belgrade and 600-700 from Prishtina.

...All he is doing is being a thorn in the west's side.
They just made him look even better.

- Peggy
===================

Well, it looks like Peggy thinks a diplomat and a peacock are one and the same.

Well, whatever one thinks of Vuk's performance, it sounds like some of the posters here need reminding that an FM is hired to serve the interests of his country.

“These revelations just about malice, in terms of international law they have no significance. We are brothers with our neighboring countries. This publication will not affect those relations.” he said. AA/B92

That's going to say- "good politician".

Best regards!

Yankee Doodle Dandy,

You have no idea how people live in Serbia. In Serbia most families own their own homes outright (no mortgage). Most Serbians don’t have credit cards, and are therefore free of the debt which is drowning Americans and the EU. Serbians are also partially self-sufficient and grow food in their gardens and on small-holdings.

Most Serbians are struggling to make ends meet, but they live better than the tens of millions of Americans who live in trailer parks (Kamp Kuće) and are fed in soup kitchens.

The Serbian middle-class drives modern European and Japanese cars and lives in modern and warm homes. The problem for Serbian is to raise the rest of the population to the standards of the middle-class. The problem for the Americans is to stop its middle-class from falling to the level of the trailer park poor.

"I was v disappointed that all I got was basically whats written here. I mean where is the beef about what the US really think about dealing with Kosovo Albanian politicians, some of whom are connected crime syndicates? ... Don't get me wrong I know we are not important these days but these documents were not seized in order of importance. One would think there would be more than a few lines.
(bganon, 29 November 2010 19:10)

You already answered it yourself: Serbia and Kosovo is not that important, on a global level, though some Serbs think they are most important and the whole world is envolved in a conspiracy against them. And about the Kosovo Albanian politicians: There have been some CIA reports leaked long ago, about Thaci, for example. Nothing new ;-)

"The Serbian middle-class drives modern European and Japanese cars and lives in modern and warm homes. The problem for Serbian is to raise the rest of the population to the standards of the middle-class."

With an average salary of about €350 or so, your described "middle class" can only be a minority (mayb 10-15%?) in Serbia, and not the average as people might think when they read "middle class"

Links to the original documents discussed in the article:
*: http://cablegate.wikileaks.org/cable/2009/09/09PARIS1254.html
*: http://cablegate.wikileaks.org/cable/2009/11/09BERLIN1433.html
*: http://cablegate.wikileaks.org/cable/2010/02/10ANKARA302.html

And as a bonus here are two links to cables mentioning Kosovo which are not discussed in the article:
*: http://cablegate.wikileaks.org/cable/2008/01/08BERLIN122.html
*: http://cablegate.wikileaks.org/cable/2009/12/09DOHA733.html

It is obvious that Jeremic is no longer a modern Belgrade face, actually he never was. But I am wondering will this Borko Stefanovic will be a "modern face" or he will end up just like his fellow friend Mr. Jeremic?!! Actually I heard that he was born in K. Mitrovica so he must be a real nationalist hidden behind a "modern face", but lets just hope that at least he is a well educated person and has read Geneva Human Right Convention!!!

''Serbians are also partially self-sufficient and grow food in their gardens and on small-holdings. ''

I wish in Albania they did the same, like until 15-20 years ago, what's healthier than food free of pesticides and genetacilly improved stuff... but this fact does not show economical sustainaility...the modern industry is merciless, you can not compete with mass production...

The fact that Wikileaks gets worldwide coverage on TV and the Press should be a big enough clue as to the origins of this organisation. It is part of the American PR machine.

No sane person would ever believe an American politician, so how do the World’s Oligarchs get us to believe their mad stories? Why not disguise them as “leaks” and feign anger and frustration when these stories (which are presented as truthful) get into the public domain?

Down with Tadić, Nikolić, Dačić, Jeremić and Wikileaks!

Long Live Serbia!

Levitte also criticized Jeremić for not doing anything to encourage Serbs to join Kosovo Albanian institutions and take part in the Kosovo Albanian government.
--
These people are more deluded than I thought. It's no wonder they cause instability throughout the world.

The Vuk does not bow down to the French imperialists, I think that's a very favorable leak. Good work Mr. Jeremic, you are employed to look after the best interests of Serbia, not the EU/French. Keep up the good work.

@Dave - Exactly! He is not the lapdog that the 'internationals' would like.

Anyone who objects to American hypocrisy is a true hero. Read that 1 in every 6 americans is considered poor. Funny how America claims to want to help people in other countries when they can't even help their own.

Jeremic should take the fact that he continues to upset people like Levitte as a compliment to the good job he's doing.

Congratulations Vuk - you are doing better than some people have given you credit for!!!

Are Vuk and Tadic working on a 'nice-guy/nasty guy' routine? If so, the act shows promise! It shows some signs of subtlety in Belgrade politics at last. It is definitely an improvement on the bull-headed politics of Milosevic who invited a bombing and got his wish.

Whatever the justifications for the bombing, there is no adequate justification for supporting the udi. If Vuk has to fall out with the 'odd' French diplomat to get the point over, that is to be expected and recommended.

I'm vindicated! Check B92 archives. I've been been saying that Italy (and soon Germany) are RUS' main Western allies.

Jeremic should take the fact that he continues to upset people like Levitte as a compliment to the good job he's doing.
(Dave, 29 November 2010 15:20)
======================

I wonder if the Albanians will stop saying that he works for them.
The old saying that every time he opens his mouth or travels another country recognizes them is proving wrong. All he is doing is being a thorn in the west's side.
They just made him look even better.

The first thing I did last night when I saw the cables up at the Guardian website was to look up Serbia, Bosnia and Kosovo.

I was v disappointed that all I got was basically whats written here. I mean where is the beef about what the US really think about dealing with Kosovo Albanian politicians, some of whom are connected crime syndicates? Where is US reports about co-operation with Serbian parties, views on the torching of their embassy in Belgrade, meeting with Serbian businessmen etc?

These cables are medium level communications but where the hell are the ones from Belgrade, Zagreb, Sarajevo and Pristina?

Don't get me wrong I know we are not important these days but these documents were not seized in order of importance. One would think there would be more than a few lines.

Michael Thomas I reckon you should take it easy. Calm down on the conspiracy theories!

While I really don't care about the criticism leveled at Jeremic for failing to encourage Serbs to join a governing body they don't recognize and itself has proven incapable of functioning properly on its own, I do have to chuckle at the photo B92 selected for the article, as if Vuk was actually offended at not being regarded as the "modern face of Belgrade" by someone.

Oh, if only we could get hold of US intelligence cables during the 90's regarding Yugoslavia. That would make interesting reading.

Anyone who objects to American hypocrisy is a true hero. Read that 1 in every 6 americans is considered poor. Funny how America claims to want to help people in other countries when they can't even help their own.
(MikeC, 29 November 2010 21:32)

MikeC,

You must keep in mind that being considered poor in the USA is of someone whose living standard is that of a middle class person living in Serbia.

I wonder if the Albanians will stop saying that he works for them.
(peggy, 29 November 2010 20:57)

Why ?! The fact that he works for the Albanians, doesn't necessarily prevent him from working for other masters, too.

I think Vuk will be pleased with this - no publicity is bad publicity. He seems to have wound a few self-righteous western diplomats by simply sticking to his principles and getting slated for not agreeing with them.

Good on him. I still think he looks like The Count from Sesame Street though.

“These revelations just about malice, in terms of international law they have no significance. We are brothers with our neighboring countries. This publication will not affect those relations.” he said. AA/B92

That's going to say- "good politician".

Best regards!

...All he is doing is being a thorn in the west's side.
They just made him look even better.

- Peggy
===================

Well, it looks like Peggy thinks a diplomat and a peacock are one and the same.

Well, whatever one thinks of Vuk's performance, it sounds like some of the posters here need reminding that an FM is hired to serve the interests of his country.

"I do have to chuckle at the photo B92 selected for the article, as if Vuk was actually offended at not being regarded as the "modern face of Belgrade" by someone.
(Mike, 29 November 2010 16:16) "

Shows how many people read the NYT - this MFOB comment obviously goes back to that fawning article that appeared in the Sunday magazine a couple of years ago.

That Jeremic's word was not trusted by other diplomats has been mentioned in the past (WAZ, for example), but now is being cited everywhere. Shows you the level of most of this stuff - gossip. Not that gossip isn't useful, it's part of what we send people abroad to collect, but there certainly haven't been any revelations you couldn't have expected. Reporters have picked up most of this, but it's been off the record. Well, now it's on it. The Arabs would like the US to do them a favor and take the Iranian bomb out? Whoever would have thought it? I wonder what the equivalent Russian cables would have them saying.

What might be interesting is to compare what William Montgomery wrote back to D.C. at the time and how he remembers it now in his new book. If these cables include those sent from Belgrade during his tenure, that is.

Yankee Doodle Dandy,

You have no idea how people live in Serbia. In Serbia most families own their own homes outright (no mortgage). Most Serbians don’t have credit cards, and are therefore free of the debt which is drowning Americans and the EU. Serbians are also partially self-sufficient and grow food in their gardens and on small-holdings.

Most Serbians are struggling to make ends meet, but they live better than the tens of millions of Americans who live in trailer parks (Kamp Kuće) and are fed in soup kitchens.

The Serbian middle-class drives modern European and Japanese cars and lives in modern and warm homes. The problem for Serbian is to raise the rest of the population to the standards of the middle-class. The problem for the Americans is to stop its middle-class from falling to the level of the trailer park poor.

So far nothing secret at all

Links to the original documents discussed in the article:
*: http://cablegate.wikileaks.org/cable/2009/09/09PARIS1254.html
*: http://cablegate.wikileaks.org/cable/2009/11/09BERLIN1433.html
*: http://cablegate.wikileaks.org/cable/2010/02/10ANKARA302.html

And as a bonus here are two links to cables mentioning Kosovo which are not discussed in the article:
*: http://cablegate.wikileaks.org/cable/2008/01/08BERLIN122.html
*: http://cablegate.wikileaks.org/cable/2009/12/09DOHA733.html

These Wikileaks are nothing more than BPH leaks - just small, frequent, not too embarrassing, benign leaks.

"These cables are medium level communications but where the hell are the ones from Belgrade, Zagreb, Sarajevo and Pristina?

(bganon, 29 November 2010 19:10) "

Only a small number of the total mass have been made available so far. WL is supposed to start putting out the entire corpus today, according to Le Monde. We'll probably have to wait a while for anything relating to the Balkans. I think it was the Guardian that said there are nearly a thousand from Belgrade and 600-700 from Prishtina.

"The Serbian middle-class drives modern European and Japanese cars and lives in modern and warm homes. The problem for Serbian is to raise the rest of the population to the standards of the middle-class."

With an average salary of about €350 or so, your described "middle class" can only be a minority (mayb 10-15%?) in Serbia, and not the average as people might think when they read "middle class"

"I was v disappointed that all I got was basically whats written here. I mean where is the beef about what the US really think about dealing with Kosovo Albanian politicians, some of whom are connected crime syndicates? ... Don't get me wrong I know we are not important these days but these documents were not seized in order of importance. One would think there would be more than a few lines.
(bganon, 29 November 2010 19:10)

You already answered it yourself: Serbia and Kosovo is not that important, on a global level, though some Serbs think they are most important and the whole world is envolved in a conspiracy against them. And about the Kosovo Albanian politicians: There have been some CIA reports leaked long ago, about Thaci, for example. Nothing new ;-)

''Serbians are also partially self-sufficient and grow food in their gardens and on small-holdings. ''

I wish in Albania they did the same, like until 15-20 years ago, what's healthier than food free of pesticides and genetacilly improved stuff... but this fact does not show economical sustainaility...the modern industry is merciless, you can not compete with mass production...

It is obvious that Jeremic is no longer a modern Belgrade face, actually he never was. But I am wondering will this Borko Stefanovic will be a "modern face" or he will end up just like his fellow friend Mr. Jeremic?!! Actually I heard that he was born in K. Mitrovica so he must be a real nationalist hidden behind a "modern face", but lets just hope that at least he is a well educated person and has read Geneva Human Right Convention!!!