Only “status neutral" customs solution acceptable

Didn't I read here somewhere that the current 'official' Kosovo custom stamps which were declared as status neutral by UNMIK and CEFTA only have the words 'Kosovo customs' on them, and nothing else?
(Analyst, 31 August 2011 12:43)

http://img820.imageshack.us/img820/9660/79557433.jpg

http://www.scribd.com/doc/61819795/Letter-UNMIK-Customs-Stamps

"Is it because Pristina wants to force the word "Republic" on the stamp"

Says who? Your ministry of truth? If Kosovo wanted to why hasn't it in 2008? But don't forget the ministry's slogan: WAR IS PEACE, FREEDOM IS SLAVERY, IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH.

"For Belgrade it is not acceptable that customs stamps bear the engraving ‘Republic of Kosovo’ and Kosovo coat of arms."

Didn't I read here somewhere that the current 'official' Kosovo custom stamps which were declared as status neutral by UNMIK and CEFTA only have the words 'Kosovo customs' on them, and nothing else?

Gustave,

I take my hat to you sir and bow.






Thanks,

That's cool, Gustave. Pristina cannot use the name "Republic of Kosovo" or have its coat of arms on the customs stamp. That's all that Belgrade is demanding. Why is there a conflict then? Is it because Pristina wants to force the word "Republic" on the stamp, in violation of the CEFTA agreement? Let everyone involved follow the rules, and there will be no problems. And, no trying to take over checkpoints by force, that was not in the agreement either. Pristina is like a small child throwing a temper tantrum, screaming "We are a country, we are a country". Unfortunately for the Albanians, Serbia and the UN do not agree.

Hmm it smells a bit like a climbdown by Stefanovic (Tadic really, but Stefanovic will be put in the firing line). Classic case - state what is unacceptible (in reality this isn't the case), then state what you would accept (part of which is already the case) and add one request 'UNMIK' or 'EULEX' as part of the stamp.

But will it be enough? How do we know this isn't something that EULEX et al have already rejected?

Still, its good to finally get down to the nitty gritty. To be honest this whole issue has been an amazing cock up by the Serbian government. It wasn't a 'trap' that anybody could have forseen, but in hindsight it led to a series of events that have weakened the Serbian bargaining position.

Bless you Gustave!

its all a question of semantics, doesnt matter what kind of stamps yet, they r just petty games for the citizens n politicians. The reality is we have a line and to cross that line stamps are reqiired for the transfer of goods from one country to another. We can call it an administration line a border or what ever you like. We can paint it with words and make it look pretty to appeal to government constituants.

Why is there a conflict then?
(RedLine, 31 August 2011 17:08)

You need to ask that to Stefanovic and Tadic. Or better yet, read what bganon wrote. He explains with nice words (Classic case etc etc) why there is a conflict. It is because the Serbian side is interested in playing games, in making up things that do not exist. Hopefully, they will be more serious in the future. The more they bluff, the more they lose ground in the north. The more time they try to buy, the more their position in the international community weakens, as the number of recognitions of Kosovo increases. They will be left with nothing if they keep playing silly games.

Thanks, Gustave, for examples of the stamp currently used. So I don't see any reason why Belgrade should keep on refusing it during the next round of the Belgrade-Pristina talks in Brussels. Their demand of not having the words 'Republic of Kosovo' or some other insignia of the (non recognized) state of Kosovo on it is fulfilled, and it looks like it always have been fulfilled.

Neither side wants to discuss N. Kosovo, fine. Then why waste time on all the other petty little issuse when "Status" agreement is the issue in all negotiations? Go to Staples and get whatever silly stamp you want, who cares? Until "Status" is settled, there will be no peace between Serbs and Albanians - and until the US/EU stop being biased in their actions, nothing will be solved in these show talks.

It's "Kosovo Customs" and "Serbia Customs," no engraving or anything on any customs stamps.

I hope, truly hope that Serbia doesn't accept them but Serbia has no choice, $500 million a year is at stake. And progress with EU.

"Northern Kosovo won't be discussed"
Amazing. I cannot imagine one could discuss for example telecom without asking guarantees that not one day ROSU will come and take the mobile phone stations in the North down.

"Tahiri added that there was no northern Kosovo issue and that there was only Serbia’s “illegal intervention and presence of criminal structures”."

Just like there's no Kosovo issue at all, just Pristinas parallel institutions, criminal structures and the self proclaimed mafia state. But all this won't be discussed, that's correct!

(Analyst, 31 August 2011 21:02)

Yes, the stamp is 100% fine. I do not see any problem with it.
(Ataman, 1 September 2011 12:52)

For Serbia it seems there is a huge problem.

This time this inexistent problem will cost them half billion $$$$ so have fun mr provincial politicians of BG.

They create inexistent problems for over 20 years no all over the Balkans... only a full cannot see that.

Thanks, Gustave, for examples of the stamp currently used. So I don't see any reason why Belgrade should keep on refusing it during the next round of the Belgrade-Pristina talks in Brussels. Their demand of not having the words 'Republic of Kosovo' or some other insignia of the (non recognized) state of Kosovo on it is fulfilled, and it looks like it always have been fulfilled.
(Analyst, 31 August 2011 21:02)

Yes, the stamp is 100% fine. I do not see any problem with it.

For Serbia it seems there is a huge problem.

This time this inexistent problem will cost them half billion $$$$ so have fun mr provincial politicians of BG.

They create inexistent problems for over 20 years no all over the Balkans... only a full cannot see that.
(ben, 1 September 2011 15:24)

I just can't get rid of the idea, some key politicians simply did not see the stamp ever - and went by word of mouth. No kidding. If they believe, Microsoft produces and sells computers than this stamp is just a minor issue.

Still, they are one step above ours - we have people in key position who can't write a single sentence without turning grammar upside-down. I don't want to mention names - it's a very high position.

we have people in key position who can't write a single sentence without turning grammar upside-down. I don't want to mention names - it's a very high position.
(Ataman, 1 September 2011 19:37)

If you speaking about Bogdanovic (my guess) then I will speak about Thaci- his vocabulary of the Albanian language is scandal- can only imagine his writing lol

That's cool, Gustave. Pristina cannot use the name "Republic of Kosovo" or have its coat of arms on the customs stamp. That's all that Belgrade is demanding. Why is there a conflict then? Is it because Pristina wants to force the word "Republic" on the stamp, in violation of the CEFTA agreement? Let everyone involved follow the rules, and there will be no problems. And, no trying to take over checkpoints by force, that was not in the agreement either. Pristina is like a small child throwing a temper tantrum, screaming "We are a country, we are a country". Unfortunately for the Albanians, Serbia and the UN do not agree.

"Tahiri added that there was no northern Kosovo issue and that there was only Serbia’s “illegal intervention and presence of criminal structures”."

Just like there's no Kosovo issue at all, just Pristinas parallel institutions, criminal structures and the self proclaimed mafia state. But all this won't be discussed, that's correct!

Neither side wants to discuss N. Kosovo, fine. Then why waste time on all the other petty little issuse when "Status" agreement is the issue in all negotiations? Go to Staples and get whatever silly stamp you want, who cares? Until "Status" is settled, there will be no peace between Serbs and Albanians - and until the US/EU stop being biased in their actions, nothing will be solved in these show talks.

"Northern Kosovo won't be discussed"
Amazing. I cannot imagine one could discuss for example telecom without asking guarantees that not one day ROSU will come and take the mobile phone stations in the North down.

"Is it because Pristina wants to force the word "Republic" on the stamp"

Says who? Your ministry of truth? If Kosovo wanted to why hasn't it in 2008? But don't forget the ministry's slogan: WAR IS PEACE, FREEDOM IS SLAVERY, IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH.

Gustave,

I take my hat to you sir and bow.






Thanks,

"For Belgrade it is not acceptable that customs stamps bear the engraving ‘Republic of Kosovo’ and Kosovo coat of arms."

Didn't I read here somewhere that the current 'official' Kosovo custom stamps which were declared as status neutral by UNMIK and CEFTA only have the words 'Kosovo customs' on them, and nothing else?

It's "Kosovo Customs" and "Serbia Customs," no engraving or anything on any customs stamps.

I hope, truly hope that Serbia doesn't accept them but Serbia has no choice, $500 million a year is at stake. And progress with EU.

Why is there a conflict then?
(RedLine, 31 August 2011 17:08)

You need to ask that to Stefanovic and Tadic. Or better yet, read what bganon wrote. He explains with nice words (Classic case etc etc) why there is a conflict. It is because the Serbian side is interested in playing games, in making up things that do not exist. Hopefully, they will be more serious in the future. The more they bluff, the more they lose ground in the north. The more time they try to buy, the more their position in the international community weakens, as the number of recognitions of Kosovo increases. They will be left with nothing if they keep playing silly games.

Bless you Gustave!

its all a question of semantics, doesnt matter what kind of stamps yet, they r just petty games for the citizens n politicians. The reality is we have a line and to cross that line stamps are reqiired for the transfer of goods from one country to another. We can call it an administration line a border or what ever you like. We can paint it with words and make it look pretty to appeal to government constituants.

Hmm it smells a bit like a climbdown by Stefanovic (Tadic really, but Stefanovic will be put in the firing line). Classic case - state what is unacceptible (in reality this isn't the case), then state what you would accept (part of which is already the case) and add one request 'UNMIK' or 'EULEX' as part of the stamp.

But will it be enough? How do we know this isn't something that EULEX et al have already rejected?

Still, its good to finally get down to the nitty gritty. To be honest this whole issue has been an amazing cock up by the Serbian government. It wasn't a 'trap' that anybody could have forseen, but in hindsight it led to a series of events that have weakened the Serbian bargaining position.

Thanks, Gustave, for examples of the stamp currently used. So I don't see any reason why Belgrade should keep on refusing it during the next round of the Belgrade-Pristina talks in Brussels. Their demand of not having the words 'Republic of Kosovo' or some other insignia of the (non recognized) state of Kosovo on it is fulfilled, and it looks like it always have been fulfilled.

Didn't I read here somewhere that the current 'official' Kosovo custom stamps which were declared as status neutral by UNMIK and CEFTA only have the words 'Kosovo customs' on them, and nothing else?
(Analyst, 31 August 2011 12:43)

http://img820.imageshack.us/img820/9660/79557433.jpg

http://www.scribd.com/doc/61819795/Letter-UNMIK-Customs-Stamps

Thanks, Gustave, for examples of the stamp currently used. So I don't see any reason why Belgrade should keep on refusing it during the next round of the Belgrade-Pristina talks in Brussels. Their demand of not having the words 'Republic of Kosovo' or some other insignia of the (non recognized) state of Kosovo on it is fulfilled, and it looks like it always have been fulfilled.
(Analyst, 31 August 2011 21:02)

Yes, the stamp is 100% fine. I do not see any problem with it.

For Serbia it seems there is a huge problem.

This time this inexistent problem will cost them half billion $$$$ so have fun mr provincial politicians of BG.

They create inexistent problems for over 20 years no all over the Balkans... only a full cannot see that.
(ben, 1 September 2011 15:24)

I just can't get rid of the idea, some key politicians simply did not see the stamp ever - and went by word of mouth. No kidding. If they believe, Microsoft produces and sells computers than this stamp is just a minor issue.

Still, they are one step above ours - we have people in key position who can't write a single sentence without turning grammar upside-down. I don't want to mention names - it's a very high position.

(Analyst, 31 August 2011 21:02)

Yes, the stamp is 100% fine. I do not see any problem with it.
(Ataman, 1 September 2011 12:52)

For Serbia it seems there is a huge problem.

This time this inexistent problem will cost them half billion $$$$ so have fun mr provincial politicians of BG.

They create inexistent problems for over 20 years no all over the Balkans... only a full cannot see that.

we have people in key position who can't write a single sentence without turning grammar upside-down. I don't want to mention names - it's a very high position.
(Ataman, 1 September 2011 19:37)

If you speaking about Bogdanovic (my guess) then I will speak about Thaci- his vocabulary of the Albanian language is scandal- can only imagine his writing lol