New plan for northern Kosovo necessary, daily says

"Quoting unnamed Western diplomats, the daily says that the implementation of the Ahtisaari plan has failed in northern Kosovo and that a new plan is therefore necessary."

To be more general. The plan of creating a multiethnic democratic Kosovo that shares European values and standards and where human rights are honored has miserably failed. Instead, a mafia-like pseudo-state was born where criminality and corruption is imminent. So a new plan is therefore necessary.

"German Ambassador to Kosovo Ernst Reichel said that the northern Kosovo issue needed to be reconsidered and that it should begin with fulfillment of requests made by German Chancellor Angela Merkel during her visit to Serbia."

-- And already we have a problem. If there is a recognition that the Ahtisaari Plan failed to take hold in northern Kosovo after repeated attempts, the solution should be working *with* these local institutions, not seeking their dismemberment. If the "building of trust with local factors" is the key objective, demanding the removal of barricades, calling for the end of "parallel institutions", and repeating empty phrases that Kosovo's "borders" cannot change without providing any alternative for internal autonomy or local administration will fail to produce any breakthroughs with the Serb contingent. At the absolute easiest, northern Kosovo should be offered widescale autonomy with the allowance of continuing its links with Belgrade. In exchange, the barricases come down, and whatever customs officials stationed at the Jarinje and Brnjak checkpoints allocate any customs duties collected to the local economy there. You cannot call for a new plan while issuing the same worn out demands that led to this impasse in the first place.

Little by little both the west and albanians realize that the north will run its own affairs. After all it is the "reality on the ground".

I assume from the above that it goes without saying that no sane mind in Serbia would ask that thing that you described above to be part of Serbia.
(icj1, 15 October 2011 17:21)

Of course nobody wants the corrupt state of Kosovo to be part of Serbia, it's about the region.

If you give albanians acces to the north you give them acces to the rest of serbia

The West has consistently not kept its word, from Bosnia (its endless attempts at changing Dayton), to Croatia (treat the serb minority properly before joining the EU), to Kosovo (1244, serb policemen back in). Of course they want the serbs to accept Merkel's conditions first. They are quite happy to pay in blood, serb blood. This is just another scam.

To be more general. The plan of creating a multiethnic democratic Kosovo that shares European values and standards and where human rights are honored has miserably failed. Instead, a mafia-like pseudo-state was born where criminality and corruption is imminent. So a new plan is therefore necessary.
(Comm. Parrisson, 15 October 2011 15:08)

I assume from the above that it goes without saying that no sane mind in Serbia would ask that thing that you described above to be part of Serbia.

“Quoting unnamed Western diplomats, the daily says that the implementation of the Ahtisaari plan has failed in northern Kosovo and that a new plan is therefore necessary. “

It has failed in the north? This is news to me. When was that plan ever implemented there in the first place?????????

“French, German and Italian ambassadors in Kosovo rejected allegations that a political dialogue was being considered, but said that the northern Kosovo issues should be discussed. “

Read in between the lines and this is my interpretation – France, Germany and Italy are desperate for talks to take place …. but they don’t wanna call a spade a spade. But how can you discuss issues without a dialogue???? Hmmmm …….. I wonder whether the eurozone crisis, and the need to tighten wallets – has anything to do with all this calls for discussions-that-will-not-be-called-a-dialogue? It is one thing to splurge on military spending to protect one’s own country, the electorate will support this no doubt -- but to splurge good money to support foreign governments during hard economic times, leaving less for the French, German and Italian people themselves??????

“I am convinced that the situation in the north requires discussion. The situation cannot be sustainably solved with political means. An example of such discussions are talks that Chancellor Merkel had in Belgrade where she requested abolition of the parallel structures and a chance for EULEX to perform its task in the north without interference,” he explained. “

It would be far better for Merkel to talk AND LISTEN to the K-Serbs in the north as to what they really want. After all, isn’t this what human rights and freedom to choose, both presumably so important to the West, is all about? Or are we talking double standards here? Actually I think we are talking double standards here.

“The German ambassador said that building of trust with local factors had proved to be successful in the past and stressed that Kosovo’s borders could not be changed.”

Trust was successfully built in the past? This is news to me. When was that?????

Wow, a foreigner like this German has the right to decide for Kosovo whether its borders can be changed …….. so how TRULY sovereign is Pristina? If, for the sake of ending the current impasse, suppose Belgrade and Pristina agree to swap territory for example – so that most Serbs and Albanians can live without each other – and are happier for it – but, no, almighty Germany, the Yankees, etc, have veto rights over other people’s territories ……. Neo-colonialism at work.

“French Ambassador to Kosovo Jean-Francois Fitou said that the process could be called a dialogue, a plan or any other name but that a vision that would allow the Kosovo government to have access to the north should be offered.”

That’s the crux of the problem …… the K-Serbs north of the Ibar are against giving Pristina any access period. This French “vision” is destined to remain a mirage if left to the Serbs there – seems to me that the West’s dream of the multi-ethnic paradise of Kosovo is turning into a nightmare for the increasingly cash-strapped EU …... and they are loathed to admit it.

“He claims that the most important thing is that both Kosovo institutions and local Serbs are involved in the process.”

Well, as they say, it takes two to tango …… Pristina alone being eager beaver is not enough. Good luck trying to convince the local Serbs.

“When asked about the new plan, Italian Ambassador Michael Giffoni quoted European Commission's Enlargement Directorate General for Western Balkans Pierre Mirel who said that “the EC has not thought of any platform or a plan on a political level”.”

Ha ha ha! That about sums it all up! The EU created its own stalemate! And are now at a loss on what to do next! I "hate" :) to say this -- but YOU ASKED FOR IT!!!!

This means if the situation cannot be controlled WITHOUT using force then a new paln has to be looked at and this has to MEET with the approval of the local Serbs.
(sj, 16 October 2011 00:31)

There is no need to use force as all parties, Serbs and Albanians, support KFOR and resolution 1244. So there is nobody to use force against!

“French, German and Italian ambassadors in Kosovo rejected allegations that a political dialogue was being considered, but said that the northern Kosovo issues should be discussed”

Now how are they goinmg to do this if they reject “rejected allegations that a political dialogue was being considered” but “northern Kosovo issues should be discussed”? As anything discussed has political connections the west must have mastered mind reading.
This means if the situation cannot be controlled WITHOUT using force then a new paln has to be looked at and this has to MEET with the approval of the local Serbs.

Little by little both the west and albanians realize that the north will run its own affairs. After all it is the "reality on the ground".
(MikeC, 15 October 2011 16:38)

Absolutely, that's a right that Serbs have under Kosovo's Constitution and Kosovo's Constitution cannot be changed without Serbs' consent.

Kosovo institutions should prepare a new proposal for northern Kosovo since Serbs do not accept the Ahtisaari plan.

If the Serbs won't accept the Ahtisaari plan then perhaps neither should the Albanians.

Kosovo then to Albania and that way Albanians will get to realise their dreams of a greater Albania which already has access to the sea.

What do you think?

Little by little both the west and albanians realize that the north will run its own affairs. After all it is the "reality on the ground".

"Quoting unnamed Western diplomats, the daily says that the implementation of the Ahtisaari plan has failed in northern Kosovo and that a new plan is therefore necessary."

To be more general. The plan of creating a multiethnic democratic Kosovo that shares European values and standards and where human rights are honored has miserably failed. Instead, a mafia-like pseudo-state was born where criminality and corruption is imminent. So a new plan is therefore necessary.

"German Ambassador to Kosovo Ernst Reichel said that the northern Kosovo issue needed to be reconsidered and that it should begin with fulfillment of requests made by German Chancellor Angela Merkel during her visit to Serbia."

-- And already we have a problem. If there is a recognition that the Ahtisaari Plan failed to take hold in northern Kosovo after repeated attempts, the solution should be working *with* these local institutions, not seeking their dismemberment. If the "building of trust with local factors" is the key objective, demanding the removal of barricades, calling for the end of "parallel institutions", and repeating empty phrases that Kosovo's "borders" cannot change without providing any alternative for internal autonomy or local administration will fail to produce any breakthroughs with the Serb contingent. At the absolute easiest, northern Kosovo should be offered widescale autonomy with the allowance of continuing its links with Belgrade. In exchange, the barricases come down, and whatever customs officials stationed at the Jarinje and Brnjak checkpoints allocate any customs duties collected to the local economy there. You cannot call for a new plan while issuing the same worn out demands that led to this impasse in the first place.

To be more general. The plan of creating a multiethnic democratic Kosovo that shares European values and standards and where human rights are honored has miserably failed. Instead, a mafia-like pseudo-state was born where criminality and corruption is imminent. So a new plan is therefore necessary.
(Comm. Parrisson, 15 October 2011 15:08)

I assume from the above that it goes without saying that no sane mind in Serbia would ask that thing that you described above to be part of Serbia.

I assume from the above that it goes without saying that no sane mind in Serbia would ask that thing that you described above to be part of Serbia.
(icj1, 15 October 2011 17:21)

Of course nobody wants the corrupt state of Kosovo to be part of Serbia, it's about the region.

If you give albanians acces to the north you give them acces to the rest of serbia

Little by little both the west and albanians realize that the north will run its own affairs. After all it is the "reality on the ground".
(MikeC, 15 October 2011 16:38)

Absolutely, that's a right that Serbs have under Kosovo's Constitution and Kosovo's Constitution cannot be changed without Serbs' consent.

This means if the situation cannot be controlled WITHOUT using force then a new paln has to be looked at and this has to MEET with the approval of the local Serbs.
(sj, 16 October 2011 00:31)

There is no need to use force as all parties, Serbs and Albanians, support KFOR and resolution 1244. So there is nobody to use force against!

The West has consistently not kept its word, from Bosnia (its endless attempts at changing Dayton), to Croatia (treat the serb minority properly before joining the EU), to Kosovo (1244, serb policemen back in). Of course they want the serbs to accept Merkel's conditions first. They are quite happy to pay in blood, serb blood. This is just another scam.

“French, German and Italian ambassadors in Kosovo rejected allegations that a political dialogue was being considered, but said that the northern Kosovo issues should be discussed”

Now how are they goinmg to do this if they reject “rejected allegations that a political dialogue was being considered” but “northern Kosovo issues should be discussed”? As anything discussed has political connections the west must have mastered mind reading.
This means if the situation cannot be controlled WITHOUT using force then a new paln has to be looked at and this has to MEET with the approval of the local Serbs.

“Quoting unnamed Western diplomats, the daily says that the implementation of the Ahtisaari plan has failed in northern Kosovo and that a new plan is therefore necessary. “

It has failed in the north? This is news to me. When was that plan ever implemented there in the first place?????????

“French, German and Italian ambassadors in Kosovo rejected allegations that a political dialogue was being considered, but said that the northern Kosovo issues should be discussed. “

Read in between the lines and this is my interpretation – France, Germany and Italy are desperate for talks to take place …. but they don’t wanna call a spade a spade. But how can you discuss issues without a dialogue???? Hmmmm …….. I wonder whether the eurozone crisis, and the need to tighten wallets – has anything to do with all this calls for discussions-that-will-not-be-called-a-dialogue? It is one thing to splurge on military spending to protect one’s own country, the electorate will support this no doubt -- but to splurge good money to support foreign governments during hard economic times, leaving less for the French, German and Italian people themselves??????

“I am convinced that the situation in the north requires discussion. The situation cannot be sustainably solved with political means. An example of such discussions are talks that Chancellor Merkel had in Belgrade where she requested abolition of the parallel structures and a chance for EULEX to perform its task in the north without interference,” he explained. “

It would be far better for Merkel to talk AND LISTEN to the K-Serbs in the north as to what they really want. After all, isn’t this what human rights and freedom to choose, both presumably so important to the West, is all about? Or are we talking double standards here? Actually I think we are talking double standards here.

“The German ambassador said that building of trust with local factors had proved to be successful in the past and stressed that Kosovo’s borders could not be changed.”

Trust was successfully built in the past? This is news to me. When was that?????

Wow, a foreigner like this German has the right to decide for Kosovo whether its borders can be changed …….. so how TRULY sovereign is Pristina? If, for the sake of ending the current impasse, suppose Belgrade and Pristina agree to swap territory for example – so that most Serbs and Albanians can live without each other – and are happier for it – but, no, almighty Germany, the Yankees, etc, have veto rights over other people’s territories ……. Neo-colonialism at work.

“French Ambassador to Kosovo Jean-Francois Fitou said that the process could be called a dialogue, a plan or any other name but that a vision that would allow the Kosovo government to have access to the north should be offered.”

That’s the crux of the problem …… the K-Serbs north of the Ibar are against giving Pristina any access period. This French “vision” is destined to remain a mirage if left to the Serbs there – seems to me that the West’s dream of the multi-ethnic paradise of Kosovo is turning into a nightmare for the increasingly cash-strapped EU …... and they are loathed to admit it.

“He claims that the most important thing is that both Kosovo institutions and local Serbs are involved in the process.”

Well, as they say, it takes two to tango …… Pristina alone being eager beaver is not enough. Good luck trying to convince the local Serbs.

“When asked about the new plan, Italian Ambassador Michael Giffoni quoted European Commission's Enlargement Directorate General for Western Balkans Pierre Mirel who said that “the EC has not thought of any platform or a plan on a political level”.”

Ha ha ha! That about sums it all up! The EU created its own stalemate! And are now at a loss on what to do next! I "hate" :) to say this -- but YOU ASKED FOR IT!!!!

Kosovo institutions should prepare a new proposal for northern Kosovo since Serbs do not accept the Ahtisaari plan.

If the Serbs won't accept the Ahtisaari plan then perhaps neither should the Albanians.

Kosovo then to Albania and that way Albanians will get to realise their dreams of a greater Albania which already has access to the sea.

What do you think?