Kosovo, intl. officials oppose crossings blockade

Let's see if Pristina is as eager to dispurse albanian blockades as they said they would do with the ones in the north. What's even more interesting is to see if KFOR and EULEX will try to enforce "freedom of movement" in areas blockaded by albanians.

Where are tear gas and water canons?

Internationals should come with honest report and say clearly if the agreements reached so far are fully observed by both parties.

If they cannot confirm that, then VV is right. The means of how to establish full reciprocity should then be discussed. In the absence of clear judgment if there is fair and reciprocal behaviour deriving from the agreements reached between KS and SR VV has ample margins and a full right to say her own opinion and take her political actions.

In other words: judge if VV's judgment of absence of reciprocity is correct or not. Don't talk about obvious things as freedom of movement... we all know that freedom of movement is not negotiable.

I totally agree that on the STRICT RECIPROCITY policies of Kosovo towards Serbia and any steps should be taken to enable that provided that they are peaceful.

Would any of you comentators explain to me why are Albanien flags flying in so called "Independent State of Kosovo". Very interesting, while Albaniens were spreading the lies about Greater Serbia, they were creating Greater Albania. Must say, very creative.

So, Serbs can block roads but Albanians not. Don't think so.

So, Serbs can block roads but Albanians not. Don't think so.
(Avni, 14 January 2012 17:28)

Serb case is clear, justified and understandable - they don't want to be under Prishtina control, while Albanian case seems to be just to mimic.

"In the absence of clear judgment if there is fair and reciprocal behaviour deriving from the agreements reached between KS and SR VV has ample margins and a full right to say her own opinion and take her political actions.

(ben, 14 January 2012 13:10) "

Direct action is a tricky thing - after all, Kosovo is a representative democracy, not a direct democracy, much less a country ruled by mobs - people elect representatives to make decisions, and if they disagree with them, they get to vote them out of office during the next election. Overturning trucks, physically preventing movement of either goods or people is all very dramatic, but how useful is it? This is their own government they're attacking, not an occupying power. If VV is successful, what do they expect will happen if they come to power - constant marches and actions every time they try to accomplish something? The internationals understand Serbia's behavior in slow-walking implementation of agreements, and it's certainly not winning them any points, but why lower Kosovo to the same level? Making a country ungovernable due to the threat of mob action is not doing it any favors. And saying that a protest will be peaceful is wishful thinking, especially when the group has used force (say, overturning trucks) in the past. Kurti wants to embarrass the government, perhaps by provoking it to over-react, but all he's doing is embarrassing Kosovo before the rest of the world by making it look ungovernable. There's no one he can possibly think he's impressing except future voters, and you really have to consider whether harming Kosovo in order to win an election is something a patriot would do.

The internationals understand Serbia's behavior in slow-walking implementation of agreements, and it's certainly not winning them any points, but why lower Kosovo to the same level?
(Amer, 14 January 2012 15:43)

1. why internationals are so generous in understanding Serbia’s slowness?? Kosova collaborated when to Serbia had to be given visa-liberalisation, and what got in exchange??? now Serbia needs the candidate status. what is Kosova gaining in exchange for helping and closing an eye on Serbia’s unwillingness to implement the agreement she signed with her own free will??

2. I never fully understood why Kosova needs ALWAYS to take the higher moral and democratic ground than Serbia??? when again it is Serbia that gains way more advanced status in EU integrations??? Isn’t this a paradox??? Why not let Serbia once for change having higher moral ground and teach and preach tolerance with deeds with respect to Kosova. It would be simple for Serbia for e.g. to allow Airplanes directed to kosova to fly over Serbia. What does that cost Serbia??? simple no???

I'm tired of this double standards of the internationals towards Serbia. International community needs one and only thing to openly acknowledge:

the political culture, the understanding of democracy, the understanding of fair and equal treatment of the neighbours, in Serbia has not changed an inch since Milosevic’s times. This is the core of the problems in the Balkans for the past 20 years and still is. Until Serbian society is not ready to face this challenge Serbia should not be encouraged even to think it may advance her status towards integration in one of the worlds most liberal projects EU let alone see her over fingers and pressurise her former victims in forgiving without receiving even an apology.

All this fuss all this hurry in negotiations in adopting some agreements that are and will not be fully implemnetd by Serbia serve one and only one purpose: to help Serbia. Kosova's gains are literaly ZERO.

We are behaving as good boys for 20 yrs now my dear American, lets try different approach for a change. Internaional community is testing Albanians patience way too much.

Where are tear gas and water canons?
(aaayyy, 14 January 2012 14:05)

They have been used already, but I wish the batons have been used to crack some heads of these thugs from SD=VV.

Amer - You raise some interesting questions. It remains to be seen how these actions on the part of Kurti and the protesters will end up. A lot of people thought that It was a bad idea for the KPS ROSU to go to the north which is what set off the Serbian barricades etc, but it actually forced the international community to deal with the North. Lets wait and see. Things aren't always what they seem. I'm all for reciprocity though. If for all intents and purposes this leads to the Kosovar government implementing reciprocity with Serbia I think that its a good thing.

"2. I never fully understood why Kosova needs ALWAYS to take the higher moral and democratic ground than Serbia??? "
(ben, 14 January 2012 16:59)

Maybe because the 'democratic, multi-ethnic state of Kosovo' is a project courtesy of and sponsored by the internationals (EU/USA) which wouldn't exist without them? They usually don't support harassing minorities, faked elections, criminal and corrupt politicians, the idea of 'solving' problems by violent means and wasting donor money.

I guess it won't take long before the fat cats in Pristina led by the police murderer Thaci will feel threatened and kill him. He will surely be missed by his parents and some ultra nationalist Albanians but Kosovo will be more peacefull without him.
(Srboslav, 15 January 2012 00:40)

Killing politicians is a Serbian tradition established by your Black George. But thanks for describing to us how this case would be handled in Serbia.

"I'm all for reciprocity though. If for all intents and purposes this leads to the Kosovar government implementing reciprocity with Serbia I think that its a good thing.
(USA United States of Albania, 14 January 2012 16:09) "

I'm also in favor of reciprocity - enforcing it certainly brought Serbia back to the negotiating table in record time last summer. It also seems to have improved the country's budget situation, as well as leading to expanding sources of supply from other countries. But ... - there's always a "but" when the situation is complicated. Does the country lose more by reimposing it again at this time, in the middle of negotiations (I assume they'll resume), taking unilateral action against the advice of all of its friends?

A government that is seen to have been "forced" to take action by mob rule is weakened, internationally, especially when the action the country is taking is seen to be sensible. (Not rushing into breaking an internationally-negotiated agreement, for example.) Protest marches, ok - as long as they remain peaceful, respectful of their own country's government and laws. The marchers and protesters in Syria are magnificent because their actions are signs of desperation - they have no other way of bringing about needed change. But VV has every possibility to make its positions and demands known - a free press, regular elections - and if this has not produced the desired result, it does not mean that preventing the government from operating is justifiable or sensible. Blocking trucks, clashing with the police, provoking the use of teargas and water-cannons - compared to what the Syrians are facing, it merely makes them look slightly silly. I think the U.S. government was wrong in denying Kurti a visa - he really has to get out more and see how the world works.

Where are tear gas and water canons?
(aaayyy, 14 January 2012 14:05)

they are waiting for the Molotov cocktails and pipe bombs...

"Where are tear gas and water canons?
(aaayyy, 14 January 2012 14:05) "

Near Podujevo (see B92's front page article).

This joker Kurti is gambling with his life as a bet.
I guess it won't take long before the fat cats in Pristina led by the police murderer Thaci will feel threatened and kill him. He will surely be missed by his parents and some ultra nationalist Albanians but Kosovo will be more peacefull without him.

Would any of you comentators explain to me why are Albanien flags flying in so called "Independent State of Kosovo". Very interesting, while Albaniens were spreading the lies about Greater Serbia, they were creating Greater Albania. Must say, very creative.
(PP, 14 January 2012 19:09

Check out my screename. Get it? :) I wish my fellow Albanians great success!

Serb case is clear, justified and understandable - they don't want to be under Prishtina control, while Albanian case seems to be just to mimic.
(aaayyy, 14 January 2012 21:29)

So that means that the Albanian case is also clear, justified and understandable mimicking (as you said) the Serb's case.

Serb case is clear, justified and understandable - they don't want to be under Prishtina control, while Albanian case seems to be just to mimic.
(aaayyy, 14 January 2012 21:29)

Have you asked Albanians, Bosniaks, Croats, Hungarians, if they want to live in Serbia?

@ ben -

"1. why internationals are so generous in understanding Serbia’s slowness?? "

Sorry, I expressed that badly. What I meant was that the internationals understand THAT Serbia is intentionally dragging its feet, that this behavior is not fooling anybody. I did not mean to say that the international community has understanding for Serbia's "need" to do this. No, it's not fair that Kosovo always has to be the good guy, I understand why people feel like going out and throwing stones at somebody, but the fact is, the government's approach is slowly paying off. Feith is saying that 2012 is supposed to be the end of "supervised democracy," right? Now is not the time to lose your nerve and react emotionally, irrationally. Even if you don't like Thaci, this is not the way to show it.

(Amer, 14 January 2012 20:43)

I understand your point Amer and I agree with you. The only problem I have is the word: sopposed :)

we fear that by the end of 2012 internationals will come with one or another excuse and will say well you need at least 2 other years...

see, i fear that the trust in internationals will diminish in time if things continua as they are now. when you have EU saying hurry sign agreeements with Serbia even if you don't like them so we can speed up Serbia's integration process, and on the other hand you have Serbia who says: yes i will sign these agreements but not necessarily i will respect them, while in the end the verdict of the internationals for this is: Germanay made mistake to block Serbi's candidate status, Serbia deserves the candidate satatus (although is dragging her legg in respecting the agreement she signed) and this is what we are hearing these days comming form Brussels and many other EU leadres people start losing faith in fiarness and they realize their country is not treated fairly and respected. This is only a natural consequence.

I totally agree that on the STRICT RECIPROCITY policies of Kosovo towards Serbia and any steps should be taken to enable that provided that they are peaceful.

"In the absence of clear judgment if there is fair and reciprocal behaviour deriving from the agreements reached between KS and SR VV has ample margins and a full right to say her own opinion and take her political actions.

(ben, 14 January 2012 13:10) "

Direct action is a tricky thing - after all, Kosovo is a representative democracy, not a direct democracy, much less a country ruled by mobs - people elect representatives to make decisions, and if they disagree with them, they get to vote them out of office during the next election. Overturning trucks, physically preventing movement of either goods or people is all very dramatic, but how useful is it? This is their own government they're attacking, not an occupying power. If VV is successful, what do they expect will happen if they come to power - constant marches and actions every time they try to accomplish something? The internationals understand Serbia's behavior in slow-walking implementation of agreements, and it's certainly not winning them any points, but why lower Kosovo to the same level? Making a country ungovernable due to the threat of mob action is not doing it any favors. And saying that a protest will be peaceful is wishful thinking, especially when the group has used force (say, overturning trucks) in the past. Kurti wants to embarrass the government, perhaps by provoking it to over-react, but all he's doing is embarrassing Kosovo before the rest of the world by making it look ungovernable. There's no one he can possibly think he's impressing except future voters, and you really have to consider whether harming Kosovo in order to win an election is something a patriot would do.

Amer - You raise some interesting questions. It remains to be seen how these actions on the part of Kurti and the protesters will end up. A lot of people thought that It was a bad idea for the KPS ROSU to go to the north which is what set off the Serbian barricades etc, but it actually forced the international community to deal with the North. Lets wait and see. Things aren't always what they seem. I'm all for reciprocity though. If for all intents and purposes this leads to the Kosovar government implementing reciprocity with Serbia I think that its a good thing.

Internationals should come with honest report and say clearly if the agreements reached so far are fully observed by both parties.

If they cannot confirm that, then VV is right. The means of how to establish full reciprocity should then be discussed. In the absence of clear judgment if there is fair and reciprocal behaviour deriving from the agreements reached between KS and SR VV has ample margins and a full right to say her own opinion and take her political actions.

In other words: judge if VV's judgment of absence of reciprocity is correct or not. Don't talk about obvious things as freedom of movement... we all know that freedom of movement is not negotiable.

The internationals understand Serbia's behavior in slow-walking implementation of agreements, and it's certainly not winning them any points, but why lower Kosovo to the same level?
(Amer, 14 January 2012 15:43)

1. why internationals are so generous in understanding Serbia’s slowness?? Kosova collaborated when to Serbia had to be given visa-liberalisation, and what got in exchange??? now Serbia needs the candidate status. what is Kosova gaining in exchange for helping and closing an eye on Serbia’s unwillingness to implement the agreement she signed with her own free will??

2. I never fully understood why Kosova needs ALWAYS to take the higher moral and democratic ground than Serbia??? when again it is Serbia that gains way more advanced status in EU integrations??? Isn’t this a paradox??? Why not let Serbia once for change having higher moral ground and teach and preach tolerance with deeds with respect to Kosova. It would be simple for Serbia for e.g. to allow Airplanes directed to kosova to fly over Serbia. What does that cost Serbia??? simple no???

I'm tired of this double standards of the internationals towards Serbia. International community needs one and only thing to openly acknowledge:

the political culture, the understanding of democracy, the understanding of fair and equal treatment of the neighbours, in Serbia has not changed an inch since Milosevic’s times. This is the core of the problems in the Balkans for the past 20 years and still is. Until Serbian society is not ready to face this challenge Serbia should not be encouraged even to think it may advance her status towards integration in one of the worlds most liberal projects EU let alone see her over fingers and pressurise her former victims in forgiving without receiving even an apology.

All this fuss all this hurry in negotiations in adopting some agreements that are and will not be fully implemnetd by Serbia serve one and only one purpose: to help Serbia. Kosova's gains are literaly ZERO.

We are behaving as good boys for 20 yrs now my dear American, lets try different approach for a change. Internaional community is testing Albanians patience way too much.

Would any of you comentators explain to me why are Albanien flags flying in so called "Independent State of Kosovo". Very interesting, while Albaniens were spreading the lies about Greater Serbia, they were creating Greater Albania. Must say, very creative.
(PP, 14 January 2012 19:09

Check out my screename. Get it? :) I wish my fellow Albanians great success!

Let's see if Pristina is as eager to dispurse albanian blockades as they said they would do with the ones in the north. What's even more interesting is to see if KFOR and EULEX will try to enforce "freedom of movement" in areas blockaded by albanians.

"I'm all for reciprocity though. If for all intents and purposes this leads to the Kosovar government implementing reciprocity with Serbia I think that its a good thing.
(USA United States of Albania, 14 January 2012 16:09) "

I'm also in favor of reciprocity - enforcing it certainly brought Serbia back to the negotiating table in record time last summer. It also seems to have improved the country's budget situation, as well as leading to expanding sources of supply from other countries. But ... - there's always a "but" when the situation is complicated. Does the country lose more by reimposing it again at this time, in the middle of negotiations (I assume they'll resume), taking unilateral action against the advice of all of its friends?

A government that is seen to have been "forced" to take action by mob rule is weakened, internationally, especially when the action the country is taking is seen to be sensible. (Not rushing into breaking an internationally-negotiated agreement, for example.) Protest marches, ok - as long as they remain peaceful, respectful of their own country's government and laws. The marchers and protesters in Syria are magnificent because their actions are signs of desperation - they have no other way of bringing about needed change. But VV has every possibility to make its positions and demands known - a free press, regular elections - and if this has not produced the desired result, it does not mean that preventing the government from operating is justifiable or sensible. Blocking trucks, clashing with the police, provoking the use of teargas and water-cannons - compared to what the Syrians are facing, it merely makes them look slightly silly. I think the U.S. government was wrong in denying Kurti a visa - he really has to get out more and see how the world works.

Where are tear gas and water canons?
(aaayyy, 14 January 2012 14:05)

they are waiting for the Molotov cocktails and pipe bombs...

Where are tear gas and water canons?

So, Serbs can block roads but Albanians not. Don't think so.

@ ben -

"1. why internationals are so generous in understanding Serbia’s slowness?? "

Sorry, I expressed that badly. What I meant was that the internationals understand THAT Serbia is intentionally dragging its feet, that this behavior is not fooling anybody. I did not mean to say that the international community has understanding for Serbia's "need" to do this. No, it's not fair that Kosovo always has to be the good guy, I understand why people feel like going out and throwing stones at somebody, but the fact is, the government's approach is slowly paying off. Feith is saying that 2012 is supposed to be the end of "supervised democracy," right? Now is not the time to lose your nerve and react emotionally, irrationally. Even if you don't like Thaci, this is not the way to show it.

Would any of you comentators explain to me why are Albanien flags flying in so called "Independent State of Kosovo". Very interesting, while Albaniens were spreading the lies about Greater Serbia, they were creating Greater Albania. Must say, very creative.

Where are tear gas and water canons?
(aaayyy, 14 January 2012 14:05)

They have been used already, but I wish the batons have been used to crack some heads of these thugs from SD=VV.

So, Serbs can block roads but Albanians not. Don't think so.
(Avni, 14 January 2012 17:28)

Serb case is clear, justified and understandable - they don't want to be under Prishtina control, while Albanian case seems to be just to mimic.

"Where are tear gas and water canons?
(aaayyy, 14 January 2012 14:05) "

Near Podujevo (see B92's front page article).

I guess it won't take long before the fat cats in Pristina led by the police murderer Thaci will feel threatened and kill him. He will surely be missed by his parents and some ultra nationalist Albanians but Kosovo will be more peacefull without him.
(Srboslav, 15 January 2012 00:40)

Killing politicians is a Serbian tradition established by your Black George. But thanks for describing to us how this case would be handled in Serbia.

"2. I never fully understood why Kosova needs ALWAYS to take the higher moral and democratic ground than Serbia??? "
(ben, 14 January 2012 16:59)

Maybe because the 'democratic, multi-ethnic state of Kosovo' is a project courtesy of and sponsored by the internationals (EU/USA) which wouldn't exist without them? They usually don't support harassing minorities, faked elections, criminal and corrupt politicians, the idea of 'solving' problems by violent means and wasting donor money.

Serb case is clear, justified and understandable - they don't want to be under Prishtina control, while Albanian case seems to be just to mimic.
(aaayyy, 14 January 2012 21:29)

So that means that the Albanian case is also clear, justified and understandable mimicking (as you said) the Serb's case.

Serb case is clear, justified and understandable - they don't want to be under Prishtina control, while Albanian case seems to be just to mimic.
(aaayyy, 14 January 2012 21:29)

Have you asked Albanians, Bosniaks, Croats, Hungarians, if they want to live in Serbia?

This joker Kurti is gambling with his life as a bet.
I guess it won't take long before the fat cats in Pristina led by the police murderer Thaci will feel threatened and kill him. He will surely be missed by his parents and some ultra nationalist Albanians but Kosovo will be more peacefull without him.

(Amer, 14 January 2012 20:43)

I understand your point Amer and I agree with you. The only problem I have is the word: sopposed :)

we fear that by the end of 2012 internationals will come with one or another excuse and will say well you need at least 2 other years...

see, i fear that the trust in internationals will diminish in time if things continua as they are now. when you have EU saying hurry sign agreeements with Serbia even if you don't like them so we can speed up Serbia's integration process, and on the other hand you have Serbia who says: yes i will sign these agreements but not necessarily i will respect them, while in the end the verdict of the internationals for this is: Germanay made mistake to block Serbi's candidate status, Serbia deserves the candidate satatus (although is dragging her legg in respecting the agreement she signed) and this is what we are hearing these days comming form Brussels and many other EU leadres people start losing faith in fiarness and they realize their country is not treated fairly and respected. This is only a natural consequence.