"Serbia could now recognize Abkhazia and S. Ossetia"

The only useful task Nikolic performed while in Russia was to polish Putin's boots.

According to this, Nikolić's position on "the rebel Georgian republics" is different that that held by his predecessor, Boris Tadić:

Oh wow, this is great news. Serbia is ready to recognize a piece of land with 40g population, yet it is ready to disregard a land with 2 mil population. Way to go Serbia!!!
I just love Nikolic more that Jeremic.

There is a bit of a difference between Kosovo* and the Georgian territories. Both conflicts were a war between the country and rebels in a specific province/republic. However, there were peace treaties in both situations that ended that war.

Serbia never fired another shot in its province after that war it honored its agreement. If anything it was savage rabid Muslim terrorists who in 2004 murdered innocent women and children and burned churches down. Lets not even get into the organ extractions..

On the other hand, Sakashvili the president of Georgia broke his peace agreement by invading South Ossetia and Abkhazia thereby nullifying that original treaty. So clearly since Georgia broke that agreement those two breakaway republics have the right to independence.

Kosovo* does not. And will never be in the UN and will never compete in FIFA and will never compete in the Olympics.

If you want a country, you can choose Serbia or move to Albania/Turkey where you came from.

oh wow and I thought Serbia cared for the UN charter (you know that borders are sacred?) and does not bow to anyone....

"Georgia like Serbians have chosen a European way, both seeking EU membership. It’s clear to everyone that the EU clearly recognizes Georgia’s territorial integrity and Georgia’s borders within international law frames. Accordingly, it is in Serbia’s national interest to follow international standards".

EU also, clearly doesn't recognize Serbia's territorial integrity and Serbia's borders within international law frames.

Wow!
Brings back the memory of US envoy who came to Belgrade demanding that Serbia sign the agreement in which American citizens would not be arrested and would be exempt from prosecution by international war crime court. In the same time he demanded Serbia arrests those among its citizens who were still fugitives, and deliver them to Hague promptly.

"There can't be impunity for war crimes. We have achieved certain level of international standard", he said.

In both cases ( "...certain level of international standard" and "...it is in Serbia’s national interest to follow international standards" ) I would replace word "standard" with word "diktat".

The article further states that Nikolić said that "Kosovo should be under the control of Belgrade, while the two separatist states deserve independence".

Wow, that's what I call a 'principled stance' on separatist ethnic minorities and territorial integrity :)

I surely hope Serbia recognizes Abkhazia and S. Ossetia.

Brings back the memory of US envoy who came to Belgrade demanding that Serbia sign the agreement in which American citizens would not be arrested and would be exempt from prosecution by international war crime court. In the same time he demanded Serbia arrests those among its citizens who were still fugitives, and deliver them to Hague promptly.
(Sreten, 28 May 2012 18:14)

Yes and several Serbian quislings have done just that,to their shame.

Serbia recogonizing Abkhazia and South Ossetia is the best thing that could happen to Kosovo.

To analyst

Which UN brokered agreement Serbia broke in 1998? Refresh my memory? Any links?

To Agim Kelmendi

Size of population should matter? How about at least 10 Million Kurds in Turkey then?
Or let's stay in former Yugoslavia.
According to 1991 census there were 2.2 millin Serbs living in Bosnia and Croatia.
Are you saying that 2 Million Albanians (if that) should have more rights then 2.2 Million Serbs?
Why?

"EU also, clearly doesn't recognize Serbia's territorial integrity and Serbia's borders within international law frames. "
(Sreten, 28 May 2012 18:14)

EU doesn't recognize anything, it's up to the individual EU member states. 22 out of 27 EU member states recognized Kosovo, 5 have a principled stance against allowing small ethnic minorities to self-declare an own state on the territory of an existing state.

agim,
so you now wish to argue using size of population as your basis with which to stand on. you claim some fundamental difference between 40g and 1.2 million?, yet feverishly suggest that 8k and 6M are also the same thing.
if srebernica is equivalent genocide to nazi slaughter of jews, or croatian slaughter of romas and serbs, then s ossetia is equivalant as kosovo with respect to respecting such minority rights.

please provide which side of the fence your feet are planted.

So clearly since Georgia broke that agreement those two breakaway republics have the right to independence.
(Ari Gold, 28 May 2012 20:38)

You seem to forget that Serbia (Milosevic) broke the agreement signed in 1998 brokered by UN. This was stated by the UN itself. Such a fact caused the NATO-intervention, bypassing the UN because of the Russian-Chinese veto. (Now you can add that Milosevic was forced to do so by the provocations of UCK, and I will add that the Georgians were forced to do so because the SOA rebels had expelled the Georgian citizens form those territories, as stated by many observers).

Or do you think that the breakawy Kosovo has the right to independence?

And don't forget the Georgians were expelled from SOA, which in turn gave Georgia the right to intervene militarily, which triggered the Russian intervention to protect the breakaway republics, which triggered the Georgian reaction to seize the rebel areas by force, (mis)calculating that NATO would be on their side. It's the same pattern everywhere. And in Caucasus Russia is having the upper hand, while in the Balcans the West is having the upper hand (take a look at the map and you'll understand why)

If you want to support your cause at least try to be rational.

Well: Nikolic flies off to Serbia's hoped savior Russia, kisses Putin's hand, and plays his part in Putin's "let's divide the neighbours and the Europeans" spiel.

So Russia will give Serbia a bit of money, and sort-of support it in its Kosovo saga. And maybe weaken Bosnia a little bit.

But of course not too much: for this is just a little bit of chess-playing in the real game: the negotiations with the USA.

Serbia, small Balkan country, is just a little peace on Russia's world political chessboard.

And who better to play the game than somebody as cynical as the ex-head of the KGB?

Never dance with the devil!!

Or have people forgotten the old phrase "UDBA -tvoja sudba"?

O sure and Russia will recognize "Srpska' entity aka Greater Belgrade expansionist criminal war on the country of Bosnia it's only matter of time. "Interesting" pathetic times coming a head all in the wrong ways the lines are being drawn sides are being taken and hell will be loosed poor suffering ordinary people always the losers of the would be fool idiotic kings.

oh wow and I thought Serbia cared for the UN charter (you know that borders are sacred?) and does not bow to anyone....
(Nikolle, 28 May 2012 18:39)
================================

When you are dealing with someone who has no integrity and no intention of following UN rules, you have no choice but to fight fire with fire.
Why should Serbia honour deals which serve American interests while America spits on deals which stand in her way?
Obviously there is nothing fair or sacred in international relations.

Brings back the memory of US envoy who came to Belgrade demanding that Serbia sign the agreement in which American citizens would not be arrested and would be exempt from prosecution by international war crime court. In the same time he demanded Serbia arrests those among its citizens who were still fugitives, and deliver them to Hague promptly.
(Sreten, 28 May 2012 18:14)


Makes sense... US is not a party to the ICC statute; but Serbia is a party to the UN charter. If Serbia had renounced to UN membership, than it would not have had to deliver anybody to the ICTY.

The only useful task Nikolic performed while in Russia was to polish Putin's boots.
(The Count of Kosova, 28 May 2012 18:03)
=========================

As opposed to kissing Obama's behind. Which one sounds more palatable?

Yep keep complicating things Tome. Russia and US can play the game of recognitions without consequences for themselves, but not serbia.You promised you will have a referendum on how to solve the kosovo issue. So do it.Ask the people and then work based on the result of referendum.

Wow, that's interesting news, although Serbia couldn't recognize SOA wothout recognising one minute later Kosovo.

Russia has stated more than once that there is no dfference between SOA and Kosovo. Russia justified the recogniton of SOA as reciprocal to the Western recognition of Kosovo. Should Serbia recognize SOA without Georgian consent, she'll have no argument against recognizing Kosovo without Serbia's consent.

It could anyway be an exit strategy for Serbia, pleasing Russia, pleasing EU by recognising Kosovo, solving a trouble in an EU-surrounded area and moving the trouble outside EU (don't think Georgia will ever seek EU membership, or EU will ever think of extending to Georgia) and thus driving a wedge between EU (read Germany) and USA (for whom Geogia is of utmost importance in the Brzezinski's Great Chessboard). Russia would win the game in the Caucasus, Kosovo and SOA are the pawns to exchange and Nikolic could be the right hand to make the move, provided he draws Dacic oh his (Putin's) side.

It is obvious that South Ossetia and Abkhazia are more entitled to Independence than the Kosovo Albanians.

It could be that if Serbia recognizes South Ossetia and Abkhazia, then this will be the beginning of several United Nations General Assembly Motions, and so Albania may want to be the first Country to withdraw their recognition of the Illegal and Immoral unilateral declaration of independence by the Leaders of the Albanians of Serbia’s Province of Kosovo.

Serbia is offering the Albanians of Serbia’s Province of Kosovo Negotiated Autonomy that is mostly based on the United Nations Six Point Plan for Kosovo, because Germany might Veto European Union Membership for Albania, and Germany does not want to be the first European Country to do the right thing, because they have their pride to consider.

Nikolle "oh wow and I thought Serbia cared for the UN charter (you know that borders are sacred?) and does not bow to anyone...."

UN charter does not matter any more, we all know it. It was something that was in place during Cold War, to make sure conflict won't break out. At the end of it, those left standing didn't feel they have to abide by any law or consideration any more. They had free hands to do as they please.
This is how we ended up in this situation mentioned by Comm. Parrisson

"EU doesn't recognize anything, it's up to the individual EU member states. 22 out of 27 EU member states recognized Kosovo, 5 have a principled stance against allowing small ethnic minorities to self-declare an own state on the territory of an existing state."

Exactly!!
Everyone can do as they are pleased. 22 EU members can recognize Kosovo, 5 may not, Russia can recognize S. Ossetia and Abkhazia but not Kosovo...
Serbia could too, as long as it provides an explanation that S. Ossetia and Abkhazia are "unique" .etc.
West wouldn't mind as in Kosovo case. "We agree to disagree" and move on...but somehow, I doubt they would show any tolerance.

Serbia is offering the Albanians of Serbia’s Province of Kosovo Negotiated Autonomy that is mostly based on the United Nations Six Point Plan for Kosovo, because Germany might Veto European Union Membership for Albania, and Germany does not want to be the first European Country to do the right thing, because they have their pride to consider.
(Yet Another J S, 28 May 2012 22:33)


Now that seems pretty wired Yet another JS, doesn't it?

Why should Gernany veto the EU membership for Albania for the sake of Serbia? Are you suggesting, Germany is Serbia's ally? Germany has recognized Kosovo, what kind of autonomy do you speak of?

Funny, however:)

oh dear Comm, how about Serbia? have they not given suitcase money to African states to not recognize kosova? or is that something beyond the the honest serb politicians? do you think pacolli has been bribing the US and Japan as well?

as for this, no surprise really. thing is, more states recognize kosova than they do south ossetia so we're winning on that front :-)

So much for Serbia's principled stance on Kosovo. This will likely further undermine the Serbian negotiating position in the eyes not only of western countries, but of countries around the world that are facing similar issues.

Other countries that previously supported Kosovo within Serbia due to their own problems with regions seeking autonomy can quite easily just say that the case is different. Or at least some might spy an opportunity to extract concessions from Serbia.

Nikolic is going to have to start learning about international relations and diplomacy before making promises. Every decision can have a knock on effect. What must be calculated is whether the (potential new) position will benefit the country more than it hurts the country.

Serbia recogonizing Abkhazia and South Ossetia is the best thing that could happen to Kosovo.
(Kenny, 28 May 2012 22:54)

Actually, it was Russia's recognition for those Georgian provinces which already did that.

But if Tome really promised to reconsider Serbia's stance regarding those Georgian provinces than he is even more of a fool I believed from the beginning. And I'm not even talking about the fact that Serbia openly surrenders Kosovo (that happened unofficially already). No, it would prove that Serbia is indeed a Russian satellite which even openly takes money for the recognition for these Georgian provinces (just as Venezuela and Palau did and which failed for Moscow when it came to Ecuador). Even the amount of money is stated, 800m.

My guess is that Tome will deny that, just as he denies now what he said to the German newspaper FAZ. This guy simply changes stances as someone changes underwear. Just see the next days when he starts to spin.

The only useful task Nikolic performed while in Russia was to polish Putin's boots.
(The Count of Kosova, 28 May 2012 18:03)

hehe I totally agree! He looks like a little boy who's ready to do anything for his master. Good luck serbia!!

Poor balkan region!! With people like these no progress to made in a million year.

I thought this guy was in a hunger strike then serbs felt bad and there we go he got the vote.

"Everyone can do as they are pleased. 22 EU members can recognize Kosovo, 5 may not, Russia can recognize S. Ossetia and Abkhazia but not Kosovo... Serbia could too, as long as it provides an explanation that S. Ossetia and Abkhazia are "unique" .etc. West wouldn't mind as in Kosovo case. "
(Sreten, 28 May 2012 22:56)

But the 'unique case' argument is weaker than generally not accepting unilateral moves my ethnic separatist. It's cleat that recognizing SO would weaken Serbia, and show that the recognitions are politically motivated (just like the premature western recognition for Kosovo were). Well, and recognizing SO for a Russian loan put Serbia on a similar level as the African Kingdoms and tropical Island states that recognized Kosovo in exchange for a suitcase of money brought by Pacolli.

do you think pacolli has been bribing the US and Japan as well?
================================
No need to bribe the US. They are in charge and they dictate the terms. They have the whole Kosovo at their disposal. This is exactly what they want.
As far as Japan is concerned they will do what is expected of them or no protection for Japan from China, as if they could do anything about it anyway.
Some small countries were bribed, the larger ones always back the US no matter what they do.
Do you need any more clarity?

@sreten

check this out

http://www.un.org/peace/kosovo/98sc1199.htm

Another J& S
It is very apparent that you have never read the so called six point plan nor have a clue what it says.
In short it covers how to deal with north kosovo, never mind the fact it was never placed into action and is now outdated and irrelevant.

(analyst, 28 May 2012 21:00)

I think a kind of Grand Deal (Kosovo for SOA) can be possible. But I do not see this happen. Both sides invested to much in the 'our case is differnt then the other cases' discourse.

And then still: China would veto Kosovo and SOA in UN. As China knows that recognizing Kosovo will mean recognizing Taiwant (at the end of the day).

Because we all know that rules apply to all... or none.

My solution: un-recognize Kosovo and SOA!

Ron, 29 May 2012 02:16)
I have missed your naive view of the world. Your post makes no sense as China can veto anything pertaining to Taiwan as easy if not easier than something pertaining to Kosovo or anywhere else.
China has no fear when it comes to China. Taiwan functions independently and trades with most of the countries of the world, but china knows that it has ultimate control over anything in the UN.

Kosovo and the break away republics in the caucus region are certainly different. The outcome of the conflicts in Kosovo is resolution 1244 which states that Kosovo is a province of Serbia under UN administration. South Ossetia and Abkhazia conflicts ended with Georgian forces reneging on ceasefire agreements from the war they lost and being kicked out again. The ceasefire agreements were broken. The primary violator of 1244 is Kosovo, which sets fire to returnee houses and does not allow for Serbian border administration or limited number of security personnel to assure the safety of the Serbian minority and their institutions, to which they have a right via 1244.

a New Day, 29 May 2012 14:19

I would not call my view naive. I think China really does not want any unilateral declaration of independence to be supported. And that's why China will use its veto power also in the case of Kosovo.

Nikolic is going to have to start learning about international relations and diplomacy before making promises.
============================
What makes you think he doesn't have advisers or doesn't know anything about international relations?
Maybe you should apply for that job.

According to this, Nikolić's position on "the rebel Georgian republics" is different that that held by his predecessor, Boris Tadić:

Oh wow, this is great news. Serbia is ready to recognize a piece of land with 40g population, yet it is ready to disregard a land with 2 mil population. Way to go Serbia!!!
I just love Nikolic more that Jeremic.

O sure and Russia will recognize "Srpska' entity aka Greater Belgrade expansionist criminal war on the country of Bosnia it's only matter of time. "Interesting" pathetic times coming a head all in the wrong ways the lines are being drawn sides are being taken and hell will be loosed poor suffering ordinary people always the losers of the would be fool idiotic kings.

The only useful task Nikolic performed while in Russia was to polish Putin's boots.

There is a bit of a difference between Kosovo* and the Georgian territories. Both conflicts were a war between the country and rebels in a specific province/republic. However, there were peace treaties in both situations that ended that war.

Serbia never fired another shot in its province after that war it honored its agreement. If anything it was savage rabid Muslim terrorists who in 2004 murdered innocent women and children and burned churches down. Lets not even get into the organ extractions..

On the other hand, Sakashvili the president of Georgia broke his peace agreement by invading South Ossetia and Abkhazia thereby nullifying that original treaty. So clearly since Georgia broke that agreement those two breakaway republics have the right to independence.

Kosovo* does not. And will never be in the UN and will never compete in FIFA and will never compete in the Olympics.

If you want a country, you can choose Serbia or move to Albania/Turkey where you came from.

It is obvious that South Ossetia and Abkhazia are more entitled to Independence than the Kosovo Albanians.

It could be that if Serbia recognizes South Ossetia and Abkhazia, then this will be the beginning of several United Nations General Assembly Motions, and so Albania may want to be the first Country to withdraw their recognition of the Illegal and Immoral unilateral declaration of independence by the Leaders of the Albanians of Serbia’s Province of Kosovo.

Serbia is offering the Albanians of Serbia’s Province of Kosovo Negotiated Autonomy that is mostly based on the United Nations Six Point Plan for Kosovo, because Germany might Veto European Union Membership for Albania, and Germany does not want to be the first European Country to do the right thing, because they have their pride to consider.

oh wow and I thought Serbia cared for the UN charter (you know that borders are sacred?) and does not bow to anyone....

Brings back the memory of US envoy who came to Belgrade demanding that Serbia sign the agreement in which American citizens would not be arrested and would be exempt from prosecution by international war crime court. In the same time he demanded Serbia arrests those among its citizens who were still fugitives, and deliver them to Hague promptly.
(Sreten, 28 May 2012 18:14)


Makes sense... US is not a party to the ICC statute; but Serbia is a party to the UN charter. If Serbia had renounced to UN membership, than it would not have had to deliver anybody to the ICTY.

Brings back the memory of US envoy who came to Belgrade demanding that Serbia sign the agreement in which American citizens would not be arrested and would be exempt from prosecution by international war crime court. In the same time he demanded Serbia arrests those among its citizens who were still fugitives, and deliver them to Hague promptly.
(Sreten, 28 May 2012 18:14)

Yes and several Serbian quislings have done just that,to their shame.

The only useful task Nikolic performed while in Russia was to polish Putin's boots.
(The Count of Kosova, 28 May 2012 18:03)
=========================

As opposed to kissing Obama's behind. Which one sounds more palatable?

oh dear Comm, how about Serbia? have they not given suitcase money to African states to not recognize kosova? or is that something beyond the the honest serb politicians? do you think pacolli has been bribing the US and Japan as well?

as for this, no surprise really. thing is, more states recognize kosova than they do south ossetia so we're winning on that front :-)

The article further states that Nikolić said that "Kosovo should be under the control of Belgrade, while the two separatist states deserve independence".

Wow, that's what I call a 'principled stance' on separatist ethnic minorities and territorial integrity :)

I surely hope Serbia recognizes Abkhazia and S. Ossetia.

oh wow and I thought Serbia cared for the UN charter (you know that borders are sacred?) and does not bow to anyone....
(Nikolle, 28 May 2012 18:39)
================================

When you are dealing with someone who has no integrity and no intention of following UN rules, you have no choice but to fight fire with fire.
Why should Serbia honour deals which serve American interests while America spits on deals which stand in her way?
Obviously there is nothing fair or sacred in international relations.

"EU also, clearly doesn't recognize Serbia's territorial integrity and Serbia's borders within international law frames. "
(Sreten, 28 May 2012 18:14)

EU doesn't recognize anything, it's up to the individual EU member states. 22 out of 27 EU member states recognized Kosovo, 5 have a principled stance against allowing small ethnic minorities to self-declare an own state on the territory of an existing state.

Well: Nikolic flies off to Serbia's hoped savior Russia, kisses Putin's hand, and plays his part in Putin's "let's divide the neighbours and the Europeans" spiel.

So Russia will give Serbia a bit of money, and sort-of support it in its Kosovo saga. And maybe weaken Bosnia a little bit.

But of course not too much: for this is just a little bit of chess-playing in the real game: the negotiations with the USA.

Serbia, small Balkan country, is just a little peace on Russia's world political chessboard.

And who better to play the game than somebody as cynical as the ex-head of the KGB?

Never dance with the devil!!

Or have people forgotten the old phrase "UDBA -tvoja sudba"?

"Everyone can do as they are pleased. 22 EU members can recognize Kosovo, 5 may not, Russia can recognize S. Ossetia and Abkhazia but not Kosovo... Serbia could too, as long as it provides an explanation that S. Ossetia and Abkhazia are "unique" .etc. West wouldn't mind as in Kosovo case. "
(Sreten, 28 May 2012 22:56)

But the 'unique case' argument is weaker than generally not accepting unilateral moves my ethnic separatist. It's cleat that recognizing SO would weaken Serbia, and show that the recognitions are politically motivated (just like the premature western recognition for Kosovo were). Well, and recognizing SO for a Russian loan put Serbia on a similar level as the African Kingdoms and tropical Island states that recognized Kosovo in exchange for a suitcase of money brought by Pacolli.

Wow, that's interesting news, although Serbia couldn't recognize SOA wothout recognising one minute later Kosovo.

Russia has stated more than once that there is no dfference between SOA and Kosovo. Russia justified the recogniton of SOA as reciprocal to the Western recognition of Kosovo. Should Serbia recognize SOA without Georgian consent, she'll have no argument against recognizing Kosovo without Serbia's consent.

It could anyway be an exit strategy for Serbia, pleasing Russia, pleasing EU by recognising Kosovo, solving a trouble in an EU-surrounded area and moving the trouble outside EU (don't think Georgia will ever seek EU membership, or EU will ever think of extending to Georgia) and thus driving a wedge between EU (read Germany) and USA (for whom Geogia is of utmost importance in the Brzezinski's Great Chessboard). Russia would win the game in the Caucasus, Kosovo and SOA are the pawns to exchange and Nikolic could be the right hand to make the move, provided he draws Dacic oh his (Putin's) side.

To analyst

Which UN brokered agreement Serbia broke in 1998? Refresh my memory? Any links?

To Agim Kelmendi

Size of population should matter? How about at least 10 Million Kurds in Turkey then?
Or let's stay in former Yugoslavia.
According to 1991 census there were 2.2 millin Serbs living in Bosnia and Croatia.
Are you saying that 2 Million Albanians (if that) should have more rights then 2.2 Million Serbs?
Why?

(analyst, 28 May 2012 21:00)

I think a kind of Grand Deal (Kosovo for SOA) can be possible. But I do not see this happen. Both sides invested to much in the 'our case is differnt then the other cases' discourse.

And then still: China would veto Kosovo and SOA in UN. As China knows that recognizing Kosovo will mean recognizing Taiwant (at the end of the day).

Because we all know that rules apply to all... or none.

My solution: un-recognize Kosovo and SOA!

do you think pacolli has been bribing the US and Japan as well?
================================
No need to bribe the US. They are in charge and they dictate the terms. They have the whole Kosovo at their disposal. This is exactly what they want.
As far as Japan is concerned they will do what is expected of them or no protection for Japan from China, as if they could do anything about it anyway.
Some small countries were bribed, the larger ones always back the US no matter what they do.
Do you need any more clarity?

The only useful task Nikolic performed while in Russia was to polish Putin's boots.
(The Count of Kosova, 28 May 2012 18:03)

hehe I totally agree! He looks like a little boy who's ready to do anything for his master. Good luck serbia!!

Poor balkan region!! With people like these no progress to made in a million year.

I thought this guy was in a hunger strike then serbs felt bad and there we go he got the vote.

"Georgia like Serbians have chosen a European way, both seeking EU membership. It’s clear to everyone that the EU clearly recognizes Georgia’s territorial integrity and Georgia’s borders within international law frames. Accordingly, it is in Serbia’s national interest to follow international standards".

EU also, clearly doesn't recognize Serbia's territorial integrity and Serbia's borders within international law frames.

Wow!
Brings back the memory of US envoy who came to Belgrade demanding that Serbia sign the agreement in which American citizens would not be arrested and would be exempt from prosecution by international war crime court. In the same time he demanded Serbia arrests those among its citizens who were still fugitives, and deliver them to Hague promptly.

"There can't be impunity for war crimes. We have achieved certain level of international standard", he said.

In both cases ( "...certain level of international standard" and "...it is in Serbia’s national interest to follow international standards" ) I would replace word "standard" with word "diktat".

agim,
so you now wish to argue using size of population as your basis with which to stand on. you claim some fundamental difference between 40g and 1.2 million?, yet feverishly suggest that 8k and 6M are also the same thing.
if srebernica is equivalent genocide to nazi slaughter of jews, or croatian slaughter of romas and serbs, then s ossetia is equivalant as kosovo with respect to respecting such minority rights.

please provide which side of the fence your feet are planted.

So clearly since Georgia broke that agreement those two breakaway republics have the right to independence.
(Ari Gold, 28 May 2012 20:38)

You seem to forget that Serbia (Milosevic) broke the agreement signed in 1998 brokered by UN. This was stated by the UN itself. Such a fact caused the NATO-intervention, bypassing the UN because of the Russian-Chinese veto. (Now you can add that Milosevic was forced to do so by the provocations of UCK, and I will add that the Georgians were forced to do so because the SOA rebels had expelled the Georgian citizens form those territories, as stated by many observers).

Or do you think that the breakawy Kosovo has the right to independence?

And don't forget the Georgians were expelled from SOA, which in turn gave Georgia the right to intervene militarily, which triggered the Russian intervention to protect the breakaway republics, which triggered the Georgian reaction to seize the rebel areas by force, (mis)calculating that NATO would be on their side. It's the same pattern everywhere. And in Caucasus Russia is having the upper hand, while in the Balcans the West is having the upper hand (take a look at the map and you'll understand why)

If you want to support your cause at least try to be rational.

Serbia recogonizing Abkhazia and South Ossetia is the best thing that could happen to Kosovo.

Nikolle "oh wow and I thought Serbia cared for the UN charter (you know that borders are sacred?) and does not bow to anyone...."

UN charter does not matter any more, we all know it. It was something that was in place during Cold War, to make sure conflict won't break out. At the end of it, those left standing didn't feel they have to abide by any law or consideration any more. They had free hands to do as they please.
This is how we ended up in this situation mentioned by Comm. Parrisson

"EU doesn't recognize anything, it's up to the individual EU member states. 22 out of 27 EU member states recognized Kosovo, 5 have a principled stance against allowing small ethnic minorities to self-declare an own state on the territory of an existing state."

Exactly!!
Everyone can do as they are pleased. 22 EU members can recognize Kosovo, 5 may not, Russia can recognize S. Ossetia and Abkhazia but not Kosovo...
Serbia could too, as long as it provides an explanation that S. Ossetia and Abkhazia are "unique" .etc.
West wouldn't mind as in Kosovo case. "We agree to disagree" and move on...but somehow, I doubt they would show any tolerance.

So much for Serbia's principled stance on Kosovo. This will likely further undermine the Serbian negotiating position in the eyes not only of western countries, but of countries around the world that are facing similar issues.

Other countries that previously supported Kosovo within Serbia due to their own problems with regions seeking autonomy can quite easily just say that the case is different. Or at least some might spy an opportunity to extract concessions from Serbia.

Nikolic is going to have to start learning about international relations and diplomacy before making promises. Every decision can have a knock on effect. What must be calculated is whether the (potential new) position will benefit the country more than it hurts the country.

Another J& S
It is very apparent that you have never read the so called six point plan nor have a clue what it says.
In short it covers how to deal with north kosovo, never mind the fact it was never placed into action and is now outdated and irrelevant.

Yep keep complicating things Tome. Russia and US can play the game of recognitions without consequences for themselves, but not serbia.You promised you will have a referendum on how to solve the kosovo issue. So do it.Ask the people and then work based on the result of referendum.

Serbia is offering the Albanians of Serbia’s Province of Kosovo Negotiated Autonomy that is mostly based on the United Nations Six Point Plan for Kosovo, because Germany might Veto European Union Membership for Albania, and Germany does not want to be the first European Country to do the right thing, because they have their pride to consider.
(Yet Another J S, 28 May 2012 22:33)


Now that seems pretty wired Yet another JS, doesn't it?

Why should Gernany veto the EU membership for Albania for the sake of Serbia? Are you suggesting, Germany is Serbia's ally? Germany has recognized Kosovo, what kind of autonomy do you speak of?

Funny, however:)

Serbia recogonizing Abkhazia and South Ossetia is the best thing that could happen to Kosovo.
(Kenny, 28 May 2012 22:54)

Actually, it was Russia's recognition for those Georgian provinces which already did that.

But if Tome really promised to reconsider Serbia's stance regarding those Georgian provinces than he is even more of a fool I believed from the beginning. And I'm not even talking about the fact that Serbia openly surrenders Kosovo (that happened unofficially already). No, it would prove that Serbia is indeed a Russian satellite which even openly takes money for the recognition for these Georgian provinces (just as Venezuela and Palau did and which failed for Moscow when it came to Ecuador). Even the amount of money is stated, 800m.

My guess is that Tome will deny that, just as he denies now what he said to the German newspaper FAZ. This guy simply changes stances as someone changes underwear. Just see the next days when he starts to spin.

@sreten

check this out

http://www.un.org/peace/kosovo/98sc1199.htm

Ron, 29 May 2012 02:16)
I have missed your naive view of the world. Your post makes no sense as China can veto anything pertaining to Taiwan as easy if not easier than something pertaining to Kosovo or anywhere else.
China has no fear when it comes to China. Taiwan functions independently and trades with most of the countries of the world, but china knows that it has ultimate control over anything in the UN.

Kosovo and the break away republics in the caucus region are certainly different. The outcome of the conflicts in Kosovo is resolution 1244 which states that Kosovo is a province of Serbia under UN administration. South Ossetia and Abkhazia conflicts ended with Georgian forces reneging on ceasefire agreements from the war they lost and being kicked out again. The ceasefire agreements were broken. The primary violator of 1244 is Kosovo, which sets fire to returnee houses and does not allow for Serbian border administration or limited number of security personnel to assure the safety of the Serbian minority and their institutions, to which they have a right via 1244.

a New Day, 29 May 2012 14:19

I would not call my view naive. I think China really does not want any unilateral declaration of independence to be supported. And that's why China will use its veto power also in the case of Kosovo.

Nikolic is going to have to start learning about international relations and diplomacy before making promises.
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What makes you think he doesn't have advisers or doesn't know anything about international relations?
Maybe you should apply for that job.