Kosovo may soon be free of Serbia, but not of supervision

The sad truth is that as long as there is no mutual agreement, the conflict will continue to fester, maybe over generations. You only need to look at the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to see my point -- they have been at loggerheads since 1948 when the British "imposed" a Jewish state solution in Palestine.

Palestinian-Israeli conflict is a bad analogy... totally different situation. Serbia has only ideological interests in Kosovo and these are limited to nationalist expansionist notions of regional dominance. The independence of Kosovo will actually improve the lives of the average Serb by closing the last chapter of the nationalist disintegration of Yugoslavia and speed Serbia's entrance into the EU. Ask any young Serb and their feelings are that they are sick of the conflict and want to be 'normal.' The same sensibility holds true for young Kosovars-they wants jobs and normalcy. It is only the old guard that is the problem.

"Kosovo may soon be free of Serbia",that sounds nice.About the supervision we don't mind that.As a newest country we need any help in running the show.Now we have a chance to enjoy the life.It will be very hard but we will manage.Hopefully majority of Serbian people will do the same and start creating a better life for everyone in Serbia.Life is Beautiful again.Cheers.

My gues is that Great Briton will do the honors to recognize Kosovo/a first followed by US, and others will follow suit. This is the end of story and new life in Balkans will comence, and Serbia could live happy after and prosper along with its new neighbor KOSOVO/A. Afterwards both can join EU. Cheers to everybody that once peace on earth.

My dear Serbian friends. Any amputation hurts. Unfortunately it may be sometimes necessary, especially when life depends on it. In such cases it is much better if it is performed fast. Soon all will be over, all will be just history. I guess that before reconstructing Serbia you should ask yourselves "Who, what and where is Serbia?" Who is in our ship and who is out?. Once you have solved those questions you will be able to go over and reconstruct your country. Then you will be able to establish civilized relations with your new tiny neighbour, the Republic of Kosova. Be brave, pain will soon be over! It will all belong to the past and you will be able to face future. God bless you!

Join the EU for what? So they can pay 5 euros for a loaf of bread. How do you suppose people that make 100 euros a month will live?

No one speaks of the coming economic blockade against Kosovo. There are 8 major roads leading out of Kosovo -5 lead to Serbia (1 leads to Montenegro - thru very mountanous terrain; 1 to Macedonia; and 1 to Albania). Obviously Kosovo must trade with Serbia to succeed. But be rest assured Serbia's strategy will be a very costly cold war vs. Kosovo. Independence can't put food on the table!

Under UN resolution 1244, the territorial integrity of Serbia is guaranteed for Kosovo.

No Serbian parliament will be signatory to any breach of United Nations Resolution 1244. This included any change in the Serbian Government becuase they are unamanious in their ratification of the new constitution that Kosovo is an integral part of Serbia.

Konstantin Gregovic
Edmonton, Alberta
Canada

Kosovo will go NO where not the EU , not NATO non of it. I am certain Kosovo Might get to where albania is right now, alot of corruption, no money, poverty with outstanding debt to be paid. I dont support KFOR leaving Kosovo ANYTIME soon. While the reast of Serbia is growing at a impressive rate with investments flooding the country, more companies are being privitized, As far as I am concered Serbia will be wounded by the Loss of a historicle part of it's territory but it will definetly will not let it hold it back. I see a dark future for Kosovo, sorry

Well, DUH! I mean it's no surprise this sobering prediction may come true. Kosovo will probably get some form of independence, and we all know that. Serbian sovereignty has not held power since 1999, or if we really want to be realisitc, since 1981. But independence does not automatically garner some utopian Scandinavian-type democracy that many optimists were hoping for. Albanians may have an overwhelming desire of self-determination, but the region is incredibly unstable, highly corrupt, and heavily involved in organized crime. These are not stereotypical slanders I'm throwing at the region. These are facts that all international NGO studies have reported. The main priority is to stabilize Kosovo and the western Balkans from further fragmentation, political decay and chaos. Not only that, serious, honest efforts at reintegrating Serbian and Albanian communities will have to take top priority, not just in Kosovo Province but in Serbia Proper. We cannot and should not look for a quick solution and then wipe our hands of this matter. If there is to be any meaningful progress, development, and reconciliation between hostile groups, Kosovo, in whatever capacity it finds itself in, MUST still be under international European surveillance. If the region does become a West Bank, God forbid, the entire Balkans will remain outside any international economic and political progress for decades to come.

Just a little comment about the statement "the six nations overseeing the negotiations on its future say it cannot return to Serbian rule." I dont think it is because they fear Serbia will try to kill albanians OR a form of punishment...I think it is becasuse they fear violence from the albanians (Propting Serbia to fight..again) if they dont get the land. There are 2 million albanians (in Kosovo) and 7 million Serbs in all of Serbia (including Kosovo) say's somthing doesnt it? I just hope Europe is ready to deal with the problems and duty to spend millions on troops and fighting crime.

When Serbs are ethnically cleansed from Kosovo you will be satisfied! That is sad! Obviously Kosovo is not headed in the direction of securing minority rights and assuring minority safety, however Serbia is. I dont understand how you expect for Kosovo to be better when even with NATO the government cannot control Albanian extremists. Kosovo should be integrated in Serbia for good and prove that they can trully co-exist. Anything else will just lead to genocide and ethnic cleansing. With independence the situation will not get better until the Kosovo, Kosovo Liberation Army led government steps down. The current government is anti-Serbian, so how can they assure minority (Serbian and Roma) rights? These are just some observations I have made.

If Kosovo is allowed independence, how long do you think before it becomes a part of Greater Albania? If Kosovo is granted independence than any region of any country has the right to gain independence! Kosovo should remain a part of Serbia, until it can prove it can become a country and not just a criminally run entity.

This is bs...how beautiful was life for the Serbs who were a massacred and targeted majority in Kosovo since the Battle of Kosovo Polje? How many generations suffered?

I hear so many Albanians talking about "Serbia finally taking care of its own problems".

Come on, get real.

Why did those same Albanians flee Albania and immigrate to Kosovo/Macedonia/Montenegro in Yugoslavia?

Its an expanionist policy that was temporarily realized under Nazi Europe, when Albanian massacres and murders of Serbs was some kind of sick right they had.

Yugoslavia/Serbia has always been the better one.

Serbia has been the strongest supporter and fought to defend Albanian citizens in Kosovo who were targeted by the KLA for not taking part in the terrorist struggle.

I am proud of this. Serbian history and inhabitants of present-day-Albania history have also been intertwined during the reign of the Serbian Empire under Stefan Dusan, where we all lived in 1 strong collective regional empire.

Extremist Albanians are playing the same game since Albania was founded less then 100 years ago...expansion in all directions to incorporate parts of Montenegro (and its capital), chunks of Serbia, chunks of Macedonia (and its capital), and chunks of Greece.

Territorial expansionism...racism...its all there.

When Kosova gets free frome Serbia boths will have it better.
I see no reason why the serbian politicans are trying to delay the status of Kosova when EU alredy said that Kosova kan not be together with Serbia after what they vdone in war.
Let the both part live separeted and good. Both af the partner earns on it.
Congratulation for Kosovas Indepedence

"The Security Council would issue a mandate for a mission led by the European Union and invite individual countries to recognize Kosovo,” Mr. Welch said.

Hmm, a divided Europe recognising different boundaries - where have we heard of that happening before? This could lead to a European war if not handled correctly.

To the others talking about how content Kosovo Serbs would be in an independent Kosovo because they just want 'normalcy' - what about the contentment of moderate Albanians to stay as part of Serbia? All those $ billions set to be wasted on the admin of the unnecessary switchover could be used to improve the lives of people as part of Serbia AND stick within international law!

Oh Kste, please be realistic! A European war for Kosovo! Where do you live? Can you immagine Brittish, or German or French or Russian soldiers shooting to each-other for Kosovo's sake? Wake up please!

As for the rest, just try to figure out what will happen if Kosovo is forced to rejoin the to-date Serbia (which is falling apart). How many billions USD would be there necessary to make things work? International law foresees self-determination for every population, not for minorities, and K-Albanians are simply too much to be considered a minority. Serbia cannot deal with them, it would explode and I'm sure no one wants a similar outcome. A Serbia-Kosovo state would have to be like Belgium or Switzerland. But that's not the vision Serbs have about their state, just read their (democaratic!!!) Constitution

Vojvoda:
You have got to be joking when you said Serbia was the biggest supporter and protected Albanians from KLA. what you have protected is a number of Albanians that were spying for Serbia and the same spies did kill and rob inocent Albanians. Please don't even get there, because all you have to do is look at TV clips during the 1998-99 period and you see what happend to Kosovars(massacres, mayham, destruction etc...).Another thing, Kosovar Albanians were always here there was no immigration from Albania to Kosova.Bottom line is we were here and will remain here for eternity.Serbia wants the land but not the people, it is not going to work, ITS OVER.

Kate wrote "...All those $ billions set to be wasted on the admin of the unnecessary switchover could be used to improve the lives of people as part of Serbia..."
And then Kate let's die from starvation as happened with Viktoria and Ivan Hajduk in Subotica,Serbia(mother and son -read today serbian newspapers). Your advice that things can improve being part of Serbia is not practical, not only for K-Albanians but even for K-Serbs. So it's better for them to try integration in new Independent Kosovo- at least, in Kosovo nobody had died yet from starvation.
Behar

Blaogoje let the Kosovo/a Albanians worry about trade blocades, but I think Serbia will need customers to buy its goods rather Kosovo/a selling goods to Serbia. I bet you that Serbian bussnis men will trade with Kosovo/a wether you like it or not. Trading goods has never been an issue and/or blocades were never prooven to be tight shut.Trading through Albania, Macedoni and Montenegro will be sufficent enough.

don't any serbs read any of recent Interenational news clips in regards to Kosovo or are they all still in Denial? is it censored in Serbia. FYI; go to Yahoo then News and type in Kosovo and read..... Kosovo Independece is coming...
Kosovo has been free since 1999

I cant understand serbs they are still dreaming about kosovo.they say that kosovo is heart of serbia and such thins,wake up folks kosovo has gone cant you see.

YES, the European west has always used the Serbs as their battlefront. During the Turks, the Serbs died preventing the Turks from spreading west for 500 years. No westerners helped. In the 1st world war the Serbs were against the expantionst Austria-Hungary. When the war started all allies disappeared. In the 2nd world war they were the only western ally in the Balkans. The allies, like Russians, showed up when the war was almost over. In the Kosovo war, the Serbs wer not used, but obused.

Any writing or albanian expantionist progangda cannot change those facts.

Shanks, stop writing like you are unbaiased.

If Kosovo becomes independent, the region will become a never ending war zone.

Hiya Xhevat:

What international headlines are you referring to? The Canadian former ambassador to Yugoslavia's comments about Kosovo independence?

Mr. Smith, you pretend you are unbiased?

What you write about Serbs and Turks applies also to the Albanians, who stopped the Turks in the 15th century under Skanderbeg (google!). No Westerners showed up, what's worse the Albanians were prevented from creating a joint front with the Hungarians by the Serb king, who had recognized the Turkish rule (no mention of that in the Serb history). One could also think, the 1st war was due to the Serbian expansionism towards the Austrian-ruled Bosnia (I assume you know the history) Things are much more complex than you pretend they are. Luckily the wars are over in the Balkans, no mentally sane Serb would ever dream to die for Kosovo any longer. We´re not living in the Middle Ages. And last, I doubt very much you've been really in Kosovo (rather than in its roundabouts).

Genc,
I don't pretend I am unbiased because I am not. I think the albanians need to appreciate they were given the opportunity for a better life in Serbia and not adopt the Serbian land because they are now a majority.

I agree the albanians fought the turks, but the albanians also eventually, for the majority, converted to the turkish religion and customs.

The Serbs were conquered and had to live by the turkish rule, but the serbs kept their identity & religion.

Both serbs and albanians were used by the west and the east then and they are used today.

There was so much tension between many countries in the world at WW1, start of the war had nothing to do with Serbia other than they were played over by their allies again.

I spent years in Kosovo. I've seen it all.

actually, the Ottoman expansion was stopped by Austro Hungarians during Battle of Vienna. it is well known Serbs served as soldiers in the Ottoman empire and fought against serbs and other christians Ottoman empire was at war with. serbs use selective historical facts to suit their needs whilst ignoring certain critical items.

Mr. Smith,
don’t you think Albanians know what they want and what they do by ”not appreciating they were given the opportunity for a better life in Serbia” and seeking instead their independence from a country, in which they were never equal citizens? Would you accept living in a country better than yours, at the price of not being any longer American, but a
“superior” citizen? I doubt it.

Moreover, the K-Albanians are not adopting Serbian land; they are on THEIR land in Kosovo, they were the overwhelming majority there in 1913, when Serbia occupied Kosovo against the will of the Albanians living there, who wanted to join the emerging Albania - many serb documents admit it, in asking for the best way to get rid of the Albanian problem (read Vasa Cubrilovic). The fact that Kosovo was the centre of the Medieval Serbian Empire (which extended from Belgrade to Thessaloniki and further, incorporating even the actual Montenegro, Albania, parts of Greece, Macedonia and parts of Bulgaria ecc.) does not authorize anyone to assert that Kosovo is serbian land. The serbian land is where Serbs live today as a majority, that applies to all nations. In this aspect Kosovo’s history resembles much to that of your Texas, which was initially Mexican land (luckily not seen as the cradle of the Mexican nation), when the Mexican abuses got unbearable, the uprising broke out, Texas broke away and gained independence from Mexico.

It’s true many Albanians converted to the Turkish Islam (not to their customs, the difference between a Turk and an Muslim Albanian is nearly the same as between a catholic Italian and a catholic American), but in doing so they kept their strong IDENTITY. As for the religion, unlike their Orthodox neighbours, it has NEVER been a central component of the Albanian identity. that doesn’t make one different from others, you should know that. There have never been religious conflicts among Albanians, who profess many different religions. As an Albanian I’m particularly proud of this, especially in these dark ages. You may agree with me or not about that, but that doesn’t change things, and I would never try to change your mind on it.

As for the WW1, Serbia was both played over and played over the others. How can you explain the birth of that kind of XL-Serbia in 1918, which was first named “Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes” (under the Serbian king, i.e. serbian ruled) and then simply Yugoslavia? And the serb expansion towards West and South (towards any coast they could reach, regarding the lands of the others as lands to be conquered) is a well known fact, just read the Nacertanja of Ilja Garasanin, 1844, to get a clear idea.

Last, you say you have seen all of Kosovo, but from your comments one gets the idea the Serbs are just suffering angels and the Albanians just wicked demons, Serbs are absolutely right and Albanians absolutely wrong in everything! That doesn’t match with the reality, no one provided with a minimal ammount of ratio could accept a similar vision. I’m sorry to have to assume that most evidently there are other reasons behind your unilateral vision of Kosovo.

Hiya Jimbo,

Please go back and read my Blog, I said.. International news clips.. GO TO YAHOO then NEWS then TYPE in KOSOVO or better yet get on a plain land in Pristina airport go thru "Kosovo Customs" maybe pay a "kosovo' Customs" surcharge, take a Taxi to the Capital Pristina on the way get stopped by a KPS (Kosovo Police Officer)traffic police officer. Get to Pristina, talk a walk around, the Cafe's, the theater pay everything with the Euro, NO Serbian Dinars Please... and You will see that kosovo is not part of Serbia.

Daniel,

The only Serbs that fought with the Turks were the Serbian male children that turks took away during their toddler years and trained them as they were Turks.

Nothing about that is selective. It's what it was.

Genc,

To decide who is an angel and who is not, all you have to do is look through Kosovo now. Where after the last 7 years of albanian rule you can see that Drugs, Prostitition, Slavery are the main trades. Angles or not, this wasn't the case before the albanians took over.

Mr. Smith,

Have you been in Kosovo before 1999?
The actual situation is the consequence of not having the state, no state=no economy. Rememeber also what Kosovo was before the Albanians took over: a prison for them.
And learn better the history: not only serb children fought for the turks, but also many serb paid soldiers, like the other balcanic nationalities.

Genc,

I spent many years in the 80's and a couple of times in the new millenium. 80's was so much better, now is just a lawless mess. Then people lived in piece, now I don't know how anybody survives.

In the 80's the albanians ruled for the most part, having schools in albanian, institutions named after albanians etc. This is more than any nationality in any other country. But even having everything and even in the 80's they wanted a republic. As most of Europe knows, Yugoslavia was one of the most prosperous contry in Europe and tourism was booming....which wouldn't be if your 'prison' claims were true.

Paid soldiers always exist and everywhere. They are mercenaries. They don't define a nation.

Mr. Smith,

I wrote Kosovo, not Yugoslavia was a prison for the Albanians before 1999, especially in 1989-1999, please quote it correctly.

The '80 were much better for whole Yugoslavia, it went worse since then everywhere in YU. Theoretically you may be right, it' better to live in a large country than in small repubblics. But practice can be very different, as in YU. To present the '80 as a model for a future Serbia-Kosovo union is pure utopia.

The Albanians were the 3rd nationality in Yugo, much more numerous than Slovenes, Montenegrins, Macedonians ecc. who had their repubblic. The official explanation that Albanians had their state in Albania, and therefore to be considered a minority in Yugoslavia cannot stand the reality of things, because the Albanians in former YU were as much as those in AL, and their interstatal relations were reduced to a heavily controlled minimum, due to the ideological adversities between Tito and Hoxha.

They wanted also their republic, because everyone saw what happened in 1989, and how much worth was that autonomy. They knew from the beginning that some day Serbia would take back their autonomy, they always told it. Hence, autonomy within Serbia, even with international guarantess, is no more an option for Kosovo.

What's now in Kosovo is a typical post-war situation, which will take its time to get better, but ABSOLUTELY not that kind of Irak you describe. It's before all the consequence of the Serbian politics in Kosovo, which had as consequence the KLA in 1997, after the peaceful, civil resistance of Rugova was condemned to fail after Dayton.

By the way, in the '80 Yugoslavia faced its worst eceonomic crisis, which, along with the heated nationalisms, lead to its destruction. It's hard to believe one of the most prosperous European land can disappear so easily, if it were really propsperous and not dopped, which was really the case of YU. In the meantime less prospered lands of Eastern Europe have prospered much better.

Well, I wrote Yugoslavia because Kosovo was a part of Yugoslavia. There were never border of Kosovo. It was always Serbian land. The only reason Kosovo has borders is because Tito drew them in 1974 to weaken Serbia. Tito was a great politician, but everything he did was to weaken Serbia.

So in 1974 Kosovo became a province with autonomy status. Autonomy, republic or whatever, who cares....it's all a part of a country. But the autonomy wasn't enough for Albanians. Just a few years later the Albanians wanted a republic and a few decades later they want total independence. Why, just because they are ethnically different? That makes the Albanians the most nationalistic group. The Albanians weren't repressed...they had more rights than any minority anywhere in the world.

The break up of Yugoslavia had everything to do with the end of the Cold War. Even though the tensions between nationalities existed, people lived great and in peace until the West & the East got involved and decided to break it up. It was done for multiple reasons, not known to the common people like you and I. All the West and the East needed to do in Yugoslavia is throw a spark to get the nightmare started. Unfortunately the West has pretended they are there to save the Albanians, but their agenda doesn't care about Albanians or Serbians. Their agenda has made all suffer as they profit and continue their goals right or wrong.

How about this question: There are so many Albanians living in peace across all of Serbia. How do Serbs live in Kosovo south of the old Mitrovica e Titos? What would happen to the Serbs if they stepped out of their protected boundaries? They would be killed.

Kosovo right now is a nightmare. Water gets shut off, Electricity gets shut of daily, civil service laws don't exist. Drugs, murder, prostitution rule. People get killed and nobody cares.

The bottom line is this: Just because the Albanian population has grown from about 50% to 90% in Kosovo over does not give them to right to own it.

If I am given an opportunity to live on somebody’s land or in somebody’s house, I would have nothing for them but respect the same is not true for Albanians.

Mr. Smith,

to start from your bottom line: Albanians were NEVER 50% in Kosovo. When it was annexed by Serbia, in 1913 they were the overwhelming majority. Despite of various waves of expulsions, forced emigration ecc. they remained the overwhelming majority there (I’m curious to know where did you get that 50% figure). Borders are very young in the Balkans and often don’t respect the national reality. Kosovo was granted to Serbia in 1913 after Russian insistence, to prevent a war between the European powers (which broke out one year later!). K-Albanians have also never accepted the Serbian rule over them, they were not asked when their land was granted to Serbia, and Serbia did nothing to make loyal citizens of them, but wanted just to push them away towards Turkey and Albania. Moreover, they are not living on Serbian land, but on Kosovo’s land. What you say about living in sb. else’s land or home applies to immigrants. Well, the K-Albanians are NOT inmigrants in Kosovo, they are there in their land! And last: Albanians were NOT a minority in Yugo, they were the 3rd nationality! Hence they had the right to ask for all rights of a nationality.

The K-Albanians declared independence from Yugo in 1992, after it broke away, before 1990 they asked for their own republic in Yugoslavia. What was wrong with their stance?

As for Yugoslavia’s breakdown: can you explain me why it happened just in Yugoslavia? (Well, the USSR and Czecoslovakia broke apart also, quite peacefully). My answer is: Yugoslavia was an absurdum, it worked after WWII as a personal state of Tito (during the Cold War), when conditions changed it broke down so easily, because there was not a Yugoslav nation (as Tito bitterly admitted in his last visit in NY), there was not an agreement among its citizens, but there were Serbs, Croats, Albanians, Slovenes, Moslems, Macedonians, everyone asking for its own state. Not to forget that the Serbian nationalism, their will for hegemony in Yugo accelerated the disintegration. You need either a consolidated nation, or a consolidated civil society to keep together a state. Yugoslavia lacked both.

As for the actual situation: it’s a typical post-war situation, which will get better (it was much worse in 1999 and 2000). The K-Serbs are caught in the net of Belgrade’s policy towards Kosovo. When they and Serbia will admit the new reality, things will change for better.

Genc,

Really, and the next item on the Albanian nationalistic agenda will be claims Macedonia, Greece, southern Serbia, Montenegro. Wasn’t it just a couple of years ago Albanians caused havoc in Macedonia. Where does it stop? The Albanians are centuries late for this. That sort of expansion was done centuries ago when people fought with swords. The world might be a bit more civilized now.

Would you explain Macedonia, Greece, Montenegro, rest of Serbia as Albanian land too?

Your logic claims every nationality in every country of the world should have it's own borders, starting with Albanians in Kosovo. That is what's called cleansing and nationalistic.

If the Albanians were the majority in kosovo, why is Kosovo & 'Metohia' called the 'Church Land' or why does Kosovo have a large concentration of Serbian built churches or why is Kosovo named after a bird 'Kos'. It’s because the Serbians were systematically cleansed from Kosovo. It's because no matter how inaccurate the readings and writing you are exposed to, the physical facts are right there right now and cannot be disputed. If the Albanian majority you claim is true why would there be churches and why would the land be named in Serbian?

A typical post war situation would have improvements after 7 years. There are no improvements in Kosovo. Life in Kosovo has never been worst. This is another fact you cannot dispute, unless your ‘typical’ post war claim is supposed to last 20, 30, 50 years???

One of these days when the political agenda of the 'big' changes, the Albanians will find themselves felling as puppets as their old friends, the west, are no longer seeing eye to eye. I am curious what will happen then!

Mr. Smith,

what you call Albanian nationalistic agenda (that terminology is just cheap propaganda) ends in Kosovo. The havoc in Macedonia was necessary to turn it in a state of its citizens, not only of the Macedonian nation (that may sound cinical, of course it would have been much better to have that result only by negotiations, but somehow the Slav nations in the Balkans seem to have a problem in accepting the Albanians as equal citizens; they believe they are somehow superior to the them). The Macedonian Albanians never asked for Western Macedonia to be dismantled and united to Kosovo or ALbania; nor did they ask for a repubblic in Macedonia, such as RS in Bosnia. The Albanians in Montengro are a minority, they are not oppressed and have no reason to ask for separation. The ethnical Albanians in Greece were cleansed after WWII, all they can get now is their recognition as minority and having their properties back, which I deem very difficult. As for the Albanians in South Serbia, that will depend on the outcome of Kosovo’s status, and the position of the K-Serbs in Kosovo.

As for the borders: please do not put in my logic what it’s not in it! What I said applies only to the former Yugoslavia. In Yugo every nationality had its republic, that was denied to the Albanians which were the 3rd nationality. How do you justify that? Yet in the ‘80 the Albanians asked ONLY for Kosovo to be a republic, not for the Albanian lands of Macedonia and Montenegro, as republic borders in Yugo did not respect the ethnical reality. What they asked was the equal position to the others in Yugo; the autonomy wasn’t enough, because Serbia could wipe it out some day, as it did!

As for the to-day situation in Kosovo you may be right to some extent, but YES, there are improvements since 1999-2000. The stalling is mostly due to the fact that Kosovo is not a state, but an undefined protectorate and returning it to Serbia is no more a solution. I expect it to get much better after it begins running as a normal state.

As for the history: Kosovo was the centre of the medieval Serbian Empire, which was multiethnical, as all empires in the Middle Ages. It was serbized in that period. All the churches and monasteries of Kosovo date from that time, they were expression of the state ideology without ethnical connotations, which became Serb nationalism in the ‘800. The turkish registers of 1400, state clearly that most person names are Albanian (no mention of that in the Serb historical sources). The name Kosovo is Slavic, the Albanians call Western Kosovo (Metohija in slavic, means “Church estate”, as it was in the M.A.) Rrafshi i Dukagjinit. If we accept that for this reason Kosovo should be considered Serb land, we should also accept that Vojvodina is not Serb land, becuase Serbs began occyping it only after 1700, so take Kosovo leave Vojvodina. That’s an absurdum!

Would you desume that Florida, Los Angeles, San Francisco ecc. are Spanish/Mexican land, just because they bear Spanish names?

Genc,

I see! Now you claim the slav nations that make life difficult for the albanians and the albanians. I wonder who made life difficult for albanians in albania before they left there.

Again, you want borders to be drawn by nationality. If that were to happen you would have 15 different states, just from what used to be Yugoslavia. And again your theory doesn't add up. According to you since Hungarians in Voivodin are likely the next largest majority in Serbia, now they should seek independence. So, it would nice of you to tell me where it ends, not in Serbia, but in the world?

It sounds to me that you are a victim of some propaganda and are unwilling to consider any other possibilities.

Florida, LA, San Fran is another weak argument which is a bias ofered by you. LA and San Fran both belonged to Mexico which is why they bear those names. Kosovo from the inception of the word has been Serbian. In addition, if the K-Albanians nationalistic agenda were to be applied the mexican population of LA and San Fran should seek independence.

I don't have anything against albanians, nor do I intend to write propaganda. I write my opinions based on my interpratation of history and my own experiences.

But it seems as this debate is not going anywhere.

Mr. Smith,

please again, don’t mix the things. What I wrote about the borders refers to the former Yugoslavia, which was a federation of states. The Albanians being the 3rd nationality without their state was an anomaly, you cannot make a state out of any small nationality. And I don’t want borders drawn by nationalities, that’s too semplicistic. No borders in the former Yugo were drawn by nationalities, but those borders comprised the most of each nationality. You don’t explain why the 3rd nationality had no right to that. Serbia instead is a national state, the Hungarians are not so numerous to demand a republic, they haven’t suffered with Serbs as the Albanians, and yet, if Serbia moves war on the Hungarians of Vojvodina it will lose the moral right to rule them (I’m sure it’s not going to happen).

As for where it ends in the world, it ends with Kosovo. It’s a unique case, it’s a UN-ruled land, I don’t know any other situation applying to Kosovo in the world (except of East Timor, some years ago; well, the Russians can make their claims, but what about Chechnya then?). Moreover, what makes it special and unique, is the fact that Serbia cannot rule it any more, everyone is aware of that.

The case of Albanians in Albania is quite different from Albanians in Yugo, please don’t speculate. During the communism half of the world had a difficult life in its own country.

You admit LA, SF Texas etc. belonged to Mexico; now they belong to another land. Which is the difference with Kosovo (exept that Kosovo will stand on its own)? And please be serious, no one even considers the Hispanics in USA ever dream to join Mexico, maybe many in Mexico dream joining USA.

As for not considering other possibilities, you should have understood that after 1999 no other possibility was left. Wide-ranging autonomy was possible only before 1999.

Of course you may base yourself in your opinions and your historical interpretations, but some of what you write sounds quite like the old propaganda of the ‘80s. I’m sure you are not aware of that, but that is the fact.

But I agree this debate is not leading anywhere. Thanks for playing, anyway.

The sad truth is that as long as there is no mutual agreement, the conflict will continue to fester, maybe over generations. You only need to look at the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to see my point -- they have been at loggerheads since 1948 when the British "imposed" a Jewish state solution in Palestine.

Palestinian-Israeli conflict is a bad analogy... totally different situation. Serbia has only ideological interests in Kosovo and these are limited to nationalist expansionist notions of regional dominance. The independence of Kosovo will actually improve the lives of the average Serb by closing the last chapter of the nationalist disintegration of Yugoslavia and speed Serbia's entrance into the EU. Ask any young Serb and their feelings are that they are sick of the conflict and want to be 'normal.' The same sensibility holds true for young Kosovars-they wants jobs and normalcy. It is only the old guard that is the problem.

"Kosovo may soon be free of Serbia",that sounds nice.About the supervision we don't mind that.As a newest country we need any help in running the show.Now we have a chance to enjoy the life.It will be very hard but we will manage.Hopefully majority of Serbian people will do the same and start creating a better life for everyone in Serbia.Life is Beautiful again.Cheers.

My gues is that Great Briton will do the honors to recognize Kosovo/a first followed by US, and others will follow suit. This is the end of story and new life in Balkans will comence, and Serbia could live happy after and prosper along with its new neighbor KOSOVO/A. Afterwards both can join EU. Cheers to everybody that once peace on earth.

My dear Serbian friends. Any amputation hurts. Unfortunately it may be sometimes necessary, especially when life depends on it. In such cases it is much better if it is performed fast. Soon all will be over, all will be just history. I guess that before reconstructing Serbia you should ask yourselves "Who, what and where is Serbia?" Who is in our ship and who is out?. Once you have solved those questions you will be able to go over and reconstruct your country. Then you will be able to establish civilized relations with your new tiny neighbour, the Republic of Kosova. Be brave, pain will soon be over! It will all belong to the past and you will be able to face future. God bless you!

Join the EU for what? So they can pay 5 euros for a loaf of bread. How do you suppose people that make 100 euros a month will live?

No one speaks of the coming economic blockade against Kosovo. There are 8 major roads leading out of Kosovo -5 lead to Serbia (1 leads to Montenegro - thru very mountanous terrain; 1 to Macedonia; and 1 to Albania). Obviously Kosovo must trade with Serbia to succeed. But be rest assured Serbia's strategy will be a very costly cold war vs. Kosovo. Independence can't put food on the table!

Under UN resolution 1244, the territorial integrity of Serbia is guaranteed for Kosovo.

No Serbian parliament will be signatory to any breach of United Nations Resolution 1244. This included any change in the Serbian Government becuase they are unamanious in their ratification of the new constitution that Kosovo is an integral part of Serbia.

Konstantin Gregovic
Edmonton, Alberta
Canada

Kosovo will go NO where not the EU , not NATO non of it. I am certain Kosovo Might get to where albania is right now, alot of corruption, no money, poverty with outstanding debt to be paid. I dont support KFOR leaving Kosovo ANYTIME soon. While the reast of Serbia is growing at a impressive rate with investments flooding the country, more companies are being privitized, As far as I am concered Serbia will be wounded by the Loss of a historicle part of it's territory but it will definetly will not let it hold it back. I see a dark future for Kosovo, sorry

Well, DUH! I mean it's no surprise this sobering prediction may come true. Kosovo will probably get some form of independence, and we all know that. Serbian sovereignty has not held power since 1999, or if we really want to be realisitc, since 1981. But independence does not automatically garner some utopian Scandinavian-type democracy that many optimists were hoping for. Albanians may have an overwhelming desire of self-determination, but the region is incredibly unstable, highly corrupt, and heavily involved in organized crime. These are not stereotypical slanders I'm throwing at the region. These are facts that all international NGO studies have reported. The main priority is to stabilize Kosovo and the western Balkans from further fragmentation, political decay and chaos. Not only that, serious, honest efforts at reintegrating Serbian and Albanian communities will have to take top priority, not just in Kosovo Province but in Serbia Proper. We cannot and should not look for a quick solution and then wipe our hands of this matter. If there is to be any meaningful progress, development, and reconciliation between hostile groups, Kosovo, in whatever capacity it finds itself in, MUST still be under international European surveillance. If the region does become a West Bank, God forbid, the entire Balkans will remain outside any international economic and political progress for decades to come.

Just a little comment about the statement "the six nations overseeing the negotiations on its future say it cannot return to Serbian rule." I dont think it is because they fear Serbia will try to kill albanians OR a form of punishment...I think it is becasuse they fear violence from the albanians (Propting Serbia to fight..again) if they dont get the land. There are 2 million albanians (in Kosovo) and 7 million Serbs in all of Serbia (including Kosovo) say's somthing doesnt it? I just hope Europe is ready to deal with the problems and duty to spend millions on troops and fighting crime.

When Serbs are ethnically cleansed from Kosovo you will be satisfied! That is sad! Obviously Kosovo is not headed in the direction of securing minority rights and assuring minority safety, however Serbia is. I dont understand how you expect for Kosovo to be better when even with NATO the government cannot control Albanian extremists. Kosovo should be integrated in Serbia for good and prove that they can trully co-exist. Anything else will just lead to genocide and ethnic cleansing. With independence the situation will not get better until the Kosovo, Kosovo Liberation Army led government steps down. The current government is anti-Serbian, so how can they assure minority (Serbian and Roma) rights? These are just some observations I have made.

If Kosovo is allowed independence, how long do you think before it becomes a part of Greater Albania? If Kosovo is granted independence than any region of any country has the right to gain independence! Kosovo should remain a part of Serbia, until it can prove it can become a country and not just a criminally run entity.

This is bs...how beautiful was life for the Serbs who were a massacred and targeted majority in Kosovo since the Battle of Kosovo Polje? How many generations suffered?

I hear so many Albanians talking about "Serbia finally taking care of its own problems".

Come on, get real.

Why did those same Albanians flee Albania and immigrate to Kosovo/Macedonia/Montenegro in Yugoslavia?

Its an expanionist policy that was temporarily realized under Nazi Europe, when Albanian massacres and murders of Serbs was some kind of sick right they had.

Yugoslavia/Serbia has always been the better one.

Serbia has been the strongest supporter and fought to defend Albanian citizens in Kosovo who were targeted by the KLA for not taking part in the terrorist struggle.

I am proud of this. Serbian history and inhabitants of present-day-Albania history have also been intertwined during the reign of the Serbian Empire under Stefan Dusan, where we all lived in 1 strong collective regional empire.

Extremist Albanians are playing the same game since Albania was founded less then 100 years ago...expansion in all directions to incorporate parts of Montenegro (and its capital), chunks of Serbia, chunks of Macedonia (and its capital), and chunks of Greece.

Territorial expansionism...racism...its all there.

When Kosova gets free frome Serbia boths will have it better.
I see no reason why the serbian politicans are trying to delay the status of Kosova when EU alredy said that Kosova kan not be together with Serbia after what they vdone in war.
Let the both part live separeted and good. Both af the partner earns on it.
Congratulation for Kosovas Indepedence

"The Security Council would issue a mandate for a mission led by the European Union and invite individual countries to recognize Kosovo,” Mr. Welch said.

Hmm, a divided Europe recognising different boundaries - where have we heard of that happening before? This could lead to a European war if not handled correctly.

To the others talking about how content Kosovo Serbs would be in an independent Kosovo because they just want 'normalcy' - what about the contentment of moderate Albanians to stay as part of Serbia? All those $ billions set to be wasted on the admin of the unnecessary switchover could be used to improve the lives of people as part of Serbia AND stick within international law!

Oh Kste, please be realistic! A European war for Kosovo! Where do you live? Can you immagine Brittish, or German or French or Russian soldiers shooting to each-other for Kosovo's sake? Wake up please!

As for the rest, just try to figure out what will happen if Kosovo is forced to rejoin the to-date Serbia (which is falling apart). How many billions USD would be there necessary to make things work? International law foresees self-determination for every population, not for minorities, and K-Albanians are simply too much to be considered a minority. Serbia cannot deal with them, it would explode and I'm sure no one wants a similar outcome. A Serbia-Kosovo state would have to be like Belgium or Switzerland. But that's not the vision Serbs have about their state, just read their (democaratic!!!) Constitution

Vojvoda:
You have got to be joking when you said Serbia was the biggest supporter and protected Albanians from KLA. what you have protected is a number of Albanians that were spying for Serbia and the same spies did kill and rob inocent Albanians. Please don't even get there, because all you have to do is look at TV clips during the 1998-99 period and you see what happend to Kosovars(massacres, mayham, destruction etc...).Another thing, Kosovar Albanians were always here there was no immigration from Albania to Kosova.Bottom line is we were here and will remain here for eternity.Serbia wants the land but not the people, it is not going to work, ITS OVER.

Kate wrote "...All those $ billions set to be wasted on the admin of the unnecessary switchover could be used to improve the lives of people as part of Serbia..."
And then Kate let's die from starvation as happened with Viktoria and Ivan Hajduk in Subotica,Serbia(mother and son -read today serbian newspapers). Your advice that things can improve being part of Serbia is not practical, not only for K-Albanians but even for K-Serbs. So it's better for them to try integration in new Independent Kosovo- at least, in Kosovo nobody had died yet from starvation.
Behar

Blaogoje let the Kosovo/a Albanians worry about trade blocades, but I think Serbia will need customers to buy its goods rather Kosovo/a selling goods to Serbia. I bet you that Serbian bussnis men will trade with Kosovo/a wether you like it or not. Trading goods has never been an issue and/or blocades were never prooven to be tight shut.Trading through Albania, Macedoni and Montenegro will be sufficent enough.

don't any serbs read any of recent Interenational news clips in regards to Kosovo or are they all still in Denial? is it censored in Serbia. FYI; go to Yahoo then News and type in Kosovo and read..... Kosovo Independece is coming...
Kosovo has been free since 1999

I cant understand serbs they are still dreaming about kosovo.they say that kosovo is heart of serbia and such thins,wake up folks kosovo has gone cant you see.

YES, the European west has always used the Serbs as their battlefront. During the Turks, the Serbs died preventing the Turks from spreading west for 500 years. No westerners helped. In the 1st world war the Serbs were against the expantionst Austria-Hungary. When the war started all allies disappeared. In the 2nd world war they were the only western ally in the Balkans. The allies, like Russians, showed up when the war was almost over. In the Kosovo war, the Serbs wer not used, but obused.

Any writing or albanian expantionist progangda cannot change those facts.

Shanks, stop writing like you are unbaiased.

If Kosovo becomes independent, the region will become a never ending war zone.

Hiya Xhevat:

What international headlines are you referring to? The Canadian former ambassador to Yugoslavia's comments about Kosovo independence?

Mr. Smith, you pretend you are unbiased?

What you write about Serbs and Turks applies also to the Albanians, who stopped the Turks in the 15th century under Skanderbeg (google!). No Westerners showed up, what's worse the Albanians were prevented from creating a joint front with the Hungarians by the Serb king, who had recognized the Turkish rule (no mention of that in the Serb history). One could also think, the 1st war was due to the Serbian expansionism towards the Austrian-ruled Bosnia (I assume you know the history) Things are much more complex than you pretend they are. Luckily the wars are over in the Balkans, no mentally sane Serb would ever dream to die for Kosovo any longer. We´re not living in the Middle Ages. And last, I doubt very much you've been really in Kosovo (rather than in its roundabouts).

Genc,
I don't pretend I am unbiased because I am not. I think the albanians need to appreciate they were given the opportunity for a better life in Serbia and not adopt the Serbian land because they are now a majority.

I agree the albanians fought the turks, but the albanians also eventually, for the majority, converted to the turkish religion and customs.

The Serbs were conquered and had to live by the turkish rule, but the serbs kept their identity & religion.

Both serbs and albanians were used by the west and the east then and they are used today.

There was so much tension between many countries in the world at WW1, start of the war had nothing to do with Serbia other than they were played over by their allies again.

I spent years in Kosovo. I've seen it all.

actually, the Ottoman expansion was stopped by Austro Hungarians during Battle of Vienna. it is well known Serbs served as soldiers in the Ottoman empire and fought against serbs and other christians Ottoman empire was at war with. serbs use selective historical facts to suit their needs whilst ignoring certain critical items.

Mr. Smith,
don’t you think Albanians know what they want and what they do by ”not appreciating they were given the opportunity for a better life in Serbia” and seeking instead their independence from a country, in which they were never equal citizens? Would you accept living in a country better than yours, at the price of not being any longer American, but a
“superior” citizen? I doubt it.

Moreover, the K-Albanians are not adopting Serbian land; they are on THEIR land in Kosovo, they were the overwhelming majority there in 1913, when Serbia occupied Kosovo against the will of the Albanians living there, who wanted to join the emerging Albania - many serb documents admit it, in asking for the best way to get rid of the Albanian problem (read Vasa Cubrilovic). The fact that Kosovo was the centre of the Medieval Serbian Empire (which extended from Belgrade to Thessaloniki and further, incorporating even the actual Montenegro, Albania, parts of Greece, Macedonia and parts of Bulgaria ecc.) does not authorize anyone to assert that Kosovo is serbian land. The serbian land is where Serbs live today as a majority, that applies to all nations. In this aspect Kosovo’s history resembles much to that of your Texas, which was initially Mexican land (luckily not seen as the cradle of the Mexican nation), when the Mexican abuses got unbearable, the uprising broke out, Texas broke away and gained independence from Mexico.

It’s true many Albanians converted to the Turkish Islam (not to their customs, the difference between a Turk and an Muslim Albanian is nearly the same as between a catholic Italian and a catholic American), but in doing so they kept their strong IDENTITY. As for the religion, unlike their Orthodox neighbours, it has NEVER been a central component of the Albanian identity. that doesn’t make one different from others, you should know that. There have never been religious conflicts among Albanians, who profess many different religions. As an Albanian I’m particularly proud of this, especially in these dark ages. You may agree with me or not about that, but that doesn’t change things, and I would never try to change your mind on it.

As for the WW1, Serbia was both played over and played over the others. How can you explain the birth of that kind of XL-Serbia in 1918, which was first named “Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes” (under the Serbian king, i.e. serbian ruled) and then simply Yugoslavia? And the serb expansion towards West and South (towards any coast they could reach, regarding the lands of the others as lands to be conquered) is a well known fact, just read the Nacertanja of Ilja Garasanin, 1844, to get a clear idea.

Last, you say you have seen all of Kosovo, but from your comments one gets the idea the Serbs are just suffering angels and the Albanians just wicked demons, Serbs are absolutely right and Albanians absolutely wrong in everything! That doesn’t match with the reality, no one provided with a minimal ammount of ratio could accept a similar vision. I’m sorry to have to assume that most evidently there are other reasons behind your unilateral vision of Kosovo.

Hiya Jimbo,

Please go back and read my Blog, I said.. International news clips.. GO TO YAHOO then NEWS then TYPE in KOSOVO or better yet get on a plain land in Pristina airport go thru "Kosovo Customs" maybe pay a "kosovo' Customs" surcharge, take a Taxi to the Capital Pristina on the way get stopped by a KPS (Kosovo Police Officer)traffic police officer. Get to Pristina, talk a walk around, the Cafe's, the theater pay everything with the Euro, NO Serbian Dinars Please... and You will see that kosovo is not part of Serbia.

Daniel,

The only Serbs that fought with the Turks were the Serbian male children that turks took away during their toddler years and trained them as they were Turks.

Nothing about that is selective. It's what it was.

Genc,

To decide who is an angel and who is not, all you have to do is look through Kosovo now. Where after the last 7 years of albanian rule you can see that Drugs, Prostitition, Slavery are the main trades. Angles or not, this wasn't the case before the albanians took over.

Mr. Smith,

Have you been in Kosovo before 1999?
The actual situation is the consequence of not having the state, no state=no economy. Rememeber also what Kosovo was before the Albanians took over: a prison for them.
And learn better the history: not only serb children fought for the turks, but also many serb paid soldiers, like the other balcanic nationalities.

Genc,

I spent many years in the 80's and a couple of times in the new millenium. 80's was so much better, now is just a lawless mess. Then people lived in piece, now I don't know how anybody survives.

In the 80's the albanians ruled for the most part, having schools in albanian, institutions named after albanians etc. This is more than any nationality in any other country. But even having everything and even in the 80's they wanted a republic. As most of Europe knows, Yugoslavia was one of the most prosperous contry in Europe and tourism was booming....which wouldn't be if your 'prison' claims were true.

Paid soldiers always exist and everywhere. They are mercenaries. They don't define a nation.

Mr. Smith,

I wrote Kosovo, not Yugoslavia was a prison for the Albanians before 1999, especially in 1989-1999, please quote it correctly.

The '80 were much better for whole Yugoslavia, it went worse since then everywhere in YU. Theoretically you may be right, it' better to live in a large country than in small repubblics. But practice can be very different, as in YU. To present the '80 as a model for a future Serbia-Kosovo union is pure utopia.

The Albanians were the 3rd nationality in Yugo, much more numerous than Slovenes, Montenegrins, Macedonians ecc. who had their repubblic. The official explanation that Albanians had their state in Albania, and therefore to be considered a minority in Yugoslavia cannot stand the reality of things, because the Albanians in former YU were as much as those in AL, and their interstatal relations were reduced to a heavily controlled minimum, due to the ideological adversities between Tito and Hoxha.

They wanted also their republic, because everyone saw what happened in 1989, and how much worth was that autonomy. They knew from the beginning that some day Serbia would take back their autonomy, they always told it. Hence, autonomy within Serbia, even with international guarantess, is no more an option for Kosovo.

What's now in Kosovo is a typical post-war situation, which will take its time to get better, but ABSOLUTELY not that kind of Irak you describe. It's before all the consequence of the Serbian politics in Kosovo, which had as consequence the KLA in 1997, after the peaceful, civil resistance of Rugova was condemned to fail after Dayton.

By the way, in the '80 Yugoslavia faced its worst eceonomic crisis, which, along with the heated nationalisms, lead to its destruction. It's hard to believe one of the most prosperous European land can disappear so easily, if it were really propsperous and not dopped, which was really the case of YU. In the meantime less prospered lands of Eastern Europe have prospered much better.

Well, I wrote Yugoslavia because Kosovo was a part of Yugoslavia. There were never border of Kosovo. It was always Serbian land. The only reason Kosovo has borders is because Tito drew them in 1974 to weaken Serbia. Tito was a great politician, but everything he did was to weaken Serbia.

So in 1974 Kosovo became a province with autonomy status. Autonomy, republic or whatever, who cares....it's all a part of a country. But the autonomy wasn't enough for Albanians. Just a few years later the Albanians wanted a republic and a few decades later they want total independence. Why, just because they are ethnically different? That makes the Albanians the most nationalistic group. The Albanians weren't repressed...they had more rights than any minority anywhere in the world.

The break up of Yugoslavia had everything to do with the end of the Cold War. Even though the tensions between nationalities existed, people lived great and in peace until the West & the East got involved and decided to break it up. It was done for multiple reasons, not known to the common people like you and I. All the West and the East needed to do in Yugoslavia is throw a spark to get the nightmare started. Unfortunately the West has pretended they are there to save the Albanians, but their agenda doesn't care about Albanians or Serbians. Their agenda has made all suffer as they profit and continue their goals right or wrong.

How about this question: There are so many Albanians living in peace across all of Serbia. How do Serbs live in Kosovo south of the old Mitrovica e Titos? What would happen to the Serbs if they stepped out of their protected boundaries? They would be killed.

Kosovo right now is a nightmare. Water gets shut off, Electricity gets shut of daily, civil service laws don't exist. Drugs, murder, prostitution rule. People get killed and nobody cares.

The bottom line is this: Just because the Albanian population has grown from about 50% to 90% in Kosovo over does not give them to right to own it.

If I am given an opportunity to live on somebody’s land or in somebody’s house, I would have nothing for them but respect the same is not true for Albanians.

Mr. Smith,

to start from your bottom line: Albanians were NEVER 50% in Kosovo. When it was annexed by Serbia, in 1913 they were the overwhelming majority. Despite of various waves of expulsions, forced emigration ecc. they remained the overwhelming majority there (I’m curious to know where did you get that 50% figure). Borders are very young in the Balkans and often don’t respect the national reality. Kosovo was granted to Serbia in 1913 after Russian insistence, to prevent a war between the European powers (which broke out one year later!). K-Albanians have also never accepted the Serbian rule over them, they were not asked when their land was granted to Serbia, and Serbia did nothing to make loyal citizens of them, but wanted just to push them away towards Turkey and Albania. Moreover, they are not living on Serbian land, but on Kosovo’s land. What you say about living in sb. else’s land or home applies to immigrants. Well, the K-Albanians are NOT inmigrants in Kosovo, they are there in their land! And last: Albanians were NOT a minority in Yugo, they were the 3rd nationality! Hence they had the right to ask for all rights of a nationality.

The K-Albanians declared independence from Yugo in 1992, after it broke away, before 1990 they asked for their own republic in Yugoslavia. What was wrong with their stance?

As for Yugoslavia’s breakdown: can you explain me why it happened just in Yugoslavia? (Well, the USSR and Czecoslovakia broke apart also, quite peacefully). My answer is: Yugoslavia was an absurdum, it worked after WWII as a personal state of Tito (during the Cold War), when conditions changed it broke down so easily, because there was not a Yugoslav nation (as Tito bitterly admitted in his last visit in NY), there was not an agreement among its citizens, but there were Serbs, Croats, Albanians, Slovenes, Moslems, Macedonians, everyone asking for its own state. Not to forget that the Serbian nationalism, their will for hegemony in Yugo accelerated the disintegration. You need either a consolidated nation, or a consolidated civil society to keep together a state. Yugoslavia lacked both.

As for the actual situation: it’s a typical post-war situation, which will get better (it was much worse in 1999 and 2000). The K-Serbs are caught in the net of Belgrade’s policy towards Kosovo. When they and Serbia will admit the new reality, things will change for better.

Genc,

Really, and the next item on the Albanian nationalistic agenda will be claims Macedonia, Greece, southern Serbia, Montenegro. Wasn’t it just a couple of years ago Albanians caused havoc in Macedonia. Where does it stop? The Albanians are centuries late for this. That sort of expansion was done centuries ago when people fought with swords. The world might be a bit more civilized now.

Would you explain Macedonia, Greece, Montenegro, rest of Serbia as Albanian land too?

Your logic claims every nationality in every country of the world should have it's own borders, starting with Albanians in Kosovo. That is what's called cleansing and nationalistic.

If the Albanians were the majority in kosovo, why is Kosovo & 'Metohia' called the 'Church Land' or why does Kosovo have a large concentration of Serbian built churches or why is Kosovo named after a bird 'Kos'. It’s because the Serbians were systematically cleansed from Kosovo. It's because no matter how inaccurate the readings and writing you are exposed to, the physical facts are right there right now and cannot be disputed. If the Albanian majority you claim is true why would there be churches and why would the land be named in Serbian?

A typical post war situation would have improvements after 7 years. There are no improvements in Kosovo. Life in Kosovo has never been worst. This is another fact you cannot dispute, unless your ‘typical’ post war claim is supposed to last 20, 30, 50 years???

One of these days when the political agenda of the 'big' changes, the Albanians will find themselves felling as puppets as their old friends, the west, are no longer seeing eye to eye. I am curious what will happen then!

Mr. Smith,

what you call Albanian nationalistic agenda (that terminology is just cheap propaganda) ends in Kosovo. The havoc in Macedonia was necessary to turn it in a state of its citizens, not only of the Macedonian nation (that may sound cinical, of course it would have been much better to have that result only by negotiations, but somehow the Slav nations in the Balkans seem to have a problem in accepting the Albanians as equal citizens; they believe they are somehow superior to the them). The Macedonian Albanians never asked for Western Macedonia to be dismantled and united to Kosovo or ALbania; nor did they ask for a repubblic in Macedonia, such as RS in Bosnia. The Albanians in Montengro are a minority, they are not oppressed and have no reason to ask for separation. The ethnical Albanians in Greece were cleansed after WWII, all they can get now is their recognition as minority and having their properties back, which I deem very difficult. As for the Albanians in South Serbia, that will depend on the outcome of Kosovo’s status, and the position of the K-Serbs in Kosovo.

As for the borders: please do not put in my logic what it’s not in it! What I said applies only to the former Yugoslavia. In Yugo every nationality had its republic, that was denied to the Albanians which were the 3rd nationality. How do you justify that? Yet in the ‘80 the Albanians asked ONLY for Kosovo to be a republic, not for the Albanian lands of Macedonia and Montenegro, as republic borders in Yugo did not respect the ethnical reality. What they asked was the equal position to the others in Yugo; the autonomy wasn’t enough, because Serbia could wipe it out some day, as it did!

As for the to-day situation in Kosovo you may be right to some extent, but YES, there are improvements since 1999-2000. The stalling is mostly due to the fact that Kosovo is not a state, but an undefined protectorate and returning it to Serbia is no more a solution. I expect it to get much better after it begins running as a normal state.

As for the history: Kosovo was the centre of the medieval Serbian Empire, which was multiethnical, as all empires in the Middle Ages. It was serbized in that period. All the churches and monasteries of Kosovo date from that time, they were expression of the state ideology without ethnical connotations, which became Serb nationalism in the ‘800. The turkish registers of 1400, state clearly that most person names are Albanian (no mention of that in the Serb historical sources). The name Kosovo is Slavic, the Albanians call Western Kosovo (Metohija in slavic, means “Church estate”, as it was in the M.A.) Rrafshi i Dukagjinit. If we accept that for this reason Kosovo should be considered Serb land, we should also accept that Vojvodina is not Serb land, becuase Serbs began occyping it only after 1700, so take Kosovo leave Vojvodina. That’s an absurdum!

Would you desume that Florida, Los Angeles, San Francisco ecc. are Spanish/Mexican land, just because they bear Spanish names?

Genc,

I see! Now you claim the slav nations that make life difficult for the albanians and the albanians. I wonder who made life difficult for albanians in albania before they left there.

Again, you want borders to be drawn by nationality. If that were to happen you would have 15 different states, just from what used to be Yugoslavia. And again your theory doesn't add up. According to you since Hungarians in Voivodin are likely the next largest majority in Serbia, now they should seek independence. So, it would nice of you to tell me where it ends, not in Serbia, but in the world?

It sounds to me that you are a victim of some propaganda and are unwilling to consider any other possibilities.

Florida, LA, San Fran is another weak argument which is a bias ofered by you. LA and San Fran both belonged to Mexico which is why they bear those names. Kosovo from the inception of the word has been Serbian. In addition, if the K-Albanians nationalistic agenda were to be applied the mexican population of LA and San Fran should seek independence.

I don't have anything against albanians, nor do I intend to write propaganda. I write my opinions based on my interpratation of history and my own experiences.

But it seems as this debate is not going anywhere.

Mr. Smith,

please again, don’t mix the things. What I wrote about the borders refers to the former Yugoslavia, which was a federation of states. The Albanians being the 3rd nationality without their state was an anomaly, you cannot make a state out of any small nationality. And I don’t want borders drawn by nationalities, that’s too semplicistic. No borders in the former Yugo were drawn by nationalities, but those borders comprised the most of each nationality. You don’t explain why the 3rd nationality had no right to that. Serbia instead is a national state, the Hungarians are not so numerous to demand a republic, they haven’t suffered with Serbs as the Albanians, and yet, if Serbia moves war on the Hungarians of Vojvodina it will lose the moral right to rule them (I’m sure it’s not going to happen).

As for where it ends in the world, it ends with Kosovo. It’s a unique case, it’s a UN-ruled land, I don’t know any other situation applying to Kosovo in the world (except of East Timor, some years ago; well, the Russians can make their claims, but what about Chechnya then?). Moreover, what makes it special and unique, is the fact that Serbia cannot rule it any more, everyone is aware of that.

The case of Albanians in Albania is quite different from Albanians in Yugo, please don’t speculate. During the communism half of the world had a difficult life in its own country.

You admit LA, SF Texas etc. belonged to Mexico; now they belong to another land. Which is the difference with Kosovo (exept that Kosovo will stand on its own)? And please be serious, no one even considers the Hispanics in USA ever dream to join Mexico, maybe many in Mexico dream joining USA.

As for not considering other possibilities, you should have understood that after 1999 no other possibility was left. Wide-ranging autonomy was possible only before 1999.

Of course you may base yourself in your opinions and your historical interpretations, but some of what you write sounds quite like the old propaganda of the ‘80s. I’m sure you are not aware of that, but that is the fact.

But I agree this debate is not leading anywhere. Thanks for playing, anyway.