NATO awaits "real signals" from Serbia

Independence or Conditional Indpendence is just the same, as long as a divorce is taking place once and for ever. Ms. said that Serbs would agreee with second one, but I doubt that very much, but lets hope so, because they have no chioce in the matter.If you anylize the comments of Ms. Pack it is very clear that Koosva is on its way to become a new state in continent of Europe.I drink to that.

I think all albanians should not discuss anymore about independence, because that's sure and periode. what they should to is to reach out to kosovo serbs to prove them that belgrade politics is wrong. and as soon as they realize it the better for them. despite they are a minority in the country, they can be a majority in the kosovo institutions if they work profesionally and not nacionalisticlly.
Serbia unless is not helpfull in the process, please be neutral and dont go to the extremes.
look at the region in what state it is? balkan nations should stop fighting each other.. they should follow the nordic model.. first good relations with neighbours then the rest.
today in the region more countries feel treatened from Serbia, than albania. or greece, or bulgaria, or rumania, or croatia, etc.

granting that independence is given and serbia would not recognize it, the conduct of business in kosovo would be very problematic. when it comes to transport of goods to northern europe, the most economical route is through serbia.

Doris Pack: “Reasonable politicians should know that in the end, they must find a way to live with the UN Security Council solution."

So, UN Security Counsel Resolution 1244 will keep.

And so, what to do with Kosovo? Here's the solution:
www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aland

I suggest that all interested parties study it, most carefully.

still doesn't change the fact that the constitution legally prohibits recognition of an indep K (conditional or not) by the parliament or PM (no one can legally sign the document). in the end - just another worthless security council resolution -- eternally debated by all sides... and hopelessly un-enforceable (since one of the signatories has not signed). one can point to many such resolutions... just look at the mid-east).

certainly the UN can try to force S to sign at some future date... But this takes time - a lot of time (especially due to all the precedents). And then how to get around the constitution? block EU entry? just talk. the region has already been blocked for the foreseable future sanctions? No universal support and bad for regional business (S is the regional hub & necessary for proper business functoning). Block access to finance capital? Too late. (Austria, US, Norway, Russia, Greece, Italy are all in will not support) and finance capital seeks out the econmically ascendant (Serbia) not the economically stuck or economically dependent (Kosovo). bomb again for not signing?? Maybe in another world. In other words, not much can be done to force Serbia into signing. Result? another unresolved world trouble spot policed by international mediators who will keep the status quo. bad for the people living there and an impediment to potential investors fearing legal issues when there are a lot of other places to invest without such headaches. In the meantime, S will be just belligerant enough (but not too much) to make life difficult for everyone... until a more favorable climate exists for getting what it wants (probably partition and a tit-for-tat trade for Republika Srpska). Certainly a unilateral declaration can be used, but that has it's own problems... namely the loss of land north of the Ibar (which includes most of Trepca)... and new troubles in Bosnia. Anyone with an ounce of analytical thought can predict what is already taking place. Now we have to see what Sidi says!

That;s a long essay, I ain't reading it. The main point is, that whatever they decide to call the future status, one thing will be for sure...it will specifically point out the end of Serbia's dejure sovreignty over the territory. And that's all Albanians really want. Now whether you call it independence, conditional independence, monitored independece, or extraterrestial independence, Serbia's dejure sovreignty will end on that day. The rest can be sorted out later. Blag you are too analytical for your own good. If there is one thing in the Balkans that is for sure, is that nothing can be analyzed.

Nicely said Blag/ NYC! This Kosovo thing is going to drag on forever. To think that once a "decision" has been reached that it will be smooth sailing from now on is dreaming. Things aren't going to improve for a long time to come.

Very clever analogy, Blag! However, I don't think any of that will actually happen. Kosovo will become conditionally independent. Serbia may try a small embargo, but it won't work in the long run. Giving up on 2 million customers will certainly not go on Serbia's favor. The only win win situation for both sides is partitioning of Kosovo and actual Serbia. Serbs take a part of northern Kosovo that is inhabited by Serbs while Kosovo takes parts of south Serbia (Presevo/Bujanovac)cities inhabited by Albanians. If that is done, Serbia and Kosovo could both solemnly celebrate and declare victory to their people. The only problem with this one is, Kostunica will have to call for a change of the constitution again and I believe Serbian people are tired of changing constitutions, they had done it quite often with Milosevic.

Cheers,


Xhafer

to Agim and Winter regarding any suggestion of independence I ask you to think about the change in the international political environment. Who supports it? The US and UK? Well they seem to be back tracking seeing as I don't see any declaration of Independence this year!
The Ahtisarri "proposal" is exactly what it suggests a proposal. This will form the basis of the real talks. US Amabassador to Serbia Polt outlines in an interview with B92 where these discussions will lead to "The Security Council will not be bypassed. We are engaged in an international process that is mandated, comes out of the United Nations’ process" and as such the Ahtisarri "proposal" will be a starting point for what will supercede resolution 1244. Also you should recall Polt stated "For that matter nobody is asking Serbia to give up Kosovo".

Remember too that the EU is made up of many individual nations who see differing opinions with regards Kosovo & Metohija & they wish to maintain a common foreign policy so they will go with what ever is finally decided upon that can pass through the UN security council. There will be no individual declarations from within the EU while there is still a chance of proper resolution that does not violate the UN charter. This is the greatest learning lesson coming about from the disastrous decision to bypass International law in 2003 (prior to unilateral Iraq invasion) and will not be made again.

Regarding the other major players we are then left with Russia and China. I found some interesting letter from Sergei N. Shishkarev (Deputy Chairman, Committee on Energy, Transportation and Communications Russian State Duma) addressed to the editor of the Washington Post (please see full letter in your own time http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/11/24/AR2006112401135.html ). He states the Russian perspective on the status talks and to quote "The Russian government properly insists that the future of Kosovo can only be decided through negotiation and adopted in a manner consistent with the U.N. Charter and the Helsinki Final Act". Clearly there has been no need to change this stance since it has been principled and based upon International law unlike that of the US and UK governments stance.

I think we all know that China sees Kosovo & Metohija as a relatively minor priority but it has stated that it will not recognise anything that will violate its own territorial integrity. That would scupper any conditional independence since this would never be ratified by the security council as it is seen for what it is full independence biding for time while hoping everyone forgets this is the same decision however much the US try to dress it up and China knows that as does Russia.

I agree that the status of Kosovo & Metohija needs to be resolved but it will be resolved only if there is a win-win solution that is acceptable to all and will therefore be lasting - anything short of this will be continued instability and economically the worst outcome for Kosovo & Metohija as witnessed over the last 7 years of UNmik administration - all that will be different will be "EU"mik.

The sooner all the in peoples in Serbia get involved in making Serbia better the sooner all will benefit. Roll on 2007 and let the real talks begin!!!

Kosovo will get some form of independence everybody knows that. This site is terrribly censored, therefore it is impossible to post the pro-independence arguments. Hopefully this time B92 will respect the freedom of expression.

Independence or Conditional Indpendence is just the same, as long as a divorce is taking place once and for ever. Ms. said that Serbs would agreee with second one, but I doubt that very much, but lets hope so, because they have no chioce in the matter.If you anylize the comments of Ms. Pack it is very clear that Koosva is on its way to become a new state in continent of Europe.I drink to that.

I think all albanians should not discuss anymore about independence, because that's sure and periode. what they should to is to reach out to kosovo serbs to prove them that belgrade politics is wrong. and as soon as they realize it the better for them. despite they are a minority in the country, they can be a majority in the kosovo institutions if they work profesionally and not nacionalisticlly.
Serbia unless is not helpfull in the process, please be neutral and dont go to the extremes.
look at the region in what state it is? balkan nations should stop fighting each other.. they should follow the nordic model.. first good relations with neighbours then the rest.
today in the region more countries feel treatened from Serbia, than albania. or greece, or bulgaria, or rumania, or croatia, etc.

granting that independence is given and serbia would not recognize it, the conduct of business in kosovo would be very problematic. when it comes to transport of goods to northern europe, the most economical route is through serbia.

Doris Pack: “Reasonable politicians should know that in the end, they must find a way to live with the UN Security Council solution."

So, UN Security Counsel Resolution 1244 will keep.

And so, what to do with Kosovo? Here's the solution:
www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aland

I suggest that all interested parties study it, most carefully.

still doesn't change the fact that the constitution legally prohibits recognition of an indep K (conditional or not) by the parliament or PM (no one can legally sign the document). in the end - just another worthless security council resolution -- eternally debated by all sides... and hopelessly un-enforceable (since one of the signatories has not signed). one can point to many such resolutions... just look at the mid-east).

certainly the UN can try to force S to sign at some future date... But this takes time - a lot of time (especially due to all the precedents). And then how to get around the constitution? block EU entry? just talk. the region has already been blocked for the foreseable future sanctions? No universal support and bad for regional business (S is the regional hub & necessary for proper business functoning). Block access to finance capital? Too late. (Austria, US, Norway, Russia, Greece, Italy are all in will not support) and finance capital seeks out the econmically ascendant (Serbia) not the economically stuck or economically dependent (Kosovo). bomb again for not signing?? Maybe in another world. In other words, not much can be done to force Serbia into signing. Result? another unresolved world trouble spot policed by international mediators who will keep the status quo. bad for the people living there and an impediment to potential investors fearing legal issues when there are a lot of other places to invest without such headaches. In the meantime, S will be just belligerant enough (but not too much) to make life difficult for everyone... until a more favorable climate exists for getting what it wants (probably partition and a tit-for-tat trade for Republika Srpska). Certainly a unilateral declaration can be used, but that has it's own problems... namely the loss of land north of the Ibar (which includes most of Trepca)... and new troubles in Bosnia. Anyone with an ounce of analytical thought can predict what is already taking place. Now we have to see what Sidi says!

That;s a long essay, I ain't reading it. The main point is, that whatever they decide to call the future status, one thing will be for sure...it will specifically point out the end of Serbia's dejure sovreignty over the territory. And that's all Albanians really want. Now whether you call it independence, conditional independence, monitored independece, or extraterrestial independence, Serbia's dejure sovreignty will end on that day. The rest can be sorted out later. Blag you are too analytical for your own good. If there is one thing in the Balkans that is for sure, is that nothing can be analyzed.

Nicely said Blag/ NYC! This Kosovo thing is going to drag on forever. To think that once a "decision" has been reached that it will be smooth sailing from now on is dreaming. Things aren't going to improve for a long time to come.

Very clever analogy, Blag! However, I don't think any of that will actually happen. Kosovo will become conditionally independent. Serbia may try a small embargo, but it won't work in the long run. Giving up on 2 million customers will certainly not go on Serbia's favor. The only win win situation for both sides is partitioning of Kosovo and actual Serbia. Serbs take a part of northern Kosovo that is inhabited by Serbs while Kosovo takes parts of south Serbia (Presevo/Bujanovac)cities inhabited by Albanians. If that is done, Serbia and Kosovo could both solemnly celebrate and declare victory to their people. The only problem with this one is, Kostunica will have to call for a change of the constitution again and I believe Serbian people are tired of changing constitutions, they had done it quite often with Milosevic.

Cheers,


Xhafer

to Agim and Winter regarding any suggestion of independence I ask you to think about the change in the international political environment. Who supports it? The US and UK? Well they seem to be back tracking seeing as I don't see any declaration of Independence this year!
The Ahtisarri "proposal" is exactly what it suggests a proposal. This will form the basis of the real talks. US Amabassador to Serbia Polt outlines in an interview with B92 where these discussions will lead to "The Security Council will not be bypassed. We are engaged in an international process that is mandated, comes out of the United Nations’ process" and as such the Ahtisarri "proposal" will be a starting point for what will supercede resolution 1244. Also you should recall Polt stated "For that matter nobody is asking Serbia to give up Kosovo".

Remember too that the EU is made up of many individual nations who see differing opinions with regards Kosovo & Metohija & they wish to maintain a common foreign policy so they will go with what ever is finally decided upon that can pass through the UN security council. There will be no individual declarations from within the EU while there is still a chance of proper resolution that does not violate the UN charter. This is the greatest learning lesson coming about from the disastrous decision to bypass International law in 2003 (prior to unilateral Iraq invasion) and will not be made again.

Regarding the other major players we are then left with Russia and China. I found some interesting letter from Sergei N. Shishkarev (Deputy Chairman, Committee on Energy, Transportation and Communications Russian State Duma) addressed to the editor of the Washington Post (please see full letter in your own time http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/11/24/AR2006112401135.html ). He states the Russian perspective on the status talks and to quote "The Russian government properly insists that the future of Kosovo can only be decided through negotiation and adopted in a manner consistent with the U.N. Charter and the Helsinki Final Act". Clearly there has been no need to change this stance since it has been principled and based upon International law unlike that of the US and UK governments stance.

I think we all know that China sees Kosovo & Metohija as a relatively minor priority but it has stated that it will not recognise anything that will violate its own territorial integrity. That would scupper any conditional independence since this would never be ratified by the security council as it is seen for what it is full independence biding for time while hoping everyone forgets this is the same decision however much the US try to dress it up and China knows that as does Russia.

I agree that the status of Kosovo & Metohija needs to be resolved but it will be resolved only if there is a win-win solution that is acceptable to all and will therefore be lasting - anything short of this will be continued instability and economically the worst outcome for Kosovo & Metohija as witnessed over the last 7 years of UNmik administration - all that will be different will be "EU"mik.

The sooner all the in peoples in Serbia get involved in making Serbia better the sooner all will benefit. Roll on 2007 and let the real talks begin!!!

Kosovo will get some form of independence everybody knows that. This site is terrribly censored, therefore it is impossible to post the pro-independence arguments. Hopefully this time B92 will respect the freedom of expression.