Kosovo team: Diplomatic offensive

Well done, Kosovo negotiating team, you will all get a medals for your bravely “defense” of Kosova!
If you continue like this you will lose entire Serbia as well… What they will do after all… to accept Ahtisari plan and EU candidature, or to reject it and lead Serbia to deeper “waters of poverty”, getting medals for improving or worsening the citizens life.

Predictor, I disagree with you tone.

Firstly, you need to realise that it is in fact on Sunday the 1st of April 2007 and I am sorry to burst your bubble but it looks like there is still not Independence - full, partial, conditional, supervised or what ever the Technocrats wish to suggest next. So in that respect the negotiation team have been very effective since if I recall rightly when the talks begun in Feb 2006 we were told all done by the summer and then before the autumn then by end of 2006 followed then by end Jan 2007 and recently early 2007 - now we are into the 4th month of this year and no concrete implementation of a one sided & premeditated outcome by Ahtisaari and his US & UK buddies!

Has the penny not dropped that the US and UK are driving the ethnic-Albanians into a dead end?

Mr. Princip,

To label Mr. Ahtisaari, EU, USA and whatever will not hide the real matter, serbians dont drive their efforts to build a at least viable Balkans instead put all their coins in push the serbian borders beyond the possible. You are ever negating the other peoples rights and today geopolitics of the region in name of a supposed full heritage for the serbia of the extinct yugoslavia. The today reality is shares in all levels not hegemony or imperial dreams, square miles of land is today more and more less important that vias of shares and integration. The twisted justifications for take nominal assurance of lands that is not serbians will not improve the serbian nation or bring to it any economic advantage only create political problems for the future serbian generations that will need continous fights for sufocate local aims for identity, ethinic cleasings is not more possible now. In kosovo the serbian control is now only possible through a army invasion and now the good times of serbian army against disarmed people is not more possible, the evocation of the second war scenario is now over like justification for one sided approachs, make serbians bleed for imperial dreams is no sense, "colonial wars" against croatia, bosnia not succeed in past and political pressure either against montenegro, geopolitical fictions like karajina had no life. The time is now not hipotetical medieval tales, serbia and their people needs future not arrogance and suicidal behavior of their leaders, your real problems is confrontation of actuality with a exarcebeted national proud, a very dangerous and inutile national ideology generated by now a surpassed past. I think that predictor have 100% accuracy in his commentary.

Both sides are again missing the point. The Kosovo case has unfortunately been muddled by nationalist rhetoric, political grandstanding, and claims of self-victimization for far too long. What is the ONE ISSUE that truly defines this case? What is the ONE ISSUE that both sides agree on, though they don't know it?

The main issue surrounding Kosovo is sovereignty. That's it. No historical legalities, no nationalist competitiveness, and no pro-Albanian, anti-Serb tones from the West.

After 1999, NATO gave virtual sovereignty of Kosovo to the Albanians. Holbrooke and the rest of his clan promised Pristina everything their hearts desired. At the time, Milosevic was still in power so it would have been foolish to "liberate" the Albanians after a 78 day campaign, only to place them back under the control of Belgrade. The West, always one to dichotomize between black and white, good and bad, gave full support to Rugova and a blessing towards self-determination. Since then, Kosovo has developed its own government, its own elected officials, and its own, albeit weak, state infrastructure. In short, Kosovo was given sovereignty without international recognition. The problem now is that the K-Albanians are nationally "awakened" and once sovereignty is given to a group, it is almost impossible to take it away from them short of outright war and total defeat. The Albanians claim they are already sovereign, and so independence is the only logical and natural progression after that.

At the same time, Serbia's claim to Kosovo is based on preexisting claims of sovereignty to the region dating back to 1912. It's sovereign hold over the region was guaranteed in UN Resolution 1244, and even though Belgrade holds little to no power over the region, it is still legally a part of Serbia. Serb objections to Kosovo's independence is based on the fact that it is already sovereign. Again, once you give sovereignty to a people, it is nearly impossible to take it away from them, and Belgrade is naturally and logically resisting. I can't think of any state in the world that would just sit there and accept that a piece of their territory is going to be taken away against their will. Again, short of total war and total devastation of a state's infrastructure and governmental functions, sovereignty of land will not and cannot be taken away so easily.

This really is the heart of the whole issue, and even though it is not articulated as clearly by Belgrade or Pristina, sovereignty is driving both sides to agree on the same principles, but disagree on how those principles are applied.

It is not worth Serbia being in the EU if Serbia has to hand over to the EU the right to redraw its borders at any time.

Separation along ethnic lines of Serbia and Kosovo would have worked if Serbs had advocated that proposal as strongly as they advocate the idea of ownership of entire Kosovo, however, it appears to be to late. "You want everything, you end up with nothing"!!!! Live with it, and stop with this inhumane propanda that has ruined Ballkans.

Being born and raised in Kosovo is an experience in itself. Because of the conditions in my country during my youth, I have experienced difficult educational conditions, like studying under suppression, theoretically, without practical work, in private houses or manipulated schools. I experienced the unfortunate reality that on my way to school I would encounter the Serbian state police who would impede my passing, had imprisoned my teacher and temporary closed my school. Thereafter these conditions led to a war which I saw first-hand., we are waiting for status resolution for 20 years. Guys I have experienced my youth as third class citizen under Serbian military regime gone .I’m fed up with you not letting me to determine my future, be aware that I’m not going to wait any one with flowers, I feel that I should not allow this continue for ever the next generation should not live under similar circumstances. Who ever thinks that they know what is good for me I say your wrong

I was watching a documentary in the greek television ERT about the destroyed churches, the assasinations of serbs,the fleeing of them with the fear of the Albanians. Then I hear that Albanians are under threat from the Serbs and the only solution is independence. I am confused, i do not understand the logic, is it live and let die philospophy. Europe is too proud to protect the minorities, why not in Kossovo. I believe that if the control of Kossovo is given to the Albanians soon we will have a new war. The solution is partition so as to protect the serb minority.

Mike, was that comment of yours - "Both sides are again missing the point."(Mike, Friday, 30 March, 2007, 16:10) - original and, if so, may I please re-publish it?
Mark.

Solution for Kosovo is very easy.Have self-determination referendum! Every citizen who been citizen of Republic of Serbia with residence in Kosovo until 1999 will have vote. If you choose independence,Serbia must grant it in Parlament and congratulate it. If not, peaceful reintegration of Kosovo in Serbian legal system is 2nd options. Everybody who is find without official documents should be removed as illegal immigrant/alien.Third option is WAR and long time stand off as we having it now!End of story.

Mister MMD,

Everything your wrote in your mail is just plane wrong.

You claim that to own a land in today's world is somehow old fashioned and unimportant - how did you come to this conclusion? Can you name an example of any state, world wide, which voluntarily shrunk in size? If territory is not important, why NATO tries so hard to expend as far as possible then? Why are US military basis all over the world? Why they invaded Iraq? And more to the point, why Albanians who are living in the Kosovo wants independence?

"…ethnic cleansings is not possible now…"

Tell that to one million Serb refuges.

"…"colonial wars" against croatia, bosnia …"

??? What's your definition of the colony and colonial war?

"…twisted justifications for take nominal assurance of lands that is not serbians…"

What lands are you talking about? This should be about Kosovo and that case is very clear, it's part of Serbia. All kinds of twisted justifications are used by Serb enimies, who want to take our territory away, not by the Serbs.

"…The time is now not hipotetical medieval tales, …"

Tell that to Albanaians, (Ilirs, Dardania, Albanian medival Catholic churches in Kosovo), Croats (thousand years old Croatian state), Slovenians, (also thousand years something …), Bosnian Muslims, (medival Bogumil Bosnia state).

"…serbia and their people needs future not arrogance and suicidal behavior of their leaders…"

To have a future, Serbs need to take care and protect their teritory and give highest priority to own national interests first, as all countries do. Just say no to Washington and Brusel when they want's us to do anything what doesn't benefit us. Trade with others, world is a big place.

Well done, Kosovo negotiating team, you will all get a medals for your bravely “defense” of Kosova!
If you continue like this you will lose entire Serbia as well… What they will do after all… to accept Ahtisari plan and EU candidature, or to reject it and lead Serbia to deeper “waters of poverty”, getting medals for improving or worsening the citizens life.

Predictor, I disagree with you tone.

Firstly, you need to realise that it is in fact on Sunday the 1st of April 2007 and I am sorry to burst your bubble but it looks like there is still not Independence - full, partial, conditional, supervised or what ever the Technocrats wish to suggest next. So in that respect the negotiation team have been very effective since if I recall rightly when the talks begun in Feb 2006 we were told all done by the summer and then before the autumn then by end of 2006 followed then by end Jan 2007 and recently early 2007 - now we are into the 4th month of this year and no concrete implementation of a one sided & premeditated outcome by Ahtisaari and his US & UK buddies!

Has the penny not dropped that the US and UK are driving the ethnic-Albanians into a dead end?

Mr. Princip,

To label Mr. Ahtisaari, EU, USA and whatever will not hide the real matter, serbians dont drive their efforts to build a at least viable Balkans instead put all their coins in push the serbian borders beyond the possible. You are ever negating the other peoples rights and today geopolitics of the region in name of a supposed full heritage for the serbia of the extinct yugoslavia. The today reality is shares in all levels not hegemony or imperial dreams, square miles of land is today more and more less important that vias of shares and integration. The twisted justifications for take nominal assurance of lands that is not serbians will not improve the serbian nation or bring to it any economic advantage only create political problems for the future serbian generations that will need continous fights for sufocate local aims for identity, ethinic cleasings is not more possible now. In kosovo the serbian control is now only possible through a army invasion and now the good times of serbian army against disarmed people is not more possible, the evocation of the second war scenario is now over like justification for one sided approachs, make serbians bleed for imperial dreams is no sense, "colonial wars" against croatia, bosnia not succeed in past and political pressure either against montenegro, geopolitical fictions like karajina had no life. The time is now not hipotetical medieval tales, serbia and their people needs future not arrogance and suicidal behavior of their leaders, your real problems is confrontation of actuality with a exarcebeted national proud, a very dangerous and inutile national ideology generated by now a surpassed past. I think that predictor have 100% accuracy in his commentary.

Both sides are again missing the point. The Kosovo case has unfortunately been muddled by nationalist rhetoric, political grandstanding, and claims of self-victimization for far too long. What is the ONE ISSUE that truly defines this case? What is the ONE ISSUE that both sides agree on, though they don't know it?

The main issue surrounding Kosovo is sovereignty. That's it. No historical legalities, no nationalist competitiveness, and no pro-Albanian, anti-Serb tones from the West.

After 1999, NATO gave virtual sovereignty of Kosovo to the Albanians. Holbrooke and the rest of his clan promised Pristina everything their hearts desired. At the time, Milosevic was still in power so it would have been foolish to "liberate" the Albanians after a 78 day campaign, only to place them back under the control of Belgrade. The West, always one to dichotomize between black and white, good and bad, gave full support to Rugova and a blessing towards self-determination. Since then, Kosovo has developed its own government, its own elected officials, and its own, albeit weak, state infrastructure. In short, Kosovo was given sovereignty without international recognition. The problem now is that the K-Albanians are nationally "awakened" and once sovereignty is given to a group, it is almost impossible to take it away from them short of outright war and total defeat. The Albanians claim they are already sovereign, and so independence is the only logical and natural progression after that.

At the same time, Serbia's claim to Kosovo is based on preexisting claims of sovereignty to the region dating back to 1912. It's sovereign hold over the region was guaranteed in UN Resolution 1244, and even though Belgrade holds little to no power over the region, it is still legally a part of Serbia. Serb objections to Kosovo's independence is based on the fact that it is already sovereign. Again, once you give sovereignty to a people, it is nearly impossible to take it away from them, and Belgrade is naturally and logically resisting. I can't think of any state in the world that would just sit there and accept that a piece of their territory is going to be taken away against their will. Again, short of total war and total devastation of a state's infrastructure and governmental functions, sovereignty of land will not and cannot be taken away so easily.

This really is the heart of the whole issue, and even though it is not articulated as clearly by Belgrade or Pristina, sovereignty is driving both sides to agree on the same principles, but disagree on how those principles are applied.

It is not worth Serbia being in the EU if Serbia has to hand over to the EU the right to redraw its borders at any time.

Separation along ethnic lines of Serbia and Kosovo would have worked if Serbs had advocated that proposal as strongly as they advocate the idea of ownership of entire Kosovo, however, it appears to be to late. "You want everything, you end up with nothing"!!!! Live with it, and stop with this inhumane propanda that has ruined Ballkans.

Being born and raised in Kosovo is an experience in itself. Because of the conditions in my country during my youth, I have experienced difficult educational conditions, like studying under suppression, theoretically, without practical work, in private houses or manipulated schools. I experienced the unfortunate reality that on my way to school I would encounter the Serbian state police who would impede my passing, had imprisoned my teacher and temporary closed my school. Thereafter these conditions led to a war which I saw first-hand., we are waiting for status resolution for 20 years. Guys I have experienced my youth as third class citizen under Serbian military regime gone .I’m fed up with you not letting me to determine my future, be aware that I’m not going to wait any one with flowers, I feel that I should not allow this continue for ever the next generation should not live under similar circumstances. Who ever thinks that they know what is good for me I say your wrong

I was watching a documentary in the greek television ERT about the destroyed churches, the assasinations of serbs,the fleeing of them with the fear of the Albanians. Then I hear that Albanians are under threat from the Serbs and the only solution is independence. I am confused, i do not understand the logic, is it live and let die philospophy. Europe is too proud to protect the minorities, why not in Kossovo. I believe that if the control of Kossovo is given to the Albanians soon we will have a new war. The solution is partition so as to protect the serb minority.

Mike, was that comment of yours - "Both sides are again missing the point."(Mike, Friday, 30 March, 2007, 16:10) - original and, if so, may I please re-publish it?
Mark.

Solution for Kosovo is very easy.Have self-determination referendum! Every citizen who been citizen of Republic of Serbia with residence in Kosovo until 1999 will have vote. If you choose independence,Serbia must grant it in Parlament and congratulate it. If not, peaceful reintegration of Kosovo in Serbian legal system is 2nd options. Everybody who is find without official documents should be removed as illegal immigrant/alien.Third option is WAR and long time stand off as we having it now!End of story.

Mister MMD,

Everything your wrote in your mail is just plane wrong.

You claim that to own a land in today's world is somehow old fashioned and unimportant - how did you come to this conclusion? Can you name an example of any state, world wide, which voluntarily shrunk in size? If territory is not important, why NATO tries so hard to expend as far as possible then? Why are US military basis all over the world? Why they invaded Iraq? And more to the point, why Albanians who are living in the Kosovo wants independence?

"…ethnic cleansings is not possible now…"

Tell that to one million Serb refuges.

"…"colonial wars" against croatia, bosnia …"

??? What's your definition of the colony and colonial war?

"…twisted justifications for take nominal assurance of lands that is not serbians…"

What lands are you talking about? This should be about Kosovo and that case is very clear, it's part of Serbia. All kinds of twisted justifications are used by Serb enimies, who want to take our territory away, not by the Serbs.

"…The time is now not hipotetical medieval tales, …"

Tell that to Albanaians, (Ilirs, Dardania, Albanian medival Catholic churches in Kosovo), Croats (thousand years old Croatian state), Slovenians, (also thousand years something …), Bosnian Muslims, (medival Bogumil Bosnia state).

"…serbia and their people needs future not arrogance and suicidal behavior of their leaders…"

To have a future, Serbs need to take care and protect their teritory and give highest priority to own national interests first, as all countries do. Just say no to Washington and Brusel when they want's us to do anything what doesn't benefit us. Trade with others, world is a big place.