Government teetering on brink of collapse

I am really sick and tired of the same rhetoric coming from DS. Their rhetoric is nothing else but intimidation, their policy and campaign turned into very dirty game. Well, it would be really fair to have elections and truly hope that after the elections the DS will go in opposition. I choose that bloody isolation.

Tadic's Democratic Party believes that the people of Serbia are just as corruptible as the DS is and will now also collaborate with the same invaders who have seized Kosovo and earlier bombed the entire country. Tadic and his U.S. advisors have completely misread the Serbian character.

Serbs are a nation of brave citizens who know that the power comes from the people and not from the paid-off agents of the Euro-Atlantic empire.

It is now unavoidable that the Serbian people must first rid themselves of foreign-backed leaders like Tadic before the nation can defend itself from the threat to its very existence posed by the illegal land-grab by NATO in Kosovo.

Tadic, you have no shame! But the Serbian people, acting in exactly the same way as any free people on this earth, will stand up to resist.

John Bosnitch

"Europe or isolation"? Looks like someone is scaremongering. I suspect that will be the DS election plan.

This is more about Serbia being free or sucumbing to EU control. The EU cannot risk isolating Serbia anymore.

With investment coming not only from the West but also from Russia, China and India, Serbia can still prosper out of the EU. It is doing it now.

“as long as it leads Serbia towards Europe.”
- Djilas

But the question remains if the DS are sincere when they say Serbia since it is becomiing evident that they accept the loss of Kosovo as the price for EU membership. For those who still accept the DS position ask yourself what other condition will be added next? Is Serbia's freedom, independece and sovereignity something you no longer treasure?

The crisis is within the DS ranks - as they are being decieved by the EU but fail to see the trap they are blindly walking into! One would have thought the lesson was learnt when the EU in secrecy the Friday before Presidential elections deceided to set up their illegal INLEX (Lawless) kosovo mission.

The article doen't mention the fact that Kostunica can form a coalition with the Radicals and the Socialists. I think their views mach his more that the DS's do.

P.S. What isolation, they are not going to isolate us because the Radicals are going to take power, because they have a lot of profit in Serbia. As for the EU, an American analyst said that Serbia can progress without EU membership (maybe slower, but then we don't have to depend on anyone). Besides, do you think Russia is going to let us get isolated, they might not do it because they like us, but they will do it because they have economic interests in Serbia (gas pipeline-for anyone who doesn't know), and we all know that economic interests stand above all others.

Kostunica is right. First Serbia must save its territory and only after that considering joining EU or any other organisation. If EU considers Albanians can steal territory from Serbia then Serbia cannot join that organisation.

DS, G17+ and LDP are wrong because first you must define which part of your country is supposed to join EU. They are ready to join EU even if it can damage Serbia's territorial integrity. No country in the world would join EU if it had to give up a part of the territory first but it seems DS and G17+ are ready to do just that.

The only logical thing is for DSS is to form an alliance with SRS and SPS beause only those parties together with NS are interested in really fighting for Serbias territorial integrity.

As a foreigner, I am utterly amazed at how history keeps repeating itself in Serbia. When its leaders need to be united in a time of crisis, they chose to fight each other and make private deals with outsiders. I can't believe how blind ordinary Serbs are to the failures of their elected leaders...

The DS has chosen to follow two separate foreign policy initiatives which are NOT mutually compatible. You cannot fight to keep Kosovo part of Serbia and join the EU at the same time. You can only have one or the other, not both. The DS is riding two horses that are galloping in opposite directions. It should be of utmost concern to Serbs that it is a DS President and a DS Foreign Minister that is negotiating with the international community on these issues. I have the feeling that they are acting a bit like all the Knez of 15th Century Serbia who 'sold' their lands and their people to the Ottomans. Remember, Serbia was not lost in 1389, it was lost when greedy, selfish Knez made private deals with the Turks over the next 100 years.

And please don't think SRS are any better. They will sell anything and everything to the Russians - who, if you study their motives carefully, are also planning to partition Serbia for their own good!

And then we have the DSS. A party fast disappearing into oblivion.

It's about time Serbia found a few politicians who were interested in representing the people and the country, rather than the rogues you have now who are only interested in fighting amongst themselves for their own good.

All the people here being critical of Kostunica really have no clue about the man.
He is the epitome of a patriot, and he will not sell out to anyone or anything. You can not buy him, like you can so many others in the DS and other parties. Kostunica does not care about polls or getting re-elected, he only cares about Serbia and her interests. He will do what is right, whether it is popular or not, which is what makes him a great leader.
The very fact that the albanians hate him with such venom should tell you that he is doing a fantastic job. Keep up the good work Vojo, Serbia is fully behind you!!
Cheers!

Mr. Kostunica is right: the government of Serbia is in a deep crises. And he should add clearly, why THIS government (headed by himself!) is in deep crises: it is, because Kostunica is not working for Serbia anymore - he already started new elections! HIS final act as PRIME MINISTER is to give himself the right "national profile" for to fight other parties. great show - but who wants to be "primeministered" by the "head of crisis" for longer?

A MESSAGE FOR THE PEOPLE OF SERBIA: If Serbia keeps wasting time the country will never sign the SAA. Moreover, the SAA will not be signed until mladic and karadzic will be sent to the Hague.

bmruslia I'm also sick and tired of being governed by a party that has less than 10 percent support. Kostunica must go as he is incapable of making decisions for the good of Serbia, he is a slave to populism and his svengali Nikitovic. Every decision made by DSS is blatant politicking and calculation with no principle or solutions offered.

Quite honestly I would prefer a radical party government. I would warn the radicals though not to get in bed with Kostunica as he will demand to be PM and stab them in the back at the first opportunity.

Do you remember that interview with RTS after the October revolution? Kostunica said he would lead for a year or two. Looks like his taste for power has grown beyond all reasonable measure.

Willie Garvin,
Seriously, please tell me what Serbia's chances are at reclaiming Kosovo vs EU integration. I personally believe that the Kosovo issue is much more of a reality. The EU Club Membership is just a Pipe Dream, where as Kosovo already belongs to Serbia. Your post makes absolutely no sense.

there is no way to spin this in favor of ds and g17 plus. its despicable to say, dss abandoned principle of some vague eu integration, to try and hide the fact that ds abandoned the number one principle, the country's survival. elections, referendum, whatever you want, bring it on, lets have it. and, those who want radicals will have them. or they'll have to vote for dss to try and stem that tide. g17 wont cross threshold. ds will be back where djindjic left it. it was not a good place, though not a lot of people seem to remember it nowadays. i do.

rolerkoster,
What i find interesting about every Albanian post is that every statement made to the Serbian People is one that will only benefit the Albanian People. Would one of our kind Albanian posters please advise as to what new progessive developments have occured for Kosovo since inception of UDI. I have yet to read any protocol spelled out by any USA or EU media. Are Albanians going to school, generating income and starting families to achieve the Amercian Dream. I guess all must be quiet because there are no Serbs left in Kosovo.
I would genuinely like to know what is developing in this NEW Country of Kosovo because the North American Media has been neglecting us Westerners. Finally, the reason us POST SERBS post at B92 is that we are unable to read any factual information coming from Western and Albanian media.

Smile,

I have sensed a different perspective in your comments of late in comparison to before the Presidential elections - I too wished that Tadic would hold strong but he is dithering and that was clear since December. Your right elections might actualy clear the air and frankly Nikolic will only gain as all along he has been predicting this very scenario!

Personally I would prefer other ways forward but I am certain that the 'isolation' scaremongering is precisely that and the Serbian electorate have seen through such bluffs and will punish those who continue with such negative suggestions! Serbia needs to stand up and be proud of itself and such scaremongering reflects the fear from the deceptive 'west' who would rather keep Serbia submisive whle it gets on with its illegality!

Bganon,
intersting that you suggest Kostunica "is a slave to populism " - in which case he clearly is more in touch with the popular vote then you give him credit! Clearly most of the electorate would have that then examples offered in the EU such as the UK where the Prime Minister current and previous could not give a toss about what the populace wanted and needed!

Thanks God Kosova is out of this political Serbian mess.

zet,

I hope you are holding your thumbs very tightly.

The EU cannot recognise Kosovo as a true sovereign entity but it can, and has already agreed, to treat it as one. Very soon, Kosovo will be acting completely as an independent state with the EU with equal status to Serbia and will start negotiating with Pristina for their entry into the EU.

It is impossible for Serbia to be accepted into the EU all the time that it is disputing its territory with another applicant. If you don't understand this makes the DS policies on Kosovo and EU mutually incompatible, then there is no hope...

There should not be a vote at all about whether Serbia wants Kosovo or EU. Why are you and all the politicians getting so worked up about this. The EU has NOT offered Serbia membership or even a full SAA to sign. So you don't have to make a decision now. Unless the Dutch and the Belgians change their mind, Serbia will not be offered a full SAA - and thus will not get any closer to EU membership - until Mladic is in the Hague. So why fret about it now?

This is all a big fight between the different political leaders in Belgrade. They are fighting themselves instead of uniting and defending Serbia.

Since DS cannot deliver Mladic to the Hague, their arguments about progression towards the EU are meaningless.

And finally, you clearly do not understand my position on Kosovo at all. Where have I said Serbia should give up Kosovo?

The DS is in the process of giving up Kosovo in return for entry into the EU. They've already sold it, in private, but they don't have the moral courage to tell you because it will be political suicide.

And beware too the Russians. They are not working for Serbia, they are working for themselves. They want Serbia partitionned and Kosovo to be a para-state that does not have full international recognition but is supported by outside states. The SRS are not the answer either.


Another Canadian Serb,

Kosovo was taken in 1999 - partly by your country. That cannot be reversed. There is still one opportunity for Serbia to reclaim its dignity (and future sovereignty) in all this, but I believe the DS is deliberately not persuing that track because they are unwittingly working for Brussels not the Serbian people.

“If the DSS won’t sign the SAA, then we will have to have elections, which will be a referendum at the same time between Europe and isolation,” minister Djilas explained.
**
Lets see what will Serbia select... Isolation or loosing Kosova while accepting EU

Serbia must be defined before it can join the EU. Does the EU even know what Serbia is? Does it decide members geography or does the country decide its own geography. What are the borders of Serbia. Does Serbia have borders? Is it a real country? Is it just a name or is it an actual entity?

Maybe once the government collapses and Russia has secured all the resources it needs from Serbia, it will suggest a UN mission to rebuild the country and the Serbian people will have a chance of life. Of course without prosperity since anything of value will be owned by Russia.
Time to stop worrying about Kosovo and look for an exit out of big hole the Serbian leaders have dug for you. There is your real "tangled web" Princip

Willie Garvin says: "The DS has chosen to follow two separate foreign policy initiatives which are NOT mutually compatible. You cannot fight to keep Kosovo part of Serbia and join the EU at the same time." Beware of foreigners bearing you false choices. His is the mirror image of cynical European politicians who told Serbs to accept the loss of Kosovo in order to join Europe. Many EU countries have not and will not recognize Kosovo, including countries participating in the new EU mission there. The EU as an institution has not and will not recognize Kosovo. So Serbia does not have to repudiate the EU to fight for Kosovo. Also, Serbia is still a long way from EU membership so its not a choice that needs to be made now. A choice that we do have to make soon is to vote for parties who are asking Serbs to make this false choice, and those who are not. Between those parties who want Serbia to commit an auto-goal (by repudiating the EU) and those who want to maximize Serbia's national interests (by fighting to preserve our sovereignty -- Kosovo -- and our destiny -- Europe). Those who vote for DSS are the same people who'd rather we cut off our nose to spite our face. Sorry, but inat as a national policy is for losers and masochists. The millions of us who want Kosovo and a better life won't let you do that.

Well said bgannon. Kostunica has no electoral mandate or legitimacy. He should be a minor player in any government whether that be with DS or SRS, as he is far less popular than either of those two. That is the way coallition works - the main party should call more of the shots and the minor parties should be able to introduce some smaller measures and tweak things. This is however a bit of Tadic's fault as he should have stood up to Kostunica long ago. SRS wouldn't give DSS the PM job, and DS should not accept power at any price with regards to kostunica's demands.

With regards to all this talk of investment from india, China, Russia etc, I have a question. Why would they invest in Serbia over a similar neighbour which is an EU member 9and has access to the common market). These countries (minus to an extent Russia - although it will still demand a big discount a la NIS) will invest on cold hard economic facts, not on political whim. Some investment will still come, but it will seriously limit growth. That is a decision for Serbia to make, but the consequences should not be disregarded as fantasy. If Serbia rejects the EU their economy will start to head more in a Belarus direction (which has onlly managed growth due to re-exporting the discounted oil/gas it gets from Russia - basically a welfare cheque rather than tangible long term investment)

There is a part (heart) in the body when that part is in crisis entire body is in crisis. Mr. Kostuunica has problems with himself and that reflect in entire gonverment

MR.Kostunica, why Government is in deep crisis?
What have you done to avoid it?

(Zet, 7 March 2008 18:13)
“Serbia does not have to repudiate the EU to fight for Kosovo.”

This statement may be not so far off the mark as it might first appear, at least if the word ‘fight’ was intended in the sense of argue, debate and convince
When Ireland joined the EEC in 1973, in still maintained a constitutional territorial claim over the six counties of Northern Ireland. The UK did not attempt to prevent Ireland’s membership despite this fact, (nor, it could be argued, did Ireland attempt to thwart the UK joining despite its claim to NI as an integral part of the UK).
Northern Ireland’s ‘Final Status’ will continue to be disputed, but there is now a general understanding that this will change only by mutual agreement and following democratic principles.
History may not contain ‘political blueprints’ for the future, but there’s no reason not to learn from the experiences of others.

Willie Garvin,
It is not, as you say, "impossible" for a country "to be accepted into the EU all the time that it is disputing its territory with another applicant." In fact, its already happened when Cyprus became a member of the EU four years ago.

I am glad we agree that, as you say, "there should not be a vote at all about whether Serbia wants Kosovo or EU. The EU has NOT offered Serbia membership or even a full SAA to sign. So you don't have to make a decision now." That was the whole point of my posting. Please reread it. It was you in your first posting who argued that the DS must now give up on EU integration because of Kosovo. If we don't have to make that decision now, then why should we give up on it. You then make no sense by saying that "the DS is in the process of giving up Kosovo in return for entry into the EU." You just said that Serbia is not even close to EU entry, something that the DS knows better than you, so it is ridiculous to suggest it is giving up Kosovo for something it knows it cannot have right now.

Serbian leaders are not an impressive lot across the board, you're absolutely right. But we don't have the luxury of standing above it all and rejecting them all as you do. Some are committed to both of Serbia's vital interests -- Kosovo and European integration -- and some of them with their false patriotism prove that they learned nothing from the 1990s. If we pick the false patriots in the next election (and you can be sure those are coming soon), we'll end up having lost both Kosovo and Europe. This would be the ultimate result of your false choice.

A way out for the time being would be not to talk about the E.U. and not to sing anything for at least 6 months.In the meanwhile continue with the needed reforms, and obligations to the Hague tribunal. Not that outside presure on that matter would help to improve relationships, but it's just something we need to do.

I have little hope that things will be better after 6 months, and act like taking away 15% of your terority can't be forgotten, and I can't see trust in the E.U. being restored anytime soon. But we need some calm and move on with other things that are also on important. The goverment still needs to run the country.

It is very funny to read the comments of nationalistic Post-Serbs - who had made their bed and future outside of their country - defending Kosovo in Australia, Canada, UK ... jeopardizing the future of those people they have left with nationalistic paroles.

Princip its pretty obvious that Kostunica and his party dont have the necessary support - he couldn't even field his own presidential candidate remember.
Remember how much Ilic got in that election? But fine, lets test the theory and have another election. Perhaps that will force Kostunica to come to his senses and stop blackmailing his own government to follow whatever policy he chooses.

“If the DSS won’t sign the SAA, then we will have to have elections, which will be a referendum at the same time between Europe and isolation,” minister Djilas explained.
**
Lets see what will Serbia select... Isolation or loosing Kosova while accepting EU

Mr. Kostunica is right: the government of Serbia is in a deep crises. And he should add clearly, why THIS government (headed by himself!) is in deep crises: it is, because Kostunica is not working for Serbia anymore - he already started new elections! HIS final act as PRIME MINISTER is to give himself the right "national profile" for to fight other parties. great show - but who wants to be "primeministered" by the "head of crisis" for longer?

A MESSAGE FOR THE PEOPLE OF SERBIA: If Serbia keeps wasting time the country will never sign the SAA. Moreover, the SAA will not be signed until mladic and karadzic will be sent to the Hague.

MR.Kostunica, why Government is in deep crisis?
What have you done to avoid it?

There is a part (heart) in the body when that part is in crisis entire body is in crisis. Mr. Kostuunica has problems with himself and that reflect in entire gonverment

Maybe once the government collapses and Russia has secured all the resources it needs from Serbia, it will suggest a UN mission to rebuild the country and the Serbian people will have a chance of life. Of course without prosperity since anything of value will be owned by Russia.
Time to stop worrying about Kosovo and look for an exit out of big hole the Serbian leaders have dug for you. There is your real "tangled web" Princip

Thanks God Kosova is out of this political Serbian mess.

It is very funny to read the comments of nationalistic Post-Serbs - who had made their bed and future outside of their country - defending Kosovo in Australia, Canada, UK ... jeopardizing the future of those people they have left with nationalistic paroles.

Willie Garvin says: "The DS has chosen to follow two separate foreign policy initiatives which are NOT mutually compatible. You cannot fight to keep Kosovo part of Serbia and join the EU at the same time." Beware of foreigners bearing you false choices. His is the mirror image of cynical European politicians who told Serbs to accept the loss of Kosovo in order to join Europe. Many EU countries have not and will not recognize Kosovo, including countries participating in the new EU mission there. The EU as an institution has not and will not recognize Kosovo. So Serbia does not have to repudiate the EU to fight for Kosovo. Also, Serbia is still a long way from EU membership so its not a choice that needs to be made now. A choice that we do have to make soon is to vote for parties who are asking Serbs to make this false choice, and those who are not. Between those parties who want Serbia to commit an auto-goal (by repudiating the EU) and those who want to maximize Serbia's national interests (by fighting to preserve our sovereignty -- Kosovo -- and our destiny -- Europe). Those who vote for DSS are the same people who'd rather we cut off our nose to spite our face. Sorry, but inat as a national policy is for losers and masochists. The millions of us who want Kosovo and a better life won't let you do that.

bmruslia I'm also sick and tired of being governed by a party that has less than 10 percent support. Kostunica must go as he is incapable of making decisions for the good of Serbia, he is a slave to populism and his svengali Nikitovic. Every decision made by DSS is blatant politicking and calculation with no principle or solutions offered.

Quite honestly I would prefer a radical party government. I would warn the radicals though not to get in bed with Kostunica as he will demand to be PM and stab them in the back at the first opportunity.

Do you remember that interview with RTS after the October revolution? Kostunica said he would lead for a year or two. Looks like his taste for power has grown beyond all reasonable measure.

Well said bgannon. Kostunica has no electoral mandate or legitimacy. He should be a minor player in any government whether that be with DS or SRS, as he is far less popular than either of those two. That is the way coallition works - the main party should call more of the shots and the minor parties should be able to introduce some smaller measures and tweak things. This is however a bit of Tadic's fault as he should have stood up to Kostunica long ago. SRS wouldn't give DSS the PM job, and DS should not accept power at any price with regards to kostunica's demands.

With regards to all this talk of investment from india, China, Russia etc, I have a question. Why would they invest in Serbia over a similar neighbour which is an EU member 9and has access to the common market). These countries (minus to an extent Russia - although it will still demand a big discount a la NIS) will invest on cold hard economic facts, not on political whim. Some investment will still come, but it will seriously limit growth. That is a decision for Serbia to make, but the consequences should not be disregarded as fantasy. If Serbia rejects the EU their economy will start to head more in a Belarus direction (which has onlly managed growth due to re-exporting the discounted oil/gas it gets from Russia - basically a welfare cheque rather than tangible long term investment)

A way out for the time being would be not to talk about the E.U. and not to sing anything for at least 6 months.In the meanwhile continue with the needed reforms, and obligations to the Hague tribunal. Not that outside presure on that matter would help to improve relationships, but it's just something we need to do.

I have little hope that things will be better after 6 months, and act like taking away 15% of your terority can't be forgotten, and I can't see trust in the E.U. being restored anytime soon. But we need some calm and move on with other things that are also on important. The goverment still needs to run the country.

“as long as it leads Serbia towards Europe.”
- Djilas

But the question remains if the DS are sincere when they say Serbia since it is becomiing evident that they accept the loss of Kosovo as the price for EU membership. For those who still accept the DS position ask yourself what other condition will be added next? Is Serbia's freedom, independece and sovereignity something you no longer treasure?

The crisis is within the DS ranks - as they are being decieved by the EU but fail to see the trap they are blindly walking into! One would have thought the lesson was learnt when the EU in secrecy the Friday before Presidential elections deceided to set up their illegal INLEX (Lawless) kosovo mission.

Willie Garvin,
Seriously, please tell me what Serbia's chances are at reclaiming Kosovo vs EU integration. I personally believe that the Kosovo issue is much more of a reality. The EU Club Membership is just a Pipe Dream, where as Kosovo already belongs to Serbia. Your post makes absolutely no sense.

All the people here being critical of Kostunica really have no clue about the man.
He is the epitome of a patriot, and he will not sell out to anyone or anything. You can not buy him, like you can so many others in the DS and other parties. Kostunica does not care about polls or getting re-elected, he only cares about Serbia and her interests. He will do what is right, whether it is popular or not, which is what makes him a great leader.
The very fact that the albanians hate him with such venom should tell you that he is doing a fantastic job. Keep up the good work Vojo, Serbia is fully behind you!!
Cheers!

"Europe or isolation"? Looks like someone is scaremongering. I suspect that will be the DS election plan.

This is more about Serbia being free or sucumbing to EU control. The EU cannot risk isolating Serbia anymore.

With investment coming not only from the West but also from Russia, China and India, Serbia can still prosper out of the EU. It is doing it now.

I am really sick and tired of the same rhetoric coming from DS. Their rhetoric is nothing else but intimidation, their policy and campaign turned into very dirty game. Well, it would be really fair to have elections and truly hope that after the elections the DS will go in opposition. I choose that bloody isolation.

The article doen't mention the fact that Kostunica can form a coalition with the Radicals and the Socialists. I think their views mach his more that the DS's do.

P.S. What isolation, they are not going to isolate us because the Radicals are going to take power, because they have a lot of profit in Serbia. As for the EU, an American analyst said that Serbia can progress without EU membership (maybe slower, but then we don't have to depend on anyone). Besides, do you think Russia is going to let us get isolated, they might not do it because they like us, but they will do it because they have economic interests in Serbia (gas pipeline-for anyone who doesn't know), and we all know that economic interests stand above all others.

As a foreigner, I am utterly amazed at how history keeps repeating itself in Serbia. When its leaders need to be united in a time of crisis, they chose to fight each other and make private deals with outsiders. I can't believe how blind ordinary Serbs are to the failures of their elected leaders...

The DS has chosen to follow two separate foreign policy initiatives which are NOT mutually compatible. You cannot fight to keep Kosovo part of Serbia and join the EU at the same time. You can only have one or the other, not both. The DS is riding two horses that are galloping in opposite directions. It should be of utmost concern to Serbs that it is a DS President and a DS Foreign Minister that is negotiating with the international community on these issues. I have the feeling that they are acting a bit like all the Knez of 15th Century Serbia who 'sold' their lands and their people to the Ottomans. Remember, Serbia was not lost in 1389, it was lost when greedy, selfish Knez made private deals with the Turks over the next 100 years.

And please don't think SRS are any better. They will sell anything and everything to the Russians - who, if you study their motives carefully, are also planning to partition Serbia for their own good!

And then we have the DSS. A party fast disappearing into oblivion.

It's about time Serbia found a few politicians who were interested in representing the people and the country, rather than the rogues you have now who are only interested in fighting amongst themselves for their own good.

Tadic's Democratic Party believes that the people of Serbia are just as corruptible as the DS is and will now also collaborate with the same invaders who have seized Kosovo and earlier bombed the entire country. Tadic and his U.S. advisors have completely misread the Serbian character.

Serbs are a nation of brave citizens who know that the power comes from the people and not from the paid-off agents of the Euro-Atlantic empire.

It is now unavoidable that the Serbian people must first rid themselves of foreign-backed leaders like Tadic before the nation can defend itself from the threat to its very existence posed by the illegal land-grab by NATO in Kosovo.

Tadic, you have no shame! But the Serbian people, acting in exactly the same way as any free people on this earth, will stand up to resist.

John Bosnitch

Kostunica is right. First Serbia must save its territory and only after that considering joining EU or any other organisation. If EU considers Albanians can steal territory from Serbia then Serbia cannot join that organisation.

DS, G17+ and LDP are wrong because first you must define which part of your country is supposed to join EU. They are ready to join EU even if it can damage Serbia's territorial integrity. No country in the world would join EU if it had to give up a part of the territory first but it seems DS and G17+ are ready to do just that.

The only logical thing is for DSS is to form an alliance with SRS and SPS beause only those parties together with NS are interested in really fighting for Serbias territorial integrity.

Serbia must be defined before it can join the EU. Does the EU even know what Serbia is? Does it decide members geography or does the country decide its own geography. What are the borders of Serbia. Does Serbia have borders? Is it a real country? Is it just a name or is it an actual entity?

there is no way to spin this in favor of ds and g17 plus. its despicable to say, dss abandoned principle of some vague eu integration, to try and hide the fact that ds abandoned the number one principle, the country's survival. elections, referendum, whatever you want, bring it on, lets have it. and, those who want radicals will have them. or they'll have to vote for dss to try and stem that tide. g17 wont cross threshold. ds will be back where djindjic left it. it was not a good place, though not a lot of people seem to remember it nowadays. i do.

zet,

I hope you are holding your thumbs very tightly.

The EU cannot recognise Kosovo as a true sovereign entity but it can, and has already agreed, to treat it as one. Very soon, Kosovo will be acting completely as an independent state with the EU with equal status to Serbia and will start negotiating with Pristina for their entry into the EU.

It is impossible for Serbia to be accepted into the EU all the time that it is disputing its territory with another applicant. If you don't understand this makes the DS policies on Kosovo and EU mutually incompatible, then there is no hope...

There should not be a vote at all about whether Serbia wants Kosovo or EU. Why are you and all the politicians getting so worked up about this. The EU has NOT offered Serbia membership or even a full SAA to sign. So you don't have to make a decision now. Unless the Dutch and the Belgians change their mind, Serbia will not be offered a full SAA - and thus will not get any closer to EU membership - until Mladic is in the Hague. So why fret about it now?

This is all a big fight between the different political leaders in Belgrade. They are fighting themselves instead of uniting and defending Serbia.

Since DS cannot deliver Mladic to the Hague, their arguments about progression towards the EU are meaningless.

And finally, you clearly do not understand my position on Kosovo at all. Where have I said Serbia should give up Kosovo?

The DS is in the process of giving up Kosovo in return for entry into the EU. They've already sold it, in private, but they don't have the moral courage to tell you because it will be political suicide.

And beware too the Russians. They are not working for Serbia, they are working for themselves. They want Serbia partitionned and Kosovo to be a para-state that does not have full international recognition but is supported by outside states. The SRS are not the answer either.


Another Canadian Serb,

Kosovo was taken in 1999 - partly by your country. That cannot be reversed. There is still one opportunity for Serbia to reclaim its dignity (and future sovereignty) in all this, but I believe the DS is deliberately not persuing that track because they are unwittingly working for Brussels not the Serbian people.

rolerkoster,
What i find interesting about every Albanian post is that every statement made to the Serbian People is one that will only benefit the Albanian People. Would one of our kind Albanian posters please advise as to what new progessive developments have occured for Kosovo since inception of UDI. I have yet to read any protocol spelled out by any USA or EU media. Are Albanians going to school, generating income and starting families to achieve the Amercian Dream. I guess all must be quiet because there are no Serbs left in Kosovo.
I would genuinely like to know what is developing in this NEW Country of Kosovo because the North American Media has been neglecting us Westerners. Finally, the reason us POST SERBS post at B92 is that we are unable to read any factual information coming from Western and Albanian media.

Smile,

I have sensed a different perspective in your comments of late in comparison to before the Presidential elections - I too wished that Tadic would hold strong but he is dithering and that was clear since December. Your right elections might actualy clear the air and frankly Nikolic will only gain as all along he has been predicting this very scenario!

Personally I would prefer other ways forward but I am certain that the 'isolation' scaremongering is precisely that and the Serbian electorate have seen through such bluffs and will punish those who continue with such negative suggestions! Serbia needs to stand up and be proud of itself and such scaremongering reflects the fear from the deceptive 'west' who would rather keep Serbia submisive whle it gets on with its illegality!

Bganon,
intersting that you suggest Kostunica "is a slave to populism " - in which case he clearly is more in touch with the popular vote then you give him credit! Clearly most of the electorate would have that then examples offered in the EU such as the UK where the Prime Minister current and previous could not give a toss about what the populace wanted and needed!

(Zet, 7 March 2008 18:13)
“Serbia does not have to repudiate the EU to fight for Kosovo.”

This statement may be not so far off the mark as it might first appear, at least if the word ‘fight’ was intended in the sense of argue, debate and convince
When Ireland joined the EEC in 1973, in still maintained a constitutional territorial claim over the six counties of Northern Ireland. The UK did not attempt to prevent Ireland’s membership despite this fact, (nor, it could be argued, did Ireland attempt to thwart the UK joining despite its claim to NI as an integral part of the UK).
Northern Ireland’s ‘Final Status’ will continue to be disputed, but there is now a general understanding that this will change only by mutual agreement and following democratic principles.
History may not contain ‘political blueprints’ for the future, but there’s no reason not to learn from the experiences of others.

Willie Garvin,
It is not, as you say, "impossible" for a country "to be accepted into the EU all the time that it is disputing its territory with another applicant." In fact, its already happened when Cyprus became a member of the EU four years ago.

I am glad we agree that, as you say, "there should not be a vote at all about whether Serbia wants Kosovo or EU. The EU has NOT offered Serbia membership or even a full SAA to sign. So you don't have to make a decision now." That was the whole point of my posting. Please reread it. It was you in your first posting who argued that the DS must now give up on EU integration because of Kosovo. If we don't have to make that decision now, then why should we give up on it. You then make no sense by saying that "the DS is in the process of giving up Kosovo in return for entry into the EU." You just said that Serbia is not even close to EU entry, something that the DS knows better than you, so it is ridiculous to suggest it is giving up Kosovo for something it knows it cannot have right now.

Serbian leaders are not an impressive lot across the board, you're absolutely right. But we don't have the luxury of standing above it all and rejecting them all as you do. Some are committed to both of Serbia's vital interests -- Kosovo and European integration -- and some of them with their false patriotism prove that they learned nothing from the 1990s. If we pick the false patriots in the next election (and you can be sure those are coming soon), we'll end up having lost both Kosovo and Europe. This would be the ultimate result of your false choice.

Princip its pretty obvious that Kostunica and his party dont have the necessary support - he couldn't even field his own presidential candidate remember.
Remember how much Ilic got in that election? But fine, lets test the theory and have another election. Perhaps that will force Kostunica to come to his senses and stop blackmailing his own government to follow whatever policy he chooses.