Serbia decides… or divides?

Its very funny to see old Monty preaching to the Serbs about thier image and how to improve it.

500,000 dead iraqis mostly civilians-guess who needs to improve thier image.

Dear mr. Montgomery, I think you are wrong to blame Kostunica for the breakup of the coalition. It was Tadic and the DS who took an increasingly extreme position after Tadic had won the presidential elections. It is a classical trick in coalition politics that the DS has done: squeezing the smaller partner. I guess that will weigh heavily on the mind of the SPS when they have to decide with whom to form a coalition. The signing of the SAA against the will of the majority of the parliament will also work against Tadic. Even many people in favor of the SAA (like me) found that disgustingly undemocratic.

As for Europe, many politicians from "the other side" know very well the value of Europe. And most that don't will soon understand it once they are in power. I see the motion of the Radicals mostly as a symptom of the deep suspicion that Tadic's behaviour evoked - not as a fundamental objection against Europe. Tadic made the impression that he had given up on Kosovo and that he only intended to provide token resistance to appease the voters. Both Kostunica and the Radicals believe that - with the majority of the world behind them - they have a good chance to win in the end. That may take a few years: the fact that many countries never recognized the annexation of the Baltics by Russia in 1939 played an important role in their final independence in 1991. But very probably it will urge Kosovo to the negotiations table much sooner.

You may hope that a Tadic government would solve the Kosovo problem for you. You may be wrong. Given the situation in Kosovo that would most probably lead to the departure of the remaining Serbs. And that would convince even the most indifferent Serb that injustice had been done that some day needs to be corrected.

The more the hypocrites in the so called democratic west get involved in manipulation of Serbs. All the more it will hit the wall of resistance. You play the people of a independent countries as immature children if they don't buy in to the wests self serving greed driven programs. Getting rich off some ones else's hard work and resources. The delusiones of them selves is unbelievable and the arrogance of the self serving wests multinationals is only to help to get the last resource and blood out of the country. If they still don't get it or are not willing to play the wests hypocritical self serving greedy games you will give them shock and aw. Give the Serbs a break let them decide in peace what is good for them selfs. Not the unrelenting day after day warnings of disaster propaganda playing the manipulation head games if the citizens don't buy in to the wests self serving greed profit driven agendas. For a few more profits off some country that is to be in the EU integration to be milked to the last drop of everything it has.

albi,

Sorry, you are wrong, it is absolutely appropriate to describe ethnic Albanians living in Serbia as Serbian Albanians.

First part refers to the state you are a citizen of, the second your ethnicity.

Serbs living in Bosnia are refered to as Bosnian Serbs for the same reason. I myself am a Krajinian and am typically referred to as a Croatian Serb (I might not like it, but it is the reality for now). My great grandfather might have been refered to as an Austrian Serb... fair enough... are you starting to get the picture?

You are citizens of Serbia unless Serbia (as a whole) decides otherwise (and it hasn't).

Just proves my point about Albanians thinking they are "special" and exempt from normal things in life.

Nik,

The answer to your question is absolutely, if Serbian Albanians want to vote in Serbian elections, they should and have the right to do so. I don't have a problem with that. You are all citizens of Serbia until Serbia (as a whole) decides otherwise.

However, as citizens of Serbia, Serbia also expects you to:-
1. Pay taxes
2. Pay utility bills
3. Respect the law (ie no terrorism)
4. Understand at least some Serbian
5. Make an effort to stop living off welfare handouts.

as all other Serbian citizens are also expected to do.

Ethnic Albanians seem to think they are above such mundane things.

If you emmigrated to your beloved USA, you would be expected to do all of the above (except speak English not Serbian).

The world expects this of Serbs in Bosnia and Croatia - we expect it of Albanians in Serbia.

Why is this so hard to understand??

I'ts very funny to see these comments. When I read this article I thought Mr. Monty was spot on with his analyse and I fully agreed. Nowewhere did he preach to the Serbs about thier image and how to improve it. It's just an unfortunate fact that the E.U. only cares about democracy when parties they like gets to form an goverment, not a party like the Radicals.

But yes I think the U.S. has their own image to worry about right now.

Commentator, you keep suggesting the Kosovo Albanians to participate in the Serbian ellections? If they did, they would have had s significant number of MRs may be over 60! How do you imagime Sebia could be governed. It is difficulte enough when they are not represented. Could you foresee what their demand would have been? Don't guess, look South to Macedonia. Is that what you want for Serbia, just for the sake of "kkeping" Kosovo in within its borders?

A few quotes from your article and my comments/questions..

"At this point it is impossible to say whether the DS/G17 Plus or the Radical Party will lead the negotiated coalition, which forms the new Government. "

Thankyou Mr Montgomery, looks like even you are more rational than our president Mr Tadic, who has proclaimed victory and even knows who the prime minister will be!! Please pass the message on, next time Tadic is looking for orders from Washington.

"If turnout would have been at the levels of the recent second round of presidential elections, it is very possible that this razor thin margin would have been in favor of DS/G17 Plus with very different implications for Serbia's future."

How can you draw this conclusion? You mentioned that pre-election opinion polls showed the Radicals had the lead, so, I would say that many Radical voters didn't vote because they might have complacently thought this election was "in the bag" for the patriotic block.

"(of a Radical government...) At the same time, it would have a profoundly negative impact on Serbia's image in the world and its relations with most Western countries, the EU, and the OSCE."

Can you explain why the OSCE would have a negative view of a (by all accounts) democratically elected government that defends the Helsinki accords? That is nonsense.

Overall, I say your article is reasonable enough, the anti-Serb bias is a little less obvious in this one... are the commentators here finally making an impression :)?

PS, On a side note, it occurred to me that if the USA had insisted Kosovo remain a part of Serbia, and compelled the Albanians to participate in these sorts of elections, there is no doubt, with their votes, that Serbia would today have a very compliant US/EU puppet government..... you guys really haven't thought this thru, have you :) What a mess....

It's amazing how some larger countries try to bully smaller ones into doing what they want. I guess that is nothing new and has been going on since mankind first made up countries. Why is it then that Kosovo is so important to the US? Is it really all about the Albanians or is there a hidden reason that we don't want to bring up? I wonder what the true reason really is? Does anyone have the true answer to that one?

Dear Ex-Ambassador,

Once again you provide some interesting commentary. Once again you appear to only see - and then report - on what you want to see.

The recent campaign was indeed marked by a major spat between DS and DSS. But it was certainly not a one-way street. I remember quite clearly direct accusations by a Sutanovac that Kostunica and Ilic were behind the attacks on the US Embassy and elsewhere. I remember the same individual alluding to the notion that DSS/NS were preparing a military intervention in Kosovo. None of which has been evidenced in the slightest. And so it goes on.

Such a shame that you didn't feel obliged to mention this too and make it appear as if DS are more innocent than Snowhite herself.

"While anything is possible in politics (especially Serbian politics!) it does seem that Vojislav Koštunica has burned his bridges with the DS/G17 Plus coalition. "

Even Koštunica and Tadić would not be a surprise. I think that one coallition that is not possible is between DS and the Radicals, all other combinations can happen.
And there is not much to say about it. No matter how passionate everyone feels about it, when coallition is formed all sides will have to accept it and support their government no matter who is in it.
Elections passed. People have spoken. Not in a clearest voice, but still...

Montgomery, like all other Serbian 'friends' is warning Serbs against 'isolation' if DSS-SPS-SRS coalition is formed.
Montgomery knows very little of Serbs if he think we would be isolated in alliance with the Orthodox Russia.
And -his,omnious, 'profoundly negative impact on Serbia's image in the world'- borders ridicule. What is 'the world' for this man, who is supposed to have some knowledge of Geography as an ex-ambassador?
Just the other day Russia,China and India agreed to demand re-opening of talks over Kosovo.
These three giant countries do not belong, apparently, to Montgomery's World.
What an American arrogance.

"Serbian Albanians"

This is an oxymoron, if there was one ever. Whoever wrote it is trying to introduce US style-political correctness - after the fact - in the now-dissolved Yugoslavia.

In the US, recent arrivals, such as myself, fall into the category of hyphenated Americans (i.e., Albanian-American, Serbia-American, and so on). Our goal, when we come here, is to build a new life and leave behind the craziness of our old countries, consciously seeking to be like every other American. On the other side, the dominant US culture here does not have a problem with our ethnic/geographic origins, hence the hyphenation.

The Albanians in former Yugoslavia, however, (1) are not recent arrivals to those lands, (2) were incorporated into somebody else's state agains their will, (3) never aspired to be called Serbs or anything else, and (4) have over the 20th century been subject to several extermination campaigns.

Therefore, there are no Serbian-Albanians. Let's just agree that we don't really love each other, OK?

I'ts very funny to see these comments. When I read this article I thought Mr. Monty was spot on with his analyse and I fully agreed. Nowewhere did he preach to the Serbs about thier image and how to improve it. It's just an unfortunate fact that the E.U. only cares about democracy when parties they like gets to form an goverment, not a party like the Radicals.

But yes I think the U.S. has their own image to worry about right now.

Nik,

The answer to your question is absolutely, if Serbian Albanians want to vote in Serbian elections, they should and have the right to do so. I don't have a problem with that. You are all citizens of Serbia until Serbia (as a whole) decides otherwise.

However, as citizens of Serbia, Serbia also expects you to:-
1. Pay taxes
2. Pay utility bills
3. Respect the law (ie no terrorism)
4. Understand at least some Serbian
5. Make an effort to stop living off welfare handouts.

as all other Serbian citizens are also expected to do.

Ethnic Albanians seem to think they are above such mundane things.

If you emmigrated to your beloved USA, you would be expected to do all of the above (except speak English not Serbian).

The world expects this of Serbs in Bosnia and Croatia - we expect it of Albanians in Serbia.

Why is this so hard to understand??

Commentator, you keep suggesting the Kosovo Albanians to participate in the Serbian ellections? If they did, they would have had s significant number of MRs may be over 60! How do you imagime Sebia could be governed. It is difficulte enough when they are not represented. Could you foresee what their demand would have been? Don't guess, look South to Macedonia. Is that what you want for Serbia, just for the sake of "kkeping" Kosovo in within its borders?

"Serbian Albanians"

This is an oxymoron, if there was one ever. Whoever wrote it is trying to introduce US style-political correctness - after the fact - in the now-dissolved Yugoslavia.

In the US, recent arrivals, such as myself, fall into the category of hyphenated Americans (i.e., Albanian-American, Serbia-American, and so on). Our goal, when we come here, is to build a new life and leave behind the craziness of our old countries, consciously seeking to be like every other American. On the other side, the dominant US culture here does not have a problem with our ethnic/geographic origins, hence the hyphenation.

The Albanians in former Yugoslavia, however, (1) are not recent arrivals to those lands, (2) were incorporated into somebody else's state agains their will, (3) never aspired to be called Serbs or anything else, and (4) have over the 20th century been subject to several extermination campaigns.

Therefore, there are no Serbian-Albanians. Let's just agree that we don't really love each other, OK?

Its very funny to see old Monty preaching to the Serbs about thier image and how to improve it.

500,000 dead iraqis mostly civilians-guess who needs to improve thier image.

Dear mr. Montgomery, I think you are wrong to blame Kostunica for the breakup of the coalition. It was Tadic and the DS who took an increasingly extreme position after Tadic had won the presidential elections. It is a classical trick in coalition politics that the DS has done: squeezing the smaller partner. I guess that will weigh heavily on the mind of the SPS when they have to decide with whom to form a coalition. The signing of the SAA against the will of the majority of the parliament will also work against Tadic. Even many people in favor of the SAA (like me) found that disgustingly undemocratic.

As for Europe, many politicians from "the other side" know very well the value of Europe. And most that don't will soon understand it once they are in power. I see the motion of the Radicals mostly as a symptom of the deep suspicion that Tadic's behaviour evoked - not as a fundamental objection against Europe. Tadic made the impression that he had given up on Kosovo and that he only intended to provide token resistance to appease the voters. Both Kostunica and the Radicals believe that - with the majority of the world behind them - they have a good chance to win in the end. That may take a few years: the fact that many countries never recognized the annexation of the Baltics by Russia in 1939 played an important role in their final independence in 1991. But very probably it will urge Kosovo to the negotiations table much sooner.

You may hope that a Tadic government would solve the Kosovo problem for you. You may be wrong. Given the situation in Kosovo that would most probably lead to the departure of the remaining Serbs. And that would convince even the most indifferent Serb that injustice had been done that some day needs to be corrected.

A few quotes from your article and my comments/questions..

"At this point it is impossible to say whether the DS/G17 Plus or the Radical Party will lead the negotiated coalition, which forms the new Government. "

Thankyou Mr Montgomery, looks like even you are more rational than our president Mr Tadic, who has proclaimed victory and even knows who the prime minister will be!! Please pass the message on, next time Tadic is looking for orders from Washington.

"If turnout would have been at the levels of the recent second round of presidential elections, it is very possible that this razor thin margin would have been in favor of DS/G17 Plus with very different implications for Serbia's future."

How can you draw this conclusion? You mentioned that pre-election opinion polls showed the Radicals had the lead, so, I would say that many Radical voters didn't vote because they might have complacently thought this election was "in the bag" for the patriotic block.

"(of a Radical government...) At the same time, it would have a profoundly negative impact on Serbia's image in the world and its relations with most Western countries, the EU, and the OSCE."

Can you explain why the OSCE would have a negative view of a (by all accounts) democratically elected government that defends the Helsinki accords? That is nonsense.

Overall, I say your article is reasonable enough, the anti-Serb bias is a little less obvious in this one... are the commentators here finally making an impression :)?

PS, On a side note, it occurred to me that if the USA had insisted Kosovo remain a part of Serbia, and compelled the Albanians to participate in these sorts of elections, there is no doubt, with their votes, that Serbia would today have a very compliant US/EU puppet government..... you guys really haven't thought this thru, have you :) What a mess....

It's amazing how some larger countries try to bully smaller ones into doing what they want. I guess that is nothing new and has been going on since mankind first made up countries. Why is it then that Kosovo is so important to the US? Is it really all about the Albanians or is there a hidden reason that we don't want to bring up? I wonder what the true reason really is? Does anyone have the true answer to that one?

Dear Ex-Ambassador,

Once again you provide some interesting commentary. Once again you appear to only see - and then report - on what you want to see.

The recent campaign was indeed marked by a major spat between DS and DSS. But it was certainly not a one-way street. I remember quite clearly direct accusations by a Sutanovac that Kostunica and Ilic were behind the attacks on the US Embassy and elsewhere. I remember the same individual alluding to the notion that DSS/NS were preparing a military intervention in Kosovo. None of which has been evidenced in the slightest. And so it goes on.

Such a shame that you didn't feel obliged to mention this too and make it appear as if DS are more innocent than Snowhite herself.

The more the hypocrites in the so called democratic west get involved in manipulation of Serbs. All the more it will hit the wall of resistance. You play the people of a independent countries as immature children if they don't buy in to the wests self serving greed driven programs. Getting rich off some ones else's hard work and resources. The delusiones of them selves is unbelievable and the arrogance of the self serving wests multinationals is only to help to get the last resource and blood out of the country. If they still don't get it or are not willing to play the wests hypocritical self serving greedy games you will give them shock and aw. Give the Serbs a break let them decide in peace what is good for them selfs. Not the unrelenting day after day warnings of disaster propaganda playing the manipulation head games if the citizens don't buy in to the wests self serving greed profit driven agendas. For a few more profits off some country that is to be in the EU integration to be milked to the last drop of everything it has.

albi,

Sorry, you are wrong, it is absolutely appropriate to describe ethnic Albanians living in Serbia as Serbian Albanians.

First part refers to the state you are a citizen of, the second your ethnicity.

Serbs living in Bosnia are refered to as Bosnian Serbs for the same reason. I myself am a Krajinian and am typically referred to as a Croatian Serb (I might not like it, but it is the reality for now). My great grandfather might have been refered to as an Austrian Serb... fair enough... are you starting to get the picture?

You are citizens of Serbia unless Serbia (as a whole) decides otherwise (and it hasn't).

Just proves my point about Albanians thinking they are "special" and exempt from normal things in life.

"While anything is possible in politics (especially Serbian politics!) it does seem that Vojislav Koštunica has burned his bridges with the DS/G17 Plus coalition. "

Even Koštunica and Tadić would not be a surprise. I think that one coallition that is not possible is between DS and the Radicals, all other combinations can happen.
And there is not much to say about it. No matter how passionate everyone feels about it, when coallition is formed all sides will have to accept it and support their government no matter who is in it.
Elections passed. People have spoken. Not in a clearest voice, but still...

Montgomery, like all other Serbian 'friends' is warning Serbs against 'isolation' if DSS-SPS-SRS coalition is formed.
Montgomery knows very little of Serbs if he think we would be isolated in alliance with the Orthodox Russia.
And -his,omnious, 'profoundly negative impact on Serbia's image in the world'- borders ridicule. What is 'the world' for this man, who is supposed to have some knowledge of Geography as an ex-ambassador?
Just the other day Russia,China and India agreed to demand re-opening of talks over Kosovo.
These three giant countries do not belong, apparently, to Montgomery's World.
What an American arrogance.