“Serbia can’t have both NATO and Kosovo”

Kosovo is gone,and if we want to join NATO what Rusia has to meld here.
Rusia better to mind her own busines.

I think the ambassador is right.

Serbia will have none of both. And that's exactly what Russia wants.

If we are going to have a referendum, lets have it on EU membership rather than NATO membership. Serbians will overwhelmingly reject NATO so it's practically pointless.

Russia is right again and NATO/US will regret attacking Serbia. It has lost the Balkans because of it.

Apart from all these considerations, the main point is that NATO membership is completely worthless for the citizens.

What about this gold-fish memory of some Serbians?

Are you suicidal enough to join the party that bombed disintegrated and gang-raped you just ten years ago?

I can't believe that there is actually a discussion in Serbia whether to join NATO or not! Joining NATO shouldn't be an option for Serbia. So much evil has come from NATO, and this continues in Afganistan and Irak. Even if we should look to the future there is not even one good reason to why we should join.

The Russians are talking to the ordinary people knowing well that they don’t need too much prompting to loudly reject joining NATO, especially if Russia supports such action.

They have stopped the expansion of NATO in the east now it’s time for the same in the Balkans – Serbia is extremely important to NATO because it’s at the cross roads and must be passed if going to the east over land, but the Russians have only started to shake the tree.

For those that think no one is going to stop NATO and Serbia will be surrounded etc, etc. That’s not an issue because NATO would have been stopped in its tracks and the only way to unlock this “closed gate” is to hold a referendum in Serbia, but the current government will not do that because of the resounding NO.

Late last year I said that 2010 will be the commencement of huge changes in the world and so far my sources of information have not disappointed me. It’s coming to pass like clockwork, the EU is fighting to keep some of its members from defaulting on loans such as Greece; Portugal and Spain are next – these are so serious that they are affecting the world markets and we could have a financial crises of the same magnitude of 2007.

China has only begun to squeeze the US and there is much, much more to come (the White house administration still thinks this will blow over and cannot grasp the real issue); now Russia has begun to elbow the US/EU out of Serbia and the Balkans. The US has lost the war in Iraq and cannot get out soon enough. NATO is losing the war against a bunch of cave dwellers in Afghanistan and they keep pushing this useless organization as the salvation of the world.

The master is speaking, the servant will listen!

Serbia is neutral state. "No" for NATO!!

"The master is speaking, the servant will listen!
(Anita, 5 February 2010 13:55)"

You must be referring to the US and Pristina!

joining NATO ?!?!?
What´s next ? Joining Taliban ?

Don´t worry ppl, IF a corrupt serbian government WOULD join NATO, the people would stand up and do what they did when the corrupt yugoslav government signed an agreement with the Nazis on the 25th of March 1941.

And believe it or not WWIII has already begun...

This is funny mr ambassador, what makes you think that Serbia has Kosova?, didn't you know that in the last 10 years there is no Serbian authority there?. Even Serb politicians are being kicked out of Kosova?.
It was your government who in 1999 sent the papers to belgrade telling milosevic either get out of Kosova or NATO will bomb you. What kind of cheap game/lie is this?.

Now to your concern about Serbia's NATO membership.
Knowing that Albania and Croatia are permanent NATO members, do you really think that they would vote YES to such potential membership?.
It'll take long time for Albanian-Serbian, Croatian-Serbian and Bosnian-Serbian relations to improve.
Mr. ambassador please stay in touch with reality because I'm not in a good mood for jokes today.
Thank you.

It seems that Russia has started using emotional and psychological tactics in attempt to influence Serbians decision, it is obvious why such reaction buy Russia, Nato and Russia....we all know whats this about.

Thank you brother! sunatovac and the yellows are you listening?

Well, its a no-brainer then. A dios NATO.

NATO doesn't recognise Kosovo. I'm pretty sure Spain or Slovakia would be surprised and have something to say if NATO officials announced that they recognise Kosovo on behalf of the Organisation.

I just read an article on BLIC about how Sutanovac states the NATO is no longer Serbia's enemy, and that the bombing was 10 years ago.

Somebody should remind SuNATOvac that NATO wasn't an enemy of Serbia 11 years ago, but that didn't stop them from bombing their apparent ally Serbia, now did it.

Bottom line is that NATO never was and never will be an ally of Serbia, because NATO is a wolf in sheep's clothing.

There is the question for all the commentators:
Have any single citizen of a state - member of Warsaw organization (Polish, German, Check, Bulgarian, etc.) died in Afhanistan during Soviet invasion? Do you know the answer? If you don't, I have it for you. The answer is NO!
Now it's for you to decide.

We'll take Kosovo, thank you very much!! :)

This is funny mr ambassador, what makes you think that Serbia has Kosova?, didn't you know that in the last 10 years there is no Serbian authority there?. Even Serb politicians are being kicked out of Kosova?
(Nelli_Canada, 5 February 2010 14:43)

In Kosovo are still institutions of Republic of Serbia, North is fully integratet with Serbia, In Mitrovica officials of Republic of Serbia organized meetings with any permission from Thaci pseudogovernment...

“Konuzin also said that it will be up to Serbia to decide on whether to join NATO, and that there should be no outside intervention.”

Why are you intervening then with your opinion, it’s not like you are putting on a neutral stand on the matter, rather you are warning Serbia about joining NATO.

@ NELLI
"Mr.ambassador, please stay in touch with reality, because I'm not in a good mood for jokes today"
I am sure he is going to issue an official apology to you, send you an early Valentine's present with 40 mariachis band to cheer you up in your SAD state.

“In 1999, NATO bombed the entire country…”

Exactly ! They attacked even civil objects located hundred miles away from the conflict area ! What happened then is utmost shocking. Neither has they asked pardon like Germans did after WW2. Moreover they dare to judge and teach Serbs ! Now they go further and using their agents of influence inside Serbia mean to imprison the whole of the country. In their embracing grips they are going to quit with the never dying Serbian will to freedom. They failed to pull Ukraine and Georgia to NATO and now they need compensation in Serbia – the only unconquered soil in their rear. They talk of “resetting” to Russia and deploy missiles in Romania ect.

So I like our Ambassador’s clear message. It’s not very traditional for diplomatists to call spade a spade but we cannot sit and watch how NATO is trying to finish the job they started 15 years ago. I think it’s quite evident that you can’t drink water and whistle at the time. So the question is either you Serbs chose territorial integrity or you give up (as prisoners of war) to your open rivals with visa carrots. The question is who you Serbs are and how much you cost ? Are there things not for sale in nowadays Serbia or you are too tired of the long lasting pressure ? Did Colonel D.Mikhailivic had better chances when he rebelled in 1941 while even the USSR was on the German side ? Are you Serbs or are you Orthodox Croatians ?

Be smart and be as firm as your ancestors used to be !

The master is speaking, the servant will listen!
(Anita, 5 February 2010 13:55)

You must be referring to the US and Albanians here!

With respect to the article, I have a suspicion that the opposite may be true -- that the west is using Kosovo as a bargaining chip to get Serbia to join NATO. What a deal -- join the EU and NATO and Serbia keeps her territorial integrity.

I'm not saying that Serbia should or would join, but I see this scenario as a possibility. Politics is a funny business.

Wasn't Russia a part of that organization for a few years in Kosova.

Mother Bear always looking out for her litle cubby.

Mother Bear always looking out for her litle cubby.
(Zoti, 5 February 2010 15:58)
============

Yes and don't you forget it.
Tadic better think carefully before he allows his minister to say such silly things like "that was 10 years ago etc" because he is insulting every victim of that bombing and the entire Serbian nation.

I feel that Serbia should strongly consider what NATO did to her when considering whether to join that organisation.

I for one would be massively disappointed to see Serbia joining an 'alliance' that is now little more than the american foreign legion, and which is an instrument of global persecution and government sponsored agression.

very interesting to listen and read that the Russian Ambassador is deciding on behalf of the Serbian people and their government, I thought Serbia is an sovereign country in the same leve with Russia, China and India?!

Why now is Russia sending such clear signals to Belgrade? What is Russia fearing of?

same logic, same concept:
“Serbia can’t have both EU and Kosovo”
(blue and gold, 5 February 2010 23:30)

Albanian hypernationalist keyboard warrior alert.

Who are you to dictate terms to Serbia. You guys make me choke on my KP peanuts & my Jelen beer.

The Russian ambassador doesn't seem a happy chappy to see Serbia joining NATO...)
I must admit that I agree for the first time in some of his conclusion. First can not and should not join NATO without recognising Kosova's independence first. I would add that Serbia should also not join EU unless recognises Kosova independence first. NATO did not bomb Serbia but the Serbian regime of Slobodan Milosevic. NATO told Milosevic "stop ethnic cleansing towards Kosovar Albanians and towards former Yugoslavia" but the butcher of Balcan did not listen. So there is a big difference between dismanteling an oppressive regime and attacking a country. There was/is a price for the country who supported/supports the oppressive leaders. One of the consequences could be loss of territory.

"No!" for NATO. "No!" for joining to aggressive military pact.
Serbia - is neutral state!!

The master is speaking, the servant will listen!
(Anita, 5 February 2010 13:55)

Well this Master did not kill 10,000 Serbs in 1999, but your beloved NATO did that to the Albanians in Kosovo and then blamed Milosevic – “we love you and we are not bombing you but Milosevic” - and in the meantime killed 10,000 dead.

Now to your concern about Serbia's NATO membership.
Knowing that Albania and Croatia are permanent NATO members, do you really think that they would vote YES to such potential membership?.
It'll take long time for Albanian-Serbian, Croatian-Serbian and Bosnian-Serbian relations to improve.
Mr. ambassador please stay in touch with reality because I'm not in a good mood for jokes today.
Thank you.
(Nelli_Canada, 5 February 2010 14:43

As if anyone is going to ask Croatia or Albania the time of day let alone which country wants to line up to die in Afghanistan. Both live of EU handouts and you think they are going to set NATO policy. You have a lot of growing up to do.

You must be referring to the US and Albanians here!

With respect to the article, I have a suspicion that the opposite may be true -- that the west is using Kosovo as a bargaining chip to get Serbia to join NATO. What a deal -- join the EU and NATO and Serbia keeps her territorial integrity.

I'm not saying that Serbia should or would join, but I see this scenario as a possibility. Politics is a funny business.
(JC, 5 February 2010 15:16)

No. Once Serbia is in NATO Kosovo is gone and on top Serbia would lose everything. It would allow NATO troops and vehicles to move freely throughout Serbia with impunity. This is not a deal to sign up otherwise why go through the horrors of 1999.
Plus the western politicians of 2010 are not the same as those of the 1950 or 60s – the current ones are treacherous bustards that would sell their souls for a couple of dollars, agree to everything one day then once they get what they want never keep their word. Why do you think North Korea does not trust the US.

Wasn't Russia a part of that organization for a few years in Kosova.
(Bekim, 5 February 2010 15:31)

NO!

“Serbia can’t have both NATO and Kosovo” This is according to Russian Ambassador Aleksandr Konuzin. Lets all put are thinking caps what could the third option be? I know Russia do I win that fabulous trip to Siberia to see those historic Gulags.
(Lenard, 5 February 2010 18:38)

Lenard, if you’re lucky you might get trip to Guantanamo Bay. Oh, that no gulag, that freedom loving and democratic hugging compound or maybe the dozens of other secret prison run by beloved US around the world where they treat prisoners with dignity and respect.

You know what the fastest way to get the Serbs to join NATO? Just tell them the Albanians don't want Serbia to join NATO and the next they'll be filing the application.

Tadic and his comrades should be careful, since this russian official is quite right.

and the majority of Serbs would not support any kind of plays with Serbia´s sovereignty.

"thats right serbia, no NATO for you... russia commands it.
(AdamNYC, 6 February 2010 01:41) "

And what makes you think Serbia is so desperate to be in Nato and so become USA's lackey?

Serbia don't want any joining to any aggressive military pact like NATO.

Samo sloga Srbina spasava!!

No vetto was exercised by the old friend during the NATO bombing in 1999 . What about risky privatizations. This time a blackmail was put forward with a choice between: whether you take it or leave it ,you will repent.
(Velja, 6 February 2010 11:44)

What veto are you talking about?
The bombing did not happen as a result of any UN decision. this was outside the UN and Russia has no veto in NATO.

Russia was not in a position to help anyone then.
Things are very different now but somehow to you the world stands still.

serbia is russia's only remaining lackey in the balkans.

russia cares nothing for serbs or serbia... from their consistent support for whatever madman to come along in the past few decades to the Detriment of serbs themsleves... to the buyout( read theft) of serbias energy future in exchange for little more than political lipservice.

thats right serbia, no NATO for you... russia commands it.

Serbia is being blackmailed from Russia.

@Velja, 6 February 2010 11:44

What Veto?
Serbia must be VERY happy that Russia still give suppport.
If i was the Russian leader then I didn't give any support anymore to a country attacked by the NATO and later flirting with the NATO (only in Serbia... a selfrespected country who is attacked would never think about NATO membership)
A country who is selling their own people to the enemy so they get a fake trial (yeah a fake trial only for Balkan people/most Serbs and Africans and you don't see there western people who are involved with war)
A country where a majority more like to be with EU then with Russia and China...they like more to be with countries who bombed Serbia, killed Serbs and are demonizing Serbs in their media non stop.
The love for money is bigger then the honor and love for those people killed by the western agressors.
And yes I know it are people in the Serbian government who are talking sick things like NATO membership but it are the Serbian people who are voting for those people because they believe all the nice stories about big money and nowaday I always hear people crying that they want back Slobo... to late he is already deported and killed because of the greediness of many Serbian people.
samo SCO srbina spasava
Aleksander Vulin for president.

The Serbs will never get Kosovo back. N.A.T.O. membership will stay open for Serbia until the people a ready. Russia provides nothing but talk, talk, talk. For those who say N.A.T.O. bombed Serbia is no reason to join alliance are wrong. Lets move on, war is business get over it and think about the future. Small nations must alliane themselves with some super power or it will end up like Yugoslavia. They had a foot in on one side than the other,can't have it both ways. Serbia fell and it chooses to stay down because of the past. Get on the bike and start peddling the future is passing you by. The fomer eastern block countrries have more guts than Serbia. The west has used a carrot and stick approach, Serbia grab the carrot, Russia offers nothing at the moment.

very interesting to listen and read that the Russian Ambassador is deciding on behalf of the Serbian people and their government, I thought Serbia is an sovereign country in the same leve with Russia, China and India?!

Why now is Russia sending such clear signals to Belgrade? What is Russia fearing of?
(Luis, 5 February 2010 17:54)
The answer to that is very simple. When you own 51% of the energy sector of a country and probably more things in the near future and there is the possiblilty that you may someday send in troops to protect those interests. Sooner or later someone in Serbia is going to realize they have been taken advantage of by Russia.(Especially when it sinks in that the price they paid to keep Kosovo did not work) It would be very complicated to send Russian forces into a NATO state!

@ VELJA
"We will never forget 1949"

Oh, Veljo! I am sure that many Serbs will never ever forget that year. They are not going to forget the following decades either. Goli Otok, Ram, Grgur, to mention just few. Bestiality of Tito's boots licking followers was not the Russia's sin, that was not Russian dictation. I don't know how old you are, I don't care who you are, I could not care less what your nationality is, what your education is; your words picture your state of mind - which in itself suffice to discard all of what you believe to be strong arguments. You missed your target, Veljo.

Serbia has started to get mocked and bullied by Russia? No good sign for Serbia... I wonder what many Serbs will think about this cold hearted statement coming from a russian diplomat.
Russia is starting to show signs of dissapointment with Serbia.
This is a clear sign that Russia will soon accept Kosovo Independence and therefore Kosovo will be accepted as a country in UN and this will end for good the dispute between Serbia and Kosovo.

I don't know what the fuss is about. Why join an alliance that is getting its rear handed to it by the Taliban in Afghanistan\Pakistan? I don't think Serbs need to go to forgotten parts of the world to die for US interests. Let the K-Albs do it - instead of waving the stars and stripes and building statues show some real gratitude.

“Serbia can’t have both NATO and Kosovo” This is according to Russian Ambassador Aleksandr Konuzin. Lets all put are thinking caps what could the third option be? uuuu I know Russia do I win that fabulous trip to Siberia to see those historic Gulags.

Following thfis logic the same gose for EU then...

So what was Tadic doing when he applied for EU memebrship just 2 months ago???

There is no point joining NATO. I have posted a short time back highlighting the EU and US divisions that seam to be morphing into a large rift. Obama snubbed the EU and is now trying to take on as many members as possible in desperation to save Nato being lost to EU power.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/eu/4689736/Blueprint-for-EU-army-to-be-agreed.html

http://www.thetrumpet.com/index.php?q=5145.3405.0.0

For Serbia if you are surrounded by NATO do you not have the protection of NATO without having to join or contribute?

Why exclude yourself from emerging economic markets and be dictated too by Brussells, there seems to be no logic joining NATO and that before we get to the question of the last two decades.

For the US to try and pose this question validates that Serbia has recovered and diplomaticly manouvered itself into a position of worth, no need for Serbia to cash in for fools gold. Stick with Russia and the Bric nations thats were the future is, for Europe Serbia is considered East for Asia it is considered West, it is a gateway best served with a uniquely non-aligned stance.

Also Russia's approach is
irking the US see how Russia calmly is bringing the Ukraine back into it's orbit they realise that the choice is the future not a dead man walking. Serbs have not forgotton WW1 and who has always had their back, Serbs are loyal people and we know who has humbly helped them get back on their feet and who loudly knocked them down.

thats right serbia, no NATO for you... russia commands it.
(AdamNYC, 6 February 2010 01:41)

===================

NO Adam, Serb command it. Russia is only stating the obvious. They have every right to tell us like it is. They are protecting our interests in the UN and we should listen.
Who do you think Serbia should listen to? Albanians and Americans?

Get real.

Besides, if Serbs decide to join NATO, there is nothing Russia will do to Serbia. It's not like they will bomb Serbia for disobeying, unlike the US.

So stop with your sarcasm. You are not funny at all.

for gods sake don`t believe these russian fellas they are just playing with you
decide on your own

same logic, same concept:
“Serbia can’t have both EU and Kosovo”

What veto are you talking about?

Russia could not have vetoed the NATO's decission to bomb Serbia, but "the old friend Greece" could have. It didn't. At the end of the campagn the "good old friend" Romania refused an air corridor for the Russian troops to be flown to Kosovo. Thus it won its invitation to join NATO and the EU.The "good old friends" may not "recognize" Kosovo, but without their passive or active colaboration with the pact, the de facto independent (ideed entirely dependent) Kosovo could not have been created in 1999. It must be clear that when it comes to the crunch Serbia has no regional allies. No one would stand firmly by its side. Neither would Russia ever be in a possition to create realities in the Blakans. So the dilema facing Serbia is whether to join NATO, get out of its regional isolation, and tus acquiring a voice in Washington and Brussels, or remain a lone thorn on the side of NATO and the EU, get (often infairly) punished and wait for the "kingdom come" day whe the entire geopolitical situation would change. It is a difficult choice.

NATO doesn't recognise Kosovo. I'm pretty sure Spain or Slovakia would be surprised and have something to say if NATO officials announced that they recognise Kosovo on behalf of the Organisation.
(Ian, UK, 5 February 2010 17:12)

No organisation on the world have the right to recognoze states - not either the Nato. Without no doubt the Nato is the main guarantor of an independent Kosovo as well as the EU did. So why the worldpowers in the EU Spain, Slovakia,Cyprus and Rumania didn't prevent the independence of Kosovo?

The Only think is PEACE and friendship you neighbors because no one is close or watch for your back when you need them... so SERBIA WAKE UP...

People- I have the solution to European security. N.A.T.O. is the problem because it is percieved by Russia as a security threat to it's soil. The way the Western alliance has been behaveing, I can't say I blame them. The question of Serbia joining this alliance is finally solved. Security of Europe is guranteed by the United States but also by Russia. Russia needs to have full membership into N.A.T.O. problem solved. Both Russia and the West will have to deal with the same problems in the near future. You guessed it , Muslim fundamentalism and the China factor. Oka, lets all go back to our think tanks and be mature about it.Do we continue to bicker among ourselves while China and the Muslims slowly take us all over or do we work together to make sure this does not happen.
(Jack, 6 February 2010 01:03)

So why stop there Jack why not get the China and the Muslims to join NATO too.

There is an old saying :sudden friendship, sure repentance, but we deal with an old friend here. We have been deceived and misled by a traditionally old friend in our history more than once. There was sometimes an excuse for such an act. We remember the I Serbian Uprising in 1804 ,when we were pushed to launch the armed uprising against Turks with a pledge of support , which was soon abandoned. We remember the St, Stephan Treaty 1878 when the old friend advocated for Great Bulgaria on Serbian territory. We will never forget 1949. No vetto was exercised by the old friend during the NATO bombing in 1999 . What about risky privatizations. This time a blackmail was put forward with a choice between: whether you take it or leave it ,you will repent.

Serbia is being blackmailed from Russia.
(Eagle, 6 February 2010 08:38)

Like how Albanians in Kosovo are blackmailed from the United States?

Something of interest regarding Serbian and Russian relations. Please see the link below.

http://www.economist.com/world/europe/displaystory.cfm?story_id=15464941

People- I have the solution to European security. N.A.T.O. is the problem because it is percieved by Russia as a security threat to it's soil. The way the Western alliance has been behaveing, I can't say I blame them. The question of Serbia joining this alliance is finally solved. Security of Europe is guranteed by the United States but also by Russia. Russia needs to have full membership into N.A.T.O. problem solved. Both Russia and the West will have to deal with the same problems in the near future. You guessed it , Muslim fundamentalism and the China factor. Oka, lets all go back to our think tanks and be mature about it.Do we continue to bicker among ourselves while China and the Muslims slowly take us all over or do we work together to make sure this does not happen.

This has nothing to do with Kosovo. What the Ambassador meant is: "you cannot have both Russia and NATO".

Not nice of him to mix Kosovo into this. What could have been a nice advice now sounds like a unfriendly threat.

Lose Kosovo, or get the "privilege" to send Serb kids to die in the Arctic tundra in 5 years.

Jack wrote:

"The Serbs will never get Kosovo back. N.A.T.O. membership will stay open for Serbia until the people a ready. Russia provides nothing but talk, talk, talk. For those who say N.A.T.O. bombed Serbia is no reason to join alliance are wrong. Lets move on, war is business get over it and think about the future."
===============

Are you prepared to give the same speech to your Albanian brothers?
War is business, get over it and let's stay one country. No independent Kosovo.

Something tells me this would be a NO. Very hypocritical.

Like how Albanians in Kosovo are blackmailed from the United States?
(Pigeon, 7 February 2010 11:55)

How can you be blackmailed for something tha you want it, it's yours and you get it. I don't see how Albanians are being blackmailed from US. For your information it's called support.

Russia is right again and NATO/US will regret attacking Serbia. It has lost the Balkans because of it.
(Zoran, 5 February 2010 14:20)

well, you're mistaken...it hasn't lost balkans at all...since all balkan countries have already join NATO (Slovenia, Croatia, Romania, Bulgaria, Greece, Albania, Turkey) or are about to do so (Montenegro, FYROM, Bosnia) !!

So, you should say...it has lost Serbia....and honestly....who cares ?????

Kosovo is gone,and if we want to join NATO what Rusia has to meld here.
Rusia better to mind her own busines.

The master is speaking, the servant will listen!

"The master is speaking, the servant will listen!
(Anita, 5 February 2010 13:55)"

You must be referring to the US and Pristina!

It seems that Russia has started using emotional and psychological tactics in attempt to influence Serbians decision, it is obvious why such reaction buy Russia, Nato and Russia....we all know whats this about.

joining NATO ?!?!?
What´s next ? Joining Taliban ?

Don´t worry ppl, IF a corrupt serbian government WOULD join NATO, the people would stand up and do what they did when the corrupt yugoslav government signed an agreement with the Nazis on the 25th of March 1941.

And believe it or not WWIII has already begun...

The Russians are talking to the ordinary people knowing well that they don’t need too much prompting to loudly reject joining NATO, especially if Russia supports such action.

They have stopped the expansion of NATO in the east now it’s time for the same in the Balkans – Serbia is extremely important to NATO because it’s at the cross roads and must be passed if going to the east over land, but the Russians have only started to shake the tree.

For those that think no one is going to stop NATO and Serbia will be surrounded etc, etc. That’s not an issue because NATO would have been stopped in its tracks and the only way to unlock this “closed gate” is to hold a referendum in Serbia, but the current government will not do that because of the resounding NO.

Late last year I said that 2010 will be the commencement of huge changes in the world and so far my sources of information have not disappointed me. It’s coming to pass like clockwork, the EU is fighting to keep some of its members from defaulting on loans such as Greece; Portugal and Spain are next – these are so serious that they are affecting the world markets and we could have a financial crises of the same magnitude of 2007.

China has only begun to squeeze the US and there is much, much more to come (the White house administration still thinks this will blow over and cannot grasp the real issue); now Russia has begun to elbow the US/EU out of Serbia and the Balkans. The US has lost the war in Iraq and cannot get out soon enough. NATO is losing the war against a bunch of cave dwellers in Afghanistan and they keep pushing this useless organization as the salvation of the world.

I can't believe that there is actually a discussion in Serbia whether to join NATO or not! Joining NATO shouldn't be an option for Serbia. So much evil has come from NATO, and this continues in Afganistan and Irak. Even if we should look to the future there is not even one good reason to why we should join.

What about this gold-fish memory of some Serbians?

Are you suicidal enough to join the party that bombed disintegrated and gang-raped you just ten years ago?

If we are going to have a referendum, lets have it on EU membership rather than NATO membership. Serbians will overwhelmingly reject NATO so it's practically pointless.

Russia is right again and NATO/US will regret attacking Serbia. It has lost the Balkans because of it.

This is funny mr ambassador, what makes you think that Serbia has Kosova?, didn't you know that in the last 10 years there is no Serbian authority there?. Even Serb politicians are being kicked out of Kosova?.
It was your government who in 1999 sent the papers to belgrade telling milosevic either get out of Kosova or NATO will bomb you. What kind of cheap game/lie is this?.

Now to your concern about Serbia's NATO membership.
Knowing that Albania and Croatia are permanent NATO members, do you really think that they would vote YES to such potential membership?.
It'll take long time for Albanian-Serbian, Croatian-Serbian and Bosnian-Serbian relations to improve.
Mr. ambassador please stay in touch with reality because I'm not in a good mood for jokes today.
Thank you.

You know what the fastest way to get the Serbs to join NATO? Just tell them the Albanians don't want Serbia to join NATO and the next they'll be filing the application.

Apart from all these considerations, the main point is that NATO membership is completely worthless for the citizens.

I think the ambassador is right.

Serbia will have none of both. And that's exactly what Russia wants.

very interesting to listen and read that the Russian Ambassador is deciding on behalf of the Serbian people and their government, I thought Serbia is an sovereign country in the same leve with Russia, China and India?!

Why now is Russia sending such clear signals to Belgrade? What is Russia fearing of?

The Serbs will never get Kosovo back. N.A.T.O. membership will stay open for Serbia until the people a ready. Russia provides nothing but talk, talk, talk. For those who say N.A.T.O. bombed Serbia is no reason to join alliance are wrong. Lets move on, war is business get over it and think about the future. Small nations must alliane themselves with some super power or it will end up like Yugoslavia. They had a foot in on one side than the other,can't have it both ways. Serbia fell and it chooses to stay down because of the past. Get on the bike and start peddling the future is passing you by. The fomer eastern block countrries have more guts than Serbia. The west has used a carrot and stick approach, Serbia grab the carrot, Russia offers nothing at the moment.

This is funny mr ambassador, what makes you think that Serbia has Kosova?, didn't you know that in the last 10 years there is no Serbian authority there?. Even Serb politicians are being kicked out of Kosova?
(Nelli_Canada, 5 February 2010 14:43)

In Kosovo are still institutions of Republic of Serbia, North is fully integratet with Serbia, In Mitrovica officials of Republic of Serbia organized meetings with any permission from Thaci pseudogovernment...

“Serbia can’t have both NATO and Kosovo” This is according to Russian Ambassador Aleksandr Konuzin. Lets all put are thinking caps what could the third option be? uuuu I know Russia do I win that fabulous trip to Siberia to see those historic Gulags.

The Russian ambassador doesn't seem a happy chappy to see Serbia joining NATO...)
I must admit that I agree for the first time in some of his conclusion. First can not and should not join NATO without recognising Kosova's independence first. I would add that Serbia should also not join EU unless recognises Kosova independence first. NATO did not bomb Serbia but the Serbian regime of Slobodan Milosevic. NATO told Milosevic "stop ethnic cleansing towards Kosovar Albanians and towards former Yugoslavia" but the butcher of Balcan did not listen. So there is a big difference between dismanteling an oppressive regime and attacking a country. There was/is a price for the country who supported/supports the oppressive leaders. One of the consequences could be loss of territory.

Thank you brother! sunatovac and the yellows are you listening?

Serbia is neutral state. "No" for NATO!!

We'll take Kosovo, thank you very much!! :)

I just read an article on BLIC about how Sutanovac states the NATO is no longer Serbia's enemy, and that the bombing was 10 years ago.

Somebody should remind SuNATOvac that NATO wasn't an enemy of Serbia 11 years ago, but that didn't stop them from bombing their apparent ally Serbia, now did it.

Bottom line is that NATO never was and never will be an ally of Serbia, because NATO is a wolf in sheep's clothing.

The master is speaking, the servant will listen!
(Anita, 5 February 2010 13:55)

You must be referring to the US and Albanians here!

With respect to the article, I have a suspicion that the opposite may be true -- that the west is using Kosovo as a bargaining chip to get Serbia to join NATO. What a deal -- join the EU and NATO and Serbia keeps her territorial integrity.

I'm not saying that Serbia should or would join, but I see this scenario as a possibility. Politics is a funny business.

Wasn't Russia a part of that organization for a few years in Kosova.

Following thfis logic the same gose for EU then...

So what was Tadic doing when he applied for EU memebrship just 2 months ago???

“Konuzin also said that it will be up to Serbia to decide on whether to join NATO, and that there should be no outside intervention.”

Why are you intervening then with your opinion, it’s not like you are putting on a neutral stand on the matter, rather you are warning Serbia about joining NATO.

NATO doesn't recognise Kosovo. I'm pretty sure Spain or Slovakia would be surprised and have something to say if NATO officials announced that they recognise Kosovo on behalf of the Organisation.

serbia is russia's only remaining lackey in the balkans.

russia cares nothing for serbs or serbia... from their consistent support for whatever madman to come along in the past few decades to the Detriment of serbs themsleves... to the buyout( read theft) of serbias energy future in exchange for little more than political lipservice.

thats right serbia, no NATO for you... russia commands it.

Mother Bear always looking out for her litle cubby.

There is the question for all the commentators:
Have any single citizen of a state - member of Warsaw organization (Polish, German, Check, Bulgarian, etc.) died in Afhanistan during Soviet invasion? Do you know the answer? If you don't, I have it for you. The answer is NO!
Now it's for you to decide.

for gods sake don`t believe these russian fellas they are just playing with you
decide on your own

very interesting to listen and read that the Russian Ambassador is deciding on behalf of the Serbian people and their government, I thought Serbia is an sovereign country in the same leve with Russia, China and India?!

Why now is Russia sending such clear signals to Belgrade? What is Russia fearing of?
(Luis, 5 February 2010 17:54)
The answer to that is very simple. When you own 51% of the energy sector of a country and probably more things in the near future and there is the possiblilty that you may someday send in troops to protect those interests. Sooner or later someone in Serbia is going to realize they have been taken advantage of by Russia.(Especially when it sinks in that the price they paid to keep Kosovo did not work) It would be very complicated to send Russian forces into a NATO state!

There is an old saying :sudden friendship, sure repentance, but we deal with an old friend here. We have been deceived and misled by a traditionally old friend in our history more than once. There was sometimes an excuse for such an act. We remember the I Serbian Uprising in 1804 ,when we were pushed to launch the armed uprising against Turks with a pledge of support , which was soon abandoned. We remember the St, Stephan Treaty 1878 when the old friend advocated for Great Bulgaria on Serbian territory. We will never forget 1949. No vetto was exercised by the old friend during the NATO bombing in 1999 . What about risky privatizations. This time a blackmail was put forward with a choice between: whether you take it or leave it ,you will repent.

Well, its a no-brainer then. A dios NATO.

NATO doesn't recognise Kosovo. I'm pretty sure Spain or Slovakia would be surprised and have something to say if NATO officials announced that they recognise Kosovo on behalf of the Organisation.
(Ian, UK, 5 February 2010 17:12)

No organisation on the world have the right to recognoze states - not either the Nato. Without no doubt the Nato is the main guarantor of an independent Kosovo as well as the EU did. So why the worldpowers in the EU Spain, Slovakia,Cyprus and Rumania didn't prevent the independence of Kosovo?

Serbia is being blackmailed from Russia.

Mother Bear always looking out for her litle cubby.
(Zoti, 5 February 2010 15:58)
============

Yes and don't you forget it.
Tadic better think carefully before he allows his minister to say such silly things like "that was 10 years ago etc" because he is insulting every victim of that bombing and the entire Serbian nation.

Serbia has started to get mocked and bullied by Russia? No good sign for Serbia... I wonder what many Serbs will think about this cold hearted statement coming from a russian diplomat.
Russia is starting to show signs of dissapointment with Serbia.
This is a clear sign that Russia will soon accept Kosovo Independence and therefore Kosovo will be accepted as a country in UN and this will end for good the dispute between Serbia and Kosovo.

This has nothing to do with Kosovo. What the Ambassador meant is: "you cannot have both Russia and NATO".

Not nice of him to mix Kosovo into this. What could have been a nice advice now sounds like a unfriendly threat.

same logic, same concept:
“Serbia can’t have both EU and Kosovo”

@ NELLI
"Mr.ambassador, please stay in touch with reality, because I'm not in a good mood for jokes today"
I am sure he is going to issue an official apology to you, send you an early Valentine's present with 40 mariachis band to cheer you up in your SAD state.

The Only think is PEACE and friendship you neighbors because no one is close or watch for your back when you need them... so SERBIA WAKE UP...

I feel that Serbia should strongly consider what NATO did to her when considering whether to join that organisation.

I for one would be massively disappointed to see Serbia joining an 'alliance' that is now little more than the american foreign legion, and which is an instrument of global persecution and government sponsored agression.

thats right serbia, no NATO for you... russia commands it.
(AdamNYC, 6 February 2010 01:41)

===================

NO Adam, Serb command it. Russia is only stating the obvious. They have every right to tell us like it is. They are protecting our interests in the UN and we should listen.
Who do you think Serbia should listen to? Albanians and Americans?

Get real.

Besides, if Serbs decide to join NATO, there is nothing Russia will do to Serbia. It's not like they will bomb Serbia for disobeying, unlike the US.

So stop with your sarcasm. You are not funny at all.

The master is speaking, the servant will listen!
(Anita, 5 February 2010 13:55)

Well this Master did not kill 10,000 Serbs in 1999, but your beloved NATO did that to the Albanians in Kosovo and then blamed Milosevic – “we love you and we are not bombing you but Milosevic” - and in the meantime killed 10,000 dead.

Now to your concern about Serbia's NATO membership.
Knowing that Albania and Croatia are permanent NATO members, do you really think that they would vote YES to such potential membership?.
It'll take long time for Albanian-Serbian, Croatian-Serbian and Bosnian-Serbian relations to improve.
Mr. ambassador please stay in touch with reality because I'm not in a good mood for jokes today.
Thank you.
(Nelli_Canada, 5 February 2010 14:43

As if anyone is going to ask Croatia or Albania the time of day let alone which country wants to line up to die in Afghanistan. Both live of EU handouts and you think they are going to set NATO policy. You have a lot of growing up to do.

You must be referring to the US and Albanians here!

With respect to the article, I have a suspicion that the opposite may be true -- that the west is using Kosovo as a bargaining chip to get Serbia to join NATO. What a deal -- join the EU and NATO and Serbia keeps her territorial integrity.

I'm not saying that Serbia should or would join, but I see this scenario as a possibility. Politics is a funny business.
(JC, 5 February 2010 15:16)

No. Once Serbia is in NATO Kosovo is gone and on top Serbia would lose everything. It would allow NATO troops and vehicles to move freely throughout Serbia with impunity. This is not a deal to sign up otherwise why go through the horrors of 1999.
Plus the western politicians of 2010 are not the same as those of the 1950 or 60s – the current ones are treacherous bustards that would sell their souls for a couple of dollars, agree to everything one day then once they get what they want never keep their word. Why do you think North Korea does not trust the US.

Wasn't Russia a part of that organization for a few years in Kosova.
(Bekim, 5 February 2010 15:31)

NO!

“Serbia can’t have both NATO and Kosovo” This is according to Russian Ambassador Aleksandr Konuzin. Lets all put are thinking caps what could the third option be? I know Russia do I win that fabulous trip to Siberia to see those historic Gulags.
(Lenard, 5 February 2010 18:38)

Lenard, if you’re lucky you might get trip to Guantanamo Bay. Oh, that no gulag, that freedom loving and democratic hugging compound or maybe the dozens of other secret prison run by beloved US around the world where they treat prisoners with dignity and respect.

"No!" for NATO. "No!" for joining to aggressive military pact.
Serbia - is neutral state!!

“In 1999, NATO bombed the entire country…”

Exactly ! They attacked even civil objects located hundred miles away from the conflict area ! What happened then is utmost shocking. Neither has they asked pardon like Germans did after WW2. Moreover they dare to judge and teach Serbs ! Now they go further and using their agents of influence inside Serbia mean to imprison the whole of the country. In their embracing grips they are going to quit with the never dying Serbian will to freedom. They failed to pull Ukraine and Georgia to NATO and now they need compensation in Serbia – the only unconquered soil in their rear. They talk of “resetting” to Russia and deploy missiles in Romania ect.

So I like our Ambassador’s clear message. It’s not very traditional for diplomatists to call spade a spade but we cannot sit and watch how NATO is trying to finish the job they started 15 years ago. I think it’s quite evident that you can’t drink water and whistle at the time. So the question is either you Serbs chose territorial integrity or you give up (as prisoners of war) to your open rivals with visa carrots. The question is who you Serbs are and how much you cost ? Are there things not for sale in nowadays Serbia or you are too tired of the long lasting pressure ? Did Colonel D.Mikhailivic had better chances when he rebelled in 1941 while even the USSR was on the German side ? Are you Serbs or are you Orthodox Croatians ?

Be smart and be as firm as your ancestors used to be !

People- I have the solution to European security. N.A.T.O. is the problem because it is percieved by Russia as a security threat to it's soil. The way the Western alliance has been behaveing, I can't say I blame them. The question of Serbia joining this alliance is finally solved. Security of Europe is guranteed by the United States but also by Russia. Russia needs to have full membership into N.A.T.O. problem solved. Both Russia and the West will have to deal with the same problems in the near future. You guessed it , Muslim fundamentalism and the China factor. Oka, lets all go back to our think tanks and be mature about it.Do we continue to bicker among ourselves while China and the Muslims slowly take us all over or do we work together to make sure this does not happen.

"thats right serbia, no NATO for you... russia commands it.
(AdamNYC, 6 February 2010 01:41) "

And what makes you think Serbia is so desperate to be in Nato and so become USA's lackey?

Serbia don't want any joining to any aggressive military pact like NATO.

Samo sloga Srbina spasava!!

Serbia is being blackmailed from Russia.
(Eagle, 6 February 2010 08:38)

Like how Albanians in Kosovo are blackmailed from the United States?

I don't know what the fuss is about. Why join an alliance that is getting its rear handed to it by the Taliban in Afghanistan\Pakistan? I don't think Serbs need to go to forgotten parts of the world to die for US interests. Let the K-Albs do it - instead of waving the stars and stripes and building statues show some real gratitude.

There is no point joining NATO. I have posted a short time back highlighting the EU and US divisions that seam to be morphing into a large rift. Obama snubbed the EU and is now trying to take on as many members as possible in desperation to save Nato being lost to EU power.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/eu/4689736/Blueprint-for-EU-army-to-be-agreed.html

http://www.thetrumpet.com/index.php?q=5145.3405.0.0

For Serbia if you are surrounded by NATO do you not have the protection of NATO without having to join or contribute?

Why exclude yourself from emerging economic markets and be dictated too by Brussells, there seems to be no logic joining NATO and that before we get to the question of the last two decades.

For the US to try and pose this question validates that Serbia has recovered and diplomaticly manouvered itself into a position of worth, no need for Serbia to cash in for fools gold. Stick with Russia and the Bric nations thats were the future is, for Europe Serbia is considered East for Asia it is considered West, it is a gateway best served with a uniquely non-aligned stance.

Also Russia's approach is
irking the US see how Russia calmly is bringing the Ukraine back into it's orbit they realise that the choice is the future not a dead man walking. Serbs have not forgotton WW1 and who has always had their back, Serbs are loyal people and we know who has humbly helped them get back on their feet and who loudly knocked them down.

People- I have the solution to European security. N.A.T.O. is the problem because it is percieved by Russia as a security threat to it's soil. The way the Western alliance has been behaveing, I can't say I blame them. The question of Serbia joining this alliance is finally solved. Security of Europe is guranteed by the United States but also by Russia. Russia needs to have full membership into N.A.T.O. problem solved. Both Russia and the West will have to deal with the same problems in the near future. You guessed it , Muslim fundamentalism and the China factor. Oka, lets all go back to our think tanks and be mature about it.Do we continue to bicker among ourselves while China and the Muslims slowly take us all over or do we work together to make sure this does not happen.
(Jack, 6 February 2010 01:03)

So why stop there Jack why not get the China and the Muslims to join NATO too.

Like how Albanians in Kosovo are blackmailed from the United States?
(Pigeon, 7 February 2010 11:55)

How can you be blackmailed for something tha you want it, it's yours and you get it. I don't see how Albanians are being blackmailed from US. For your information it's called support.

same logic, same concept:
“Serbia can’t have both EU and Kosovo”
(blue and gold, 5 February 2010 23:30)

Albanian hypernationalist keyboard warrior alert.

Who are you to dictate terms to Serbia. You guys make me choke on my KP peanuts & my Jelen beer.

What veto are you talking about?

Russia could not have vetoed the NATO's decission to bomb Serbia, but "the old friend Greece" could have. It didn't. At the end of the campagn the "good old friend" Romania refused an air corridor for the Russian troops to be flown to Kosovo. Thus it won its invitation to join NATO and the EU.The "good old friends" may not "recognize" Kosovo, but without their passive or active colaboration with the pact, the de facto independent (ideed entirely dependent) Kosovo could not have been created in 1999. It must be clear that when it comes to the crunch Serbia has no regional allies. No one would stand firmly by its side. Neither would Russia ever be in a possition to create realities in the Blakans. So the dilema facing Serbia is whether to join NATO, get out of its regional isolation, and tus acquiring a voice in Washington and Brussels, or remain a lone thorn on the side of NATO and the EU, get (often infairly) punished and wait for the "kingdom come" day whe the entire geopolitical situation would change. It is a difficult choice.

@Velja, 6 February 2010 11:44

What Veto?
Serbia must be VERY happy that Russia still give suppport.
If i was the Russian leader then I didn't give any support anymore to a country attacked by the NATO and later flirting with the NATO (only in Serbia... a selfrespected country who is attacked would never think about NATO membership)
A country who is selling their own people to the enemy so they get a fake trial (yeah a fake trial only for Balkan people/most Serbs and Africans and you don't see there western people who are involved with war)
A country where a majority more like to be with EU then with Russia and China...they like more to be with countries who bombed Serbia, killed Serbs and are demonizing Serbs in their media non stop.
The love for money is bigger then the honor and love for those people killed by the western agressors.
And yes I know it are people in the Serbian government who are talking sick things like NATO membership but it are the Serbian people who are voting for those people because they believe all the nice stories about big money and nowaday I always hear people crying that they want back Slobo... to late he is already deported and killed because of the greediness of many Serbian people.
samo SCO srbina spasava
Aleksander Vulin for president.

Something of interest regarding Serbian and Russian relations. Please see the link below.

http://www.economist.com/world/europe/displaystory.cfm?story_id=15464941

No vetto was exercised by the old friend during the NATO bombing in 1999 . What about risky privatizations. This time a blackmail was put forward with a choice between: whether you take it or leave it ,you will repent.
(Velja, 6 February 2010 11:44)

What veto are you talking about?
The bombing did not happen as a result of any UN decision. this was outside the UN and Russia has no veto in NATO.

Russia was not in a position to help anyone then.
Things are very different now but somehow to you the world stands still.

@ VELJA
"We will never forget 1949"

Oh, Veljo! I am sure that many Serbs will never ever forget that year. They are not going to forget the following decades either. Goli Otok, Ram, Grgur, to mention just few. Bestiality of Tito's boots licking followers was not the Russia's sin, that was not Russian dictation. I don't know how old you are, I don't care who you are, I could not care less what your nationality is, what your education is; your words picture your state of mind - which in itself suffice to discard all of what you believe to be strong arguments. You missed your target, Veljo.

Lose Kosovo, or get the "privilege" to send Serb kids to die in the Arctic tundra in 5 years.

Russia is right again and NATO/US will regret attacking Serbia. It has lost the Balkans because of it.
(Zoran, 5 February 2010 14:20)

well, you're mistaken...it hasn't lost balkans at all...since all balkan countries have already join NATO (Slovenia, Croatia, Romania, Bulgaria, Greece, Albania, Turkey) or are about to do so (Montenegro, FYROM, Bosnia) !!

So, you should say...it has lost Serbia....and honestly....who cares ?????

Tadic and his comrades should be careful, since this russian official is quite right.

and the majority of Serbs would not support any kind of plays with Serbia´s sovereignty.

Jack wrote:

"The Serbs will never get Kosovo back. N.A.T.O. membership will stay open for Serbia until the people a ready. Russia provides nothing but talk, talk, talk. For those who say N.A.T.O. bombed Serbia is no reason to join alliance are wrong. Lets move on, war is business get over it and think about the future."
===============

Are you prepared to give the same speech to your Albanian brothers?
War is business, get over it and let's stay one country. No independent Kosovo.

Something tells me this would be a NO. Very hypocritical.