"U.S. not expecting Serbia to recognize"

Boy, are the words being softened from all around; the UK and the US. Rightly so as reality steps in.

Basically there is nothing that can be done without Serbia being onboard. And that isn't going to happen until the status is solved.

The US needs Belgrade and Pristina to communicate, but this cannot happen until the status is discussed properly.

They have control over Pristina but none over Belgrade. Kosovo is legally a province and Serbia is an established UN member, a sovereign state within whose boundaries Kosovo still legally resides.

These are things which will not change without some sort of positive action taking place. That means that the status has to be solved to the satisfaction of both sides. Pristina just repeating that they are independent does not make it so, even with their big mates standing behind them.

""Every new day Serbia spends talking about the reopening of the status negotiations, or about division, is a day lost for Serbia on the road to a European future," Warlick stated."

Again trying to use the Kosovo or EU card, but not only is this wearing thin but it also won't work. Serbia can't choose the EU over Kosovo, because their parliament would never pass it.

Nice try, Ms Warlick, but the fact is that Kosovo currently has no established status to take it forward into the future. And Europe and the US need it to get on track and move forward.

The only way is to open status talks, wherever they may lead.

As for the last round of status talks, we can see what a joke they were by the biased statements that the so-called negotiator Martti Ahtisaari has come out with this week. They all thought they could just barge their way through, annex 15% of a nation's territory and hand it over to their latest allies to keep them sweet.

It was a terrible move and has failed completely. I hope that the ICJ and the UN does its job and within international law gets the whole thing back on track.

"U.S. not expecting Serbia to recognize"

The Americans are realizing that a Serbian recognition will never come so they have accepted that fact. However, they are asking for one form of recognition by asking Serbia to have good relations with Pristina. They want Serbia to save Kosovo once again from the mess it's in by asking for cooperation. How spupid do they think we are? Pristina albanians are forcing our people to live in camps, they are destroying our churches, harassing our people and the Americans want us to accept that by having good relations with terrorists? Serbs don't want to live with albanians and vice verca. Neither side can be forced to do either so whether one likes it or not Kosovo is already partitioned. However, if it make the americans feel better they can convince themselves whatever they want. The Americans are responsible fot these divisions and now they say they won't accept them. What an ignorant and naive country the US is! Serbia should have as little to do with this country as humanly possible.

Nikshala: "You are naive if you believe that Serbia's stance has anything to do with defending international law - its about defending its own political interests."

Of course it is! They are defending their territory. My personal stance on the other hand is far more to do with upholding international law and not living in a world where European boundaries can just be changed at whim by certain countries.

Nikshala, there was no attempt to 'exterminate' Kosovo Albanians. There were atrocities which were truly terrible and should be answered for. But numbers were vastly inflated by the Western media and very little was said about atrocities being carried out by the KLA (also against Albanians as well as Serbians).

A point about the ICJ outcome: Let's look at the the various 'cans of worms' that can be opened.

If the ICJ is ambiguous it will create chaos, discredit and undermine international law;

If the ICJ does not uphold the presevation of sovereign territory there will be a major problem around the world;

If the ICJ states that the UDI was illegal and Pristina is forced to readdress the status of Kosovo with Belgrade, then Kosovo Albanians will kick up a fuss but ultimately be told to cooperate and reach a compromise with Serbia.

Now what do you think the 'international community' will be more upset about? Creating chaos around the world or temporarily upsetting Kosovo Albanians?

Mind you, saying that, nothing would surpise me.

Why do the countries that have recognised KOsovo keep reminding us that a partition is unacceptable. Its certainly not on the table from the Serbian side so if they keep talking about it maybe its sommething they are actually considering.

PRN

There is no such thing as natural Albania, Greater Albania or ethnic Albania. There is the Republic of Albania and that is what the world recognizes. The world is not interested in whatever land on a map that you and some other braindead chauvinists draw up with their crayons as Albania.

Come back down to earth. There will never be one of these three entities because international law prohibits and nobody on this planet actually supports it.

Albanians themselves do not have the military muscle or the economic clout to win these lands back anyway without being sanctioned by the UN or bombed to hell by NATO-Serbia-Macedonia coalition, so why not stop with the fantasizing, because people like you usually live a very miserable and unfulfilling life when their funny little dreams do not come true (and they won't regarding this).

Here is a map of the Balkans:

http://www.indiabuzzing.com/wp-content/uploads/balkans-map-e.gif

And this is how it's gonna stay, no matter how much you keep dreaming of Greater ethnic Albania or whatever.

"It was a terrible move and has failed completely. I hope that the ICJ and the UN does its job and within international law gets the whole thing back on track.
(kate, 25 June 2010 11:13) "

What you do hope is that ICJ will rule in Serbia's favour - should it be the otherway around you as many other in serbian camp will shout injustice and interference from the West. Serbia has offically said that it will not accept a decision that goes against its interest.

You are naive if you believe that Serbia's stance has anything to do with defending international law - its about defending its own political interests.

I am not familiar with 'international law' and I do not intend to be but what id do know is that it is not some divine law that cannot has no flaws or cannot be changed - it was created to suit the interest of world powers at the time.

What you and many other fail to understand time and time again is that you cannot force 2 million people to live in a country that tried to exterminate them. Rather than blindly following some clause in some piece of paper, occasionaly common sense should prevail.

Long before there was USA and England for that matter, there was a Serbia. Long after the decline of both those said empires there still was a Serbia and long after there will be a larger and united Serbia. Not today, not tommorow, but definetly again somewhere through the pages of history.

Kosovo is nothing but a UN administered Province of Serbia. Resolution 1244 reaffirms this and Resolution 1244 was recently reaffirmed by a meeting of PACE. The Eu recognizes Kosovo under 1244 but allows its members to recognize as they wish. Until Greece, Spain, Romania, Slovakia, and Cyprus all recognize Kosovo as an "Independant Nation" the Eu can not recognize Kosovo as a country,because there is not a consensus in the organization. In 5-7 years Serbia and Bosnia will be entering the Eu and that will be 7 countries against Kosovo being in the Eu as an independant nation, who knows maybe even countries like the Czech republic, Poland, and Montenegro will repeal recognitions after the ICJ like they said they would if the court ruled in Serbias favor, which it will. Status negotiations will be the only option left after both sides are held back in all fields including Euro-Atlantic integrations. It is absolutely impossible for "Kosovo" to enter the Eu when +50% of its border is disputed and its whole territory is legitamately claimed by its legal owner, Serbia. The EU is not willing to have another Cyprus. You will see, status negotiations will come soon wether "Kosovo" likes it or not.

Why do the countries that have recognised KOsovo keep reminding us that a partition is unacceptable. Its certainly not on the table from the Serbian side so if they keep talking about it maybe its sommething they are actually considering.
(Sam, UK, 25 June 2010 11:24)

On contrary Sam, it is Serbia that has been talking behind close doors to these countries about partition, since they know Kosova/o is gone for ever.

"it sounds like five poor EU countries are more importnat than 22 rich EU countries."
Kosovo-USA

Actually the cheapest way for these 22 rich EU countries to finish the Kosovo problem would be to pay off Kosovo albanian officials to accept a deal rather then paying of the 5 EU states that refuse to recognize Kosovo. Kosovo is surely poorer then Greece, Slovakia, Cyprus, Spain and Romania and would require less money to "convince" and "accept" a deal. Seeing how rich some albanian officials have become from corruption and organized crime I think they would gladely take that cash.

Kosovo-USA: "...it sounds like five poor EU countries are more importnat than 22 rich EU countries. I am tryitng to do little math here, but is not working out. hehehehehe"

What are you on about? They all have an equal vote.

Unlike the inequalities cast upon the countries trying to get in.

"U.S. not expecting Serbia to recognize"

I think Serbia is being wise in sparing Kosovo recognition for Natural Albania recognition. The latter is win-win for both situation which Jeremic is proclaiming.

So if the US doesn't expect Serbia to recognize, and isn't holding Serbia's entry into the EU to recognition, then we have indeed reached a definitive impasse. If Serbia doesn't have to recognize, that means dozens of other countries making their own decision to recognize on what Belgrade does/doesn't valid.

If we are talking about "pragmatic solutions" as Amb Warlick suggests, I say all in good time once the ICJ comes down the middle and forces both sides to abandon untenable goals. Belgrade doesn't have to recognize, but it does have to "recognize" that large parts of Kosovo are not and will not be under its authority. Likewise Pristina has to "recognize" that what it has now is as good as its going to get. If outward partition isn't on the table (or isn't being discussed via official channels yet), we can always Daytonize what will be an internationally administered protectorate. Pristina takes care of its side, and Belgrade/Mitrovica takes care of its. Kosovo is not Israel as as such is expendable to US interests.

"You are naive if you believe that Serbia's stance has anything to do with defending international law - its about defending its own political interests." (nikshala)

-- I think it's pretty obvious "international law" is a term both sides use to justify "political interests". Both Pristina and Washington have just as much "political interests" keeping Kosovo away from Belgrade as Belgrade has in trying to retain it. Let's not be under any pretense one side has the moral/legal highground here.

" it sounds like five poor EU countries are more importnat than 22 rich EU countries. I am tryitng to do little math here, but is not working out. hehehehehe" (Kosova-USA)

-- Actually your math is right on target. You need all 27 in order for the Blue Fairy to turn this wooden puppet into a real live boy. 5 are withholding. And since the US has now effectively turned its pet project into a stalemate by not requiring Belgrade to recognize, other states don't have to recognize as long as Belgrade doesn't. So yes. 5 states are keeping back the other 22 (more like 3 or 4. The other 17 - 18 are just along for the ride and really don't care as much as you'd like to think).

To all k-albanian trolls here..
Avghanistan was great friend of good ole USA for good 10 years before they started to clean them.With albanian terror mentality it won`t suprise anyone they`ll start to clean albanians as well.
This was nicely said by US representative,they don`t care much about albanians in KiM,they need Serbia as much as EU.

So the US is running out of friends? Europe (west) is p***ed off over the whole Iraq and now Afghanistan debacle, not to mention the US led world recession. Just because they don't say so publically doesn't mean that they aren't. Their actions speak for themselves.

Warlick's cv notes her as an economics and a russia specialist. Now why would the U.S. send someone like that to Belgrade if they weren't worried about Russia's influence in the region? Not that the US has anything to do with Serbia's accession to the EU.

Nikshala's comment calling Kate naive about international law made me laugh though as he followed it up with "I am not familiar with 'international law' and I do not intend to be but.." The proudly ignorant accusing others of being naive! I just love albanian comedy.

Until Greece, Spain, Romania, Slovakia, and Cyprus all recognize Kosovo as an "Independant Nation" the Eu can not recognize Kosovo as a country,because there is not a consensus in the organization.

Now, as I read this coment, it sounds like five poor EU countries are more importnat than 22 rich EU countries. I am tryitng to do little math here, but is not working out. hehehehehe

Kosova-USA

Maths wasn't your strong point in school, was it? Since when are Spain, Cyprus or Greece poor? OK, Greece has problems, but still, hundreds of thousands of Albanians live there, so it can't be all that bad.

Anyway, your wishful thinking won't change a thing. The fact stands that five countries don't recognize Kosovo.

What is Kosovo going to do about it?

They have control over Pristina but none over Belgrade
(kate, 25 June 2010 11:13)

Kate,
they have control over serbia as well. poverty and full independence/pride don't last for a long time. miloshevic tried, he failed. koshtunica tried, he failed as well. tadic seems more pragmatic. he seems to last longer for the moment. if he tries to challenge us/eu he will fail as well. he knows this too well. he seems smarter.

I wrote a longer comment about what I am about to say but it was not posted.

Anyway it goes around the question: When did Russia ever say anything positive about K-Albanians or Albanians in general? The question is in response to some who believe that K. independence is only a US affair as if US simply decided to create a new independent state in the Ballkans. My point is that US doesn't have any special affection for K-Albanians and this make the K-Independence case much stronger. Compared to Russia's emotional and biased stance, US and all western nations saw K-Independence as the only pragmatic and sustainable solution.

Long before there was USA and England for that matter, there was a Serbia. Long after the decline of both those said empires there still was a Serbia and long after there will be a larger and united Serbia. Not today, not tommorow, but definetly again somewhere through the pages of history.
(Dragan, Toronto, 25 June 2010 15:39)

Puting Serbia before England, it seems that history leasons are in dire need.

I want to say that the Serbian people are glad that justice has prevailed, and that they will keep Kosovo until they decide otherwise.

I want to strongly advise the Serbian people not to gloat over their victory to keep Kosovo as an integral part of Serbia.

There is nothing to gloat over, because the entire episode has been a tragedy.

If we look at the present percentage of Serbian voters who will want to keep Kosovo, it is obvious that any Referendum to change the Constitution regarding Kosovo is some time away, if ever.

I am sure that there is a substantial percentage who would favour giving the Albanians two-thirds of Kosovo, but that there must be total racial segregation of Serbs and Albanians.

This means that those Albanians in Presevo Valley and other places in Serbia must shift southwards to the two-thirds of Kosovo, and all non-Albanians must move to the rest of Serbia.

The one third of Kosovo that Serbia would retain, would include much that is of the historical importance, like where the Battle of Kosovo was fought, and Camp Bondsteel.

It would not matter if the map looked a bit strange in certain places.

We know that such an agreement would be Politically Incorrect, especially while America and NATO were occupying Kosovo.

If however, the Albanians ask the Americans and NATO to leave, then they will not interfere in the internal affairs of the people of Serbia, which include Kosovo.

If the Serbs and the Albanians agree to this just like the Greeks and the Turks did in their population exchange of 1923, then it may be acceptable to a majority of Serbian voters.

The first step is for America and NATO to leave Serbia, and then let the people decide.

It will not be the thing that the European Union wants to hear, and so the Albanians will have to be content with Autonomy.

"We wish to see Serbia constructively cooperating with Pristina, the US., the EU........" spoke Mary Warlick the US Ambassador to Belgrade, but notice she did not talk about Pristina, the US, and the EU to likewise constructively cooperate with Serbia. It is this one sideness which gives Serbia a right to complain. In order to have any type of compromise on dealing with these problems, Serbia must receive at least the same amount of respect; the same amount of consideration from the US and the EU as Kosovo receives.

Kosova-USA there is no math required. Until all 27 EU members agree that "Kosovo" is a country, the EU can not recognize "Kosovo". And if the Eu doesnt care about 5 countries in it that dont recognize "Kosovo" then why have they not officialy supported "Kosovo" as an entire Organization. The "Kosovo Project" has failed and it will be finished off by the ICJ ruling in Serbia's favor. The west is terrified of the ICJ ruling remember how they were threating Serbia not to go to the ICJ. They know that it will undermine the temporary institutions UDI and will incapicitate them from ever becoming a legitimate "country". "Kosovo" can never become a country as long as Serbia does not recognize it as such.

Anyway it goes around the question: When did Russia ever say anything positive about K-Albanians or Albanians in general?
(miri, 25 June 2010 15:23)

If you ask this question - than you prove you don't know what you are asking about.

http://www.albaniablog.ru/archives/tag/albaniya

But if you have a picture of some old, hairy, ugly hag - you welcome to correct the Russian administrator. Until it happens - that chick will be there.

Otherwise the only stereotype Russians have about Albanian men is that they are lazy and Russian girls who are interested in that topic need extensive work to tame the future husband.

Same applies to potential Montenegrin and Turkish husbands, btw. There are long essays like "how to make a decent husband out of a lazy Turk". Quite a few girls did succeed, but it's tough.

Despite Obama, America's type of policy in the case of Kosovo is still that of creating "faits accomplis". Instead of the rule of law the habits of the mafia.

The independence declaration was such an act but it goes on. Serbia doesn't have to recognize Kosovo, but instead the US encourages Kosovo to take on all the attributes of an international state and when then Serbia for example objects against Kosovo customs documents it accuses Serbia of being "not cooperative". Their strategy is to force Serbia to become "cooperative" on all fronts and then they will claim that Serbia has de facto recognized Kosovo.

Maybe someone can ask mrs. ambassador how being "cooperative" should look like and what each side should contribute.

the US/EU are feed those hungry hoards in Kosovo who would starve without funding from the west.
(sj, 26 June 2010 02:55)

The EU is funding the hungry serbia as well. you brother russia has made a lot of promises, but that the eu taxpayers who have been funding your budget deficit. tadic and co are trying hard to sell themselves as real good students doing the homework at the westerners orchestration. if tadic disappears, it will be nikolic who seems to be pragmatic towards eu/usa. he undestands that confrontation with them is not going to bring any good to serbs. you always mention china, cuba, russia and all those rougues states. it is up to you to choose your bodies. but the problem is that serbia needs cash, and those 'real true friends' are not as generous as you think. at the very end it is again the 'economy stupid'. serbs, as well as their other fellow balkan neighbours are not really hard workers. someone else has to fund your economy...

The statement by USA Ambassador to Serbia Mary Warlick not to pressure Serbia to recognize Kosovo independence is welcome change.Serbia should conduct its relations with break way Province based on UN resolution 1244 which explicitly guarantee "Sovereignty and territorial integrity of Serbia"

The EU is having problems in funding its own programs let alone Serbia. So far the funding provided by the EU has been to pay Tadic and co, but I don’t see too much of that “wealth” reaching the people. The budget deficit is being funded by Serbia borrowing money and not by the EU.
You place too much faith in western capability in 2010. The EU is trying to keep from falling apart while the US, well they are so far in debt that it would take 5 generations to bring it down to a manageable level. You really must travel more in the US to see that high living standards caused by the financial crises. In fact on a pro rata basis there are more soup kitchens today in the US than during the great depression. The US government employs more people than private enterprise – not bad for a capitalist country, eh!.
Nikolic is the same a Tadic – he wants to be a western crawler and bootlick. Why is it the you converts to freedom and democracy call anyone that does not see eye to eye with the west rogue states? I never mentioned Cuba or Russia. However, China is a very different matter in that it’s pushing the US out of every sphere of activity and I strongly suggest that you start learning Mandarin.
Countries have no real friends but common interest only and I don’t look to China or Russia “saving” Serbia, but I look forward to the elimination of the US as an empire. As far as hard work is concerned that is something Serbs in Serbia will have to learn about.

perhaps someone should tell this american dreamer that every day the US continue supporting the K-albanian terrorists in their greater-albanian project is - a lost day!

Serbia will prevail, and the US will have to accept it. sooner or later.

K-USA,

History lessons...hmmm...lets go to sports first.
Serbia beats Germany. Serbia is out. Germany smashes England. England out. Ghana beats USA. USA out. All are history now. But again there's the next world cup four years away.
Bur then again, lets begin with the England - native tribes, the celts, the Roman Britannia, the Angles and Saxons, the rise and fall of Great Britain and its empire etc. etc.?
But then again, we could go into tangents about: Rashka, Zeta, Hum, monasteries built hundreds of years ago in Kosovo and Metohija. Heck, we could even delve further into the origins of the name "Kosovo" and "Metohija." Hey, I'd even go into taboo topics in the west, like demographic shifts. Chess or checkers? How about a bit about...Stefan Dusan?
For now a few historical numbers sound better: 4-1 and 2-1. Yours?

(liberty, 25 June 2010 23:02)
They have the same control over Serbia as they do over Iraq or Afghanistan. You are deluding yourself if you think that the US/EU are that strong – yes in the 1990s that was very true, but while they had the power they were too busy savoring the moments and all has slipped through their fingers.
Ask yourself this question, why bother to carry on this mess in the Balkans over the last 11 years? The US/EU have more pressing issues so they would have “controlled” Serbia a long time ago. The most dangerous animal is one that is wounded and dying and Serbia is not a big country so they will leave the situation alone and watch the mighty US of A wither and turn to dust and without any cost take back what belong to them. 2010 is the major turning point in world history and it was only 3 days ago that China issued a press release that it will float the Yuan over the next five years – to be the world currency.
On the issue of poverty, I see the western introduced high living standards of Kosovo or for that matter the unemployed millions in the US – to be exact 90 million living in squalor but hugging the flag. How long is that going to hold the US together? Keep that flag it may well keep you warm this coming winter.
Oh, by the way Tadic would very soon disappear if he even hinted at giving up Kosovo. In the meantime the US/EU are feed those hungry hoards in Kosovo who would starve without funding from the west.

"U.S. not expecting Serbia to recognize"

I think Serbia is being wise in sparing Kosovo recognition for Natural Albania recognition. The latter is win-win for both situation which Jeremic is proclaiming.

Why do the countries that have recognised KOsovo keep reminding us that a partition is unacceptable. Its certainly not on the table from the Serbian side so if they keep talking about it maybe its sommething they are actually considering.
(Sam, UK, 25 June 2010 11:24)

On contrary Sam, it is Serbia that has been talking behind close doors to these countries about partition, since they know Kosova/o is gone for ever.

"It was a terrible move and has failed completely. I hope that the ICJ and the UN does its job and within international law gets the whole thing back on track.
(kate, 25 June 2010 11:13) "

What you do hope is that ICJ will rule in Serbia's favour - should it be the otherway around you as many other in serbian camp will shout injustice and interference from the West. Serbia has offically said that it will not accept a decision that goes against its interest.

You are naive if you believe that Serbia's stance has anything to do with defending international law - its about defending its own political interests.

I am not familiar with 'international law' and I do not intend to be but what id do know is that it is not some divine law that cannot has no flaws or cannot be changed - it was created to suit the interest of world powers at the time.

What you and many other fail to understand time and time again is that you cannot force 2 million people to live in a country that tried to exterminate them. Rather than blindly following some clause in some piece of paper, occasionaly common sense should prevail.

Until Greece, Spain, Romania, Slovakia, and Cyprus all recognize Kosovo as an "Independant Nation" the Eu can not recognize Kosovo as a country,because there is not a consensus in the organization.

Now, as I read this coment, it sounds like five poor EU countries are more importnat than 22 rich EU countries. I am tryitng to do little math here, but is not working out. hehehehehe

PRN

There is no such thing as natural Albania, Greater Albania or ethnic Albania. There is the Republic of Albania and that is what the world recognizes. The world is not interested in whatever land on a map that you and some other braindead chauvinists draw up with their crayons as Albania.

Come back down to earth. There will never be one of these three entities because international law prohibits and nobody on this planet actually supports it.

Albanians themselves do not have the military muscle or the economic clout to win these lands back anyway without being sanctioned by the UN or bombed to hell by NATO-Serbia-Macedonia coalition, so why not stop with the fantasizing, because people like you usually live a very miserable and unfulfilling life when their funny little dreams do not come true (and they won't regarding this).

Here is a map of the Balkans:

http://www.indiabuzzing.com/wp-content/uploads/balkans-map-e.gif

And this is how it's gonna stay, no matter how much you keep dreaming of Greater ethnic Albania or whatever.

Nikshala: "You are naive if you believe that Serbia's stance has anything to do with defending international law - its about defending its own political interests."

Of course it is! They are defending their territory. My personal stance on the other hand is far more to do with upholding international law and not living in a world where European boundaries can just be changed at whim by certain countries.

Nikshala, there was no attempt to 'exterminate' Kosovo Albanians. There were atrocities which were truly terrible and should be answered for. But numbers were vastly inflated by the Western media and very little was said about atrocities being carried out by the KLA (also against Albanians as well as Serbians).

A point about the ICJ outcome: Let's look at the the various 'cans of worms' that can be opened.

If the ICJ is ambiguous it will create chaos, discredit and undermine international law;

If the ICJ does not uphold the presevation of sovereign territory there will be a major problem around the world;

If the ICJ states that the UDI was illegal and Pristina is forced to readdress the status of Kosovo with Belgrade, then Kosovo Albanians will kick up a fuss but ultimately be told to cooperate and reach a compromise with Serbia.

Now what do you think the 'international community' will be more upset about? Creating chaos around the world or temporarily upsetting Kosovo Albanians?

Mind you, saying that, nothing would surpise me.

"U.S. not expecting Serbia to recognize"

The Americans are realizing that a Serbian recognition will never come so they have accepted that fact. However, they are asking for one form of recognition by asking Serbia to have good relations with Pristina. They want Serbia to save Kosovo once again from the mess it's in by asking for cooperation. How spupid do they think we are? Pristina albanians are forcing our people to live in camps, they are destroying our churches, harassing our people and the Americans want us to accept that by having good relations with terrorists? Serbs don't want to live with albanians and vice verca. Neither side can be forced to do either so whether one likes it or not Kosovo is already partitioned. However, if it make the americans feel better they can convince themselves whatever they want. The Americans are responsible fot these divisions and now they say they won't accept them. What an ignorant and naive country the US is! Serbia should have as little to do with this country as humanly possible.

Kosovo is nothing but a UN administered Province of Serbia. Resolution 1244 reaffirms this and Resolution 1244 was recently reaffirmed by a meeting of PACE. The Eu recognizes Kosovo under 1244 but allows its members to recognize as they wish. Until Greece, Spain, Romania, Slovakia, and Cyprus all recognize Kosovo as an "Independant Nation" the Eu can not recognize Kosovo as a country,because there is not a consensus in the organization. In 5-7 years Serbia and Bosnia will be entering the Eu and that will be 7 countries against Kosovo being in the Eu as an independant nation, who knows maybe even countries like the Czech republic, Poland, and Montenegro will repeal recognitions after the ICJ like they said they would if the court ruled in Serbias favor, which it will. Status negotiations will be the only option left after both sides are held back in all fields including Euro-Atlantic integrations. It is absolutely impossible for "Kosovo" to enter the Eu when +50% of its border is disputed and its whole territory is legitamately claimed by its legal owner, Serbia. The EU is not willing to have another Cyprus. You will see, status negotiations will come soon wether "Kosovo" likes it or not.

I wrote a longer comment about what I am about to say but it was not posted.

Anyway it goes around the question: When did Russia ever say anything positive about K-Albanians or Albanians in general? The question is in response to some who believe that K. independence is only a US affair as if US simply decided to create a new independent state in the Ballkans. My point is that US doesn't have any special affection for K-Albanians and this make the K-Independence case much stronger. Compared to Russia's emotional and biased stance, US and all western nations saw K-Independence as the only pragmatic and sustainable solution.

Boy, are the words being softened from all around; the UK and the US. Rightly so as reality steps in.

Basically there is nothing that can be done without Serbia being onboard. And that isn't going to happen until the status is solved.

The US needs Belgrade and Pristina to communicate, but this cannot happen until the status is discussed properly.

They have control over Pristina but none over Belgrade. Kosovo is legally a province and Serbia is an established UN member, a sovereign state within whose boundaries Kosovo still legally resides.

These are things which will not change without some sort of positive action taking place. That means that the status has to be solved to the satisfaction of both sides. Pristina just repeating that they are independent does not make it so, even with their big mates standing behind them.

""Every new day Serbia spends talking about the reopening of the status negotiations, or about division, is a day lost for Serbia on the road to a European future," Warlick stated."

Again trying to use the Kosovo or EU card, but not only is this wearing thin but it also won't work. Serbia can't choose the EU over Kosovo, because their parliament would never pass it.

Nice try, Ms Warlick, but the fact is that Kosovo currently has no established status to take it forward into the future. And Europe and the US need it to get on track and move forward.

The only way is to open status talks, wherever they may lead.

As for the last round of status talks, we can see what a joke they were by the biased statements that the so-called negotiator Martti Ahtisaari has come out with this week. They all thought they could just barge their way through, annex 15% of a nation's territory and hand it over to their latest allies to keep them sweet.

It was a terrible move and has failed completely. I hope that the ICJ and the UN does its job and within international law gets the whole thing back on track.

Long before there was USA and England for that matter, there was a Serbia. Long after the decline of both those said empires there still was a Serbia and long after there will be a larger and united Serbia. Not today, not tommorow, but definetly again somewhere through the pages of history.

They have control over Pristina but none over Belgrade
(kate, 25 June 2010 11:13)

Kate,
they have control over serbia as well. poverty and full independence/pride don't last for a long time. miloshevic tried, he failed. koshtunica tried, he failed as well. tadic seems more pragmatic. he seems to last longer for the moment. if he tries to challenge us/eu he will fail as well. he knows this too well. he seems smarter.

Why do the countries that have recognised KOsovo keep reminding us that a partition is unacceptable. Its certainly not on the table from the Serbian side so if they keep talking about it maybe its sommething they are actually considering.

Kosovo-USA: "...it sounds like five poor EU countries are more importnat than 22 rich EU countries. I am tryitng to do little math here, but is not working out. hehehehehe"

What are you on about? They all have an equal vote.

Unlike the inequalities cast upon the countries trying to get in.

I want to say that the Serbian people are glad that justice has prevailed, and that they will keep Kosovo until they decide otherwise.

I want to strongly advise the Serbian people not to gloat over their victory to keep Kosovo as an integral part of Serbia.

There is nothing to gloat over, because the entire episode has been a tragedy.

If we look at the present percentage of Serbian voters who will want to keep Kosovo, it is obvious that any Referendum to change the Constitution regarding Kosovo is some time away, if ever.

I am sure that there is a substantial percentage who would favour giving the Albanians two-thirds of Kosovo, but that there must be total racial segregation of Serbs and Albanians.

This means that those Albanians in Presevo Valley and other places in Serbia must shift southwards to the two-thirds of Kosovo, and all non-Albanians must move to the rest of Serbia.

The one third of Kosovo that Serbia would retain, would include much that is of the historical importance, like where the Battle of Kosovo was fought, and Camp Bondsteel.

It would not matter if the map looked a bit strange in certain places.

We know that such an agreement would be Politically Incorrect, especially while America and NATO were occupying Kosovo.

If however, the Albanians ask the Americans and NATO to leave, then they will not interfere in the internal affairs of the people of Serbia, which include Kosovo.

If the Serbs and the Albanians agree to this just like the Greeks and the Turks did in their population exchange of 1923, then it may be acceptable to a majority of Serbian voters.

The first step is for America and NATO to leave Serbia, and then let the people decide.

It will not be the thing that the European Union wants to hear, and so the Albanians will have to be content with Autonomy.

"it sounds like five poor EU countries are more importnat than 22 rich EU countries."
Kosovo-USA

Actually the cheapest way for these 22 rich EU countries to finish the Kosovo problem would be to pay off Kosovo albanian officials to accept a deal rather then paying of the 5 EU states that refuse to recognize Kosovo. Kosovo is surely poorer then Greece, Slovakia, Cyprus, Spain and Romania and would require less money to "convince" and "accept" a deal. Seeing how rich some albanian officials have become from corruption and organized crime I think they would gladely take that cash.

So the US is running out of friends? Europe (west) is p***ed off over the whole Iraq and now Afghanistan debacle, not to mention the US led world recession. Just because they don't say so publically doesn't mean that they aren't. Their actions speak for themselves.

Warlick's cv notes her as an economics and a russia specialist. Now why would the U.S. send someone like that to Belgrade if they weren't worried about Russia's influence in the region? Not that the US has anything to do with Serbia's accession to the EU.

Nikshala's comment calling Kate naive about international law made me laugh though as he followed it up with "I am not familiar with 'international law' and I do not intend to be but.." The proudly ignorant accusing others of being naive! I just love albanian comedy.

Kosova-USA

Maths wasn't your strong point in school, was it? Since when are Spain, Cyprus or Greece poor? OK, Greece has problems, but still, hundreds of thousands of Albanians live there, so it can't be all that bad.

Anyway, your wishful thinking won't change a thing. The fact stands that five countries don't recognize Kosovo.

What is Kosovo going to do about it?

To all k-albanian trolls here..
Avghanistan was great friend of good ole USA for good 10 years before they started to clean them.With albanian terror mentality it won`t suprise anyone they`ll start to clean albanians as well.
This was nicely said by US representative,they don`t care much about albanians in KiM,they need Serbia as much as EU.

So if the US doesn't expect Serbia to recognize, and isn't holding Serbia's entry into the EU to recognition, then we have indeed reached a definitive impasse. If Serbia doesn't have to recognize, that means dozens of other countries making their own decision to recognize on what Belgrade does/doesn't valid.

If we are talking about "pragmatic solutions" as Amb Warlick suggests, I say all in good time once the ICJ comes down the middle and forces both sides to abandon untenable goals. Belgrade doesn't have to recognize, but it does have to "recognize" that large parts of Kosovo are not and will not be under its authority. Likewise Pristina has to "recognize" that what it has now is as good as its going to get. If outward partition isn't on the table (or isn't being discussed via official channels yet), we can always Daytonize what will be an internationally administered protectorate. Pristina takes care of its side, and Belgrade/Mitrovica takes care of its. Kosovo is not Israel as as such is expendable to US interests.

"You are naive if you believe that Serbia's stance has anything to do with defending international law - its about defending its own political interests." (nikshala)

-- I think it's pretty obvious "international law" is a term both sides use to justify "political interests". Both Pristina and Washington have just as much "political interests" keeping Kosovo away from Belgrade as Belgrade has in trying to retain it. Let's not be under any pretense one side has the moral/legal highground here.

" it sounds like five poor EU countries are more importnat than 22 rich EU countries. I am tryitng to do little math here, but is not working out. hehehehehe" (Kosova-USA)

-- Actually your math is right on target. You need all 27 in order for the Blue Fairy to turn this wooden puppet into a real live boy. 5 are withholding. And since the US has now effectively turned its pet project into a stalemate by not requiring Belgrade to recognize, other states don't have to recognize as long as Belgrade doesn't. So yes. 5 states are keeping back the other 22 (more like 3 or 4. The other 17 - 18 are just along for the ride and really don't care as much as you'd like to think).

Long before there was USA and England for that matter, there was a Serbia. Long after the decline of both those said empires there still was a Serbia and long after there will be a larger and united Serbia. Not today, not tommorow, but definetly again somewhere through the pages of history.
(Dragan, Toronto, 25 June 2010 15:39)

Puting Serbia before England, it seems that history leasons are in dire need.

Anyway it goes around the question: When did Russia ever say anything positive about K-Albanians or Albanians in general?
(miri, 25 June 2010 15:23)

If you ask this question - than you prove you don't know what you are asking about.

http://www.albaniablog.ru/archives/tag/albaniya

But if you have a picture of some old, hairy, ugly hag - you welcome to correct the Russian administrator. Until it happens - that chick will be there.

Otherwise the only stereotype Russians have about Albanian men is that they are lazy and Russian girls who are interested in that topic need extensive work to tame the future husband.

Same applies to potential Montenegrin and Turkish husbands, btw. There are long essays like "how to make a decent husband out of a lazy Turk". Quite a few girls did succeed, but it's tough.

the US/EU are feed those hungry hoards in Kosovo who would starve without funding from the west.
(sj, 26 June 2010 02:55)

The EU is funding the hungry serbia as well. you brother russia has made a lot of promises, but that the eu taxpayers who have been funding your budget deficit. tadic and co are trying hard to sell themselves as real good students doing the homework at the westerners orchestration. if tadic disappears, it will be nikolic who seems to be pragmatic towards eu/usa. he undestands that confrontation with them is not going to bring any good to serbs. you always mention china, cuba, russia and all those rougues states. it is up to you to choose your bodies. but the problem is that serbia needs cash, and those 'real true friends' are not as generous as you think. at the very end it is again the 'economy stupid'. serbs, as well as their other fellow balkan neighbours are not really hard workers. someone else has to fund your economy...

"We wish to see Serbia constructively cooperating with Pristina, the US., the EU........" spoke Mary Warlick the US Ambassador to Belgrade, but notice she did not talk about Pristina, the US, and the EU to likewise constructively cooperate with Serbia. It is this one sideness which gives Serbia a right to complain. In order to have any type of compromise on dealing with these problems, Serbia must receive at least the same amount of respect; the same amount of consideration from the US and the EU as Kosovo receives.

Kosova-USA there is no math required. Until all 27 EU members agree that "Kosovo" is a country, the EU can not recognize "Kosovo". And if the Eu doesnt care about 5 countries in it that dont recognize "Kosovo" then why have they not officialy supported "Kosovo" as an entire Organization. The "Kosovo Project" has failed and it will be finished off by the ICJ ruling in Serbia's favor. The west is terrified of the ICJ ruling remember how they were threating Serbia not to go to the ICJ. They know that it will undermine the temporary institutions UDI and will incapicitate them from ever becoming a legitimate "country". "Kosovo" can never become a country as long as Serbia does not recognize it as such.

The statement by USA Ambassador to Serbia Mary Warlick not to pressure Serbia to recognize Kosovo independence is welcome change.Serbia should conduct its relations with break way Province based on UN resolution 1244 which explicitly guarantee "Sovereignty and territorial integrity of Serbia"

(liberty, 25 June 2010 23:02)
They have the same control over Serbia as they do over Iraq or Afghanistan. You are deluding yourself if you think that the US/EU are that strong – yes in the 1990s that was very true, but while they had the power they were too busy savoring the moments and all has slipped through their fingers.
Ask yourself this question, why bother to carry on this mess in the Balkans over the last 11 years? The US/EU have more pressing issues so they would have “controlled” Serbia a long time ago. The most dangerous animal is one that is wounded and dying and Serbia is not a big country so they will leave the situation alone and watch the mighty US of A wither and turn to dust and without any cost take back what belong to them. 2010 is the major turning point in world history and it was only 3 days ago that China issued a press release that it will float the Yuan over the next five years – to be the world currency.
On the issue of poverty, I see the western introduced high living standards of Kosovo or for that matter the unemployed millions in the US – to be exact 90 million living in squalor but hugging the flag. How long is that going to hold the US together? Keep that flag it may well keep you warm this coming winter.
Oh, by the way Tadic would very soon disappear if he even hinted at giving up Kosovo. In the meantime the US/EU are feed those hungry hoards in Kosovo who would starve without funding from the west.

perhaps someone should tell this american dreamer that every day the US continue supporting the K-albanian terrorists in their greater-albanian project is - a lost day!

Serbia will prevail, and the US will have to accept it. sooner or later.

Despite Obama, America's type of policy in the case of Kosovo is still that of creating "faits accomplis". Instead of the rule of law the habits of the mafia.

The independence declaration was such an act but it goes on. Serbia doesn't have to recognize Kosovo, but instead the US encourages Kosovo to take on all the attributes of an international state and when then Serbia for example objects against Kosovo customs documents it accuses Serbia of being "not cooperative". Their strategy is to force Serbia to become "cooperative" on all fronts and then they will claim that Serbia has de facto recognized Kosovo.

Maybe someone can ask mrs. ambassador how being "cooperative" should look like and what each side should contribute.

K-USA,

History lessons...hmmm...lets go to sports first.
Serbia beats Germany. Serbia is out. Germany smashes England. England out. Ghana beats USA. USA out. All are history now. But again there's the next world cup four years away.
Bur then again, lets begin with the England - native tribes, the celts, the Roman Britannia, the Angles and Saxons, the rise and fall of Great Britain and its empire etc. etc.?
But then again, we could go into tangents about: Rashka, Zeta, Hum, monasteries built hundreds of years ago in Kosovo and Metohija. Heck, we could even delve further into the origins of the name "Kosovo" and "Metohija." Hey, I'd even go into taboo topics in the west, like demographic shifts. Chess or checkers? How about a bit about...Stefan Dusan?
For now a few historical numbers sound better: 4-1 and 2-1. Yours?

The EU is having problems in funding its own programs let alone Serbia. So far the funding provided by the EU has been to pay Tadic and co, but I don’t see too much of that “wealth” reaching the people. The budget deficit is being funded by Serbia borrowing money and not by the EU.
You place too much faith in western capability in 2010. The EU is trying to keep from falling apart while the US, well they are so far in debt that it would take 5 generations to bring it down to a manageable level. You really must travel more in the US to see that high living standards caused by the financial crises. In fact on a pro rata basis there are more soup kitchens today in the US than during the great depression. The US government employs more people than private enterprise – not bad for a capitalist country, eh!.
Nikolic is the same a Tadic – he wants to be a western crawler and bootlick. Why is it the you converts to freedom and democracy call anyone that does not see eye to eye with the west rogue states? I never mentioned Cuba or Russia. However, China is a very different matter in that it’s pushing the US out of every sphere of activity and I strongly suggest that you start learning Mandarin.
Countries have no real friends but common interest only and I don’t look to China or Russia “saving” Serbia, but I look forward to the elimination of the US as an empire. As far as hard work is concerned that is something Serbs in Serbia will have to learn about.