UNGA adopts Kosovo resolution unanimously

It was clear from the outset that Serbia's twin maximalist foreign policies of pursuing EU membership and maintaining its core opposition to kosovo's UDI were incompatible with one another.

The EU corporate establishment are simply not interested on justice or national aspirations and therefore the Serbiann political leadership instead of bombarding the ordinary Serbs with the slogan that there is no alternative to EU
they should've told the Brussel bureaucrats to stick its membership to a place that doesn't see the sunlight.

Tadic's volte-face on wednsday night was nothing short of total capitulation.
The idea that some kind of talks on technical issues will take place in future under the EU is just another attempt to placate the Serbian population.

What is needed is a fresh approach agreed at national level.Such an approach will requre all parameters national and international are put on the table and then decide.

Serbias resolution, Incorrect statement.

Correct statement"
EU resolution".

Dear Miss Peggy,
if you wouldn't insult everybody who "dares" to contradict you, there could be a chance that somebody listens to you.
Until you do that, you are playing in the same league as Jeremic (and trust me: that isn't a praise).

11 years of non Serbian rule! I'm sure not a single Albanian child under the age of 11 can write/read or speak srpski. The end game is near for this whole Kosovo mess.. Like it or not Serbs are forien to these children regardless of ones feelings or history! And not a single Serb child can read/write Albanian! Time for a divorce! Partition anyone?

No one said 'no'?

That can't be good for Serbia if the USA thought it was good.

Kosovo is lost and serbs are STILL sitting on their hands waiting in vain to be instant millionaires, what a naivity!

@Kate

Yeah for some people like you nothing changed even after Kosovo declared independence but the reality on the ground is different. I'm glad this resolution passed and I just hope Kosovo and Serbia would start dialogue as two separate countries on technical issues.

Cheers

Mr. Jeremic should stop using big words. Who does he think he is anyways. Seems to me like he wants to be Martin Luther King or Abraham Linkoln or something.

Thank you Leonidas a read worthy comment as usual and thank you for your choise of words.

congratulations all, this is the first step that Serbia has taken that resemblance to reality. Kosovo and Serbia are moving on which is a very good sign for the people of the two countries. We now need to work together to remove the boarder crossings by joining the EU asap. Which will offcourse remove all the current territory disputes that have kept the region backwards.

I sincerely hope that both Kosovo and Serbia accept and adopt this new resolution in full, and start to negotiate as two separate countries, taking into consideration only what is good for their people and not protect their individual clans and mafia like organisations that only benefit the ones in power.

I'm glad the UNGA adopted the EU resolution on Kosovo. It will ease political tensions between Serbia and Kosovo; as well as promoting peaceful co-existence between the two countries without Serbia's recognition of Kosovo. The UNGA has taken note of the ICJ's advisory opinion too. Hopefully Kosovo and Serbia will no longer be constantly at each others throats. Now Serbia and Kosovo can solve technical issues such as boarder control, police co-operation, trade between the two countries, helping refugees return of refugees and helping Northern Kosovo. I can only see positive things from this UNGA resolution, it should be beneficial to everybody in the world especially Kosovo and Serbia.

Better Pulcinella or Jeremic ?

Nothing has really changed. The resolution calls for dialogue; Serbia will not recognise; status neutrality remains for all UN and EU bodies; and Resolution 1244 is still in place.

Serbia's concession is to not be so hardline; have the EU mediate talks; and not push on the ICJ issue. They have saved the face of EU and UN member countries who have been behind this whole illegal and ill-conceived project.

Now they have shown that they are prepared to work with the EU, they have won major brownie points. It is now up to the EU to see that Pristina gives something back, which will be interesting.

But from the fact that Kosovo officials had to gatecrash the UN session in the most embarrassing way, it seems that the EU and the pro-independence countries are preparing to set the ground rules themselves and probably bash out a deal directly with Serbia if Pristina doesn't play ball.

Who knows what that will be? But I am certain that there is already a planned solution in place agreed between the EU, US and Serbia.

It will be interesting to see how Pristina reacts when they realise that the talks may be 'technical' but the results will be to make some massive changes with Serbia's consent.

What is needed is a fresh approach agreed at national level.Such an approach will requre all parameters national and international are put on the table and then decide.
(Leonidas, 10 September 2010 11:41)

What does this mean in practice ? How exactly would this solve the situation ?

This has been Serbia's problem since the beginning (like more than autonomy; less than independence... what does that mean !!!) and that's why it failed to convince the US and the EU.

Serbia never showed a feasible plan on how would have integrated 2 M of Albanians, leaving the EU and the US no choice other than supporting the less worse solution of independence.

Saying Kosovo is Serbia is easy. But nobody has shown what the concrete steps would be to implement this with the Kosovo Albanians who think that Kosovo is not Serbia.

Spot on Kate. Whether we want to argue that Serbia was either coaxed or pressured to change its stance (and that will largely come to light with what Belgrade demands at the upcoming talks), it shows that Serbia is flexible when it comes to Kosovo.

To add to that, Greece and I presume the other 4 Naysayers, China, Russia, India, Argentina, Brazil and others will maintain their positions at least until an optimal solution is found, which means no changes in the international balance of power.

The big change, and here I realize I'm the forward-thinking/incredibly-naive optimist among the pro-Serb camp, is that Belgrade can now count much more on the support of key EU powers that it previously was at odds with. What will they be willing to support Belgrade on in exchange for leaving status off the table (but not altogether abandoning it)? The focus now shifts to Pristina and what they'll have to accept as well. Partition? Decentralized cantonization? Bi-zonal confederation?

That their leaders were put in the peanut gallery yesterday shows to me they're not in the driver's seat.

A little comment on South Tyrol ,first some little reminder...
We (Italy)invade this land (Tyrol-Austria)during the I world war in order to have the borders coincide with the Alps and not along the valley of Adige river at that time only 5 % of the population in the province was Italian , after during the 20's Mussolini "italianized" some parts with people coming from various zones of the " Bel Paese" and so the percentage increase to 30% we were a minority anyway but we ruled ..It was a classical autoritharian act...After the war the problem of whom between Austria and Italy had the rights and the choice of the people of South Tyrol or Alto Adige was resolved in our favour thanks to the huge economic and political incentive given to the local governament and by the external situation infact the other 70 % (the majority etnichally Germans )were afraid of an Austria who had still Russian troops on their soil ...If things would have been more clear in Vienna they would have chosen to reunite with Tyrol obviously... Now the population of this area is so rich and tired that has no will to change country although in their mind they think to be in the wrong country...
So in my opinion there is nothing in common with Kosovo and i can't understand why people take this story always as an example...

Mike,

the whole approach is wrong. Pristina is the subject of question between Belgrade and Tirana, not between Belgrade and Pristina.

So who should be negotiating are Belgrade and Tirana - both legitimate and recognized.

And ultimately there is almost no "Kosovar" identity. 99% of the people are either Albanians or Serbs. The few remaining can decide where they going with.

Ideally a "South Tyrol" solution or similar, with administrative but not physical borders and people free to chose, Serbian or Albanian or BOTH (passports, license plates, etc.).

BTW: the people in Pristina to talk with are Albin Kurti, even with his strong anti-Serbian stance... not "Snake" or "Rambo" full into crime, soaked in blood and deep in corruption.

Serbia could have gone with the original resolution and lost, withdrawn the resolution, or even recognised Kosovo, because at least then they could talk about the status of the North and enclaves. Anything was better than what Tadic decided to do.

If he gets elected again I'm not supporting Serbia anymore, if you can't even defend your own country I don't know why I should bother.

So now it's time to negotiate. If this doesn't yield results then the DS policy on KiM has been a complete failure.

Mr. Jeremic should stop using big words. Who does he think he is anyways. Seems to me like he wants to be Martin Luther King or Abraham Linkoln or something.
(Nick KS, 10 September 2010 10:53)
=======================

He is the FM, who are you?
It's not his fault your vocabulary is inadequate. Get a dictionary if you don't understand what he is saying.

"He is the FM, who are you?
It's not his fault your vocabulary is inadequate. Get a dictionary if you don't understand what he is saying.
Peggy

Wow! This is one of your many "friendly" lecturings of non-Serbs.

I am no fan of Tadic or Jeremic, but this is how I would view Serbia's "capitulation" in the resolution that was passed.

My sympathies are with Serbia definitely, they were and are being pushed around by the biggies (Yankees and the major EU countries). And lets be realistic - Belgrade understandbly can't match them in resources to canvas for support.

Assuming the original Serbian resolution has been tabled and it gets turned down by the UNGA. The Albanians will then definitely claim a victory. And who knows, the West may then decide to submit their own resolution to explicitly call for recognition of "Kosova". As I mentioned earlier, the West does have the resources than lone Serbia doesn't. The passing of this revised resolution however would forestall any follow-up resolution from being tabled by the West. Viewed from this angle, Serbia might have actually made a wise move to "capitulate" to the EU and Yankees.

Now my views about the revised resolution that was passed in the UNGA. My first thought was that it was harmless to Serbia (did not recognize "kosova" in any way), unnecessary (its non-binding nature) and a no brainer. No brainer because there appears to be only one issue to be acted upon by the parties concerned -- for the EU to consider organizing a Belgrade-Pristina dialogue. And the EU need not do so if it changes its mind tomorrow because the resolution only referred to EU's "readiness". And given the enlargement fatigue that I suspect many inside the EU to be feeling, can we expect them to be really dedicated and keen in their efforts to "facilitate" this dialogue. Especially since Belgrade and Pristina are unlikely to even agree on the dialogue's agenda anytime soon.

This has been Serbia's problem since the beginning (like more than autonomy; less than independence... what does that mean !!!) and that's why it failed to convince the US and the EU.

Serbia never showed a feasible plan on how would have integrated 2 M of Albanians, leaving the EU and the US no choice other than supporting the less worse solution of independence.

Saying Kosovo is Serbia is easy. But nobody has shown what the concrete steps would be to implement this with the Kosovo Albanians who think that Kosovo is not Serbia.
(Mark, 10 September 2010 13:38

To start with, Serbia's policy of pursuing EU membership should've been off the table in order to avoid being blackmailed by the EU countries.

The Italian,German,British and EU foreign ministers didn't come to Belgrade for holidays recently but to blackmail Tadic in withdrawing the resolution from the UN and handing it to the EU and the bankrupt Americans.This was a letdown for all those countries including Russia and China which supported the principle of international law as stipulated by 1244.

I believed Serbia had time on its side and could afford to have a frozen conflict on its doorstep until the conditions permitted to succeed with its maximalist policy in kosovo-whatever that might be.The EU and Kosovo couldn't afford a frozen conflict for various reasons.

I think Tadic and Jeremic will find it very difficult to survive the present crisis because of loss of credibility on their electoral promises as far as kosovo is concerned.

The way I see it is, If Titanic couldn´t survive the approaching iceberg, neither will Yeremic survive his failed diplomacy!

As long as anti-UDI states know Serbia was blackmailed by the EU, so the adoption of the Res wont bring new recognitions but it will bring Abanians back to negotiations without UN recognition, which is what Serbia has wanted actively this year.

Luigi, first of all: Provincia Autonoma di Bolzano is the correct term, second you have betrayed Germany twice, third there was a treaty between the two fascist dicators, fourth get your history right.

But from the fact that Kosovo officials had to gatecrash the UN session in the most embarrassing way, it seems that the EU and the pro-independence countries are preparing to set the ground rules themselves and probably bash out a deal directly with Serbia if Pristina doesn't play ball.

Who knows what that will be? But I am certain that there is already a planned solution in place agreed between the EU, US and Serbia.

It will be interesting to see how Pristina reacts when they realise that the talks may be 'technical' but the results will be to make some massive changes with Serbia's consent.
(kate, 10 September 2010 11:45)

1. Kosovo officials by all reports had requested seats as "observers" and were assigned seats. It was Serbia that created a scene and in the end was the Kosovo delegation removed? No, so I would just leave this situation out of conversation because no way to make it a positive for your cause.
2. It will be expected for Pristina to come to the table, it is also expected for Serbia to come to the table, lets wait and see which ones do not show up. After all Tadic has already said he cannot have dialogue with the authorities in Pristina.
3. I don't understand where you get that now Pristina must give something up in return for Serbia's reversal on this matter. Of course no one knows what was really discussed behind closed doors but what Serbia was promised was rewards inrelations from the EU and US not guarantees from talks with Pristina.
I do agree with the first 2 paragraphs of your post, with one exception I think that it will move most of the work to the EU where some progress can be made and the UNSC (which has become dysfuntional on the issue) will probably more concern itself with its quarterly updates and if someday the EU can find solutions then react to them.

The speech issued by Jeremic last night made him look childish than ever before. Acceptance of this draft resolution written completely by the EU majority and still trying to fool the opinion like it was Serbia who sponsored it, is ridicolous at least.

"Serbia could have gone with the original resolution and lost, withdrawn the resolution, or even recognised Kosovo, because at least then they could talk about the status of the North and enclaves. Anything was better than what Tadic decided to do.

If he gets elected again I'm not supporting Serbia anymore, if you can't even defend your own country I don't know why I should bother.
(Sam, UK, 10 September 2010 15:01)"

What a terrible attitude at a difficult time.

Mr. Jeremic should stop using big words. Who does he think he is anyways. Seems to me like he wants to be Martin Luther King or Abraham Linkoln or something.
(Nick KS, 10 September 2010 10:53)
===…==

He is the FM, who are you?
It's not his fault your vocabulary is inadequate. Get a dictionary if you don't understand what he is saying.
Peggy

Peggy, it appears that you may be in need of a dictionary. What he is referreing to is not Vuk's 'actual words'. He's referring to Vuk's attempts to come across larger than life and an important international persona.

Being petty doesn't add validity to your comments.

If he gets elected again I'm not supporting Serbia anymore, if you can't even defend your own country I don't know why I should bother.
(Sam, UK, 10 September 2010 15:01)
===================

Don't blame you.

Mark: "Serbia never showed a feasible plan on how would have integrated 2 M of Albanians, leaving the EU and the US no choice other than supporting the less worse solution of independence."

There is NO way even if the Serbs and the Albanians forget everthing that has been between them in the last 30 years. "More than autonomy, less than independence means that K Albanians would do at home whatever they liked, but as Serbian citizens would be represented in Belgrade. Plus in the West those K Albanians who are criminals, with Serbian passports would be considered Serbs! Serbia has no option, but to get rid of Kosovo. Unfortunatly the time when it could get something in return is passed.

As a result from this treason, i and many of my friends and Serbs from KosovO have search for a russian citizenship. They know how to take care of their people wherever they live, i suggest others to do the same.

America and Albanians need to know that wihtout negotiations Kosovo will be partitioned and a hot spot for a long time to come, and the EU won't have the pleasure of having Serbia as a member state.

Unless Serbia gets into the eu NEXT YEAR, the DS will be out of power, the opposition will take over, and the original resolution will be submitted to the UNGA next September after Serbia discredits the eu's "readiness" to negotiate. Why the Serbs would want to join or even talk to the eu after yesterday's deliberate insult by the usual culprits (us, uk, france, italy) is beyond me. Why be friendly to someone who takes every opportunity to insult you? These DS politicians should be thinking of "retiring".

Mike: "To add to that, Greece and I presume the other 4 Naysayers, China, Russia, India, Argentina, Brazil and others will maintain their positions at least until an optimal solution is found, which means no changes in the international balance of power."



I'm glad you brought up Russia, Mike, since it gives me a chance to revise and extend my remarks of the other day about the gratitude I expected Russia to feel to Serbia for releasing them from the need to provide protection. A poster at the Serbian side (mile, 10. septembar 2010 14:35) http://www.b92.net/info/komentari.php?nav_id=457748) posted an extensive quote from a Russian publication I haven't tracked down yet, from a briefing by the Chair of their Foreign Affairs Committee-equivalent. He was most unhappy with the Serbian move. I had failed to take into account how the situation changed for Russia post-080808. (The Trajkovic reference was old, pre-DOI.) The Russians apparently feel vulnerable on AbSo and think they've been left in a weakened position by Serbia's move. Of course, this particular Russian has not supported Serbia entering the EU, and was disappointed that the Serbs did not take up the Russian offer of support from the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in the Great UN GA Resolution Battle ("God protect from my friends, my enemies I can take care of myself.") Obviously he isn't for closer cooperation between Serbia and the West in general.)

The Serbians who claimed the Russians (at least some Russians) would ask how they could support Serbia's claim to Kosovo if Serbia ceased to seem to have had a better feel for the situation, it turns out. (You do realize there's no money-back guarantee, right?)

I believed Serbia had time on its side and could afford to have a frozen conflict on its doorstep until the conditions permitted to succeed with its maximalist policy in kosovo-whatever that might be.The EU and Kosovo couldn't afford a frozen conflict for various reasons.

(Leonidas, 10 September 2010 20:58)

This is exactly why Serbia position was not supported by the powers which matter on the Kosovo issue.

It was clear since the beginning that Serbia would have preferred a frozen conflict. However, US and most of Europe obviously were not willing to have another Palestine in Europe. As a result Serbia lost their support, and they unfroze the the conflict and went ahead with Kosovo's independence disregarding Serbia's opinion.

"BTW: the people in Pristina to talk with are Albin Kurti, even with his strong anti-Serbian stance... not "Snake" or "Rambo" full into crime, soaked in blood and deep in corruption." (Ataman)

-- As ironic as it may be, Snake and Rambo are the ideal people to talk to. Kurti is too much of an idealist and too much in love with an independent Kosovo. Thaci and Haradinaj are in it for the money, the power, and the protection. These are people who don't care about Kosovo beyond what Kosovo can give them (look at how shoddy they've handled governing it and putting all responsibility in the hands of others). They're also easier to respond to if you throw a wad of money at them and/or guarantee political immunity from in exchange for concessions to Belgrade.

The most corrupt people are guaranteed to do the most corrupt things.

You really think Thaci gives a damn about the north? Much less podunk Gracanica?

Now the population of this area is so rich and tired that has no will to change country although in their mind they think to be in the wrong country...
So in my opinion there is nothing in common with Kosovo and i can't understand why people take this story always as an example...
(Luigi, 10 September 2010 16:10)

C'mon, the population of Kosovo begins to be very tired of the Russian-American "match of ego"-s. So ultimately they probably will want to get the best of both worlds.

What is radically different at this moment: they aren't rich (yet).

As of "match of ego"-s... I happen to know both sides, both are ugly enough. At this moment the American side is (much) more ugly ( = aggressive) in the foreign politics.

Domestically the situation is somewhat different.

Otherwise IMO the ONLY and ONLY way to re-claim Kosovo ASAP is to join RF. Now that will solve Kosovo question at least from Serbian point of view with 100% success.

But it may open (many) other questions. No idea, it will be a good solution or not. And I don't think any politician in Serbia would proceed with that in earnest.

"Saying Kosovo is Serbia is easy. But nobody has shown what the concrete steps would be to implement this with the Kosovo Albanians who think that Kosovo is not Serbia.
(Mark, 10 September 2010 13:38)"

Mark, this is the problem. Until there is meaningful talks then you don't know. The biggest threat to an independent Kosovo (whatever the borders may and conditions may be) is unilateral moves.

Serbias resolution, Incorrect statement.

Correct statement"
EU resolution".
(Olf, 10 September 2010 09:45)

Yeah you keep on dreaming g that if it helps. The EU was against the current resolution but had to swallow its pride and accept it.

No one said 'no'?

That can't be good for Serbia if the USA thought it was good.
(kujon, 10 September 2010 10:05)

The US could not do anything about the resolution so rather than look outright stupid it accepted it with a minor change. Remember that the US did not want negotiations at all – in fact they were constantly dismissed. The US is BROKE – look at Obama’s package to stimulate the US economy; it laughable – 50 billion over 10 years for infrastructure spending; the Pentagon spends more on buying pencils. The west is selling this as their initiative and that Serbia came to the negotiating table and accepted changes but these changes are nothing at all.

What a waste of time. This resolution says absolutely nothing and doesn't help either side. It's like having a resolution that says the world is round. Who cares at all. What's the next step, nobody knows. So here we go again, we still won't have negotiations that will solve any problem and Serbia and her allies will still reject Kosovo's UDI and the ALbanians and their Allies will still reject Serbia's call for negotiations.

Amer,

that's mince you are talking. Let's hope this is all moving to a situation that belgrade and prist(tirana) can accept. then there is no further implications or precedent. That is what everyone wants.

I believed Serbia had time on its side and could afford to have a frozen conflict on its doorstep until the conditions permitted to succeed with its maximalist policy in kosovo-whatever that might be.The EU and Kosovo couldn't afford a frozen conflict for various reasons.

I think Tadic and Jeremic will find it very difficult to survive the present crisis because of loss of credibility on their electoral promises as far as kosovo is concerned.
(Leonidas, 10 September 2010 20:58)
Serbia could afford to have a frozen conflict as long as it was Kosovo frozen and not Serbia. Look at everything Serbia has gained over the last 2 years for no other reason than the EU trying to make the loss of Kosovo easier for Serbia. Sped up SAA, visa liberation, sped up EU integration, all years ahead of if the Kosovo issue were not there.
Once it was presented to Serbia that their progress would be tied to the frozen conflict a comppomise was available.
Of course many here claim Serbia was strong armed, but is it strong arming someone to take away special perks not available to others?

'"He is the FM, who are you?
It's not his fault your vocabulary is inadequate. Get a dictionary if you don't understand what he is saying.
Peggy

Wow! This is one of your many "friendly" lecturings of non-Serbs.
(Joe, 10 September 2010 21:36) '

Joe, Joe, Joe - what are you doing? Do you know how much effort Team Albania goes to in order to train posters to travel throughout the internet, raising sympathy for Albanians and Kosovo from random strangers? (Not for Americans and America, of course, that has proved impossible.) Please, just stand back and let her work in peace.

"Acceptance of this draft resolution written completely by the EU majority and still trying to fool the opinion like it was Serbia who sponsored it, is ridicolous at least.
(Simpatiku_gj, 10 September 2010 20:07) "

The Albanian president made it perfectly clear for anyone present who had missed one of the many twists and turns in the story - he congratulated the Serbs for having rewritten the original resolution according to the instructions (not his exact wording) of the EU. The Albanians have been good friends to the Kosovars lately.

On the third hand, Mike, what is important for Russia is what is important for Putin. And he may be perfectly willing to see Kosovo go.

Just a couple of days ago he held his annual dinner for foreign academics and journalists where he supposedly suggested there was a way to restore Georgia's territorial integrity - by going to the ICJ.

The invasion and subsequent recognitions were supposed to do two things: remove Saakashvili from power, and repay the West for seizing Kosovo over Russia's objections by doing the same to a Western client state. But Saakashvili is still there, getting resolutions passed against Russia in the General Assembly, appealing to the ICJ on human rights violations, and generally making a nuisance of himself. Putin never cared all that much about actually controlling AbSo, and it's getting to be a financial burden and kind of an embarrassment, what with the lack of foreign recognitions. Also - the whoops! factor - the idea that Russia was willing to see border changes in the North Caucasus certainly hasn't done anything to tamp down separatist movements there. So - maybe the best thing would be to let Saakashvili go to the ICJ and get a ruling that secession with the aid of foreign powers, with no UN involvement, no negotiated settlement, no history of persecution by the parent government, etc. is actually illegal. He might want something from Georgia in exchange - Saakashvili out, official neutrality, who knows. In any case, my third guess is that Russia really doesn't care that much about Serbia's problem with Kosovo (even though some officials who aren't Putin might). Saving the North Caucasus, an integral part of the RF - by getting an ICJ ruling demonstrating the legal difficulty a seceding territory would face - has to take precedence for him over saving Kosovo. I figure. Today.

You can think of some optimistic scenario for how this would help Serbia, I'm sure.

Mr. Jeremic should stop using big words. Who does he think he is anyways. Seems to me like he wants to be Martin Luther King or Abraham Linkoln or something.
(Nick KS, 10 September 2010 10:53)
=======================

He is the FM, who are you?
It's not his fault your vocabulary is inadequate. Get a dictionary if you don't understand what he is saying.

Nothing has really changed. The resolution calls for dialogue; Serbia will not recognise; status neutrality remains for all UN and EU bodies; and Resolution 1244 is still in place.

Serbia's concession is to not be so hardline; have the EU mediate talks; and not push on the ICJ issue. They have saved the face of EU and UN member countries who have been behind this whole illegal and ill-conceived project.

Now they have shown that they are prepared to work with the EU, they have won major brownie points. It is now up to the EU to see that Pristina gives something back, which will be interesting.

But from the fact that Kosovo officials had to gatecrash the UN session in the most embarrassing way, it seems that the EU and the pro-independence countries are preparing to set the ground rules themselves and probably bash out a deal directly with Serbia if Pristina doesn't play ball.

Who knows what that will be? But I am certain that there is already a planned solution in place agreed between the EU, US and Serbia.

It will be interesting to see how Pristina reacts when they realise that the talks may be 'technical' but the results will be to make some massive changes with Serbia's consent.

11 years of non Serbian rule! I'm sure not a single Albanian child under the age of 11 can write/read or speak srpski. The end game is near for this whole Kosovo mess.. Like it or not Serbs are forien to these children regardless of ones feelings or history! And not a single Serb child can read/write Albanian! Time for a divorce! Partition anyone?

As long as anti-UDI states know Serbia was blackmailed by the EU, so the adoption of the Res wont bring new recognitions but it will bring Abanians back to negotiations without UN recognition, which is what Serbia has wanted actively this year.

Spot on Kate. Whether we want to argue that Serbia was either coaxed or pressured to change its stance (and that will largely come to light with what Belgrade demands at the upcoming talks), it shows that Serbia is flexible when it comes to Kosovo.

To add to that, Greece and I presume the other 4 Naysayers, China, Russia, India, Argentina, Brazil and others will maintain their positions at least until an optimal solution is found, which means no changes in the international balance of power.

The big change, and here I realize I'm the forward-thinking/incredibly-naive optimist among the pro-Serb camp, is that Belgrade can now count much more on the support of key EU powers that it previously was at odds with. What will they be willing to support Belgrade on in exchange for leaving status off the table (but not altogether abandoning it)? The focus now shifts to Pristina and what they'll have to accept as well. Partition? Decentralized cantonization? Bi-zonal confederation?

That their leaders were put in the peanut gallery yesterday shows to me they're not in the driver's seat.

A little comment on South Tyrol ,first some little reminder...
We (Italy)invade this land (Tyrol-Austria)during the I world war in order to have the borders coincide with the Alps and not along the valley of Adige river at that time only 5 % of the population in the province was Italian , after during the 20's Mussolini "italianized" some parts with people coming from various zones of the " Bel Paese" and so the percentage increase to 30% we were a minority anyway but we ruled ..It was a classical autoritharian act...After the war the problem of whom between Austria and Italy had the rights and the choice of the people of South Tyrol or Alto Adige was resolved in our favour thanks to the huge economic and political incentive given to the local governament and by the external situation infact the other 70 % (the majority etnichally Germans )were afraid of an Austria who had still Russian troops on their soil ...If things would have been more clear in Vienna they would have chosen to reunite with Tyrol obviously... Now the population of this area is so rich and tired that has no will to change country although in their mind they think to be in the wrong country...
So in my opinion there is nothing in common with Kosovo and i can't understand why people take this story always as an example...

So now it's time to negotiate. If this doesn't yield results then the DS policy on KiM has been a complete failure.

Serbias resolution, Incorrect statement.

Correct statement"
EU resolution".

If he gets elected again I'm not supporting Serbia anymore, if you can't even defend your own country I don't know why I should bother.
(Sam, UK, 10 September 2010 15:01)
===================

Don't blame you.

Dear Miss Peggy,
if you wouldn't insult everybody who "dares" to contradict you, there could be a chance that somebody listens to you.
Until you do that, you are playing in the same league as Jeremic (and trust me: that isn't a praise).

@Kate

Yeah for some people like you nothing changed even after Kosovo declared independence but the reality on the ground is different. I'm glad this resolution passed and I just hope Kosovo and Serbia would start dialogue as two separate countries on technical issues.

Cheers

Better Pulcinella or Jeremic ?

Mike,

the whole approach is wrong. Pristina is the subject of question between Belgrade and Tirana, not between Belgrade and Pristina.

So who should be negotiating are Belgrade and Tirana - both legitimate and recognized.

And ultimately there is almost no "Kosovar" identity. 99% of the people are either Albanians or Serbs. The few remaining can decide where they going with.

Ideally a "South Tyrol" solution or similar, with administrative but not physical borders and people free to chose, Serbian or Albanian or BOTH (passports, license plates, etc.).

BTW: the people in Pristina to talk with are Albin Kurti, even with his strong anti-Serbian stance... not "Snake" or "Rambo" full into crime, soaked in blood and deep in corruption.

I'm glad the UNGA adopted the EU resolution on Kosovo. It will ease political tensions between Serbia and Kosovo; as well as promoting peaceful co-existence between the two countries without Serbia's recognition of Kosovo. The UNGA has taken note of the ICJ's advisory opinion too. Hopefully Kosovo and Serbia will no longer be constantly at each others throats. Now Serbia and Kosovo can solve technical issues such as boarder control, police co-operation, trade between the two countries, helping refugees return of refugees and helping Northern Kosovo. I can only see positive things from this UNGA resolution, it should be beneficial to everybody in the world especially Kosovo and Serbia.

Thank you Leonidas a read worthy comment as usual and thank you for your choise of words.

It was clear from the outset that Serbia's twin maximalist foreign policies of pursuing EU membership and maintaining its core opposition to kosovo's UDI were incompatible with one another.

The EU corporate establishment are simply not interested on justice or national aspirations and therefore the Serbiann political leadership instead of bombarding the ordinary Serbs with the slogan that there is no alternative to EU
they should've told the Brussel bureaucrats to stick its membership to a place that doesn't see the sunlight.

Tadic's volte-face on wednsday night was nothing short of total capitulation.
The idea that some kind of talks on technical issues will take place in future under the EU is just another attempt to placate the Serbian population.

What is needed is a fresh approach agreed at national level.Such an approach will requre all parameters national and international are put on the table and then decide.

Kosovo is lost and serbs are STILL sitting on their hands waiting in vain to be instant millionaires, what a naivity!

But from the fact that Kosovo officials had to gatecrash the UN session in the most embarrassing way, it seems that the EU and the pro-independence countries are preparing to set the ground rules themselves and probably bash out a deal directly with Serbia if Pristina doesn't play ball.

Who knows what that will be? But I am certain that there is already a planned solution in place agreed between the EU, US and Serbia.

It will be interesting to see how Pristina reacts when they realise that the talks may be 'technical' but the results will be to make some massive changes with Serbia's consent.
(kate, 10 September 2010 11:45)

1. Kosovo officials by all reports had requested seats as "observers" and were assigned seats. It was Serbia that created a scene and in the end was the Kosovo delegation removed? No, so I would just leave this situation out of conversation because no way to make it a positive for your cause.
2. It will be expected for Pristina to come to the table, it is also expected for Serbia to come to the table, lets wait and see which ones do not show up. After all Tadic has already said he cannot have dialogue with the authorities in Pristina.
3. I don't understand where you get that now Pristina must give something up in return for Serbia's reversal on this matter. Of course no one knows what was really discussed behind closed doors but what Serbia was promised was rewards inrelations from the EU and US not guarantees from talks with Pristina.
I do agree with the first 2 paragraphs of your post, with one exception I think that it will move most of the work to the EU where some progress can be made and the UNSC (which has become dysfuntional on the issue) will probably more concern itself with its quarterly updates and if someday the EU can find solutions then react to them.

Mr. Jeremic should stop using big words. Who does he think he is anyways. Seems to me like he wants to be Martin Luther King or Abraham Linkoln or something.

congratulations all, this is the first step that Serbia has taken that resemblance to reality. Kosovo and Serbia are moving on which is a very good sign for the people of the two countries. We now need to work together to remove the boarder crossings by joining the EU asap. Which will offcourse remove all the current territory disputes that have kept the region backwards.

I sincerely hope that both Kosovo and Serbia accept and adopt this new resolution in full, and start to negotiate as two separate countries, taking into consideration only what is good for their people and not protect their individual clans and mafia like organisations that only benefit the ones in power.

I am no fan of Tadic or Jeremic, but this is how I would view Serbia's "capitulation" in the resolution that was passed.

My sympathies are with Serbia definitely, they were and are being pushed around by the biggies (Yankees and the major EU countries). And lets be realistic - Belgrade understandbly can't match them in resources to canvas for support.

Assuming the original Serbian resolution has been tabled and it gets turned down by the UNGA. The Albanians will then definitely claim a victory. And who knows, the West may then decide to submit their own resolution to explicitly call for recognition of "Kosova". As I mentioned earlier, the West does have the resources than lone Serbia doesn't. The passing of this revised resolution however would forestall any follow-up resolution from being tabled by the West. Viewed from this angle, Serbia might have actually made a wise move to "capitulate" to the EU and Yankees.

Now my views about the revised resolution that was passed in the UNGA. My first thought was that it was harmless to Serbia (did not recognize "kosova" in any way), unnecessary (its non-binding nature) and a no brainer. No brainer because there appears to be only one issue to be acted upon by the parties concerned -- for the EU to consider organizing a Belgrade-Pristina dialogue. And the EU need not do so if it changes its mind tomorrow because the resolution only referred to EU's "readiness". And given the enlargement fatigue that I suspect many inside the EU to be feeling, can we expect them to be really dedicated and keen in their efforts to "facilitate" this dialogue. Especially since Belgrade and Pristina are unlikely to even agree on the dialogue's agenda anytime soon.

What is needed is a fresh approach agreed at national level.Such an approach will requre all parameters national and international are put on the table and then decide.
(Leonidas, 10 September 2010 11:41)

What does this mean in practice ? How exactly would this solve the situation ?

This has been Serbia's problem since the beginning (like more than autonomy; less than independence... what does that mean !!!) and that's why it failed to convince the US and the EU.

Serbia never showed a feasible plan on how would have integrated 2 M of Albanians, leaving the EU and the US no choice other than supporting the less worse solution of independence.

Saying Kosovo is Serbia is easy. But nobody has shown what the concrete steps would be to implement this with the Kosovo Albanians who think that Kosovo is not Serbia.

"He is the FM, who are you?
It's not his fault your vocabulary is inadequate. Get a dictionary if you don't understand what he is saying.
Peggy

Wow! This is one of your many "friendly" lecturings of non-Serbs.

Serbia could have gone with the original resolution and lost, withdrawn the resolution, or even recognised Kosovo, because at least then they could talk about the status of the North and enclaves. Anything was better than what Tadic decided to do.

If he gets elected again I'm not supporting Serbia anymore, if you can't even defend your own country I don't know why I should bother.

'"He is the FM, who are you?
It's not his fault your vocabulary is inadequate. Get a dictionary if you don't understand what he is saying.
Peggy

Wow! This is one of your many "friendly" lecturings of non-Serbs.
(Joe, 10 September 2010 21:36) '

Joe, Joe, Joe - what are you doing? Do you know how much effort Team Albania goes to in order to train posters to travel throughout the internet, raising sympathy for Albanians and Kosovo from random strangers? (Not for Americans and America, of course, that has proved impossible.) Please, just stand back and let her work in peace.

"Saying Kosovo is Serbia is easy. But nobody has shown what the concrete steps would be to implement this with the Kosovo Albanians who think that Kosovo is not Serbia.
(Mark, 10 September 2010 13:38)"

Mark, this is the problem. Until there is meaningful talks then you don't know. The biggest threat to an independent Kosovo (whatever the borders may and conditions may be) is unilateral moves.

America and Albanians need to know that wihtout negotiations Kosovo will be partitioned and a hot spot for a long time to come, and the EU won't have the pleasure of having Serbia as a member state.

No one said 'no'?

That can't be good for Serbia if the USA thought it was good.

The way I see it is, If Titanic couldn´t survive the approaching iceberg, neither will Yeremic survive his failed diplomacy!

The speech issued by Jeremic last night made him look childish than ever before. Acceptance of this draft resolution written completely by the EU majority and still trying to fool the opinion like it was Serbia who sponsored it, is ridicolous at least.

"BTW: the people in Pristina to talk with are Albin Kurti, even with his strong anti-Serbian stance... not "Snake" or "Rambo" full into crime, soaked in blood and deep in corruption." (Ataman)

-- As ironic as it may be, Snake and Rambo are the ideal people to talk to. Kurti is too much of an idealist and too much in love with an independent Kosovo. Thaci and Haradinaj are in it for the money, the power, and the protection. These are people who don't care about Kosovo beyond what Kosovo can give them (look at how shoddy they've handled governing it and putting all responsibility in the hands of others). They're also easier to respond to if you throw a wad of money at them and/or guarantee political immunity from in exchange for concessions to Belgrade.

The most corrupt people are guaranteed to do the most corrupt things.

You really think Thaci gives a damn about the north? Much less podunk Gracanica?

Now the population of this area is so rich and tired that has no will to change country although in their mind they think to be in the wrong country...
So in my opinion there is nothing in common with Kosovo and i can't understand why people take this story always as an example...
(Luigi, 10 September 2010 16:10)

C'mon, the population of Kosovo begins to be very tired of the Russian-American "match of ego"-s. So ultimately they probably will want to get the best of both worlds.

What is radically different at this moment: they aren't rich (yet).

As of "match of ego"-s... I happen to know both sides, both are ugly enough. At this moment the American side is (much) more ugly ( = aggressive) in the foreign politics.

Domestically the situation is somewhat different.

Otherwise IMO the ONLY and ONLY way to re-claim Kosovo ASAP is to join RF. Now that will solve Kosovo question at least from Serbian point of view with 100% success.

But it may open (many) other questions. No idea, it will be a good solution or not. And I don't think any politician in Serbia would proceed with that in earnest.

As a result from this treason, i and many of my friends and Serbs from KosovO have search for a russian citizenship. They know how to take care of their people wherever they live, i suggest others to do the same.

Mark: "Serbia never showed a feasible plan on how would have integrated 2 M of Albanians, leaving the EU and the US no choice other than supporting the less worse solution of independence."

There is NO way even if the Serbs and the Albanians forget everthing that has been between them in the last 30 years. "More than autonomy, less than independence means that K Albanians would do at home whatever they liked, but as Serbian citizens would be represented in Belgrade. Plus in the West those K Albanians who are criminals, with Serbian passports would be considered Serbs! Serbia has no option, but to get rid of Kosovo. Unfortunatly the time when it could get something in return is passed.

Unless Serbia gets into the eu NEXT YEAR, the DS will be out of power, the opposition will take over, and the original resolution will be submitted to the UNGA next September after Serbia discredits the eu's "readiness" to negotiate. Why the Serbs would want to join or even talk to the eu after yesterday's deliberate insult by the usual culprits (us, uk, france, italy) is beyond me. Why be friendly to someone who takes every opportunity to insult you? These DS politicians should be thinking of "retiring".

This has been Serbia's problem since the beginning (like more than autonomy; less than independence... what does that mean !!!) and that's why it failed to convince the US and the EU.

Serbia never showed a feasible plan on how would have integrated 2 M of Albanians, leaving the EU and the US no choice other than supporting the less worse solution of independence.

Saying Kosovo is Serbia is easy. But nobody has shown what the concrete steps would be to implement this with the Kosovo Albanians who think that Kosovo is not Serbia.
(Mark, 10 September 2010 13:38

To start with, Serbia's policy of pursuing EU membership should've been off the table in order to avoid being blackmailed by the EU countries.

The Italian,German,British and EU foreign ministers didn't come to Belgrade for holidays recently but to blackmail Tadic in withdrawing the resolution from the UN and handing it to the EU and the bankrupt Americans.This was a letdown for all those countries including Russia and China which supported the principle of international law as stipulated by 1244.

I believed Serbia had time on its side and could afford to have a frozen conflict on its doorstep until the conditions permitted to succeed with its maximalist policy in kosovo-whatever that might be.The EU and Kosovo couldn't afford a frozen conflict for various reasons.

I think Tadic and Jeremic will find it very difficult to survive the present crisis because of loss of credibility on their electoral promises as far as kosovo is concerned.

Luigi, first of all: Provincia Autonoma di Bolzano is the correct term, second you have betrayed Germany twice, third there was a treaty between the two fascist dicators, fourth get your history right.

Mike: "To add to that, Greece and I presume the other 4 Naysayers, China, Russia, India, Argentina, Brazil and others will maintain their positions at least until an optimal solution is found, which means no changes in the international balance of power."



I'm glad you brought up Russia, Mike, since it gives me a chance to revise and extend my remarks of the other day about the gratitude I expected Russia to feel to Serbia for releasing them from the need to provide protection. A poster at the Serbian side (mile, 10. septembar 2010 14:35) http://www.b92.net/info/komentari.php?nav_id=457748) posted an extensive quote from a Russian publication I haven't tracked down yet, from a briefing by the Chair of their Foreign Affairs Committee-equivalent. He was most unhappy with the Serbian move. I had failed to take into account how the situation changed for Russia post-080808. (The Trajkovic reference was old, pre-DOI.) The Russians apparently feel vulnerable on AbSo and think they've been left in a weakened position by Serbia's move. Of course, this particular Russian has not supported Serbia entering the EU, and was disappointed that the Serbs did not take up the Russian offer of support from the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in the Great UN GA Resolution Battle ("God protect from my friends, my enemies I can take care of myself.") Obviously he isn't for closer cooperation between Serbia and the West in general.)

The Serbians who claimed the Russians (at least some Russians) would ask how they could support Serbia's claim to Kosovo if Serbia ceased to seem to have had a better feel for the situation, it turns out. (You do realize there's no money-back guarantee, right?)

Serbias resolution, Incorrect statement.

Correct statement"
EU resolution".
(Olf, 10 September 2010 09:45)

Yeah you keep on dreaming g that if it helps. The EU was against the current resolution but had to swallow its pride and accept it.

No one said 'no'?

That can't be good for Serbia if the USA thought it was good.
(kujon, 10 September 2010 10:05)

The US could not do anything about the resolution so rather than look outright stupid it accepted it with a minor change. Remember that the US did not want negotiations at all – in fact they were constantly dismissed. The US is BROKE – look at Obama’s package to stimulate the US economy; it laughable – 50 billion over 10 years for infrastructure spending; the Pentagon spends more on buying pencils. The west is selling this as their initiative and that Serbia came to the negotiating table and accepted changes but these changes are nothing at all.

Mr. Jeremic should stop using big words. Who does he think he is anyways. Seems to me like he wants to be Martin Luther King or Abraham Linkoln or something.
(Nick KS, 10 September 2010 10:53)
===…==

He is the FM, who are you?
It's not his fault your vocabulary is inadequate. Get a dictionary if you don't understand what he is saying.
Peggy

Peggy, it appears that you may be in need of a dictionary. What he is referreing to is not Vuk's 'actual words'. He's referring to Vuk's attempts to come across larger than life and an important international persona.

Being petty doesn't add validity to your comments.

"Acceptance of this draft resolution written completely by the EU majority and still trying to fool the opinion like it was Serbia who sponsored it, is ridicolous at least.
(Simpatiku_gj, 10 September 2010 20:07) "

The Albanian president made it perfectly clear for anyone present who had missed one of the many twists and turns in the story - he congratulated the Serbs for having rewritten the original resolution according to the instructions (not his exact wording) of the EU. The Albanians have been good friends to the Kosovars lately.

I believed Serbia had time on its side and could afford to have a frozen conflict on its doorstep until the conditions permitted to succeed with its maximalist policy in kosovo-whatever that might be.The EU and Kosovo couldn't afford a frozen conflict for various reasons.

I think Tadic and Jeremic will find it very difficult to survive the present crisis because of loss of credibility on their electoral promises as far as kosovo is concerned.
(Leonidas, 10 September 2010 20:58)
Serbia could afford to have a frozen conflict as long as it was Kosovo frozen and not Serbia. Look at everything Serbia has gained over the last 2 years for no other reason than the EU trying to make the loss of Kosovo easier for Serbia. Sped up SAA, visa liberation, sped up EU integration, all years ahead of if the Kosovo issue were not there.
Once it was presented to Serbia that their progress would be tied to the frozen conflict a comppomise was available.
Of course many here claim Serbia was strong armed, but is it strong arming someone to take away special perks not available to others?

"Serbia could have gone with the original resolution and lost, withdrawn the resolution, or even recognised Kosovo, because at least then they could talk about the status of the North and enclaves. Anything was better than what Tadic decided to do.

If he gets elected again I'm not supporting Serbia anymore, if you can't even defend your own country I don't know why I should bother.
(Sam, UK, 10 September 2010 15:01)"

What a terrible attitude at a difficult time.

On the third hand, Mike, what is important for Russia is what is important for Putin. And he may be perfectly willing to see Kosovo go.

Just a couple of days ago he held his annual dinner for foreign academics and journalists where he supposedly suggested there was a way to restore Georgia's territorial integrity - by going to the ICJ.

The invasion and subsequent recognitions were supposed to do two things: remove Saakashvili from power, and repay the West for seizing Kosovo over Russia's objections by doing the same to a Western client state. But Saakashvili is still there, getting resolutions passed against Russia in the General Assembly, appealing to the ICJ on human rights violations, and generally making a nuisance of himself. Putin never cared all that much about actually controlling AbSo, and it's getting to be a financial burden and kind of an embarrassment, what with the lack of foreign recognitions. Also - the whoops! factor - the idea that Russia was willing to see border changes in the North Caucasus certainly hasn't done anything to tamp down separatist movements there. So - maybe the best thing would be to let Saakashvili go to the ICJ and get a ruling that secession with the aid of foreign powers, with no UN involvement, no negotiated settlement, no history of persecution by the parent government, etc. is actually illegal. He might want something from Georgia in exchange - Saakashvili out, official neutrality, who knows. In any case, my third guess is that Russia really doesn't care that much about Serbia's problem with Kosovo (even though some officials who aren't Putin might). Saving the North Caucasus, an integral part of the RF - by getting an ICJ ruling demonstrating the legal difficulty a seceding territory would face - has to take precedence for him over saving Kosovo. I figure. Today.

You can think of some optimistic scenario for how this would help Serbia, I'm sure.

Amer,

that's mince you are talking. Let's hope this is all moving to a situation that belgrade and prist(tirana) can accept. then there is no further implications or precedent. That is what everyone wants.

I believed Serbia had time on its side and could afford to have a frozen conflict on its doorstep until the conditions permitted to succeed with its maximalist policy in kosovo-whatever that might be.The EU and Kosovo couldn't afford a frozen conflict for various reasons.

(Leonidas, 10 September 2010 20:58)

This is exactly why Serbia position was not supported by the powers which matter on the Kosovo issue.

It was clear since the beginning that Serbia would have preferred a frozen conflict. However, US and most of Europe obviously were not willing to have another Palestine in Europe. As a result Serbia lost their support, and they unfroze the the conflict and went ahead with Kosovo's independence disregarding Serbia's opinion.

What a waste of time. This resolution says absolutely nothing and doesn't help either side. It's like having a resolution that says the world is round. Who cares at all. What's the next step, nobody knows. So here we go again, we still won't have negotiations that will solve any problem and Serbia and her allies will still reject Kosovo's UDI and the ALbanians and their Allies will still reject Serbia's call for negotiations.