Ex-UN regional representative in Kosovska Mitrovica Gerard Gallucci said sending UN peacekeepers to the Kosovo north might be the only way to preserve peace.
"I suggest making a deal with Belgrade before it comes to that in the north of Kosovo.
(Amer, 3 August 2011 19:19) "
I realized on rereading that the last sentence is more than a little ambiguous: I'm suggesting that the local leaders in the north of Kosovo make a deal with Belgrade to allow the government to recognize Kosovo and get on with their EU accession process in return for getting a good deal for the Serbs living in Kosovo. Something like what the Ahtisaari plan offered them, for example.
you are funny little person who forgets that our mothers were college educated and who made sure we get the best-unlike albanians who did not send girls to scool until about 20 years ago..as for the priest-why don`t you pay attention to what your imams are saying..so far we havent seen serbian shooting americans where ever they are like albanians do..
your every attempt to mudy Serbian people failed and you still have to tell us-how does it feel to be living in chicago-the biggest Serbian town outside Serbia.
"No, not really. He is a columnist for Transconflict Serbia. Basically he is paid with Serbian taxpayer money to write the crap you want to hear. "
(Gustave, 3 August 2011 13:03)
Ever checked the Transconflict website? Probably not.
'TransConflict has benefited from generous financial and in-kind support from a variety of governmental and non-governmental institutions and organizations, plus contributions from a number of private individuals.' To your information: It list the NATO Public Diplomacy Department (PDD) as donors, amongst others.
He wants the UN security force to take over? Just who is that, Nato + the Russians? They were there at the beginning, and took orders from Nato, but wasn't that the period when Marty claims Serbs were being kidnapped and murdered? Anyway, Russia wants Western technology and capital - I can't see it getting into spats with Nato over security patrols in northern Kosovo.
As far as not believing what the American diplomats say, remember all those Wikileaked documents that people were plowing through at first, looking for evidence of American duplicity? Interest died down pretty quickly when none was found - American diplomats generally have only one line (although some of them write interesting character sketches). We went through this same thing in Georgia three years ago - the local leader convinces himself that general expressions of support mean that he has backing for a quick move that will allow him to present the world with a fait accompli, but doesn't quite pull it off. At least Thaci's guys maintained discipline and didn't get into running fire-fights with the hot-heads taking pot shots at them. That's the difference between a professional force and thugs and suggests the Serbs have less to fear than they believe.
As for the Serbs in the North refusing to live "under Albanians" - it wouldn't be the first time people have been left on the wrong side of a new border. You can ask the Hungarians about it. The Serbian government dealt with the problem by moving in Serbian settlers over a long period to break up concentrations of Hungarians. I suggest making a deal with Belgrade before it comes to that in the north of Kosovo.
"Intelligent, pragmatic solutions do. Speak up sensible Serbians. Your government and Radicals are holding you ALL hostage!"
(The Truth Chicago, 3 August 2011 16:42)
Yeah, as intelligent and pragmatic to send special police to the north? Very intelligent, or, as the EU spokespersons said 'not helpful'.
I agree about the Serbian radicals, but the Serbian government is at least democratically elected (without manipulating the elections) and supports peaceful negotiations instead of unilateral moves.
No, not really. He is a columnist for Transconflict Serbia. Basically he is paid with Serbian taxpayer money to write the crap you want to hear.
(Gustave, 3 August 2011 13:03)
The ChiComs have the '50cent army' who are paid 50 cents (equivalent) to write government propaganda in comment pages around the world. Are you part of the '5 cent' army who will dribble any old moist effluence rather than make any intelligent comment or are you simply unable to do so?
No one cares what Galluci says or thinks, just some people grasping at straws. He's a failed 'diplomat' and now he appears to work for a Serbian 'think tank' Transconflict.
It would be worthwhile Mr. Gallucci to review how we got to this point. The situation didn't just pop up out of thin air. There is certainly a segment of Serbian society that is ignorant and open to simple-minded solutions such as those presented by this "has been". I don't know if it's an indication of Serbia's deteriorating educational system, or the fact that certain news organization and priests have been feeding them a steady diet of hate and misinformation for the last 20 years. Could be all three. But there are still a lot of good people who have common sense in Serbia. Unfortunately, they live in the shadows for fear of retribution in the form of political smearing or even bodily harm such as what happened to Djindic. The kind of ignorance that I speak of helped put Serbia in the situation that they now find themselves in. "radical action" fixes NOTHING. Intelligent, pragmatic solutions do. Speak up sensible Serbians. Your government and Radicals are holding you ALL hostage!
Ian,
why do you believe that Prishtina should take control of Northern Kosovo?
(Another Canadian Serb, 3 August 2011 12:42)
Because it is apart of Kosovo and last I heard everyone was against the division/ partition of Kosovo. I think it is wrong to split Kosovo on ethnic lines. Also I don't want to see the Kosovo Serbs being isolated from both Belgrade and Pristina.
As the situation stands Serbia can't do much to actively help the Kosovo Serbs as Serbia considers Kosovo a UN governed entity and UNMIK only exists on paper these days. Kosovo who is administrating Kosovo can't do much to actively help them either as they reject Pristina and refuse to co-operate with them. If Serbia sent in officials to help and administrate Northern Kosovo that would be going against Serbia's legal argument about opposing Kosovo's independence, as to them it should be governed and administrated by the UN, 1244 etc. So with Serbia's current policy towards Kosovo, not much can be done to actively help the Kosovo Serbs unless Pristina forcibly moves into Northern Kosovo; as we know the UN isn't going to do anything as UNMIK is pretty much dead and the UK, US and France will say no to reviving UNMIK.
To be fair I did say a few months back that Serbia should recognise the independence of Kosovo south of the river Ibar while she still can. I think Serbia should do this sooner rather than later, even if it is only de facto recognition. The last thing anyone wants to see is more violence and more deaths as a result of the situation in Northern Kosovo.
Serbia needs to act soon to decide the future for Northern Kosovo even though the situation is ever so complicated. You may say that Kosovo is stuck in limbo, but Northern Kosovo is in an even bigger limbo. Serbia has two (can be three) options.
A) Integrate Northern Kosovo into the rest of Serbia and at least de facto accept the independence of the rest of Kosovo, which would go against Serbia's legal argument for opposing the independence of Kosovo. Also it'd be dividing Kosovo on ethnic lines. But the Kosovo Serbs would be better off.
B) Continue with current policy of refusing to accept Kosovo's independence and leaving the Kosovo Serbs isolated from both Belgrade and Pristina.
C) Fully recognising Kosovo, but we know that won't happen. That's why I said two options.
So you ask why do I think Pristina should administrate and move into northern Kosovo? Currently no-one really administrates Northern Kosovo. We know the UN won't be able to as UK, US and France will say no and UNMIK is already dead. Serbia could but at the cost of de facto accepting the rest of Kosovo's independence and giving up on their legal argument for opposing Kosovo's independence; as well as dividing Kosovo on ethnic lines. Or Pristina could move in an administrate it and Serbia continues with her legal argument for opposing Kosovo's independence and Kosovo isn't partitioned on ethnic lines. I think the last option is the best as Kosovo should be one and I don't think Kosovo should be partitioned on ethnic lines.
I think serbian need help ,I feel sorry for them ,every one love Serbian ,even history love Serbian people , 2011 Serbia mentality still the same ,I have nothing to say just hoppe one day understand people have evolve around Europe and is still long way behind ,goot luck
This man might be right in his assertion that the UN will have to police the North of Kosovo to prevent an even further escalation.
However, if that would happen, they should not (as KFOR does now) enforce any ban of goods into Kosovo, as aspired by Pristina.
First of all because the ban is most likely illegal anyways and second of all because it would in effect force the Serbs in the North to use Albanian goods, which to my knowledge constitutes a form of dictatorship unknown to Europe or the rest of the Balkan region.
I'm not at all surprised that the Thaci and Haradinaj clans will try to force anybody to use their goods, but the UN enforcing any such plans is a crime of a quite a different dimension. We are talking about the difference between (local) criminal organizations (pretending to be the government) and the highest international institution in existence. It might even make people that do not automatically see the UN as an enemy wonder if the UN is not itself committing crimes against humanity by complicity with extortion schemes like these.
No not quite Gustave, he writes an honest assessment of a situation you'd rather ignore. And just because you don't happen to agree with his opinion you label it as 'crap' Says a lot about your democratic credentials doesn't it chum.
I agree with everything Analyst has said so far. I was slightly puzzled why the Pristina Government made this move especially when both parites were talking in Brussels on how to resolve many of the outstanding problems for the ordinary people living in this part of the world. Now I understand why. Serbia is on the verge rejoining the European family and will attract investment as a result. The Kosovan Government had been rattled by this. Both sides do need to recognise that things have changed politically. But those in Pristina also need to realise that Serbia is their nearest neighbour. When the international community have all gone home they will need to build a normal trading/economic relationship. Europe has its own problems at the moment and bailing out yet another failing economy (Kosovo) is not on the agenda. The sooner they realise that the better so that everyone can get on with their lives. Better education, Health and jobs.
"I am not willing to pay additional taxes just to make these guys happy. I would better spend some contributes direct to the people suffering in Kosovo."
(Tymi, 3 August 2011 12:29)
This would be the best. But so far, the donor money is going straight to the pockets of the corrupt politicians in Kosovo, or to the 'Thaci and Haradinaj street construction company', and only some breadcrumbs reach the ordinary people.
Another reason for Thaci stirring up trouble might be the presence of the internationals in Kosovo: With their spendings, and with Kosovo not really having a economy that deserves this name, they cause a non neglectable amount of the offical GDP (illegal activities like drug trafficking not included). So: The longer they stay in Kosovo, the better - all payed by tax money of the donors, of course.
No matter what Serbia does to appease the US/UK/German sponsored regime in Pristina, it will never be enough. It doesn't require the accumen of a rocket scientist to realise that the above forces are using Thaci to probe for weaknesses. The Belgrade government is spending much political capital cosying up to the West. The Kosovo Serbs are another matter. They live in uncomfortable proximity with those that would do them harm. They will fight to protect their land. They're not singing from Belgrade's hymnsheet. The arguement that Pristina is seeking to confront 'criminal activity' in northern Kosovo is a joke. The ruling clique in Pristina is riddled with corruption from top to bottom. Either the UN runs northern Kosmet, or you partition the territory and be done with it. If the Albanians attempt another foray north they risk a major confrontation. One which they will lose.
If you want another Cyprus ok. But be aware that EU will not make that mistake again. If the useless UN representatives are interested to extend their nice job contracts, it is up to UN. I am not willing to pay additional taxes just to make these guys happy. I would better spend some contributes direct to the people suffering in Kosovo.
No matter what Serbia does to appease the US/UK/German sponsored regime in Pristina, it will never be enough. It doesn't require the accumen of a rocket scientist to realise that the above forces are using Thaci to probe for weaknesses. The Belgrade government is spending much political capital cosying up to the West. The Kosovo Serbs are another matter. They live in uncomfortable proximity with those that would do them harm. They will fight to protect their land. They're not singing from Belgrade's hymnsheet. The arguement that Pristina is seeking to confront 'criminal activity' in northern Kosovo is a joke. The ruling clique in Pristina is riddled with corruption from top to bottom. Either the UN runs northern Kosmet, or you partition the territory and be done with it. If the Albanians attempt another foray north they risk a major confrontation. One which they will lose.
"I am not willing to pay additional taxes just to make these guys happy. I would better spend some contributes direct to the people suffering in Kosovo."
(Tymi, 3 August 2011 12:29)
This would be the best. But so far, the donor money is going straight to the pockets of the corrupt politicians in Kosovo, or to the 'Thaci and Haradinaj street construction company', and only some breadcrumbs reach the ordinary people.
Another reason for Thaci stirring up trouble might be the presence of the internationals in Kosovo: With their spendings, and with Kosovo not really having a economy that deserves this name, they cause a non neglectable amount of the offical GDP (illegal activities like drug trafficking not included). So: The longer they stay in Kosovo, the better - all payed by tax money of the donors, of course.
No not quite Gustave, he writes an honest assessment of a situation you'd rather ignore. And just because you don't happen to agree with his opinion you label it as 'crap' Says a lot about your democratic credentials doesn't it chum.
This man might be right in his assertion that the UN will have to police the North of Kosovo to prevent an even further escalation.
However, if that would happen, they should not (as KFOR does now) enforce any ban of goods into Kosovo, as aspired by Pristina.
First of all because the ban is most likely illegal anyways and second of all because it would in effect force the Serbs in the North to use Albanian goods, which to my knowledge constitutes a form of dictatorship unknown to Europe or the rest of the Balkan region.
I'm not at all surprised that the Thaci and Haradinaj clans will try to force anybody to use their goods, but the UN enforcing any such plans is a crime of a quite a different dimension. We are talking about the difference between (local) criminal organizations (pretending to be the government) and the highest international institution in existence. It might even make people that do not automatically see the UN as an enemy wonder if the UN is not itself committing crimes against humanity by complicity with extortion schemes like these.
I agree with everything Analyst has said so far. I was slightly puzzled why the Pristina Government made this move especially when both parites were talking in Brussels on how to resolve many of the outstanding problems for the ordinary people living in this part of the world. Now I understand why. Serbia is on the verge rejoining the European family and will attract investment as a result. The Kosovan Government had been rattled by this. Both sides do need to recognise that things have changed politically. But those in Pristina also need to realise that Serbia is their nearest neighbour. When the international community have all gone home they will need to build a normal trading/economic relationship. Europe has its own problems at the moment and bailing out yet another failing economy (Kosovo) is not on the agenda. The sooner they realise that the better so that everyone can get on with their lives. Better education, Health and jobs.
If you want another Cyprus ok. But be aware that EU will not make that mistake again. If the useless UN representatives are interested to extend their nice job contracts, it is up to UN. I am not willing to pay additional taxes just to make these guys happy. I would better spend some contributes direct to the people suffering in Kosovo.
I think serbian need help ,I feel sorry for them ,every one love Serbian ,even history love Serbian people , 2011 Serbia mentality still the same ,I have nothing to say just hoppe one day understand people have evolve around Europe and is still long way behind ,goot luck
No one cares what Galluci says or thinks, just some people grasping at straws. He's a failed 'diplomat' and now he appears to work for a Serbian 'think tank' Transconflict.
you are funny little person who forgets that our mothers were college educated and who made sure we get the best-unlike albanians who did not send girls to scool until about 20 years ago..as for the priest-why don`t you pay attention to what your imams are saying..so far we havent seen serbian shooting americans where ever they are like albanians do..
your every attempt to mudy Serbian people failed and you still have to tell us-how does it feel to be living in chicago-the biggest Serbian town outside Serbia.
Ian,
why do you believe that Prishtina should take control of Northern Kosovo?
(Another Canadian Serb, 3 August 2011 12:42)
Because it is apart of Kosovo and last I heard everyone was against the division/ partition of Kosovo. I think it is wrong to split Kosovo on ethnic lines. Also I don't want to see the Kosovo Serbs being isolated from both Belgrade and Pristina.
As the situation stands Serbia can't do much to actively help the Kosovo Serbs as Serbia considers Kosovo a UN governed entity and UNMIK only exists on paper these days. Kosovo who is administrating Kosovo can't do much to actively help them either as they reject Pristina and refuse to co-operate with them. If Serbia sent in officials to help and administrate Northern Kosovo that would be going against Serbia's legal argument about opposing Kosovo's independence, as to them it should be governed and administrated by the UN, 1244 etc. So with Serbia's current policy towards Kosovo, not much can be done to actively help the Kosovo Serbs unless Pristina forcibly moves into Northern Kosovo; as we know the UN isn't going to do anything as UNMIK is pretty much dead and the UK, US and France will say no to reviving UNMIK.
To be fair I did say a few months back that Serbia should recognise the independence of Kosovo south of the river Ibar while she still can. I think Serbia should do this sooner rather than later, even if it is only de facto recognition. The last thing anyone wants to see is more violence and more deaths as a result of the situation in Northern Kosovo.
Serbia needs to act soon to decide the future for Northern Kosovo even though the situation is ever so complicated. You may say that Kosovo is stuck in limbo, but Northern Kosovo is in an even bigger limbo. Serbia has two (can be three) options.
A) Integrate Northern Kosovo into the rest of Serbia and at least de facto accept the independence of the rest of Kosovo, which would go against Serbia's legal argument for opposing the independence of Kosovo. Also it'd be dividing Kosovo on ethnic lines. But the Kosovo Serbs would be better off.
B) Continue with current policy of refusing to accept Kosovo's independence and leaving the Kosovo Serbs isolated from both Belgrade and Pristina.
C) Fully recognising Kosovo, but we know that won't happen. That's why I said two options.
So you ask why do I think Pristina should administrate and move into northern Kosovo? Currently no-one really administrates Northern Kosovo. We know the UN won't be able to as UK, US and France will say no and UNMIK is already dead. Serbia could but at the cost of de facto accepting the rest of Kosovo's independence and giving up on their legal argument for opposing Kosovo's independence; as well as dividing Kosovo on ethnic lines. Or Pristina could move in an administrate it and Serbia continues with her legal argument for opposing Kosovo's independence and Kosovo isn't partitioned on ethnic lines. I think the last option is the best as Kosovo should be one and I don't think Kosovo should be partitioned on ethnic lines.
It would be worthwhile Mr. Gallucci to review how we got to this point. The situation didn't just pop up out of thin air. There is certainly a segment of Serbian society that is ignorant and open to simple-minded solutions such as those presented by this "has been". I don't know if it's an indication of Serbia's deteriorating educational system, or the fact that certain news organization and priests have been feeding them a steady diet of hate and misinformation for the last 20 years. Could be all three. But there are still a lot of good people who have common sense in Serbia. Unfortunately, they live in the shadows for fear of retribution in the form of political smearing or even bodily harm such as what happened to Djindic. The kind of ignorance that I speak of helped put Serbia in the situation that they now find themselves in. "radical action" fixes NOTHING. Intelligent, pragmatic solutions do. Speak up sensible Serbians. Your government and Radicals are holding you ALL hostage!
"No, not really. He is a columnist for Transconflict Serbia. Basically he is paid with Serbian taxpayer money to write the crap you want to hear. "
(Gustave, 3 August 2011 13:03)
Ever checked the Transconflict website? Probably not.
'TransConflict has benefited from generous financial and in-kind support from a variety of governmental and non-governmental institutions and organizations, plus contributions from a number of private individuals.' To your information: It list the NATO Public Diplomacy Department (PDD) as donors, amongst others.
No, not really. He is a columnist for Transconflict Serbia. Basically he is paid with Serbian taxpayer money to write the crap you want to hear.
(Gustave, 3 August 2011 13:03)
The ChiComs have the '50cent army' who are paid 50 cents (equivalent) to write government propaganda in comment pages around the world. Are you part of the '5 cent' army who will dribble any old moist effluence rather than make any intelligent comment or are you simply unable to do so?
"Intelligent, pragmatic solutions do. Speak up sensible Serbians. Your government and Radicals are holding you ALL hostage!"
(The Truth Chicago, 3 August 2011 16:42)
Yeah, as intelligent and pragmatic to send special police to the north? Very intelligent, or, as the EU spokespersons said 'not helpful'.
I agree about the Serbian radicals, but the Serbian government is at least democratically elected (without manipulating the elections) and supports peaceful negotiations instead of unilateral moves.
He wants the UN security force to take over? Just who is that, Nato + the Russians? They were there at the beginning, and took orders from Nato, but wasn't that the period when Marty claims Serbs were being kidnapped and murdered? Anyway, Russia wants Western technology and capital - I can't see it getting into spats with Nato over security patrols in northern Kosovo.
As far as not believing what the American diplomats say, remember all those Wikileaked documents that people were plowing through at first, looking for evidence of American duplicity? Interest died down pretty quickly when none was found - American diplomats generally have only one line (although some of them write interesting character sketches). We went through this same thing in Georgia three years ago - the local leader convinces himself that general expressions of support mean that he has backing for a quick move that will allow him to present the world with a fait accompli, but doesn't quite pull it off. At least Thaci's guys maintained discipline and didn't get into running fire-fights with the hot-heads taking pot shots at them. That's the difference between a professional force and thugs and suggests the Serbs have less to fear than they believe.
As for the Serbs in the North refusing to live "under Albanians" - it wouldn't be the first time people have been left on the wrong side of a new border. You can ask the Hungarians about it. The Serbian government dealt with the problem by moving in Serbian settlers over a long period to break up concentrations of Hungarians. I suggest making a deal with Belgrade before it comes to that in the north of Kosovo.
"I suggest making a deal with Belgrade before it comes to that in the north of Kosovo.
(Amer, 3 August 2011 19:19) "
I realized on rereading that the last sentence is more than a little ambiguous: I'm suggesting that the local leaders in the north of Kosovo make a deal with Belgrade to allow the government to recognize Kosovo and get on with their EU accession process in return for getting a good deal for the Serbs living in Kosovo. Something like what the Ahtisaari plan offered them, for example.
If you want another Cyprus ok. But be aware that EU will not make that mistake again. If the useless UN representatives are interested to extend their nice job contracts, it is up to UN. I am not willing to pay additional taxes just to make these guys happy. I would better spend some contributes direct to the people suffering in Kosovo.
No one cares what Galluci says or thinks, just some people grasping at straws. He's a failed 'diplomat' and now he appears to work for a Serbian 'think tank' Transconflict.
It would be worthwhile Mr. Gallucci to review how we got to this point. The situation didn't just pop up out of thin air. There is certainly a segment of Serbian society that is ignorant and open to simple-minded solutions such as those presented by this "has been". I don't know if it's an indication of Serbia's deteriorating educational system, or the fact that certain news organization and priests have been feeding them a steady diet of hate and misinformation for the last 20 years. Could be all three. But there are still a lot of good people who have common sense in Serbia. Unfortunately, they live in the shadows for fear of retribution in the form of political smearing or even bodily harm such as what happened to Djindic. The kind of ignorance that I speak of helped put Serbia in the situation that they now find themselves in. "radical action" fixes NOTHING. Intelligent, pragmatic solutions do. Speak up sensible Serbians. Your government and Radicals are holding you ALL hostage!
Ian,
why do you believe that Prishtina should take control of Northern Kosovo?
(Another Canadian Serb, 3 August 2011 12:42)
Because it is apart of Kosovo and last I heard everyone was against the division/ partition of Kosovo. I think it is wrong to split Kosovo on ethnic lines. Also I don't want to see the Kosovo Serbs being isolated from both Belgrade and Pristina.
As the situation stands Serbia can't do much to actively help the Kosovo Serbs as Serbia considers Kosovo a UN governed entity and UNMIK only exists on paper these days. Kosovo who is administrating Kosovo can't do much to actively help them either as they reject Pristina and refuse to co-operate with them. If Serbia sent in officials to help and administrate Northern Kosovo that would be going against Serbia's legal argument about opposing Kosovo's independence, as to them it should be governed and administrated by the UN, 1244 etc. So with Serbia's current policy towards Kosovo, not much can be done to actively help the Kosovo Serbs unless Pristina forcibly moves into Northern Kosovo; as we know the UN isn't going to do anything as UNMIK is pretty much dead and the UK, US and France will say no to reviving UNMIK.
To be fair I did say a few months back that Serbia should recognise the independence of Kosovo south of the river Ibar while she still can. I think Serbia should do this sooner rather than later, even if it is only de facto recognition. The last thing anyone wants to see is more violence and more deaths as a result of the situation in Northern Kosovo.
Serbia needs to act soon to decide the future for Northern Kosovo even though the situation is ever so complicated. You may say that Kosovo is stuck in limbo, but Northern Kosovo is in an even bigger limbo. Serbia has two (can be three) options.
A) Integrate Northern Kosovo into the rest of Serbia and at least de facto accept the independence of the rest of Kosovo, which would go against Serbia's legal argument for opposing the independence of Kosovo. Also it'd be dividing Kosovo on ethnic lines. But the Kosovo Serbs would be better off.
B) Continue with current policy of refusing to accept Kosovo's independence and leaving the Kosovo Serbs isolated from both Belgrade and Pristina.
C) Fully recognising Kosovo, but we know that won't happen. That's why I said two options.
So you ask why do I think Pristina should administrate and move into northern Kosovo? Currently no-one really administrates Northern Kosovo. We know the UN won't be able to as UK, US and France will say no and UNMIK is already dead. Serbia could but at the cost of de facto accepting the rest of Kosovo's independence and giving up on their legal argument for opposing Kosovo's independence; as well as dividing Kosovo on ethnic lines. Or Pristina could move in an administrate it and Serbia continues with her legal argument for opposing Kosovo's independence and Kosovo isn't partitioned on ethnic lines. I think the last option is the best as Kosovo should be one and I don't think Kosovo should be partitioned on ethnic lines.
I agree with everything Analyst has said so far. I was slightly puzzled why the Pristina Government made this move especially when both parites were talking in Brussels on how to resolve many of the outstanding problems for the ordinary people living in this part of the world. Now I understand why. Serbia is on the verge rejoining the European family and will attract investment as a result. The Kosovan Government had been rattled by this. Both sides do need to recognise that things have changed politically. But those in Pristina also need to realise that Serbia is their nearest neighbour. When the international community have all gone home they will need to build a normal trading/economic relationship. Europe has its own problems at the moment and bailing out yet another failing economy (Kosovo) is not on the agenda. The sooner they realise that the better so that everyone can get on with their lives. Better education, Health and jobs.
No matter what Serbia does to appease the US/UK/German sponsored regime in Pristina, it will never be enough. It doesn't require the accumen of a rocket scientist to realise that the above forces are using Thaci to probe for weaknesses. The Belgrade government is spending much political capital cosying up to the West. The Kosovo Serbs are another matter. They live in uncomfortable proximity with those that would do them harm. They will fight to protect their land. They're not singing from Belgrade's hymnsheet. The arguement that Pristina is seeking to confront 'criminal activity' in northern Kosovo is a joke. The ruling clique in Pristina is riddled with corruption from top to bottom. Either the UN runs northern Kosmet, or you partition the territory and be done with it. If the Albanians attempt another foray north they risk a major confrontation. One which they will lose.
"I am not willing to pay additional taxes just to make these guys happy. I would better spend some contributes direct to the people suffering in Kosovo."
(Tymi, 3 August 2011 12:29)
This would be the best. But so far, the donor money is going straight to the pockets of the corrupt politicians in Kosovo, or to the 'Thaci and Haradinaj street construction company', and only some breadcrumbs reach the ordinary people.
Another reason for Thaci stirring up trouble might be the presence of the internationals in Kosovo: With their spendings, and with Kosovo not really having a economy that deserves this name, they cause a non neglectable amount of the offical GDP (illegal activities like drug trafficking not included). So: The longer they stay in Kosovo, the better - all payed by tax money of the donors, of course.
No not quite Gustave, he writes an honest assessment of a situation you'd rather ignore. And just because you don't happen to agree with his opinion you label it as 'crap' Says a lot about your democratic credentials doesn't it chum.
This man might be right in his assertion that the UN will have to police the North of Kosovo to prevent an even further escalation.
However, if that would happen, they should not (as KFOR does now) enforce any ban of goods into Kosovo, as aspired by Pristina.
First of all because the ban is most likely illegal anyways and second of all because it would in effect force the Serbs in the North to use Albanian goods, which to my knowledge constitutes a form of dictatorship unknown to Europe or the rest of the Balkan region.
I'm not at all surprised that the Thaci and Haradinaj clans will try to force anybody to use their goods, but the UN enforcing any such plans is a crime of a quite a different dimension. We are talking about the difference between (local) criminal organizations (pretending to be the government) and the highest international institution in existence. It might even make people that do not automatically see the UN as an enemy wonder if the UN is not itself committing crimes against humanity by complicity with extortion schemes like these.
No, not really. He is a columnist for Transconflict Serbia. Basically he is paid with Serbian taxpayer money to write the crap you want to hear.
(Gustave, 3 August 2011 13:03)
The ChiComs have the '50cent army' who are paid 50 cents (equivalent) to write government propaganda in comment pages around the world. Are you part of the '5 cent' army who will dribble any old moist effluence rather than make any intelligent comment or are you simply unable to do so?
I think serbian need help ,I feel sorry for them ,every one love Serbian ,even history love Serbian people , 2011 Serbia mentality still the same ,I have nothing to say just hoppe one day understand people have evolve around Europe and is still long way behind ,goot luck
He wants the UN security force to take over? Just who is that, Nato + the Russians? They were there at the beginning, and took orders from Nato, but wasn't that the period when Marty claims Serbs were being kidnapped and murdered? Anyway, Russia wants Western technology and capital - I can't see it getting into spats with Nato over security patrols in northern Kosovo.
As far as not believing what the American diplomats say, remember all those Wikileaked documents that people were plowing through at first, looking for evidence of American duplicity? Interest died down pretty quickly when none was found - American diplomats generally have only one line (although some of them write interesting character sketches). We went through this same thing in Georgia three years ago - the local leader convinces himself that general expressions of support mean that he has backing for a quick move that will allow him to present the world with a fait accompli, but doesn't quite pull it off. At least Thaci's guys maintained discipline and didn't get into running fire-fights with the hot-heads taking pot shots at them. That's the difference between a professional force and thugs and suggests the Serbs have less to fear than they believe.
As for the Serbs in the North refusing to live "under Albanians" - it wouldn't be the first time people have been left on the wrong side of a new border. You can ask the Hungarians about it. The Serbian government dealt with the problem by moving in Serbian settlers over a long period to break up concentrations of Hungarians. I suggest making a deal with Belgrade before it comes to that in the north of Kosovo.
"Intelligent, pragmatic solutions do. Speak up sensible Serbians. Your government and Radicals are holding you ALL hostage!"
(The Truth Chicago, 3 August 2011 16:42)
Yeah, as intelligent and pragmatic to send special police to the north? Very intelligent, or, as the EU spokespersons said 'not helpful'.
I agree about the Serbian radicals, but the Serbian government is at least democratically elected (without manipulating the elections) and supports peaceful negotiations instead of unilateral moves.
"No, not really. He is a columnist for Transconflict Serbia. Basically he is paid with Serbian taxpayer money to write the crap you want to hear. "
(Gustave, 3 August 2011 13:03)
Ever checked the Transconflict website? Probably not.
'TransConflict has benefited from generous financial and in-kind support from a variety of governmental and non-governmental institutions and organizations, plus contributions from a number of private individuals.' To your information: It list the NATO Public Diplomacy Department (PDD) as donors, amongst others.
you are funny little person who forgets that our mothers were college educated and who made sure we get the best-unlike albanians who did not send girls to scool until about 20 years ago..as for the priest-why don`t you pay attention to what your imams are saying..so far we havent seen serbian shooting americans where ever they are like albanians do..
your every attempt to mudy Serbian people failed and you still have to tell us-how does it feel to be living in chicago-the biggest Serbian town outside Serbia.
"I suggest making a deal with Belgrade before it comes to that in the north of Kosovo.
(Amer, 3 August 2011 19:19) "
I realized on rereading that the last sentence is more than a little ambiguous: I'm suggesting that the local leaders in the north of Kosovo make a deal with Belgrade to allow the government to recognize Kosovo and get on with their EU accession process in return for getting a good deal for the Serbs living in Kosovo. Something like what the Ahtisaari plan offered them, for example.
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