Burns: U.S. wants Kosovo independent this year

The US 'wants' to create a greater albania this year. Note the word 'wants'. Before they were saying that independence 'will' happen this year.
I 'want' a yacht and villa on the Caribbean island of St. Martin. Wanting and having are two different things. If the US 'wants' a greater albania, they have to ask Mr. Putin, and he will happily tell them that 'you can't always get what you want'. But you can get what you need - which is autonomy.

Dear Mr. Burns,
Dear Mr. Burns,
You say...
"In a part of Europe, primarily in the Balkans, Caucasus and the zone around the Black and Caspian seas, much remains to be done in order to achieve stability equal to that in the western part of the continent," Burns told the Free Europe Radio.

Well, Mr. Burns...

"The strategic importance of Bulgaria and Romania (invited to join the European Union in 2007) as well as Albania and Macedonia, is very relevant. Romania and Bulgaria border the Black Sea, a potential route for the exportation of oil from the Caspian Sea to Europe. From the moment that the Bush administration decided to make the USA less dependent on oil from the Opec countries, the Russian, Caspian and Black Sea’s resources have become vitally important. Because it is in these oil fields that the United States` future energy may lie.

The Caspian basin represents one of the world’s largest sources of crude oil, after Saudi Arabia, Siberia and perhaps Iran. According to a report by the Unocal Corporation, one of America’s leading oil companies, “total oil reserves in the Caspian area could amount to over seventy billion barrels. Some estimates even reach two hundred billion barrels. In 1995, the region produced only 870,000 barrels a day. By 2010, western companies could push production up to around 4.5 million barrels a day; an increase of more than 500% in only fifteen years.” This is a serious amount, even when compared to the unrivalled oil power of Saudi Arabia, which has reserves approaching 260 billion barrels: double that of their closest competitor, Iran, which has ‘only’ 133 billion."
http://www.cafebabel.com/en/article.asp?T=T&Id=5165

Why not simply speak the truth Mr. Burns?

"According to him, Washington supports countries that are trying to resist the growing Russian pressure, such as Georgia and Moldova, as well as NATO allies Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania."
Exactly!
Divide and conquer.
I posted yesterday…“ Upon close examination, one discovers that the giant oil companies continue to be deeply involved in most of the conflicts in the world, including in efforts to destroy national sovereignty and break up nations. More often than not, U.S. government and military policies back them up. In the case of the southern Balkans, the intent may well be to establish a "Greater Albania" to advance the interests of the oil conglomerates."
The U.S. foreign policy in the Balkans is about oil and oil profits.
Their behavior certainly leads one to conclude that they are using NATO to achieve their goals.

Dragan, I like your improvisation on the song by the Stones, "You Can't Always Get What You Want." Regarding the comment made by Burns, I say, "who the hell does he think the US is." This is all about inching away to the final destination, the Russian front door. Forget it Burns, it won't happen!! Last week, as a show of force, Russia and China were involved in military exercises. In addition, Russia has been flying its bombers in the north and outside of their sphere. What does this tell you? To the intelligent sector of this forum, it indicates that Russia is sending a clear message, DON'T MESS AROUND!!!
And trust me, the US will follow suit. The days of intimidation and aggression are over, welcome to the new world order!!!

There they go again with the NATO state. It is as if they have learned some new trick and now they will go on and on about it. Actually I wish they would make Kosovo a NATO state because that would make it forbidden territory for any Serb attempts to cause trouble there. As in many other things relating to the Kosovo issue what seems appalling to one side is highly desirable to the other.

Roger7

Here is something Dobrica Cosic said:

"We lie to deceive ourselves, to console others; we lie for mercy, we lie to fight fear, to encourage ourselves, to hide our and somebody else’s misery. We lie for love and honesty. We lie because freedom. The lie is the trait of our patriotism and the proof of our innate smartness. We lie creatively, imaginatively, inventively.”

This, above all others is what drives Serbian politics and some of the Serbian media when reporting stories concerning Albanians or other ethnic groups.

People liek Dan Burton for example hall fallen victim to this truly incredible Serb ability which can be very useful in politics and diplomacy.

While the Serbian forces were killing hundreds of thousands of people in Bosnia, Serbia convinced the whole world that "all sides were commiting crimes".

More shameless lies from Nick on the 'hundreds of thousands' killed. Nick - 2000 died prior to the bombing, on all sides. I realize that the albanian side is using Josef Goebbels, the Nazi Minister of Propoganda, philosophy of 'if a lie is repeated often enough, it eventually becomes the truth'. However, we Serbs are fighting back with the truth, because the truth is on our side. Here is a little bit of truth for you to swallow (it's a bitter pill for you, I know), again written by a non-Serb.
http://web.ukonline.co.uk/pbrooke/p&t/Balkans/dmonkosovo/200010b

Nick, HRW reported that "In December 2005, the Research and Documentation Center in Sarajevo assessed the number of war-related deaths during the Bosnian war at 102000"

This is 102 000 soldiers and civilians, killed during three years of civil war in Bosnia, on all four sides(Croats, Serbs, Bosnian Muslims under Izetbegovic, Bosnian Muslims under Fikret Abdic.)

The truth is in stark contrast with your wild claims that "Serbian forces killed hundreds of thousands in Bosnia".

Having a different views is one thing, writing outright lies another.

I suggest that outright lies should fall under "inappropriate contents" and deleted from the postings. Contributors should be advised to check their facts before posting.

In a sense, Serb haters and Serb detractors on this site are making quite a disservice to their cause. Serbian position is defended by facts and reason, theirs by hatred and outright lies.

It is evident to any neutral observer.

Appeal to emotions works in broadcast and printed media,
because "rebuttal does not work", but it fails miserably on the internet. Liars are exposed easily.

So, please check your facts before posting.

Its irrelevent unless they can pass a bill sending another 15000 troops and several billion dollars. Just the idea of having US soldiers in harms way is not gonna get the senate approval.

Nick
Next you will say as Serbs were killing hundreds of thousands in Kosovo, NATO and KLA were humanitarian soldiers.

BTW look at the casualties of Bosnia again. Was no where near hundreds of thousands... and remember Croats and Bosniaks fought each other as well. So are Serbs responcible for those crimes too?

Nick you make me laugh. Simply because you are too blinded to see the wall your dreams have hit after that shut-down at the UN.

Not you fault, I mean you tried, and failed. But the important thing is not to forget the lesson. Which was KOSOVO IS SERBIA.

Cvele

"KOSOVO IS SERBIA." - You keep shouting that after every post, are you trying to convince yourself?

To whoever thinks that only 2000 peopel died, than why don't you come to Kosovo and count the graves youself, and speak to the families of the victims, look at the facts,look at the names and age of every victim, and you might change your mind. Dont spean about facts on the ground in Kosovo from you computer chair in Serbia, of even further away. Come to Kosovo and see it youself. Just in serbia alone well over a thousand bodies of albanians have been found! Maybe they were the remains of serb victims killed by albanian SS and croats during WW2! Or maybe CIA agents threw some bones from a plane!

I find amazing and scary this denial (intentional or ignorant) of serbian crimes from some people on this site.

Essentially, this entire Kosovo saga is out of the hands of both Serbs and Albanians. The Kosovo independence issue has turned into a battle between Russia and the United States. Whichever country can impose its wishes, either pro Serb or pro Albanian, will be the victor on a global scale. The opinions of Serbs and Albanians really do not matter anymore. Russia has clearly shown that it is “drawing a line in the sand” over Kosovo independence and it remains to be seen whether the United States can override Russia’s protestations. If the United States wins this battle, the Serbs are in deep trouble; conversely, if Russia wins this battle of wills, the Albanians in Kosovo will be the big losers. In conclusion, it is out of the hands of both Serbs and Albanians; the big boys have taken over the battle and all that Serbs and Albanians can do is cheer from the sidelines.

Just because there are graves of albanians killed in 99 doesnt mean that they were all victims of our military. Not by a long shot. How many albans have been mistakenly killed by NATO? How many have been killed by albans claiming they were traitors or didnt agree with their political views. HOW MANY SERBS DIED TO TERRORIST ATTACK WAY B4 OUR MILITARY WENT IN. I am amazed by your denial of the facts nikshala.

Im not even mentioning the Churches, Graves, 300000 refugees in Serbia.

KOSOVO IS SERBIA
CCCC

When saying "hundreds of thousands" i was refering to Bosnia. Please read my comment again.

_______________

But they've proven that to be false with research.

The research conducted over the last several years where they investigated every name showed that the number killed is LESS than 100,000 TOTAL.

The numbers of dead include over 25,000 Serbs.

The dead are mostly military.

And the number is including the missing - as well.

So, it turns out lower than the hype.

Also the Kosovo dead are mostly military and KLA.

I've seen pictures of a monument wall in Kosovo with the names of Albanian fighters who died in the war - it was sort of copied off the Vietnam memorial wall in the U.S.

That wall was PURE FIGHTER'S names.

The Albanians lost about 2-3,000 fighters. The number of civilans is probably only a few hundred - with many of them killed by the KLA itself for not cooperating.

The Albanian population of Kosovo didn't shrink - so there was absolutely no genocide.

In Bosnia the Muslims have the same share of population as before the war.

Their numbers are up in the largest cities, such as Sarajevo, Tuzla, Zenica.

Bosnia was a LAND SWAP.

The Bosnian war was initiated by the Muslims who drew first blood.

The same groups who were Hitler/Nazi supporters of WWII were in the same roles again - the Croats and the Muslims.

Only the west was wanting a break up and thought the Serbian population was in the way, so they supported ethnic cleansing of Serbs while demonizing and blaming the Serbs.

The census results show it was the Serbs overall who were the largest victims of ethnic cleansing.

"Project of NATO state in Kosovo doomed to failure"

US would also like for their debt to be erased, but thats all wishful thinking.

http://zfacts.com/p/461.html

There are dozens of sites like this and they all show same amount.

Dear All,

For your information, Kosovo is our theritory and is not for sale.

We have accepted the challenge once and be asured that we will take it again, at least now its much easier (having Russia behind our back).

I do not see a reasonable reason for pushing us so hard and keeping the eis closed on what is happening in Kosovo (and on what was happening before). The trouth is not black and white.

A Serb

The US wants KosovO independent this year - at least they have something in common with the Albanians- wanting independence, that is. There's only one small concern - you won't get it.

Dragan,

What to say about Bisset other than no wonder that "He was recalled from Yugoslavia in the summer of 1992 and retired from public service". I do not know how can you deny the atrocities committed by Serb forces in the Balkan wars, and please do not come back with everybody did because we all know who started this mess.
Peace and Love

Looks like Dan Burton is no trendsetter.

Minister of Educarion?
Wow, I feel sorry for the Education system under this guy.

You know, these articles never really do much more than wrile our more nationalistic commentors on this site. Each time, the "Kosovo article of the day" includes grand posturing from either the US, Russia, Serbia, or Kosovo Province, each side saying the same thing it said a week ago, and each side seemingly thinking it's the only player in the field. I wonder if each side spent as much dedication and commitment at the negotiating table as they did rehearsing their grand sound byte for the press, we might be in a better position than we are today. I have little faith that what actually should happen WILL happen.

Dragan: last time I checked the Stones sang that in Belgrade. Maybe it was a message to you guys? Just a thought.

Nick,

taking the words of Mr. Ćosić out of context is just once again a typical method of deceit...
you should have written that he is primarily a writer and poet,...so, if you were honest, you wouldn´t try to create the impression as if he is saying that about serbian policy.

but if that is all you have to offer...

classical own-goal, I would say.

Mr. Burns is being shockingly undiplomatic.
Not a good look, Mr. Burns.

Now, I think that N.Burns is in deep trouble. I bet the he is not aware what politician Kostunica, Cvele, Roger7 is going to do to him and US.
Cvele, in fact I do agree 100% with your idea!

Burns is really trying to tell Serbs in Serbia, instead of Kostunica, what is really going to happen with Kosova. Serbs in Serbia listen to BBC, CNN and many state censure free medias and prepare themselves for the inevitable, Independence. In fact they are already prepared for this, see B92 in Serbian.

Cvele,
USA does not need to pass the bill for another 15000 troops, as it already has 2 millions already on the ground. Every single Albanian in determined to have independence and no power in the world (not even Russian ) can change that.
Yes, we will get the independence, weather you like it or not. All the Serbs will be equals citizens. All the ones that done crimes (weather it is an Albanian or Serb) during the war will be sentenced accordingly.
We should negotiate about the economic relationship between Serbia and Kosova, as the Independence is a done deal.
We will build the future, but we won’t forget the past.

Cvele

"Just because there are graves of albanians killed in 99 doesnt mean that they were all victims of our military. Not by a long shot. How many albans have been mistakenly killed by NATO? How many have been killed by albans claiming they were traitors or didnt agree with their political views. " -

So explain to me why the serbian army decided to take the bodies of albanians and bury them secretly in mass graves in Serbia???? To hide they crimes!! Its pretty obvious, stop ingorin the pink elephant in the room. I know you will probably suggest that Serb army was just being nice and they tried to give albanians killed by KLA and NATO an honourable burial in Serbia!

Sidi, this article isn't about the Minister of Education, it's about Mr. Burns. You can keep looking for every bit of information to rap on Serbia about, but this doesn't excuse the statements that Mr. Burns has said in regards to U.S. foreign policy.

Honestly, I'd rather have an independent Kosovo that declared independence by it's own ethnic Albanian population, rather than a Kosovo aided by the U.S. who really just needs a stepping stone from which it can influence every other Eastern and Southeastern European country.

Dragan,

When saying "hundreds of thousands" i was refering to Bosnia. Please read my comment again.

Questions: Does anyone still think that Kosovo will be a new country ? If the K albanians start trouble after 10 Dec, does anyone think the world will back them more or less ?

Albert, your mentioning of Native Americans is interesting, because Serbs became minority in Kosovo the very same way - by being murdered, expelled, their land stolen and now they being kept in reservations guarded by NATO.

Your claim that Serbia took autonomy of Kosovo in 1989 does not hold water, because facts on the record prove otherwise. It was IMF who requested that Federal Yugoslav goverment stop excessive abuse of power in Kosovo run as parastate by Kosovo Albanian Communists, without any Federal control. Such behavior threatened Yugoslavia's servicing of debt and that's why IMF intervened and that's why all six republic appoved it.

I wonder why none of supporters of Albanian extremist is a straight shooter - all we read here are cocktails of outright lies and semi-truths.

We can discuss the issue at hand from opposing ends only if we use the facts, the whole facts and nothing but the facts.


Many Albanians in Kosovo were not even Yugoslav citizens, but illegal aliens who illegally settled from Albania.

Instead of being grateful to the country who gave them livelihood, they engaged in criminal activities and terror of legal citizens, Albanians and Serbs alike.
In any country, such activity would be dealt harshly, and usually is.

The amount of human rights violations in Kosovo in the last 8 years commited by extremist Albanians and their supporters (murder of 1000 Albanians, murder of more than 1000 of Serbs, expulsion of 300 000 non-Albanians and theft of their real estate, destruction of 90% of ancient Christian churches and monasteries) make any transgression of earlier Serbia regime pale in comparrison.

Albanian illegal aliens who took part in illegal activities lost possibility to legalize their status in Serbia, the same way illegal aliens with criminal activity can not solve their status in any democratic country. They hoped to carve the country of their own on Serbian soil.
Kosovo Albanians who are legal citizens of Serbia are their hostages. Pipe dream of "kosova" is gone, the rality of living in limbo will settle down soon.

Welcome to "kosova" the country that never was and will never be.

How can you ever take a man making these kind of comments serious? Serbia needs a minister dealing with improvement of the education, instead of a simple, unintelligent character, making low level, uncorrect, funny and populistic statements about an issue which is not his responsibility at all.

Nevertheless, most disappointing is that no Serbian politician is able or willing to face the truth and reject this nonsense.

And then the same Serb politicians expect serious negotiations?

Tadic needs to show real leadership, not putting the destiny of the country into the hands of the likes of Loncar.

Oh, look, it is the minister of education again! This guy, instead of worrying about reforming the school system or something similar, instead busies himself with making politically charged statements about issues having nothing to do with education. Things must not be going well at the education ministry!

Paul,

Day after day you come up with your reports of the incredible Russian military forces. What is your aim? Do you want to scare the Pentagon or president Bush? You waist your energies. Even the New York Times, who is one of the most liberal and objective newspapers in the US disparaged one or two days ago those old previously mathballed Russian bombers that Putin put back in service to scare the West. He must be very disappointed to see that nobody was impressed or scared. Most newspapers did not even notice the event. An other paper just mentioned briefly that Russia after some 16 years and a long belt-tightening finally has enough money to fly those old bombers again. Russia's current forces look very operette like. They could not conduct any substantial military operation far from their borders. Anyway if you have illusions about them I can open your mind to the reality and inform you objectively whenever it is necessary.

Joe:

I guess the truth hurts. Open
your eyes, Russia is back!!!
The US can impose its will on smaller nations, but not those comparable to its size.
A year ago, the Russians tested a ballistic missle that can go undetected.
That places them way ahead of the race. you asked, "why do I refer to the Russians so frequently?" Because as previously mentioned by another poster, this is not about Serbia and albania, this is about the US and Russia!!! Wake up!!!!!

SaveKosova:

You got censored for the same reason I did. B92 has certain criteria that must be met. I spoke my mind many times but
was always rejected, and I'm Serbian.

yes native american(Indians)lived in North America,who's got the land now the majority...there is NO way 98%of population in Kosovo will stay under some other county like Serbia...Does it realy matter weather autonomy or independence NO..Serbia lost the chance to govern Kosovo back in "89 when autonomy was revoked...now you want to give it back after you brutalized,massacered,kiddnapped, violated the very basic human rights..NO people in Kosovo will not trust any Serbian government....

b92 why did you censor my comment? Seriosly that makes no sense unless b92 is a tool used to misinform and censore any opinion not representing belgrade, i demand an explanation, seriously.

Questions: Does anyone still think that Kosovo will be a new country ? If the K albanians start trouble after 10 Dec, does anyone think the world will back them more or less ?
(Bobba Fet, 23. August 2007 01:19)

Bobba, of course, we will soon have a newest internationally recognized country in the world Kosova. No need for troubles neither before nor after December 10. We want a stabile and safe country. There are numerous indications of destabilization by Serbian MUP activists in the area, but considering preparations of NATO troops, including “Gendarmerie” units, there are small chances, any violence to rice. In addition, Special KPS units are very well prepared to act on any possible troubles, not o mention a KPC units for emergency response. What will actually happen, is some demonstrations in north Kosova, as well as in Preshevo Valley, as both territories will feel they have been forgotten with this status definition (meaning independent Kosova, of course). In fact Preshevo Valley will act as a guard of Kosova’s stability, or equalization of destabilization!
World never helped Kosova, but US, GB and some other EU countries did, and they will always do.

As usual the Serb nationalists trying to cover for their genocidal actions in the 1990s with hoary old "all sides killed" nonsense (of course all sides killed but that occurs in all conflicts and does not solve the problem of primary responsibility)

They take issue with Nick's reference to 100s of 1000s killed in Bosnia. In truth we will never know the final toll, but the work of the Research and Documentation Centre (RDC) is a good start regarding who were directly killed in actual military attacks, disregarding all those who were killed by starvation, medical problems related to war, cold etc in the Bosnian cities under siege for years by the Serbian nationalist forces.

But just based these actual military deaths, the latest toll is some 100,000 dead, as quoted above, but of course the Serb nationalists, though dedicated to this figure, quite dishonestly don't tell you the rest.

Of the 100,000, two thirds (nearly 65,000) were Muslims (who were 43% of the pop'n), and 25,000 were Serbs, 5000 Croats and a few thousand not sure.

Of the 65,000 Muslim deaths, over half were officially civilians, some 32-33,000. However, even the definition of Muslim military' deaths is unclear, because many Bosnians were officially enrolled as "soldiers" due to that being the only way for their families to get some state aid. So for example, all 8000 men and boys massacred by Serb nationalists at Srebrenica were classified among the "military" deaths, even though it was starkly obvious that at the time at least were playing a civilian role (ie, they were kidnapped as unarmed civilians and massacred in captivity). So even if just the Srebrenica toll, and no others, were added to the Muslim civilian toll, we would have over 40,000 civilians killed.

By contrast, of the 25,000 Serb deaths, only 2,500 during the entire war were civilians, according to the RDC, which is also logical, considering who had the overwhelming superiority in military power right throughout the war, as the Chetniks scandalously inherited all the massive weaponry of the old YPA, and the wonderful "western democracies" imposed an arms embargo on Bosnia.

After all, while Sarajevo, Tuzla, Zenica, rebrenica, Zepa, Gorazde, Bihac and countless other Bosnian towns and cities full of civilians were encircled, besieged, cut off from the world, starved and bombed on a daily basis for 3.5 years by heavily armed Serb nationalists, could our Serb friends tell us exactly which Serbian towns were besieged and bombed by Bosnian Muslim forces? None, of course. While a million Muslims were driven from their homes to create a "Serb republic" in 70% of Bosnia, despite Serbs being only 30% of the pop'n (and the US scandalously allowed them 50% at Dayton, while ignoring Rugova), tens of thousands of Serbs remained behind living together with their Muslim and Croat friends in besieged Sarajevo and Tuzla, indeed, how many of the Serb civilian deaths were those killed by Chetnik shells which did not discriminate based on ethnic group? And how many of the Serb military figures were Serbs killed while fighting in the Bosnian army (which even had a Serb as the lead officer defending Sarajevo against other (chauvinist) Serbs for 3.5 years?

Meanwhile, while the Chetniks and their Croat nationalist allies destroyed 1400 mosques, including grand medieval mosques, and destroyed great libraries that housed 100s of 1000s of historic Muslim manuscripts and artifacts, in a process known as "cultural genocide" regardless of the numbers killed, there was not one Catholic or Orthodox church dynamited in the Bosnian government controlled areas.

On to Kosova, the revisionist set like to claim that "only" 2000 died based on some warped "body count" method made famous by Irving. Yet they are wrong even on this. They selectively quote Del Ponte talking about over 2000 bodies being dug out of some 2000 mass graves in the first summer of digging, but they "forget" that following the next summer of digging she reported 4000 bodies, but these were only those bodies in a select 529 "mass graves", no claim was made that this was every dead body in Kosova. There was no law that said that every Albanian killed had to be placed in one of these 529 select "mass graves". What about all the individual graves, indeed, all the individuals killed not in a grave until their relatives could return and bur them? How many were they? Yet even with actual bodies and graves, our apologists here quoting "2000" also forget the 846 bodies found in Serbia and gradually returned to Kosova, and we don't know how many more there might be since the Serb government halted the search years ago. Just with that we have nearly 5000 bodies, plus 3/4 of the 2500 missing, so around 7000 killed, leaving aside those not in these specific graves.

The respected British medical journal the 'Lancet' did the only thorough survey I know of, which showed that 12,000 Albanians (specifically the Albanian toll) had been killed and 4000 missing. If say about 2000 of the missing were later returned from Serbia as prisoners or turned up late, that leaves about 14,000 deaths, of which 12,000 occurred after the NATO bombing began. Which btw is another good reason why I never supported NATO's action, which obviously brought on a far more vicious response against the Albanians than Slobo had been politically capable of before, but that us no excuse for those who actually carried it out - 12,000 killed in 11 weeks is pretty impressive. The Lancet btw is hardly a sucker for US imperialism - their highly respected study on Iraq showed that by 1996, there had been 665,000 "excess" Iraqi deaths since the US invasion.

Paul my comment had nothing insulting or threatning or anything. The only way you'd know if it did was if you worked for b92. My point is it was censored for no reason, it was short and it was a question i think. It just made no sense, seriously.

And I'm a Kosovar btw.

Roger7

Here is something Dobrica Cosic said:

"We lie to deceive ourselves, to console others; we lie for mercy, we lie to fight fear, to encourage ourselves, to hide our and somebody else’s misery. We lie for love and honesty. We lie because freedom. The lie is the trait of our patriotism and the proof of our innate smartness. We lie creatively, imaginatively, inventively.”

This, above all others is what drives Serbian politics and some of the Serbian media when reporting stories concerning Albanians or other ethnic groups.

People liek Dan Burton for example hall fallen victim to this truly incredible Serb ability which can be very useful in politics and diplomacy.

While the Serbian forces were killing hundreds of thousands of people in Bosnia, Serbia convinced the whole world that "all sides were commiting crimes".

There they go again with the NATO state. It is as if they have learned some new trick and now they will go on and on about it. Actually I wish they would make Kosovo a NATO state because that would make it forbidden territory for any Serb attempts to cause trouble there. As in many other things relating to the Kosovo issue what seems appalling to one side is highly desirable to the other.

Now, I think that N.Burns is in deep trouble. I bet the he is not aware what politician Kostunica, Cvele, Roger7 is going to do to him and US.
Cvele, in fact I do agree 100% with your idea!

Burns is really trying to tell Serbs in Serbia, instead of Kostunica, what is really going to happen with Kosova. Serbs in Serbia listen to BBC, CNN and many state censure free medias and prepare themselves for the inevitable, Independence. In fact they are already prepared for this, see B92 in Serbian.

Minister of Educarion?
Wow, I feel sorry for the Education system under this guy.

Cvele

"KOSOVO IS SERBIA." - You keep shouting that after every post, are you trying to convince yourself?

To whoever thinks that only 2000 peopel died, than why don't you come to Kosovo and count the graves youself, and speak to the families of the victims, look at the facts,look at the names and age of every victim, and you might change your mind. Dont spean about facts on the ground in Kosovo from you computer chair in Serbia, of even further away. Come to Kosovo and see it youself. Just in serbia alone well over a thousand bodies of albanians have been found! Maybe they were the remains of serb victims killed by albanian SS and croats during WW2! Or maybe CIA agents threw some bones from a plane!

I find amazing and scary this denial (intentional or ignorant) of serbian crimes from some people on this site.

How can you ever take a man making these kind of comments serious? Serbia needs a minister dealing with improvement of the education, instead of a simple, unintelligent character, making low level, uncorrect, funny and populistic statements about an issue which is not his responsibility at all.

Nevertheless, most disappointing is that no Serbian politician is able or willing to face the truth and reject this nonsense.

And then the same Serb politicians expect serious negotiations?

Tadic needs to show real leadership, not putting the destiny of the country into the hands of the likes of Loncar.

Dragan: last time I checked the Stones sang that in Belgrade. Maybe it was a message to you guys? Just a thought.

Dragan,

When saying "hundreds of thousands" i was refering to Bosnia. Please read my comment again.

Dragan,

What to say about Bisset other than no wonder that "He was recalled from Yugoslavia in the summer of 1992 and retired from public service". I do not know how can you deny the atrocities committed by Serb forces in the Balkan wars, and please do not come back with everybody did because we all know who started this mess.
Peace and Love

When saying "hundreds of thousands" i was refering to Bosnia. Please read my comment again.

_______________

But they've proven that to be false with research.

The research conducted over the last several years where they investigated every name showed that the number killed is LESS than 100,000 TOTAL.

The numbers of dead include over 25,000 Serbs.

The dead are mostly military.

And the number is including the missing - as well.

So, it turns out lower than the hype.

Also the Kosovo dead are mostly military and KLA.

I've seen pictures of a monument wall in Kosovo with the names of Albanian fighters who died in the war - it was sort of copied off the Vietnam memorial wall in the U.S.

That wall was PURE FIGHTER'S names.

The Albanians lost about 2-3,000 fighters. The number of civilans is probably only a few hundred - with many of them killed by the KLA itself for not cooperating.

The Albanian population of Kosovo didn't shrink - so there was absolutely no genocide.

In Bosnia the Muslims have the same share of population as before the war.

Their numbers are up in the largest cities, such as Sarajevo, Tuzla, Zenica.

Bosnia was a LAND SWAP.

The Bosnian war was initiated by the Muslims who drew first blood.

The same groups who were Hitler/Nazi supporters of WWII were in the same roles again - the Croats and the Muslims.

Only the west was wanting a break up and thought the Serbian population was in the way, so they supported ethnic cleansing of Serbs while demonizing and blaming the Serbs.

The census results show it was the Serbs overall who were the largest victims of ethnic cleansing.

Looks like Dan Burton is no trendsetter.

The US 'wants' to create a greater albania this year. Note the word 'wants'. Before they were saying that independence 'will' happen this year.
I 'want' a yacht and villa on the Caribbean island of St. Martin. Wanting and having are two different things. If the US 'wants' a greater albania, they have to ask Mr. Putin, and he will happily tell them that 'you can't always get what you want'. But you can get what you need - which is autonomy.

"Project of NATO state in Kosovo doomed to failure"

Just because there are graves of albanians killed in 99 doesnt mean that they were all victims of our military. Not by a long shot. How many albans have been mistakenly killed by NATO? How many have been killed by albans claiming they were traitors or didnt agree with their political views. HOW MANY SERBS DIED TO TERRORIST ATTACK WAY B4 OUR MILITARY WENT IN. I am amazed by your denial of the facts nikshala.

Im not even mentioning the Churches, Graves, 300000 refugees in Serbia.

KOSOVO IS SERBIA
CCCC

Its irrelevent unless they can pass a bill sending another 15000 troops and several billion dollars. Just the idea of having US soldiers in harms way is not gonna get the senate approval.

"According to him, Washington supports countries that are trying to resist the growing Russian pressure, such as Georgia and Moldova, as well as NATO allies Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania."
Exactly!
Divide and conquer.
I posted yesterday…“ Upon close examination, one discovers that the giant oil companies continue to be deeply involved in most of the conflicts in the world, including in efforts to destroy national sovereignty and break up nations. More often than not, U.S. government and military policies back them up. In the case of the southern Balkans, the intent may well be to establish a "Greater Albania" to advance the interests of the oil conglomerates."
The U.S. foreign policy in the Balkans is about oil and oil profits.
Their behavior certainly leads one to conclude that they are using NATO to achieve their goals.

Oh, look, it is the minister of education again! This guy, instead of worrying about reforming the school system or something similar, instead busies himself with making politically charged statements about issues having nothing to do with education. Things must not be going well at the education ministry!

Sidi, this article isn't about the Minister of Education, it's about Mr. Burns. You can keep looking for every bit of information to rap on Serbia about, but this doesn't excuse the statements that Mr. Burns has said in regards to U.S. foreign policy.

Honestly, I'd rather have an independent Kosovo that declared independence by it's own ethnic Albanian population, rather than a Kosovo aided by the U.S. who really just needs a stepping stone from which it can influence every other Eastern and Southeastern European country.

Paul,

Day after day you come up with your reports of the incredible Russian military forces. What is your aim? Do you want to scare the Pentagon or president Bush? You waist your energies. Even the New York Times, who is one of the most liberal and objective newspapers in the US disparaged one or two days ago those old previously mathballed Russian bombers that Putin put back in service to scare the West. He must be very disappointed to see that nobody was impressed or scared. Most newspapers did not even notice the event. An other paper just mentioned briefly that Russia after some 16 years and a long belt-tightening finally has enough money to fly those old bombers again. Russia's current forces look very operette like. They could not conduct any substantial military operation far from their borders. Anyway if you have illusions about them I can open your mind to the reality and inform you objectively whenever it is necessary.

yes native american(Indians)lived in North America,who's got the land now the majority...there is NO way 98%of population in Kosovo will stay under some other county like Serbia...Does it realy matter weather autonomy or independence NO..Serbia lost the chance to govern Kosovo back in "89 when autonomy was revoked...now you want to give it back after you brutalized,massacered,kiddnapped, violated the very basic human rights..NO people in Kosovo will not trust any Serbian government....

As usual the Serb nationalists trying to cover for their genocidal actions in the 1990s with hoary old "all sides killed" nonsense (of course all sides killed but that occurs in all conflicts and does not solve the problem of primary responsibility)

They take issue with Nick's reference to 100s of 1000s killed in Bosnia. In truth we will never know the final toll, but the work of the Research and Documentation Centre (RDC) is a good start regarding who were directly killed in actual military attacks, disregarding all those who were killed by starvation, medical problems related to war, cold etc in the Bosnian cities under siege for years by the Serbian nationalist forces.

But just based these actual military deaths, the latest toll is some 100,000 dead, as quoted above, but of course the Serb nationalists, though dedicated to this figure, quite dishonestly don't tell you the rest.

Of the 100,000, two thirds (nearly 65,000) were Muslims (who were 43% of the pop'n), and 25,000 were Serbs, 5000 Croats and a few thousand not sure.

Of the 65,000 Muslim deaths, over half were officially civilians, some 32-33,000. However, even the definition of Muslim military' deaths is unclear, because many Bosnians were officially enrolled as "soldiers" due to that being the only way for their families to get some state aid. So for example, all 8000 men and boys massacred by Serb nationalists at Srebrenica were classified among the "military" deaths, even though it was starkly obvious that at the time at least were playing a civilian role (ie, they were kidnapped as unarmed civilians and massacred in captivity). So even if just the Srebrenica toll, and no others, were added to the Muslim civilian toll, we would have over 40,000 civilians killed.

By contrast, of the 25,000 Serb deaths, only 2,500 during the entire war were civilians, according to the RDC, which is also logical, considering who had the overwhelming superiority in military power right throughout the war, as the Chetniks scandalously inherited all the massive weaponry of the old YPA, and the wonderful "western democracies" imposed an arms embargo on Bosnia.

After all, while Sarajevo, Tuzla, Zenica, rebrenica, Zepa, Gorazde, Bihac and countless other Bosnian towns and cities full of civilians were encircled, besieged, cut off from the world, starved and bombed on a daily basis for 3.5 years by heavily armed Serb nationalists, could our Serb friends tell us exactly which Serbian towns were besieged and bombed by Bosnian Muslim forces? None, of course. While a million Muslims were driven from their homes to create a "Serb republic" in 70% of Bosnia, despite Serbs being only 30% of the pop'n (and the US scandalously allowed them 50% at Dayton, while ignoring Rugova), tens of thousands of Serbs remained behind living together with their Muslim and Croat friends in besieged Sarajevo and Tuzla, indeed, how many of the Serb civilian deaths were those killed by Chetnik shells which did not discriminate based on ethnic group? And how many of the Serb military figures were Serbs killed while fighting in the Bosnian army (which even had a Serb as the lead officer defending Sarajevo against other (chauvinist) Serbs for 3.5 years?

Meanwhile, while the Chetniks and their Croat nationalist allies destroyed 1400 mosques, including grand medieval mosques, and destroyed great libraries that housed 100s of 1000s of historic Muslim manuscripts and artifacts, in a process known as "cultural genocide" regardless of the numbers killed, there was not one Catholic or Orthodox church dynamited in the Bosnian government controlled areas.

On to Kosova, the revisionist set like to claim that "only" 2000 died based on some warped "body count" method made famous by Irving. Yet they are wrong even on this. They selectively quote Del Ponte talking about over 2000 bodies being dug out of some 2000 mass graves in the first summer of digging, but they "forget" that following the next summer of digging she reported 4000 bodies, but these were only those bodies in a select 529 "mass graves", no claim was made that this was every dead body in Kosova. There was no law that said that every Albanian killed had to be placed in one of these 529 select "mass graves". What about all the individual graves, indeed, all the individuals killed not in a grave until their relatives could return and bur them? How many were they? Yet even with actual bodies and graves, our apologists here quoting "2000" also forget the 846 bodies found in Serbia and gradually returned to Kosova, and we don't know how many more there might be since the Serb government halted the search years ago. Just with that we have nearly 5000 bodies, plus 3/4 of the 2500 missing, so around 7000 killed, leaving aside those not in these specific graves.

The respected British medical journal the 'Lancet' did the only thorough survey I know of, which showed that 12,000 Albanians (specifically the Albanian toll) had been killed and 4000 missing. If say about 2000 of the missing were later returned from Serbia as prisoners or turned up late, that leaves about 14,000 deaths, of which 12,000 occurred after the NATO bombing began. Which btw is another good reason why I never supported NATO's action, which obviously brought on a far more vicious response against the Albanians than Slobo had been politically capable of before, but that us no excuse for those who actually carried it out - 12,000 killed in 11 weeks is pretty impressive. The Lancet btw is hardly a sucker for US imperialism - their highly respected study on Iraq showed that by 1996, there had been 665,000 "excess" Iraqi deaths since the US invasion.

More shameless lies from Nick on the 'hundreds of thousands' killed. Nick - 2000 died prior to the bombing, on all sides. I realize that the albanian side is using Josef Goebbels, the Nazi Minister of Propoganda, philosophy of 'if a lie is repeated often enough, it eventually becomes the truth'. However, we Serbs are fighting back with the truth, because the truth is on our side. Here is a little bit of truth for you to swallow (it's a bitter pill for you, I know), again written by a non-Serb.
http://web.ukonline.co.uk/pbrooke/p&t/Balkans/dmonkosovo/200010b

Nick
Next you will say as Serbs were killing hundreds of thousands in Kosovo, NATO and KLA were humanitarian soldiers.

BTW look at the casualties of Bosnia again. Was no where near hundreds of thousands... and remember Croats and Bosniaks fought each other as well. So are Serbs responcible for those crimes too?

Nick you make me laugh. Simply because you are too blinded to see the wall your dreams have hit after that shut-down at the UN.

Not you fault, I mean you tried, and failed. But the important thing is not to forget the lesson. Which was KOSOVO IS SERBIA.

Cvele,
USA does not need to pass the bill for another 15000 troops, as it already has 2 millions already on the ground. Every single Albanian in determined to have independence and no power in the world (not even Russian ) can change that.
Yes, we will get the independence, weather you like it or not. All the Serbs will be equals citizens. All the ones that done crimes (weather it is an Albanian or Serb) during the war will be sentenced accordingly.
We should negotiate about the economic relationship between Serbia and Kosova, as the Independence is a done deal.
We will build the future, but we won’t forget the past.

US would also like for their debt to be erased, but thats all wishful thinking.

http://zfacts.com/p/461.html

There are dozens of sites like this and they all show same amount.

Essentially, this entire Kosovo saga is out of the hands of both Serbs and Albanians. The Kosovo independence issue has turned into a battle between Russia and the United States. Whichever country can impose its wishes, either pro Serb or pro Albanian, will be the victor on a global scale. The opinions of Serbs and Albanians really do not matter anymore. Russia has clearly shown that it is “drawing a line in the sand” over Kosovo independence and it remains to be seen whether the United States can override Russia’s protestations. If the United States wins this battle, the Serbs are in deep trouble; conversely, if Russia wins this battle of wills, the Albanians in Kosovo will be the big losers. In conclusion, it is out of the hands of both Serbs and Albanians; the big boys have taken over the battle and all that Serbs and Albanians can do is cheer from the sidelines.

Dear All,

For your information, Kosovo is our theritory and is not for sale.

We have accepted the challenge once and be asured that we will take it again, at least now its much easier (having Russia behind our back).

I do not see a reasonable reason for pushing us so hard and keeping the eis closed on what is happening in Kosovo (and on what was happening before). The trouth is not black and white.

A Serb

Nick, HRW reported that "In December 2005, the Research and Documentation Center in Sarajevo assessed the number of war-related deaths during the Bosnian war at 102000"

This is 102 000 soldiers and civilians, killed during three years of civil war in Bosnia, on all four sides(Croats, Serbs, Bosnian Muslims under Izetbegovic, Bosnian Muslims under Fikret Abdic.)

The truth is in stark contrast with your wild claims that "Serbian forces killed hundreds of thousands in Bosnia".

Having a different views is one thing, writing outright lies another.

I suggest that outright lies should fall under "inappropriate contents" and deleted from the postings. Contributors should be advised to check their facts before posting.

In a sense, Serb haters and Serb detractors on this site are making quite a disservice to their cause. Serbian position is defended by facts and reason, theirs by hatred and outright lies.

It is evident to any neutral observer.

Appeal to emotions works in broadcast and printed media,
because "rebuttal does not work", but it fails miserably on the internet. Liars are exposed easily.

So, please check your facts before posting.

Nick,

taking the words of Mr. Ćosić out of context is just once again a typical method of deceit...
you should have written that he is primarily a writer and poet,...so, if you were honest, you wouldn´t try to create the impression as if he is saying that about serbian policy.

but if that is all you have to offer...

classical own-goal, I would say.

The US wants KosovO independent this year - at least they have something in common with the Albanians- wanting independence, that is. There's only one small concern - you won't get it.

Cvele

"Just because there are graves of albanians killed in 99 doesnt mean that they were all victims of our military. Not by a long shot. How many albans have been mistakenly killed by NATO? How many have been killed by albans claiming they were traitors or didnt agree with their political views. " -

So explain to me why the serbian army decided to take the bodies of albanians and bury them secretly in mass graves in Serbia???? To hide they crimes!! Its pretty obvious, stop ingorin the pink elephant in the room. I know you will probably suggest that Serb army was just being nice and they tried to give albanians killed by KLA and NATO an honourable burial in Serbia!

Questions: Does anyone still think that Kosovo will be a new country ? If the K albanians start trouble after 10 Dec, does anyone think the world will back them more or less ?

b92 why did you censor my comment? Seriosly that makes no sense unless b92 is a tool used to misinform and censore any opinion not representing belgrade, i demand an explanation, seriously.

Questions: Does anyone still think that Kosovo will be a new country ? If the K albanians start trouble after 10 Dec, does anyone think the world will back them more or less ?
(Bobba Fet, 23. August 2007 01:19)

Bobba, of course, we will soon have a newest internationally recognized country in the world Kosova. No need for troubles neither before nor after December 10. We want a stabile and safe country. There are numerous indications of destabilization by Serbian MUP activists in the area, but considering preparations of NATO troops, including “Gendarmerie” units, there are small chances, any violence to rice. In addition, Special KPS units are very well prepared to act on any possible troubles, not o mention a KPC units for emergency response. What will actually happen, is some demonstrations in north Kosova, as well as in Preshevo Valley, as both territories will feel they have been forgotten with this status definition (meaning independent Kosova, of course). In fact Preshevo Valley will act as a guard of Kosova’s stability, or equalization of destabilization!
World never helped Kosova, but US, GB and some other EU countries did, and they will always do.

Paul my comment had nothing insulting or threatning or anything. The only way you'd know if it did was if you worked for b92. My point is it was censored for no reason, it was short and it was a question i think. It just made no sense, seriously.

And I'm a Kosovar btw.

Dear Mr. Burns,
Dear Mr. Burns,
You say...
"In a part of Europe, primarily in the Balkans, Caucasus and the zone around the Black and Caspian seas, much remains to be done in order to achieve stability equal to that in the western part of the continent," Burns told the Free Europe Radio.

Well, Mr. Burns...

"The strategic importance of Bulgaria and Romania (invited to join the European Union in 2007) as well as Albania and Macedonia, is very relevant. Romania and Bulgaria border the Black Sea, a potential route for the exportation of oil from the Caspian Sea to Europe. From the moment that the Bush administration decided to make the USA less dependent on oil from the Opec countries, the Russian, Caspian and Black Sea’s resources have become vitally important. Because it is in these oil fields that the United States` future energy may lie.

The Caspian basin represents one of the world’s largest sources of crude oil, after Saudi Arabia, Siberia and perhaps Iran. According to a report by the Unocal Corporation, one of America’s leading oil companies, “total oil reserves in the Caspian area could amount to over seventy billion barrels. Some estimates even reach two hundred billion barrels. In 1995, the region produced only 870,000 barrels a day. By 2010, western companies could push production up to around 4.5 million barrels a day; an increase of more than 500% in only fifteen years.” This is a serious amount, even when compared to the unrivalled oil power of Saudi Arabia, which has reserves approaching 260 billion barrels: double that of their closest competitor, Iran, which has ‘only’ 133 billion."
http://www.cafebabel.com/en/article.asp?T=T&Id=5165

Why not simply speak the truth Mr. Burns?

Dragan, I like your improvisation on the song by the Stones, "You Can't Always Get What You Want." Regarding the comment made by Burns, I say, "who the hell does he think the US is." This is all about inching away to the final destination, the Russian front door. Forget it Burns, it won't happen!! Last week, as a show of force, Russia and China were involved in military exercises. In addition, Russia has been flying its bombers in the north and outside of their sphere. What does this tell you? To the intelligent sector of this forum, it indicates that Russia is sending a clear message, DON'T MESS AROUND!!!
And trust me, the US will follow suit. The days of intimidation and aggression are over, welcome to the new world order!!!

You know, these articles never really do much more than wrile our more nationalistic commentors on this site. Each time, the "Kosovo article of the day" includes grand posturing from either the US, Russia, Serbia, or Kosovo Province, each side saying the same thing it said a week ago, and each side seemingly thinking it's the only player in the field. I wonder if each side spent as much dedication and commitment at the negotiating table as they did rehearsing their grand sound byte for the press, we might be in a better position than we are today. I have little faith that what actually should happen WILL happen.

Mr. Burns is being shockingly undiplomatic.
Not a good look, Mr. Burns.

Joe:

I guess the truth hurts. Open
your eyes, Russia is back!!!
The US can impose its will on smaller nations, but not those comparable to its size.
A year ago, the Russians tested a ballistic missle that can go undetected.
That places them way ahead of the race. you asked, "why do I refer to the Russians so frequently?" Because as previously mentioned by another poster, this is not about Serbia and albania, this is about the US and Russia!!! Wake up!!!!!

Albert, your mentioning of Native Americans is interesting, because Serbs became minority in Kosovo the very same way - by being murdered, expelled, their land stolen and now they being kept in reservations guarded by NATO.

Your claim that Serbia took autonomy of Kosovo in 1989 does not hold water, because facts on the record prove otherwise. It was IMF who requested that Federal Yugoslav goverment stop excessive abuse of power in Kosovo run as parastate by Kosovo Albanian Communists, without any Federal control. Such behavior threatened Yugoslavia's servicing of debt and that's why IMF intervened and that's why all six republic appoved it.

I wonder why none of supporters of Albanian extremist is a straight shooter - all we read here are cocktails of outright lies and semi-truths.

We can discuss the issue at hand from opposing ends only if we use the facts, the whole facts and nothing but the facts.


Many Albanians in Kosovo were not even Yugoslav citizens, but illegal aliens who illegally settled from Albania.

Instead of being grateful to the country who gave them livelihood, they engaged in criminal activities and terror of legal citizens, Albanians and Serbs alike.
In any country, such activity would be dealt harshly, and usually is.

The amount of human rights violations in Kosovo in the last 8 years commited by extremist Albanians and their supporters (murder of 1000 Albanians, murder of more than 1000 of Serbs, expulsion of 300 000 non-Albanians and theft of their real estate, destruction of 90% of ancient Christian churches and monasteries) make any transgression of earlier Serbia regime pale in comparrison.

Albanian illegal aliens who took part in illegal activities lost possibility to legalize their status in Serbia, the same way illegal aliens with criminal activity can not solve their status in any democratic country. They hoped to carve the country of their own on Serbian soil.
Kosovo Albanians who are legal citizens of Serbia are their hostages. Pipe dream of "kosova" is gone, the rality of living in limbo will settle down soon.

Welcome to "kosova" the country that never was and will never be.

SaveKosova:

You got censored for the same reason I did. B92 has certain criteria that must be met. I spoke my mind many times but
was always rejected, and I'm Serbian.