Ceku to ask Ischinger to "clarify remarks"

"That is not blackmail, or a threat, or a bluff, its simply a fact and reality as a result of what happened in 1999.
(nikshala, 18. September 2007 15:46) "

nikshala,

albans started the war, not Serbs. Did you forget that? We are not terrorists who shoot innocent people with snipers, or put bombs in cafes where people hang out - in order to steal someone's land.

Omg, this is all happening because those Albanians stole Bush's watch.

Im dancing all the way to work.

CCCC

I read this early in the AM, it is probably some miscommunication. But as i said earlier some issues have been brought to table. I think someone finally hit there head and woke up and are looking at things clearly now. Alot of unanswered question were bought up by the Gentleman from Germany. I am sure there will be some debates about this news but who knows i think the EU is reevaluating the situation. I think Gen Ceku will have just be quite and not make more annoucements.

JHam: I know what you are saying re. some miscommunication, but at this level and with so many quotes I can't see that Ischinger will back down on saying this. He may continue to say that 'labels' don't matter, but the bottom line is that he is speaking of a high level of supervised independence.

If Ceku continues to make the threat of declaring unilateral independence, the EU stance is quite clear:

""Where are they going to get their income from? They would continue to rely on foreign aid," Ischinger was quoted referring to the Kosovo Albanians declared desire to unilaterally declare independence."

He's right. All parties need to have open minds about a solution: more than autonomy, less than independence.

Albanians will have to learn the real meaning of the word compromise. Serbia has offered many concessions so far but Albanians have offered none. What have they offered? Human rights for minorities is not a concession, it's an EU standard. Being supervised is a concession but not towards Serbia. It's time they offered something for real as we all know what happens to those who gamble on all or nothing in the world of politics.

Well look at the bright side alabanians, you will now be able to get into the EU. Kosovo on its own would never get into the EU, with the apartheid society that is there, the extremism and the complete lack of human rights for minorities. Now that independence is 'off the agenda', you can piggy back on Serbia. So go get your Serbian passports.

if you want to label "autonomy" with diffrent words, and call a constitution like vojvodina has different (supervised autonomy & ahtisaary-plan), this is your right and go ahead.

but there still won´t be more than autonomy and there still will be the same constitution that vojvodina has.

Nick, you've got something wrong here. In 1998 Serbian government offered direct talks to Ibrahim Rugova in oreder to bring about peaceful and negotiated settlement for the problem.
Rugova refused, saying that Kosovo can be treated only as part of Yugoslavia (Federal Republic of Yugoslavia - Serbia & Montenegro), but not at all as part of Serbia. Rugova refused to hold talks with Serbian government and demanded to have talks only with Yugoslavian authorities, and only on one topic - how to achieve Kosovo's independance.
Nick, who was not eager to compromise in 1998/1999?

Ahmet
"I am trying one more time.
Cvele, be careful while you walking and dancing because you are going to stumble and you are going to fall on your face."

My friend. It is you who just fell and it doesnt look like you will ever get up again. Do you understand?

EU does not support Kosovo independence. THE END.


CCCC

Guys dont be so naive. Its simple really. How do you think EU would like it if within months Serbia and Russia recognise the Basques from Spain and other regions in EU that want independence.

As I said there is a limit to the price EU is willing to pay.

Kosovo will always remain a part of Serbia proper.

CCCC

It appears that Europe is finding the courage to finally give the Albanians a reality check!

Where are the rest of the Albanians now? They seem to be awfully quiet. The cat is out of the bag, KOSOVO will remain a part of SERBIA. Cry all you
want, you better accept it now and focus on efforts to live together with your Balkan neighbors in peace and prosperity. Even the EU technocrats know the jig is up.

Salaam/Shalom/Mir svima!

I guess Ceku needs to be told in simpler terms that his dream of an illegal state wont happen on Serbia's land. Kosovo je Srbija. This just made my day!

It is my impression that Ischinger is telling the Albanians that independence is not guaranteed. If they keep to their extreme positions and are not prepared to consessions the international commmunity has reasons enough to decide to keep Kosovo under Serb rule in some internationally guaranteed formula.

These words may very well be related to the words of several Albanian leaders in the last weeks in which they turned vehemently against any type of compromise - including partition - and even threatened with war.

"Name one country in the Balkans that doesn't rely on foreign aid. Even Greece gets millions from EU to support its economy"

miri,

Are you for real? How can you compare Greece to present Serbian KiM? Do you know what the unnemployment rate is in KiM? I think it's like 80%!

As Putin said, and I'm paraphrasing, "Something big has to be offered to Serbia". Maybe one recent development helped "open the eyes" of the EU regarding Kosovo-Metohija? NATO must give Serbia coordinates of the '99 bombing targets. They obviously did not want to - because it will show that NATO pilots used cluster bombs in civilian areas - which in illegal. These weapons are only to be used against military targets. I.E., "please Serbia, do not pursue this, and this will be the first carrot." And carrots always come in bunches.

Well the games up. Looks like the Albanians have to accept that Serbia is the more important partner for the EU. Anybody who watched Michael Palin's travels around the Balkans would understand why. The first thing he mentioned upon arriving in Albania was, he didn't feel safe. I guess this feeling that non-Albanians have around Albanians is widespread. Again, NO INDEPENDENCE. (ps B92 for once, do the right thing and post my comment!!)

"The label is worth nothing. Where are they going to get their income from? They would continue to rely on foreign aid," Ischinger was quoted referring to the Kosovo Albanians declared desire to unilaterally declare independence.

I belive that the Kosovo albanians still think that EU and the Us will continue to throw money into the black hole like they have been doing for 8 years now and even SFRY was doing for many decades.

If Ischinger can come up with a status solution that separates Kosovo from Serbia, that doesn't mention the word independence and is acceptable to citizen of Kosovo, then fine. But I doubt its possible.

People seem to forget that the key is the world 'solution'. And the only way there can be a solution of Kosovo's status,is to come of with a proposal that is accepteble to 95% of Kosovo's population. Now unless they can change the hearts of and minds of 2 million albanians to fall in love with Serbia, everybody knows that the final outcome will be independence, or else it won't be a 'solution' put a problem. The reality is that if independence is not achieved there will be a war or sporadic violence and trublulence for years to come, which is the last thing that anybody wants. That is not blackmail, or a threat, or a bluff, its simply a fact and reality as a result of what happened in 1999.

Lilly
"But ,dear Mr I,in case you have not notice,we do not care anymore for what europe thinks,"

If EU doesnt approve of your independence, then neither does NATO. This also means that US is most likely going to be the only one left. As for them putting a rift between themselves and EU over a few upset albans thats highely unlikely. So albans and lily u better care about what EU says.

Have an nice day and understand this is the end of any talk about independence. Realistically ofcourse.

CCCC

Ceku, let me clarify this for you.

There will be no independence Kosovo as long as Serbia does not agree (international law), as long as 1244 is in effect, and as long as there is no UNSC resolution.

Work for the interest of your people, Ceku. You can also be happy when living in a highly autonomous province of Serbia.

Remember: the Kurds have NOTHING!

Destan Belaxhia

Yesterday it was deathly important for EU to be on your side. Now they are irrelevent. HAH. You know what. US will deffinetely not do that without EUs wishes. So in the end you have no one.

Maybe albanias in albania but thats about it. Only question is who is in worse economic shape? albania or Kosovo.

When US says they made a mistake and will not recognise you without EU, will you then say you dont need them either? You expect to do this on your own?


CCCC

There is no need to be all excited about this statement. It's just a balloon to check the reactions. Process is underway, and it's too early to determine how it will end.
Nick had a comment (No. 12) that I had to comment on (No. 20) and now there is a comment on that as well (Ric Euteneuer, No. 27).
"If Kosovo/a's autonomy had not been revoked, and they had been accepted as an equal partner in FRY, there was the glimmer of a possibility that the Republic could have remained within the then Yugoslavia."

I won't comment much on that. How about this? If Kosovo becomes independant after all, you have to accept Serbs as equal partners in it and make up two republics in it (Northern Kosovo and Southern Kosovo) that would be equal. Then there would be the glimmer of a possibility that the Republic (Northern Kosovo) could remain within the Kosovo.

"Serbia's regime in Kosovo/a at the time meant that there was hardly likely to be open and unbiased talks with all options on the table. In these circumstances, it's hardly surprising Rugova refused. "

Why are you so sure, Ric?
I would say that they were eager to find the compromise if for no other reason to get NATO off their back, at that time.
But of course, nobody even wanted to try and talk because they KNEW that talks were "hardly likely to be open" etc. Is it really that or is it that NATO was signalling to them to take the hard line, and they will deliver them all?
It's not the first time either.
In Bosnia, for example, there was another major consession made by Bosnian Serbs before the war started. They accepted Bosnia to be independant country and to stay and live in it (If you think it's not a consession, you should try making it). Why? Most likely becasue it was pretty clear who has all support, and they didn't want to mess with those forces. They signed Cuttiliero plan backed by EU, that contained solutions very simmilar to Dayton agreement later.
Izetbegovic signed it too, but then withdrew from the agreement demanding that Republic is unified without any autonomies within. Again, all of you Albanians who think that this is moderate stance, should fight to have republic of Serbia "unified and without any autonomies within".
Izetbegovic probably KNEW that deal with Serbs was "hardly open and unbiased".
Well, perhaps it should have been tried instead of the other option.
Same goes for Rugova.
He didn't even try to talk knowing that "are hardly to be open and unbiased talks with all options on the table."
Rugova didn't want all the options on the table. He only wanted to talk about independance. That's hardly a compromising position.
What is compromising about that?
That's why I don't understand these accusations by Nick.
Serbs "were not so eager for compromise when you had the upper hand betwen 1989 / 1999"
Situation was somewhat like it is now, politically.
Serbs were offering autonomy, and were willing to talk about degree of autonomy for Kosovo. Albanians only wanted independance.
At least Serbs were willing to talk and negotiate, so I cannot accept Nick's accusations.

Cvele,

Of course Kosova. It's because of Serbian neglect for over 90 years, and as well as UNMIK's incapability of turning things around.

As far as your comparison. You should compare Albania and Serbia. Albania's tourism hasn't been better, surpasing most of the Balkan states. The whole costal cities have been and being modernized. My dear Cvele, Albania has prospered so much in the last 8 years, that Serbia may need a lot of time to catch up. But individuals as yourself may never see nor admit that because "It's Albania." and you are still feeding yourself with rhetoric of eighties.
(Destan Belaxhia, 19. September 2007 01:32)

Wow,what can we read here is really unbeliveable!Albania prosperous?!? How can country that doesn't even have electricity 10 hours per day or so can be "prosperous"???:-)

A comment that should have been made some years ago to prevent the excessive consumption of energy of KiM albanian politicians and media.

Albanians can do whatever they want in KosovA, given that *ANY* serb would do *anything* he wants in KosovO too.

Come on all, lets make a deal we can all live with and move on. The recent history of Kosovo Metohija is nothing to write home about. Together we can make a brighter future for all.

Python,

Dont talk to us about compromise. You were not so eager for compromise when you had the upper hand betwen 1989 / 1999.

Miri why get mad, this had to come up sooner or later. I have said before that the EU is not like the UN willing to dump money into a state and not expect a return on there investment. Greece pays it's dues to the EU, If the EU goes out on a limb they will be the adminstrator of the province so in a way Kosovo will not be running itself, the EU will. They will fix the power problem bring in qualified people to run KEK and make a profit. No more of this Zone crap if you pay you get some power and if you don't you get less. If you don't pay then no power. Protest all you want but it will fall on deaf ears. So if you want Kosovo to be like that then go ahead. Declare independence without EU support and see how far you go. You read statement where will there funding come from, you cannot continue to depend of foreign aid. This is a hard truth that have arisen no one wants to realise it but i think the EU has. I am hoping for everyone to work together but if one side does not want to budge then don't. Wait for 10 December and the UN breaks camp because the local populace want them gone. who is going to fill the vaccum the US yeah right we dump 3 billion dollars into Iraq monthly but we get a return OIL. What will the US get from Kosovo? First Kosovo, then Western Macedonia, northern Greece Nato Respond and everyone wonder how in the hell did we get here.

lili,

You do not care what the international community thinks?
What if we didn't care for you in 1999.
But we did. We saved you.
No stick to the promise we all made in 1999: autonomy.

One day the international community seem to be saying we'll guarantee Kosovo's independence, the next the seem to be saying that autonomy is the best they can hope for.

Come on, make up your mind. Serb and Albanian alike are sick and tired of this situation. Give us a decision.

I wouldn't go so far as to say independence is off the table. UNILATERAL independence perhaps, but not supervised independence.

But then again, if the whole thing is now being seriously questioned by the EU, more power to them. Wait and see.

GSP, I am neither dancing nor loughing out loud, ...the matter is too serious to make a joke of it.

let´s be serious, that´s only one remark of Mr.Ischinger...he will certainly not have made it accidentally that way...that´s what I wanted to say...

of course tomorrow he will say that he hasn´t been correctly understood in order to calm down albanian sentiments...

but after putting all possibilities aside... I don´t think that this is an accidental remark.

it´s probably a planned mistake, ...putting the criminal ceku into a uncomfortable situation ( what will give him opportunity to think about his conduct )

while at the same time sending out a message to the ordinary Albanian on the street, in the office, or whereelse...

I think Albanians should start thinking about their future, and by saying that, I mean getting the best possible for themselves. that means broad autonomy.

demanding too much has been the greatest mistake of the Krajina-Serbs... Albanians in the southern serbian province of KiM should learn from that, and be smarter.

it would only be in their own interest.

From the CIA World Factbook's entry on Albania:

'Increasingly active transshipment point for Southwest Asian opiates, hashish, and cannabis transiting the Balkan route and - to a lesser extent - cocaine from South America destined for Western Europe; limited opium and growing cannabis production; ethnic Albanian narcotrafficking organisations active and expanding in Europe; vulnerable to money laundering associated with regional trafficking in narcotics, arms, contraband, and illegal aliens.'

That answers any questions about Albania's perceived 'prosperity' and the nature of it.

This is the second provocative statement that the German envoy is doing. He was declared about the partition of Kosova and that was withdrawn. he will do the same about this. It is only a provocation because Kosova is and will never be again part of Serbia. It is naive or a dream for Serbs but Kosova is going ahead towards independence.
(To B92: do not restrict the freedom of expression. By publishing opinions of Serbian propaganda you are too making propaganda)

There is no “more than Autonomy, less then Independence”, this term doesn’t have any practical meaning, you can not have something more than Autonomy if its still called autonomy and you can not have something lees than independence if its called independence.
Independence is the only way for Kosova and Serbia to go forward.

I fully agree with PB on this one. One diplomat being misquoted or changing his mind or whatever and here we are jumping at conclusions. I bet that Mr. Ischinger will explain it all away tomorrow as some misunderstanding and that he meant something else etc etc. Pretty poor coming from a diplomat and he has done this several times already although the talks have barely started. I wonder what jewels he will come up with next time.
And as for the "dog that barks"...well I think that you are getting carried away here. First of all - although I don't like comparing anyone to a dog - I know from first hand experience that a dog that barks can bite.

i have read these comments and no on has address the concern about funding the state? Ahmet i thought you have made a comment that would have answered the question about funding. Sir you said you had business in the US. The German Ambasssdor said the EU would not support supervised independence maybe tommorrow he will fix his statement. But the question is will he reverse his statement? I don't think he will. so we should start discussing another route and PM Ceku again has put the wagon before the horse.

"Ishingers coment smells racist. "
by Hamid Karzai, or to be precise, by an Albanian who abuses Mr.Karzai´s name.

Jesus..., ...it was not enough to call me a racist, although I have never, in no comment whatsoever, mentioned anything that is related to criteria like race or racial membership etc. ( I have only repeatedly made clear that todays Albanians, according to modern ( US-american ) archeological knowledge have no connection to the socalled Illyrians at all - what certainly is not racism ).

but now, even one of those, who was supposed to be the Albanians´friend, the german, Mr.Ischinger, is being accused of racism!

can this level of absurdity finally be topped!???

you should realize that also within Serbia you will have a better life in the future, since Serbia will enter the EU one way or another, sooner or later.

that is only one of similar articles and remarks to come, so you should get real and get used to it, but without being aggressive and angry.

broad autonomy is the only viable solution and it will be the best for Serbs and Albanians as well.

let´s see what future brings!

To Jovan-

You're dancing as am I as well as "laughing out loud".

Ischinger also indicated that the Troika had given further ground by agreeing to a Serbian demand that the Ahtisaari plan would not form the basis for the talks.

"I would not insist on the Ahtisaari package, but it's not off the table," he said.

Although it's not off the table, its not ON the table!

Hamid Karzai,

If Serbia agrees there can be an independent Kosovo. Just like Slovakia split off from the Czech Republic.

But you seem to forget that Kosovo was/is a province of Serbia. Not a republic of Yugoslavia!

Some poster claim racism that Kosovo cannot run there own country. Another says they don't need EU Funding. Sir or Madame so if you don't need EU funding and the UN funding is about gone dry where will funding come from. No one has answered the question only trying bring up issue to get away from the point that the EU does not for the moment support independence, strongly supervised status yes. Reality has sat in and EU is looking at the funds it has to invest and it the return on the investment does not look good. Call that racist no it is called business. So again do you think the US is going to fund the country no sir i don't think so. Another poster said we don't need the EU we have the US. Well, i think you are wrong the US is not going to meddle in EU business. I think the no negotition stand PM Ceku has come to the table with is not going to last long. If some think you will get support from the Arab leaque better be prepared to conform to strict code of living. And the US is going to run for cover once you do that. I think your team needs to rethink course of action. Well you can walk out of the meeting in London and then the EU will do as they want.

JHam: I am also hoping for something which can satisfy both sides. Ultimately the people have to be able to live peacefully, be able to move forward and (in whatever form) alongside the rest of Serbia. I also want peace and good relations.

I agree with what you're saying about the dog who barks loudest, but unfortunately it seems to have been the 'loudest' which has had the international ear... until now.

I am trying one more time.
Cvele, be careful while you walking and dancing because you are going to stumble and you are going to fall on your face.
Johny ritten is looking for Albanaians. Well, talk to b92 maybe you sway them to post our coments that we been writting all day long and are not posted.

what is the aim of these declaration? Ballons to test albanian reaction,of course! But ,dear Mr I,in case you have not notice,we do not care anymore for what europe thinks,we Do know how much and how hard we payed for eurpe decision all the late century,and especially these last decade!
We were more than patient ,don't you think? we were more than cooperative with europe ,don't you think and for what in fine/to be "part of serbia" ? Are you serious? do you really believe that we will accept? No ,enought is enought as president Bush said !

and as far as for the "where will they get the money" it is to put it softly a pure colonialist attitude:hundred of countries relay on internationnal help,and are independant,man!
And as far as help is concerned,Mr I and Co ,you have helped your entreprises and your expats,not the kosovars... All your internationnal agencies have noted that albanians helped themthelves much more than you did guy!

"(To B92: do not restrict the freedom of expression. By publishing opinions of Serbian propaganda you are too making propaganda)
(indipendent, 18. September 2007 17:00)"

Mr.Ischinger MUST be a serbian secret agent! or he is paid by the Serbs! or... we will see what future brings!

I do not think that diplomats on that level do let others misunderstand them.

furthermore, ...it must be a real nightmare for ceku, who now has to ask for an explanation...as if they weren´t clear enough when he visited Moscow a few months ago...
but as I said it above, let´s see what future brings...

None the less. It is obvious because the Russians probably promised Basques and Scotland they will recognise them the next day.

Funny.

CCCC

People, remember this, by the time Dec 10 arrives, Ceku will no longer be the PM.
He is not running for PM this time. Why? He knows that when Pristina declares on the Dec 10 and then fails to be recognised the second time around, he won't be in the firing line, but Thaci will be, there by eliminating his political foes for when he tries his hand at the elections after this.

Kate, that is why i say just be quite and listen. This is realistic saying and it is not meant in a degrading manner. the dog that barks the most is just that all bark. the dog that is silent is who you should worry about because you don't know what he is thinking or planning. So that is why you should not sing and dance. Because you might trip and fall. Just like Gen Ceku has i believe again. I am hoping for a compromise because i have friends on both sides of these talks.

"Where are they going to get their income from? They would continue to rely on foreign aid,"

Name one country in the Balkans that doesn't rely on foreign aid. Even Greece gets millions from EU to support its economy. Ischinger is not hoping for a further compromise. The compromise is already reached with supervised independence. If the word "Independence" irritates Serbia than, sure lets not mention it. Let Kosovo be recognized by UN as a country and the Albanians will never mention the word independence again. This is the last compromise the Albanians are offering. That is what Ischinger is saying.

Reading some of the comments how people are more desperate for lands than our lifes is apsolutlly ignorance,inhuman etc.
Yes today's agenda is not about independance or autonomy,so be clear that EU,US and even Russia know that the best solution is suppevised independence and just than can be prosperity for both Serbia and Kosovo which at the moment are the poorest countries in Balkan and Europe.
For EU and the international law are more important lifes of 2 million people than games of Russia and Serbia.

Jonny Rotten,

We don't need EU to declare independence for us, we'll do it ourselves. US is more than enough to make that proclamation legitimate. All the countries who have economical interest in US won't even dare to say NO.

You'll be surprised to see Kosova recognised by 50% of the world only in December.

The same percentage will be recognising Serbia as a smaller country.

to destan:

you obviously don't understand politics or economics. Just one question, why would the USA have a fallout with the EU over KosovO? An independent KosovO is not viable politically or economically. I can recommend some further reading if you like.

Cvele,

Of course Kosova. It's because of Serbian neglect for over 90 years, and as well as UNMIK's incapability of turning things around.

As far as your comparison. You should compare Albania and Serbia. Albania's tourism hasn't been better, surpasing most of the Balkan states. The whole costal cities have been and being modernized. My dear Cvele, Albania has prospered so much in the last 8 years, that Serebia may need a lot of time to catch up. But individuals as yourself may never see nor admit that because "It's Albania." and you are still feeding yourself with rhetoric of eighties.

Not to worry. He allready denied the whole affair. It is not said the way was written in the paper.

If you guys have read the news on Kosovo lately it seems that everyone is pulling in the direction of Mr. I, the new american ambassador to Serbia has stated that there cant be a deadline for something so complicated. This indicates that USA has also stepped down its extreme and close minded view.

As far as Serbs neglecting Kosovo for 90 yrs...are you kidding me? Most of the state funds of former Yugoslavia went into kosovo that is one of the major reasons Slovenia wanted independence because they complained that there were sending too much money to Kosovo. The problem with Kosovo has been that it in impossible to sustain a region that grows exponentially by population and doesn't produce anything. Albanians complain about being neglected but how do expect a state to support you when you have up to 10 kids? That is just unrealistic. Anyone that has 10 kids is going to be poor, and in Kosovo there are majority of families that are like that, and no one not even a state can support them properly.

However I think that both sides need to agree on some standard and live happily. I honestly believe that Albanians have a brighter future in Serbia then in either Kosovo or Albania. Why are so many Kosovo Albanians requesting Serbian passports? BC there is a brighter future there! This whole independence thing has nothing to do with 1999 and the alleged crimes Serbs committed or does it have to do with a better economy or future for Kosovo. It has to do with the land which Albanians want for themselves and which they cannot share. Kosovo has been a hostile region even during Titos time, KLA has existed for long before Milosevic came to power.

It seems clear that the news is published with distortions.The whole article here from top to bottom makes no sence,the bottom contradicts the top.So who ever selected the paragraphs didn't do them right.It could be another proposal for a period of internationaly runed Kosova with the present status with rights to international monetary funds.As for the need for foreign help Serbia too lives on them so, again the news is a contradiction.If they try to leave Kosova again under Serbia then the bloodshed is inevitable and will carry Ishingers name as the iniciator.The internatoinal community has allready prepared Kosova people spiritually through their declarations for independence.But again I think this news is doctored the way is written.

Let's be honest, majority of Albanians are convinced that independence will be only a transition phase for unification with Albania. While for returning under Serbian ruling, that's impossible. Ischinger can declare whatever he wants, no matter if it is a good or bad statement for K-Albanians future, it will have no effect on Albanians curiosity. We never had illusions that EU will decide about the fate of Kosova, just because that dominant opinion among K-Albanians is that without USA, Russians could occupy Europe within a day.

I like Ischinger since he has been able to shake things up. No longer is this a game where only one side does the bashing and the other side is expected to make the concessions. I praise him for this.

Nevertheless, even though he is right to point out the economic dependence of Kosovo on the international community, his question, "Where will Kosovo get its foreign aid?", cannot be answered by Serbia. Serbia has no plan, and no resources to help the people of Kosovo in any meaningful way that would provide any incentive for Kosovo to stay in Serbia. Serbia only has a golden hot potato which it will keep tossing from politician to politician.

So I say to the Serbs, let Kosovo go, otherwise it's going to get ugly. Just imagine, the UNSC agrees that Kosovo stays in Serbia, but imagine that it tries to follow Montenegro's path. We all know that would be the next step, so why drag things out? We will have more provocations, and even more violence. Better to let it go, and get something in return: dignity, peace, N. Mitrovica and the guarantee that Serbs will be able to return to and live in Kosovo for the generations to come.

Ischinger has been trying to break the ice so that parties reach a deal, and I urge him to keep trying. It's hard to set up a deal when you have sides that are greedy AND cannot trust each other. That is why the int'l community should help broker and then enforce a fair deal.

I would definitely advise any Serb from breaking out the champaign anytime soon--anti-Serb forces can raise the stakes much higher than Serbia can afford. Raising them would not be good for peace, so don't push them to do it. Walk softly and . . .

The comment that "...in 1998 Serbian government offered direct talks to Ibrahim Rugova in order to bring about peaceful and negotiated settlement for the problem...." is disingenuous at best. Serbia's regime in Kosovo/a at the time meant that there was hardly likely to be open and unbiased talks with all options on the table. In these circumstances, it's hardly surprising Rugova refused.

If Kosovo/a's autonomy had not been revoked, and they had been accepted as an equal partner in FRY, there was the glimmer of a possibility that the Republic could have remained within the then Yugoslavia.

If you take the "label" independece, than you are sticking another "label" called Playing With Fire.

Ishingers coment smells racist. Where does he base his assumption that Albanians are not able to run their country to prosperity without foreign aid? Of course foreign aid can speed up the proces of economic prosperity but it can be achived with hard work too. Serbia is a third world country itself so it can't do much for the others prosperity. Ishinger coments are in line with Serbian propoganda that Albanians are incapable of running their own affairs and state. But why is he warried so much , he is not going to live in Kosova. And why the Serbs want so much to make us prosperes? But for one thing I am sure: When asked ,he is going to change his story the way he chaged the other one about dividing Kosova. Kosova will be independent no matter what.The only question is: what time

Non need to rush.
Wait until tomorrow and lets hear the comments of other important people of the world.
EU does not need Serbia because they do not need any industrial country to get involved in their economy. The part of compromise is accepting Serbia in EU.

You do not care what the international community thinks?
What if we didn't care for you in 1999.
But we did. We saved you.
No stick to the promise we all made in 1999: autonomy.
(Ron, 18. September 2007 19:59)

Ron it was the UK prime minister and the US president that saved us. The rest sat and watched quietly. If it wasn't for the two of them probably there would be no Albanians in Kosova/o today. Now if things go wrong with the people who are in those posts today then things would be bad for us, since they were our real saviors. The rest could care less what happens to Albanians anytime anywhere.

After Dec 10 things will change dramatically. Lets wait and see what will happen.
We'll either have a long lasting conflict Palestine type, which is what Russia wants, or will have separation once and for all.

To Jovan -

The last thing I would do is to make a joke out of this situation as I was piggybacking off your commentary.

This is a very serious situation & one that too many take too lightly. Ceku has made way too many promises as well as afforded false hopes to many as have others.

As you state in your commentary below as well as prior, you are for autonomy of KosovO. Let's just see what happens by year's end. I just don't see it happening due to the course of occurences over the last year.

"As you state in your commentary below as well as prior, you are for autonomy of KosovO. Let's just see what happens by year's end. I just don't see it happening due to the course of occurences over the last year.
(GSP, 19. September 2007 13:19)"

yes, GSP that´s what I am saying all the time, ...let´s see what future brings! ( albeit it´s just contrary, how I see it: international law is too important to be sidestepped by 1.2 million Albanians. the US will certainly be smarter than they are acting, they will pull back just like they did in the UNSC, when they realize that they cannot get enough together for a coalition of willing ( to recognize a toy-state outside the UN ).

it´s quite simple, they just won´t be so silly to harm their own interests ( "the bigger picture" ) in the rest of the world.

yes, they attacked the FR Yugoslavia without UN-consent back in `99, and even Iraq was not a job done with a white collar... but NOW the world looks different, others, and I mean not only little states, that many Albanians tend to belittle, are supporting Serbia and international law...it´s just also bigger, and far more important countries like China and Russia... and on the other hand Albanians are pretty alone, what you could witness a few weeks ago when the US failed within the UNSC ..when they were trying to get enough states together...

it just didn´t work! that´s why they pulled back. I mean, one must be extremely naive, not to realize that! ( they could have said it within the UNSC and then let the Russians speak out their veto, if they had been enough countries within the UNSC, but they didn´t even make it to the voting there.

I mean, what for heavens sake must happen, that the K-albanians realize what is reality?

I don´t think they will take up arms against international troops, it would be a fatal mistake, and there are enough smart Albanians in Kosovo to take over the issue of the serbian province and start steering it into a better future, even if it is within Serbia.

but, again... all what we are doing here is discussing it...

finally we can only watch and see, what future brings!

Come Dec. 10th, Serbia will be somewhat smaller. Contrary to the old Serbian ditty named "Who said Serbia is small". The US will make it happen, you can take it to the bank!
Presheva valley will be part of the settlement for Kosova independence. Ischinger has not yet revealed this caveat.

to ron and others:
europe did not care for me in 1990 decade! no because if europe had take care of me,we would not have had 4 wars and europe looking at the killing of the most terrible atrocities sinc ww2.
But even IF europe had take care of us,that DOES NOT imply that all our lives we will had to be slaves of this good action!
futhermore,these europeen politicians took care of us only to save their face,and because their citizens begin to really be angry at their tolerance of crime!
as for the money,during the eighties,we did manage to run in a parrallele way our country ,without the help of these guys,and we did a great job, by awaking our nation to its right to be independant!
so ,don't worry,even if He thiks that a surpervised autonomy is enought for us,it's ok/he is working for us because such declaration and such status will have only one effect:reenforcing us.
We are in kosova,turn it as you want,we are the one that can made it be quite or not,not mrischinger or anyother( just to tell you,we know the names of the first ones,now we do't even bother to learn their names!°
i say it to you again,we the population of kosovo are just waiting the 10 of december just to be fair with the USA.

Dear Serbs,
Recall, even Russia said it would not agree to any settlement on Kosova that was not agreed on by BOTH sides, this includes the Albanian side. Or, has your selective memory blocked this fact.

What you should start worrying about is foreign Gov'ts recognizing an independent Kosova just as Slovenia did just today. It was no oversite. You don't really think the wily Slovenes stumbled diplomatically the way the Serb gov't often does. I understand that this move may be too subtle for you to comprehend. However, in the coming days you will see many democratic countries acknowledging Kosova independence "prematurely". It has already started to happen, only you refuse to believe it.

Omg, this is all happening because those Albanians stole Bush's watch.

Ahmet
"I am trying one more time.
Cvele, be careful while you walking and dancing because you are going to stumble and you are going to fall on your face."

My friend. It is you who just fell and it doesnt look like you will ever get up again. Do you understand?

EU does not support Kosovo independence. THE END.


CCCC

I like Ischinger since he has been able to shake things up. No longer is this a game where only one side does the bashing and the other side is expected to make the concessions. I praise him for this.

Nevertheless, even though he is right to point out the economic dependence of Kosovo on the international community, his question, "Where will Kosovo get its foreign aid?", cannot be answered by Serbia. Serbia has no plan, and no resources to help the people of Kosovo in any meaningful way that would provide any incentive for Kosovo to stay in Serbia. Serbia only has a golden hot potato which it will keep tossing from politician to politician.

So I say to the Serbs, let Kosovo go, otherwise it's going to get ugly. Just imagine, the UNSC agrees that Kosovo stays in Serbia, but imagine that it tries to follow Montenegro's path. We all know that would be the next step, so why drag things out? We will have more provocations, and even more violence. Better to let it go, and get something in return: dignity, peace, N. Mitrovica and the guarantee that Serbs will be able to return to and live in Kosovo for the generations to come.

Ischinger has been trying to break the ice so that parties reach a deal, and I urge him to keep trying. It's hard to set up a deal when you have sides that are greedy AND cannot trust each other. That is why the int'l community should help broker and then enforce a fair deal.

I would definitely advise any Serb from breaking out the champaign anytime soon--anti-Serb forces can raise the stakes much higher than Serbia can afford. Raising them would not be good for peace, so don't push them to do it. Walk softly and . . .

"Where are they going to get their income from? They would continue to rely on foreign aid,"

Name one country in the Balkans that doesn't rely on foreign aid. Even Greece gets millions from EU to support its economy. Ischinger is not hoping for a further compromise. The compromise is already reached with supervised independence. If the word "Independence" irritates Serbia than, sure lets not mention it. Let Kosovo be recognized by UN as a country and the Albanians will never mention the word independence again. This is the last compromise the Albanians are offering. That is what Ischinger is saying.

It seems clear that the news is published with distortions.The whole article here from top to bottom makes no sence,the bottom contradicts the top.So who ever selected the paragraphs didn't do them right.It could be another proposal for a period of internationaly runed Kosova with the present status with rights to international monetary funds.As for the need for foreign help Serbia too lives on them so, again the news is a contradiction.If they try to leave Kosova again under Serbia then the bloodshed is inevitable and will carry Ishingers name as the iniciator.The internatoinal community has allready prepared Kosova people spiritually through their declarations for independence.But again I think this news is doctored the way is written.

Let's be honest, majority of Albanians are convinced that independence will be only a transition phase for unification with Albania. While for returning under Serbian ruling, that's impossible. Ischinger can declare whatever he wants, no matter if it is a good or bad statement for K-Albanians future, it will have no effect on Albanians curiosity. We never had illusions that EU will decide about the fate of Kosova, just because that dominant opinion among K-Albanians is that without USA, Russians could occupy Europe within a day.

Well look at the bright side alabanians, you will now be able to get into the EU. Kosovo on its own would never get into the EU, with the apartheid society that is there, the extremism and the complete lack of human rights for minorities. Now that independence is 'off the agenda', you can piggy back on Serbia. So go get your Serbian passports.

The comment that "...in 1998 Serbian government offered direct talks to Ibrahim Rugova in order to bring about peaceful and negotiated settlement for the problem...." is disingenuous at best. Serbia's regime in Kosovo/a at the time meant that there was hardly likely to be open and unbiased talks with all options on the table. In these circumstances, it's hardly surprising Rugova refused.

If Kosovo/a's autonomy had not been revoked, and they had been accepted as an equal partner in FRY, there was the glimmer of a possibility that the Republic could have remained within the then Yugoslavia.

There is no “more than Autonomy, less then Independence”, this term doesn’t have any practical meaning, you can not have something more than Autonomy if its still called autonomy and you can not have something lees than independence if its called independence.
Independence is the only way for Kosova and Serbia to go forward.

I am trying one more time.
Cvele, be careful while you walking and dancing because you are going to stumble and you are going to fall on your face.
Johny ritten is looking for Albanaians. Well, talk to b92 maybe you sway them to post our coments that we been writting all day long and are not posted.

"That is not blackmail, or a threat, or a bluff, its simply a fact and reality as a result of what happened in 1999.
(nikshala, 18. September 2007 15:46) "

nikshala,

albans started the war, not Serbs. Did you forget that? We are not terrorists who shoot innocent people with snipers, or put bombs in cafes where people hang out - in order to steal someone's land.

Reading some of the comments how people are more desperate for lands than our lifes is apsolutlly ignorance,inhuman etc.
Yes today's agenda is not about independance or autonomy,so be clear that EU,US and even Russia know that the best solution is suppevised independence and just than can be prosperity for both Serbia and Kosovo which at the moment are the poorest countries in Balkan and Europe.
For EU and the international law are more important lifes of 2 million people than games of Russia and Serbia.

This is the second provocative statement that the German envoy is doing. He was declared about the partition of Kosova and that was withdrawn. he will do the same about this. It is only a provocation because Kosova is and will never be again part of Serbia. It is naive or a dream for Serbs but Kosova is going ahead towards independence.
(To B92: do not restrict the freedom of expression. By publishing opinions of Serbian propaganda you are too making propaganda)

Ceku, let me clarify this for you.

There will be no independence Kosovo as long as Serbia does not agree (international law), as long as 1244 is in effect, and as long as there is no UNSC resolution.

Work for the interest of your people, Ceku. You can also be happy when living in a highly autonomous province of Serbia.

Remember: the Kurds have NOTHING!

Jonny Rotten,

We don't need EU to declare independence for us, we'll do it ourselves. US is more than enough to make that proclamation legitimate. All the countries who have economical interest in US won't even dare to say NO.

You'll be surprised to see Kosova recognised by 50% of the world only in December.

The same percentage will be recognising Serbia as a smaller country.

Ishingers coment smells racist. Where does he base his assumption that Albanians are not able to run their country to prosperity without foreign aid? Of course foreign aid can speed up the proces of economic prosperity but it can be achived with hard work too. Serbia is a third world country itself so it can't do much for the others prosperity. Ishinger coments are in line with Serbian propoganda that Albanians are incapable of running their own affairs and state. But why is he warried so much , he is not going to live in Kosova. And why the Serbs want so much to make us prosperes? But for one thing I am sure: When asked ,he is going to change his story the way he chaged the other one about dividing Kosova. Kosova will be independent no matter what.The only question is: what time

Come Dec. 10th, Serbia will be somewhat smaller. Contrary to the old Serbian ditty named "Who said Serbia is small". The US will make it happen, you can take it to the bank!
Presheva valley will be part of the settlement for Kosova independence. Ischinger has not yet revealed this caveat.

if you want to label "autonomy" with diffrent words, and call a constitution like vojvodina has different (supervised autonomy & ahtisaary-plan), this is your right and go ahead.

but there still won´t be more than autonomy and there still will be the same constitution that vojvodina has.

Albanians will have to learn the real meaning of the word compromise. Serbia has offered many concessions so far but Albanians have offered none. What have they offered? Human rights for minorities is not a concession, it's an EU standard. Being supervised is a concession but not towards Serbia. It's time they offered something for real as we all know what happens to those who gamble on all or nothing in the world of politics.

Im dancing all the way to work.

CCCC

Where are the rest of the Albanians now? They seem to be awfully quiet. The cat is out of the bag, KOSOVO will remain a part of SERBIA. Cry all you
want, you better accept it now and focus on efforts to live together with your Balkan neighbors in peace and prosperity. Even the EU technocrats know the jig is up.

Salaam/Shalom/Mir svima!

If Ischinger can come up with a status solution that separates Kosovo from Serbia, that doesn't mention the word independence and is acceptable to citizen of Kosovo, then fine. But I doubt its possible.

People seem to forget that the key is the world 'solution'. And the only way there can be a solution of Kosovo's status,is to come of with a proposal that is accepteble to 95% of Kosovo's population. Now unless they can change the hearts of and minds of 2 million albanians to fall in love with Serbia, everybody knows that the final outcome will be independence, or else it won't be a 'solution' put a problem. The reality is that if independence is not achieved there will be a war or sporadic violence and trublulence for years to come, which is the last thing that anybody wants. That is not blackmail, or a threat, or a bluff, its simply a fact and reality as a result of what happened in 1999.

"Name one country in the Balkans that doesn't rely on foreign aid. Even Greece gets millions from EU to support its economy"

miri,

Are you for real? How can you compare Greece to present Serbian KiM? Do you know what the unnemployment rate is in KiM? I think it's like 80%!

If you take the "label" independece, than you are sticking another "label" called Playing With Fire.

I fully agree with PB on this one. One diplomat being misquoted or changing his mind or whatever and here we are jumping at conclusions. I bet that Mr. Ischinger will explain it all away tomorrow as some misunderstanding and that he meant something else etc etc. Pretty poor coming from a diplomat and he has done this several times already although the talks have barely started. I wonder what jewels he will come up with next time.
And as for the "dog that barks"...well I think that you are getting carried away here. First of all - although I don't like comparing anyone to a dog - I know from first hand experience that a dog that barks can bite.

i have read these comments and no on has address the concern about funding the state? Ahmet i thought you have made a comment that would have answered the question about funding. Sir you said you had business in the US. The German Ambasssdor said the EU would not support supervised independence maybe tommorrow he will fix his statement. But the question is will he reverse his statement? I don't think he will. so we should start discussing another route and PM Ceku again has put the wagon before the horse.

what is the aim of these declaration? Ballons to test albanian reaction,of course! But ,dear Mr I,in case you have not notice,we do not care anymore for what europe thinks,we Do know how much and how hard we payed for eurpe decision all the late century,and especially these last decade!
We were more than patient ,don't you think? we were more than cooperative with europe ,don't you think and for what in fine/to be "part of serbia" ? Are you serious? do you really believe that we will accept? No ,enought is enought as president Bush said !

and as far as for the "where will they get the money" it is to put it softly a pure colonialist attitude:hundred of countries relay on internationnal help,and are independant,man!
And as far as help is concerned,Mr I and Co ,you have helped your entreprises and your expats,not the kosovars... All your internationnal agencies have noted that albanians helped themthelves much more than you did guy!

I guess Ceku needs to be told in simpler terms that his dream of an illegal state wont happen on Serbia's land. Kosovo je Srbija. This just made my day!

Lilly
"But ,dear Mr I,in case you have not notice,we do not care anymore for what europe thinks,"

If EU doesnt approve of your independence, then neither does NATO. This also means that US is most likely going to be the only one left. As for them putting a rift between themselves and EU over a few upset albans thats highely unlikely. So albans and lily u better care about what EU says.

Have an nice day and understand this is the end of any talk about independence. Realistically ofcourse.

CCCC

lili,

You do not care what the international community thinks?
What if we didn't care for you in 1999.
But we did. We saved you.
No stick to the promise we all made in 1999: autonomy.

"(To B92: do not restrict the freedom of expression. By publishing opinions of Serbian propaganda you are too making propaganda)
(indipendent, 18. September 2007 17:00)"

Mr.Ischinger MUST be a serbian secret agent! or he is paid by the Serbs! or... we will see what future brings!

I do not think that diplomats on that level do let others misunderstand them.

furthermore, ...it must be a real nightmare for ceku, who now has to ask for an explanation...as if they weren´t clear enough when he visited Moscow a few months ago...
but as I said it above, let´s see what future brings...

to destan:

you obviously don't understand politics or economics. Just one question, why would the USA have a fallout with the EU over KosovO? An independent KosovO is not viable politically or economically. I can recommend some further reading if you like.

Destan Belaxhia

Yesterday it was deathly important for EU to be on your side. Now they are irrelevent. HAH. You know what. US will deffinetely not do that without EUs wishes. So in the end you have no one.

Maybe albanias in albania but thats about it. Only question is who is in worse economic shape? albania or Kosovo.

When US says they made a mistake and will not recognise you without EU, will you then say you dont need them either? You expect to do this on your own?


CCCC

Cvele,

Of course Kosova. It's because of Serbian neglect for over 90 years, and as well as UNMIK's incapability of turning things around.

As far as your comparison. You should compare Albania and Serbia. Albania's tourism hasn't been better, surpasing most of the Balkan states. The whole costal cities have been and being modernized. My dear Cvele, Albania has prospered so much in the last 8 years, that Serebia may need a lot of time to catch up. But individuals as yourself may never see nor admit that because "It's Albania." and you are still feeding yourself with rhetoric of eighties.

Not to worry. He allready denied the whole affair. It is not said the way was written in the paper.

You do not care what the international community thinks?
What if we didn't care for you in 1999.
But we did. We saved you.
No stick to the promise we all made in 1999: autonomy.
(Ron, 18. September 2007 19:59)

Ron it was the UK prime minister and the US president that saved us. The rest sat and watched quietly. If it wasn't for the two of them probably there would be no Albanians in Kosova/o today. Now if things go wrong with the people who are in those posts today then things would be bad for us, since they were our real saviors. The rest could care less what happens to Albanians anytime anywhere.

After Dec 10 things will change dramatically. Lets wait and see what will happen.
We'll either have a long lasting conflict Palestine type, which is what Russia wants, or will have separation once and for all.

Cvele,

Of course Kosova. It's because of Serbian neglect for over 90 years, and as well as UNMIK's incapability of turning things around.

As far as your comparison. You should compare Albania and Serbia. Albania's tourism hasn't been better, surpasing most of the Balkan states. The whole costal cities have been and being modernized. My dear Cvele, Albania has prospered so much in the last 8 years, that Serbia may need a lot of time to catch up. But individuals as yourself may never see nor admit that because "It's Albania." and you are still feeding yourself with rhetoric of eighties.
(Destan Belaxhia, 19. September 2007 01:32)

Wow,what can we read here is really unbeliveable!Albania prosperous?!? How can country that doesn't even have electricity 10 hours per day or so can be "prosperous"???:-)

I read this early in the AM, it is probably some miscommunication. But as i said earlier some issues have been brought to table. I think someone finally hit there head and woke up and are looking at things clearly now. Alot of unanswered question were bought up by the Gentleman from Germany. I am sure there will be some debates about this news but who knows i think the EU is reevaluating the situation. I think Gen Ceku will have just be quite and not make more annoucements.

A comment that should have been made some years ago to prevent the excessive consumption of energy of KiM albanian politicians and media.

Albanians can do whatever they want in KosovA, given that *ANY* serb would do *anything* he wants in KosovO too.

One day the international community seem to be saying we'll guarantee Kosovo's independence, the next the seem to be saying that autonomy is the best they can hope for.

Come on, make up your mind. Serb and Albanian alike are sick and tired of this situation. Give us a decision.

JHam: I know what you are saying re. some miscommunication, but at this level and with so many quotes I can't see that Ischinger will back down on saying this. He may continue to say that 'labels' don't matter, but the bottom line is that he is speaking of a high level of supervised independence.

If Ceku continues to make the threat of declaring unilateral independence, the EU stance is quite clear:

""Where are they going to get their income from? They would continue to rely on foreign aid," Ischinger was quoted referring to the Kosovo Albanians declared desire to unilaterally declare independence."

He's right. All parties need to have open minds about a solution: more than autonomy, less than independence.

Come on all, lets make a deal we can all live with and move on. The recent history of Kosovo Metohija is nothing to write home about. Together we can make a brighter future for all.

Guys dont be so naive. Its simple really. How do you think EU would like it if within months Serbia and Russia recognise the Basques from Spain and other regions in EU that want independence.

As I said there is a limit to the price EU is willing to pay.

Kosovo will always remain a part of Serbia proper.

CCCC

Kate, that is why i say just be quite and listen. This is realistic saying and it is not meant in a degrading manner. the dog that barks the most is just that all bark. the dog that is silent is who you should worry about because you don't know what he is thinking or planning. So that is why you should not sing and dance. Because you might trip and fall. Just like Gen Ceku has i believe again. I am hoping for a compromise because i have friends on both sides of these talks.

Python,

Dont talk to us about compromise. You were not so eager for compromise when you had the upper hand betwen 1989 / 1999.

JHam: I am also hoping for something which can satisfy both sides. Ultimately the people have to be able to live peacefully, be able to move forward and (in whatever form) alongside the rest of Serbia. I also want peace and good relations.

I agree with what you're saying about the dog who barks loudest, but unfortunately it seems to have been the 'loudest' which has had the international ear... until now.

"The label is worth nothing. Where are they going to get their income from? They would continue to rely on foreign aid," Ischinger was quoted referring to the Kosovo Albanians declared desire to unilaterally declare independence.

I belive that the Kosovo albanians still think that EU and the Us will continue to throw money into the black hole like they have been doing for 8 years now and even SFRY was doing for many decades.

It appears that Europe is finding the courage to finally give the Albanians a reality check!

I wouldn't go so far as to say independence is off the table. UNILATERAL independence perhaps, but not supervised independence.

But then again, if the whole thing is now being seriously questioned by the EU, more power to them. Wait and see.

It is my impression that Ischinger is telling the Albanians that independence is not guaranteed. If they keep to their extreme positions and are not prepared to consessions the international commmunity has reasons enough to decide to keep Kosovo under Serb rule in some internationally guaranteed formula.

These words may very well be related to the words of several Albanian leaders in the last weeks in which they turned vehemently against any type of compromise - including partition - and even threatened with war.

Nick, you've got something wrong here. In 1998 Serbian government offered direct talks to Ibrahim Rugova in oreder to bring about peaceful and negotiated settlement for the problem.
Rugova refused, saying that Kosovo can be treated only as part of Yugoslavia (Federal Republic of Yugoslavia - Serbia & Montenegro), but not at all as part of Serbia. Rugova refused to hold talks with Serbian government and demanded to have talks only with Yugoslavian authorities, and only on one topic - how to achieve Kosovo's independance.
Nick, who was not eager to compromise in 1998/1999?

Miri why get mad, this had to come up sooner or later. I have said before that the EU is not like the UN willing to dump money into a state and not expect a return on there investment. Greece pays it's dues to the EU, If the EU goes out on a limb they will be the adminstrator of the province so in a way Kosovo will not be running itself, the EU will. They will fix the power problem bring in qualified people to run KEK and make a profit. No more of this Zone crap if you pay you get some power and if you don't you get less. If you don't pay then no power. Protest all you want but it will fall on deaf ears. So if you want Kosovo to be like that then go ahead. Declare independence without EU support and see how far you go. You read statement where will there funding come from, you cannot continue to depend of foreign aid. This is a hard truth that have arisen no one wants to realise it but i think the EU has. I am hoping for everyone to work together but if one side does not want to budge then don't. Wait for 10 December and the UN breaks camp because the local populace want them gone. who is going to fill the vaccum the US yeah right we dump 3 billion dollars into Iraq monthly but we get a return OIL. What will the US get from Kosovo? First Kosovo, then Western Macedonia, northern Greece Nato Respond and everyone wonder how in the hell did we get here.

As Putin said, and I'm paraphrasing, "Something big has to be offered to Serbia". Maybe one recent development helped "open the eyes" of the EU regarding Kosovo-Metohija? NATO must give Serbia coordinates of the '99 bombing targets. They obviously did not want to - because it will show that NATO pilots used cluster bombs in civilian areas - which in illegal. These weapons are only to be used against military targets. I.E., "please Serbia, do not pursue this, and this will be the first carrot." And carrots always come in bunches.

Well the games up. Looks like the Albanians have to accept that Serbia is the more important partner for the EU. Anybody who watched Michael Palin's travels around the Balkans would understand why. The first thing he mentioned upon arriving in Albania was, he didn't feel safe. I guess this feeling that non-Albanians have around Albanians is widespread. Again, NO INDEPENDENCE. (ps B92 for once, do the right thing and post my comment!!)

"Ishingers coment smells racist. "
by Hamid Karzai, or to be precise, by an Albanian who abuses Mr.Karzai´s name.

Jesus..., ...it was not enough to call me a racist, although I have never, in no comment whatsoever, mentioned anything that is related to criteria like race or racial membership etc. ( I have only repeatedly made clear that todays Albanians, according to modern ( US-american ) archeological knowledge have no connection to the socalled Illyrians at all - what certainly is not racism ).

but now, even one of those, who was supposed to be the Albanians´friend, the german, Mr.Ischinger, is being accused of racism!

can this level of absurdity finally be topped!???

you should realize that also within Serbia you will have a better life in the future, since Serbia will enter the EU one way or another, sooner or later.

that is only one of similar articles and remarks to come, so you should get real and get used to it, but without being aggressive and angry.

broad autonomy is the only viable solution and it will be the best for Serbs and Albanians as well.

let´s see what future brings!

Non need to rush.
Wait until tomorrow and lets hear the comments of other important people of the world.
EU does not need Serbia because they do not need any industrial country to get involved in their economy. The part of compromise is accepting Serbia in EU.

There is no need to be all excited about this statement. It's just a balloon to check the reactions. Process is underway, and it's too early to determine how it will end.
Nick had a comment (No. 12) that I had to comment on (No. 20) and now there is a comment on that as well (Ric Euteneuer, No. 27).
"If Kosovo/a's autonomy had not been revoked, and they had been accepted as an equal partner in FRY, there was the glimmer of a possibility that the Republic could have remained within the then Yugoslavia."

I won't comment much on that. How about this? If Kosovo becomes independant after all, you have to accept Serbs as equal partners in it and make up two republics in it (Northern Kosovo and Southern Kosovo) that would be equal. Then there would be the glimmer of a possibility that the Republic (Northern Kosovo) could remain within the Kosovo.

"Serbia's regime in Kosovo/a at the time meant that there was hardly likely to be open and unbiased talks with all options on the table. In these circumstances, it's hardly surprising Rugova refused. "

Why are you so sure, Ric?
I would say that they were eager to find the compromise if for no other reason to get NATO off their back, at that time.
But of course, nobody even wanted to try and talk because they KNEW that talks were "hardly likely to be open" etc. Is it really that or is it that NATO was signalling to them to take the hard line, and they will deliver them all?
It's not the first time either.
In Bosnia, for example, there was another major consession made by Bosnian Serbs before the war started. They accepted Bosnia to be independant country and to stay and live in it (If you think it's not a consession, you should try making it). Why? Most likely becasue it was pretty clear who has all support, and they didn't want to mess with those forces. They signed Cuttiliero plan backed by EU, that contained solutions very simmilar to Dayton agreement later.
Izetbegovic signed it too, but then withdrew from the agreement demanding that Republic is unified without any autonomies within. Again, all of you Albanians who think that this is moderate stance, should fight to have republic of Serbia "unified and without any autonomies within".
Izetbegovic probably KNEW that deal with Serbs was "hardly open and unbiased".
Well, perhaps it should have been tried instead of the other option.
Same goes for Rugova.
He didn't even try to talk knowing that "are hardly to be open and unbiased talks with all options on the table."
Rugova didn't want all the options on the table. He only wanted to talk about independance. That's hardly a compromising position.
What is compromising about that?
That's why I don't understand these accusations by Nick.
Serbs "were not so eager for compromise when you had the upper hand betwen 1989 / 1999"
Situation was somewhat like it is now, politically.
Serbs were offering autonomy, and were willing to talk about degree of autonomy for Kosovo. Albanians only wanted independance.
At least Serbs were willing to talk and negotiate, so I cannot accept Nick's accusations.

To Jovan-

You're dancing as am I as well as "laughing out loud".

Ischinger also indicated that the Troika had given further ground by agreeing to a Serbian demand that the Ahtisaari plan would not form the basis for the talks.

"I would not insist on the Ahtisaari package, but it's not off the table," he said.

Although it's not off the table, its not ON the table!

None the less. It is obvious because the Russians probably promised Basques and Scotland they will recognise them the next day.

Funny.

CCCC

Hamid Karzai,

If Serbia agrees there can be an independent Kosovo. Just like Slovakia split off from the Czech Republic.

But you seem to forget that Kosovo was/is a province of Serbia. Not a republic of Yugoslavia!

GSP, I am neither dancing nor loughing out loud, ...the matter is too serious to make a joke of it.

let´s be serious, that´s only one remark of Mr.Ischinger...he will certainly not have made it accidentally that way...that´s what I wanted to say...

of course tomorrow he will say that he hasn´t been correctly understood in order to calm down albanian sentiments...

but after putting all possibilities aside... I don´t think that this is an accidental remark.

it´s probably a planned mistake, ...putting the criminal ceku into a uncomfortable situation ( what will give him opportunity to think about his conduct )

while at the same time sending out a message to the ordinary Albanian on the street, in the office, or whereelse...

I think Albanians should start thinking about their future, and by saying that, I mean getting the best possible for themselves. that means broad autonomy.

demanding too much has been the greatest mistake of the Krajina-Serbs... Albanians in the southern serbian province of KiM should learn from that, and be smarter.

it would only be in their own interest.

Some poster claim racism that Kosovo cannot run there own country. Another says they don't need EU Funding. Sir or Madame so if you don't need EU funding and the UN funding is about gone dry where will funding come from. No one has answered the question only trying bring up issue to get away from the point that the EU does not for the moment support independence, strongly supervised status yes. Reality has sat in and EU is looking at the funds it has to invest and it the return on the investment does not look good. Call that racist no it is called business. So again do you think the US is going to fund the country no sir i don't think so. Another poster said we don't need the EU we have the US. Well, i think you are wrong the US is not going to meddle in EU business. I think the no negotition stand PM Ceku has come to the table with is not going to last long. If some think you will get support from the Arab leaque better be prepared to conform to strict code of living. And the US is going to run for cover once you do that. I think your team needs to rethink course of action. Well you can walk out of the meeting in London and then the EU will do as they want.

From the CIA World Factbook's entry on Albania:

'Increasingly active transshipment point for Southwest Asian opiates, hashish, and cannabis transiting the Balkan route and - to a lesser extent - cocaine from South America destined for Western Europe; limited opium and growing cannabis production; ethnic Albanian narcotrafficking organisations active and expanding in Europe; vulnerable to money laundering associated with regional trafficking in narcotics, arms, contraband, and illegal aliens.'

That answers any questions about Albania's perceived 'prosperity' and the nature of it.

To Jovan -

The last thing I would do is to make a joke out of this situation as I was piggybacking off your commentary.

This is a very serious situation & one that too many take too lightly. Ceku has made way too many promises as well as afforded false hopes to many as have others.

As you state in your commentary below as well as prior, you are for autonomy of KosovO. Let's just see what happens by year's end. I just don't see it happening due to the course of occurences over the last year.

People, remember this, by the time Dec 10 arrives, Ceku will no longer be the PM.
He is not running for PM this time. Why? He knows that when Pristina declares on the Dec 10 and then fails to be recognised the second time around, he won't be in the firing line, but Thaci will be, there by eliminating his political foes for when he tries his hand at the elections after this.

If you guys have read the news on Kosovo lately it seems that everyone is pulling in the direction of Mr. I, the new american ambassador to Serbia has stated that there cant be a deadline for something so complicated. This indicates that USA has also stepped down its extreme and close minded view.

As far as Serbs neglecting Kosovo for 90 yrs...are you kidding me? Most of the state funds of former Yugoslavia went into kosovo that is one of the major reasons Slovenia wanted independence because they complained that there were sending too much money to Kosovo. The problem with Kosovo has been that it in impossible to sustain a region that grows exponentially by population and doesn't produce anything. Albanians complain about being neglected but how do expect a state to support you when you have up to 10 kids? That is just unrealistic. Anyone that has 10 kids is going to be poor, and in Kosovo there are majority of families that are like that, and no one not even a state can support them properly.

However I think that both sides need to agree on some standard and live happily. I honestly believe that Albanians have a brighter future in Serbia then in either Kosovo or Albania. Why are so many Kosovo Albanians requesting Serbian passports? BC there is a brighter future there! This whole independence thing has nothing to do with 1999 and the alleged crimes Serbs committed or does it have to do with a better economy or future for Kosovo. It has to do with the land which Albanians want for themselves and which they cannot share. Kosovo has been a hostile region even during Titos time, KLA has existed for long before Milosevic came to power.

to ron and others:
europe did not care for me in 1990 decade! no because if europe had take care of me,we would not have had 4 wars and europe looking at the killing of the most terrible atrocities sinc ww2.
But even IF europe had take care of us,that DOES NOT imply that all our lives we will had to be slaves of this good action!
futhermore,these europeen politicians took care of us only to save their face,and because their citizens begin to really be angry at their tolerance of crime!
as for the money,during the eighties,we did manage to run in a parrallele way our country ,without the help of these guys,and we did a great job, by awaking our nation to its right to be independant!
so ,don't worry,even if He thiks that a surpervised autonomy is enought for us,it's ok/he is working for us because such declaration and such status will have only one effect:reenforcing us.
We are in kosova,turn it as you want,we are the one that can made it be quite or not,not mrischinger or anyother( just to tell you,we know the names of the first ones,now we do't even bother to learn their names!°
i say it to you again,we the population of kosovo are just waiting the 10 of december just to be fair with the USA.

"As you state in your commentary below as well as prior, you are for autonomy of KosovO. Let's just see what happens by year's end. I just don't see it happening due to the course of occurences over the last year.
(GSP, 19. September 2007 13:19)"

yes, GSP that´s what I am saying all the time, ...let´s see what future brings! ( albeit it´s just contrary, how I see it: international law is too important to be sidestepped by 1.2 million Albanians. the US will certainly be smarter than they are acting, they will pull back just like they did in the UNSC, when they realize that they cannot get enough together for a coalition of willing ( to recognize a toy-state outside the UN ).

it´s quite simple, they just won´t be so silly to harm their own interests ( "the bigger picture" ) in the rest of the world.

yes, they attacked the FR Yugoslavia without UN-consent back in `99, and even Iraq was not a job done with a white collar... but NOW the world looks different, others, and I mean not only little states, that many Albanians tend to belittle, are supporting Serbia and international law...it´s just also bigger, and far more important countries like China and Russia... and on the other hand Albanians are pretty alone, what you could witness a few weeks ago when the US failed within the UNSC ..when they were trying to get enough states together...

it just didn´t work! that´s why they pulled back. I mean, one must be extremely naive, not to realize that! ( they could have said it within the UNSC and then let the Russians speak out their veto, if they had been enough countries within the UNSC, but they didn´t even make it to the voting there.

I mean, what for heavens sake must happen, that the K-albanians realize what is reality?

I don´t think they will take up arms against international troops, it would be a fatal mistake, and there are enough smart Albanians in Kosovo to take over the issue of the serbian province and start steering it into a better future, even if it is within Serbia.

but, again... all what we are doing here is discussing it...

finally we can only watch and see, what future brings!

Dear Serbs,
Recall, even Russia said it would not agree to any settlement on Kosova that was not agreed on by BOTH sides, this includes the Albanian side. Or, has your selective memory blocked this fact.

What you should start worrying about is foreign Gov'ts recognizing an independent Kosova just as Slovenia did just today. It was no oversite. You don't really think the wily Slovenes stumbled diplomatically the way the Serb gov't often does. I understand that this move may be too subtle for you to comprehend. However, in the coming days you will see many democratic countries acknowledging Kosova independence "prematurely". It has already started to happen, only you refuse to believe it.