Munter: Supervised independence best Kosovo solution

Listen to our Ambasador becasue the message is clear as far as I am concerned. You want to move along with western europe and prosper forget Kosovo/a.
As a soldier assigned to Bondsteel, I know my govermant did not invest for nothing and after while to pack up and go. No, no, no we are heer to stay in midts of our friends.

Mr.Munter should not fool himself by saying the relations will be like the last 125 years.

one thing is righ, Serbia will be there, the US won´t stay forever on serbian soil.
so, camp bondsteel is only temporary.

I don´t even think that the US will stay that long.

The messege is clear enough is enough. There would be no compromise when it comes to Sovereignity of Kosova. Tadic said it today. Kosovar Albanians have said it for many decades. Tomorrow you will read Kosova's full independence unegotiable, and a Friendship Pact offer to Serbia. There will be no more "negotiations" after the 10th of December.

Jovan do you think my country invested for nothing starting from bombing on 1999 all way to building military base the biggest in southern europe. You are greataly mistaken my friend.
Kosovars are the best friends of US of A in this part of the world.

Ron,
Kosovar Albanians are interested in having good neibourhood relations with Serbia. Kosova's Sovereignity and independence is unquestionable and that is the starting point when it comes to negotiation. It is got to have a starting point before you negotiate. That is from my experience.

Albanians can harp on all they like about full independence - after all it's their right to dream...

However I feel I must comment on this "Friendship Pact" with Serbia which the Albanian side has so graciously offered the Serbian government.

LAUGHABLE, DERISORY, INSULTING - literally RIDICULOUS are just a few of the words that jump to mind.

Other pieces of paper that have similar international respect, authority and validity in history have also been labelled a joke...

"Peace in our time" - Neville Chamberlain's signed agreement with Hitler before the start of WW2 comes to mind.

In other words IT MEANS NOTHING.

I can just imagine how it all happened - some bright spark after a "brain-storming" session at a local cafe in Pristina came up with the idea of this "Pact" - it sounded great in his head! We'll break away from our country and then ask to be friends with it...!
GET SERIOUS. The BEST the Albanians can hope for in the event of "full independence" is Serbia totally ignoring them, not recognising them, limiting trade with them, sealing any borders it has with them, revoking any associated citizenship and no doubt using this "Friendship Pact", (original copy), to line the cages of sick parrots in Belgrade Zoo...

So then let's be friends...!

PS. The Albanian side, instead of negotiating seriously, is having a cheap holiday in N.Y. taking, as usual, far too much for granted.

the first two comments reflect perfectly why there will be no consessions by either side. Both Serbs and Albanians are painting themselves into a corner, and there can not be a winner in these circumstances. Only loosers. At present the real loosers are the population still living in Kosovo and those DP's who want to return to their homes and family.

Jut a quation for those that follow this, does anyone REALLY think that the USA will give up Camp Bondsteel in the forseeable future? Why is it there anyway? Does tiny little Kosovov (no offence meant, but it IS a tiny little parcel of land) need the largest US military base in Europe? If so, why? Maybe the trans Balkan gas pipeline might give readers a clue.

The USA is here to stay. Not for the benefit of the Kosovan people, but for the benefit of the 'folks back home'.

Second thought for today. Taiwan is STILL not recognised as an independent country by the UN despite decades of autonomy. If (when?) Kosovo decalers UDI. (I assume this will be on Dec 11 at the latest) this does not mean that there will be automatic entry to any of the world bodies, the UN, NATO etc.

Belgrade appears to be offering a significant improvement in autonomy and greater self determination. This should not be rejected by the K-Albanians out of hand.

As a Scot, I want my own country to be 'free'. I strongly believe it will happen, but the process may take years. Greater autonomy and decision making powers by a Scottish parliament is part of that process towards independence. BUT nothing would be gained if Alex Salmond (Leader of the Scottish National Party) declared UDI for Scotland.

No one (I Hope) wants a return to armed conflict here, we have suffered enough (I have lived in the region for more than 5 years, and feel part of these communities). The politicians need to start thinking about their people, and not their pockets. About ALL the country and not just their family and friends.

A significantly better future is possible IF everyone is prepared to work together. It will not be easy as too much blood has been spilt, and there are still too many animosities, but unless these can be set aside, NO ONE will be able to progress.

Kosovo needs support from this region, it can not base its development by relying on the vagaries of the international community. It is time for compromise.

Ron: I want your bank account. START negotiations pls.
Ron it's incredible how you can't undertsand - in these negotiations we can lose the FREEDOM Serbia would lose the 'sovereignty'- that practicaly it doesn't have. which is more importnat?
And last can you tale me a case where the independence was achieved compromising?

EA,

Again: START negotiantions please. You only say: independence.

Sorry but both sides have to give up things!

American representatives sound like a brocken record and in turn so do K Albaniens by just continuously repeating word independence like if they say it often it will come true.

This is all getting old and boring. Stop being childish and try to think of realistic goals which can come true so you all can start leaving in peace-stop drumming for war and then blame others.

"Listen to our Ambasador becasue the message is clear as far as I am concerned. You want to move along with western europe and prosper forget Kosovo/a.
As a soldier assigned to Bondsteel, I know my govermant did not invest for nothing and after while to pack up and go. No, no, no we are heer to stay in midts of our friends.
(Craig Smith, 28. September 2007 09:34)"

Craig Smith,

Yes, your government invested a lot in Iraq and Afghanistan too. Your fellow Americans couldn't wait for the White House to cut its losses in both places (ie. to pack up and go) .... so what is your point?

Hey Craig...
"Kosovars are the best friends of US of A in this part of the world."

Don't kid yourself Craig..
History shows, that they'd be friends with Martians, if it meant indepencdence..

"do you think my country invested for nothing starting from bombing on 1999 "

What did you invest??
You're simply moving onto cheaper real estate, and in the midterm, allow the petty "untermenchen" squabble, while you enjoy a cheap lunch??
Face it, ever since WW1, US has always waited for squabblers to tire out, and THEN intervene..
You even tried it in Lebanon, remember??

Man, you really live up to your own propaganda Smith..
Shouldn't you be in Baghdad chasing down Bin Laden??

No disrespect Smith, but there are realities, lies, and myths...
The Kosovo question is somewhere in between..

As always, there is a parada of current(like this one), and former (like William Montgomery) US Embassadors giving us their oppinion. Is there anyone else that has an oppinion, I wonder? Or only Americans?
Well, they can go ahead, and say what they think, Serbia is a free country.
Luckily, they are representing the coutnry that will not be the deciding factor in what will in the end happen in Kosovo.

Mr.Munter should not fool himself by saying the relations will be like the last 125 years.

one thing is righ, Serbia will be there, the US won´t stay forever on serbian soil.
so, camp bondsteel is only temporary.

I don´t even think that the US will stay that long.

The messege is clear enough is enough. There would be no compromise when it comes to Sovereignity of Kosova. Tadic said it today. Kosovar Albanians have said it for many decades. Tomorrow you will read Kosova's full independence unegotiable, and a Friendship Pact offer to Serbia. There will be no more "negotiations" after the 10th of December.

Albanians can harp on all they like about full independence - after all it's their right to dream...

However I feel I must comment on this "Friendship Pact" with Serbia which the Albanian side has so graciously offered the Serbian government.

LAUGHABLE, DERISORY, INSULTING - literally RIDICULOUS are just a few of the words that jump to mind.

Other pieces of paper that have similar international respect, authority and validity in history have also been labelled a joke...

"Peace in our time" - Neville Chamberlain's signed agreement with Hitler before the start of WW2 comes to mind.

In other words IT MEANS NOTHING.

I can just imagine how it all happened - some bright spark after a "brain-storming" session at a local cafe in Pristina came up with the idea of this "Pact" - it sounded great in his head! We'll break away from our country and then ask to be friends with it...!
GET SERIOUS. The BEST the Albanians can hope for in the event of "full independence" is Serbia totally ignoring them, not recognising them, limiting trade with them, sealing any borders it has with them, revoking any associated citizenship and no doubt using this "Friendship Pact", (original copy), to line the cages of sick parrots in Belgrade Zoo...

So then let's be friends...!

PS. The Albanian side, instead of negotiating seriously, is having a cheap holiday in N.Y. taking, as usual, far too much for granted.

EA,

Again: START negotiantions please. You only say: independence.

Sorry but both sides have to give up things!

American representatives sound like a brocken record and in turn so do K Albaniens by just continuously repeating word independence like if they say it often it will come true.

This is all getting old and boring. Stop being childish and try to think of realistic goals which can come true so you all can start leaving in peace-stop drumming for war and then blame others.

Jovan do you think my country invested for nothing starting from bombing on 1999 all way to building military base the biggest in southern europe. You are greataly mistaken my friend.
Kosovars are the best friends of US of A in this part of the world.

Listen to our Ambasador becasue the message is clear as far as I am concerned. You want to move along with western europe and prosper forget Kosovo/a.
As a soldier assigned to Bondsteel, I know my govermant did not invest for nothing and after while to pack up and go. No, no, no we are heer to stay in midts of our friends.

Ron,
Kosovar Albanians are interested in having good neibourhood relations with Serbia. Kosova's Sovereignity and independence is unquestionable and that is the starting point when it comes to negotiation. It is got to have a starting point before you negotiate. That is from my experience.

Ron: I want your bank account. START negotiations pls.
Ron it's incredible how you can't undertsand - in these negotiations we can lose the FREEDOM Serbia would lose the 'sovereignty'- that practicaly it doesn't have. which is more importnat?
And last can you tale me a case where the independence was achieved compromising?

"Listen to our Ambasador becasue the message is clear as far as I am concerned. You want to move along with western europe and prosper forget Kosovo/a.
As a soldier assigned to Bondsteel, I know my govermant did not invest for nothing and after while to pack up and go. No, no, no we are heer to stay in midts of our friends.
(Craig Smith, 28. September 2007 09:34)"

Craig Smith,

Yes, your government invested a lot in Iraq and Afghanistan too. Your fellow Americans couldn't wait for the White House to cut its losses in both places (ie. to pack up and go) .... so what is your point?

Hey Craig...
"Kosovars are the best friends of US of A in this part of the world."

Don't kid yourself Craig..
History shows, that they'd be friends with Martians, if it meant indepencdence..

"do you think my country invested for nothing starting from bombing on 1999 "

What did you invest??
You're simply moving onto cheaper real estate, and in the midterm, allow the petty "untermenchen" squabble, while you enjoy a cheap lunch??
Face it, ever since WW1, US has always waited for squabblers to tire out, and THEN intervene..
You even tried it in Lebanon, remember??

Man, you really live up to your own propaganda Smith..
Shouldn't you be in Baghdad chasing down Bin Laden??

No disrespect Smith, but there are realities, lies, and myths...
The Kosovo question is somewhere in between..

the first two comments reflect perfectly why there will be no consessions by either side. Both Serbs and Albanians are painting themselves into a corner, and there can not be a winner in these circumstances. Only loosers. At present the real loosers are the population still living in Kosovo and those DP's who want to return to their homes and family.

Jut a quation for those that follow this, does anyone REALLY think that the USA will give up Camp Bondsteel in the forseeable future? Why is it there anyway? Does tiny little Kosovov (no offence meant, but it IS a tiny little parcel of land) need the largest US military base in Europe? If so, why? Maybe the trans Balkan gas pipeline might give readers a clue.

The USA is here to stay. Not for the benefit of the Kosovan people, but for the benefit of the 'folks back home'.

Second thought for today. Taiwan is STILL not recognised as an independent country by the UN despite decades of autonomy. If (when?) Kosovo decalers UDI. (I assume this will be on Dec 11 at the latest) this does not mean that there will be automatic entry to any of the world bodies, the UN, NATO etc.

Belgrade appears to be offering a significant improvement in autonomy and greater self determination. This should not be rejected by the K-Albanians out of hand.

As a Scot, I want my own country to be 'free'. I strongly believe it will happen, but the process may take years. Greater autonomy and decision making powers by a Scottish parliament is part of that process towards independence. BUT nothing would be gained if Alex Salmond (Leader of the Scottish National Party) declared UDI for Scotland.

No one (I Hope) wants a return to armed conflict here, we have suffered enough (I have lived in the region for more than 5 years, and feel part of these communities). The politicians need to start thinking about their people, and not their pockets. About ALL the country and not just their family and friends.

A significantly better future is possible IF everyone is prepared to work together. It will not be easy as too much blood has been spilt, and there are still too many animosities, but unless these can be set aside, NO ONE will be able to progress.

Kosovo needs support from this region, it can not base its development by relying on the vagaries of the international community. It is time for compromise.

As always, there is a parada of current(like this one), and former (like William Montgomery) US Embassadors giving us their oppinion. Is there anyone else that has an oppinion, I wonder? Or only Americans?
Well, they can go ahead, and say what they think, Serbia is a free country.
Luckily, they are representing the coutnry that will not be the deciding factor in what will in the end happen in Kosovo.