UNMIK out, Serbs released; over 100 injured

A foolish move by UNMIK. Last I heard, there were ongoing negotiations between UNMIK and the Serbs. Now suddenly we get information that Thaci and Sejdiu needs someone else to do their dirty work for them and it results in wider riots in Mitrovica. The only two solutions I see that can pacify the region are either a restart of negotiations over control over Serb-held parts of Kosovo, or a massive crackdown lead by UNMIK and KFOR to crush the Serb movement. The first will surely pacify the region but effectively divide the land. The second will probably by used, but destroy all ideas that Kosovo is a democratic society and effecitvely give Serbia to the Radicals this May. Again, all this could have been avoided had the people pushing this independence movement thought more rational. Now their hubris is coming back to bite them in the rear.

This UNMIK administration clearly operates directly for Thaci and friends. 1244 is broken again. Its time for the Serb military to take control. KFOR/UNMIK will just watch, not to say about EULEX.

Hey Mika,

Your post is really entertaining, especially first sentence where you refer Kosovo as a state of law. Firstly, Kosovo has no status of state or country, you could learn this yesterday after Carl Bildt’s statement. Secondly, Serbian southern province Kosmet is the worst hole of lawless that you Albanians turned province into it. What Thachi has ordered today is a use of force and demonstration of the power of the worst kind of. Let’s face it, after this move and demand by the criminal Kosovo authorities of the Albanian nationality, Milosevic was just proven to be true democrat. Why is that? Well, when K-Albanian decided to boycott Serbian institutions that evil Milosevic has done nothing to change that. He never used any force to integrate them into society that they didn’t respect. Milosevic began to use force when the criminals that nowadays represent Kosovo officials cowardly started to attack police and civilians of Serbian nationality and loyal Albanians.

As for this today’s event I think it was very stupid thing to do. Such a force against unarmed civilians, jurists that have been brutally expelled form their positions in 1999. UNMIK played incredibly stupid, this UNMIK’s move (ordered by the Kosovo criminals) will incite the violence in the North and I cannot even imagine how it may end it. I just wait reactions from Serbia and Russia today.

But, what other language Tachi understands except violence and force. That is how started to built his criminal and political career.

Occupation by armies of NATO the part of Serbia was a monstrous crime against humanity. In my opinion, this is one of the most terrible displays of terrorism for last 60 years.

PS. Forgive for mistakes - my native language is not English.

Anyone else get the feeling another war is looming in the Balkans? This one though, has the potential to spread like a wild fire. My prayers to all citizens of Serbia (including Kosovo).

Mike,

The two "solutions" you offer are indeed the two only options. But I don't believe either will pacify the region. Anyway, the first option will not happen, at least not in the short term. The second - a massive crackdown - will probably be tried, but like everywhere else it has been tried it will fail and only lead to more violence.

As I see it, the rebellion starts here. Welcome to Belfast 1970.

That is completely normal. The protestors should know what is going to happen if they occupied the institutions. Even worst happened to VETVENDOSJA (two people killed - 10.Feb.'07) only because UNMIK thought their intention was to get inside the Parliament.

Mika (#3) wrote "state has every right to defend his territory and his property".

Kosovo has been recognized as independent state by a relatively small number of countries. Does this make Kosovo a state?

Mika, do you realise the irony of your statement that every state has the right to defend its territory and its property. Does this not include the Serbian state?

State of Law finally made the right move in securing entire territory of Kosovo. It is the right move forward, it's the message that everyone should understand clearly: The time when Serbians could act with violante in non-consistence with the Law is behind us, and the Serbians have to make clear decisions here, do they want to live peacefully in Kosovo or be prepared to take the consequences. I hope they'll make the right decission otherwise state has every right to defend his territory and his property.

Ironic that the UN 'peacekeepers' is utilised in such a violent way - they are now acting no differently to the Chinese crack down in Tibet - ah but then US (non)elite inspired democracy allows for double standards and violence against peaceful protests!

Oh what a tangled web we weave...

The action taken by KFOR and UNMIK is absolutely appalling.
The question must be asked as to how a United Nations peace keeping force can take orders from a false and illegitimate government. The albanian puppet regime in Pristina cannot handle such opposition on their own so they ask KFOR UNMIK to do their dirty work. And in a final act of total and utter disrespect towards the brave Serbs of Mitrovica they have the tenacity to remove the Serbian flag from the parliament building!?

I find it utterly astounding that posters who favour independence can say that the UN should adopt all measures necessary to impose control over the north when ten years ago they were fighting against the forces of Milosevic who were doing the same to protect Serbian sovereignty.

Have some honour and integrity and recongise that just as you didn't want to live under Serbian rule, the Serbs of Kosovo don't want to live under your rule. Let them go free! (Or is this something only you are entitled to have?)

Absolute discrimination against serbs and Serbia. Was their whole plan just to take down the Serb flag? This is just the beginning. They still don't get they are in Serbia..

Today is the four year-anniversary of an ethnic cleansing against Kosovo Serbs, when Kosovo Albanians tried to “clean” rest of the 1/3 Serbian population which remained in Kosovo after 1999. The result of that Albanian terror was 800 burned Serbian houses, 35 desecrated Serbian orthodox monasteries and churches, and 31 people dead. Latest events in Kosovoska Mitrovica again showed the cynicism of UNMIK and KFOR - who now seem to be under a direct influence of Albanian extremist. Although Serbs do not (and will never) accept independence of Kosovo UNMIK is trying to persuade them to accept “the new reality”.

Stop violence against Kosovo Serbs!

Your moves are disgusting NATO. You will be held accountable for excessive force against civilians who opposed you in a peaceful and non-violent way. You have only made things worse.

So it begins. UN has broken 1244. By taking orders from the snake they effectively turned themselves into hunting prey.

So UNMIK retakes the court house and expels the serb protesters by force, And? What have they really achieved? There will be more protests more civil disobedience. Unless UNMIK foolishly believes that this is the way to retake the whole of northern kosovo and expel all the serbs. Now wouldn't that be convenient? Power and deep respect to all those who choose not to be under the control of this sham of a puppet state, your efforts have had a profound impact!!!!!!!!

this is not the right place to say it, but it should be said to kosovo serbs: you are our strength and our pride. we must pressure our shameful government to protect our people.

Jan Andersen, DK,

- so you agree then the UN 'peacekeepers' are acting violently? All I am highlighting is the double standards and hypocrisy that clearly make you lost for words that you cant even allow yourself to condemn this use of violence at the orders of not Rucker but US supported KLA terrorist Thaci!!!

With regards China and what it internally does within its borders to bring security and order that is China's internal issue. I did not condmn it nor condone it but here we have violent action by NATO dominated 'peacekeepers' ordered it would seem by KLA terrorist commander Thaci who is placed on a US pedastal of democracy US style!!! If Jan Anderson you cant see the hypocrisy and greater flawed principle in the US condemnation of China for its actions to bring peace and stability internally while the US inspired KLA terrorism is supported with their orders carried out without question by NATO and their illegitamate self declared dependence given credence then your in for a very destabilising world future!

Oh what a tangled web we weave...

In the Roman law there is exceptio non adimpleti contractus or "non adimpleti per non adimpletum" or in other words when a party does not fulfil its obligations the other party is entitled not to fulfil its own obligation.
1244 recognaizes Serbia's integrity, kosovo's UDI (I repeat UDI)and recognition from 27 states is considered by the local serbs a non-fulfilment of 1244, hence their right to ignore it too.
This is what happens when something is done unilateraly agains the rulling law, everything else is affected by lack of legal foundation. There are of course situations (for ex. revolutions) which can overcame this obstacle, but in my opinion in this case things did not go in that way. Of course, all this does not justify violence.

No justice, no peace. This is just the beginning.

Yet another failure of the US to save themselves from the certain collapse. By now it is abundantly clear that the US have failed to manufacture another war in the Balkans. They desperately need one in order to hurt European and Asian interests but it ain't coming from the Balkans. Now we all need to just sit and wait for the inevitable fall of the US empire and the unstoppable rise of Asia headed by Russia, China and India. Serbia and Serbian people have always been on the right side throughout history and today is no exception. Good times coming indeed.

UNMIK should disband immediately and forced to leave Serbian territory. As i said before, UNMIK's string are being pulled by the EU and the USA. This whole Kosovo issue has nothing to do with International Law, but has everything to do with destroying all that is Serbian. The balance of scales will never tip on Serbia's side, no matter what the issue. This current situation is all about dominating Serbia and all that it stands for.

To Dave:
Everything depends on your point of view, since Mika was talking about the independent republic of Kosovo he/she was thinking of its legitimate right to protect its population against criminals. Serbia lost its control of Kosovo in 1999, you can thank the Milosevic family for that.

To Marco from Amsterdam:

What makes a country independent?

I love this question, I can't have right and neither can you, you might think you have, but you can't have right, because in the view of realists, the system is anarchic. We have no world government, we have leading countries (USA, Russia and so on), but no government. We have sovereign countries that make their choices based on national criteria, and based on these Kosovo is independent in the eyes of 27 countries, one being mine, Danmark and another being yours the Netherlands.

I don’t understand this, in one way serbs want resolution 1244 to be respected but simultaneously argue that it should not when they are surprised that KFOR restores law and order in the whole territory of Kosovo. I have read 1244 over and over, never have there been any paragraph stating that the law should not apply to the north and to the minority of Kosovo.

This is the most democratic move that has happened in Kosovo since independence; I wish for the restoring of law and order to continue, in the whole of Kosovo.

I pray for the soldiers and policemen that risk their life in the line of duty!

gjipeja,

You question the "reliability" of B92's reporting of events in Mitrovica. Well here in Ireland I have just listened to a radio news report which stated that "UNMIK came under fire from Serb militias". This is a downright lie. So in Western Europe the anti-Serb propaganda continues.

I congratulate B92 for its extensive and fair coverage of events in Kosovo.

Yet another blunder by the internationals.
Do they really hope to calm the situation in Kosovo in this way?
Wasn't one of the key reasons why some western states advocated independence to ensure stability?
Is this the way to go about achieving stability? It would be funny if were not so dangerous.

Dorian,
i don't think you understand the whole situation in Serbia. It is not only the 120 000 remaining Kosovo Serbs. But rather the 10 Million Serbs looking on from Serbia. The International Community has neglected the interests of 10 million Serbs that have ties to Kosovo. The issue is not about the 1.7 million Albanians in Kosovo. Don't you understand that those 10 million people would die for their country. Who are these handfull of 27 foreign states to tell the Serbs and the rest of the world that their land has been forcefully taken. What were America's pretences for this starting this war. Where are the 250 000 deceased Albanians that were so called ethnically cleansed by the Serbs. If the foundation and reasoning for attacking the Serbs was infactual, then the rest is all lies and all foreign occcupation should leave.

Let’s see if UNMIK has enough guts to use the force against Serbs after warnings from Russia. The one must say them to get used to it........ And war criminal such as Hashim Tachi should have no say and ask for any order restoring by the UNMIK.
(bmrusila, 16 March 2008 17:37)

To bmrusila:

This was your comment yesterday, once again you have been proven wrong.

I suggest you stop writing
since you obviously don't know what you are talking about.

17-3-2004
17-3-2008
Anyone here suprised by UMNIK`s decision to do this on the worst anniversarie for Serbian people.?
Of course not-they are finishing what talbanians started in 2004.
First they fired 200 Serbians from working in legal institution,who are just asking for their jobs back,and now they think putting them in jail would make a difference to them.
Gentlemen-they are living in ghetos,what other punisment is there.
Let us never forget-17-3-2004

Albanian police should be sent to calm the crowd.

Can you guys stick to one story? First UNMIK was an occupaying force and after February 17 2008 UNMIK is valid force and now I hear a coment from one of Serb posters that UNMIK should disband. which is which guys???

this was so predictable...

as I said a day before, remove that flag and see what the consequences will be...

perhaps it was a western mistake to think that the Albanians are more dangerous only because they were time and again threatening with violence.
Serbs have never threatened with violence, but they are prepared to defend themselves against brutal occupation.

but on thing is for sure: that is nothing yet, ...if those anti-serbian actions should be continued, there could be some real trouble.

Well, I couldn't say it better myself:

"This is what happens when something is done unilaterally against the rule of law, everything else is affected by lack of legal foundation."

Adrian, my fellow Romanian, is right, speaking about the consequences of Kosovo UDI, and also when saying that violence is not a solution.

Let's hope there will not be more blood, and things will calm down in the following hours/days.

Best from Bucharest,
George the Romanian

Well, here it goes. This could be the start of a greater escalation of violence in Kosovo and throughout the Balkans. The Serbs fought to protect it and won with 1244. Now that the UN/US/NATO are attempting to reneg, it's time to re-assert Serbian control. There is absolutely no chance Serbia will ever give up Kosovo.

So what now? Kosovo in flames? Macedonia is looking shakey and so is BiH for now. Also secessionists in China, Georgia, Moldova, Turkey and Iraq are starting to beat their drums.

It doesn't look promising but the question still comes to mind. Was this the plan all along? The US and Western economy is just about die so is the solution to cause conflict throughout the world? To destabilise the emerging economies also?

The Serbs have every right to protest and defende themselves from aggression no matter where it comes from. This time UNMIK and KFOR used excessive force without reason because the situation could have been solved in a peaceful manner. Why didn't UNMIK wait for a meeting to be held with Serb representatives? Why did they attack prior to the planned peaceful negotiations? That are the questions we must ask ourselves.

Kosovo is a part of Serbia according to resolution 1244 so why are now NATO and NATO countries talking about violations of 1244 when it comes to this situation in Mitrovica. What a hypocrisy!

Sooner Serbia and Serbs realize that Kosova is a state, recognized by 27th countries, inducing biggest superpowers and leading democracies of the world, better their life will be.

Hooliganism won’t be tolerated, throwing bombs, shooting at UNMIK/KFOR personnel wont tolerated.

Thru my whole involvement with Serbia, i would categorize the non-serb people that seek involvement into Serb matters according to the following groups:

- Albs (no explanation needed)
- Random individuals like myself who know the country and people
- Formal individuals who are under someone's command.

Category #2 contains naturally pro-serb people,
while #1 naturally anti-serb and #3 artificially anti-serb.

Han Christian Andersen above falls in category 3, most probably, unless he is an alb.

He is repeatedly "owned" in these forums, and he never managed to come back with smth clever to say.

On 17 March 2008 10:19, Princip, UK wrote:

> Ironic that the UN 'peacekeepers' is utilised in such a violent way - they are now acting no differently to the Chinese crack down in Tibet (snip)

Hey now! Don't critize the Chinese. They are your friends remember? Your future ally and trading partner. Possibly investing in a big car manufacturing plant in Serbia.

As I wrote some time ago: Tell me who your friends are, and I will tell you who you are.

What kind of lives can the K-Serbs live? Think about it. Even UNMIK is against
them. How can you justify using tear gas on people who are behind barbed wire and
under armed escort every moment of their lives? Why is it that every single Albanian
poster here claims to be so morally grounded yet they always seem to turn a blind eye
to the suffering of the Serbs. Not one of you cares about Serbian lives. If you did you
would realise just how wrong this is. Thaci and Sedjui have forced these people out
of the only jobs they had. And what do they do now? Where in the hell are they going
to find a job now?

Kosovo is in political limbo. Every single person supporting Kosovo independence
has so whole heartedly completely fallen for the idea; it seems as though that they
consider the suffering of the Serbs as a justified act. Those who claim of it to be a
country are sadly blind folded to the true reality. Once again, I must re-emphasise the
facts. Kosovo has been recognised as independent by 27 countries. Out of those
countries how many of them are EU members? ¾? Of the remaining how many of
them are allies of America? And not to mention America itself. If you still cannot see
the obvious fact that the EU is as much a puppet of America, as Kosovo is of the EU,
I truly do both; sympathise with you, and yet envy your relatively unburdened mind

UNMIK and the westerns promise of protection for the Serbs failed before it could
even take off. Those who remember the events of March 2004, know well of what I
am referring to. How much more do the Serbs have to suffer? Was it not bad enough
that we were the ones who were blamed for the wars? Was it not bad enough that we
suffered greatly at the hands of the so called “victims of Serbian lust?” Why is it that
every other person is allowed access to basic human rights and is protected by law,
yet only the Serbs are left out? Those whole dare to comment back to this and call it
lies only need to read back on every article embedded in this website as well as every
comment. The reality of the situation is bleak and grim at the most. It is only this
website that is posting the harsh truths, while the rest try to paint a pretty picture out
of blood. Western media is about as truthful as the Western leaders themselves. The
same Western leaders who used Milosevic as a scapegoat for the atrocities they
themselves committed. I am befuddled as to how two men sitting in chairs giving
orders can’t be so different. One of them has had a mask painted on them; perceiving
them as the Hitler of this generation, while the one that leads the world super power
is the mask. But hey who am I trying to convince? After all, the Albanian commenters
seem to believe that the Serbian people don’t bleed, that they don’t feel pain, and that
they don’t know what it is to be human. Disagree? Read some of the comments by the
Albanian commenters. It might just surprise you.

I thank (Jan Andersen, DK, 17 March 2008 11:42) for “As I wrote some time ago:
Tell me who your friends are, and I will tell you who you are.”

It is clear who you are. You seem to believe that you are who your friends are. Thank
god that is the furthest thing from the truth. But hey, you do seem to be American.







KFOR is now patrolling the streets, and according to our sources, has received orders to "shoot to restore order".

Order? What order? OK so there is a too well known phrase, "let lying dogs sleep."
But as it goes, the Albanians and westerners kick the dog till it bites, then they sit there and act like victims. There seems to be little hope for Serbs in Kosovo. How can there be when they can’t even return to their jobs after being kicked out for no apparent reason? How ironic. All of the Albanian posters kept on commenting and saying "the Serbs will be better off," as their politicians did. Better off? They are constantly behind barbed wire. They go to visit the graves of their loved ones, under armed escort, only to be welcomed with the sight of vandalised graves. Funny how not one albanian grave has been vandalised in North Kosovska Mitrovica. Don’t believe it? There was an article a bit back now. You keep backing the Serbs into a corner and expect them not to react. Not easy to live your life when every day of your life is spent behind enemy lines. Thaci and Sedjui are cowards. Get UNMIK to fight the war. And those who reckon things are going to get better if EULEX gets in are greatly mistaken.
EULEX is of no other purpose than to ensure smooth sailing for their new puppet state.

CCCC

To Nicholas from Odense,

I do not support the decision of the Dutch government to recognize Kosovo, just as I did not support the decision of my country to sent troups to Iraq (remember the weapons of mass destruction that only existed in the minds of George W. Bush and his chums?). In my view Jan Peter Balkenende (our PM) and Maxime Verhagen (our FM) are just lapdogs of the Americans.

bravo for the serbs;shame for unmik and kfor;
to austrian albenian:Probably you will ask another state for some years inside of europe as your population is multiplaying everyday;you will say also that you have right /becasue of number of albenians who live in austria/to create a new state insade ;albenians allready have oun state ;the name of thet state is albania or shqiptoria ,and why you want to be unik in the world one nation with two states

Jan,

" But just because the US does something deceitful, does not give "the other side" to do the same. Both sides should be condemned when it happens. "

- what is Serbia and Serbian people in its southern province doing that is decietful by sitting in in THIER court room building requesting THIER jobs back?

Who in the UNMIK organisation ordered this act of violence? Violence against against the judges sitting in wanting to get on with THEIR legal jobs in what is a SERBIAN courtroom?

Jan, it is quite clear that the US and 'few' EU who are the ones acting decitly and thus as I am sure you are only too aware of the consequences that followed on from the last deceit in Iraq that more instability is only likely to increase when UNMIK and NATO act violently first as they have done in storming the Serbian court in Serbia's province!

Oh what a tangled web we weave when at first we plan to deceive... Unfortunetly this is not the first time one has planned to deceive and I prefer Newtons Third Law for what follows next;

For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.

Since the US as you admit Jan acted decitfully one can now only assume they are willing to correct this mistake immediatly or they have no-one but themselves to blame for the correction to equilibria that will occur!!!

I'm really amazed how u people still protect these huligans so called "demostrations for their rights" to get back their jobs in the mitrovica's court house!! please give me a break!!! this is not about taking their jobs back,this is an atempt to anexation of the north part from the Serb goverment using normal life people as a tool,what u guys exept from UMNIK,KFOR or KPS to do?sit and watch these huligans ?what would be the reaction of serbian police if we had same situation in presevo valley?? I bet that u woult send tanks and fighters there.

to dave;
please quit the propaganda,it doesn't wok anymore,we all know what happened in march 2004,what do u exept from angry people after three kids drowned in the ibar river (the forth one escaped)?give them medalions??and We apologizied for what happened wich Serbia never did it despite starting four wars in the balca and killing hundreds of thousands people.
I'm very suprised with the calm of Albanian people there,KPS should take the matter in their hands to restore the situation,Serbs are used with the Europeans to scrub their back ignoring what Serbiadid to the whole balcan region in 90s,they won't get that from Albanians that's for sure

“… Tell me who your friends are, and I will tell you who you are…”

So, who are your friends Jan?.

Talking about different states today, I can’t help but notice that at this moment the most rogue state of the world is US. (Very interesting how all these vocal protectors of universal human rights are silent when it comes to US crimes). There is no other state in the world who killed so many millions of innocent people around the globe in the last 60 years. If the same standards used to judge Serb actions in the 90’s, (command responsibility, joint criminal enterprise, e.c.t.), would be used to judge American actions, most of US presidents and top echelons of politics and armed forces after the Second World War would be sentenced as a war criminals.

The UNMIK/KFOR have lost their mandate and have now become illegal occupiers. Their job was to support Serbian sovereignty over Serbian territory and to protect the Serbs that have remained in Kosovo. That job is over, they have taken sides and it is time for the VS to take over the Serb areas for now.

Time for some concrete action from Beograd before it is too late!!!

The plan is obviously to bate UNMIK or KFOR into some sort of an incident that the Serbian Army can use as a pretext to march back into at least the northern part of Kosovo.

Russia will back Serbia in the Security Council so that there will be no return of UN Sanctions, and Russia may provide Serbia with advanced weaponry and fuel to support the operation.

NATO won't be able to do what it did in 1999. Russia is much stronger and the Americans are too bogged down in Iraq and Afghanistan to fight another war in the Balkans.

Northern Kosovo is gone no matter what the Albanians do. They have no police there, and if they resort to force to put their police back then Serbia has its pretext to send in the Army.

Disaster!! I can't believe that UMNIK instead of waiting for the issue to get resolved peacfully (it was going to in a few hours) decided to listen to the Albanians and go in there guns a blazing. Un-believable!!!! They chose a violent solution over a peaceful one. My god, what is wrong with your people!!!

"У сукобу учешће нису узели румунски војници, који су са три транспортера напустили северни део Митровице."
translated:
In the combat this morning Romanian soldiers did not take a part, but have left the site of North Mitrovica inside the three transporters.

What else to say:
Dear Neighbors we are much oblarge and thank you.

This is Kostunica's 'secret plan' to push UNMIK's back against the wall and provoke violent clashes.

This is it. The time to put the order in place against the ordinary criminals has come.
The Independent country of Kosova has given enough time to serb minority to release their anger. Now it is time to calm down and work together towards peace and prosperity

I feel so sorry for the serbs living in the north of kosovo. Im from the UK but i didn't support kosovo's independence, many people here are behind serbia and don't think it is a good idea.

Good luck to the kosovars if they can make it work and improve their lives somewhat, but I don't think it will happen, unfortunately their "independence" is fake and backed up by the EU, it's a disaster for everyone, the only winners in this situation are the US and Russia.

I don't hate Albanians or anyone, just want the world to be peaceful and I am ashamed of the actions of my government and of europe ...

Another Canadian Serb wrote: This whole Kosovo issue has nothing to do with International Law, but has everything to do with destroying all that is Serbian. The balance of scales will never tip on Serbia's side, no matter what the issue. This current situation is all about dominating Serbia and all that it stands for.

You must not forget one thing: Each land belongs to it's population, and in kosova lives more then 90% albanians therefore it is not serbian but albanian. And please stop talking about law because serbia and law dosent fit together.
All this trouble and terrorist acts commited by serbs is lead by kostunica and your government.

Good for the Serbs to show UNMIK, KFOR and Pristina that they do not to live under Albanian rule. You can see the frustration on the face of Pristina. No matter what they do they can not control North Kosovo. Face it Thaci you or UNMIK or KFOR can not control North Kosovo. Give it up and stop using violence as a tool. Mika I think the Serbs in the North are ready to fight your threat of "CONSEQUENCES". Gojan Kari, that would be a bad move. They couldn't even secure two check points. What are they going to do, shoot unarmed civilins. Something they know well i guess. BH_NYC, isn't that what the Albanians did in the 80's and 90's to the Serbs in Kosovo. Your a hypocrit. Laki NY, 27 countries, please, if that's what you call independent than so be it, good luck. All the Serbs have done is take a page out of your KLA handbook. Your also a hypocrit. K-AL, my brothers are fighting the occupation and the illegal UDI for them and for us out here. I support their actions and hope they keep it up. Thank you Jim!!! Andriano, it's more like it never stops with the Albanians, read the artical on Macedonia. Seems to me that Albanians liveing in other countries can't wrap it around their head that it's not Albania. If you want to fly your flags on everything and want the Albanian language official then go and live in Albania. And you can do all the Albanian things you want, without the problems from the majority of that host country. Afrim, to bad you couldn't have given that advice to Thaci and his KLA in the 90's, but that violence, in your eyes, was acceptable wasn't it. Your also a hypocrit. Pejoni, yep, to help them ethnicly cleans the remaining Serbs, right. Arti, I'm also suprised that you probably supported the "terrorist" KLA when they used violence to get to the mess Kosovo is in now. All you Albanian posters forget that Thaci and the KLA KILLED people to get here. But none of you condem that. That was all ok to you. This maybe a tast of your own medicine. Get used to it because it is far from over. You say to the Serbs here, give it up because Serbia lost control of Kosovo in 99. But on the same token Pristina never had control of North Kosovo. So what is it then. You can't take your own advice. North Kosovo, as little as it is will not be part of your UDI. "The will of the people" in North Kosovo do not want to be ruled by Pristina. Is it so hard to digest your own words comeing from the Serbs. Your all hypocrits here. Your violence was justified to get your UDI. Please, Cry me a river.

The best solution would be to have Russian soldiers deploy in northern Kosovo. This would allow Serbs to have and exercise their most basic human rights. Many Serbs here are refugees from the other parts of Kosovo and it is not even safe for them to work their land and travel freely. NATO and the UN can't provide basic freedoms for ethnic Serbs therefore they shouldn't be around Serbs.

Even most people i spoke to day are disgustet by the action from KFOR & UNMIK.

How long will it take before an KLA/IRA/ETA kind off organisation will emerge in Kosovo.

From what I read, it looks like that Serbs are the most innocent people and everybody else around evil... (Dorian, 17 March 2008, 19:21)

It appears you dont' understand the situation, Kosovo and Metohija will be defended and not be stolen by KLA terrorists hiding behind a shaky coalition of US and EU members.

"This is it. The time to put the order in place against the ordinary criminals has come."
(Afrim Hoxha, 17 March 2008 12:33)

Exactly right - Thaci and the rest of his KLA terrorist backed government should be removed and their illegal declaration of dependence annulled.

Marco (post #51),

In the future, when you decide to post on the B92 forum, please state where you are from, because I do not wish to be associated with your unfounded speculations that the Serbian protesters in the Northern parts of Kosovo are Serbian soldiers in civilian clothes.

What is going on in Mitrovica is really sad!

I want to know, how do you serbian guys commenting here, feel while you are sitting on your chair and writing and your poor brothers are in prisons and/or hospitals?
I guess you are laughin and saying "How stupid they are".

To bad guys, i feel really sorry for them.

UN police and KFOR had the right to intervene and reclaim order on the courthouse which was occupied by serb nationalists with direct orders from Belgrade.

Kostunica and Nikolic wanted the UN to intervene and they wanted trouble in a hope of raising nationalistic feelings in Serbia and thus bolstering their support. They are happy that there was violence.

But at the same time I would like to add that it was the worst timing possible!! From all the days, they had to pick this day 17th of March - which rightly or wrongly is a sensitive date for serbs, and this only plays in the hands of DSS and Radicals.

I expect many serbs will do what they normally do i.e.: deny resposibilty for their actions, blame others (un, kfor, albanians), and despite the fact it was that that started the violence and caused more harm to others, they will still see themselves as the victims.

UN & KFOR should have probably intervened sooner or if they had to wait til now, they should have waited for couple of more days.

Good desicion but appalling timing.

At the same time, I think that KFOR should avoid any heaby handed approach, since it will only lead to radicalization of serbs, and thats exactly what nationalists in Serbia want.

Terrible, stupid decision by UNMIK/KFOR. And now they take orders from Thaci. Wow. So somehow it does get dramatically worse.
I give props to Serbs for trying maintaining peace this long and striving so hard for peace and western immigration, but the simple truth seems to be, that your just going to get screwed and the EU isn't going to let you in, and 1244 is a farce. Everytime I check B92 and for Kosovo info, it reminds me how proud I feel to be American [insert sarcasm].

Jan Anderson, if you have a problem with China's treatment of Tibet, why dosen't the EU, or USA do something about it for you and other like minded individuals. Oh, right, EU, and USA onlyapply laws autocraticaly. There is no rule of law, only rule of imperialist autocrats.

From this Irishman, and I'm sure from most of the others who contribute to this site, I send a message of support to the Serbian people of Mitrovica on this St Patrick's Day.

Albanians will do nothing wihout west permission. Americans are testing Serbs, One day west misscalculate, that day west and countries that follow them will be very sorry.
West is right 50 years of peace in Europe, it is too long.
EUSSR on the march

Nik

Calm down guys, 1244 is being respected like most of you wanted at UN SC. EULEX is a better option, take it.

This is action is to bring order to violently and illegally seized institution. Attack on law and order and on law enforcement units will definitely triggers some kind of action. Headline could say as well” Serbs restore to violence”
I just wonder why this happened on this day?
Why the same police forces allowed then to enter the building at first place?

To me, this month seems to be decisive for Serbian politics in Kosova.

It never stops with the Serbians it seams. In all Yugoslavia they were the minority's in control and they dragged everyone down, but dont be fooled that with Kosovos Serb minority you will control the majority again.
How is Serbia proper by the way because everybody seems to know all the gossip and predictions?

Kudos to KFOR troops! The Kosovar people know thay can count on you guys...

Jan Andersen, USA and not DK
just the fact that you mention Canada being up there, confirms that you live in the USA
To all POSTERS this Jan Andersen is not from Denmark and is American.

“ … I don't want to compare 1 lost live with 1000 lost lives, but if we have to, I equal one dead journalist, killed trying to inform me and world about the truth, as far more valuable than a innocent civilian killed by a military force... “

Jan, you know, long time ago, as a growing kid in SFRY, I actually believed in western propaganda. Then I went to live in the west and my eyes opened. Now I think that western world has a best propaganda system ever developed. You see, the biggest achievement of western propagandists is that people actually believe them without second thoughts. In old fashioned propaganda systems based on the brute force, people were very skeptical to the official information but typical westerner swallow everything his national TV news serve him, as an absolute, objective true. Take your for example – you are very much disturbed by the murder of Anna Politkovskaya. You are absolutely certain that she is killed by Russian state apparatus on the orders of V. Putin, aren’t you? Yet, what do you actually know about her and her work? Aside from being critical of the authorities, she had a contacts with many very dangerous people and made enemies of some of them… At the same time, there are many indications that a number of journalists in Iraq are deliberately killed by US troops. Yet, somehow, not many people in the West heard about it from their “free” media.
Reporting about Russia in western media is very biased. Even the most unbelievable accusations are accepted as a truth without questioning. Take for an example poisoning of Alexander Litvinenko. Wouldn’t you think that if V. Putin wanted to eliminate him and having all the knowledge and experience of KGB, unlimited resources and manpower of Russian state and secret services at his disposal, he couldn’t find some less cumbersome way to make him disappear or get an “accident” or something? Of all the countless ways to assassinate someone they choose to radioactive poisoning? I find it very strange.

“…you should feel right at home in Denmark, Sweden or Norway. ….high taxes…”

Yes, I think so, I was couple of times in Norway, beautiful country. I wasn’t yet in Denmark and Sweden. I’m aware of the high taxes. I strongly believe in the need for strong welfare system which protects people in need, health care and free education for everybody. There is no excuse for poverty in the developed industrial countries.

“… It’s ironic that most of those soldiers hurt were of Slavic blood!”

Yes, indeed, ironic and tragic. Yet another example of divide and rule?

Afrim Hoxha wrote

'The Independent country of Kosova has given enough time to serb minority to release their anger. Now it is time to calm down and work together towards peace and prosperity'

Afrim would that be the anger at 400 years of persecution and abuse of the most hideous kind, or would it be the anger at the abuse suffered when the Albanians serverd Herr Hitler with such zeal not so long ago. Oh, of course, they are expected to except the deceit and treachery on top of the most recent abuses by the so called KLA and the loss of the most treasured part of their country which bound them through all that abuse.

Be a long time before this anger quells, me thinks.

Mr Hans Christian Andersen,
do you equalize the SYSTEMATIC destructions/killings/interventions of nations/lives by USA with the
ONE (1, I (in latin)) murder in Russia?

My understanding is that all would have gone well with the court if it wasn't for Serbians on the streets who attacked UNMIK and NATO. I mentioned yesterday that NATO is going to intervene on the right time and thats what exactly happend today at 5.30 a.m. The comments about UNMIK and NATO taking orders from Thaci or Sejdiu are exagerated and this does not have to do anything with the Kosovar politicians, but with the commad of NATO that has pledged for keeping the whole Kosova/o under its control. The local Serbs should not rely on Kostunica, nor Samardjic's comments and suggestions, since these politicians are not real as are not real lots of comments on this site. First, the real thing is that Kosova/o is an independet country since March 17 no matter how many countries have confirmed the recognition and the issue is not under any circumstances going to be reversed. Second, all the politicians of Serbia including radicals are aware that they cannot do anything to change the situation and unfortunatly Russia has no power (nor will) to do that either. Third, let`s hope that majority of people in Serbia are going to show their support for proeuropian forces in comming elections which is going to bring more prosperity to Serbian people. Kosova and Serbia cannot have any other alternative but joying Europe, so I do not know who really needs all this tension in northern Mitrovica and why. Do you gyes really want to be isolated for several years before you understand your mistake and throw out your government and bag again to Europe for help as you have done in recent past years? I am addressing especially the youth in Serbia which seems to be much more rational than the ones that live in western countries. Keep your voice high in Serbia about integration to Europe and do not spoil your sleep with bad dreams about Kosovo/a. The politics in Europe do not work as some may think in Serbia, do something today and with draw it next day. No. This is not going to happen. Get your best from this particular time (which is Century 21) and the area which you are a part of and fortunately is Called Europe not Russia.
Liri, Canada

You must not forget one thing: Each land belongs to it's population, and in kosova lives more then 90% albanians therefore it is not serbian but albanian. And please stop talking about law because serbia and law dosent fit together.
All this trouble and terrorist acts commited by serbs is lead by kostunica and your government.
(an austrian albanian, 17 March 2008 13:32)

Hahaha. Man it is great to see some much needed truth in a long time. I heard about this albanian mentality where, albanians believe that the land they presently occupy, they treat as part of an "albania".

It just goes to show you that they have no respect for the host nation in which they live in and this comment really hit the nail on the head. So thanks for making this blatantly clear to everyone.

When you own land you don't own that little portion of Earth. Nothing could be further from the truth. If that was the case then we would live in an "own only what you can protect" type of environment - Anarchy. Serbia is not an anarchy last time I checked.

This is another defeat of Serbian politics. Man, these politicians are really bad losers. KFOR have retained full controll of Kosova borders today with heavy personnel.

It seems that every part of their plan is failing badly.

Gimi,

“…more than 10.000 albanian victims…

Could you provide some source of accurate information on these numbers? We heard many numbers over the years, there was talk of hundreds of thousands of innocent Albanians victims, then number went gradually down to tens of thousands, 10 000
…

Court in Den Haag sent a mission of experts to investigate crimes in Kosovo. They were very motivated to find proofs for the prosecution. Despite very intensive search, all help from Albanians, almost unlimited finance, they found just over 2 000 victims of all nationalities in Kosovo. That’s only verifiable investigation I’m aware off. I would be very grateful to you if you can point some other serious source of information.

“ … serbia hatched in last two decades three wars …”

Nope. It didn’t. It’s very easy to verify that at the time of conflict in Slovenia, Slovene militias attacked Yugoslav’s People Army (JNA), sent to take control of YU border at the time that president of Yugoslavia was a Croat. Troops consisted of young conscripts from all over YU, and units were not prepared to fight. Tanks without munitions with covered cannons e.c.t. In Croatia and Serbia it was fighting with a indigenous Serbs from these republics who lived there for centuries. They were, (with a good reasons), alarmed by Croat and Bosnian Muslims nationalists, (who attacked JNA’s barracks), taking power and putting Serbs in the very vulnerable position.

Joe, there is about 1.5 million Serbs in Bosnia (does the name Republic of Srpska ring the bell for you?)and additional several hundred thousands in Montenegro, Macedonia and Croatia. Basically, around 10 million total. Since you mentioned a large ethnic Hungarian population in Serbia, don't you find it a little strange that aside from Albanians in Kosovo all other ethnic minorities never had a problem
integrating into Serbian society (Hungarians, Romanians, Bosniaks, Croats, Bulgarians, Slovaks, Ukrainians, Germans)?

Now one history lesson for you- Albanian are not Illyrians only one who claimes that are Albanians themselves, some of them to be exact. Now I will use quote from your most famous historyan and academic, so that you can't say after that that this is "Serbia propaganda":
"There is an Illyrian myth, with which Albanian culture has been flirting for at least 150 years, and as a myth it can't be questioned (for it has all the answers). There is also a very tentative Illyrian science, based mainly on archaeology, and on some data transmitted by Ancient Greek and Latin Historians.

These inscriptions, being totally alien to Albanian, show that the Illyrian question is extremely complicated, and that it isn't likely to be resolved, unless fundamental epigraphic discoveries are made.

The great Illyrologist Hans Krahe himself was no supporter of the Illyrian theory about the origin of Albanians. In his late years he came to understand that most of his paleolinguistic theories were generally wrong. Krahe started by finding Illyrian traces everywhere in Europe, but then it was made clear that all he had found were Indo-European traces -- and nobody had any doubt that Indo-European tribes had been in Europe for a long many years.

Onomastics is of no great help in settling linguistic and ethnogenetic issues. Let's have a look at some important place names in Albanian territories, like Dajti, Shkodra, Durresi, Vlora, Burreli, Drini, Shkumbini, Tirana, etc. Are they Albanian? We can't say that, for there are no Albanian words that would explain them (as we explain, for example, Kruja with "krue" - fountain).

This might well be true, but seems pathetic in front of the fact that we can't explain through Albanian words the place names we currently use, let alone the Illyrian ones. So what?

Let's move up in time, and reach the Middle Ages. In the Middle Ages the Albanians were somewhere there, though their first mention is in the 11th century (or 12th, I'm not sure). Where were they living? Where are the places they have named after their common words (technically called appellatives)? The south is full -- literally full -- of Slavic place names, especially the areas of Vlora, Tepelena, Skrapar, Mallakaster, Gramsh, Cermenike, Moker, Korce, Erseke.

My personal opinion is that the issue of Albanians descending or not from Illyrians doesn't deserve the interest it has traditionally aroused. There is absolutely NO Illyrian cultural legacy among Albanians today. In a certain sense, Illyrians (with their less fortunate fellows, the Pelasgians) are a pure creation of Albanian romanticism."

Ardian Vebiu
famous Albanian historian

On 17 March 2008 13:43, Pyrros wrote:

> Han Christian Andersen above falls in category 3, most probably, unless he is an alb.

I assume that insult is meant for me?

I don't know what makes one an Albanian. Do you have to be born in Albania? In an ethnic Albanian community? Can one be born in Macedonia and still be Albanian? Or do ones parents have to be Albanian for 3 generations straight? It is soooo difficult with these labels.

In either case, I have to disappoint you. I was born and raised in Denmark, a family tree going back I don't know for how many 100's of years. I don't have a black beard, and I don't eat small children alive.

> He is repeatedly "owned" in these forums,

I am? Sorry, I must not have been paying attention when I was "pwned" here.

> and he never managed to come back with smth clever to say.

Maybe because I don't feel I have to? Words, opinions, and guesswork is all we have here - there is very little fact. I speak my word, and I will let other people decide for themselves if they make sense or not. I can drag the horse to the water, show it the water, but I can not force it to drink. It is the same with you. Some will agree with me, some will perhaps even be able to see a little bit from the other sides perspective, and others will not be moved. C'est la vie as the French says.

Is normal that this journalistic peace raise feelings of support from the serbian community to their people in Mitrovica... However in this article there are some points that raise question marks and concern considering the B92 liberal profile. These radical "reliable" sources we are refering at put a lot of doubts on the reliabitity of the report.
According to B92 sources (unidentified) "UNMIK was allowed to shoot the crowd" (big letters) ... - it doesn't make sense since only few serbs were wonded apparently not from gun shots, and 10s KFOR are hurt in the confrontation.
Or refering to a radical leader as Nikolic that is well known for his incentive speeches: UNMIK is taking orders from Thaci and speculations like this that simply don't make much sense...
If the situation in Mitrovica will be aggravated ... will be the media fault...exactly today ... 4 years after the bloody march incidents that left behind 19 deaths hundreads injured and thousands of demolished buildings and institutions. So let's try not to commit past errors but reather learn from them.

I suggest to ask Mrs Albright to find a solution to solve this mess. Such a brilliant diplomat will certainly find another intelligent way to solve the problems........

According to him, the raid came at UNMIK chief Joachim Ruecker's orders, who got his orders from Hashim Thaci and Fatmir Sejdiu.

That explains the violence, a KLA Terrorist giving orders to Roecker.

It is embarrasing that Fatmir Sejdiu has decided to work with the KLA terrorists trying to create an illegal state.

Someone said a good one:

" If UNMIK people have taken the two Serbian flags from the Courthouse will they also take all of tha Albanian flags across the province since there is a new official Kosovo flag?"

Dorian,
if Serbia does end up losing the territory Kosovo,then you have proved yourself wrong because it was the military might of the Americans that stripped Serbia of Kosovo.
Therefore, war is inevitable and will settle future borders. In hindsight do you believe that the Kosovo issue could have been resolved without the military actions of the USA and her allies???
America's current actions teaches our generations that war is the answer to all.
Why is that the Serbia always has to defend and have a war on her own territroy.

Tom O'Donoghue and Niall O'Doherty......Happy St. Patrick's Day! Erin Go Bragh! And keep your excellent posts coming.

David wrote: Today is the four year-anniversary of an ethnic cleansing against Kosovo Serbs, when Kosovo Albanians tried to “clean” rest of the 1/3 Serbian population which remained in Kosovo after 1999. The result of that Albanian terror was 800 burned Serbian houses, 35 desecrated Serbian orthodox monasteries and churches, and 31 people dead. Latest events in Kosovoska Mitrovica again showed the cynicism of UNMIK and KFOR - who now seem to be under a direct influence of Albanian extremist.

--

When you count the facts and if you don't start with the important ones (if someone is interested in facts here the link http://www.kosovo.mod.uk/50facts.htm), please don't forget at least to mention them. You talk about 35 serb victims, and forget to mention more than 10.000 albanian victims. You talk about albanian extremist and forget that serbia hatched in last two decades three wars and still refuses to deliver war criminals.. Please thin about this things ones again..

Joe, you need to stop. There is 8-10 million Serbs in Serbia. The 300k Hungarians, well they need to learn how to live in Serbia. Vojvodina becoming independent thing, well, if you can convince 75% of the Serb population there to do it then go for it.

The Serbian government is a funny persona.
It begs the West for loans and aids and then goes and uses the money to send its soldiers to Mitrovica (without uniforms that is) or to provide for any "volunteer" who needs free transportation, food and weapons.
Well, now maybe they will not continue to beg the West for money anymore. They have their country's assets to give away to Russia for a fist of dinars.

- No violence - NATO will act!!!

You were a good profet, Princip.

A clear move by Kostunica/Samardzic, which will bring them to win the game on March 11th. It seems that it has to happen. A brilliant move by UNMIK/KFOR. There are things you can't avoid, you only worsen them if you try to avoid them

Jan wrote:
"killed trying to inform me and world about the truth, as far more valuable than a innocent civilian killed by a military force. "

For Jan and its imperialistic friends not all human beings are equal.

No need to push Hans Christian Anderesen any furthur to reveal more from his motives to intervene in Serbian matters.

P.S.
Hans, i dont care if you ignore my posts or not. All i care is to be read by serbs who (in my turn) i consider more knowledgable than some random western "activist".

Mr Hans, the message is clear to all the nations of the west.
Stop your expansionism NOW,
and please refrain from being active with ecology and the salvage of the planet if you cannot even convince that you value human lives.

those are dangerous people.Nato and Un have to be carefully with those terrorists.Thay have no power anymore to do masskilling to kosovars,because of international soldiers.So than the serbian plan is,lets first try to get internationals out.
I just dont understand after so many crimes serbs did,and thay are still tolereted.suck a shame from europa and america.All this trouble come from belgrade.

To all:

To my understanding when the international force went in there was no violence.

The Serb individuals gave themselves up freely. The arrestees were not arrested with excessive force. They were cuffed and put in the padee wagons. None of the Serbians resisted arrest.

So it was a PEACEFUL EVENT, until..........

The other Serbian Folks came in and confronted the International force with the use of rocks, then firecrackers, then grenades, and finally AK-47's. This all occurred outside the courthouse.

Now you can't blame the Serbian folks in general. You have hot headed individuals that are looking at the chance to vent their anger or use the opportunity for personal gain (political or not).

Getting to the Artisahri plan, the Serbs would have their own govt, in their own municipalities, they would be aided by Serbia proper, would have dual citizenship, and wouldn't lose any benefits they currently have or HAD.

They actually would be funded by two budgets the Kosovo/a budget and by Serbia proper's budget. This would aid them economically, spiritually, and educationally.

Resolution 1244 would be in affect and they would have more to gain then the Albanians on the southern part of the Ibar River.

Imagine getting 2 salaries instead of one. WOW!

It’s ironic that most of those soldiers hurt were of Slavic blood!

And never trust any politician on any side.

Peace to all and a speedy recovery to all those injured!

Kiko

Svovo,

Did you really think that all those "peaceful" Serbs will get away with this latest provocation orchestrated from Belgrade?
I find that UNMIK/KFOR showed a lot of maturity and patience for waiting so long before taking the right action.

"Dorian",

True Dorians are the cretans, the pontians, and the tsakons,
as well as maniates.
Dorians were/are the most brave of the Greeks and are identical in spirit with Serbs.

Dorian, whould you share with me your ethnicity?

If you are greek as me (i dont think so), then what should we do if:
We lost EU funding
Western support (no more american guns)
Thrace forcefully taken by the turks
USA destroyed athens by bombing

HUH?

Would advocate peace in that case?

shame.

Question to the pro K-albanian camp:

Bearing in mind the precedence of the K-albanian Unilateral Declaration of Independence, what possible justification can K-albanians have for claiming the parts of Kosovo, in which serbs are a majority, and which are adjacent to Serbia proper?

Have asked this before, but as yet, no-one has provided a coherent answer.

Ladies & gentlemen (& others), to claim something for oneself, while denying it to others, is the rankest hypocrisy.

From what I read, it looks like that Serbs are the most innocent people and everybody else around evil...
Well, I don't think that the solution is so simple my dear neighbors; Serbs too are guilty of many crimes, at least during these last 15 years in the Balkans.
I don't agree with violence, from any side, including here Albanians as well. I don't think that 120 000 thousands Serbs living in northern KOSOVO will manage to change the route of the independence as well.
One thing is clear; KOSOVO recognition process is moving forward and is backed from several powerful states. So these new scenarios written down from Kostunica or Nikolic are not helping the remaining Serbs in KOSOVO improve their lives, but its isolating and impoverishing them.
I think that for the moment there is not much left to be done and certainly violent riots will not resolve KOSOVO historical problem within the day. What everybody can do is to contribute to the further development and collaborations among the states of the region.

Tyler,

“… Serbs… minorities have to fear being under their control. It is again a sign of Serbia's understanding of their own history and guilt in war, not to hand over war criminals to the ICJ. The whole country is so not ready for a peaceful future. People seem so obsessed with nationalism, … “

small reality check for you: Serbia is most multicultural of all the states of former Yugoslavia. Serbia is the only one that didn’t expelled minorities, Croats, Bosnian Muslims and Croats, and Kosovo Albanians did. There are one million Serb refugees in Serbia, victims of Croatian, Bosnian and “Kosovar” nationalistic extremism. Protecting territorial integrity of your country isn’t nationalism. To
be outraged because of ethnic cleansing of so many of your people is not nationalism.

“If a soft partition (two entities in a federation, the Cyprus model) is the only way to maintain an independent Kosova with a complete partition then that is the only way. It will not be achieved by even further deepening the hostility between the two peoples which was created by Milosevic and co.
(DimTuc, 18 March 2008 12:35)”

DimTuc,

I don’t know why they’d censor that either.

However, surely you know the issues in Kosovo go back much further than Milosevic. We Serbs were the victims of genocide in the area in WWII. Before that, the Albanians got the short end of the stick, before that, etc etc etc…

At least you seem to understand the situation. Its going to be partition no matter what. I only wish we had discussed it in a peaceful manner beforehand. We could have made a deal to trade Presevo in exchange for some concessions on our historic sites.

However, it seems the Kosovar Albanians wanted independence at any cost, regardless of whether they could have given a little bit up in exchange for helping their Albanian brothers elsewhere.

They say Kosovo is the last chapter in the Yugoslav drama. I think its just the beginning of Volume II.

On 17 March 2008 16:54, Pyrros wrote:

> Mr Hans Christian Andersen,
do you equalize the SYSTEMATIC destructions/killings/interventions of nations/lives by USA with the ONE (1, I (in latin)) murder in Russia?

My Pyrros, I don't know if this is your real name, but Jan Andersen is MY REAL NAME, so I kindly ask you use that in any further correspondence with me. Anything else will be taken as a personal insult, and your message will be promptly ignored.

I don't want to compare 1 lost live with 1000 lost lives, but if we have to, I equal one dead journalist, killed trying to inform me and world about the truth, as far more valuable than a innocent civilian killed by a military force.

We could also start talking about the indiscriminate killing and terror of civilians perpetrated by Russian soldiers in Chenya, but that would be so off topic, right?

Jan, you asked where I’m from. I am a Serb living (mostly) in Serbia now. I was born and lived big part of my life in the part of SFR Yugoslavia which is now Croatia. I lived and worked for extended periods in Greece, Germany and The Netherlands.

My favorite politic - economic system would be strong social – democracy.

In hindsight, it wasn't really hard to foresee that things might not be so sweet for independent Kosovo. Even less so for UN and EU in Kosovo. However all this does make me wonder, what's next and what kind of support might be expected from Serbia? I suppose Kostunica hasn't commented on the clashes?

ALI says ---“To bmrusila:

This was your comment yesterday, once again you have been proven wrong.

I suggest you stop writing
since you obviously don't know what you are talking about.


-Now Ali, the saddest thing is that you were not even able to give your opinion the matter, you even did not try to, whether you are going to be wrong or right in estimation. Your suggestions that I should stop writing the posts or even worse having an opinion, is called suppression. Perhaps you have some suppressive personality with tendency to develop in dictatorship.

I feel sorry for your closest family members, friends and associates. I also hope that your character does not represent the real Albanian (since none of the posters here) ever suggested anything similar to anyone. Or, at least I haven’t witnessed.

Arben (#116)

Place your bet. I’d be quite happy to relieve you of your money.
Tomás Ó Donnchadha is ainm dom as Gaeilge.
On second thoughts, keep it, you’ll lose.

I wrote a much longer comment earlier today (which sadly has not been chosen for publication) about how people organising a protest should know that while they themselves want to make a peaceful protest, there will always be other people that seizes upon any chance to turn it into a violent protest. As was the case here. UNMIK and KFOR forces were attacked by the crowd, and they had to respond. You Serbs of all people, with your talk about pride, should understand that KFOR could not just let this pass.

Princip> use of violence at the orders of not Rucker but US supported KLA terrorist Thaci!!!

Proof please. A quote by some Serbian spokesperson does not constitute proof in my book.


> If Jan Anderson you cant see the hypocrisy and greater flawed principle in the US condemnation of China for its actions to bring peace and stability internally (snip)

Oh - I can see plenty of American, European, Asian, Australien - your name it - hypocrisy every day, all over the world. But just because the US does something deceitful, does not give "the other side" to do the same. Both sides should be condemned when it happens.

> Oh what a tangled web we weave...

Yes.

Joe: "Did you really think that all those "peaceful" Serbs will get away with this latest provocation orchestrated from Belgrade?
I find that UNMIK/KFOR showed a lot of maturity and patience for waiting so long before taking the right action."

So do you suggest that UNMIK/KFOR initially go in there with guns live or something? Or actually take orders from someone that is not Thaci?
If anything, look at the date. Sure, its St. patty's...Woo...but is also the anniversary of pogroms from three years ago.
If anything, let the protestors stink of the place for another day.
It was a stupid, retard decision. Don't believe me? Let's just keep paying attention to the news.

It's a really tentative and heated situation. It needed a really cautious approach.
Not some balls out, rodeo death metal show of force. For that, they get UNMIK get an epic fail.

And if this is something orchastrated from Belgrade, like you seem to think it is, you don't play into their game.
They just Eugene Bull Connor'ed their way into there.

On 17 March 2008 15:01, Stevan from ??? wrote:

> So, who are your friends Jan?.

Frankly - I don't know. I was on the streets 5 years ago, before the war in Iraq began, protesting against the threat of invasion and the made-up "proofs" by the American government.

And I am scared about the way the US government treat the prisoners in Guantanomo, knowing that if I arrive at an US airport, I could be treated the same way, because apparently the US administration don't think foreigners has the right to justice as US citizens.

I am appalled by the crack-down and killing of journalist in Russia, appalled by the Putin effectively prevented an open and fair election campaign using his control of the media.

I am appalled by the way China behaves, both internally and in occupied Tibet.

If I had to choose a new country to call my home, I guess it would be Canada. They seem to be decent people up there, not as gun-happy as the Americans, with a decent wellfare system, and with a positive attitude towards immigrants.

Is everyone ready for a history lesson?
During the Neolithic period, the region of Kosovo lay within the extent of the Vinča-Turdaº culture. In the 4th to 3rd centuries BC, it was the territory of the Thraco-Illyrian (Albanian Descent) tribe of the Dardani, forming part of the kingdom of Illyria. The Illyrians were conquered by Rome in the 160s BC, and made the Roman province of Illyricum in 59 BC. The Kosovo region became part of Moesia Superior in AD 87. The Slavic migrations reached the Balkans in the 6th to 7th century. The area was absorbed into the Byzantine empire in the 850s. As the center of Slavic resistance to Constantinople in the region, it often switched between Serbian and Bulgarian rule on one hand and Byzantine on the other until the Serb principality of Rascia conquered it by the end of the 11th century.

In the 1389 Battle of Kosovo, Ottoman forces defeated a coalition led by Lazar Hrebeljanović. In 1402 a Serbian Despotate was raised and Kosovo became its richest territory, famous for mines. The local House of Branković came to prominence as the local lords of Kosovo, under Vuk Branković, with the temporary fall of the Serbian Despotate in 1439. During the first fall of Serbia Novo Brdo and Kosovo offered last resistance to the invading Ottomans in 1441, in 1455 it was finally and fully conquered by the Ottoman Empire.

In 1871, a Serbian meeting was held in Prizren at which the possible retaking and reintegration of Kosovo and the rest of "Old Serbia" was discussed, as the Principality of Serbia itself had already made plans for expansions towards Ottoman territory. In 1878, a Peace Accord was drawn that left the cities of Priština and Kosovska Mitrovica under civil Serbian control, and outside Ottoman jurisdiction, while the rest of Kosovo remained under Ottoman control. As a response, ethnic Albanians formed the League of Prizren, pursuing political aspirations of a unified Albanian people under the Ottoman umbrella. By the end of the 19th century the Albanians replaced the Serbs as the dominant people within the current Kosovo territory, though not the entire Ottoman Province
The Young Turk movement supported a centralist rule and opposed any sort of autonomy desired by Kosovars, and particularly the Albanians. In 1910, an Albanian uprising spread from Priština and lasted until the Ottoman Sultan's visit to Kosovo in June of 1911. In 1912, during the Balkan Wars, most of Kosovo was taken by the Kingdom of Serbia, while the region of Metohija (Albanian: Dukagjini Valley) was taken by the Kingdom of Montenegro. An exodus of the local Albanian population occurred. This was described by Leon Trotsky, who was a reporter for the Pravda newspaper at the time. The Serbian authorities planned a recolonization of Kosovo.[7] Numerous colonist Serb families moved into Kosovo, equalizing the demographic balance between Albanians and Serbs. Kosovo's status within Serbia was finalised the following year at the Treaty of London. [8]
Kosovo gained internal autonomy in the 1960s. In the 1974 constitution
During the 1980s, ethnic tensions continued with frequent violent outbreaks against Serbs and Yugoslav state authorities resulting in increased emigration of Kosovo Serbs and other ethnic groups.[10][11] The Yugoslav leadership tried to suppress protests of Kosovo Serbs seeking protection from ethnic discrimination and violence
Serbs say they have claim because of religious, Kosovars say they have claim.
No one has claim and everyone has claim. Solobo’s lost Kosovo for what he did to Yugoslavia. Ultranationalists are in the same category as religious extremist who say there doing it for the better go of all or god has spoken. The only people that suffer are the ones who just try to make ends meet. I have travel recently thru Kosovo to Mitrovica and meet with Kosovo Serbs they just want to move on with there live’s. they just want something better for they kids. Like all intelligent people breed hate and you will always have hate.

Not sure why B92 consistently refuses to publish my comments these days, especialy given that I never use ethnic insults and such that many on both sides get away with here regularly. So anyway, I suppose I'll just try again to send what I sent 24 hours ago, I can't see the problem with it:

As a supporter of total independence of Kosova (and not just the semi-independence its got now), I want to register my total condemnation of this act by UNMIK and KFOR. It is absurd for posters here, thinking people, both Albanian and serb and supporters, to simply take a stand on every issue based on which team you support, regardless of specifics and principles. A foreign army does not have the right to remove protesting workers, even if their action of occupying a courthouse is technicaly illegal. Still less is it sensible, even if ot had been an action by the Kosova govt's own forces, especially in the current context.
It is a pity that in al these days of this protest, noone on eithyer side of this debate has sought to shed light on the background to the dispute, of why they were jected in the first place in 1999, and I don't ust mean "they were ejected because of their ethnicity", which might be right, or may not be, but what was the official reason at least (ie, did they previously eject Albanian lawyers? ?), and what is the basis of employment of lawyers, and particualrly in the obviously Serb part of town anyway, and why aren't there (apparently) negotiations, etc etc, instead all we've heard here is a whilelot of barracking one way or another.
K Albanians need to realise that K Serbs have the same right to s-d as they do, and much as I am utterly opposed to complete partition, it cannot be avoided by force, any more than Serbia was able to avoid losing Kosova in the first place by force. A real independence can only be based on reforging somekind of basic agreement, if not love, between the two main peoples who live there. UNMIK trops have shot Albanians enough times and will again. If a soft partition (two entities in a federation, the Cyprus model) is the only way to maintain an independent Kosova with a complete partition then that is the only way. It will not be achieved by even further deepening the hostility between the two peoples which was created by Milosevic and co.

I have a question to all posters who say that this was a breach of 1244 Resolution. Please, can you explain for the sake of truth; why Serbs entered into the building and took off the UN Flag and put the Serbian one, why didn’t they do it, let’s say a year ago? How come that just a week after Serbian FM said at UN SC called for UN 1244 resolution to be respected, Serbs in Mitrovica enter the court? Isn’t this a breach?!
I don’t want to speculate or anything, but all these things seem to be some dirty political games, which unfortunately directly impact on the lives of ordinary people. I really feel sorry for the wounded Police, Soldiers and Serbian people. I wish to all of them quick recovery, and I really hope that Serbian people will start seeing things as they really are, not as they are served to them by their political leaders!

On 17 March 2008 18:08, Stevan wrote:

> Jan, you asked where I’m from.

Yeah, well, I guess I did. Some of you might be able to distinguish between nationalities based on your names, but I am totally lost and don't have a clue if Stevan, Kushtrim, Gjon Kari, Stavro, Petar, Pavle, Laki and Olf are Serb, Albanians, Croats, or something else.

From your description, you should feel right at home in Denmark, Sweden or Norway. In each of these countries, the Social Democrats consistently gets 30-40% of the votes and with the support of the Greens, and occasionally the left, heads the government for long periods of time. The downside of this is high taxes. Denmark currently leads the Nordic tax league, having just overtaken Sweden, with something like 49% in income tax!

Dorian,
Unfortunately, I think it is more accurate to say that war is not the solution ONLY if your Serbian.

MIKE,
If the same people (who you suggest rushed the Kosovars to declare independence)had waited to intervene in Kosova in '98,'99 there wouldn't be any Kosovars left for they would have been "cleansed out".
If they had waited not to recognize Kosova they would not respect the desire of the overwhelming majority in Kosova. Actually, that would have sent Kosova back under Serbian (ruthless)rule.
Unmik did what 1244 tells them to do, to crush any lawlesness or violence on whichever side of Iber. The same 1244 that Jeremic was fighting "tooth and nail" for.

Please stop twisting the facts. UNMIK and KFOR didn't start the attacks. They went to arrest the people occupying the courts peacefully, and in democracy they undergo a fair trial to determine whether they commited illegal activities. It was uncalled to be attacked my mobs of people and I don't see why would anyone support such acts. I don't think those people that were arrasted today will get anything more then a "slap in a wrist". So I don't see any human rights violations anywhere as some posters claim here.
As some posters claiming here that KFOR and UNMIK are having douple standards I don't see it and here's why. First of all, they also used force against the mobs of albanians trying to disrupt the peace. However, they weren't as successeful in containing the situation only becuase the riots in 2004 happened all around Kosova and the KFOR and UNMIK forces had to deal with riots in numerous fronts. I also want to mention that most of Kosova's polititians condoned the acts of violence and burning of monasteries (including the "KLA terrorist" as some claim here without any facts). On the other hand, I haven't heard any serb polititians from Belgrade or Kosova condoning attacks of UNMIK and KFOR.
Its interesting how some serbians living in western countries are so prone to violence and ready to fight till their last breath(from the comfort of their home miles away of course-pun intended) while lots of serbians from Serbia(as far as I can see from the comments posted in serbian) are ready to move on and try to finally better their lives and are tired of war after war for decades now.
To Tom O'Donoghue,
maybe I'm wrong but I'd bet a lot of money that that's not your real name.

In Australia, it doesn't matter what your background is, you're an Aussie first and foremost. And believe me, there are a heap of different cultures in this fair land living happily together and proud to be identified as Aussies. The same goes in the USA, Canada and, I guess, all civilized countries with civilized people. Why then, in the Balkans, even if you're born in Serbia and your parents are born in Serbia, but you have Albanian heritage, you're an Albanian first and foremost? Even if an Albanian has moved far from home to Germany, for example, where they work, pay taxes and are free citizens, they still consider themselves Albanian before anything else. Can anyone here on this chat board explain this to me?

Randy McDonald,
why is that every post you make is totally infactual. Please back up your rediculous statements with facts. Randy, from your conclusions it seems that all former states a fairly multicultural. Maybe, you should be the Poster Boy in intergrating and bringing back the Former States of Jugoslavia as a whole.

Hey this reminds me when Solobodan Milosevic's went to Kosovo. Remember this?

Although the ethnic composition of the Kosovo Assembly was over 70 percent Albanian, Kosovo-Albanian nationalists reacted violently to the constitutional amendments. The UPI wire service reported that "unrest began [in Kosovo] when amendments were approved returning to Serbia control over the province's police, courts, national defense and foreign affairs ... mass demonstrations turned into violent street rioting when demonstrators began using firearms against police." According to the report the rioting killed 29 people and injured 30 policemen and 97 civilians

Milošević was sent to address a crowd of Serbs in Kosovo Polje on April 24, 1987. While Milošević was talking to the leadership inside the local cultural hall demonstrators outside clashed with the local Kosovo-Albanian police force.

Milošević heard the commotion and was sent outside to calm the situation. A videotape of the event shows Milošević responding to complaints from the crowd that the police were beating people by saying "You will not be beaten". Later that evening, Serbian television aired the video of Milošević's encounter.
The Federal Secretariat of the SFRY Interior Ministry however, condemned the police's use of rubber truncheons as not in keeping within the provisions of Articles 100 and 101 of the rules of procedure for "conducting the work of law enforcement", they had found that "the total conduct of the citizenry in the mass rally before the cultural hall in Kosovo Polje cannot be assessed as negative or extremist. There was no significant violation of law and order.
Stambolić, after his reign as President, said that he had seen that day as "the end of Yugoslavia".

So it starts with the shoe on the other foot.
Same thing different people the solobo’s legacy continues

"to Stevan, post 01

You asked:"Could you provide some source of accurate information on these numbers?"
And wrote:
"Court in Den Haag sent a mission of experts to investigate crimes in Kosovo. They were very motivated to find proofs for the prosecution. Despite very intensive search, all help from Albanians, almost unlimited finance, they found just over 2 000 victims of all nationalities in Kosovo. That’s only verifiable investigation I’m aware off. I would be very grateful to you if you can point some other serious source of information".

Now, my question to you, could you provide some source of accurate information on these numbers?
(Peace, 18 March 2008 09:31) "

Think I know what his source was so will answer.

Was ICTY mission back in 2000 & 2001. Figure was about 2,788. Actual ICTY reports only specify totals for individual years of 2000 & 2001, but that's what they add up to. In addition, ICRC 'book of the missing' publication for Kosovo of that time had about 3,525 people missing.

But these figures are out of date.

Latest ICRC publication now puts missing at 2,047. Not sure what the death toll stands at now, but remember reading something from some US officious type in some paper who quoted 4,600. Don't remember source, but seems about right as (2,788 + 3,525) ~ (4,600 + 2,047).

regards,

Marco, Amsterdam

Kosovo has been recognized as independent state by a relatively small number of countries. Does this make Kosovo a state?

No, but only a fact that Kosova is self-administered makes a state, only a fact that Kosova has its military and police forces makes a state, only a fact that Kosova has its government, president, parliament and other institution makes a state, not to mention fact that Kosova has been, so far, recognized by 29 countries, most powerful countries, some of whom, actually, brought Kosova at this stage in 1912 / 13. That’s what makes Kosova a state.

NEWS FLASH:
A U.S. State Dept. official confirmed to media sources, that Hashim Thaçi and other leaders of the newly formed state of Kosovo, will answer directly to the U.S.Govt.
The Kosovo leadership will be provided with directives that serve in the best interest of the U.S.
Failure to strictly adhere to policies formed in Washington will result in severe consequences.
This includes removing obstacles that allows War Crime Charges to be filed against Thaçi and those who do not follow U.S. directives.
And additional action by the U.S. may include not supporting Kosovo's statehood at the UN.

------------

You will never be independent. You are now a colony of the U.S. and EU and will be governed by them ad infinitum.
Your new government cannot pass laws or do anything a free country is allowed unless it is approved by the U.S. and EU.
Your new dictator Pres. Bush, along with the EU and countries that support your independence, will take your oil and other natural resources.
They will pay you starvation wages to work in the oil fields and mines while highly-paid outsiders will be your new bosses.
In the meantime, you will dance in the streets and wave Albanian flags and celebrate your independence.
Wake up - you have been surreptitiously conquered by modern-day Crusaders.
You are now Soulless-Indentured-Slaves to your new Capitalistic Christian Masters.

Gentelmens
im glad everyone here can say their thoughts
But from now on Law and Orders From Kosova must be respect other wise they will punisht dosent matter are they Kosovars,serbs minority or others.
Peace via Vancouver Canada

I find it completely amusing that the US is portrayed as the devil in Kosova. America recognizes Kosova because America recognizes the need for Kosava to move forward as an independent nation. Being a protectorate of the UN for eternity serves no rational purpose. I've spent a considerable amount of time in the Balkans, primarily Croatia, BiH, Montenegro and Serbia. The Serbia government just doesn't get it! Boris Tadic would be reasonable in protecing the rights of Kosovans, I believe, but when you have folks like Kostunica pushing this and shoving Serboslavia part II down the throats of all the nations in the Balkans, there is no reason Kosova should wait. My only concern is the consistent wimpyness and ineffectiveness of French peacekeepers and other from EULEX, KFOR etc. in protecting Kosovans, whether or not they are ethnic Albanian or Serb. Thaci will protect minority rights if Serbs will let him. I trust him far more than people like Kostunica. The Serbs trashed BiH just like they trashed Croatia. And yes, there is plenty of blame to go around, so don't blog on and give me a lecture about that, too. I've seen the destruction.

If only the Serbian government would lead to protect all groups rights, but I've yet to see the will to do so. And it gets worse. There are not enough Boris Tadic's in Serbia in leadership roles.
And I think President Bush is an idiot as well, and I didn't vote for him. So I'll hope for Barack Obama to lead America and work towards better relations with Europe, the Balkans and others.

another Canadian Serb,

Since when has Serbia 10 million Serbs? It is no more than 7 millions. I discount 0,5 million minorities, specially the 300,000 Hungarians.

I think serbs has right not to cooperate with kosova institutions or UN or KFOR. It is their rights. But to occupy buildings of these institutions? I would leave serbs to make their ilegal institutions out of Kosova institutions in privat houses and financed by them why not. If they dont want to be part of Kosova they can live how they want. Kosova will not take care about financing their institutions. If Serbia wants to help them they can do it but acting with fully cooperation with Kosova. They can not do anything they want in our country.

Another Canadian Serb,

You refer to the countries that recognized Kosovo as a “handful”. USA, GB, France, Italy, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Denmark and Germany are some of the countries which don’t deserve, at least politically-economically-and from the military point of view don’t deserve to be referred as “handful”. I think you should reconsider this.

Another number you are wrong about is the 250 000 victims of the war in Kosovo. I hope you are not confusing the total figure with the one in BiH.

I fully agree that nobody has right to claim part of any country’s territory, but something undeniable happened in KOSOVO in 1998, and Albanians were directly influenced from it.
As for the fact that 10 000 000 Serbs are ready to die for they country, that is not something that distinguishes Serbs from other ethnicities in the Balkans. Along with Serbs also Albanians, Greeks, Macedonians, Bosnians, Croatians, Bulgarians, Turks and Montenegrins are ready as well.
This time there is not KLA and a handful of KOSOVO Albanians in KOSOVO, there are a “handful” of countries which protect the province.
YOU shouldn’t be proud that your people are ready to go at WAR. No one should.
Let find a real solution then, for everybody living down there. WAR IS NOT THE ONE.

During the Vetvendosja protest lats year, two Albanians were shot by UNMIK, i cant believe that Serbian government is complaining about the way UMNIK handled the situation. I wonder if Albanians in Preshevo did the same, how would the Serbian Police reac???. OMG!!!!!!

I find it still rather curious how Serbs behave like a crowd of Afghans after reading the Danish cartoons. That somehow demonstrates what minorities have to fear being under their control. It is again a sign of Serbia's understanding of their own history and guilt in war, not to hand over war criminals to the ICJ. The whole country is so not ready for a peaceful future. People seem so obsessed with nationalism, forgetting that every nationalism has a ugly face for those who are excluded. To my point of view, the Serbian riots just demonstrate how right the independence of Kosovo was. Maybe Serbs and Albans are not made to live peacefully together. Solution: Divide them.

Regards!

I have some questions for all those who say that these acts were breach of 1244 Resolution. You must remember when Serbian FM spoke at UN SC just a week ago calling for the 1244 to be respected. How come now, few days latter, Serbs enter the court house and take off the UN flag and replace it with the Serbian one? Isn’t this a breach?! And, why didn’t they do this, let’s say a year or two years ago?
I don’t want to speculate or anything, but to me these are some dirty political games, which unfortunately impact lives of ordinary people. I really feel sorry for the wounded and wish all of them (KFOR Soldiers, UNMIK Police and Serbs) quick recovery.
I hope Serbian people will start seeing things as they really are and note take them as they are being served by their own political leaders!

It is all about getting as much territory as possible and join with Serbia. UNMIK didnt arrest innocent civilians.
And the Intl. Community takes orders from Kosovo Gov. because they recognise it unlike Serbia who doesent!
Serbs have two choices: Live with dignity in Kosovo, or play dirty games of Kostunica & Co.

to Stevan, post 01

You asked:"Could you provide some source of accurate information on these numbers?"
And wrote:
"Court in Den Haag sent a mission of experts to investigate crimes in Kosovo. They were very motivated to find proofs for the prosecution. Despite very intensive search, all help from Albanians, almost unlimited finance, they found just over 2 000 victims of all nationalities in Kosovo. That’s only verifiable investigation I’m aware off. I would be very grateful to you if you can point some other serious source of information".

Now, my question to you, could you provide some source of accurate information on these numbers?

"small reality check for you: Serbia is most multicultural of all the states of former Yugoslavia. Serbia is the only one that didn’t expelled minorities, Croats, Bosnian Muslims and Croats, and Kosovo Albanians did."

Not strictly true. Slovenia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_Slovenia

is 83% Slovene by population, most of the remainder of the population being SFRY-era immigrants.

Croatia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_Croatia

is now nearly 90% Croat by population, up from 85% before the wars.

Bosnia-Herzegovina

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_Bosnia_and_Herzegovina

does evidence a stronger Muslim plurality than before (47% now versus 42% then) but that seems to be substantially because of the migration of Bosnian Croats to Croatia. The republika Srpska from 54% in 1991 to 97% (!) in 1996. In the Bosnian federation, Bosniaks and Croats together made up 74% in 1991 and 94% in 1996.

Macedonia's population

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_the_Republic_of_Macedonia

has remained about as mixed before, with the titular nationality making up 64% of the total.

Now, in Serbia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographic_history_of_Serbia#2002_census_in_Serbia_.28excluding_Kosovo.29

the Serb proportion has risen from 80 to 83%. Half of the non-Serbs live in central Serbia, which is 90% Serb by popualtion. The other half live in Vojvodina, where the Serb proportion has risen from 57% in 1991 to 65% now.

What can be concluded from this? Serbia is relatively multicultural, yes, but its multiculturalism isn't unique in the former Macedonia is as diverse as Vojvodina province, Slovenia is as diverse as Yugoslavia as a whole, and Croatia is as diverse as inner Serbia. What's more, Vojvodina is becoming steadily less diverse as Macedonia is becoming more so.

"Serbia is the only one that didn’t expelled minorities,"

That's actually a pretty normal thing to do. States fighting ethnic wars tend not to visibly oppress people behind their own safe borders because it would make the general population think. Thus, Israeli Arabs get civil and political rights, Croats and Magyars aren't driven out of their homes in large numbers, and Serbs could survive in Zagreb (with difficulty) if they assimilated. It's beyond the lines of control that anything becomes possible. As it happens, almost all of Bosnia-Herzegovina and most of the Serb-populated areas of Croatia and Kosovo had been placed beyond the line of control by a Milosevic government with maximalist gains and little concern over methods. Is it surprising that, when it lost, it lost totally?

Riots or a resistence..... This situation reminds me the revoking of Kosovo Autonmy on 1989 and it is still a fresh memory when my dad and all the albanians were kicked out from their jobs on this time. They say what goes around comes around, but the situation is quite different though now, coz the UNMIK, neither the Kosovo government did not want to fire the serbs working at the Mitrovica municipal court, but as you have all heard the MUP people were there to occupy the building and of course such a situation is not tolerated..... I am really sorry for the injured ones, but I would kindly ask all the people in Kosovo to leave with the reality and look forward to the bright future.The MUP presence on the court proves the insrumentalizing of Kosovo Serbs by Belgrade government, which believe me will never get us to right path

State of Law finally made the right move in securing entire territory of Kosovo. It is the right move forward, it's the message that everyone should understand clearly: The time when Serbians could act with violante in non-consistence with the Law is behind us, and the Serbians have to make clear decisions here, do they want to live peacefully in Kosovo or be prepared to take the consequences. I hope they'll make the right decission otherwise state has every right to defend his territory and his property.

Albanian police should be sent to calm the crowd.

Sooner Serbia and Serbs realize that Kosova is a state, recognized by 27th countries, inducing biggest superpowers and leading democracies of the world, better their life will be.

Hooliganism won’t be tolerated, throwing bombs, shooting at UNMIK/KFOR personnel wont tolerated.

That is completely normal. The protestors should know what is going to happen if they occupied the institutions. Even worst happened to VETVENDOSJA (two people killed - 10.Feb.'07) only because UNMIK thought their intention was to get inside the Parliament.

This is it. The time to put the order in place against the ordinary criminals has come.
The Independent country of Kosova has given enough time to serb minority to release their anger. Now it is time to calm down and work together towards peace and prosperity

What is going on in Mitrovica is really sad!

I want to know, how do you serbian guys commenting here, feel while you are sitting on your chair and writing and your poor brothers are in prisons and/or hospitals?
I guess you are laughin and saying "How stupid they are".

To bad guys, i feel really sorry for them.

Kudos to KFOR troops! The Kosovar people know thay can count on you guys...

Another Canadian Serb wrote: This whole Kosovo issue has nothing to do with International Law, but has everything to do with destroying all that is Serbian. The balance of scales will never tip on Serbia's side, no matter what the issue. This current situation is all about dominating Serbia and all that it stands for.

You must not forget one thing: Each land belongs to it's population, and in kosova lives more then 90% albanians therefore it is not serbian but albanian. And please stop talking about law because serbia and law dosent fit together.
All this trouble and terrorist acts commited by serbs is lead by kostunica and your government.

To Dave:
Everything depends on your point of view, since Mika was talking about the independent republic of Kosovo he/she was thinking of its legitimate right to protect its population against criminals. Serbia lost its control of Kosovo in 1999, you can thank the Milosevic family for that.

To Marco from Amsterdam:

What makes a country independent?

I love this question, I can't have right and neither can you, you might think you have, but you can't have right, because in the view of realists, the system is anarchic. We have no world government, we have leading countries (USA, Russia and so on), but no government. We have sovereign countries that make their choices based on national criteria, and based on these Kosovo is independent in the eyes of 27 countries, one being mine, Danmark and another being yours the Netherlands.

I don’t understand this, in one way serbs want resolution 1244 to be respected but simultaneously argue that it should not when they are surprised that KFOR restores law and order in the whole territory of Kosovo. I have read 1244 over and over, never have there been any paragraph stating that the law should not apply to the north and to the minority of Kosovo.

This is the most democratic move that has happened in Kosovo since independence; I wish for the restoring of law and order to continue, in the whole of Kosovo.

I pray for the soldiers and policemen that risk their life in the line of duty!

Let’s see if UNMIK has enough guts to use the force against Serbs after warnings from Russia. The one must say them to get used to it........ And war criminal such as Hashim Tachi should have no say and ask for any order restoring by the UNMIK.
(bmrusila, 16 March 2008 17:37)

To bmrusila:

This was your comment yesterday, once again you have been proven wrong.

I suggest you stop writing
since you obviously don't know what you are talking about.

On 17 March 2008 10:19, Princip, UK wrote:

> Ironic that the UN 'peacekeepers' is utilised in such a violent way - they are now acting no differently to the Chinese crack down in Tibet (snip)

Hey now! Don't critize the Chinese. They are your friends remember? Your future ally and trading partner. Possibly investing in a big car manufacturing plant in Serbia.

As I wrote some time ago: Tell me who your friends are, and I will tell you who you are.

Calm down guys, 1244 is being respected like most of you wanted at UN SC. EULEX is a better option, take it.

This is action is to bring order to violently and illegally seized institution. Attack on law and order and on law enforcement units will definitely triggers some kind of action. Headline could say as well” Serbs restore to violence”
I just wonder why this happened on this day?
Why the same police forces allowed then to enter the building at first place?

To me, this month seems to be decisive for Serbian politics in Kosova.

those are dangerous people.Nato and Un have to be carefully with those terrorists.Thay have no power anymore to do masskilling to kosovars,because of international soldiers.So than the serbian plan is,lets first try to get internationals out.
I just dont understand after so many crimes serbs did,and thay are still tolereted.suck a shame from europa and america.All this trouble come from belgrade.

Can you guys stick to one story? First UNMIK was an occupaying force and after February 17 2008 UNMIK is valid force and now I hear a coment from one of Serb posters that UNMIK should disband. which is which guys???

This is Kostunica's 'secret plan' to push UNMIK's back against the wall and provoke violent clashes.

The Serbian government is a funny persona.
It begs the West for loans and aids and then goes and uses the money to send its soldiers to Mitrovica (without uniforms that is) or to provide for any "volunteer" who needs free transportation, food and weapons.
Well, now maybe they will not continue to beg the West for money anymore. They have their country's assets to give away to Russia for a fist of dinars.

From what I read, it looks like that Serbs are the most innocent people and everybody else around evil...
Well, I don't think that the solution is so simple my dear neighbors; Serbs too are guilty of many crimes, at least during these last 15 years in the Balkans.
I don't agree with violence, from any side, including here Albanians as well. I don't think that 120 000 thousands Serbs living in northern KOSOVO will manage to change the route of the independence as well.
One thing is clear; KOSOVO recognition process is moving forward and is backed from several powerful states. So these new scenarios written down from Kostunica or Nikolic are not helping the remaining Serbs in KOSOVO improve their lives, but its isolating and impoverishing them.
I think that for the moment there is not much left to be done and certainly violent riots will not resolve KOSOVO historical problem within the day. What everybody can do is to contribute to the further development and collaborations among the states of the region.

It never stops with the Serbians it seams. In all Yugoslavia they were the minority's in control and they dragged everyone down, but dont be fooled that with Kosovos Serb minority you will control the majority again.
How is Serbia proper by the way because everybody seems to know all the gossip and predictions?

I'm really amazed how u people still protect these huligans so called "demostrations for their rights" to get back their jobs in the mitrovica's court house!! please give me a break!!! this is not about taking their jobs back,this is an atempt to anexation of the north part from the Serb goverment using normal life people as a tool,what u guys exept from UMNIK,KFOR or KPS to do?sit and watch these huligans ?what would be the reaction of serbian police if we had same situation in presevo valley?? I bet that u woult send tanks and fighters there.

to dave;
please quit the propaganda,it doesn't wok anymore,we all know what happened in march 2004,what do u exept from angry people after three kids drowned in the ibar river (the forth one escaped)?give them medalions??and We apologizied for what happened wich Serbia never did it despite starting four wars in the balca and killing hundreds of thousands people.
I'm very suprised with the calm of Albanian people there,KPS should take the matter in their hands to restore the situation,Serbs are used with the Europeans to scrub their back ignoring what Serbiadid to the whole balcan region in 90s,they won't get that from Albanians that's for sure

David wrote: Today is the four year-anniversary of an ethnic cleansing against Kosovo Serbs, when Kosovo Albanians tried to “clean” rest of the 1/3 Serbian population which remained in Kosovo after 1999. The result of that Albanian terror was 800 burned Serbian houses, 35 desecrated Serbian orthodox monasteries and churches, and 31 people dead. Latest events in Kosovoska Mitrovica again showed the cynicism of UNMIK and KFOR - who now seem to be under a direct influence of Albanian extremist.

--

When you count the facts and if you don't start with the important ones (if someone is interested in facts here the link http://www.kosovo.mod.uk/50facts.htm), please don't forget at least to mention them. You talk about 35 serb victims, and forget to mention more than 10.000 albanian victims. You talk about albanian extremist and forget that serbia hatched in last two decades three wars and still refuses to deliver war criminals.. Please thin about this things ones again..

I have a question to all posters who say that this was a breach of 1244 Resolution. Please, can you explain for the sake of truth; why Serbs entered into the building and took off the UN Flag and put the Serbian one, why didn’t they do it, let’s say a year ago? How come that just a week after Serbian FM said at UN SC called for UN 1244 resolution to be respected, Serbs in Mitrovica enter the court? Isn’t this a breach?!
I don’t want to speculate or anything, but all these things seem to be some dirty political games, which unfortunately directly impact on the lives of ordinary people. I really feel sorry for the wounded Police, Soldiers and Serbian people. I wish to all of them quick recovery, and I really hope that Serbian people will start seeing things as they really are, not as they are served to them by their political leaders!

This is another defeat of Serbian politics. Man, these politicians are really bad losers. KFOR have retained full controll of Kosova borders today with heavy personnel.

It seems that every part of their plan is failing badly.

This UNMIK administration clearly operates directly for Thaci and friends. 1244 is broken again. Its time for the Serb military to take control. KFOR/UNMIK will just watch, not to say about EULEX.

Ironic that the UN 'peacekeepers' is utilised in such a violent way - they are now acting no differently to the Chinese crack down in Tibet - ah but then US (non)elite inspired democracy allows for double standards and violence against peaceful protests!

Oh what a tangled web we weave...

- No violence - NATO will act!!!

You were a good profet, Princip.

A clear move by Kostunica/Samardzic, which will bring them to win the game on March 11th. It seems that it has to happen. A brilliant move by UNMIK/KFOR. There are things you can't avoid, you only worsen them if you try to avoid them

Mika (#3) wrote "state has every right to defend his territory and his property".

Kosovo has been recognized as independent state by a relatively small number of countries. Does this make Kosovo a state?

Mika, do you realise the irony of your statement that every state has the right to defend its territory and its property. Does this not include the Serbian state?

My understanding is that all would have gone well with the court if it wasn't for Serbians on the streets who attacked UNMIK and NATO. I mentioned yesterday that NATO is going to intervene on the right time and thats what exactly happend today at 5.30 a.m. The comments about UNMIK and NATO taking orders from Thaci or Sejdiu are exagerated and this does not have to do anything with the Kosovar politicians, but with the commad of NATO that has pledged for keeping the whole Kosova/o under its control. The local Serbs should not rely on Kostunica, nor Samardjic's comments and suggestions, since these politicians are not real as are not real lots of comments on this site. First, the real thing is that Kosova/o is an independet country since March 17 no matter how many countries have confirmed the recognition and the issue is not under any circumstances going to be reversed. Second, all the politicians of Serbia including radicals are aware that they cannot do anything to change the situation and unfortunatly Russia has no power (nor will) to do that either. Third, let`s hope that majority of people in Serbia are going to show their support for proeuropian forces in comming elections which is going to bring more prosperity to Serbian people. Kosova and Serbia cannot have any other alternative but joying Europe, so I do not know who really needs all this tension in northern Mitrovica and why. Do you gyes really want to be isolated for several years before you understand your mistake and throw out your government and bag again to Europe for help as you have done in recent past years? I am addressing especially the youth in Serbia which seems to be much more rational than the ones that live in western countries. Keep your voice high in Serbia about integration to Europe and do not spoil your sleep with bad dreams about Kosovo/a. The politics in Europe do not work as some may think in Serbia, do something today and with draw it next day. No. This is not going to happen. Get your best from this particular time (which is Century 21) and the area which you are a part of and fortunately is Called Europe not Russia.
Liri, Canada

UN police and KFOR had the right to intervene and reclaim order on the courthouse which was occupied by serb nationalists with direct orders from Belgrade.

Kostunica and Nikolic wanted the UN to intervene and they wanted trouble in a hope of raising nationalistic feelings in Serbia and thus bolstering their support. They are happy that there was violence.

But at the same time I would like to add that it was the worst timing possible!! From all the days, they had to pick this day 17th of March - which rightly or wrongly is a sensitive date for serbs, and this only plays in the hands of DSS and Radicals.

I expect many serbs will do what they normally do i.e.: deny resposibilty for their actions, blame others (un, kfor, albanians), and despite the fact it was that that started the violence and caused more harm to others, they will still see themselves as the victims.

UN & KFOR should have probably intervened sooner or if they had to wait til now, they should have waited for couple of more days.

Good desicion but appalling timing.

At the same time, I think that KFOR should avoid any heaby handed approach, since it will only lead to radicalization of serbs, and thats exactly what nationalists in Serbia want.

Hey Mika,

Your post is really entertaining, especially first sentence where you refer Kosovo as a state of law. Firstly, Kosovo has no status of state or country, you could learn this yesterday after Carl Bildt’s statement. Secondly, Serbian southern province Kosmet is the worst hole of lawless that you Albanians turned province into it. What Thachi has ordered today is a use of force and demonstration of the power of the worst kind of. Let’s face it, after this move and demand by the criminal Kosovo authorities of the Albanian nationality, Milosevic was just proven to be true democrat. Why is that? Well, when K-Albanian decided to boycott Serbian institutions that evil Milosevic has done nothing to change that. He never used any force to integrate them into society that they didn’t respect. Milosevic began to use force when the criminals that nowadays represent Kosovo officials cowardly started to attack police and civilians of Serbian nationality and loyal Albanians.

As for this today’s event I think it was very stupid thing to do. Such a force against unarmed civilians, jurists that have been brutally expelled form their positions in 1999. UNMIK played incredibly stupid, this UNMIK’s move (ordered by the Kosovo criminals) will incite the violence in the North and I cannot even imagine how it may end it. I just wait reactions from Serbia and Russia today.

But, what other language Tachi understands except violence and force. That is how started to built his criminal and political career.

On 17 March 2008 16:54, Pyrros wrote:

> Mr Hans Christian Andersen,
do you equalize the SYSTEMATIC destructions/killings/interventions of nations/lives by USA with the ONE (1, I (in latin)) murder in Russia?

My Pyrros, I don't know if this is your real name, but Jan Andersen is MY REAL NAME, so I kindly ask you use that in any further correspondence with me. Anything else will be taken as a personal insult, and your message will be promptly ignored.

I don't want to compare 1 lost live with 1000 lost lives, but if we have to, I equal one dead journalist, killed trying to inform me and world about the truth, as far more valuable than a innocent civilian killed by a military force.

We could also start talking about the indiscriminate killing and terror of civilians perpetrated by Russian soldiers in Chenya, but that would be so off topic, right?

The action taken by KFOR and UNMIK is absolutely appalling.
The question must be asked as to how a United Nations peace keeping force can take orders from a false and illegitimate government. The albanian puppet regime in Pristina cannot handle such opposition on their own so they ask KFOR UNMIK to do their dirty work. And in a final act of total and utter disrespect towards the brave Serbs of Mitrovica they have the tenacity to remove the Serbian flag from the parliament building!?

Is normal that this journalistic peace raise feelings of support from the serbian community to their people in Mitrovica... However in this article there are some points that raise question marks and concern considering the B92 liberal profile. These radical "reliable" sources we are refering at put a lot of doubts on the reliabitity of the report.
According to B92 sources (unidentified) "UNMIK was allowed to shoot the crowd" (big letters) ... - it doesn't make sense since only few serbs were wonded apparently not from gun shots, and 10s KFOR are hurt in the confrontation.
Or refering to a radical leader as Nikolic that is well known for his incentive speeches: UNMIK is taking orders from Thaci and speculations like this that simply don't make much sense...
If the situation in Mitrovica will be aggravated ... will be the media fault...exactly today ... 4 years after the bloody march incidents that left behind 19 deaths hundreads injured and thousands of demolished buildings and institutions. So let's try not to commit past errors but reather learn from them.

On 17 March 2008 13:43, Pyrros wrote:

> Han Christian Andersen above falls in category 3, most probably, unless he is an alb.

I assume that insult is meant for me?

I don't know what makes one an Albanian. Do you have to be born in Albania? In an ethnic Albanian community? Can one be born in Macedonia and still be Albanian? Or do ones parents have to be Albanian for 3 generations straight? It is soooo difficult with these labels.

In either case, I have to disappoint you. I was born and raised in Denmark, a family tree going back I don't know for how many 100's of years. I don't have a black beard, and I don't eat small children alive.

> He is repeatedly "owned" in these forums,

I am? Sorry, I must not have been paying attention when I was "pwned" here.

> and he never managed to come back with smth clever to say.

Maybe because I don't feel I have to? Words, opinions, and guesswork is all we have here - there is very little fact. I speak my word, and I will let other people decide for themselves if they make sense or not. I can drag the horse to the water, show it the water, but I can not force it to drink. It is the same with you. Some will agree with me, some will perhaps even be able to see a little bit from the other sides perspective, and others will not be moved. C'est la vie as the French says.

Another Canadian Serb,

You refer to the countries that recognized Kosovo as a “handful”. USA, GB, France, Italy, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Denmark and Germany are some of the countries which don’t deserve, at least politically-economically-and from the military point of view don’t deserve to be referred as “handful”. I think you should reconsider this.

Another number you are wrong about is the 250 000 victims of the war in Kosovo. I hope you are not confusing the total figure with the one in BiH.

I fully agree that nobody has right to claim part of any country’s territory, but something undeniable happened in KOSOVO in 1998, and Albanians were directly influenced from it.
As for the fact that 10 000 000 Serbs are ready to die for they country, that is not something that distinguishes Serbs from other ethnicities in the Balkans. Along with Serbs also Albanians, Greeks, Macedonians, Bosnians, Croatians, Bulgarians, Turks and Montenegrins are ready as well.
This time there is not KLA and a handful of KOSOVO Albanians in KOSOVO, there are a “handful” of countries which protect the province.
YOU shouldn’t be proud that your people are ready to go at WAR. No one should.
Let find a real solution then, for everybody living down there. WAR IS NOT THE ONE.

I find it completely amusing that the US is portrayed as the devil in Kosova. America recognizes Kosova because America recognizes the need for Kosava to move forward as an independent nation. Being a protectorate of the UN for eternity serves no rational purpose. I've spent a considerable amount of time in the Balkans, primarily Croatia, BiH, Montenegro and Serbia. The Serbia government just doesn't get it! Boris Tadic would be reasonable in protecing the rights of Kosovans, I believe, but when you have folks like Kostunica pushing this and shoving Serboslavia part II down the throats of all the nations in the Balkans, there is no reason Kosova should wait. My only concern is the consistent wimpyness and ineffectiveness of French peacekeepers and other from EULEX, KFOR etc. in protecting Kosovans, whether or not they are ethnic Albanian or Serb. Thaci will protect minority rights if Serbs will let him. I trust him far more than people like Kostunica. The Serbs trashed BiH just like they trashed Croatia. And yes, there is plenty of blame to go around, so don't blog on and give me a lecture about that, too. I've seen the destruction.

If only the Serbian government would lead to protect all groups rights, but I've yet to see the will to do so. And it gets worse. There are not enough Boris Tadic's in Serbia in leadership roles.
And I think President Bush is an idiot as well, and I didn't vote for him. So I'll hope for Barack Obama to lead America and work towards better relations with Europe, the Balkans and others.

Occupation by armies of NATO the part of Serbia was a monstrous crime against humanity. In my opinion, this is one of the most terrible displays of terrorism for last 60 years.

PS. Forgive for mistakes - my native language is not English.

Mike,

The two "solutions" you offer are indeed the two only options. But I don't believe either will pacify the region. Anyway, the first option will not happen, at least not in the short term. The second - a massive crackdown - will probably be tried, but like everywhere else it has been tried it will fail and only lead to more violence.

As I see it, the rebellion starts here. Welcome to Belfast 1970.

I wrote a much longer comment earlier today (which sadly has not been chosen for publication) about how people organising a protest should know that while they themselves want to make a peaceful protest, there will always be other people that seizes upon any chance to turn it into a violent protest. As was the case here. UNMIK and KFOR forces were attacked by the crowd, and they had to respond. You Serbs of all people, with your talk about pride, should understand that KFOR could not just let this pass.

Princip> use of violence at the orders of not Rucker but US supported KLA terrorist Thaci!!!

Proof please. A quote by some Serbian spokesperson does not constitute proof in my book.


> If Jan Anderson you cant see the hypocrisy and greater flawed principle in the US condemnation of China for its actions to bring peace and stability internally (snip)

Oh - I can see plenty of American, European, Asian, Australien - your name it - hypocrisy every day, all over the world. But just because the US does something deceitful, does not give "the other side" to do the same. Both sides should be condemned when it happens.

> Oh what a tangled web we weave...

Yes.

I have some questions for all those who say that these acts were breach of 1244 Resolution. You must remember when Serbian FM spoke at UN SC just a week ago calling for the 1244 to be respected. How come now, few days latter, Serbs enter the court house and take off the UN flag and replace it with the Serbian one? Isn’t this a breach?! And, why didn’t they do this, let’s say a year or two years ago?
I don’t want to speculate or anything, but to me these are some dirty political games, which unfortunately impact lives of ordinary people. I really feel sorry for the wounded and wish all of them (KFOR Soldiers, UNMIK Police and Serbs) quick recovery.
I hope Serbian people will start seeing things as they really are and note take them as they are being served by their own political leaders!

A foolish move by UNMIK. Last I heard, there were ongoing negotiations between UNMIK and the Serbs. Now suddenly we get information that Thaci and Sejdiu needs someone else to do their dirty work for them and it results in wider riots in Mitrovica. The only two solutions I see that can pacify the region are either a restart of negotiations over control over Serb-held parts of Kosovo, or a massive crackdown lead by UNMIK and KFOR to crush the Serb movement. The first will surely pacify the region but effectively divide the land. The second will probably by used, but destroy all ideas that Kosovo is a democratic society and effecitvely give Serbia to the Radicals this May. Again, all this could have been avoided had the people pushing this independence movement thought more rational. Now their hubris is coming back to bite them in the rear.

Marco, Amsterdam

Kosovo has been recognized as independent state by a relatively small number of countries. Does this make Kosovo a state?

No, but only a fact that Kosova is self-administered makes a state, only a fact that Kosova has its military and police forces makes a state, only a fact that Kosova has its government, president, parliament and other institution makes a state, not to mention fact that Kosova has been, so far, recognized by 29 countries, most powerful countries, some of whom, actually, brought Kosova at this stage in 1912 / 13. That’s what makes Kosova a state.

So UNMIK retakes the court house and expels the serb protesters by force, And? What have they really achieved? There will be more protests more civil disobedience. Unless UNMIK foolishly believes that this is the way to retake the whole of northern kosovo and expel all the serbs. Now wouldn't that be convenient? Power and deep respect to all those who choose not to be under the control of this sham of a puppet state, your efforts have had a profound impact!!!!!!!!

To all:

To my understanding when the international force went in there was no violence.

The Serb individuals gave themselves up freely. The arrestees were not arrested with excessive force. They were cuffed and put in the padee wagons. None of the Serbians resisted arrest.

So it was a PEACEFUL EVENT, until..........

The other Serbian Folks came in and confronted the International force with the use of rocks, then firecrackers, then grenades, and finally AK-47's. This all occurred outside the courthouse.

Now you can't blame the Serbian folks in general. You have hot headed individuals that are looking at the chance to vent their anger or use the opportunity for personal gain (political or not).

Getting to the Artisahri plan, the Serbs would have their own govt, in their own municipalities, they would be aided by Serbia proper, would have dual citizenship, and wouldn't lose any benefits they currently have or HAD.

They actually would be funded by two budgets the Kosovo/a budget and by Serbia proper's budget. This would aid them economically, spiritually, and educationally.

Resolution 1244 would be in affect and they would have more to gain then the Albanians on the southern part of the Ibar River.

Imagine getting 2 salaries instead of one. WOW!

It’s ironic that most of those soldiers hurt were of Slavic blood!

And never trust any politician on any side.

Peace to all and a speedy recovery to all those injured!

Kiko

I think serbs has right not to cooperate with kosova institutions or UN or KFOR. It is their rights. But to occupy buildings of these institutions? I would leave serbs to make their ilegal institutions out of Kosova institutions in privat houses and financed by them why not. If they dont want to be part of Kosova they can live how they want. Kosova will not take care about financing their institutions. If Serbia wants to help them they can do it but acting with fully cooperation with Kosova. They can not do anything they want in our country.

It is all about getting as much territory as possible and join with Serbia. UNMIK didnt arrest innocent civilians.
And the Intl. Community takes orders from Kosovo Gov. because they recognise it unlike Serbia who doesent!
Serbs have two choices: Live with dignity in Kosovo, or play dirty games of Kostunica & Co.

Svovo,

Did you really think that all those "peaceful" Serbs will get away with this latest provocation orchestrated from Belgrade?
I find that UNMIK/KFOR showed a lot of maturity and patience for waiting so long before taking the right action.

MIKE,
If the same people (who you suggest rushed the Kosovars to declare independence)had waited to intervene in Kosova in '98,'99 there wouldn't be any Kosovars left for they would have been "cleansed out".
If they had waited not to recognize Kosova they would not respect the desire of the overwhelming majority in Kosova. Actually, that would have sent Kosova back under Serbian (ruthless)rule.
Unmik did what 1244 tells them to do, to crush any lawlesness or violence on whichever side of Iber. The same 1244 that Jeremic was fighting "tooth and nail" for.

Please stop twisting the facts. UNMIK and KFOR didn't start the attacks. They went to arrest the people occupying the courts peacefully, and in democracy they undergo a fair trial to determine whether they commited illegal activities. It was uncalled to be attacked my mobs of people and I don't see why would anyone support such acts. I don't think those people that were arrasted today will get anything more then a "slap in a wrist". So I don't see any human rights violations anywhere as some posters claim here.
As some posters claiming here that KFOR and UNMIK are having douple standards I don't see it and here's why. First of all, they also used force against the mobs of albanians trying to disrupt the peace. However, they weren't as successeful in containing the situation only becuase the riots in 2004 happened all around Kosova and the KFOR and UNMIK forces had to deal with riots in numerous fronts. I also want to mention that most of Kosova's polititians condoned the acts of violence and burning of monasteries (including the "KLA terrorist" as some claim here without any facts). On the other hand, I haven't heard any serb polititians from Belgrade or Kosova condoning attacks of UNMIK and KFOR.
Its interesting how some serbians living in western countries are so prone to violence and ready to fight till their last breath(from the comfort of their home miles away of course-pun intended) while lots of serbians from Serbia(as far as I can see from the comments posted in serbian) are ready to move on and try to finally better their lives and are tired of war after war for decades now.
To Tom O'Donoghue,
maybe I'm wrong but I'd bet a lot of money that that's not your real name.

So it begins. UN has broken 1244. By taking orders from the snake they effectively turned themselves into hunting prey.

gjipeja,

You question the "reliability" of B92's reporting of events in Mitrovica. Well here in Ireland I have just listened to a radio news report which stated that "UNMIK came under fire from Serb militias". This is a downright lie. So in Western Europe the anti-Serb propaganda continues.

I congratulate B92 for its extensive and fair coverage of events in Kosovo.

another Canadian Serb,

Since when has Serbia 10 million Serbs? It is no more than 7 millions. I discount 0,5 million minorities, specially the 300,000 Hungarians.

Is everyone ready for a history lesson?
During the Neolithic period, the region of Kosovo lay within the extent of the Vinča-Turdaº culture. In the 4th to 3rd centuries BC, it was the territory of the Thraco-Illyrian (Albanian Descent) tribe of the Dardani, forming part of the kingdom of Illyria. The Illyrians were conquered by Rome in the 160s BC, and made the Roman province of Illyricum in 59 BC. The Kosovo region became part of Moesia Superior in AD 87. The Slavic migrations reached the Balkans in the 6th to 7th century. The area was absorbed into the Byzantine empire in the 850s. As the center of Slavic resistance to Constantinople in the region, it often switched between Serbian and Bulgarian rule on one hand and Byzantine on the other until the Serb principality of Rascia conquered it by the end of the 11th century.

In the 1389 Battle of Kosovo, Ottoman forces defeated a coalition led by Lazar Hrebeljanović. In 1402 a Serbian Despotate was raised and Kosovo became its richest territory, famous for mines. The local House of Branković came to prominence as the local lords of Kosovo, under Vuk Branković, with the temporary fall of the Serbian Despotate in 1439. During the first fall of Serbia Novo Brdo and Kosovo offered last resistance to the invading Ottomans in 1441, in 1455 it was finally and fully conquered by the Ottoman Empire.

In 1871, a Serbian meeting was held in Prizren at which the possible retaking and reintegration of Kosovo and the rest of "Old Serbia" was discussed, as the Principality of Serbia itself had already made plans for expansions towards Ottoman territory. In 1878, a Peace Accord was drawn that left the cities of Priština and Kosovska Mitrovica under civil Serbian control, and outside Ottoman jurisdiction, while the rest of Kosovo remained under Ottoman control. As a response, ethnic Albanians formed the League of Prizren, pursuing political aspirations of a unified Albanian people under the Ottoman umbrella. By the end of the 19th century the Albanians replaced the Serbs as the dominant people within the current Kosovo territory, though not the entire Ottoman Province
The Young Turk movement supported a centralist rule and opposed any sort of autonomy desired by Kosovars, and particularly the Albanians. In 1910, an Albanian uprising spread from Priština and lasted until the Ottoman Sultan's visit to Kosovo in June of 1911. In 1912, during the Balkan Wars, most of Kosovo was taken by the Kingdom of Serbia, while the region of Metohija (Albanian: Dukagjini Valley) was taken by the Kingdom of Montenegro. An exodus of the local Albanian population occurred. This was described by Leon Trotsky, who was a reporter for the Pravda newspaper at the time. The Serbian authorities planned a recolonization of Kosovo.[7] Numerous colonist Serb families moved into Kosovo, equalizing the demographic balance between Albanians and Serbs. Kosovo's status within Serbia was finalised the following year at the Treaty of London. [8]
Kosovo gained internal autonomy in the 1960s. In the 1974 constitution
During the 1980s, ethnic tensions continued with frequent violent outbreaks against Serbs and Yugoslav state authorities resulting in increased emigration of Kosovo Serbs and other ethnic groups.[10][11] The Yugoslav leadership tried to suppress protests of Kosovo Serbs seeking protection from ethnic discrimination and violence
Serbs say they have claim because of religious, Kosovars say they have claim.
No one has claim and everyone has claim. Solobo’s lost Kosovo for what he did to Yugoslavia. Ultranationalists are in the same category as religious extremist who say there doing it for the better go of all or god has spoken. The only people that suffer are the ones who just try to make ends meet. I have travel recently thru Kosovo to Mitrovica and meet with Kosovo Serbs they just want to move on with there live’s. they just want something better for they kids. Like all intelligent people breed hate and you will always have hate.

I find it still rather curious how Serbs behave like a crowd of Afghans after reading the Danish cartoons. That somehow demonstrates what minorities have to fear being under their control. It is again a sign of Serbia's understanding of their own history and guilt in war, not to hand over war criminals to the ICJ. The whole country is so not ready for a peaceful future. People seem so obsessed with nationalism, forgetting that every nationalism has a ugly face for those who are excluded. To my point of view, the Serbian riots just demonstrate how right the independence of Kosovo was. Maybe Serbs and Albans are not made to live peacefully together. Solution: Divide them.

Regards!

Anyone else get the feeling another war is looming in the Balkans? This one though, has the potential to spread like a wild fire. My prayers to all citizens of Serbia (including Kosovo).

I find it utterly astounding that posters who favour independence can say that the UN should adopt all measures necessary to impose control over the north when ten years ago they were fighting against the forces of Milosevic who were doing the same to protect Serbian sovereignty.

Have some honour and integrity and recongise that just as you didn't want to live under Serbian rule, the Serbs of Kosovo don't want to live under your rule. Let them go free! (Or is this something only you are entitled to have?)

On 17 March 2008 15:01, Stevan from ??? wrote:

> So, who are your friends Jan?.

Frankly - I don't know. I was on the streets 5 years ago, before the war in Iraq began, protesting against the threat of invasion and the made-up "proofs" by the American government.

And I am scared about the way the US government treat the prisoners in Guantanomo, knowing that if I arrive at an US airport, I could be treated the same way, because apparently the US administration don't think foreigners has the right to justice as US citizens.

I am appalled by the crack-down and killing of journalist in Russia, appalled by the Putin effectively prevented an open and fair election campaign using his control of the media.

I am appalled by the way China behaves, both internally and in occupied Tibet.

If I had to choose a new country to call my home, I guess it would be Canada. They seem to be decent people up there, not as gun-happy as the Americans, with a decent wellfare system, and with a positive attitude towards immigrants.

Gentelmens
im glad everyone here can say their thoughts
But from now on Law and Orders From Kosova must be respect other wise they will punisht dosent matter are they Kosovars,serbs minority or others.
Peace via Vancouver Canada

"small reality check for you: Serbia is most multicultural of all the states of former Yugoslavia. Serbia is the only one that didn’t expelled minorities, Croats, Bosnian Muslims and Croats, and Kosovo Albanians did."

Not strictly true. Slovenia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_Slovenia

is 83% Slovene by population, most of the remainder of the population being SFRY-era immigrants.

Croatia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_Croatia

is now nearly 90% Croat by population, up from 85% before the wars.

Bosnia-Herzegovina

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_Bosnia_and_Herzegovina

does evidence a stronger Muslim plurality than before (47% now versus 42% then) but that seems to be substantially because of the migration of Bosnian Croats to Croatia. The republika Srpska from 54% in 1991 to 97% (!) in 1996. In the Bosnian federation, Bosniaks and Croats together made up 74% in 1991 and 94% in 1996.

Macedonia's population

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_the_Republic_of_Macedonia

has remained about as mixed before, with the titular nationality making up 64% of the total.

Now, in Serbia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographic_history_of_Serbia#2002_census_in_Serbia_.28excluding_Kosovo.29

the Serb proportion has risen from 80 to 83%. Half of the non-Serbs live in central Serbia, which is 90% Serb by popualtion. The other half live in Vojvodina, where the Serb proportion has risen from 57% in 1991 to 65% now.

What can be concluded from this? Serbia is relatively multicultural, yes, but its multiculturalism isn't unique in the former Macedonia is as diverse as Vojvodina province, Slovenia is as diverse as Yugoslavia as a whole, and Croatia is as diverse as inner Serbia. What's more, Vojvodina is becoming steadily less diverse as Macedonia is becoming more so.

"Serbia is the only one that didn’t expelled minorities,"

That's actually a pretty normal thing to do. States fighting ethnic wars tend not to visibly oppress people behind their own safe borders because it would make the general population think. Thus, Israeli Arabs get civil and political rights, Croats and Magyars aren't driven out of their homes in large numbers, and Serbs could survive in Zagreb (with difficulty) if they assimilated. It's beyond the lines of control that anything becomes possible. As it happens, almost all of Bosnia-Herzegovina and most of the Serb-populated areas of Croatia and Kosovo had been placed beyond the line of control by a Milosevic government with maximalist gains and little concern over methods. Is it surprising that, when it lost, it lost totally?

Yet another failure of the US to save themselves from the certain collapse. By now it is abundantly clear that the US have failed to manufacture another war in the Balkans. They desperately need one in order to hurt European and Asian interests but it ain't coming from the Balkans. Now we all need to just sit and wait for the inevitable fall of the US empire and the unstoppable rise of Asia headed by Russia, China and India. Serbia and Serbian people have always been on the right side throughout history and today is no exception. Good times coming indeed.

I suggest to ask Mrs Albright to find a solution to solve this mess. Such a brilliant diplomat will certainly find another intelligent way to solve the problems........

On 17 March 2008 18:08, Stevan wrote:

> Jan, you asked where I’m from.

Yeah, well, I guess I did. Some of you might be able to distinguish between nationalities based on your names, but I am totally lost and don't have a clue if Stevan, Kushtrim, Gjon Kari, Stavro, Petar, Pavle, Laki and Olf are Serb, Albanians, Croats, or something else.

From your description, you should feel right at home in Denmark, Sweden or Norway. In each of these countries, the Social Democrats consistently gets 30-40% of the votes and with the support of the Greens, and occasionally the left, heads the government for long periods of time. The downside of this is high taxes. Denmark currently leads the Nordic tax league, having just overtaken Sweden, with something like 49% in income tax!

Hey this reminds me when Solobodan Milosevic's went to Kosovo. Remember this?

Although the ethnic composition of the Kosovo Assembly was over 70 percent Albanian, Kosovo-Albanian nationalists reacted violently to the constitutional amendments. The UPI wire service reported that "unrest began [in Kosovo] when amendments were approved returning to Serbia control over the province's police, courts, national defense and foreign affairs ... mass demonstrations turned into violent street rioting when demonstrators began using firearms against police." According to the report the rioting killed 29 people and injured 30 policemen and 97 civilians

Milošević was sent to address a crowd of Serbs in Kosovo Polje on April 24, 1987. While Milošević was talking to the leadership inside the local cultural hall demonstrators outside clashed with the local Kosovo-Albanian police force.

Milošević heard the commotion and was sent outside to calm the situation. A videotape of the event shows Milošević responding to complaints from the crowd that the police were beating people by saying "You will not be beaten". Later that evening, Serbian television aired the video of Milošević's encounter.
The Federal Secretariat of the SFRY Interior Ministry however, condemned the police's use of rubber truncheons as not in keeping within the provisions of Articles 100 and 101 of the rules of procedure for "conducting the work of law enforcement", they had found that "the total conduct of the citizenry in the mass rally before the cultural hall in Kosovo Polje cannot be assessed as negative or extremist. There was no significant violation of law and order.
Stambolić, after his reign as President, said that he had seen that day as "the end of Yugoslavia".

So it starts with the shoe on the other foot.
Same thing different people the solobo’s legacy continues

During the Vetvendosja protest lats year, two Albanians were shot by UNMIK, i cant believe that Serbian government is complaining about the way UMNIK handled the situation. I wonder if Albanians in Preshevo did the same, how would the Serbian Police reac???. OMG!!!!!!

Jan Andersen, DK,

- so you agree then the UN 'peacekeepers' are acting violently? All I am highlighting is the double standards and hypocrisy that clearly make you lost for words that you cant even allow yourself to condemn this use of violence at the orders of not Rucker but US supported KLA terrorist Thaci!!!

With regards China and what it internally does within its borders to bring security and order that is China's internal issue. I did not condmn it nor condone it but here we have violent action by NATO dominated 'peacekeepers' ordered it would seem by KLA terrorist commander Thaci who is placed on a US pedastal of democracy US style!!! If Jan Anderson you cant see the hypocrisy and greater flawed principle in the US condemnation of China for its actions to bring peace and stability internally while the US inspired KLA terrorism is supported with their orders carried out without question by NATO and their illegitamate self declared dependence given credence then your in for a very destabilising world future!

Oh what a tangled web we weave...

"This is it. The time to put the order in place against the ordinary criminals has come."
(Afrim Hoxha, 17 March 2008 12:33)

Exactly right - Thaci and the rest of his KLA terrorist backed government should be removed and their illegal declaration of dependence annulled.

To Nicholas from Odense,

I do not support the decision of the Dutch government to recognize Kosovo, just as I did not support the decision of my country to sent troups to Iraq (remember the weapons of mass destruction that only existed in the minds of George W. Bush and his chums?). In my view Jan Peter Balkenende (our PM) and Maxime Verhagen (our FM) are just lapdogs of the Americans.

17-3-2004
17-3-2008
Anyone here suprised by UMNIK`s decision to do this on the worst anniversarie for Serbian people.?
Of course not-they are finishing what talbanians started in 2004.
First they fired 200 Serbians from working in legal institution,who are just asking for their jobs back,and now they think putting them in jail would make a difference to them.
Gentlemen-they are living in ghetos,what other punisment is there.
Let us never forget-17-3-2004

Well, here it goes. This could be the start of a greater escalation of violence in Kosovo and throughout the Balkans. The Serbs fought to protect it and won with 1244. Now that the UN/US/NATO are attempting to reneg, it's time to re-assert Serbian control. There is absolutely no chance Serbia will ever give up Kosovo.

So what now? Kosovo in flames? Macedonia is looking shakey and so is BiH for now. Also secessionists in China, Georgia, Moldova, Turkey and Iraq are starting to beat their drums.

It doesn't look promising but the question still comes to mind. Was this the plan all along? The US and Western economy is just about die so is the solution to cause conflict throughout the world? To destabilise the emerging economies also?

What kind of lives can the K-Serbs live? Think about it. Even UNMIK is against
them. How can you justify using tear gas on people who are behind barbed wire and
under armed escort every moment of their lives? Why is it that every single Albanian
poster here claims to be so morally grounded yet they always seem to turn a blind eye
to the suffering of the Serbs. Not one of you cares about Serbian lives. If you did you
would realise just how wrong this is. Thaci and Sedjui have forced these people out
of the only jobs they had. And what do they do now? Where in the hell are they going
to find a job now?

Kosovo is in political limbo. Every single person supporting Kosovo independence
has so whole heartedly completely fallen for the idea; it seems as though that they
consider the suffering of the Serbs as a justified act. Those who claim of it to be a
country are sadly blind folded to the true reality. Once again, I must re-emphasise the
facts. Kosovo has been recognised as independent by 27 countries. Out of those
countries how many of them are EU members? ¾? Of the remaining how many of
them are allies of America? And not to mention America itself. If you still cannot see
the obvious fact that the EU is as much a puppet of America, as Kosovo is of the EU,
I truly do both; sympathise with you, and yet envy your relatively unburdened mind

UNMIK and the westerns promise of protection for the Serbs failed before it could
even take off. Those who remember the events of March 2004, know well of what I
am referring to. How much more do the Serbs have to suffer? Was it not bad enough
that we were the ones who were blamed for the wars? Was it not bad enough that we
suffered greatly at the hands of the so called “victims of Serbian lust?” Why is it that
every other person is allowed access to basic human rights and is protected by law,
yet only the Serbs are left out? Those whole dare to comment back to this and call it
lies only need to read back on every article embedded in this website as well as every
comment. The reality of the situation is bleak and grim at the most. It is only this
website that is posting the harsh truths, while the rest try to paint a pretty picture out
of blood. Western media is about as truthful as the Western leaders themselves. The
same Western leaders who used Milosevic as a scapegoat for the atrocities they
themselves committed. I am befuddled as to how two men sitting in chairs giving
orders can’t be so different. One of them has had a mask painted on them; perceiving
them as the Hitler of this generation, while the one that leads the world super power
is the mask. But hey who am I trying to convince? After all, the Albanian commenters
seem to believe that the Serbian people don’t bleed, that they don’t feel pain, and that
they don’t know what it is to be human. Disagree? Read some of the comments by the
Albanian commenters. It might just surprise you.

I thank (Jan Andersen, DK, 17 March 2008 11:42) for “As I wrote some time ago:
Tell me who your friends are, and I will tell you who you are.”

It is clear who you are. You seem to believe that you are who your friends are. Thank
god that is the furthest thing from the truth. But hey, you do seem to be American.







KFOR is now patrolling the streets, and according to our sources, has received orders to "shoot to restore order".

Order? What order? OK so there is a too well known phrase, "let lying dogs sleep."
But as it goes, the Albanians and westerners kick the dog till it bites, then they sit there and act like victims. There seems to be little hope for Serbs in Kosovo. How can there be when they can’t even return to their jobs after being kicked out for no apparent reason? How ironic. All of the Albanian posters kept on commenting and saying "the Serbs will be better off," as their politicians did. Better off? They are constantly behind barbed wire. They go to visit the graves of their loved ones, under armed escort, only to be welcomed with the sight of vandalised graves. Funny how not one albanian grave has been vandalised in North Kosovska Mitrovica. Don’t believe it? There was an article a bit back now. You keep backing the Serbs into a corner and expect them not to react. Not easy to live your life when every day of your life is spent behind enemy lines. Thaci and Sedjui are cowards. Get UNMIK to fight the war. And those who reckon things are going to get better if EULEX gets in are greatly mistaken.
EULEX is of no other purpose than to ensure smooth sailing for their new puppet state.

CCCC

Terrible, stupid decision by UNMIK/KFOR. And now they take orders from Thaci. Wow. So somehow it does get dramatically worse.
I give props to Serbs for trying maintaining peace this long and striving so hard for peace and western immigration, but the simple truth seems to be, that your just going to get screwed and the EU isn't going to let you in, and 1244 is a farce. Everytime I check B92 and for Kosovo info, it reminds me how proud I feel to be American [insert sarcasm].