Grant Kosovo Independence?

Agreed.... ( lets hope that we are wrong about the possibility of war )

 

Sad it is, I'm afraid there is no good solution.

 

Also granting Kosovo independence without the approval of Serbia and the unanimous vote from the UN security councel would result in breaking international law.

 

There never is, in matters across the world. There never was, and there never will be.

 

What are the Serbs really interested in Kosovo? I always thought it was the electricity businez, the water dams or the sort. Just like the US is interested in the Iraq area. No water dams, the serbs would not give a damn?

 

Economically Kosovo does not have much to offer. it's more a thing about National pride. kosovo has the oldest Othrodox churches of Serbia and many ancient Legends about the Serbian identity take place in Kosovo. For the Serbs, if Serbia was an Oak, Kosovo would be the roots. Serbia has successively lost many territories whatever they attempted (including war crimes) , Even after the war the dismantling of the "Greater Serbia" has carried on and now that Montenegro has left the Federation they don't even have an access to the sea.
their useless, once so proud navy, laid rusting for several years until it was sold to middle east countries (Egypt if I remember correctly) for the price of scrap. So basically Kosovo is the last confetti they have left of their empire.
Now this is the situation : a high unemployment rate, a high sense of frustration and the believe that they did not loose the war but were betrayed, a feeling that they stand alone, the dream of a big empire and a need for revenge.... an ice cold feeling of deja vu ....

Basically countires choose there sides whether they are Orhtodox or not. This why Serbia has support from Russia, Romania and to a certain extend from Bulgaria and Greece. In other words it's a matter of nationalism and religion, far before economics.
Hope this helps.

 

From my understanding Russia and Greece are Serbia's biggest supporters.....?

 

True, but now that Romania and Bulgaria have joined the EU , they have their word to say too. Of course Russia has far more political influence, but the other three, if united on this matter may lobby the EU to a certain extend. Also they are all three deeply involved with the Turkish candidature, so their alliance is also based on future negociations with common interests.

 

Yes, I forgot all about that!!

Thank you for reminding me Skip.

 

It will take maybe a century for former Yugoslavians to be at peace with each others, if they ever are.

 

This is why I think the EU is going too fast. Croatia, wants to Join, Bosnia wants to Join, Serbia wants to join. But what if they do and start playing cats and mice again?

 

We seem to be on the same page here

 

(Tongue in cheek) if that was the case then Bosnia, Croatia, Slovenia, Macedonia, Montenegro would still be under the thumb of Belgrade, no Serbia can't handle the fact that its former empire wants nothing to with it. I have had a few Serbian friends and they honestly believe they have a right to rule the entire Balkans including Albania, they also believe that they are superior to other ethnic groups within the Greater Balkan area, and they are the most fanatical in that belief within the region. Serbia has two choices in this.

1, armed suppression of Kosivar Independence.
2, say goodbye, good riddance, you want independence then you can have it.

 

I understand this point von Rundstedt. You mention the Serbian nationalists. They are fortunately not a majority. Many Serbs are in fact moderate and not radicals as they are often depicted in some media. I also understand their resignation considering they almost stand alone against the world. Many of them wish to join the EU.

my point would be the same for other provinces in other countries too. If the majority of the ethnicity changes in any country (or province) over the years, we could apply the same recipe and I believe this is dangerous. We are not talking about a country that is occupied by the Serbs like it was the case for Croatia, Bosnia etc..... but Kososvo is traditionally a Serbian province, the Serbs have been kicked out over the years and the Albanians became a large majority.

Now suppose the politically steps are made, then other questions would rise:

The countries you mentioned above have the possibility to survive. Croatia for instance has, a fair tourist industry, a good economical potential etc.. How would Kosovo survive? They have no industry, not many tourists sites, no major natural resources. They would probably need money from the EU for many years.

 

I have to agree with Skipper here. There are those in any country which believe they are better then anyone else... Doesnt matter if they are German, Russian or Chinese, anyone who thinks such nonsense is a fool in my book just like those Serbs which you mentioned Von Rundstedt.


Here is a question ( little far fetched but play along ). In several more years, the Hispanics would outnumber the Americans living in southern states. ( New Mexico, Arizona Texas etc. ) the Americans would slowly move out. Do you think that the U.S. would ever allow these states to secede from the Union if they declared independence for any reason? Never, and understandably so too. Or how about if the Native Americans living in the Mid West? What if they decide to declare full blown independece from America, do you think the U.S. would just let them go? Ofcourse not.

Then why should Serbia?

 

Slo,

why is that impossible if in Europe in the name of EU many countries have the same money, no need for passport to cross the "border", and also people are capable of changing countries much more easily in search of work. Personally I think we are losing the "independence" our forefathers got us but that´s also the future....

I can see why many nations do not want to join this but like said that is the future, anyway.

I guess it would be funny to get independence and then "give it away" with the EU....

 

Kai,

I think me might be talking about to different issues here. I am all for the EU, I think its a great thing, idea, system etc. I dont have a problem with any country joining the EU as doing so will only better the lives of the new members.

I am even for Kosovo joining the EU if it declares independence, but ONLY with the blessing of all parties involved. Whether or not EU will want Kosovo is another story, as joining the Union is a previlege and frankly I fail to see the benefit that the EU would receive from Kosovo.

 

Kosovo would have a better chance joining the Eu one day if it is still part of Serbia. Serbia is banned so far for political reasons, but soon or late it will be a serious candidate, with or without Kosovo. What will happen to independent Kosovo? Will it be swallowed by the Eu or..... Albania.... (this is actually the wish of some Kosovars)

 

What ever the result it is very sad, can't please everyone.

 

Look fella's it is not impossible to retail our cultural heritige and national independance and still be part of the EU.

Of course you could all creep back into a cosy shells cos it nice and secure. However, if you do the Chinese are going to kick your arses so bad economically you'll be wondering why WWII was fought over in the first place.

Just an opinion.