BELGRADE -- Foreign minister Vuk Drašković told B92 his trip to South Africa marked the start of Serbia’s diplomatic effort over Kosovo.
Source: B92
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The visit comes as the first in a bid to secure support for Serbia’s position with the non-permanent council members ahead of a new UN Security Council session that will discuss Ahtisaari’s proposal and possibly a new Kosovo resolution.
“I expect to explain to the South African leaders that Serbia’s stance is that of compromise, that we cannot allow for our state borders to change, as that would represent a serious attack on the UN Charter and the dignity of our state and nation.”
“I believe my hosts will understand our position. The whole of Africa fears Ahtisaari’s plan, since a resolution violently changing Serbia’s borders would mean that there isn’t a single African state with safe borders,” Drašković said.
Drašković said the diplomatic initiative over Kosovo was “happening around the clock.”
“Prime minister Koštunica has already been to New York, I believe the president’s emissary will travel to Indonesia in a few days, and later to Qatar. [Diplomats] will travel to Peru and Panama, as well as to the European capitals. It seems a little odd, but our greatest chance lies with the non-permanent Security Council members. All it takes is for six of them to abstain. In that case, Russian or Chinese veto would be unnecessary. The resolution would go down,” Drašković concluded.
I said it all along that the more explicit Ahtisaari suggested independence the more probability that the veto's are less required - since there is no way any of the smaller states (in political standing) would sanction the dismemberment of another UN recognised state. The 9 affirmatives have dissappeared.
Ahtisaari's declarations of late suggesting "Independence" explicitly is either desperate as it has backfired or an intentional effort to ensure that there indeed is no resolution - the US & UK can say it tried to do something (without losing face completly & blame Ahtisaari's shortcomings) but the UN stopped it. But what then?
Compromise - win-win or,
ILLEGAL declaration - lose- lose with a partitioned Kosovo & Metohija - look no further then Northern Cyprus for where this would lead 30 years later for such an ILLEGAL entity of Southern Kosovo & Metohija!
(Princip, UK, 10 April 2007 11:35)
it is so good to know you are still active with your comments regarding Kosova's status. regretfully i see that u r still singing the same boring song "win-win", "lose-lose" etc.
i wonder what would politicians like you do with a territory made up of 90% albanian population, the population that was terrorized for more than 10 years by undemocratic regime, the population that experienced a terrible war, with more than 10,000 killed people and so and so on.
princip, it is good and sometimes necessary to benchmark ourselves with others. but, i am afraid you’re missing up the whole context. i think we discussed once this. do not mix up GB with Great Serbia. GB has a long democratic experience. GB is a political benchmark for many countries in the world.
i agree your mother country is a benchmark too, but for a completely opposite sense. so, i'm not sure that a terrorized, let me emphasize a terrorized person would be happy to be ruled by the those who have performed a terror on them. unfortunately, kostunica's political vocabulary does not change in anything with milosevic's political vocabulary.
the kosova’s statehood has no alternative. what we may do is to extend this agony between two nations. only the idea of living under the same state makes me vomiting.
you guys (serbs), have the same feeling. am sure for this. what you are fighting for is, partition. but, I do not believe you will manage.
Princip, you never responded to the article regarding Deqani monastery, I wonder WHY.
South Africa knows about apartheid regimes and will never go against the will of the people, which in this case is Kosovars.
(Ahmet Isufi, 10 April 2007 14:57)
i think that we may live next to each other and talk to one another but never i mean never be together under one roof ever again and there is no dought about it what so ever we will have independece. the good will fall but rise in the end!
(jak steiner, 10 April 2007 15:19)
on the contrary, partition and dismemberment of the State of Serbia is exactly what you and other like minded ethnic Albanians of Serbia are intent upon - I do not believe that the creation of new borders will create reconciliation and economic development.
Also note that Great Britain has much in it's history to be regretful for - we honoured the 200 year anniversary of abolition of Slavery just recently but that does not take away for the fact that it indeed was complicit in Slavery - but should that mean that the state is held account for the miss-doing of a previous generation?
Democratic Serbia 2007 is not the same state during the chaotic collapse of Yugoslavia! Since 1999 and the voting in of resolution 1244 - which was introduced to stop civil conflict and allow in NATO there has been nothing but attacks upon the non-Albanian population. In which case the Serbs, Roma and other minorities have a greater argument against rewarding the ethnic-Albanians sovereignity - since they clearly are not capable or else we would have seen a different scenario by now and clearly we need to create the right environment first - maybe the IC should reintroduce standards first and then consider the status!
Last point I guess in the scenario that there was independence it seems you will not wish to be part of the EU? Seeing as you say
"only the idea of living under the same state makes me vomiting.
you guys (serbs), have the same feeling. am sure for this."
- I don't believe this to be the sentiment amongst the Serbs - who wish all the peoples of Serbia to live together for a better future for all! In many ways this is part of the compromise that could come about - One Serbia, 2 systems - both working together with EU membership as the goal - where borders dissappear rather then being created!
Think it through are you mature enough to realise win-win?
(Princip, UK, 10 April 2007 15:21)
provide a link to the article you suggest a reply to and I am certain to oblige!
Regarding South Africa, they new an imposed Aparthied but Serbia did not impose it it was a self induced apartheid - ethnic-Albanians withdrew from the Serbian state insituitions of Education, health etc etc... Beyond which I do not see a seperate Afrikaners state that would be akin to the dismemberment of the UN reognised Serbian State if you were looking to make a similar argument. On the contrary the South Africans know a great deal about reconciliation and being able to live with one another in one State - that I do agree with as opposed to comments I read here from ethnic-Albanians who suggest they would "vomit" just at the thought of living with other peoples!
Win-win is the best solution and creates the best opportunity for reconciliation and a future in Europe. Anything less is lose-lose all round!
(Princip, UK, 10 April 2007 15:32)
Okay... Lets all face the facts. Kosovo is the heart of Serbia and has been for a thousand years. Therefore all born in Kosovo ARE in fact Serbian. I have served as a police officer in Kosovo for two years. What I say next is in fact my opinion and experience. Not only does Kosovo belong to the Serbs but how could the International community even think of granting Kosovo independence? Nevermind the fact that they are granting a country that they have no right negotiating over, but how on earth could Kosovo even think about independent? The country has no industry, 70% unemployed, not to mention that they have the most unsanitized sewage system known to man. They cannot regulate their electricity (out for hours at a time) and they cannot regulate their water. (same scenerio... hours without water) The country itself is one big ground for litter and garbage. Not to mention the polution! Example: South Mitrovicas sewage pours (in plain view) into the Ibar river! Terrible. I have not seen a red light work at an intersection during my entire mission. The streets are used as sidewalks and for farm equipment. Uncivilized! To top it off I have never in my life witnessed a law enforcement organization and a political organization so corrupt in my life! The West and the UK obviously have their hands in the Albanians pockets in order to even consider granting Kosovo independence. How funny it is that Hillary Clinton has raised the most money in the Democratic race so far...
(Jake, USA, 10 April 2007 16:16)
So what, if there is 90% of Albanians in Kosovo now? Before 1999 brutal NATO air raids there was 90% Serbs in that province of Serbia. If many of you are taking care of Kosovo Albanians, why many of today's commentators are not suggesting to settle them on their beautiful land for good?
(Victor, Moscow, 10 April 2007 16:22)
Every town and village in Kosovo has a Serbian name and heritage. – Will the Turks be allowed to cleave off a section of Berlin where they are a majority? Do we abolish national sovereignty as the cornerstone of international law, and allow military attacks on states in order to partition them in the interest Clinton’s Lewinsky escapade and NATO’s need to show the taxpayer to keep paying to maintain the NATO bureaucracy. Accusing Yugoslavia of abusing universal human rights when the accusers send clear signals that international law would no longer be based on the principle of state sovereignty, rule of law and due process. How can one have international justice when those that caused the war were the prosecutors, triers of fact, judges and passed the sentence? How can one have an independent court such as ICC pass one sentence while ICTY pass another unless the later is a tool of NATO? “NATO’s war and the indictment of Slobodan Milošević were therefore ideologically linked at the deepest possible level.”
(Walter, 10 April 2007 16:33)
Jake ! I could not agree with you more ! I have also spent my time in Kosoovo and to tell you the truth. When I came there, my mind was set on "bad serbs-good albanians". It took about three weeks to change that. Also for my fellow officials, it took some time to see that the serbs are the victims. I have told thousands of people what I experieced there and the world is changing as I write. I do not believe for a second that Kosovo will be independent, no way. Serbs (even if they have had very bad and cruel leaders, who have or will pay for it) are extremely skilled to negotiate according to western diplomats and leaders. Many nations envy them. These negotiations will continue for decades to come. When the UNSC delegation have seen serbian enclaves spread out in Kosovo and talked with the people there, seen burned houses, seen the poverty and the old people....it will be VERY interresting to hear their opinion. I (and many with me) thinks that the only country to support independence after this is US. And why the US is supporting it? Of course, Bondsteel ! (I have been told that by high ranking US military officers and officials. The US dont give a damn about the Kosovars, may it be Serbs or Albanians. Its really funny and also a little bit tragic that the Albanians think that americans are on their side. No, the US have a agenda, right or wrong. When I asked in the US if they know where Kosovo is located, you will be surprised of the answers. "Beside China, south of Ireland, next to Spain". Incredible. When you also say to them that most of Albanians are muslims and are supported by US, they laugh and do not believe you.
No people, this will be a long story, believe me and I do not think we will live to see how it will end.
(NYC, 10 April 2007 18:37)
Walter, people outside Serbia are not as dumb as you want to make believe. They know what crimes Molosevic and the serbian authorities committed against ethnic Albanians, against people who were citizens of Serbia. Nowhere else did it happen this way. Because of it Kosovo is a unique case and you know it very well. You just do not have the courage to admit it. So do not try to fabricate make belive similar examples in the world. Kosovo is a case unique. If Serbia would have treated the Kosovo Albanians the same way as Italy is treating South-Tirol there would be no Kosovo case in the UN today.
(Joe, 10 April 2007 18:48)
"So what, if there is 90% of Albanians in Kosovo now? Before 1999 brutal NATO air raids there was 90% Serbs in that province of Serbia. If many of you are taking care of Kosovo Albanians, why many of today's commentators are not suggesting to settle them on their beautiful land for good?
(Victor, Moscow, Tuesday, 10 April, 2007, 16:22)"
Yhave NO IDEA what you are talking about. Even Yugoslav/Serb census would not support your STUPID/RIDICULOUS claim. If you don't know anything about the land and the people you are writing about, please don't bother to write.
Thank you
P.S. Princip- you are boring me to death with your same old statements. Man, wake up. At least change the words. Stop copying and pasting your previous posts. It's getting old. You are running out of words.
In 5 days it will be 8 years since the regime you voted for FORCED me out of my home, and some of you talk about self inflicted apartheid, My god. you guys need to wake up. Do I need to remind you of the Scorpions and Srebrenica?
- On a brighter note: I just bought my ticket home, I can't wait to go and CELEBRATE.
(Kujtim, 10 April 2007 18:51)
It is clear that as the time goes by more people realize the crime that is directed against Serbia by the so called Democratic nations.
It is obvious that Kossovo will be another muppet to the collection of the West.
Yugoslavia was meant to play a vital role after the collapse of communism so it was dismembered. The tragedy is that is still going on.
I wish to the serbian nation that they manage to maintain their national pride over this issue anf come out stronger. They have a vital role to play in Europe.
To the Kossovo albanians must not persue to unify with Albania because it will be the begining of many troubles.
(Marios Vassilioou, 10 April 2007 20:18)
Serbia in offensive? No offensive can do good to Serbia. Serbia and her leaders need to chill out and accept the reality. The government in Serbia should tell his own people the truth about Kosova and not wasting taxpapers money financing Drashkowic's holiday in South Africa and other parts of the world trying to sell to the world the the soap for cheese. Move move forward to the future guys otherwise you will lose Serbia itself one day, next with Vojvodina. The solution is there Kosova and Serbia two independent democratic countries both in Europe with European mentality.
(EA, 10 April 2007 20:45)
Victor from Moscow, you apparently don't have a clue about Kosova. How in the world you can say that before NATO bombing population of Kosova was 90% serb. Serbs never in history since they migrated from Russia to Balkans, were never a majority in Kosova. during Miloshevic's era they doubled becasue Miloshevic made an offer to serbs that they will eat with golden spoon if they move to Kosova, but still they were in minority no more than 15% of total population.
(Ahmet Isufi, 11 April 2007 08:44)
"In 5 days it will be 8 years since the regime you voted for FORCED me out of my home"
- yes you are right the NATO Air war & bombardment was a poor military instrument utilised by Blair (whom I did note vote for) & Clinton. Beyond the objective of stopping deaths and atrocities it did indeed excacerbate them - creating chaos and the unsurprising flood of refugees - in hindsight one can only believe that Blair & Clinton were at best naive and at worst intentionally wanted to whip up the media hysteria - take your pick I guess you know my view!
Uptil that point it has been shown (now that the media hysteria is removed) that the KLA/UCK were responsible for more deaths then Serbian Military police trying to quel the CIA and BND (US & German "not so" secret services) trained, armed & inspired terrorists. In fact in many circles it has been suggested that the NATO ait war killed more civilians then any Serbian military acting disproportionatly to this terrorist threat!
Fortunetly, the Russians offered a dipolmatic channel for the West & Serbia to stop the violence begating more violence and resolution 1244 was affirmed in the UN SC. However, as you are only too aware that has not stopped the atrocities and ethnic cleansing that has been going on a daily basis since 99 (& I must remind prior to) which one can only assume KFOR consent to seeing as they stand by and suggets it will be properly investigated!
For other blinkered pro-independence commentators what reason other then Serbia's military being disproportionate in attempting to quelthe CIA and BND (US & German "not so" secret services) trained, armed & inspired terrorists ?
Yes, atrocities in the Serbian province of Kosovo & Metohija happened and those reponsible should be held account just as in any other crime but that does not provide justification for the dismemberment of the State!
In dismembering a UN recognised state that accepted a resolution (1244 reconfirmed it's territoial sovereignity) to stop the violence - post conflict (State responsible) but not by the seccesionists - what is the International community doing other then setting a precedent for all other secceionists to be inspired by???
Do we hear of the UN partitioning any other nation which was disproportionate in it's reactions to an internal matter??? Did the UK hand over Northern Ireland or portions of it???
What of other states and how far back do you go??? Does the US give back whole portions to the Mexicans or how about the indigenous people????
More recently, did Rwanda where a real and horrific genocide was indeed commited get partitioned by the UN ???
What are we to make of Sudan and Darfur - does this mean that Sudan should relinquish immediate control of Darfur and more to the point wher are the US & UK with NATO in bombarding all of Sudan????
What about Iraq - does this mean that the US should in fact force a partition rather then just precipitate one as it seems to be doing???
Lebanon - split it between Christians and Muslims???
Which other nations are ripe for humanitarian intervention???
More importantly, who & how do you decide right from wrong when there is no black & white but many shades of grey??? For instance what happens in a civil war that is not based on ethnic or religious division???
The US & UK were wrong in there use of force and the approach because they failed to understand (naive) or purposefully (implicit) created the conditions for a one-sided attack and are now trying their upmost to get the job done before it really comes back to haunt them!!! However, it is in their haste of pushing through a poorly thought through objective that the precdence will actually be what could haunt them.
Fortunetly the UN SC is made of 15 members and not just the 4 who were blinkered to belive that they were not setting a precedent and realise right form wrong!!!
Win-win is the only way forward - yes Serbia must accept its faults and atone for it's wrong but that does not mean it's partition on the contrary reconciliation can only be achieved in the acceptance that all must work together for a etter future for all in Serbia!!!
(Princip, UK, 11 April 2007 10:42)
Victor; You don’t understand human nature. Human nature is same as animal nature. As a child I had to look after sheep in the pasture and when the sheep did not have enough grass they jumped the wall and grazed on the neighbor’s pasture.
(Walter, 6 June 2007 02:55)