PRIŠTINA -- Kosovo President Fatmir Sejdiu says Kosovo cannot serve as an example for Russia to recognize South Ossetia or Abkhazia.
Source: Tanjug
Close the entire text of the article here
"That it is sui generis and it cannot be used as a precedent for other conflict zones, areas or regions,” he said. He did not comment on Russia’s recognition of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, but said that Kosovo was “on the side of great world powers” on that issue.
Sejdiu rejected the possibility of negative implications of Russia’s recognition of South Ossetia and Abkhazia on the process of international recognition of Kosovo independence.
“I believe that this tempo of recognitions will go on,” Sejdiu predicted.
The Serbian Foreign Ministry announced yesterday that Serbia respected international law and that it respected the sovereignty and territorial integrity of internationally recognized countries—especially Serbia.
The ministry said that it was concerned about the events in the Caucasus. It pointed out that Serbian officials had kept warning that Kosovo’s unilateral declaration of independence, as well as the recognition of that illegal act, could have the character of a precedent and destabilize other regions, a statement read.
Kosovo is sui generis? And where that uniqueness lies in? In inadaptability of its inhabitants? I agree then, Kosovo is unique case:-)
(Martin, 29 August 2008 15:59)
Ok, we get it, we get it. putin and co. were and are really that their beloved soviet union (aka russia) lost so much power and was "humiliated" on the world stage. and now russia (aka soviet union) strikes back, whenever and wherever it can. the empire strikes back. what's so confusing about that? did you believe all of that rhetorical baloney about "territorial integrity"? please give me a break. this is new russia, this is old russia, this is russia. democracy and human-rights values ain't real strong there, perhaps something like 5%? does this all ring a bell? i think it does.
The republic of kosova is now an independent nation, and i couldn't care less what putin and co. think about it, or certain others with their bizarre references to "their province"... please spare me the retro look, or i will start singing patriotic songs about the tito days.
i was just traveling throughout the republic of kosova, and i can assure you that it is an independent country, full of hope and promise. and challenges, but that is normal.
meanwhile russia, putin style, shows its real face and it ain't pretty. but if you all wish to ally with them, that's your right.
roberto
frisco/ sarajevo
robertoruss@yahoo.com
(roberto, 28 August 2008 06:09)
Congratulations to South Ossetia and Abkhazia!! The NEWEST countries on the face of the Earth!!!
Thank you Russia for your continued support and encouragement for the oppressed and dissenfranchised. What's fair is fair!!! Right K-Albanians?
I foresee South Ossetia and Abkhazia getting a "Huge wave" of recognitions sometime soon... to quote the K-albanians, it wont be long before:
1. Georgia recognizes the legitimacy of these two NEWEST countries..
2. The rest of Europe recognizes these two countries and sets up diplomatic relations with them... right?
3. Quick EU/NATO/UN acceptance...
After all, the only criteria that K-Albanians give for legitimacy as an independent state are that they are recognized by the regional superpowers... USA/UK/Germany for Kosovo, likewise Russia for South Ossetia and Abkhazia.
Ah yes, the fun is just starting! can't wait to see what happens next... maybe Hawaii will declare it's independence.
(Marinel, 27 August 2008 20:25)
Fatmir, Fatmir. You missed your calling in life. You should have been a king's jester and earn your bread by mimicking the lines and phrases of world leaders for the amusement of those around you, or tried out for the part of the Town Fool at the local Renaissance Faire.
It's bad enough two more parastates have joined yours on the world stage. But to actually paint your colony as something other than it is, is just a sign of your continued folly as a credible leader. Truth be told, Kosovo is very much like SO and Ab. All three are impoverished breakaway regions that refused to accept the sovereignty of the main country. All three have placed their faith and dependence in larger external powers for legitimacy and support. All three have been the product of military campaigns outside the confines of international law. All three have been torn away from the main country by supporting external powers (again without any legal precedent) on account of two normative statements: the people don't want to live in that state anymore, and they've been subjected to years, nay, decades, nay, centuries, of brutal oppression while they've remained innocent and moral. All three's so-called independence is little more than detachment from the mother country, and political, financial, and military responsiblity of someone else.
Oh and one more thing. In response to Ataman's unilateral declaration of independence, I would like to recognize, but I need to stay true to my word on recognizing the territorial integrity of Serbia, Georgia, and wherever you may currently reside. However, may I suggest broad autonomy and an opportunity to establish self government? You might want to nominate your cat as regional prime minister. Lord knows that cat very likely has more brains than most of the current world leaders.
(Mike, 27 August 2008 17:57)
NEHAT, the 120 years is not true as during the TITOs time everybody was happy. ask your motherfather or grandparents or older people who lived during TITOs YUGOSLAVIA. they will say salaries were much higher, prices were much more affordable, public HEALTH services are adequate, no KEK blackouts, and these are facts. All these were destroyed by the west thru milosevic as a tool, they will tell you my friend.
(abu bakar, 27 August 2008 17:44)
I will be very interesting to see if Russia is going to ask Serbia for recognition of SO&A.
However, my personal opinion is that, we are not going to hear about SO&A after this weekend, this is how it works. Russia might have won the war against tiny Georgia militarily but, they are going to loose the media war for sure.
(Olf, 27 August 2008 17:26)
I absolutely love the hypocrisy here on the West's part. Russia perfectly understands what it's doing. Ofcourse it sees the hypocrisy that the West themselves created. Russia is laughing all the way to the bank with this one. The West created this mess, and now it's Russia that's taking advantage, and throwing the ball back in the West's court, 'what are you going to do now?'
(jeju, 27 August 2008 15:07)
Luckily G W Bush power comes to an end this year. He and his goverment are to blame for all these independent states. The only other western leader to cause so much trouble was Hitler. What we see now is an equal footing regarding Kosovo. Lets face it Kosovos independence was nothing to do with the Albanians its merely a political tool for MR Bush and Mr Brown. Its now back fired because the same arguments are being used for AB and OS. The Kosovo special case is utter rubbish, any nation which has civil war is a special case. Kosovo independence will be a thorn in the wests side.
Russia is not the same country as it was in 1999 its a super power again. They now have barging power.
It will not be long before they are all round a table talking, concessions on both sides will be made eg Kosovo, AB and OS
(DAVE B, 27 August 2008 14:41)
After the Pandora Box has been open in Kosovo every nation will have to survive separately or with it's friends. There are no more rules to stop the crazy people heading some of the states. I am not blaming the Albanians which attracted two dozens of states to reach their goal. In the history we can find much more disgusting methods to obtain soveregnity.
The thing is that neither Albanians no the Ossetians and Abkhasians are players in the international affairs. All tree local wars are parts of one scenarium corrected in the White House. The "happy end" of this film is supposed to be total US domination in the world. Very few people know that The Congress discussed US domination in the world when the US were still a British colony. And if you look through the speaches of the Black & White Candidates you will find no changes ever since.
So if we observe the three crisises compared we shall find that all three found no peaceful solution only because of the US support for one of the sides involved. International conflicts are the biggest item of the US exports to the world. They create conflicts and then they come here to solve it for the benefit of their allies.
And there's only one country in the world which dares to openly oppose this new international order. So the most severe attacks sooner or later are aimed at Russia. This is something we are ready to live with because we are invincible from every point of view. We depend only on The Almighty ...
(Orthodox.ru, 27 August 2008 14:25)
Interesting quote from the BBC, about former British ambassador to Yugoslavia, Sir Ivor Roberts. He was quoted as saying, "Moscow has acted brutally in Georgia. But when the United States and Britain backed the independence of Kosovo without UN approval, they paved the way for Russia's 'defence' of South Ossetia, and for the current Western humiliation. What is sauce for the Kosovo goose is sauce for the South Ossetian gander."
(Dragan, Toronto, 27 August 2008 14:17)
Russia has two alternatives (which esclude each other):
A- promote and defend the international law hoping to become a leader for other countries who need a leader in this issue- this is not so easy given the very poor historic and current record of the internal democratic development in Russia; This is the most difficult to do since it requires to sacrifice your own interest for the sake of the principles.
B- take a small profit any time there are turbolences in the world. This is what's happening: S.Osetia is a is a place of 50X72 km square with 70thousand people which doesn't qualify for a nation or whatsoever rather than a town quarter. It is as if we're going to recognize Bronx as an independent country. For this kind of tiny (opportunistic rather than principal issue) Russia is showing a poor record (and ignorance of the world's game) making a U-turn from its previous stand and is betraying Serbia for a very tiny "profit".
If Russia thinks it can have the cake and eat it, this is Russia's matter.
In my opinion Russians have thought only of the (tiny) "profit" but not of the side-efects.
(gjon cima, 27 August 2008 13:34)
Kosovo president says:"We have always stressed that Kosovo has special characteristics.
That it is sui generis and it cannot be used as a precedent for other conflict zones, areas or regions..."
I agree with this statement and I add to it that Kosovo's sui generis nature should be a reason for not recognizing it as a state in the first place. As one of those sui generis characteristics let me add that Kosovo does not have a monument (building, church, etc..) that is at the same time created by albanians, has cultural significance and is older than the oldest citizen of Kosovo.
(Aleksandar Krajisnik, 27 August 2008 13:31)
We keep haring about how Kosovo is unique but never get an explanation as to how. What makes it unique?
If you are referring to casualties of war then you don't have an argument. In every war there are casualties and displaced civilians. Rwanda is unique as well, actually more unique than Kosovo.
There is only one unique thing about Kosovo. No human organ harvesting anywhere else but in Kosovo. Yep, that makes is unique alright, but not in the way which help you.
(Peggy, 27 August 2008 12:41)
I, hereby, declare my own independent republic. I am living under tyranny and oppression (wife, kids, all kind of governments asking pay all kind of taxes, fees). I am certainly a special case, so I deserve independence.
To prove, I am truly independent I need:
1) one Kalashnikov (so I can shoot in the air why celebrating)
2) one good quality laser printer (to print my own money and passport)
3) a cat (so what he meows will be the new anthem)
4) bunch of bottles with paint and a canvas (I can shoot the bottles with Kalashnikov and the flowing paint will make a new flag)
All that sounds like a plan, in 2008 this is all what a new independent republic needs.
(Ataman (again in BG), 27 August 2008 12:19)
Kosovo on the other hand was oppressed by serbia for 120 years before the west decided to do something about it.
(Nehat, 27 August 2008 11:32)
--
Yeah right, is that why the Albanians in Kosovo lived a far better life under Serbian rule than those in Albania proper? The real oppressed people in Kosovo are the Serbians and the ethnic cleansing and buring of churches that has recently occured will come back to haunt the Albanians in the not too distant future.
The tide has well and truly turned against the West and Albanians. The world is simply not interested in the policies of a declining and irresponsible dictatorship.
(ZK UK, 27 August 2008 12:18)
The WEST lead by the US had played "double standard" by recognizing this so called kosovo UDI while rejecting the aspiration of the abkhazians and south ossetians.
Shame on the WEST!! Serbia's borders also deserved to be respected.
(Jevic, 27 August 2008 12:07)
i am not saying that the people of South Ossetia and Abkhazia are to live under tyranny "if that is the case" but they cannot and must not base their independence on Kosovo. As they are two different cases with two different histories.
Russia did invade Georgia for a week so that they can pull this kind of trick on the west over Kosovo. Now our ask yourself if this right invade a nation and murder them just to take some land from them! Kosovo on the other hand was oppressed by serbia for 120 years before the west decided to do something about it.
(Nehat, 27 August 2008 11:32)
"We have always stressed that Kosovo has special characteristics."
Well, it would seem that the terms "special", "unique" or "different" are relative and can be used by anybody to justify raping territorial integrity and international law, as was seen by the USA in February and by Russia in August. The same will be used for the next unrecognized regions of the world when their time comes. I think one has got to be truly naive if they believe that Kosovo and SO/Abkhazia are not related.
"That it is sui generis and it cannot be used as a precedent for other conflict zones, areas or regions"
According to President Medvedev, it has, though of course he can now turn around and say that Abkhazia and South Ossetia are unique, different and special and cannot serve as a precedent for other regions around the world which are less different, special and unique as the latter. Russia and the USA are one and the same with regards to this neo-Cold War.
(Peter Sudyka, 27 August 2008 11:12)
What's Sejdiu talking about? Russia has explicitly stated that the Kosovo precedent has influenced its recognition of S.Ossetia and Abkhazia. The warnings have been there for quite some time and it has now materialised.
As for continued recognition of Kosovo, who is he expecting next? The remaining islands of micronesia? Kosovo independence is dead I'm afraid and the sooner the Albanians realise that the better.
After seeing what this precedent is doing to the world, why would any responsible country want to promote further instability?
(ZK UK, 27 August 2008 10:55)
Dear Mr President, you say the conflict in Georgia is different from Kosovo. Let me see, the albanian populace wanted freedom, Serbia said no, an insurgency was born (KLA) Serbia responded with force, NATO response bomb the Serbian forces with overwhelming Air Power. Kosovo breaks free with NATO'S help. Everybody's happy. S. Ossetia wants freedom Georgia says not, insurgency devolopes in Ossetia, Georgia attacks to stop the insurgency, Russia responds crushing Georgia with overwhelming combine arms. NATO AND EU jumping up and down mad, S Ossetia wants freedom breaks away Russia recognize, US promise Veto just like Russia Veto Kosovo. I am sure they will gain recongination outside UN then Stalemate. What a wonderful story line for a movie.
(Truth Hurts, 27 August 2008 10:45)
The WEST lead by the US had played "double standard" by recognizing this so called kosovo UDI while rejecting the aspiration of the abkhazians and south ossetians.
Shame on the WEST!! Serbia's borders also deserved to be respected.
(Jevic, 27 August 2008 12:07)
Kosovo on the other hand was oppressed by serbia for 120 years before the west decided to do something about it.
(Nehat, 27 August 2008 11:32)
--
Yeah right, is that why the Albanians in Kosovo lived a far better life under Serbian rule than those in Albania proper? The real oppressed people in Kosovo are the Serbians and the ethnic cleansing and buring of churches that has recently occured will come back to haunt the Albanians in the not too distant future.
The tide has well and truly turned against the West and Albanians. The world is simply not interested in the policies of a declining and irresponsible dictatorship.
(ZK UK, 27 August 2008 12:18)
Luckily G W Bush power comes to an end this year. He and his goverment are to blame for all these independent states. The only other western leader to cause so much trouble was Hitler. What we see now is an equal footing regarding Kosovo. Lets face it Kosovos independence was nothing to do with the Albanians its merely a political tool for MR Bush and Mr Brown. Its now back fired because the same arguments are being used for AB and OS. The Kosovo special case is utter rubbish, any nation which has civil war is a special case. Kosovo independence will be a thorn in the wests side.
Russia is not the same country as it was in 1999 its a super power again. They now have barging power.
It will not be long before they are all round a table talking, concessions on both sides will be made eg Kosovo, AB and OS
(DAVE B, 27 August 2008 14:41)
I absolutely love the hypocrisy here on the West's part. Russia perfectly understands what it's doing. Ofcourse it sees the hypocrisy that the West themselves created. Russia is laughing all the way to the bank with this one. The West created this mess, and now it's Russia that's taking advantage, and throwing the ball back in the West's court, 'what are you going to do now?'
(jeju, 27 August 2008 15:07)
What's Sejdiu talking about? Russia has explicitly stated that the Kosovo precedent has influenced its recognition of S.Ossetia and Abkhazia. The warnings have been there for quite some time and it has now materialised.
As for continued recognition of Kosovo, who is he expecting next? The remaining islands of micronesia? Kosovo independence is dead I'm afraid and the sooner the Albanians realise that the better.
After seeing what this precedent is doing to the world, why would any responsible country want to promote further instability?
(ZK UK, 27 August 2008 10:55)
After the Pandora Box has been open in Kosovo every nation will have to survive separately or with it's friends. There are no more rules to stop the crazy people heading some of the states. I am not blaming the Albanians which attracted two dozens of states to reach their goal. In the history we can find much more disgusting methods to obtain soveregnity.
The thing is that neither Albanians no the Ossetians and Abkhasians are players in the international affairs. All tree local wars are parts of one scenarium corrected in the White House. The "happy end" of this film is supposed to be total US domination in the world. Very few people know that The Congress discussed US domination in the world when the US were still a British colony. And if you look through the speaches of the Black & White Candidates you will find no changes ever since.
So if we observe the three crisises compared we shall find that all three found no peaceful solution only because of the US support for one of the sides involved. International conflicts are the biggest item of the US exports to the world. They create conflicts and then they come here to solve it for the benefit of their allies.
And there's only one country in the world which dares to openly oppose this new international order. So the most severe attacks sooner or later are aimed at Russia. This is something we are ready to live with because we are invincible from every point of view. We depend only on The Almighty ...
(Orthodox.ru, 27 August 2008 14:25)
I, hereby, declare my own independent republic. I am living under tyranny and oppression (wife, kids, all kind of governments asking pay all kind of taxes, fees). I am certainly a special case, so I deserve independence.
To prove, I am truly independent I need:
1) one Kalashnikov (so I can shoot in the air why celebrating)
2) one good quality laser printer (to print my own money and passport)
3) a cat (so what he meows will be the new anthem)
4) bunch of bottles with paint and a canvas (I can shoot the bottles with Kalashnikov and the flowing paint will make a new flag)
All that sounds like a plan, in 2008 this is all what a new independent republic needs.
(Ataman (again in BG), 27 August 2008 12:19)
Interesting quote from the BBC, about former British ambassador to Yugoslavia, Sir Ivor Roberts. He was quoted as saying, "Moscow has acted brutally in Georgia. But when the United States and Britain backed the independence of Kosovo without UN approval, they paved the way for Russia's 'defence' of South Ossetia, and for the current Western humiliation. What is sauce for the Kosovo goose is sauce for the South Ossetian gander."
(Dragan, Toronto, 27 August 2008 14:17)
"We have always stressed that Kosovo has special characteristics."
Well, it would seem that the terms "special", "unique" or "different" are relative and can be used by anybody to justify raping territorial integrity and international law, as was seen by the USA in February and by Russia in August. The same will be used for the next unrecognized regions of the world when their time comes. I think one has got to be truly naive if they believe that Kosovo and SO/Abkhazia are not related.
"That it is sui generis and it cannot be used as a precedent for other conflict zones, areas or regions"
According to President Medvedev, it has, though of course he can now turn around and say that Abkhazia and South Ossetia are unique, different and special and cannot serve as a precedent for other regions around the world which are less different, special and unique as the latter. Russia and the USA are one and the same with regards to this neo-Cold War.
(Peter Sudyka, 27 August 2008 11:12)
Dear Mr President, you say the conflict in Georgia is different from Kosovo. Let me see, the albanian populace wanted freedom, Serbia said no, an insurgency was born (KLA) Serbia responded with force, NATO response bomb the Serbian forces with overwhelming Air Power. Kosovo breaks free with NATO'S help. Everybody's happy. S. Ossetia wants freedom Georgia says not, insurgency devolopes in Ossetia, Georgia attacks to stop the insurgency, Russia responds crushing Georgia with overwhelming combine arms. NATO AND EU jumping up and down mad, S Ossetia wants freedom breaks away Russia recognize, US promise Veto just like Russia Veto Kosovo. I am sure they will gain recongination outside UN then Stalemate. What a wonderful story line for a movie.
(Truth Hurts, 27 August 2008 10:45)
We keep haring about how Kosovo is unique but never get an explanation as to how. What makes it unique?
If you are referring to casualties of war then you don't have an argument. In every war there are casualties and displaced civilians. Rwanda is unique as well, actually more unique than Kosovo.
There is only one unique thing about Kosovo. No human organ harvesting anywhere else but in Kosovo. Yep, that makes is unique alright, but not in the way which help you.
(Peggy, 27 August 2008 12:41)
Kosovo president says:"We have always stressed that Kosovo has special characteristics.
That it is sui generis and it cannot be used as a precedent for other conflict zones, areas or regions..."
I agree with this statement and I add to it that Kosovo's sui generis nature should be a reason for not recognizing it as a state in the first place. As one of those sui generis characteristics let me add that Kosovo does not have a monument (building, church, etc..) that is at the same time created by albanians, has cultural significance and is older than the oldest citizen of Kosovo.
(Aleksandar Krajisnik, 27 August 2008 13:31)
Fatmir, Fatmir. You missed your calling in life. You should have been a king's jester and earn your bread by mimicking the lines and phrases of world leaders for the amusement of those around you, or tried out for the part of the Town Fool at the local Renaissance Faire.
It's bad enough two more parastates have joined yours on the world stage. But to actually paint your colony as something other than it is, is just a sign of your continued folly as a credible leader. Truth be told, Kosovo is very much like SO and Ab. All three are impoverished breakaway regions that refused to accept the sovereignty of the main country. All three have placed their faith and dependence in larger external powers for legitimacy and support. All three have been the product of military campaigns outside the confines of international law. All three have been torn away from the main country by supporting external powers (again without any legal precedent) on account of two normative statements: the people don't want to live in that state anymore, and they've been subjected to years, nay, decades, nay, centuries, of brutal oppression while they've remained innocent and moral. All three's so-called independence is little more than detachment from the mother country, and political, financial, and military responsiblity of someone else.
Oh and one more thing. In response to Ataman's unilateral declaration of independence, I would like to recognize, but I need to stay true to my word on recognizing the territorial integrity of Serbia, Georgia, and wherever you may currently reside. However, may I suggest broad autonomy and an opportunity to establish self government? You might want to nominate your cat as regional prime minister. Lord knows that cat very likely has more brains than most of the current world leaders.
(Mike, 27 August 2008 17:57)
Congratulations to South Ossetia and Abkhazia!! The NEWEST countries on the face of the Earth!!!
Thank you Russia for your continued support and encouragement for the oppressed and dissenfranchised. What's fair is fair!!! Right K-Albanians?
I foresee South Ossetia and Abkhazia getting a "Huge wave" of recognitions sometime soon... to quote the K-albanians, it wont be long before:
1. Georgia recognizes the legitimacy of these two NEWEST countries..
2. The rest of Europe recognizes these two countries and sets up diplomatic relations with them... right?
3. Quick EU/NATO/UN acceptance...
After all, the only criteria that K-Albanians give for legitimacy as an independent state are that they are recognized by the regional superpowers... USA/UK/Germany for Kosovo, likewise Russia for South Ossetia and Abkhazia.
Ah yes, the fun is just starting! can't wait to see what happens next... maybe Hawaii will declare it's independence.
(Marinel, 27 August 2008 20:25)
i am not saying that the people of South Ossetia and Abkhazia are to live under tyranny "if that is the case" but they cannot and must not base their independence on Kosovo. As they are two different cases with two different histories.
Russia did invade Georgia for a week so that they can pull this kind of trick on the west over Kosovo. Now our ask yourself if this right invade a nation and murder them just to take some land from them! Kosovo on the other hand was oppressed by serbia for 120 years before the west decided to do something about it.
(Nehat, 27 August 2008 11:32)
NEHAT, the 120 years is not true as during the TITOs time everybody was happy. ask your motherfather or grandparents or older people who lived during TITOs YUGOSLAVIA. they will say salaries were much higher, prices were much more affordable, public HEALTH services are adequate, no KEK blackouts, and these are facts. All these were destroyed by the west thru milosevic as a tool, they will tell you my friend.
(abu bakar, 27 August 2008 17:44)
I will be very interesting to see if Russia is going to ask Serbia for recognition of SO&A.
However, my personal opinion is that, we are not going to hear about SO&A after this weekend, this is how it works. Russia might have won the war against tiny Georgia militarily but, they are going to loose the media war for sure.
(Olf, 27 August 2008 17:26)
Russia has two alternatives (which esclude each other):
A- promote and defend the international law hoping to become a leader for other countries who need a leader in this issue- this is not so easy given the very poor historic and current record of the internal democratic development in Russia; This is the most difficult to do since it requires to sacrifice your own interest for the sake of the principles.
B- take a small profit any time there are turbolences in the world. This is what's happening: S.Osetia is a is a place of 50X72 km square with 70thousand people which doesn't qualify for a nation or whatsoever rather than a town quarter. It is as if we're going to recognize Bronx as an independent country. For this kind of tiny (opportunistic rather than principal issue) Russia is showing a poor record (and ignorance of the world's game) making a U-turn from its previous stand and is betraying Serbia for a very tiny "profit".
If Russia thinks it can have the cake and eat it, this is Russia's matter.
In my opinion Russians have thought only of the (tiny) "profit" but not of the side-efects.
(gjon cima, 27 August 2008 13:34)
Kosovo is sui generis? And where that uniqueness lies in? In inadaptability of its inhabitants? I agree then, Kosovo is unique case:-)
(Martin, 29 August 2008 15:59)
Ok, we get it, we get it. putin and co. were and are really that their beloved soviet union (aka russia) lost so much power and was "humiliated" on the world stage. and now russia (aka soviet union) strikes back, whenever and wherever it can. the empire strikes back. what's so confusing about that? did you believe all of that rhetorical baloney about "territorial integrity"? please give me a break. this is new russia, this is old russia, this is russia. democracy and human-rights values ain't real strong there, perhaps something like 5%? does this all ring a bell? i think it does.
The republic of kosova is now an independent nation, and i couldn't care less what putin and co. think about it, or certain others with their bizarre references to "their province"... please spare me the retro look, or i will start singing patriotic songs about the tito days.
i was just traveling throughout the republic of kosova, and i can assure you that it is an independent country, full of hope and promise. and challenges, but that is normal.
meanwhile russia, putin style, shows its real face and it ain't pretty. but if you all wish to ally with them, that's your right.
roberto
frisco/ sarajevo
robertoruss@yahoo.com
(roberto, 28 August 2008 06:09)
i am not saying that the people of South Ossetia and Abkhazia are to live under tyranny "if that is the case" but they cannot and must not base their independence on Kosovo. As they are two different cases with two different histories.
Russia did invade Georgia for a week so that they can pull this kind of trick on the west over Kosovo. Now our ask yourself if this right invade a nation and murder them just to take some land from them! Kosovo on the other hand was oppressed by serbia for 120 years before the west decided to do something about it.
(Nehat, 27 August 2008 11:32)
Russia has two alternatives (which esclude each other):
A- promote and defend the international law hoping to become a leader for other countries who need a leader in this issue- this is not so easy given the very poor historic and current record of the internal democratic development in Russia; This is the most difficult to do since it requires to sacrifice your own interest for the sake of the principles.
B- take a small profit any time there are turbolences in the world. This is what's happening: S.Osetia is a is a place of 50X72 km square with 70thousand people which doesn't qualify for a nation or whatsoever rather than a town quarter. It is as if we're going to recognize Bronx as an independent country. For this kind of tiny (opportunistic rather than principal issue) Russia is showing a poor record (and ignorance of the world's game) making a U-turn from its previous stand and is betraying Serbia for a very tiny "profit".
If Russia thinks it can have the cake and eat it, this is Russia's matter.
In my opinion Russians have thought only of the (tiny) "profit" but not of the side-efects.
(gjon cima, 27 August 2008 13:34)
We keep haring about how Kosovo is unique but never get an explanation as to how. What makes it unique?
If you are referring to casualties of war then you don't have an argument. In every war there are casualties and displaced civilians. Rwanda is unique as well, actually more unique than Kosovo.
There is only one unique thing about Kosovo. No human organ harvesting anywhere else but in Kosovo. Yep, that makes is unique alright, but not in the way which help you.
(Peggy, 27 August 2008 12:41)
Dear Mr President, you say the conflict in Georgia is different from Kosovo. Let me see, the albanian populace wanted freedom, Serbia said no, an insurgency was born (KLA) Serbia responded with force, NATO response bomb the Serbian forces with overwhelming Air Power. Kosovo breaks free with NATO'S help. Everybody's happy. S. Ossetia wants freedom Georgia says not, insurgency devolopes in Ossetia, Georgia attacks to stop the insurgency, Russia responds crushing Georgia with overwhelming combine arms. NATO AND EU jumping up and down mad, S Ossetia wants freedom breaks away Russia recognize, US promise Veto just like Russia Veto Kosovo. I am sure they will gain recongination outside UN then Stalemate. What a wonderful story line for a movie.
(Truth Hurts, 27 August 2008 10:45)
Kosovo on the other hand was oppressed by serbia for 120 years before the west decided to do something about it.
(Nehat, 27 August 2008 11:32)
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Yeah right, is that why the Albanians in Kosovo lived a far better life under Serbian rule than those in Albania proper? The real oppressed people in Kosovo are the Serbians and the ethnic cleansing and buring of churches that has recently occured will come back to haunt the Albanians in the not too distant future.
The tide has well and truly turned against the West and Albanians. The world is simply not interested in the policies of a declining and irresponsible dictatorship.
(ZK UK, 27 August 2008 12:18)
Luckily G W Bush power comes to an end this year. He and his goverment are to blame for all these independent states. The only other western leader to cause so much trouble was Hitler. What we see now is an equal footing regarding Kosovo. Lets face it Kosovos independence was nothing to do with the Albanians its merely a political tool for MR Bush and Mr Brown. Its now back fired because the same arguments are being used for AB and OS. The Kosovo special case is utter rubbish, any nation which has civil war is a special case. Kosovo independence will be a thorn in the wests side.
Russia is not the same country as it was in 1999 its a super power again. They now have barging power.
It will not be long before they are all round a table talking, concessions on both sides will be made eg Kosovo, AB and OS
(DAVE B, 27 August 2008 14:41)
Congratulations to South Ossetia and Abkhazia!! The NEWEST countries on the face of the Earth!!!
Thank you Russia for your continued support and encouragement for the oppressed and dissenfranchised. What's fair is fair!!! Right K-Albanians?
I foresee South Ossetia and Abkhazia getting a "Huge wave" of recognitions sometime soon... to quote the K-albanians, it wont be long before:
1. Georgia recognizes the legitimacy of these two NEWEST countries..
2. The rest of Europe recognizes these two countries and sets up diplomatic relations with them... right?
3. Quick EU/NATO/UN acceptance...
After all, the only criteria that K-Albanians give for legitimacy as an independent state are that they are recognized by the regional superpowers... USA/UK/Germany for Kosovo, likewise Russia for South Ossetia and Abkhazia.
Ah yes, the fun is just starting! can't wait to see what happens next... maybe Hawaii will declare it's independence.
(Marinel, 27 August 2008 20:25)
NEHAT, the 120 years is not true as during the TITOs time everybody was happy. ask your motherfather or grandparents or older people who lived during TITOs YUGOSLAVIA. they will say salaries were much higher, prices were much more affordable, public HEALTH services are adequate, no KEK blackouts, and these are facts. All these were destroyed by the west thru milosevic as a tool, they will tell you my friend.
(abu bakar, 27 August 2008 17:44)
I will be very interesting to see if Russia is going to ask Serbia for recognition of SO&A.
However, my personal opinion is that, we are not going to hear about SO&A after this weekend, this is how it works. Russia might have won the war against tiny Georgia militarily but, they are going to loose the media war for sure.
(Olf, 27 August 2008 17:26)
Kosovo is sui generis? And where that uniqueness lies in? In inadaptability of its inhabitants? I agree then, Kosovo is unique case:-)
(Martin, 29 August 2008 15:59)
Fatmir, Fatmir. You missed your calling in life. You should have been a king's jester and earn your bread by mimicking the lines and phrases of world leaders for the amusement of those around you, or tried out for the part of the Town Fool at the local Renaissance Faire.
It's bad enough two more parastates have joined yours on the world stage. But to actually paint your colony as something other than it is, is just a sign of your continued folly as a credible leader. Truth be told, Kosovo is very much like SO and Ab. All three are impoverished breakaway regions that refused to accept the sovereignty of the main country. All three have placed their faith and dependence in larger external powers for legitimacy and support. All three have been the product of military campaigns outside the confines of international law. All three have been torn away from the main country by supporting external powers (again without any legal precedent) on account of two normative statements: the people don't want to live in that state anymore, and they've been subjected to years, nay, decades, nay, centuries, of brutal oppression while they've remained innocent and moral. All three's so-called independence is little more than detachment from the mother country, and political, financial, and military responsiblity of someone else.
Oh and one more thing. In response to Ataman's unilateral declaration of independence, I would like to recognize, but I need to stay true to my word on recognizing the territorial integrity of Serbia, Georgia, and wherever you may currently reside. However, may I suggest broad autonomy and an opportunity to establish self government? You might want to nominate your cat as regional prime minister. Lord knows that cat very likely has more brains than most of the current world leaders.
(Mike, 27 August 2008 17:57)
Ok, we get it, we get it. putin and co. were and are really that their beloved soviet union (aka russia) lost so much power and was "humiliated" on the world stage. and now russia (aka soviet union) strikes back, whenever and wherever it can. the empire strikes back. what's so confusing about that? did you believe all of that rhetorical baloney about "territorial integrity"? please give me a break. this is new russia, this is old russia, this is russia. democracy and human-rights values ain't real strong there, perhaps something like 5%? does this all ring a bell? i think it does.
The republic of kosova is now an independent nation, and i couldn't care less what putin and co. think about it, or certain others with their bizarre references to "their province"... please spare me the retro look, or i will start singing patriotic songs about the tito days.
i was just traveling throughout the republic of kosova, and i can assure you that it is an independent country, full of hope and promise. and challenges, but that is normal.
meanwhile russia, putin style, shows its real face and it ain't pretty. but if you all wish to ally with them, that's your right.
roberto
frisco/ sarajevo
robertoruss@yahoo.com
(roberto, 28 August 2008 06:09)
Kosovo president says:"We have always stressed that Kosovo has special characteristics.
That it is sui generis and it cannot be used as a precedent for other conflict zones, areas or regions..."
I agree with this statement and I add to it that Kosovo's sui generis nature should be a reason for not recognizing it as a state in the first place. As one of those sui generis characteristics let me add that Kosovo does not have a monument (building, church, etc..) that is at the same time created by albanians, has cultural significance and is older than the oldest citizen of Kosovo.
(Aleksandar Krajisnik, 27 August 2008 13:31)
I, hereby, declare my own independent republic. I am living under tyranny and oppression (wife, kids, all kind of governments asking pay all kind of taxes, fees). I am certainly a special case, so I deserve independence.
To prove, I am truly independent I need:
1) one Kalashnikov (so I can shoot in the air why celebrating)
2) one good quality laser printer (to print my own money and passport)
3) a cat (so what he meows will be the new anthem)
4) bunch of bottles with paint and a canvas (I can shoot the bottles with Kalashnikov and the flowing paint will make a new flag)
All that sounds like a plan, in 2008 this is all what a new independent republic needs.
(Ataman (again in BG), 27 August 2008 12:19)
After the Pandora Box has been open in Kosovo every nation will have to survive separately or with it's friends. There are no more rules to stop the crazy people heading some of the states. I am not blaming the Albanians which attracted two dozens of states to reach their goal. In the history we can find much more disgusting methods to obtain soveregnity.
The thing is that neither Albanians no the Ossetians and Abkhasians are players in the international affairs. All tree local wars are parts of one scenarium corrected in the White House. The "happy end" of this film is supposed to be total US domination in the world. Very few people know that The Congress discussed US domination in the world when the US were still a British colony. And if you look through the speaches of the Black & White Candidates you will find no changes ever since.
So if we observe the three crisises compared we shall find that all three found no peaceful solution only because of the US support for one of the sides involved. International conflicts are the biggest item of the US exports to the world. They create conflicts and then they come here to solve it for the benefit of their allies.
And there's only one country in the world which dares to openly oppose this new international order. So the most severe attacks sooner or later are aimed at Russia. This is something we are ready to live with because we are invincible from every point of view. We depend only on The Almighty ...
(Orthodox.ru, 27 August 2008 14:25)
Interesting quote from the BBC, about former British ambassador to Yugoslavia, Sir Ivor Roberts. He was quoted as saying, "Moscow has acted brutally in Georgia. But when the United States and Britain backed the independence of Kosovo without UN approval, they paved the way for Russia's 'defence' of South Ossetia, and for the current Western humiliation. What is sauce for the Kosovo goose is sauce for the South Ossetian gander."
(Dragan, Toronto, 27 August 2008 14:17)
"We have always stressed that Kosovo has special characteristics."
Well, it would seem that the terms "special", "unique" or "different" are relative and can be used by anybody to justify raping territorial integrity and international law, as was seen by the USA in February and by Russia in August. The same will be used for the next unrecognized regions of the world when their time comes. I think one has got to be truly naive if they believe that Kosovo and SO/Abkhazia are not related.
"That it is sui generis and it cannot be used as a precedent for other conflict zones, areas or regions"
According to President Medvedev, it has, though of course he can now turn around and say that Abkhazia and South Ossetia are unique, different and special and cannot serve as a precedent for other regions around the world which are less different, special and unique as the latter. Russia and the USA are one and the same with regards to this neo-Cold War.
(Peter Sudyka, 27 August 2008 11:12)
I absolutely love the hypocrisy here on the West's part. Russia perfectly understands what it's doing. Ofcourse it sees the hypocrisy that the West themselves created. Russia is laughing all the way to the bank with this one. The West created this mess, and now it's Russia that's taking advantage, and throwing the ball back in the West's court, 'what are you going to do now?'
(jeju, 27 August 2008 15:07)
The WEST lead by the US had played "double standard" by recognizing this so called kosovo UDI while rejecting the aspiration of the abkhazians and south ossetians.
Shame on the WEST!! Serbia's borders also deserved to be respected.
(Jevic, 27 August 2008 12:07)
What's Sejdiu talking about? Russia has explicitly stated that the Kosovo precedent has influenced its recognition of S.Ossetia and Abkhazia. The warnings have been there for quite some time and it has now materialised.
As for continued recognition of Kosovo, who is he expecting next? The remaining islands of micronesia? Kosovo independence is dead I'm afraid and the sooner the Albanians realise that the better.
After seeing what this precedent is doing to the world, why would any responsible country want to promote further instability?
(ZK UK, 27 August 2008 10:55)