Dmitry Medvedev mentioned the case of Kosovo in justifying Moscow’s decision to recognize South Ossetia and Abkhazia.
“We did like the other countries did with Kosovo and other problems,” the Russian president told the BBC, without going any further into detail.
Earlier he said that Kosovo was a special case and that it should not be compared with the situation in South Ossetia and Abkhazia.
Recognition of South Ossetia and Abkhazia’s independence was in line with international law, he said, pointing out that “each case of recognition was special” and that the situation in Kosovo was “special”, but that so too was the situation in South Ossetia and Abkhazia.
Medvedev told Russia Today that his colleagues had spoken of Kosovo as a “special case” or “casus sui generis”.
"Each case of recognition is special in its own way. Kosovo has a special situation, as do South Ossetia and Abkhazia,” he reflected.
"And if we talk about our situation, it is perfectly obvious that the decision we made was to prevent genocide, to prevent the extermination of the people and to help them to survive,” said the Russian president.
Previously, Medvedev told Western media that Russia’s position that Kosovo did not have enough basis to be recognized as a subject of international law had not been shared by a large number of countries, and that “a significant number of countries still recognized Kosovo as an independent state.”
"In the times of ethnic cleansing and genocide—in the early 90s and recently—the situation is different and it gives grounds for the application of the UN Charter, the Convention from 1970, and the Helsinki Act as a basis for recognition of South Ossetia and Abkhazia," Medvedev told western media.
He said that Russia did not intend to meddle in “other situations, other conflicts, but that it had an obligation to protect its interests. It makes perfect sense,” Medvedev said.
Once again accusing Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili of organizing “genocide” in South Ossetia, Medvedev said that Moscow had had to react to protect its citizens in the breakaway region.
“Russia prevented murder and tried to preserve the unity of the Georgian state. But, after the genocide organized by the Saakashvili regime, “the situation changed, and the most important thing was to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe,” said the Russian president.
The WEST recognition of kosovo UDI has set a precedent and it became the rootcause of the problem in Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
Russia's action is justified.
(Jevic, 27 August 2008, 10:01)
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For everyone to "enjoy": few poor souls running around like spider on the wall and shooting in the air. Similar pictures like in Kosovo this February. Georgians, Ossetians, Serbs, Albanians being kicked around and played with by "high powers". And if anything they don't like: let's bomb Palic zoo or Borzhomi National Park. I like these "humanitarian bombings"... This does not excuse miloshevic or saakashvili to any degree, but here are the pretty pictures:
Let's celebrate two more states, run by warlords and gangsters, one (since February 17) was not enough.
(Ataman (again in BG), 27 August 2008, 10:09)
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'“Russia prevented murder and tried to preserve the unity of the Georgian state. But, after the genocide organized by the Saakashvili regime, “the situation changed, and the most important thing was to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe,” said the Russian president."
"Russia prevented murder.." by killing over 2000 civilians? However even by killing 2000 inocent people, Russia again proved itself that their fist has no muscule force behind, now I would ask that president, what will happend, if all the former Warsava Pact states,those states which once have tasted the russian occupation ( for Gregor: I know Romania will not be in ), make e deal to form one Anti russian front? The "mighty" Russia will collapse, it will be isolated, and the russian people will be poorer then they are, even their govenrment with billions of some corruption money will get in trouble, their money would not be able to be spend in Russia itself, they can buy patato, chicken, pigs and votka as much as they want , but nothing more. And I am sure that sooner or later that will happend, it will be like the story with bear and ants...ants won on the story, and so president Medvedev, if you wanna keep your "bear" status, then be a dancing bear and do not atack innocent civilians, because all this happens only once.
(albano, 27 August 2008, 10:27)
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“We did like the other countries did with Kosovo and other problems,” Medvedev.
GOOD!!!!
NOw don't VETO teh new UNSEC resolution and recognise Kosova too.
It seams that the recognition of Kosova will get another supporter.
(ben, 27 August 2008, 10:44)
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By saying this, Medvedev proves that the question of Kosovo recognition has nothing to do with international law or territorial sovereignty.
What the West have been saying about Georgia's territorial integrity and international law reflect exactly the same thing.
No power on this planet cares about territorial integrity and considers international law to be relative when it comes to their pawns and the pawns of the opposing side. We will see another Cold War thanks to people like George Bush and Vladimir Putin.
Both the USA and Russia need serious changes of leadership, and pronto!
(Peter Sudyka, 27 August 2008, 11:01)
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thats why mr bush did not speak in front of the camera to critisize russia on this thing. someone only read his comments and rhetoric. his kosovo actions boomerang directly in his face. rice was saying to veto a UN resolution on ossetia. dont worry it wont happen because like kosovo there is no resolution needed HAHAHA
(kumar jinnah, 27 August 2008, 11:09)
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It is a fact that Russia contributed to Kosovo's Independence (if you remember the principles of Contact Group which laid the foundations for the Ahtisari Plan). The reason for it was that it would open the door for Russia to contribute also on independence the two breakaway provinces of Georgia.Russia fell just short of allowing UN SC to endorse Kosovo independence, and wanted countries to recognize Kosovo individually, opening the door to Russia to do the same. This because Russia did the math, and knew that UN SC would never recognize South Ossetia and Abkhazia.
As always during the last two decades, Serbia is still blind. But being a strong support of Russia, (even though Russia has its interests, not Serbia's, after the latest developments, EU will not tolerate Serbia flirting with wild beasts any longer. Serbia has to decide, be Russia's hand and destabilize the region (OUT of EU) or get closer and In EU, and recognize Kosovo.
(Denis, 27 August 2008, 11:24)
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“We did like the other countries did with Kosovo and other problems,” the Russian president told the BBC
--
Enough said.
(ZK UK, 27 August 2008, 11:44)
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All those countries that have recognised the Kosovo UDI are to be ignored and will not have any say in the Georgia situation. They have already excluded themselves from any say not just in Georgia but all future UDIs as well. We should only listen to the remaining 150 countries or so, and so far they have been pretty quiet and cautious with words which is the way it should be.
(Python, 27 August 2008, 13:39)
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I never trusted Russian Government and never will!!!
They are arrogant and the most ignorant Government which I know!
Dear Serbs,it is time for you to turn to WEST,forget Russia because you will be disappointed.
Rather turn to West then to 18th Century!
When Russian's have the money,they can't control themselves,they act like a spoiled child and in this case we can only watch and pray that something bigger doesn't happen!!!
(louie, 27 August 2008, 13:57)
end program:
(Jan Andersen, DK, 27 August 2008, 14:04)
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"“We did like the other countries did with Kosovo and other problems,” the Russian president told the BBC"
so you attack a poor country for no reason? by the way: Azbahia was only 20% Azbakhian until 1990's!! Now they will be states with 70,000 people ;)
[link]#comments
To those cheering: How does the Islamic Republic of Sandzak or the Republic of Presevo Valley sound? Fair right?
(Alban, 27 August 2008, 14:20)
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OSSETIA, ABKHAZIA, AND NORTHERN KOSOVA
Russian hegemonic plan is being implemented in face of the scepticism of the EU and the United States, with the latter being focused on the internal elections for the White House.
By manipulating with the Kosova case and by presenting Kosova, through unmatched propaganda, as a world precedent, Moscow staged the foretold play with Georgia's separatist regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. Following a sudden occupation of the Georgina territory by the Russian troops, those two provinces declared their independences, and Russia rushed to recognize them. On the other hand, the international community has immediately expressed disagreement with such a policy of Russia.
But, has Kosova's independence produced real effects on the Russia-Georgia conflict?
In fact the pretext was excellent for Moscow, but the reality is completely different.
The independence of Kosova was strongly supported within hours by the United States and reputable European Union countries, while the reaction we have seen with the case of the independence of Georgia's territories has been very disapproving.
This international stance suggests immediate isolation and refusal to recognize those two unsustainable countries created solely as a result of Russia's expansionist policy.
After the recognition by Russia of South Ossetia, Abkhazia, it will be interesting to see Serbia's position, which has not recognized Kosova yet. Now after those two separatist regions seceded from Georgia and after they were recognized by Russia, Belgrade will be left without a key argument it has continuously used. Now it will be easier for them to recognize us as a state. But, at the same time there is fear with regard to the unstable north of Kosova. With its policies, Serbia may provoke extremist activities, and one should not rule out efforts for secession of that part of Kosova. For this reason the international community and Kosova institutions should be very cautious and efficient in the north of the country.
We should not allow South Ossetia and Abkhazia happen in Kosova. In such a case the consequences would go beyond the Republic of Kosova borders.
(Veton Rugova, 27 August 2008, 14:28)
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Ataman
I am afraid the Hungarian part of your blood is always dominating over your Russian blood. I sometimes feel shame for you coz you behave worse than most of the Albanians in the forum.
You must be proud that Russia is rising up from it's knees ! RUSSIAN SOUNDS VERY PROUD ALL OVER THE WORLD while quite a few people outside Europe have ever heard of Hungary ! And you must be proud that Russia becomes the single hope for small nations all over the world ! You must be proud that Russia puts an end to another Horti like fascist regime ! You must be proud that Russia is able to punish the US and the helpless EU cowards and give them a kick with cold shower ect.
You are not an ATAMAN ! Best if you call yourself CAPTAIN TENKESH or something of the kind. According to Visotsky you are И НЕ ДРУГ И НЕ ВРАГ , А ТАК ... This is who you are but in no case an ATAMAN. The Kasaks headed by Atamans were the main plot for the Russian Empire but you look like an anti Russian agent of influence rather than an ATAMAN. If you do not agree please tell me of any ATAMAN who joined our enemies like you do all the time ! Tell me of another Catholic Ataman in the history !
1600 killed civillians during just one day of August 8 ! 92% of houses in Tshinval destroyed during 3 days ! What other evidence do you need to understand that WE ARE WRIGHT !?
(Orthodox.ru, 27 August 2008, 16:03)
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Kosovo cold be used as the justification of Russian actions but certainly is not the causation of those events.
Sice the collapse of the Soviet Union, subsequent US
administrations have been actinr unilaterally by ignoring world opinion.Russia,s national interests were constantly eroded and the country was treated as the world's pariah.
The loss of influence and the feeiling of encirclement
gave Putin and his country alegitimate right to return to the world stage through the power it gained from rising energy prices.
Russia's comeback on the world stage doesn't mean a return to a new cold war.The reason for this is the absence of ideology battles.I
still think that dependency and globalization will make it virtually impossible for the West and Russia to engage in military conflicts in the future.
(Leonidas, 27 August 2008, 16:55)
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Is it me, or has the world gotten considerably more insane in the last two weeks?
(Mike, 27 August 2008, 18:02)
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Mike
My friend, believe me, it is not just you. I reacted in exactly the same way when I heard the news about these recognitions. Like me, you are probably wondering what is the next line to overstep.
(Peter Sudyka, 27 August 2008, 21:01)
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I think the west should recognize Chechnya as an independent country.
(PPQ, 27 August 2008, 21:02)
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"By saying this, Medvedev proves that the question of Kosovo recognition has nothing to do with international law or territorial sovereignty."
Peter thanks for getting this right at the end) Better late than ever)
(EA, 27 August 2008, 22:14)
“Kosovo no S. Ossetia or Abkhazia”
27 August
2008
Kosovo President Fatmir Sejdiu says Kosovo cannot serve as an example for Russia to recognize South Ossetia or Abkhazia.
"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,” 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.
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)
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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)
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"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)
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this is true...
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)
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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)
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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)
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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)
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Kosovo unique??? Why? How?
Please explain.
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)
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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)
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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)
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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)
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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)
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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)
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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)
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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)
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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)
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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)
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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)
"Russia to maintain support for Serbia"
27 August
2008
The Russian ambassador says Moscow's recognition of S.Ossetia and Abkhazia will not weaken Serbia's position on Kosovo.
Aleksandr Konuzin pointed out that Moscow would continue to strongly support Belgrade’s position on the issue.
“As far as Kosovo is concerned, I don't believe anything has changed in that respect,” the Russian ambassador told Tanjug.
“According to UN Security Council Resolution 1244, this territory is a territory of Serbia and its violent secession from the rest of the country is unacceptable,” he underlined.
“Russia will continue to strongly back Serbia’s position as far as Kosovo is concerned,” the Russian ambassador assured.
Konuzin said that the fact that Russia had recognized the independence of the Georgian secessionist regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia would not weaken Serbia's position in defending Kosovo.
“Of course, there are certain analogies, and this has been a topic of discussion for some time now, particularly since Russia warned that the unilateral declaration of Kosovo independence and recognition of that independence created a precedent, but, unfortunately, no one would listen to us,” the ambassador lamented.
I can’t remember anymore... it was Russia that was speaking about double standards???? ;)))
Anyhow, I don’t understand why when we speak about Russia and Georgia we take Kosova as example of double standards.
Utterly wrong!
We have to stay in contest and region- Chechnya is to be taken into account- or no one remembers Chechens anymore? Exterminated???
(ben, 27 August 2008, 12:34)
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This is ridicilous. Russia has since yesterday no ground in order to maintain support for Serbia. Otherwise, Serbia is welcomed to recognize SO and Abkazia.
(Berkeley, 27 August 2008, 12:36)
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benny, your smile will disappear in the future...I am quite sure of that.
it´s just as this russian official has stated: there are certain similarities, but that´s it.
it´s like always here, the Albanians are writing to please themselves, as it seems.
but wishful thinking is no good advisor.
(Jovan, 27 August 2008, 13:05)
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Ben....
bla bla bla
Kosovo and RS are next.
Soon it will be your turn to cry for international justice,
and you wouldn't expect the orthodox people to follow suit, would you.
(Pyrros, 27 August 2008, 13:13)
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HA!! Funny are these Russians. They support Srbs while stabbing them in the back. If you ask me Srbija should recognize Kosovo and move on or put the tail between the legs and SIT DOWN.
(Freeman, 27 August 2008, 14:14)
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Unconditional solidarity with Russia.
The Ukraine,Belarus and Kasachstan will be incorporated back into Russia,and there is nothing the West can do about it !
(CG, 27 August 2008, 14:17)
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Russia will be asking Serbia to recognise SO & A, and thus joining the coalition of 'justice' and extermination, by joing the likes of Belarus, North Korea, Iran etc.
On the other side Western progressive world will be pushing Serbia to recognise the reality of Kosovo independence, in return for $$$.
It is a bad time to be a Serb these days.
(PRN, 27 August 2008, 14:24)
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A very important fact is that the first who broke international law was not Russia. Russia just reacted to it to show the consequences of breaking int. law.
Another very important fact is that Georgia attacked first and killed in that attack 12 Russian peacekeepers. Serbia did not attack first but responded to terrorist activities by the UCK. These 2 regions lived for decades in one state with Russia and don't have their own country where they can go like the K-Alb. who can always go to Albania if they don't like to live in another country.
(Dejan, 27 August 2008, 14:35)
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No doubts the current developments in the Caucasus put Serbia in a difficult position. There are too many "ifs and buts" which meet the existing international practice and have little to do with the formally existing international order. Upto now the US were sure that violating the rules was their own private preorgative and they found themselves at a total loss when Russia just did the same things.
The US histeria's reason is far away from what we are now talking about. The reason is that Russia has ruined the only available platform to attack Iran as the main tool to bring another marasmathic President to The White House.
Israel is too far and too reluctant to be part of the US Presidentials. So the Yanks are even ready to switch green lights for Kurdistan and divide Pakistan. But with the lack of time they were planning to use Georgian soil. They cannot rely on Azerbaijan because of the 30 000 000 Azerbaijanians living in Nothern Iran. They will smash this country and besides the real leader of Iran Ayatolla Hamenei is of Azerbaijan origin. When he speaks President Amadi Nedjaat always stands on his knees ...
Ukraine also cannot be used as a platform to attack Iran because President Yushenko enjoys the support of some 5% of the nation while about 73% of the population stand for closer relations with Russia but not with EU as many Europeans hope.
So Saakashvili tried to use this unique situation to solve his internal problems. Very thorrowly he was studying all the successful blitzcriegs including the Croatian one. The bad luck was that Russia has changed much more than they expected it in their worst nightmare. Well it was a Blitzcrieg but not the one Tbilisi and Washington had been planning.
(Orthodox.ru, 27 August 2008, 15:12)
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Excellent point Dejan. I can't believe people are so blind to what's going on. Russia is just 'playing around' in the instability the West has caused in breaking international law. Russia perfectly understands the situation, it's the West that doesn't. As one of the other articles on B92 writes, Russia is just testing the political waters, now it's the US and Co's turn to come back with a response.
(jeju, 27 August 2008, 15:13)
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Dejan,
Well you guys already tried to get rid of us in 1999, remember 800.000 people that your government kicked out of their homes?? I see that RADICALS like you are still around, with this said one can only speculate when would SRBIJA ever join the EU.
(Freeman, 27 August 2008, 15:18)
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I think this will flare up other trouble areas but I don
t think the RS will be one of them as Dokic needs to kee a constant state of crisis inside the RS against th BIH to keep power. I would love nothing more to see the RS join Serbia but that's a bit of a pipe dream. The same kind of dream as Kosovo joining greater albania.
(Al, 27 August 2008, 16:09)
Kosovo appoints first ambassadors
27 August
2008
Kosovo’s president and PM have announced the names of the first 4 Kosovo ambassadors—to the U.S., UK, France and Belgium.
The ambassador to Brussels will be lawyer Ali Kryeziu, who worked at the former Yugoslavia’s consulate in New York in the early Eighties.
Avni Spahiu, the head of Radio Kosovo, has been named as the ambassador to the U.S.; Muhamed Hamiti, a presidential adviser, will be the province’s representative in the UK, while in France the job will go to Muhamedin Kullashi, a professor at the University of Paris.
In addition to these four countries, Kosovo will soon be opening other embassies in Germany, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, Turkey and Albania.
Georgia and Kosovo: A single intertwined crisis Stratfor "The Russians let it be clearly known that they would not accept the idea that Kosovo independence was a one-of-a-kind situation and that they would regard it, instead, as a new precedent for all
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September Now, July 30, 2008 Chris Farmer
The season of Auto-Responders has begun. There are certain times during the year in which the people of the White City are suddenly and inexplicably unavailable. Between Christmas and New Year is a flexible gap
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"The Russians let it be clearly known that they would not accept the idea that Kosovo independence was a one-of-a-kind situation and that they would regard it, instead, as a new precedent for all
... 
The season of Auto-Responders has begun. There are certain times during the year in which the people of the White City are suddenly and inexplicably unavailable. Between Christmas and New Year is a flexible gap
...
