Kosovo Independence-- Good thing or a bad thing?

[chuckn49]

I still think independence for Kosovo will be a disaster for the peoples of Kosovo, Croatia, Serbia, etc, for the region and for Europe as a whole. It could be bad news for the US as well unless we disengage ourselves from the region.

An independent Kosovo will be a basket case economically and politically. Without outside help it will not be able to feed itself or defend itself. Once you bring in "outside help" you open the door for potential conflicts between other nations.

As I said before, the only hope for Kosovo will be absorption by another nation; most likely Albania. I still wonder if that is not a hidden agenda in the minds of some of the leaders of this independence movement. If that happens it will open a whole kettle of fish with unpredictable consequences.

I wish the United States would keep out of this matter. Russia is itching for a fight in its own backyard to reassert its historical dominance in the region. With a pseudo new leader, Russia may feel a need to face down any challenge, real or imaginary, in what it considers its sphere of influence, especially one from the US.

In the end, I fear it will be the people of Kosovo who will end up being mere pawns in an international game over which they have no control and little say.

[pbfoot]

The biggest employer in Kososvo will be the services and supplies provided to the "peacekeepers" by the locals so it will be in their interest to keep them there

[Emac44]

Originally Posted by Milos Sijacki

Archduke Ferdinand was assassinated in Sarajevo, Bosnia, which was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire back then, not in Kosovo.

You are correct Milos my mistake about where the Arch Duke was assasinated. But I was considering the whole Balkans not just individual areas. Sarajevo Bosnia. I do make mistakes from time to time and that was a glaring one Milos. But However it still doesn't settle my mind on the whole issues of The Balkans being a PowderKeg of Europe. And Chuck I agree with you about the Russians. With the Russians reforming and strenghtening their Military and the Russian Govt has already stated it wasn't in favour of Independance for Kosvo. Another issue I was thinking of would this area be ripe for Islamic Fundamentalism to rear its head as well. Last thing that would be needed was that AlQaeda got in the game play as well. So many variables to this scenerio in The Balkans

[Milos Sijacki]

I agree with you Emac on Balkans being the Powder keg of Europe.

News from Novi Sad and Vojvodina and Belgrade-- All is quiet on the Western Front.

[Emac44]

Originally Posted by Milos Sijacki

I agree with you Emac on Balkans being the Powder keg of Europe.

News from Novi Sad and Vojvodina and Belgrade-- All is quiet on the Western Front.

For the time being Milos. My friend if things do go pear shaped in the Balkans. Please keep safe and I extend that to you and your family Milos

[Haztoys]

I realy wish America would keep are nose out of "somewere" in this world......And I'm all for people getting what they need ...But why do we have are have are hands in it all the time...

[freebird]

Originally Posted by Matt308

Freebird you are a naive chicklet

If any demonstrably powerful nation took such an altruistic position with every nation state relationship, they would quickly be ostracized, marginalized with respect to garnering international support by indigenous populacde and minimalized as a world power.

i can't say I agree with that Matt, If a weaker nation {Canada perhaps} decided to stand on a matter of principle, it could be ignored, marginalized or such. But the United States or perhaps the EU draws a "line in the sand" with respect to principles, it cannot be ignored.

The United States is powerful enough to do this, for example if the Chinese refuse to improve human rights and stop flouting economic & patent agreements, the US cuts off all imports from China. The US can easily buy cheap crap to fill the Wal-mart's from Taiwan, Mexico, India or wherever but if the Chinese can't unload there {lead painted} junk in the US who else could buy that much? I bet they would suddenly have a "conversion" and decide to play fair.

In the case of Turkey they are very anxious to join the EU, and are also in a precarious position with respect to islamic fanatics. By threatening to play "hardball' I bet they come around pretty quick.

I don't know how many people here were in Iraq or Afganistan, but I bet the majority of Vet's had a genuine desire to help the people over there, not just using democracy & human rights as a "cover" for the United States own self-interest.

[Milos Sijacki]

Originally Posted by chuckn49

I still think independence for Kosovo will be a disaster for the peoples of Kosovo, Croatia, Serbia, etc, for the region and for Europe as a whole. It could be bad news for the US as well unless we disengage ourselves from the region.

An independent Kosovo will be a basket case economically and politically. Without outside help it will not be able to feed itself or defend itself. Once you bring in "outside help" you open the door for potential conflicts between other nations.

As I said before, the only hope for Kosovo will be absorption by another nation; most likely Albania. I still wonder if that is not a hidden agenda in the minds of some of the leaders of this independence movement. If that happens it will open a whole kettle of fish with unpredictable consequences.

I wish the United States would keep out of this matter. Russia is itching for a fight in its own backyard to reassert its historical dominance in the region. With a pseudo new leader, Russia may feel a need to face down any challenge, real or imaginary, in what it considers its sphere of influence, especially one from the US.

In the end, I fear it will be the people of Kosovo who will end up being mere pawns in an international game over which they have no control and little say.

I agree with you. People of Kosovo think they got their independence but they are merely puppet state which is controlled by NATO and they won't be asked anything and mustn't disagree with NATO or else.

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

Originally Posted by Milos Sijacki

I agree with you. People of Kosovo think they got their independence but they are merely puppet state which is controlled by NATO and they won't be asked anything and mustn't disagree with NATO or else.

What do you mean buy that? NATO is not the old Soviet Warsaw Pact. We dont enslave people and kill them because they disagree with us.

I think you are looking at NATO all wrong and possibly even unjustly giving the blame to NATO for the problems of Serbia.

[mkloby]

As I've said before - Kosovo is not a legitimate nation-state. It's rightfully Serbian territory. If it was legitimate they would not have been waving Albanian flags when they declared independence. And keep in mind part of my family is 100% Croatian, so it's not as if I don't have major problems with Serbian policy.

Milos - that is not the way that NATO operates. When is the last time you saw NATO send in tanks and troops to crush a national liberation movement of one of it's member states?

[Milos Sijacki]

Adler, mkloby, my intention was not to accuse NATO of enslavement and of killing people nor to blame it for all the problems that Serbia has. Our politicians are the cause and they continue to be.

That is just my personal opinion that I have about any political and military organization.

I'm sorry if you felt offended.

[Haztoys]

Milos ...You realy do not feel that way about NATO..Some one has to be there ...The people in that part of the world sure can't get along...Sad ...

So as it stands ...You can have NATO ...Or your "freinds to the east...But some one has to keep the peace..It most be hard to live on the edge of two nations and worlds that do not see eye to eye...

I to wish the US did not just jump at the chance to see Kosovo as a country ...We have lots of time for that.. And my stand is what and see...

[SeaSkua]

Originally Posted by mkloby

As I've said before - Kosovo is not a legitimate nation-state. It's rightfully Serbian territory.

What make it RIGHTFULLY?

[AVRoe]

Milos Sijacki. I respect & have a lot of admiration for your people. I drive to Bulgaria three times a year & stop over night in Serbia. Religion has a big part to play in this conflict,same as any war. The west should stay out of SLAV Affairs. People say the Balkans thats like saying the ALPS or the Rockeys. Do`nt mess in what you do´nt understand,

[mkloby]

Originally Posted by SeaSkua

What make it RIGHTFULLY?

That Kosovo is rightfully Serb territory is my opinion, obviously. There is no nation of Kosovo. Look up the history. It's another by-product of the old Ottoman advance into Europe. They are mainly Albanian nationals that migrated and presently inhabit Kosovo.