I would never have imagined a day when I would agree with George Clooney, Sharon Stone, Richard Gere, Tom Hanks and Robert De Niro—against George W. Bush!!!
Today is that day. 
Posted on 02/18/2008 10:18:30 AM PST by TonyRo76
Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence has sparked reactions that make it clear the final chapter in the upheavals that roiled the Balkans at the end of last century has yet to be written.
Within minutes of the announcement in the capital, Pristina, Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica called the newly declared entity a "phony state" and said "as long as the Serbian people exist, Kosovo remains Serbia."
In a televised statement, the nationalist prime minister criticized "the president of the U.S." in particular, saying America had shamelessly breached international law by supporting independence for Kosovo.
Newly reelected president Boris Tadic in a statement appealed to NATO's KFOR peacekeeping force in Kosovo to protect the Serb minority there from possible outbreaks of violence by members of the Muslim ethnic Albanian majority.
Angry protestors in Belgrade marched on the U.S. Embassy, chanting "Kosovo is Serbia." At least 30 policemen were injured, local media reported. The ultra-nationalist Radical Party is planning a mass rally in the capital on Thursday.
Earlier, Kosovo President Fatmir Sejdiu and Prime Minister Hashim Thaci set off celebrations by declaring an independent state, which they said would be "democratic, secular and multiethnic."
The territory of two million people has been under U.N. supervision since a NATO campaign in 1999 ended Serb atrocities against the Albanians and forced the withdrawal of Belgrade's troops from the province.
As Kosovar Albanians celebrated the announcement, Serbia's Russian ally called an emergency U.N. Security Council meeting which reflected the international split over the issue.
The U.S. and most European governments, including permanent council members Britain and France, are supportive of "supervised independence." Russia is firmly opposed, as is the remaining permanent member, China.
"Kosovo's unilateral act can produce a series of results that will lead to seriously negative influence on peace and stability in the Balkan region," foreign ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said in Beijing on Monday.
Lui said the sides should continue to seek a proper solution through negotiation.
Months of negotiations have, however, had little success, and Sunday's announcement has been expected ever since a Dec. 10 deadline on reaching an agreement on Kosovo's final status passed without resolution.
Because Russia has vowed to use its Security Council veto to block independence, Kosovo's international status will remain in limbo. While it may boast trappings of statehood including a new blue-and-gold flag, it will not immediately obtain membership of the world body.
The forthcoming days will see some governments recognize the new state, with the United States and many European Union (E.U.) countries among the first, along with some Islamic nations, including Saudi Arabia and Albania.
The E.U. is split, however, with at least six of the 27 member states -- Spain, Bulgaria, Romania, Greece, Cyprus and Slovakia -- unlikely to recognize an independent Kosovo, largely because of concerns about secessionist movements in their own neighborhoods.
A number of other countries, including Group of Eight members Canada and Japan, have indicated that they will not recognize the new state immediately.
'It creates no precedent'
One country that is more concerned than most is Georgia, which since the early 1990s has grappled with two breakaway regions of its own -- the pro-Moscow enclaves of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Russia has long hinted that if the West supports an independent Kosovo, it would in turn throw its backing behind an independent Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
The Interfax news agency quoted a top Georgian lawmaker as saying the government of Georgia would not recognize Kosovo's independence.
Georgia's West-leaning President Mikhail Saakashvili has frequently accused Russia of trying to destabilize Georgia by stirring up tensions in Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
In a statement released after Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov met with the leaders of the two territories, Russia's foreign ministry said in a statement, "the declaration and recognition of the independence of Kosovo will doubtless have to be taken into account as far as the situation in Abkhazia and South Ossetia is concerned."
President Vladimir Putin has warned that independence for Kosovo will set a legal "precedent" that could be cited elsewhere. Apart from Georgia, other secessionist situations in the former Soviet region remain unresolved in Azerbaijan (Nagorno-Karabakh) and Moldova (Transdnistria).
At Sunday's Security Council session, U.N. envoy Alejandro Wolff disputed the argument, telling reporters "we have knocked it down over and over again. This is an unprecedented situation, it creates no precedent."
In an earlier statement, delivered to the Security Council late last week, Wolff said the recent history of the region made Kosovo different from other conflicts.
"The situation in Kosovo is sui generis and provides no precedent for any other part of the world," he said. "It hasn't ever been, it isn't, and it shall not be a precedent. There is no purpose served in pretending otherwise, and the United States will act consistently with this fact in how it looks at other conflicts."
John Bolton, former U.S. ambassador to the U.N. and American Enterprise Institute senior fellow, joined former Secretary of State Lawrence Eagleburger and senior Bookings Institution fellow Peter Rodman late last month in calling for a reassessment of U.S. policy on Kosovo.
They noted that notwithstanding the U.S. insistence that Kosovo would not set a precedent, ethnic and religious minorities in other countries have already signaled their intention to follow Kosovo's example.
Bolton, Eagleburger and Rodman also voiced concern about what they called "the dismissive attitude displayed toward Russia's objections," and asked, "On an issue of minor importance to the United States, is this a useful expenditure of significant political capital with Russia?"
'Stand up to threats'
Critics of U.S. policy on Kosovo include the non-profit American Council for Kosovo, whose director, James George Jatras, warned in a recent op-ed article for UPI that the issue "could transform into a full-blown global crisis."
Kosovar Serbs' concerns about what independence would mean for them were "well-founded."
"Since 1999, some 150 Christian shrines have been destroyed or desecrated," Jatras said. "At the same time, hundreds of mosques have been built, mainly with Saudi money and propagating the intolerant Wahhabi brand of Islam."
He argued that there was no clear U.S. interest in supporting independence for Kosovo.
"Why should we provoke a needless fight with a newly muscular Russia? Especially after Sept. 11, why should America want to be midwife to the birth of a new Islamic country in Europe?"
Heritage Foundation scholars Nile Gardiner and Sally McNamara called for the West to be united in supporting full independence for Kosovo.
"The Western powers must stand up to any threats coming from Belgrade and Moscow and support full membership for Kosovo in the United Nations as a sovereign state," they wrote in a weekend memo.
Gardiner and McNamara said the U.S. and E.U. should encourage Serbian leaders to seek E.U. membership, while making it clear that any attempt to sabotage Kosovo's sovereignty would only isolate Belgrade and weaken its chances of joining the E.U.
Among the most recent declarations of independence by territories without the consent of legal governing authorities are the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus in 1983, and Rhodesia in 1965. Neither won international recognition.
"Why should we provoke a needless fight with a newly muscular Russia? Especially after Sept. 11, why should America want to be midwife to the birth of a new Islamic country in Europe?"
Amen. Thanks a lot, Clinton/Bush screw-ups! >:(
Talk about adding insult to injury. First Clintoon bombs the hell out of Serbia, by repainting US planes with NATO insignia, and crushing a historical ally, all in the name of trying to detract attention from his Lewinsky affair. Now Bush decides to rub salt in Serbia’s wounds by supporting an Islamic enclave in Europe. What a crock!
The news coverage on this has been glowing and disgusting. Lofty talk of a the worlds newest nation, and freedom and other BS.
Not a word of stolen land, of islamic encroachment on Christian land, nothing of our betrayal of the Serbs our long time ally.
This is not over.
Regards
:(
My Georgian friends are not concerned. They say this is being made a big deal in the press, however Patriarch Ilya has met with Russia and says it will be ok.
Here is another sordid example where the GOP and the Dems have failed again and again: putting corporate selfish interests above moral positions.
After all, the “moderate” Muslim world aka OPEC wanted this deal done.
They demand..we obey.
The west has completely betrayed the Serbs and I am at a loss to understand why we have done this to them.....
You're right – not by a long shot.
This idiocy could someday rank right up there with Jimmy Carter's bungling of Iran (shafting the Shah/enabling the Ayatollahs).
Why in the h#ll does such lunacy overtake U.S. policymakers when it comes to dealing with Moozies!?!
At least Bolton, Eagleburger and Rodman have a good grasp of reality...
Putin and some German lawmaker are saying this is a violation of the UN charter and of international law.
God Bless Serbia!
I emailed the Romanian embassy yesterday and begged them to hold out. Greece, Bulgaria, Georgia, and Russia will not turn their backs on their Serbian brothers and sisters.
Fixed!
It is a violaton of the most basic precepts of Interaional law...and we are a party to it. We maintain the failures of the past especially the failures of the 90s.
http://www.religionandpolicy.org/show.php?p=1.1.2015
That is good..and pray that the elections in Bulgaria turn out well. They are coming up.
Because the "grease sheikhdoms" wanted it. The lust by some for "cheap oil", coupled with the rampant pro-Arabism of Foggy Bottom, which has existed for my entire lifetime, demands that certain chosen 'victims' be sacrificed to meet their ends. This time, it was the Serbs living in Kosovo, the next victim, who knows?
Throughout the debacle that was the breakup of Tto's Yugoslavia, I always had one question, which is as appropriate today, as it was then. "If I should shudder at the thought of 'Greater Serbia', why should I feel any less fearful of a 'Greater Albania'"?
the infowarrior
“At Sunday’s Security Council session, U.N. envoy Alejandro Wolff disputed the argument, telling reporters “we have knocked it down over and over again. This is an unprecedented situation, it creates no precedent.”
In an earlier statement, delivered to the Security Council late last week, Wolff said the recent history of the region made Kosovo different from other conflicts.
“The situation in Kosovo is sui generis and provides no precedent for any other part of the world,” he said. “It hasn’t ever been, it isn’t, and it shall not be impeached be a precedent. There is no purpose served in pretending otherwise, and the United States will act consistently with this fact in how it looks at other conflicts.”
The Bush Administration’s credibility at home and abroad is completely shot so I have to assume that this comment is an example of Bush furthering his policy of making the United States look like a nation of pathetic fools.
I see a potential, but (very) dangerous silver lining.
Russia is *pissed*. Wouldn’t be surprized, if Putin sees this as a way, to make up to the people of the motherland, for what happened in the 1980’s to the Soviets in Afghanistan.
Putin gets to show off the new, strong and resolute Soviet Union 2, by coming down hard. Euroweenies FREAK OUT. Even American socialists. It’ll be Darfur on ster... On bean tofu.
We’re busy enough in Iraq, Bush’ll stand aside and not interfere (maybe?). Putin becomes the new Evil Soviet in the eyes of Europe, and our troops can do their job in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Europe realizes they’re being stupidly anti-American. Bush becomes a hero from Brussels to Barcelona.
And Russia joins the fight, against terrorism. A natural fit for our next Vice President, Russian expert, Dr. Condoleezza Rice.
I’m sometimes overly optimistic. :)
“Heritage Foundation”
Oh, now that’s a good bunch! They’d sell their own mothers, let alone this country, if the price was right.
Something like what we have done to the Serbs....
Excellent point! Bears (lots of) repeating...
It is sad when Russia shows more leadership than the U.S. in this matter. I pray for my fellow Serbs.
What will happen to Decani, for instance?
It will unfortunately go the way of many Historically Christian sites in the Middle East. The monsters (muslims) will desecrate or use it for their own purposes thus defiling the Monastery.
George Clooney and Sharon Stone, announced they will organize a protest against severing province of Kosovo and Metohija from the rest of Serbia, they were joined by Richard Gere and the all-time favorite James Bond — Sir Sean Connery. “In case Serbian officials and Russia do not succeed in preserving Kosovo, the celebrated Hollywood stars might. The world's most famous stars will, most probably already next month, stand in defense of the southern Serbian province in Hollywood, the heart of international movie industry: Sharon Stone, George Clooney, and also Richard Gere and Sir Sean Connery,” the Frankfurt daily News say.
Clooney: I Can't Hear the Serbian Side The daily also notes that George Clooney, in an earlier interview, said that, even though he avidly follows all the world's events, he is given no opportunity to hear the Serbian side too, when it comes to solving the issue of Serbian province's status.
Richard Gere: Something's Fishy About Kosovo
Sir Sean Connery: Albanians in Serbian Province Can't Have More Rights Than Scotsmen
Tom Hanks, Michael Douglas, Robert De Niro and Johnny Depp to Join Protests Against Dismembering Serbia Meanwhile, PressOnline reported on Monday that more famous American movie stars will join the protests against dismemberment of Serbia.
Tom Hanks, a Brother in Christ Reportedly, Tom Hanks is among the fiercest opponents of severing of southern Serbian province. The famous star who is a direct descendant of Nancy Hanks, mother of the American president Abraham Lincoln, was recently baptized in the Eastern Orthodox Church, after marrying the actress Rita Wilson, who is of Greek decent.
Robert De Niro Knows Serbs Better Than Most Americans He named his daughter Drina, after his favorite novel “Bridge on Drina River” by the Serbian writer and Nobel Prize winner Ivo Andric. De Niro is known for his high regard for Serbian people, also reflected in his choice of staff mostly comprised of Serbs — from the nanny and gardeners, to horse-trainers and private security guards.
missed you in my ping above
I would never have imagined a day when I would agree with George Clooney, Sharon Stone, Richard Gere, Tom Hanks and Robert De Niro—against George W. Bush!!!
Today is that day.
Weasly Clark finally got his WW III.
(for those in rio linda, then General Weasly Clark was in command of UN forces in the Balkans. During one incident a UN member commander refused an order of “Gen.” Clark with the admonishion that “I am not going to start WW III for you.”)
My blood boils at this obsene injustice. It’s some comfort seeing that folks on this site are hip to what’s really happening.
Is it true that Hollywood is rallying behind Serbia?
You and me both, tony.
But God Bless them for standing up for the Serbs.
That’s surprising about Gere. I watched part of a movie last night (Hunting Party) starring Gere. I didn’t watch all of it I was so disgusted with what I saw in the first 1/2 hour. It was all about the supposed genocide of the Muslims in Bosnia and Herzegovina by the Serbs in the 90’s with Gere playing the part of a journalist looking for some Serb doctor who was responsible for these mass murders.
Not being intimately familiar with that conflict it still sounded very much like propaganda. Possibly since then Gere has had a change of heart.
Thanks for the list.
Head of Georgian Orthodox Church Slams Russia’s Rhetoric - 2008-02-17- Ilia II, the Patriarch of the Georgian Orthodox Church, said Russian “threats” to recognize Abkhazia and South Ossetia after Kosovo’s independence were “unacceptable.” In a sermon on February 17, Ilia II said: “Russia threatens to recognize the independence of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali [the capital of breakaway South Ossetia] I want to say that although Georgian public opinion very often is diverse, on this particular situation everyone, including the people, opposition and the authorities, are united and have one opinion: Georgia has been and should remain a unified state. I have told representatives of the Russian authorities several times that separatism is like a transmittable disease and everyone should remember this, including Russia. I highly respect Russian culture, science, its history and philosophy, but we should say the truth that this kind of rhetoric towards Georgia is unacceptable.”Russia won't lift a finger to help the Serbs, just like they didn't in the nineties. Putin is just exploiting the conflict in order to justify his criminal occupation of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Putin is eager to unleash upon Georgia Kadyrov's Chechen jihadist "former rebels" who are now part of the Russian army.
I agree.
And yeah...the whole idea of poking our noses into this part of the world, where we have NO vital national interest—and being on the wrong side, no less!—has really just irked me ever since Clintigula ordered the first Tomahawk strike.
Hollywood has been horrible to the Serbs always depicting them as fascists. Behind enemy lines, Sum of All Fears (post-9/11 movie from the Clancy novel in which the Muslim nuclear terrorists — plausible — become nationalist Serbs?). When have the Serbs as a people ever done anything to us? They’ve always fought against terrorism and fascism.
see 25 above...
In this case I hope you are incorrect. I am banking on Putin as well as Greece, Romania, and other Orthodox throughout the world. Even Tom Hanks. :-)
Personally I'd like to see Serbia invade it and use one tactical nuke on the first armored division that comes after them.
Let's see how bad Bush wants an islamic nation in Europe.
What are you waiting for? Why not defect from America and go join the Serbs and help them kill American soldiers. Then you can put your money where your mouth is and be a real hero.
Are you actually stupid enough to try and defend what has happened to the people of Serbia by Clinton and Bush?
What do I care about Serbia and their sovereignty? That is sometihng for Serbs to worry about. I am not a Serb. I am an American, so I know whose side I am on.
Bush has gone mad.
Same here and I have defended this country. We have no business propping up a muslim state in Europe.
This is a totally undeserved slap in the face to Serbia and Russia.
Guess what, they were RIGHT. Clinton was totally wrong to bomb Serbia in order to cover for a blowjob.
Stinkin' commie traitors.
I do the same. I only require a Declaration of War to cement it. Until that shows up, I reserve the right to disagree with the war.
Clinton's bombing of Serbia was a criminal abuse of the War Powers Act.
"My country right or wrong" are the watchwords of tyrants.
Is it true that Hollywood is rallying behind Serbia?
Yes they are and it is coming from an unlikely source, George Clooney. He may be wrong about almost everything else, but I will give him credit on this one. I hope that he brings the attention that is desperately needed by the Serbs.
So if we bomb England and Australia tomorrow you are on board? We attacked an ally that was having terrorism problems and now we tell the world that we are going to hunt down terrorists where ever they may be? Look no further than the Albanians, or are we just being selective in our zeal to hunt down terrorists?
Besides when was War Declared on the Serbs?
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