Crime, terror flourish in 'liberated' Kosovo

National Post (Canada) ^ | December 10, 2003 | Isabel Vincent

[Teetop]

Four years after it was "liberated" by a NATO bombing campaign, Kosovo has deteriorated into a hotbed of organized crime, anti-Serb violence and al-Qaeda sympathizers, say security officials and Balkan experts.

Though nominally still under UN control, the southern province of Serbia is today dominated by a triumvirate of Albanian paramilitaries, mafiosi and terrorists. They control a host of smuggling operations and are implementing what many observers call their own brutal ethnic cleansing of minority groups, such as Serbs, Roma and Jews.

In recent weeks, UN officials ordered the construction of a fortified concrete barrier around the UN compound on the outskirts of the provincial capital Pristina. This is to protect against terrorist strikes by Muslim extremists who have set up bases of operation in what has become a largely outlaw province.

.....

[Teetop]

Looks like Kofi "monkey-man" Annan's UN is stuck in a quagmire itself. Why must we read this from a conservative Canadian newspaper?

[Incorrigible]

Balkans Bump

[Steve_Seattle]

"Looks like Kofi "monkey-man" Annan's UN is stuck in a quagmire itself. Why must we read this from a conservative Canadian newspaper?"

Because the major media have already determined that the Clinton/Clark war was a "success," and are reluctant to revise their thinking based on the facts of the situation. I think it is arguable that the situation in Iraq is closer to a long-term, permanent political solution than is the situation in Kosovo. The war in Kosovo did not even address the political problem, much less provide a political solution. It was a sop to Islamic militants, so is it surprising that it is Islamic militants who are beginning to coalesce there?

[MEG33]

It's time for Hillary to visit Kosovo for the holidays.

[mark502inf]

This story has already been posted right here.

[Smedley]

FROM the original article:

Al-Qaeda has set up bases in the province, which has become an important centre for heroin, cigarette, gasoline and people smuggling.

The Albanian mafia and paramilitary groups, which security officials say are closely tied to al-Qaeda militants in the region, also oversee smuggling. More than 80% of Western Europe's heroin comes through Kosovo, where several drug laboratories have been set up, Interpol officials say.

Another victory for Clinton and the UN.

[Lion in Winter]

"Moreover, Kosovo has turned into one of Europe's biggest hubs for drug trafficking and terrorism.

Al-Qaeda has set up bases in the province, which has become an important centre for heroin, cigarette, gasoline and people smuggling.

The Albanian mafia and paramilitary groups, which security officials say are closely tied to al-Qaeda militants in the region, also oversee smuggling. More than 80% of Western Europe's heroin comes through Kosovo, where several drug laboratories have been set up, Interpol officials say."

And, that is just some of the crap that is part of the hill/bill legacy!!

[cwb]

But, but...according to Weasley, Kosovo was one of this country's greatest success stories. I'd like to know how Clark can justify the 78-day aerial bombardment of a country under the guise of humanitarian relief, which by the way, wasn't a threat to this country; and in the same breath, attack Bush and the war in Iraq, where the humanitarian crisis was much greater...and so was the threat to this country's security. Can we "maybe" get one journalist to ask Clark to reconcile his position on this matter....please?

[Steve_Seattle]

"And, that is just some of the crap that is part of the hill/bill legacy!!"

And the main premise of their legacy is that fighting terror or uprooting evil can be a painless, no-cost process. Bush finally had the nerve to pay the real costs of a real fight, and that shocked both the liberals and the terrorists. They thought we were all like Clinton/Carter.

[Steve_Seattle]

"Can we "maybe" get one journalist to ask Clark to reconcile his position on this matter....please?"

Dream on . . . :-)

[Lion in Winter]

It bears repeating! I did not see the first posting so I am glad to see it here. My nephew is serving at Camp Bondsteel.

He does NOT care for the Albanians he has seen, by the way. He says they act like "shifty-louies"... mafia-wannabees.

He is NOT impressed with the UN either.

Cannot wait to get HOME!!!

[Lion in Winter]

I think if weasly clark managed to weasel the demo-RAT nomination.... ALL the truth about the hill/bill/clark "war" on Yugoslavia will flow fast and furious.... it wash him into the sea of NOTHINGNESS!!

[pgyanke]

Sean Hannity had JFKerry on his show yesterday and this was mentioned. I was very disappointed in the interview for many reasons but this one stuck with me the most. Is it just me, or do conservatives fall all over themselves to agree that Kosovo was a justified war? They seem to think they are being "fair and balanced" by supporting the actions of the bent one.

The truth is we supported Islamofascists out of Albania in their bid to gain the traditional capital provice of Serbia. The KLA was listed as a terrorist organization just one year before we joined them to stop the ethnic cleansing of their people. After all, more than 100,000 had been slaughtered by the evil Serbians. Now we see what intelligent people knew then... it was Al Qaeda.

Now the area is a hotbed of terrorism, drug running and organized crime while the feckless UN builds a wall around their compound for their own protection.

I saw this morning that Gen Weasely Clark had wrapped up his testimony in the Hague. The newscaster listed among Milosevic's crimes the death of hundreds. Amazing how they don't point out the LIES that put us in this particular unilateral military operation...

[bobo1]

I am not so sure that this was a worthy use of our military to begin with. I have reservations on whether we were on the right side.

Blessings, Bobo1

[pgyanke]

It was not and we were not. I was there.

Merry Christmas!

[cwb]

"I was there"

In what capacity, if you don't mind?

[pgyanke]

JSOTF (Joint Special Operations Task Force) support out of southern Italy. I don't mean to imply that I carried a rifle on the ground in Kosovo (obviously) but that I was party to the preparations for the operation. I followed the press accounts of our diplomatic "efforts" and sought to reconcile them with the orders we were given... large disconnect with history, reality and our own regional loyalties.

[monday]

"I think it is arguable that the situation in Iraq is closer to a long-term, permanent political solution than is the situation in Kosovo."

Neither will ever have a long term permanent political solution. You could get rid of the Albanians in Kosovo and the Muslims in Iraq. That would settle the situation down but that ain't gonna happen.

[OXENinFLA]

The last line is the best.

"It's a terrible situation," said Mr. Bissett. "If the United Nations and other organizations can't handle Kosovo, you wonder how they are going to do with something like Iraq."

[dfwgator]

Heck. just look at how the UN f'ed up in Rwanda.