Replies

OK, I now have some concept of what this is all about. Here are a few questions.

If all the Serbs are gone from this area, which I gather is the case, what is the congregation that is being served by the monks? Are they some contemplative order, or do they purport to have some other purpose for being where they are? The Serbs did some pretty nasty things in the Balkans in recent years, and they are pretty widely hated. The idea of payback, even against monks, shouldn't surprise anyone. Do the monks think they should be entitled to stay where the are and be protected by KFOR forever?

The monks are in a monastery so obviously they're not there to serve any particular congregation. The monasteries of Kosovo are listed as world cultural treasures and have been there since the Middle Ages. Therefore they predate the Albanian invasion of Kosovo. When you say "The Serbs" did some nasty things, do you mean the monks? What was happening in Kosovo was a result of payback to the KLA for murdering Serb police but clearly since Clinton had to make the area safe for radical Islamic drug running pimps he had to bomb a country just trying to hold on its own territory.

The monks clearly have a more legitimate right to be in Kosovo than KFOR and should be protected by the proper authorities i.e. the Serbian army and police. Just because Albanian illegal aliens were allowed in by Tito doesn't give them any more right to Kosovo than Mexican illegal aliens have a right to the American Southwest.

The Serbs did some pretty nasty things in the Balkans in recent years, and they are pretty widely hated. The idea of payback, even against monks, shouldn't surprise anyone.

The gospel according to Sts clinton and albright. Pull your head out of your ass Blau and see the sunshine.

The congregation served by the monks were/are mainly Albanians.

If all the Serbs are gone from this area, which I gather is the case, what is the congregation that is being served by the monks?

There are very few Serbs within the immediate area, but a few more in further out areas. They do try to visit the monastery on significant days, but because of the situation they have to be escorted. There is no freedom of movement for Serbs - a severe violation of basic human rights and very racist. This is a picture (summer 2002) from an article about the current situation:

German armored transporter heading column of Serb vehicles on their way to celebrate the patron saints' day of Holy Archangels Monastery in summer 2002. Albanian extremists had planted 11 kg. of volatile explosives in the hill above the monastery but only a few hundred grams exploded due to the heavy rain. An explosion would have resulted in the collapse of the cliff on several hundred faithful and the Bishop, who was serving Holy Liturgy in the monastery churchyard at the time. An investigation was never conducted and the entire incident was hushed up to avoid conflict with local Albanian extremists who have been freely operating in the area for years.

Are they some contemplative order, or do they purport to have some other purpose for being where they are?

They serve the people when they are able to come. They also carry on with centuries old traditions and caring for the monastery. I'm sure they worry that if they have to leave that the monastery will be robbed and destroyed. I don't know about this particular monastery, but in others they make icons which they sell or give to soldiers. The Spanish, Italian, and French soldiers do take some of these icons home with them. The monks do produce food. I think at the Decani monastery they bottle and sell honey. Monastery life in the Balkans goes back to early Christianity, and many saints and martyrs come from that area.

The Serbs did some pretty nasty things in the Balkans in recent years, and they are pretty widely hated.

Many of those "nasty things" turned out to be lies, hoaxes and setups. Meanwhile videotapes of headless Serb men were proudly shown by Bosnian Muslim soldier, Naser Oric, to western reporters; pictures of Mujahedeen with the heads of named Serbs killed in 1992; massacred Serbs in Croatia; roasted Serbs in front of Bosnian hotels; etc. were played down or hidden by the media.

Not all Albanians hated the Serb churches and monasteries. Some even went to the monasteries seeking miracles or cures - this was a long tradition among Albanians. Instead of gradually bringing peace or reconciliation, KFOR has, just as SFOR has in Bosnia, exacerbated division and hate. The moderates and friendly people are sidelined, while those with the most rabid hate are given freedom to roam, terrorize, and prevent the groups from working together in even small ways.

The idea of payback, even against monks, shouldn't surprise anyone.

Many of those abusing Serbs were teens and criminals from Albania, not even from Kosovo. The criminal element and mafia from Albania was allowed to come to Kosovo unhindered for several months after the war.

The religious in Kosovo said they gave food and shelter to Albanians (and all who needed help) during the bombing and fighting between the KLA and Serb forces.

Do the monks think they should be entitled to stay where the are and be protected by KFOR forever?

Maybe they naively believed the promises of the international community which went on and on about multiculturalism, human rights, freedom of religion, etc. What's going on shows the lie being NATO's claim that it was a humanitarian mission. If the Kosovo Albanians can't control the cruel and racist among them, perhaps they do need to be permanently babysat.