Albanian Triumph, Serb Anger as Kosovo Secedes

The New York Times ^ | February 17, 2008 | N/A

[raybbr]

PRISTINA (Reuters) - Kosovo Albanians will proclaim independence from Serbia on Sunday, ending a long chapter in the bloody breakup of Yugoslavia but cementing a bitter ethnic frontline in the Balkans.

Kosovo will be the 6th state carved from the Serb-dominated federation since 1991, after Slovenia, Croatia, Macedonia, Bosnia and Montenegro, and the last to escape Serbia's embrace.

The Serbs vow never to give up the land where their history goes back 1,000 years.

They will reject independence in defiance of the Albanians and their Western backers and will keep their grip on strongholds in northern Kosovo, making the ethnic partition of the new state a reality from the start.

President George W. Bush said the United States, which has 1,700 troops in Kosovo's NATO-led peacekeeping force of 16,000, would work with its allies to make sure there was no violence.

"The United States will continue to work with our allies to do the very best we can to make sure there's no violence," he said during a visit to Tanzania. Bush added that he was heartened by the Kosovo government's proclaimed willingness to support Serbian rights.

Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaci said on Saturday: "The success of Kosovo's independence as a new beginning will be clearly measured by respect for the rights of minorities, especially Serbs."

[saganite]

Wonder if our troops will have to go to Kosovo to impose a Muslim state on Europe at the same time we’re fighting radical Islam in the Middle East?

[Jedi Master Pikachu]

Hey Kosovo, get on with the declaration already, will you?

The BBC has been reporting on how Kosovo is set to declare independence for almost a day now.

P.S. Of the opinion that Kosovo should be a part of Serbia, but the region is almost definitely going to become independent, and that would be interesting. A new state doesn't pop into existence every day.

[Jedi Master Pikachu]

And what the hey.

Europe ping.

[Bobalu]

Before this is over we will see Russian troops in northern Kosovo defending the Serbian enclave there.

And U.S. again supporting the wrong side :-(

[Truth29]

Isn't it peculiar how there is no outcry from the left in the United States about its mission as it drags into its second decade with troops at risk and with no UN mandate. The UN will not even be able to recognize the new “country.”

[ARE SOLE]

Hey Clinton said the troops would be home by Christmas? I wonder which year?

Regards

(to hell with islam)

[kittymyrib]

When 80% of California becomes Mexican, I guess they have the right to declare that state part of Mexico. That’s what Bill Clinton did with our bombing of Kosovo. And yes, why can US troops be tied up there for decades, but not in Iraq? Someone needs to ask Hillary that question.

[brytlea]

It would be interesting to get her thoughts on it. Anyone think that will come up in a future debate?
susie

[padre35]

Cease Fire terms... Pfft.

International Law...Bahhh

The US is on the wrong side of history on this, and we are sowing the seeds of a future war in the region.

[gpapa]

Why are we supporting a Muslem dominated Kosovo over the Orthodox Christians of Serbia and what remains of the ethnically cleansed Christians in Kosovo. If we can not control the few Christians left in Iraq and the Middle East, how can we then prevent their persecution in Kosovo.

[elhombrelibre]

This could turn ugly very fast.

[Bushwacker777]

Maybe in 2030 the Chinese will bomb Washington DC in order to “protect” the Mexican majority of California’s wish to leave the USA.

[nina0113]

Time to bring back the Hapsburgs.

[Truth29]

"Maybe in 2030 the Chinese will bomb Washington DC in order to ?protect? the Mexican majority of California?s wish to leave the USA."

I wonder how much security is around today's Kosovo Parliament meeting? It would seem to be an obvious target.

[SeeSalt]

If we can not control the few Christians left in Iraq and the Middle East, how can we then prevent their persecution in Kosovo.

Good question!The Iraq, Iran, the whole Middle East were Chrstian territories before Mohammad islamized them by using the power of conversion :the sword. Unfortunately,we help to establish the first Muslim state in Europe.Shame & disgrace be on Bill Clinton, Madeleine Albright and Wellesley Clark.

[shadowgovernment]

“Unfortunately,we help to establish the first Muslim state in Europe.Shame & disgrace be on Bill Clinton, Madeleine Albright and Wellesley Clark.”
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>.........
what responsibility does the current occupant of the White House have in this? It is happening on his watch, NO?

[F-117A]

Time to bring back the Hapsburgs.

The Germans are once again supporting their Nazi ally Albanians!

[F-117A]

Ping!

[Alberta's Child]

It's worth noting that the same so-called "neo-conservatives" in the Bush administration who spent the better part of the 1990s clamoring for a U.S. invasion of Iraq were also openly calling for the Clinton administration to initiate its military campaign against Serbia in 1999.

"War on Terror," my @ss. This country is building an empire, and we really don't give a sh!t if that involves the outright persecution of Christians on behalf of Muslims.