Posted on 02/22/2008 5:57:24 AM PST by jhpigott
Russia's ambassador to Nato, Dmitry Rogozin, has warned that Russia could use military force if the Kosovo independence dispute escalates. "If the EU develops a unified position or if Nato exceeds its mandate set by the UN, then these organisations will be in conflict with the UN," he said.
In that case Russia would "proceed on the basis that in order to be respected we need to use brute force", he said.
Many EU members have recognised Kosovo, but several oppose recognition.
Russia, a permanent member of the UN Security Council, backs Serbia, which has condemned the independence declaration issued by the Kosovo parliament on 17 February.
On Tuesday members of the Serb minority in Kosovo attacked two border posts staffed by UN personnel and Kosovo police.
The violence led the Nato troops in Kosovo - known as K-For - to reinforce the border with Serbia.
Kosovo's majority ethnic Albanians are following a plan drawn up by UN special envoy Martti Ahtisaari for "supervised independence", which was rejected by Serbia.
The EU will soon deploy 2,000 officials to strengthen law and order in Kosovo, which has a population of about two million. Russia argues that the mission has no legal basis.
Fair question. Here's an analogy which I hope will help.
The year is 2020. The Aztlan Party in Texas want to leave the United States. They are supported by 80% of the population of Texas, who snuck over the border during the McCain years.
I would expect the rest of America to be livid, and I would President Jeb Bush to send the national guard in. And if the Chinese bombed the White House to stop them, citing fictional-but-widely-reported atrocities that were reported happening in Texas, where a civil war had been raging between the immigrants and some heavily armed FReepers - I'd expect the Americans would be even angrier.
Remember that Kosovo is only 80% Albanian because Hitler introduced them en masse during WWII. They don't belong there.
China, at this point has the trump card on the world, and is only getting stronger.
I can (and they probably will)..
agreed. Still wouldn’t be surprised if he mobilized a few airborne battallions and moved them into Serbia and then made a bunch of bluster, and try to force our hand in that manner.
Or, conceivably, he could move troops into Odessia after a independence declaration there. Gerogia would be a lot easier for him to move troops into then would Serbia
If Putin wants, he can create some headaches for us, its just a matter of how hard he wants to press this thing
China's propaganda has been pretty effective, but China is much weaker and less consequential than many people imagine.
Its economy is almost entirely dependent upon the export market, its technology is wholly dependent on what it can steal, it has next to no natural resources, and it is in terrible demographic shape.
China is a power because of the sheer number of its citizens and for no other reason.
And those numbers are becoming a serious liability, since China has the oldest population in the developing world.
This area can go up in flames again, just like 1914. Nothing was resolved then, either.
Airborne and light infantry, yes. Heavy stuff, though, usually goes via ship, and Serbia is land locked and we control the seas. Plus, there is the question of air cover. Russia could get a ferw planes into Serbia, but not like NATO could via the U.S. Navy and NATO airbases in Italy. So, their main military option would be light / airborne infantry with little air cover. That’s fine if the West blinks and doesn’t fight. These forces are okay against the KLA and such. But, if the west up’s the ante and stands it’s ground, Russia would be at a severe military disadvantage.
I agree with that analysis.
I believe your assessment of China is a decade out of date.
And while their economy is dependent on exports, they are still a slave nation and in control. The rest of the world depends more on Chinese goods to keep them going than China does on exporting them.
Ditto
This, recognizing Kosovo as a soverign nation, will not end well for the West including the United States.
Within 18 months or “freedom fighters” will begin the infilteration of the European Countries. And it will eventually filter down to the United States.
The peasantry of Europe and the United States are going to pay in blood for this.
One should never make deals with either Democrats or muslims. No good ever comes from it.
That's what I am screaming! We're on the wrong side here.
United States/united nations/South Korea......
United States/united nations/Kosovo..........
United States/South Vietnam........
Are we ready for what this could mean?
I remember when we fought on the side of right. Fighting for Kosovo over Serbia ain't it. Are we prepared to go up against Russia and China again over the creation of a muslim country?
Wait until the Mexicans use the same tactic on Texas, California, Arizona, and New Mexice. And the muslims use the same tactic on Michigan.
Then what will you say?
Iknow, I know, it will never happpen.
Agreed. We’ve been treating Serbia like a pariah state, like they’re Israel or something.
If Russia/Serbia want to push back, we should admit our mistake and hold their coats.
I most definitely agree. Step back and tell Russia and Serbia to have at it.
For this mess we can thank Bill Clinton and George Bush, who had and have identical policies that encouraged and encourage establishment of the Islamofascist terrorist statelet known as “Kosovo.” Creating that monstrosity is and was bad enough, but bad goes to frightful when the Russian part of the equation is brought in. Russia went to war in 1914 against Austria-Hungary to protect the sovereignty of Serbia, plunging the west into WWI. In the Kosovo situation Russia had an entirely legitimate interest in protecting Serbia from being torn asunder by Islamofascist sympathizing do gooders. Indeed, that gratuitous insult to Russia is possibly a significant reason for out present bad relationship with Russia. The only “benefit” we’ve received is a virulent pustule, Kosovo, in the middle of Europe.
Putin is not a communist; he is a Russian nationalist and a fascist, the very kind of person to take the Kosovo matter very seriously. It seems quite possible that he's been less than helpful to us in our dealings with Islamofascism precisely because we stuck it to him in the Kosovo situation instead of making common ground with him on the Islamofascist matter, as we should have.
If anything, they’re rational gamblers. They’re not about to throw it all away over some lousy Balkan family feud.
Neither was Nicholas II in 1914.
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