Developments in Kosovo

[TirAlb]

Originally Posted by Makedonia25

Yes, thats probably true Tiralb.. Greece will stop at recognizing Kosovo though.. I think Greece wants to keep a somewhat "neutral" stance on this issue, as we are very close to Serbia (as u know), but also on the best terms we have ever been with Albania as well..

Yes but you can't stay neutral forever,on this issue.

[TirAlb]

Portugal recognizes independent Kosovo.

link

Formally Recognized by 48 UN countries

[Truth Bearer]

Yes yr right TirAlb but if there is one that can do it stay neutral it's Greece and you Albo's can't pressure us..Unless of course we come to some deal on Fyrom??

[Grace]

Originally Posted by Truth Bearer

Yes yr right TirAlb but if there is one that can do it stay neutral it's Greece and you Albo's can't pressure us..Unless of course we come to some deal on Fyrom??

No deal.
1. Greece is not known to be a good or trustworthy neighbor as shown by post Greek independence behaviour. That's a fact.

2. Why would we reach a deal on FYROM instead of waiting to have it all for ourselves? Or at least have it as a semi-satellite with 30-35% Albanian.

3. Albanians would be shown as troublemakers if FYROM starts flaring again

4. No rush: you already recognized Kosova's passports (French pressure is my guess) and that is half of the deal. Kosova (like other countries) is getting EU aid and for now it's not even ready for EU or NATO anyway.

Within a few years everything will fall into place. EU /NATO wants peace in the Balkans and peace will be. Serbia with it's 20,000 troops and a third world military machine isn't about to declare war to all it's neighbors or set to conquer two million people that hate its guts. Plus Kosova is not like in 1999 anymore; over the past decade, some 20,000 people have been trained as part of their 'National Guard,' police and other security forces. ...And the KLA guys are still young enough, and maybe, just maybe they only surrendered some WWII weapons when the collectors came.

[Makedonia25]

Originally Posted by Grace

No deal.
1. Greece is not known to be a good or trustworthy neighbor as shown by post Greek independence behaviour. That's a fact.

2. Why would we reach a deal on FYROM instead of waiting to have it all for ourselves? Or at least have it as a semi-satellite with 30-35% Albanian.

3. Albanians would be shown as troublemakers if FYROM starts flaring again

4. No rush: you already recognized Kosova's passports (French pressure is my guess) and that is half of the deal. Kosova (like other countries) is getting EU aid and for now it's not even ready for EU or NATO anyway.

Within a few years everything will fall into place. EU /NATO wants peace in the Balkans and peace will be. Serbia with it's 20,000 troops and a third world military machine isn't about to declare war to all it's neighbors or set to conquer two million people that hate its guts. Plus Kosova is not like in 1999 anymore; over the past decade, some 20,000 people have been trained as part of their 'National Guard,' police and other security forces. ...And the KLA guys are still young enough, and maybe, just maybe they only surrendered some WWII weapons when the collectors came.

1. That may be true, but Greece is the ONLY NATO/EU member in the balkans who is currently supporting BOTH your bids, so maybe things have changed?

2. I doubt that Albanians in FYROM would have anything to themselves.. Dont think for a minute that the US, Russia and the EU will sit there and let Albanians run amuck in FYROM..

3. Thats exactly right..

4. No, Greece said that it is a "basic human right" to allow people to travel, and thats why they recognized Kosovo's passports.. Trust me, they wont be recognizing Kosovo anytime soon..

Serbia has 20,000 troops?? Not according to the stats below!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of..._active_troops


Serbia

World Rank 79
Active Service 38,000
Reserve Force 207,500
Paramilitary 110,000
Total 392,500


Albania

World Rank 101
Active Service 20,000
Reserve Force 0
Paramilitary 5,000
Total 25,000


Equipment Summary Serbia

Main Battle Tanks ~277
Armoured Infantry Fighting Vehicles ~590
Armoured Personnel Carriers ~200
Towed Artillery ~562
Mortars ~1700 82 mm and 560 120 mm
Self Propelled Artillery ~98
Multiple Rocket Launchers ~148
Self-Propelled Surface to Air Missile Systems about 230

[Petros Houhoulis]

Originally Posted by TirAlb

Im not sure, but i think that most of modern ossetians , even by ethnicity,are simply Russians, settled there during Socialism.

They are not Russians as much as you are not U.S.Americans despite the fact that you have been waving U.S.American flags more than Kossovar flags.

[Makedonia25]

Police clash with protesters in Montenegro

By PREDRAG MILIC – 14 October 2008

PODGORICA, Montenegro (AP) — Police fired tear gas at thousands of angry pro-Serb Montenegrins who pelted state buildings and fired flares Monday to protest their government's recognition of Kosovo's independence.

Chanting "Treason! Treason!" and "Kosovo is Serbia!" the protesters condemned last week's decision to recognize the former Serbian province which declared independence in February.

At least 12 protesters and 10 policemen were injured during the clashes in Podgorica, Montenegro's capital, hospital officials said.

Earlier, some 10,000 protesters gave the country's pro-Western government until Wednesday to withdraw recognition of Kosovo, or face attempts to topple it "by unparliamentary means."

"This is the biggest shame in the Montenegrin history," Andrija Mandic, a leader of the pro-Serbian opposition in the parliament, told a rally in Podgorica.

He and others demanded a referendum on Kosovo's recognition. About 35 percent of Montenegro's population of 650,000 identify themselves as Serbs.

After Montenegro and Macedonia recognized Kosovo on Thursday, Belgrade expelled the two neighboring countries' ambassadors and threatened additional retaliatory measures.

Serbia, Montenegro and Macedonia were all part of the former Yugoslavia. Montenegro, considered Serbia's closest ally, did not split from Serbia until 2006.

On Monday, Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic of Montenegro accused Serbia of wanting to continue to influence his country's policies. Belgrade "is forgetting that we are now a sovereign country which is making the decisions in its own interest," Djukanovic said.

He denied Montenegro has been pressured by the United States and others to recognize Kosovo.

Serbia has not had effective control over Kosovo since 1999, when NATO led airstrikes that halted former Serbian leader Slobodan Milosevic's crackdown on ethnic Albanian separatists. For years, it was administered by NATO and the U.N.

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5i...xdTQwD93PQ7QG3

[Makedonia25]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7668597.stm

[TirAlb]

Malaysia recognized Kosovo independence
Friday, 31 October 2008

Malaysia recognized KosovoToday Malaysia recognized the Republic of Kosovo as an indepedent and sovereign country.


Chief of Liaison D'Affairs of Malaysia in Kosovo, Mustafa Mansor, handed the credential letter from Malayasia Foreign Minister Dr. Rais Yatim to Kosovar Foreign Minister Skender Hyseni, which confirms the recognition of Kosovo independence by the state of Malaysia.


In the letter says:

"I would like refer to our cordial meeting at United Nations during the General Assembly session on September 27, 2008 in New York. I appreciate the oppertunity that we had to exchange views on issues of mutual interest including the developments in Kosovo.

I have the honour to convey to Your Excellency and through you to the Government of the Republic of Kosovo that the Government of Malaysia recognizes the independence of the Republic of Kosovo.


I would like to take this oppertunity to extend my sincere good wishes to Your Excellency and the Government of Kosovo in all your future endeavours."

Malaysia becomes the 52nd country to recognize Kosovo independence.

Malaysia is a country that consists of thirteen states and three federal territories in Southeast Asia with a total landmass of 329,847 square kilometres (127,355 sq mi). The capital city is Kuala Lumpur, while Putrajaya is the seat of the federal government. The population stands at over 25 million. Malaysia gained its independence in 1957 from United Kingdom and as a unified federation in 1963.

Malaysia is a founding member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, member of the Organization of Islamic Conference and member of the Developing 8 Countries.

link

Formally recognized by 52 out of 192 United Nations (UN) members

[Morphesau]

Who is Rahm Emanuel?

He is Obamas new Chief of Staff.

What is Chief of Staff?

The White House Chief of Staff is the highest-ranking member of the Executive Office of the President of the United States and a senior aide to the President. The U.S. President's Chief of Staff is a very powerful position, sometimes dubbed "The Second-Most Powerful Man in Washington.

The duties of the White House Chief of Staff vary greatly from one administration to another. However, he/she is responsible for overseeing the actions of the White House staff, managing the President's schedule, and deciding who is allowed to meet with the President. Because of these duties, the Chief of Staff has at various times been dubbed "The Gatekeeper" and "The co-President".

Emanuel Welcomes Serbian Unity Congress
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, U.S. Representative Rahm Emanuel (IL-5) attended the third annual Serbian American Day Luncheon, held in Cannon Caucus Room. This annual event is organized by the Serbian Unity Congress to bring Serbian-Americans from around the country together for a day of advocacy on the hill.

“As a proud member of the Serbian Caucus, I welcome the Serbian Unity Congress and the Serbian-American community to this annual event,” said Emanuel. “It is our duty to always strive to further relations and build lasting relationships so that we can stabilize and protect people from all religions and ethnicities.”

Emanuel was the co-Chair of the Serbian Caucus from 2004 – 2007. The House passed Congressman Emanuel’s resolution honoring the contributions of the Serbian Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic, who was assassinated in February 2003 after leading Serbia toward democratic and free market progress. In addition, he cosponsored H.Res 596, condemning ethnic violence in Kosovo and H.Res 726, congratulating the people of Serbia and the government for their fair and free elections in 2004.


http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press...bianunity.html