Wednesday, June 29, 2005

Remember the Balkans - The Washington Times

By Helle Dale
June 29, 2005


Acceptance of the past is often crucial for unlocking the promise of the future. That lesson helped Germans rebuild their country after World War II. The Russians, to their own detriment, have come nowhere close to dealing with the bloody history of the Soviet era. In the Balkan wars of the 1990s, which split up the former Yugoslavia, much tragic history remains to be re-examined, but recent events may represent something of a breakthrough for Serbia, a nation in denial about war crimes committed in its name. If that is indeed the case, we may finally see the area of the Balkans make progress toward social healing and economic development.
On June 2, Serbian television broadcast a shocking, graphic piece of evidence of the horrors of the recent past. It was a tape — made by a Serbian hit squad, the Scorpions — of the brutal murder of six Bosnian men and boys in the Bosnian city of Srebrenica in 1995. The rest of the world has known Srebrenica as a place of infamy, where 8,000 Bosnian males of all ages were massacred by Serbian troops in horrible violation of the adage that "never again" must the horrors of genocide take place on European soil. In the Balkans, it did, while the rest of Europe was holding meetings about what to do to stop it.
The video came to light as part of the evidence in the war-crimes trial of former Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic, and has finally stirred a wrenching and overdue internal debate in Serbia, where most accusations of Serbian war crimes have previously been dismissed as enemy propaganda, and where the Hague war crimes tribunal been dismissed as victors' justice.
Immediate evidence of its impact came in the form of a new willingness in Belgrade to hand over suspected war criminals. Coming as this does just before the 10th anniversary of the massacre at Srebrenica on July 11, the tape is of critical importance. In the days since the video aired, Serbia has turned over a number of those wanted in The Hague; Serbia has been rewarded with the release of $10 million in U.S. aid that had been held up for lack of cooperation. Equally importantly, the Serbian government has opened its files on the most wanted of war criminals, Ratko Mladic, the man who ordered the Srebrenica massacre.
The timing of these developments is propitious. After years of relative neglect, the Balkans is back on the political agenda in Washington and Brussels, specifically the question of final status for the Serbian autonomous province of Kosovo, which has been left in political limbo for the past six years — since NATO bombing put an end to Serbian attempts to drive out the region's majority ethnic Albanian population.
Kosovo, whose Albanian population seeks independence from Serbia, has been a U.N. protectorate with more than 20,000 plus international troops stationed there, of whom 7,000 are Americans. This has produced an unstable peace, which was interrupted last spring by a vicious ethnic-cleansing campaign directed at Kosovo's Serbian minority population by Albanians.
Yet, enough political progress has been made that the U.S. government has decided to push strongly for negotiated final status talks for Kosovo this year. As stated by the administration's point man on the issue, Undersecretary for Political Affairs Nick Burns, "Kosovo has been put on the backburner for years. We have to go back and complete the job."
The Bush administration's preferred scenario is having a European chief negotiator with a strong American No. 2. Beyond calling for final status to be the target, the Americans have declined to come up with a formula. Yet, it is widely believed that a formula that allows some form of conditional independence for Kosovo — strong human-rights guarantees for the ethnic Serbian minority while precluding Kosovo from joining up with Albania — will be in the picture.
The real issues are whether Kosovars can be made to accept something less than 100 percent independence (at least for now) and whether Serbs will finally recognize that they have to let Kosovars determine their own future. Meanwhile, the role of the international community, specifically the United States and the European Union, is to offer Serbia, Kosovo and the other parts of the former Yugoslavia the inclusion in our institutions that offer them hope for the future. That would make 2005, 10 years after the nadir of the atrocities committed in the Balkans, a year to remember.

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

yo Chris,
get a life dude... you don't need to comment on everything...
respect

Anonymous said...

Instead of posting an argument or an opinion which is related to the article you post the above comment.

I think you should get a life. His comments are very factual and interesting. Please keep it going.

Respect

PS Kosova will be independent, be it conditional or whatever. We will then show the region how to build a prosperous multiethnic society.

Anonymous said...

Independance will not happen because USA knows if that were to happen the world would go to hell;
-Chechnya
-Pays Basque
-Tibet
-Republic of Srpska
-Kurds

Just because kosovo is now 95% albanian and growing, doe snot give you complete political and moral rights for independance.

There are lots of places around the world with seprated populations that do not get "Independance" just because the population is overwelmingly ethnic.

I find it interesting that NONE of you even consider what will happen if there is no independance. I think about all possible outcomes, and what happens after that. You guys are constantly thinking about your precious independance. I know I may look like a fool when I say kosovo will not become independant, but that is only because this is an Albanian website. Let me just tell you, if you really think Kosovo will become independant, dont expect it to happen without a war.

Anonymous said...

by the way, I find this site to be very biased, even though you use the Srebrenica video agaisnt us, I see you guys havent heard of Naser Oric

anyone that wishes to have a semi formal deabte here, I ask you to read this

http://www.adnki.com/index_2Level.php?cat=CultureAndMedia&loid=8.0.178261526&par=0

Anonymous said...

I think the person that definitely needs to get a life here is Martyr. Yes, this is an Albanian website but you are allowed to comment - in your case an unleash of vulgarities - all day long. Despite this, you still have nothing with which to enlighten Albanians or international readers of this blog.

I'm no big expert in geo-politics nor any kind of oracle but there are two great sayings in America which have been describing the situation and its resolution in KosovA. The first one say, when "the going gets tought, the tough gets going." And the other one is actually a poem (for da homie, too)
What happens to a dream deferred?

Does it dry up
like a raisin in the sun?
Or fester like a sore--
And then run?
Does it stink like rotten meat?
Or crust and sugar over--
like a syrupy sweet?

Maybe it just sags
like a heavy load.

Or does it explode?

It blows your mind, doesn't it?

Anonymous said...

It is ashame to see the serbs and there blind hatred take them no where but into a downward spiral.Instead of wanting prosperity in the balkans a majority of them want war.
I just want to comment on the person said this: PS Kosova will be independent, be it conditional or whatever. We will then show the region how to build a prosperous multiethnic society.
I'm sorry I have nothing against your people,land,or cause.I'm actually for it.But Kosova is 96% Albanian,3% serb,1% other.This is far from multiethnic.And besides friend, Macedonia is already showing the balkans that there could be a multiethnic state in the balkans and look at how much closer Macedonia is to achieving NATO and EU status compared to the stubborn serbs who will most likely be the last country to join the EU.

Ivan,Macedonia

Anonymous said...

To the above blogger regarding sayings in America. I have also heard: "my Godness, we bombed the wrong people". I wonder all the time why you think US is on your side and will support you. In US people dont care about Kosova. Many dont know where it is since it is of no importance and a small province in the outskirts of Europe. No when the crazy leaders like Milosevic and soon to be also Mladic and his murderers will be behind bars, we will go for the next lunartics in old UCK. I think it will be about 5-6 who later will be brought to Hague. After this, in a couple of years, its time for Sudan and Rwanda to face justice. Im not sure at all that Kosova will be independent. Not at all. Of course, Serbia will not come back, but in my opiion, the most possible outcome will be that Kosova will still be a province to Serbia, but with almost full sovereignity. If one side of US or EU dont want Kosova to be a new country, it will not happen. In any case, I doubt that anyone alive now will be able to see the final solution for Kosova in their lifetime.
Sincerely
Timmy from Chicago.

Anonymous said...

Martyr - This site never said it was unbiased. It's a blog, so everyone is free to comment but the owners of the blog can post whatever they want with no promises of equal balance. While it is mostly pro-Albanian, there are also a significant number of neutral articles and articles from the international media.

Don't be bitter because you have nothing constructive to debate in this forum.

Anonymous said...

Timmy,
You speak in very non-american terms and idology for being an american. Denying freedom to an entire people is un-american. Which is probably what makes me think you are from from being an american. Why did we go to Iraq, so the Iraqis can taste freedom. Now, that is what america is about. Maybe late but America always comes through in bringing freedom loving people - FREEDOM.
Check your self Timmy I think you have a little serb idology in you.

Jimmy from Washington D.C.

Anonymous said...

Timmy,

Mr. Hughes himself wasn't quite sure of what would happen to the dream,

Maybe it just sags
like a heavy load.

But then wondered,

Or does it explode?

Anonymous said...

Jimmy. Dont get me wrong here. I am neither pro Albanian or pro Serbian. Actually, Im pro american. But I often read about Albanians that think we rather would help them than help the Serbs. I am a forgiver. I dont think that the Serbian PEOPLE are any better or worse than Albanians or any other people. Just because Serbs have had extreme bad and criminal leaders who have hidden the truth for them and fooled them, just like the Kosova Albanian leaders now fools the Albanians with money and crap about freedom, doesnt make the people bad. (I mean, the US and EU have pumped in about 5000000000 USD into Kosova - and there is still not enough electricity in the winter. Hey, come on.....where is the money? I know where they are, but unfortunately, if you cannot guess it, I cannot tell you either because of classified. But I think you know some of this because some of you on this forum seems pretty smart.
What do you say about "Denying freedom to an entire people". Of course Im not denying freedom. But now when Milosevic and soon also Mladic/Karadzic will be behind bars, there is calm and the fact remains, believe me on this or you will be VERY surprised, Kosova will not be independent. There will be no change of borders in the Balkans. I could bet 10000 USD on that. Maybe it would be the best solution if Kosova became independent, I dont know, but it will not happen. "Why did we go to Iraq, so the Iraqis can taste freedom". Well, why did we go ? I have 4 relatives there and 2 of them have been in Kosova at Bondsteel and they were sure whats going on in Kosova, believe me. They told me that there are enormous criminality among the Albanian leaders but the people dont know so much about it yet. And to your intimation that I could be a Serb. No Im not. We have been here six generations in Chicago area. The closest Serb I know is the owner of a cab company here and he is a millionaire with two very famous and beautiful daughters. I think you know who I mean if you are from DC.

Sincerely

Timmy, Chicago, Il

Anonymous said...

To Chris Blaku, sometimes your posts are brilliant and sometimes they are just...how can I say this without being too rude...dumb. You talk of total balkan wars and how there are 8 million Albanians and how that's guerilla warfare and...no.You're letting your imagination get the better of you. Maybe you've been playing too much of Rome Total War on your computer.I believe that there will be no more balkan wars in the region.I believe that now it will be a war of words,the way it has been for a couple years now.I believe Kosova will gain independance and it will help out the region realize that European integration is a must.But your nonsensical tirades of having one of the biggest bases is really childish talk.
Now calling me ignorant for saying that Kosova isn't a real multiethnic state is again,childish on your part. When Kosova has more than 20% of minorities that it recognizes then it could claim such things.Again,the 3% serbs and 1% misc. does not constitute a multiethnic state that can "show the region" how a multiethnic nation can live and prosper.And when Kosova does finally become independant I would like to see Kosova recognize all their minorities.It would be a blow to Albania which still does not recognize all of its minorities.Maybe that would wake Tirana up and smell the coffee.

Anonymous said...

So that is what the some want! Import of Serbs in order to make a multi-ethnic socielty (is this thing trendy or what!!!).

There are only a few places in the world that are multiethnic.

New York and London. Note, all cities, with substantial quantities of different ethnicities/cultures. Now don't tell me that Iraq or France or Netherlands is multiethnic, yes they have non-native ethnicities but it's not like there are 40% French, 30% Portugeese, and 30% Ainu.. (Iraq is an artificial country, just as most of Africa was carved out).

But look at London, its fulll of the WORLD!!! Now that is multi-ethnicity!

Okok, I guess there are a few more cities in the world, besides big apple and london town but stop following trends please...its like the dot-com boom :)

Anonymous said...

Mr.Blaku I commend your last post here and I do say this without any venom on my tongue. Here is something for you to read about the minorities in Albania.

Macedonian and Greek Minorities in Albania Boycott the 2001 Census
Deutsche Welle, MILS News, Skopje, Macedonia, April 12, 2001





Macedonian and Greek minority in Albania decided to boycott the population census that started on April 1 this year, reports Radio Deutsche Welle. According to the President of the Association of Macedonians in Albania - Edmond Temelkov, reason for this decision is the absence of the option "Macedonian" in the census lists. If this omission is not corrected, Macedonians in Albania will boycott next parliamentary elections as well, stated Temelkov. As he said, there are four Macedonian organizations in Albania: Mir (Peace), Bratstvo (Brotherhood), MED (Macedonian Aegean Society) and Prespa and they all agree to boycott the census. There are as much as 350.000 Macedonians in Albania but only 5.000 are officially recognized by the Albanian State. Macedonians are mostly inhabiting the regions of Prespa, Pogradec, Tirana, Elbasan, Korca and other cities in Albania. Except for Prespa, there are no other schools in Albania with Macedonian curriculum. Macedonian minority in Albania is in difficult situation with almost no possibilities to preserve their mother language, said Temelkov for Radio Deutsche Welle.


Ivan,Macedonia

Anonymous said...

One thing about politicians that I'm sure all of you wished was that they didn't have their own agendas i.e. corruption.Read below for the case in point.Mind you this is not a politician from Albania,but from Macedonia.

ALBANIAN POLITICIAN IN MACEDONIA ARBEN DXAFERI RESIST REMARKS AGAINST MACEDONIANS IN DENIAL OF THE EXISTENCE OF MACEDONIANS IN ALBANIA AND FORMING OF MACEDONIAN STATE

Leader of DPA, Arben Dxaferi, evaluates that Macedonians on Golo Brdo in Albania are imagination of former Macedonian president Kiro Gligorov and of Macedonian secret services. At same time Dxaferi recommends that most adequate response to Macedonian determination for non acknowledgement of independence of Kosovo is opening of dilemma about Macedonian state. These thesis, as "Utrinski Vesnik" writes, Dxaferi brought out in text announced in Albanian newspaper "Shekuli". Dxaferi highlighted that Macedonian cause in Albania opened as anti-Albanian challenge in frames of "Gligorov's strategy". Dxaferi explains that there was a plan since existence of former Yugoslavia for forming a tampon zone which would connect regions inhabited by "Muslims-Slavfones" in Gora in Kosovo, villages around Debar and villages on Golo Brdo in Albania. According to Dxaferi, ideas of Gligorov, and of Dr. Kimet Fetahu (famous activist for rights of Macedonians in Albania), only create big historic, political and religious confusion not only in Macedonia but also around Macedonia. Dxaferi concludes that case Golo Brdo directed from Skopje opens strong political dilemma which refers to Macedonia as independent state and constellations around it. Dxaferi evaluates that most adequate response to Macedonian determination for non acknowledgement of independence of Kosovo is opening of dilemma about forming Macedonian state.

MILS NEWS Skopje, February 20, 2004

Now read a different politician from Macedonia who is of Albanian decent who says differently about Macedonias stance on Kosova.

Macedonia Expects EU Candidate Status This Year, Minister Says
July 1 (Bloomberg) -- Macedonia expects the European Union to grant it candidate status as early as this year, 14 years after the former Yugoslav republic gained independence, said Economy Minister Fatmir Besimi.

The nation of 2 million people located between Greece and Bulgaria applied for EU membership in March 2004. It also seeks to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in 2006, Besimi said in an interview on June 24 during a conference in Monaco.

``We have been very active in the EU integration processes,'' said Besimi, 29. ``We expect to have candidate status at the end of this year or early next year and this will have a very positive impact on economic growth and investments because it will be a very strong signal we are moving in the right direction.''

Macedonia's $5.4 billion economy may grow 3.8 percent this year, Besimi forecast, from 2.9 percent in 2004, led by higher industrial output and foreign investment. The nation's bid for membership follows the EU's biggest expansion last year, when 10 mostly eastern European countries joined. Since then, French and Dutch voters have rejected the EU constitution, raising concern about political integration and further expansion.

The EU this year delayed the start of accession talks with Croatia, threatened to postpone the 2007 entry of Romania and Bulgaria and refused to offer Ukraine the prospect of membership.

Strategic Priority

EU membership is ``our strategic priority, although during this period we haven't had news from the European Union regarding its internal organization,'' Besimi said. ``The EU perspective is an optimistic scenario, although we are aware that sometimes there are difficulties.''

Officials at the EU's External Relations and Enlargement department couldn't immediately be reached for comment.

French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin said on June 15 EU expansion should slow after Bulgaria and Romania join. Croatia and Turkey expect to begin talks this year.

Macedonia's economic growth is ``satisfactory'' and the country is working on improving its judicial system, Besimi said. Trade with the EU accounts for 56 percent of Macedonia's total trade and 70 percent of transactions are in euros, he said.

``We will be ready maybe to be in the same wave as Croatia,'' Besimi said. ``We are very close in all parameters to Croatia.''

Macedonia, which seceded from Yugoslavia in 1991, has been mainly peaceful since a seven-month ethnic conflict in 2001 ended with an agreement in which the Albanian minority won proportional representation in the police and gained recognition for Albanian as an official language in some parts of the country.

Kosovo Role

Plans to start talks on the future of Serbia's Kosovo province, which has been under the control of the United Nations since 1999, will help improve economic outlook for the whole region, Besimi said.

Kosovo, where ethnic Albanians comprise 90 percent of the 1.9 million population, was placed under UN control in 1999. Ethnic Albanians want independence from Serbia and Serbia has sought to preserve its formal control of the territory.

``The earlier we have the decision, the better it will for the region,'' Besimi said.

Macedonia is seeking to attract investment into motorway and railway construction, enlarging of the airport in the capital Skopje and the energy industry, including the sale of electricity assets.


Unfortunately for us in the balkans politicians like Arben Dxaferi is what's wrong with our region.The serbs are even worse with their nazi-like hatred towards anything non-serb especially towards you Kosovar Albanians.

Anonymous said...

If you add the numbers of minorities living in Albania claimed by Greese, Macedonia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Romania, the Roma etc etc. you'll find that there are no Albanians living in Albania. In fact according to this figures I am not Albanian. Do u know that the Bulgars claim there are close to 300 000 Bulgar minorities living in Albania? Yet it is strange because the only 2 Bulgars I know live in the Bulgarian embassy in Tirana. In the city where I come from there were around 10 know families of Macedonian decent, and we're talking about the city accros lake Ohrid.

Anonymous said...

Chris, you need some help with statistics mate. 50,000 Macedonians in Albania,and 1,000,000 Albanians in Macedonia.LOL. Half a million Albanians is what Macedonia has. Albania has 300,000 + Macedonians within Albanian borders. Let's not distort reality to create an abundance of support for the Albanian cause. I have no problems with Albanians in general considering I am friends with many of them. But Albanians like you who will not accept certain truths is what gives your people a bad name.

Ivan,Macedonia

Anonymous said...

In response to Mr. Blaku's 9:17 post:

"Kosova is the home of the largest US base outside of the US, and in the event of a Balkan war, it would be forced to defend itself."

It's interesting that you should make such predictions and neglect to acknowledge that just six years ago, when the UCK was unsuccessful in defeating Serb forces, the U.S. and NATO had to intervene and ultimately save Kosovar Albanians from the Serbs (which was done WITHOUT ground troops in a matter of months). And I don't even have to start drawing comparison's between the capabilities of the U.S. military and those of any Balkan country.

More importantly, Albanians who threaten war and violence at every turn seem to lack a critical thing called FORESIGHT. Not only does it reflect badly on your nation, but it certainly sets you back in the eyes of the world as far as becoming a independent, democratic, and economically stable country.

Instead of only thinking ahead to the next week, month or year, try thinking (and acting) in the best interest of the future of your country -- the country that your children and grandchildren will inherit -- and ways of achieving your national goals in a way that gives honor to your people and its ideals.

Anonymous said...

Seems everyone here is living out a fantasy of what they beleive should happen to Kosovo. The UN is a farce and when they leave, either by being pushed out oi by total failure, the extreamists on both sides will take over and the fighting will begin again....