Wednesday 7.09.2011 | 10:09

Attempts to take over checkpoints “unacceptable to Belgrade”

Source: Tanjug

Belgrade team head Borislav Stefanović has said Priština authorities’ unilateral attempt to take over the administrative crossings is unacceptable to Belgrade.

Show here the full text of the article

Send comment

  1. Ataman, 8 September 2011 00:47
    "Post-comunist world to be redone"
    with albo mafija, right.
    (milan, 2 November 2011 19:49)

    # Comment link

  2. Amer,

    At an other site - very different than this one - a Georgian guy was complaining about the zoo bombing and Borjomi in 2008, both Georgian territory. I am assuming he tells the truth, given the nature of the site. According him it was pretty awful and there is not much to say that it was a shame, even as a "retaliation" for the zoo in Palic or the train at Grdelica.

    That 2008 in Georgia was some sick parody on 1999 in YU was told a few times by quite many in Russia and of high enough rank. For me it's just one action sicker than the other and shows that much of this post-communist world needs to be re-done. That the era of iron curtain was sick in one thing, now it's sick, too - just different way.
    (Ataman, 8 September 2011 00:47)

    # Comment link

  3. @ Ataman:

    "But remember: Abkhazia/Ossetia was a farce made by purpose to resemble the 1999 bombing of YU, that as far as I know even included the bombing of a zoo (like it happened in Palic near Subotica). "

    Sorry about the zoo near Palic. (I detest zoos, but I don't advocate bombing them.)

    What zoo in 2008? Does So. Ossetia have a zoo? Lyrical digression: The last time I read about So. Ossetia at a Russian site like this, some Russian said that when he was hitchhiking in the region/country, people wanted to the Russians to get out, and if they didn't, they (the So. Ossetians) would kick them out like they did the Georgians.

    Appreciation can be so fleeting.

    The Georgians didn't bomb anything in Abkhazia, if I remember correctly. In 2008. Or maybe the zoo-bombing was during an earlier dispute? (I've let my attention get distracted by Libya.)

    Pacolli might go for one plane, especially if Xhames agreed to campaign for him in the next election. Probably not two - he earned his money, he didn't inherit it, and probably doesn't waste much.

    BTW, Berisha (Sali) must have taken your comments on the Albanian countryside to heart - he's calling on the government to start cleaning up the auto salvage yards etc. as a disgrace to the country. A budding tourism industry is probably better for a country than an official Green movement.
    (Amer, 7 September 2011 20:04)

    # Comment link

  4. Until Belgrade, and the brown nose politicians that have their noses up the EU's butt, act like men, Pristina will play forceful politics and have their way. When our (Serbian) leaders stand up to foreign occupiers, and do what is right for Serbia, then we will have true leaders, and not these EU butt kissers. Be men, Serbs, and not little school girls waiting for pats on the head from the US/EU for being obedient little pupils.
    (Bruke, 7 September 2011 17:43)

    # Comment link

  5. Kosovo Serbs don't want you any more, Stefanovicu.
    (ivan, 7 September 2011 17:21)

    # Comment link

  6. On the other hand, if the pilot is actually in Eritrea, calling on Ethiopia for help might not be all that productive.
    Anyway, he's also an American citizen - that would really be asking for a lot from the Serbs.
    (Amer, 7 September 2011 16:03)

    Eritrea is probably the same thing from Serbian point of view - and if the pilot had American citizenship than it's even better.

    --

    What you are suggesting - maintaining friendly contacts with the inhabitants of the disputed region, avoiding hostile talk in general, is what Saakashvili is trying in Abkhazia
    (Amer, 7 September 2011 16:03)

    In Abkhazia the problem is that everyone accuses the other side with slaughter of civilians and as far as I know, both ways it did happen. Saak is a tool and in addition a pretty bad tool. But remember: Abkhazia/Ossetia was a farce made by purpose to resemble the 1999 bombing of YU, that as far as I know even included the bombing of a zoo (like it happened in Palic near Subotica).

    Well, it is logical: you bomb my friend's zoo - I bomb your friend's zoo. You break my friend's toy - I break your friend's toy. Like the bombing of Borjomi national park.

    That's the 21st century where you have to have M(egaton), M(erkava) and M(iG). You don't have M+M+M = your toy will be broken and your zoo will be bombed... humanitarian way of course. Thumbs up for USA and Russia, good job, humanitarian bombing is the way of the future. TV ad: "Buy our bombs, they are more humanitarian than theirs".

    --

    P.S. Couldn't Pacolli at least buy the guy a less worn-out plane?
    (Amer, 7 September 2011 16:03)

    Larry Ellison, the CEO of Oracle has several figher planes and I think, some are Russian, some American. He has them to land at the Moffet Airfield instead of SJC because San Jose City Council did not allow him to fly his private (non-military) jet to SJC after 8 PM.

    So the obvious solution: you aren't allowed to fly your Learjet to SJC? Buy a MiG or F-xx and fly to Moffet instead. Perfect. See, the idiots on Balkans show off one way, the idiots in the States with money - an other way.

    By the way he seem to be a pretty decent pilot so far, piloted both Oracle and MiG kind of OK - so if that's what he wants, let him have even a Mirage, I am not envy because I hate flying even in business on B-747
    (Ataman, 7 September 2011 16:55)

    # Comment link

  7. @ Ataman, The Devil's Advocate:

    "In the case of Serbia's government I would just put the hapless pilot on the next bus to Pristina, purely for political reason. Let him feel ashamed.

    Serbia has good relations with Ethiopia. What did they do? As far as I know - nothing."

    On the other hand, if the pilot is actually in Eritrea, calling on Ethiopia for help might not be all that productive.

    Anyway, he's also an American citizen - that would really be asking for a lot from the Serbs.

    What you are suggesting - maintaining friendly contacts with the inhabitants of the disputed region, avoiding hostile talk in general, is what Saakashvili is trying in Abkhazia/So. Ossetia. If the former get tired of seeing the Russians replace the Georgians, his approach might eventually pay off. (The So. O's want to join the No. O's, so that may be trickier.) But it's a slow process, one that would better have been started long before the Russian troops arrived.

    P.S. Couldn't Pacolli at least buy the guy a less worn-out plane?
    (Amer, 7 September 2011 16:03)

    # Comment link

  8. "Why has no one in Belgrade thought of simply retaking the border posts in Southern Kosovo?"
    (New Zealander, 7 September 2011 10:22)

    For a very simple reason as it put Serbia in direct conflict with NATO and all the countries that have recognized Kosovo. Furthermore NATO may award the Albanian side by giving them a green light to march into north and take it all by force. We know what happen in Knin, Zepa and Srebrenica when armies march and meet with civilians. Is that what you are suggesting another blood bath?

    Anyway what you are suggesting is a 90's mentality when Serbia had it all and patriots like you were advocating greater Serbia at the expense of all other nationalites.

    Times have changed and frankly majority of the people both Albanians and Serbs have had enough of fighting and misery. Lets rebuild and learn how to respect each other. Its almost two decades of misery and all we hear is this constant empty promises. Has the government in Serbia ever thought of approaching the Kosovo government on how to open and operate Trepca mines. Create some jobs instead of destroying? Its the economy! It is precisely this type of apptitude that our politicians are not familiar with!
    (Jeff, 7 September 2011 15:04)

    # Comment link

  9. Why has no one in Belgrade thought of simply retaking the border posts in Southern Kosovo?
    (New Zealander, 7 September 2011 10:22)

    Let me be the devil's advocate.

    - That would instantly end the wet dream about E.U. integration they did bet on.
    - It is not feasible from military point of view
    - In ethnic terms many in BG still have Milosevic knee-jerk reaction if you say "Kosovo" and it's not going to work
    - Rightfully, other people in Belgrade think that why do it militarily if one day you can do it peacefully. The problem is, they do not know how. I do not have a slightest idea how either - but few examples when the Belgradian reaction did look totally weird from point of view of somebody who lived in Silicon Valley where working in a multi-cultural team is the norm.

    Example/1:

    Bunch of Albanians try to cross the river Tisza and some die. Nothing is heard from Belgrade.

    Example/2:

    Serbian passports of Kosovo residents. The discrimination on the site of E.U. is obvious and it is worth to note, the Serbian passports issued for Kosovo residents are full-featured passports for all other countries outside of E.U.

    For instance... Russia. What a surprise: a Kosov-Albanian on a valid Serbian passport can travel to Russia or Argentina or even Belarus visa-free. But not to Austria.

    It was correct from Serbian government to enter a deal regarding visa-free travel with E.U. because it's better than nothing. Now as it is a done deal - they missed to continue to fight for the rest and equally bad: they weren't vigilant enough regarding false asyl claims and instead of being on offense they are on defense.

    Example/3:

    As we know, NZ has two major islands. What would happen if a resident of the northern island would fly over the globe is his little private plane to lobby for the independence of his island.... and would get into trouble and kidnapped in Ethiopia?

    My guess: the government of NZ would try to set him somehow free, fly home - and regarding the "independence flight" - well, that is a home affair anyway. In the case of Serbia's government I would just put the hapless pilot on the next bus to Pristina, purely for political reason. Let him feel ashamed.

    Serbia has good relations with Ethiopia. What did they do? As far as I know - nothing.

    Example/4:

    Few thousand Albanians live happily in Vojvodina and Belgrade, let's not talk about Presevo. They could be the spearhead in the political efforts to "take" Kosovo back. Where is their voice, political power, etc. If nowhere - why aren't they active? Does the Serbian government know their problems? I feel, not.

    Kosovo-Albanians may say than: "we do not want to be under-represented".

    Note, that these examples are not about known bad guys who are in Pristina and not about Kosovo recognition. But doing nothing and missing the opportunities the Belgradians actually almost work for the thugs in PR.

    I do not dream that things will change overnight - but changing the basic approach is due yesterday. U.S. and it's allies had a good moral defeat a few days ago when they had to oppose the non-violence resolution. Would be the Belgradian government smarter - the so-called "West" (here I mean the warmongers who try to create an American-Russian conflict out of blue skies to serve their interest) would have one moral defeat after an other - and soon, the quantity will turn into quality.
    (Ataman, 7 September 2011 13:35)

    # Comment link

  10. ""He added that such a move would jeopardize the stability of Kosovo and the entire region."

    Those Serb sniper/thugs will threaten the region and kill others law?
    Great admitting of guilt is GREAT!
    (toknok, 7 September 2011 11:46)

    # Comment link

  11. "Why has no one in Belgrade thought of simply retaking the border posts in Southern Kosovo?
    (New Zealander,"

    They are waiting for "brave" expats who will flee after back to countries that recognize Kosovo including the north.

    Are you interested in taking it, or just blowing hot steamy smelly fog around here?
    (ahha ahha, 7 September 2011 11:44)

    # Comment link

  12. Now you are just repeating your words from yesterday and yes by taking control of Gate 1 and 31 its game over for Serbia, no more blackmailing EU and using criminals in north as pawns for their own ambition to join EU faster, but seeing the ignorance among EU officials, wouldnt be surprised they offer some kind of shortcut.
    (Pejoni, 7 September 2011 11:38)

    # Comment link

  13. Seriously: Who is Stefanovic? They call him Head of Negotiation Team. Shouldn't the presidents talk and negotiate? Look how the situation is getting tense day by day. If something will happen, who do you think they blame? Surely not those, who got us into this whole mess. GERMANY & FRIENDS.
    (zoka, 7 September 2011 11:03)

    # Comment link

  14. As there are other checkpoints the most logical solution is to shut down gates 1 and 31 permanently for anything other than non commercial traffic and allow Kfor to maintain it until Serbia comes to its sense's, under mandate of 1244 as a security measure.
    No customs goods to pass, problem solved.
    (think again, 7 September 2011 11:02)

    # Comment link

  15. "He added that such a move would jeopardize the stability of Kosovo and the entire region."

    For sure... Because Serbia will... run to the UNSC? ...will tell the K-Serbs to block the roads in the north? ...send someone to burn the border crossings?
    (Bloody Mary, 7 September 2011 10:46)

    # Comment link

  16. Why has no one in Belgrade thought of simply retaking the border posts in Southern Kosovo?
    (New Zealander, 7 September 2011 10:22)

    # Comment link

In focus

VOTE

Blog

Viewpoint

Opinions & Analyses

Perspectives on the Ukrainian protests

28.01.2014. | Comments: 1
Pro-Yanukovych protesters are seen in Kiev (Beta/AP)

In most countries, the events in Kiev would not have generated global interest. When you are a country like Ukraine, even nominal instability generates not only interest but also pressure and even intervention from all directions.

Off the air

B92 TV

Serbia: 19 Years of collecting, hiding and losing evidence

25.11.2013. | Izvor: IPI | Comments: 5
Dada Vujasinović (B92)

Over a decade has passed since the death of Serbian journalists Dada Vujasinović, Slavko Ćuruvija and Milan Pantić. Ever since the fall of the regime of Slobodan Milošević in 2000, successive Serbian governments have promised to make these cases a priority.

File Cabinet

Press Room

Agreement on Understanding to build Safe House in Vranje

17.01.2014. | Comments: 0
Sean Long, Zoran Antić, Veran Matić, Bojana Veličkov (B92)

An Agreement on Understanding has been signed today in Vranje between the City of Vranje, Office of Defense Cooperation (ODC Office) of the US Embassy in Belgrade and B92 Fund, with which conditions are practically met for launching works on construction