On the Issue of "Kosovo is Serbia" Protests
Nowadays, Serbia is split due to Kosovo’s independence. Many people have asked me what I think about it, and many were surprised by my answer — I don’t have an opinion. I do, however, have one about the protest organized by Serb radicals in downtown Belgrade, after the United States recognized independent Kosovo. According to Serbia’s police department more than 150,000 people showed up for the protest during witch embassies of Britain, Germany, Croatia, Belgium and Turkey were attacked. The embassy of the United States was torched.
According to Reuters, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice stated that the United States holds Serbia responsible for the attacks because Serbia has “an obligation to protect diplomatic missions, and, from what we can tell, the police presence was either inadequate or unresponsive at the time.”
As a response to the attacks, the State Department ordered almost all of its diplomats to evacuate from Serbia and the European Union decided to freeze its negotiations with Serbia.
Serbia risks its international relations because of some radical idiots who were shouting “Kosovo is Serbia” and most of them most probably have never even been to Kosovo. It is ridiculus and I am ashamed of them.
All of Serbia has to realize that it lost Kosovo a long time ago and no 14th century battle will change that, and neither will Russia.
The following was written by a very close friend of mine:
We are talking about a very complex subject. On one side we have an absolutely scandalous event which was directed by Belgrade authorities. It is absolutely unacceptable. It is clear we [Serbian people] are not done with our pathetic defiance towards the world powers.
On the other hand, we have independent Kosovo shaped by western defiance into a pseudo-independent state, although it doesn’t even have the elementary grounds for being one. Kosovo does not produce electric energy; none of its bordering states have recognized it; unemployment rate is 70% and they are not done with the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA).
Kosovo will continue to feed itself by producing and selling narcotics, weapons, slave labor, etc.
For our “patriots” I have only a couple of more words: first of all clean-up you backyard, stop stealing sneakers, reinitiate talks with Europe, stop torching BELGRADE buildings, stop fighting SERBS and then think about Kosovo and those 67 unlucky Serbs who live there.
Tagged as Kosovo, Politics, Serbia + Categorized as Opinions, Politics
It is very unfortunate, but the news is made by those who manage to instigate the greatest controversy and conflict. And here you go – they got it.
Yes, the government IS responsible for allowing such a response on the part of the nationalist wave within Serbia, but then – apparently, it sees this as a last resort, especially having in mind the doubts about strong Russian backing in the future…
I see the reasons behind being worried about the image and the name of your country abroad (oh, and all the possible consequences, of course). But then, it’s up to YOU and the like-minded Serbians, who see the absurdity of the situation, to prove that many in Serbia are not radical nationalists.
I think it’s high time for the “international community” to realize that the whole nation, as well as the country itself, cannot and should not be punished for the actions of a minority (yes, 150,000 is still a tiny minority among 10 million) and several politicians, desperate to see their names in history textbooks. It’s happened more than once, and you should not let it happen again…
I agree, if those who disagree with the minority keep quiet, the international community will hold the nation responsible for the actions of that minority.
I’d like make one thing clear. Probably most of those 150,000 people are ultra-nationalists who believe that they can solve the problems of their country using violence. If a significant number of people choose to defy them, they will regard that as another problem and a civil war will happen.
It’s a definite no-win situation for Serbia.
I agree… Potentially, it’s a bomb.
But, the other side does not have to resort to violence, and if, indeed, they make up a significant portion of the population, they can achieve something, eventually.
I see Serbia in a very difficult situation right now, and yes – civil conflict may seem inevitable. But let’s not forget the importance of longer-term benefits, which are sometimes forgotten. If the right people show the advantages you can get in 10 years’ time (if you choose the right route, that is), rationalizing and making them PALPABLE for the wider population, I guess the things will calm down soon enough.
You spoke of the hatred the other day – you’re right. Sometimes it does take generations to forget it, but then, if people see real improvements, they’ll just make it a part of history, and settle for the present…
You just try. And try hard…