B92 Blog

I don't believe this would work... Serbs are crazy fascists and that's it. Nobody cares.

My question is, why are almost no Serbs or Friends of Serbs posting comments or editorial replies on the vast majority of these stories??? Almost all the major US, UK and Canadian press now allow online readers to post comments. You may have to register to do so, but it's free. It's your chance to fight a the PR battle, and no one on the Serb side seems to be taking advantage of it - AT ALL! It's like an entire nation is laying down and saying, "Oh poor me, what nasty things they are saying about me again, I am far too victimized to defend myself at the moment."

You are right about this 100%. I've been asking myself the same question for a long time now. The other day I was trying to address the same question at some other blog.
In my opinion there is no need to explain what happened and why Serbs acted / reacted the way they did. There is more need to be engaged in correspondence with the democratic forces outside Serbia on the issue of what is to be done about the situation now. Serbs need to make friends out there in the free world. Communication is very important to making friends. There is wide spectrum of themes and subjects that could be exchanged.
In my opinion the press would welcome hearing from Serbs. On the BBC home page there was a request for people in Serbia to express their views. All the major USA papers publish online correspondence. In my opinion Serbs who can write in English should try to communicate with the English speaking world so they see this as a global issue, and Serbia as part of the global community.

Dear Rosemary,

By now you have probably understood that most of smart and well educated Serbian people are currently too busy blasting on their own country, their own people, their own national identity and tradition (God forbid, beware, here I am using these nasty words such as identity and tradition!!! I am probably ultra radical nationalist, so don't listen to me anymore).

Serbian "elite" spent more time and energy ravaging around girls who were stealing during the protest then on the fact that Hashim Taci was in fact indicted by the Hague Tribunal and released as he was seen as the best and most balanced political solution for Kosovo leadership by USA and EU. I have not seen a single commentary or statement made by Serbian intellectual on that, for example.

It always amazes me how creative, energized and restless Serbs become when they are criticizing other Serbs, and still so lethargic and disinterested when Serbs are target of insult, international law violation, ill practices by PR and lobby firms.

Nausikaa

Serbian "elite" spent more time and energy ravaging around girls who were stealing during the protest then on the fact that Hashim Taci was in fact indicted by the Hague Tribunal and released as he was seen as the best and most balanced political solution for Kosovo leadership by USA and EU. I have not seen a single commentary or statement made by Serbian intellectual on that, for example.

Yes, those pesky intelectuals do suck. I say - let's tie them up, shove them in random embassy and set it on fire while police idly watches the whole thing. What do you say?

When those same intelectuals warned about what was to happen with Kosovo in 1997, or 1999, or 2004... they were branded as traitors. As a matter of fact, the same rhetoric you're using now has been used whenever someone tried to warn about what is happening with Kosovo. Basically, right now you're crying over milk that's been spilled 10 years ago.

Similar thing happend with NATO bombing. We've been warned about it, many people saw it comming since 1992 - and anyone who tried to prevent it, warn about it, was also branded traitor. When bombs finaly came, those wide-eyed, ignorant by choice were whining "Why are doing this to us?"

Stop bashing intelectuals, LISTEN to the warnings, LISTEN to what those who are not blissfully unaware of world around them have to say. Right now, there is warning about Serbia slipping into totalitarian, medieval, nationalist, KGB-owned nightmare. There are warnings about chaos, about political homicide of Serbia, about all-time economic lowdown. Looting and burning of the embasies are just a beginning, and that's why you're listening about those. If you choose to play deaf again, you'll probably end up crying in a year or so, when some young "defenders of international law" break into your appartment, kill your pet, steal your TV and computer and beat you up badly. I assume that political assasinations and calls for lynch of opposition parties, or attempt to burn of B92, or demolishing of Merkator (once Slovenia recognizes Kosovo) don't bother you much... otherwise, you wouldn'g be so enraged about people who are worried about general safety of people, property and investments in Serbia.

Much of what you say is true. But when you say

Looting and burning of the embasies are just a beginning

I'd just remind you of the destructive cycle in which fear begets fear.

Fear from chaos, totalitarianism and war can backfire just as any other fear.

just listen to yourself......totalitarian, medieval....nightmare......and you wonder why your warnings have not succeeded in anything.....what you're describing has never been the country I have been living in......even in the worst of times....country I have lived in and people I am sharing my life with have always been strong enough to live through all the hell with enough spirit to move on and create good things.......

the fact that it took less then couple of hours for a "concerned intellectual" to put a label on me makes me scared of what this country would look like if people like you would take over.....

all you know is to criticize and moan...... as far as I am concerned, you're just as good in empowering people like Kostunica, as nationalists are......

Oh my dear Rosemary, how do you expect for me (for instance) to react to that text, when I agree to most of it.
I strongly dissagree with:

A SERBIAN leader delivered another demonstration Thursday of why it was necessary for NATO and the United Nations to intervene to protect the province of Kosovo and then to guide it to independence.

but else, it is mostly true.
In the text they did not mention crimes against Serbs, especially on Kosovo, but those crimes were no excuse. Not back then, and not now.
Did you hear what leading politicians in Serbia ware talking these days? Did you read the newest conspiracy theories in Serbian media?
How can we make our picture in the world media nicer, when it is just ugly. We are not capable of defeating those people who came out from Milosevic's coat (I don't know English phrase for that), and protecting the principles that we voted for. What can we then really defend in the world media?

How can we make our picture in the world media nicer, when it is just ugly.

1. Matter of perspective. A sophisticated viewer, an artist for example, can see beauty anywhere.
2. Everyone has a right to dignity. Even the worst war criminals have been/ are treated with respect, e.g. in courts.

Yes sure, everything can look beautiful :<:.
About the second point, if you put yourself in he mud and you are not crazy, it's you that attacked your dignity, not others that portray you.
About the main texts, some Serbs from Chicago organized prayer (I would prefer other event) last Monday and invited local media. And that was broadcasted.
Also my husband told me that Radmila Milentijevic was on CNN. But she was minister in Milosevic's government and that was brought out. So all her credibility went away.
But again, when you see that the person that should represent your country is that moron Jeremic, when you see who is sitting in embassies and consulars, what can you do.

I agree with you lidiaz . Completely.

Until we have that chaos, we can not make that picture nicer.

basically saying Serbs Yet Again Suck

Which we do. We have allowed the downtown region of our capital to be in flames, to be systematically ravaged and vandalized for almost a week continually and government and church sponsored rally was called to further add fuel to the fire. We deserve everything we get, not because those idiots did what they did but because the rest of us allowed for it to happen.

I'm not particularly fond of people insulting me, but this time they're right. And there are absolutely no excuses. Maybe some people think there are excuses, that's their busyness. I'd wager those are the same people who see nothing wrong with what Velja Ilic is saying or with the fact that two certified child molesters went unpunished only because they happen to be priests.

Granted, our public image is of some importance and should be worked on. I don't disagree with that. But I don't think making a comment on a foreign news site will do much good while we are held hostage by the fat bastard in charge. And besides, the only thing having Serbs commenting on foreign sites will accomplish is a lot of poorly worded, very illiterate praises to war criminals and crude insults thrown at everything western. Experience shows we look best when we don't try to make ourselves look better.

Which we do. We have allowed the downtown region of our capital to be in flames, to be systematically ravaged and vandalized for almost a week continually and government and church sponsored rally was called to further add fuel to the fire. We deserve everything we get, not because those idiots did what they did but because the rest of us allowed for it to happen.

Funny how I have never seen any Danes say that Denmark sucks. And yet, their have now been riots for weeks in the Copenhagen center. Muslims were unhappy with the republishing of the caricatures of their Prophet... Perhaps Denmark is not really one of the best countries to live in. It must be propaganda.

Funny indeed. One could almost call it hilarious. In fact, I'm going to go ahead and call it hilarious. I'm laughing my ass off as I type this.

You don't know any Danes though, do you? Or if you do, you know the sort of people mostly akin to Serbs who do not criticize their country. At this exact moment I am listening to a song by a Danish band, about Denmark, specifically Copenhagen, which sings about how much their government sucks.

You are welcome.

Oh, Rosemary, please. You can do better than that.

We are thugs, we have always been that way. Violent and vindictive.

It is very noble of you to try find an excuse for us, but simply there is not any. And by that I do not intend to absolve the US government of its share of responsibility for the mess created in ex-Yugoslavia. But we are hurting ourselves, repeatedly, we can never learn, and it's sad.

The media in US is simplistic and one sided, but who cares. It is not our problem, it is yours.It can not be an excuse for us behaving as cavemen.

We are thugs, we have always been that way. Violent and vindictive.

Is this not negative stereotyping on the basis of one's nationality, - a primitivism that we should leave behind?

As soon as we stop being primitive, yes.

I personally do not consider my self primitive.

Nobody ever does.

You think you are primitive and that is fine with me. Also, this Hugh guy is showing how primitive and perverted one can be. And he's not even Serbian.

We are thugs, we have always been that way. Violent and vindictive.

...and because of that Serbian nation should be denounced? All Serbs that I know are nice decent people, well educated, hard working people with wright values....and they should be erased from the face of the earth for that...I guess..
You are apparently don't understand how world is funcioning. It's not about who's wrong or wright. It's about who's louder.
Do you think that you should accept criticism from somebody who's not better then you are, on the contrary they are worst, but they are just big enough to intimidate the rest of the world...and they are very loud. Have you heard them criticisizing Hashim Tachi or Albanians who where molesting Serbians on Kosovo?
I will wright them because that's the least that I can do for my family and friend sback home. They didn't deserved to be called hulligans and thugs because they are not......esspecialy from the people of Washington post who are acctualy scum of the world supporting the worst crimes against humanity around the world and they contry committed by they goverment.

You have to sound like a WASP

Serbs never, well, seldom sound like WASPs.
Firstly, becouse they are not.
Secondly, one has to master English in a WASPish way in order to reach WASPear.

Your advice is sound, though.

Maybe you can write a post about difference between WASP ways of communicating and our long drooled arguments stuffed with THEYs, THEMs, THENs and THATs?
That would be fun!

Rosemary, you always come across as sweet and naiive.
As a principle, it is true that Serbia needs to think more abou t the way it presents itself to the world.
But how many people who read ie Washington Post actually read readers' comments and how relevant to the world politics they are? Mostly the authors and those personally interested in the matters addressed.
I do not think that Turks have better comments in the Washington Post, still yesterday they chased Kurds all the way across Iraqi border with no problems.

Rosemary, why do you think that our comments would change anything in US biased media? Have you not yet realized that these media just serve the US foreign policy? And that policy is firmly on the side of Albanians. No amount of letters to the editor, blogging or (expensive) lobbying can change that.

And, as you see here, it is probably better that there is no reaction.

Sepulturero

No amount of letters to the editor, blogging or (expensive) lobbying can change that.And, as you see here, it is probably better that there is no reaction.

Not now, after all.

However, paying for the truth is the only language that works these days. I think.

Albanians used to pay for their truth many years till now, and that is not the real truth, that is payed truth, the world most powerful weapon lately. Money collected for that purpose usually comes from illegal activities. There were many , 3 or 4 waves of Serbian refugees from Kosovo after World War II, however, it wasn't possible to do anything, because Yugoslavia was multiethnic, comunist country, with strong intolerancy to the Serbian issue. Serbian inteligence were ruined sistematically during Tito's regime, because Serbians were not Catholics.

We lost Kosovo before Milosevic's era, who unfortunately made things more easier for Albanians, and was the best weapon for NATO leaders. Now, it is too late.

We should ask Russian government to give a protectorate to Serbian minorities in northern Kosovo (as reciprocity to what Albanians got from USA) , not let Russians make us fight for their interests. We have legal rights to protect Serbs, because Kosovo is nothing else but ethnic state, that exactly makes the precedent by itself, not one other country in the whole world was made on that principle. I see this that way.

If Russians could not offer that protection, we should give up finally. This looks like uthopia, because Russians always used Serbia in the name of their own interest. They want Serbia fight for them not vice versa.

Explanations are wortless. Comments are useless. Blogs stay useful for collecting opinions only.

Rosemary,

A defence or sympathetic explanation of why the US embassy was burnt, shops looted etc. at this time, is not a defence of Serbia nor Serbs in general.

It would be a defence of the DSS/Radicals/NS who organised these demonstrations and control the police who allowed the demonstrators to burn the embassy through their absence. By linking current events to "Serbia" rather than the machinations of a particular group of rather unpleasant politicians, you fall for the nationalistic trap.

Perhaps you support the DSS/Radicals/NS, if so, then well and fine.

But if you don't then I would strongly advise you to recommend to all those in Serbia you would like to advise on PR that the best thing they can do is vote out of office the rather primitive demagogues who encouraged the rioting and don't appear very pleasant to look at on TV.

That's the former paramilitary thug turned gravedigger turned radical deputy leader Nikolic, Mr. Kostunica (he who brandished the AK-47) and Velja Ilic, a man who's entire face now tells the story of his various bizness deals in a rather Dorian Grayesque manner.

But if you don't then I would strongly advise you to recommend to all those in Serbia you would like to advise on PR that the best thing they can do is vote out of office the rather primitive demagogues who encouraged the rioting and don't appear very pleasant to look at on TV.

Dear Hugh,

I don not support DSS and SRS, nor the burning and looting of Belgrade. Not because I think Americans and English are right, but because it is my city. The current US administration and the UK government are band of thugs who are directly responsible for horrible deaths of hundreds of thousands Iraqis women and children. Also, they reintroducing torture during interrogation of POWs (i.e., water boarding). Well, that is democracy the Anglo-Saxon way.

Anyway, what you just wrote is a clear example of WASP fascist behaviour. What about the oil deals of George W and Dick Chaney? What about the handsome American and UK politicians? What about the good looking freak of a queen and her lovely son. I know that you are frustrated that only dozen of countries recognized the fake nation of Kosovo, but what you wrote is very stupid and arrogant. I am also sorry that we cannot elect better looking politicians so you can get aroused when watching Serbian news. You are a fascist and a pervert and I cannot believe that B92 is tolerating this chauvinistic writing from an old frustrated pervert.

Shame on you

Vasa S Tajcic

Also, they reintroducing torture during interrogation of POWs (i.e., water boarding).

Waterboarding is not the only torturing technique practiced by the American nation. It got a disproportional amount of media attention, but it's not the only one.
And you are right about Prince Charles, he is one ugly SOB. lol

Hugh Griffiths

Rosemary,

A defence or sympathetic explanation of why the US embassy was burnt, shops looted etc. at this time, is not a defence of Serbia nor Serbs in general.

It would be a defence of the DSS/Radicals/NS who organised these demonstrations and control the police who allowed the demonstrators to burn the embassy through their absence. By linking current events to "Serbia" rather than the machinations of a particular group of rather unpleasant politicians, you fall for the nationalistic trap.

Thanks Hugh. You obviously understand much better what's actually going on. Thugs are running this country, we are represented by them, again and again. The vandalism that we have all witnessed is not an incident, it is state policy of elected officials.

If we cannot establish a civilized government based on the rule of law, then we are a primitive horde.

Vasa S Tajcic

But if you don't then I would strongly advise you to recommend to all those in Serbia you would like to advise on PR that the best thing they can do is vote out of office the rather primitive demagogues who encouraged the rioting and don't appear very pleasant to look at on TV.

Dear Hugh,

I don not support DSS and SRS, nor the burning and looting of Belgrade. Not because I think Americans and English are right, but because it is my city. The current US administration and the UK government are band of thugs who are directly responsible for horrible deaths of hundreds of thousands Iraqis women and children. Also, they reintroducing torture during interrogation of POWs (i.e., water boarding). Well, that is democracy the Anglo-Saxon way.

Maybe you are not their supporter (no one ever is, it seems :)), but you sure sound like one.

I really don't understand this obsession with "them". Who cares about "them"! Bush this, Chaney that. You should be concerned by people representing YOU. And they are thugs, murderers and some - war criminals.

All your anger is directed at something you can not possibly control. It's so sad that we, as a nation, prefer that childish and immature response to frustration, as opposed to taking care of our affairs in a rational and efficient way. EVERY single Balkan nation outsmarted us. Do you EVER stop and think to figure out why? Obviously not, all you can do is "fire" blindly in all directions.




Anyway, what you just wrote is a clear example of WASP fascist behaviour. What about the oil deals of George W and Dick Chaney? What about the handsome American and UK politicians? What about the good looking freak of a queen and her lovely son. I know that you are frustrated that only dozen of countries recognized the fake nation of Kosovo, but what you wrote is very stupid and arrogant. I am also sorry that we cannot elect better looking politicians so you can get aroused when watching Serbian news. You are a fascist and a pervert and I cannot believe that B92 is tolerating this chauvinistic writing from an old frustrated pervert.

Shame on you


Well, if you think that you will change our "thuggish" image with this kind of language, please shut up.

I do not think that moderators should tolerate this.

Dear V.S Tajcic,

The B92 family is a very tolerant one and I am honoured to be allowed to blog on their site at a time when their output is so important that a politically inspired mob attempts to burn them down. That shows relevence and also their bravery. But then this is not the first time they have experienced political pressure, intimidation or physical violence. They are a great team of people and one of the very best media outlets in Europe, if not the world.

Perhaps you feel that because I am a UK citizen, I am somehow involved with the Queen, Prince Charles, George W or Dick Cheney, or the big adventure in Iraq? I should say that just as many of my friends in Belgrade have nothing to do with Vojo K. or the gravedigger, I have no connections to US presidents or royalty.

As to watching Serbian news for sexual pleasure, this would be an unusual perversion, however it is not my cup of tea. News from Serbia has elicited many emotions from me in the past ten years: concern, hope, disappointment, sadness, anger and a sense of time passing, but never tumescence.

Not quite sure how water-boarding relates to Tomo Nikolic and old Vojo, nor how Prince Charles's physical appearance is linked to the events in Belgrade under discussion, but I am sure you have a perfectly satisfactory answer.

"Dear" Hugh

I have been listening B92, since 1989 while I was in high school. So you do not really have to tell me what B92 is and what they stand for and how good they are. I do not know what the intimidation and persecution of B92 has to do with nonsense that you wrote.

With respect to physical appearance, you started that. And if you are not connected to Prince Charles and the UK government, why are all the Serbs to blame what SRS, DSS does. Same as we were blamed for Milosevic’s idiotic policies.

This blog is about Serbian image in the world. I know that you do not believe this, but 95% of Serbs do not like that Kosovo is being illegally taken away from Serbia. I know that this is our government’s fault; I know that this was bound to happened, but still, it is no pleasant. We cannot celebrate with Taci and I firmly believe that we should never recognize Kosovo as an independent state. Despite all of this, Serbs still have a right to fight against demonization in the media of so called democratic countries.


Good riddance mister Hugh

Hugh, you remain a journalistic inspiration. Just thought it would be appropriate to note.

Vaso, I hate so say this, but you are the one who sounds very fascistic and thuggish here, and allow me to say this in a friendly manner - you are pretty dumb and primitive too.

Please, try to understand that your opinion and attitude places you way below these 2 girls cought on tape while looting the sportswear shops during this pathetic gathering of confused Sloba's counter-meetingers, Obraz thugs and random passengers. At least they were honest in what they represent. What or who do you represent, if I may ask?

And, among us here, despite how great you opinion on us may be - you and I both know that these two girls are the typical examples of average young people in Serbia. Don't even try to deny that, because that means you are either not living in Serbia or you are dishonest. I don't blame them, they are just a consequence of society they grew up in. And please, read twice - I don't claim everybody is like that, but in my opinion, the majority is, and was as long as I can remember. Well, when they grow up, they may become good ministers in SRS-SPS-DSS goverment in another isolated Serbia , but because of them people that represent minority there, like myself, are going to run away from the country as soon as they can and as far as they can.

You probably don't realize this, but people with attitude like yours ARE the problem for us abroad who are trying to put up some "good" story about our country and their people. Much bigger problem then those DSS instructed thugs that are defending Kosovo against McDonalds, foreign embassies, and Nike shops. We do not do that by contacting media and telling lies that would make Serbia looking better, that is a stupid or at least naive way. That is how our incompetent Ministry of Diaspora believes the things should be done. This is done more directly, with our friends, girlfriends, their family members, colleagues, neighbors, whoever is interested to ask and listen.

I'll repeat this to emphasize the importance: drunk morons burning embassies in Belgrade are easy to explain, same is with these psychopathological outbursts of some ministers in public, but attitudes and opinions like yours are much, much tougher to deal with. So, I have to ask you, in our national interest and pride, please - shut the f...k up and make things little bit easier for us!.

Dear V.S Tajcic,

I think you misunderstand. You wrote "why are all serbs to blame what SRS, DSS does."

First, whoever said they were?

Ah, I remember now. It's because the SRS and DSS keep on saying that they speak for Serbs and Serbia. This is clearly false, given the many of the more worldly comments on this blogand the fact that these primitives couldn't fool people to the extent that they couldn't leverage Tomo the gravedigger into the presidency a couple of weeks back.

The linkage between B92 and "all the nonsense I wrote" is that a couple of months back, the deputy leader of the party of Highway Robbery (that's handsome Velimir Ilic's gang) threatened B92, saying that they would end up like "TV Bastille" (burnt, looted & beaten up). And lo and behold, on the night of riots following a "people's protest" organised by these parties led by charming characters with the welfare of their citizens at heart, a mob marches on B92....That's the relevence. But you might have missed all of this, as I rather get the feeling you don't get out in Belgrade much.

well, I hope we meet on the streets during a real citizens protest within the next six months or so.

I said I was not going to debate with frustrated fascists but I just wante to say hi to Srki.

Srki please do not defend "our" national interests and shut the f**k up.

Vasa S Tajcic

I said I was not going to debate with frustrated fascists but I just wante to say hi to Srki.

Srki please do not defend "our" national interests and shut the f**k up.

Well, I didn't think my polite proposal would work with you Vaso, you like to listen only yourself. My grand mom used to say: "sa budalom se ne vredi objasnjavati". So, go ahead with your mission, do what you think is the best, who can stop you? Never mind even if the results of that approach are pretty obvious. At least we exchanged honest opinions on each other ;-).

At this point, the best PR tactic would be to get out on the streets again, this time to get rid off V. Kostunica like we got rid off Milosevic in 2000. At that time, our image score jumped through the roof! Desperate situation requires desperate measures. Online posts, while certainly welcomed, just won't cut it.

So far, Canadian press has been very careful with respect to name calling. US press is more sensationalistic and nationalistic compared to the Canadian press. Also Canadians would never use such words as thugs or suck when talking about other nations regardless who they are. That is more US bullish and primitive vocabulary. US press reminds me of Serbian press because everyone can say whatever they want without any consequences. Even New York Times has lowered itself to likes of Jerry Springer by revealing alleged love affair of John McCain.
Only WASPs can be WASPs. I know US and UK would like everyone to be like them, but that is not possible. Even within their own borders. Anyway, I do not know what is going on in the US but here are some bits from one of the major Canadian Newspapers.



Globe and Mail

Tread carefully on Kosovo, Chrétien says
Former prime minister Jean Chrétien spoke out about Canada's potential recognition of an independent Kosovo yesterday, urging Canadian officials to be careful because of the impact a decision could have on Quebec separatists.
“Canada has to be careful because people want to separate from Canada,” Mr. Chrétien told reporters yesterday after he was asked for his thoughts about Kosovo's independence. However, he added that the situation in Canada is less ambiguous than in Kosovo because the Clarity Act outlines the rules for separation from the country.
Kosovo's declaration of independence from Serbia less than a week ago has prompted strong reactions around the world. Serbia signalled it will withdraw its ambassador from any country that recognizes the new state. Many of Canada's most important allies – including the United States, the United Kingdom and France – have already recognized Kosovo's independence. However, Ottawa has been silent on the issue so far.
Mr. Chrétien spoke about Kosovo with reporters in Rideau Hall, moments after being inducted into the highest rank of the Order of Canada at a ceremony headed by the Governor-General. While Mr. Chrétien was forthcoming with his thoughts on Kosovo, he was less so on the issue of a possible federal election call next week. The former prime minister said the decision to have an election rested with the opposition parties, and he would not act as a “Monday morning quarterback” on the issue.
With files from Omar El Akkad
*********************************************************************
In the Toronto protest, organized by five Canadian-Serbian university students and scheduled for 5 p.m. today, up to 10,000 people are expected to gather across the street from the U.S. Consulate on University Avenue to urge the Canadian government not to recognize Kosovo's declaration, according to organizer Jovan Filipovic, a student at Ryerson University.
“It is of the utmost importance for us that this is peaceful,” Mr. Filipovic said. “There's a large number of people who take things like this to heart, but we're Canadians first, and then we're Serbs.”
Mr. Filipovic said he is “fairly confident” the crowd can be kept calm. Organizers will urge restraint over loudspeakers and a candlelight vigil is planned.
Mr. Filipovic tried to dispel fears that displays of photographs of churches and monasteries allegedly burned or vandalized by Kosovo Albanians will cause tensions to escalate.
“We're saying, ‘Canadians, we cannot allow this to happen,' ” he said. “If anything, it will bring awareness.”
Toronto Police Staff Sergeant Shaun Narine, who will patrol today's protest, said police are worried about a potential standoff between the Serb protesters and Albanian agitators.
“I think it's going to be a peaceful rally, but if an Albanian side shows up, that's where we're going to have to look at safety options,” he said, adding that response units are available if problems arise.
A spokesperson for the U.S. Consulate said no staff will be in the building today, and the RCMP has been working with Toronto police to ensure security.
Police warned last night that the demonstration could disrupt traffic on University Avenue.
***********************************************
Canada should resist on Kosovo
Soon after the assembly of Kosovo issued its unilateral declaration of independence from Serbia, the politicians adopted a flag for their new country. But the secessionists already have a flag. It's the flag of Albania, and the allegiance to it by the ethnic Albanians who make up 90 per cent of Kosovo's population suggests independence could be just a prelude to the creation of a greater Albania.

******************************************************

Why we shouldn't jump on the Kosovo bandwagon
MARCUS GEE
From Friday's Globe and Mail
The Serbian parliament condemns Kosovo's declaration of independence. Angry Serbs throng the streets of Belgrade in protest, and rioters break into the U.S. embassy. Just another spasm of ethnic bigotry in the Balkans? It's not so simple. When Serbs argue that Kosovo's leap to independence has no legal sanction, they have a point. When they say it sets an awful precedent, they have an even better one. Let's remember how all this came about.



***********************************************************

OK, Ottawa: Seize the moment and clear up the secession confusion
WILLIAM JOHNSON
From Thursday's Globe and Mail
Will the international recognition of Kosovo's secession - like Montenegro's in 2006 - create a precedent favouring the secession of Quebec? That's the assumption behind the jubilation in Quebec's secessionist circles since Kosovo's parliament proclaimed a unilateral declaration of independence. The Parti Québécois was quick to claim a parallel, notably through Daniel Turp, a long-time pro-separation professor of constitutional law and now a PQ MNA.
******************************************************
Recognizing Kosovo could backfire for Ottawa, expert says
RHÉAL SÉGUIN
From Thursday's Globe and Mail
February 21, 2008 at 4:40 AM EST
QUEBEC CITY — Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence is a clear example of how powerless the federal government would be to stop Quebec from doing the same, according to influential Quebec City lawyer André Joli-Coeur.
Mr. Joli-Coeur, who 10 years ago made the same argument before the Supreme Court of Canada in the Quebec secession reference, said that should Ottawa recognize the declaration of independence of Kosovo, it will have difficulty refusing Quebec the same status should the province eventually declare its independence.
"The case of Kosovo clearly demonstrates that the essential factors in the creation of a state are the will of the population of the territory concerned and the attitude of the international community," Mr. Joli-Coeur stated in a letter to The Globe and Mail. "The predecessor state does not necessarily play a decisive role in such matters."
Recognizing Kosovo independence could one day backfire against Ottawa, he argued.
********************************************************
Kosovo has set a precedent, Palestinians say
Aide to Mahmoud Abbas is latest prominent official to suggest that if peace talks fail, declaring independence should be next step
MARK MACKINNON
From Thursday's Globe and Mail
February 21, 2008 at 4:40 AM EST
JERUSALEM — If the Kosovars can unilaterally declare themselves an independent state, why can't the Palestinians do the same? With peace talks between Israel and the Palestinian Authority ground to an effective halt, it's a question some senior Palestinian officials are pondering.
Yasser Abed Rabbo, an aide to Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas, became the latest and most prominent figure to endorse the idea yesterday when he suggested that if the ongoing peace talks with Israel fail, the Palestinian Authority should follow Kosovo's lead and declare a state. The Palestinian territories have been occupied by Israel since the 1967 war.
"Kosovo is not better than us. We deserve independence even before Kosovo, and we ask for the backing of the United States and the European Union for our independence," Mr. Abed Rabbo told the Voice of Palestine radio station.
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and something from the CBC radio.

http://podcast.cbc.ca/mp3/asithappens_20080221_4801.mp3 Dejan Anastasijevic I Lawrence Eagleburger

http://podcast.cbc.ca/mp3/asithappens_20080222_4827.mp3 Oliver Ivanovic I Goran Dimitrijevic (B92)

By the way - I turned both interview requests down both because I am not currently in Serbia (had to leave a couple of days ago on an unrelated lengthy business trip) and also because I do realize I'm too innocent and under-educated on the Serbian political situation to make any kind of formal comment. Anyway, I think Serbs need to speak for themselves on the world's stage more.

I think it would have been good if you talked to them. From reading your blogs I think that you know much more than self proclaimed experts who go around and demonize Serbia. They are usually paid for that. Like our good friend Hugh.
Anyway, I believe that you would’ve given an honest opinion of the whole situation.

I also agree that we should speak out more in order to clean our name from years of propaganda and to point out to citizens of western countries that this deceleration of independence is illegal.

Albanians have been voicing their opinion for years by lobbying in the US congress and other western governments and organizations.

There is no excuse for the misconduct of the Serbian government officials and the police during the recent events, although I hate to think what else may occur in the world before the new US president is sworn in. It somehow becomes rather busy in the world during this time. And this rush of events, from Kosovo, to the launched missile that shot some wondering satellite, made Russians very angry. For a long time I hoped that the "dying whale on the beach", as we thought Russia was turning into, would die after all, but it didn't. It's still alive and kicking, dangerously.

I also agree that we should speak out more in order to clean our name from years of propaganda

Speak all you want but don't expect too much knowing that 2.5 million people in Serbia today support the party that is among those largely responsible for all the catastrophes that happened to us and other nations since 1990. Thugs and looters are not the problem, the problem is that the official Serbia is continuously producing thugs and looters and has support for it.

So, if you want to take on propaganda, why don't you start at home - plenty of opportunities right at your doorstep. Fix that and there won't be foreign propaganda to worry about anymore.

For a long time I hoped that the "dying whale on the beach", as we thought Russia was turning into, didn't die after all. It's still alive and kicking, dangerously.

No, it's not. Evidence - list below:

Russia is not "a whale" - btw I hope whales stay alive and kicking forever - but hundred of million people of hundreds of ethnicities, where the birth rate dynamic is at its best for the last 25 years.

[…]”“What Americans who live [in Russia] here think and feel […]”

An educated view on Russian opposition and their perspectives:

[url=http://www.iht.com/bin/printfriendly.php?id=8582040][/url]

http://www.kremlin.ru/eng/text/speeches/2008/02/14/1011_type82915_160266.shtml

SPIEGEL: Do you still stand by the statements you made about (Russian President Vladimir) Putin being a "flawless democrat?"

Schröder: Yes, certainly as far as his being a flawless democrat is concerned. I still feel exactly the same about that.that.

It's my job as a US citizen to speak out in my own nation's affairs and vote there. And I do so.

I'd say it is my duty to speak up as a citizen, unless I get payed for that... No more comments on that.

That same "democratic" international community cut-off the Internet to Serbia in early nineties... Luckily there were some conscious and brave people around the world that found the way to enable e-mails to go through. We should pay tribute to them! THANK YOU!
[url=http://www.pcpress.co.yu/arhiva/tekst.asp?broj=20&tekstID=910]
Read "1992: Slepi putnici na Internetu" from Pavle Pekovic[/url]