Nato sends more troops to Kosovo after border unrest

[Gerald]

Nato is sending hundreds of extra troops to Kosovo amid rising tension in the north along its border with Serbia.

The military alliance said the situation had not deteriorated but that reinforcements were needed to relieve troops currently patrolling the north.

Soldiers from Nato's Kosovo Force were deployed after ethnic Serb nationalists set up road blocks in the area.

Clashes broke out last week after the government sent ethnic Albanian police to enforce a ban on Serbian imports.

A border post was torched and demolished and a Kosovo policeman killed after the nationalists reacted angrily to their presence.

Previously, the border posts had been guarded by ethnic Serb police, whom the government in Pristina suspected of turning a blind eye to the ban on imports from Serbia.

The ban was imposed after Belgrade banned imports from Kosovo when it unilaterally declared independence from Serbia in 2008.

Kosovo's 60,000 ethnic Serbs reject Kosovo's independence from Serbia.

Serbia itself has also refused to recognise its former territory's independence.

More than 70 countries have recognised Kosovo's independence, but an even greater number of countries have withheld recognition.

Troops from Kosovo Force (Kfor) stepped in to guard the border after last week's unrest.

The Reuters news agency said 600 German and 100 Austrian troops from Kfor's reserve battalion would be deployed to relieve those already in the area. Kfor has about 6,000 soldiers in Kosovo.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-14376424


Note: 2 August 2011 Last updated at 13:16 GMT

[Betonov]

Our troops are currently peace-keeping in Mitrovica. Luckly the Serbs trust us so in a case of a broader conflict, Slovenian troops will a bit safer. Which is not saying much, any balkan war will be a bloodbath.

[Herr-Berbunch]

Mitrovica is looking like potentially one of the places not to be. :o

[Betonov]

Mitrovica is looking like potentially one of the places not to be. :o

The entire Kosovo is not the place to be.

[Respenus]

The entire Balkans are not the place to be.

Here, fixed it for you.

[Jimbuna]

Mitrovica is looking like potentially one of the places not to be. :o

The entire Kosovo is not the place to be.

Aye that :yep:

NATO should sort it just as easeily as they did Libya...oh, err wait :o

[Betonov]

Here, fixed it for you.

Not counting the food and some history tourism I agree

[Betonov]

Aye that :yep:

NATO should sort it just as easeily as they did Libya...oh, err wait :o

NATO, UN or EU can't grasp the scope of nationalism in the region and couldn't grasp it since 1991. Even Slovenia couldn't understand the madness that were the nineties. These are not redneck patriot groups of the USA, or the skinhead mobs of Germany nor the separatist organisations as IRA or ETA.
These are not angry mobs or terorist cells. There's plenty of idiots on both sides to raise an army to rival the official army of Serbia. Heck, there's enough ''recruits'' to over-run Sweden. And weapons are as easy as aquiring as canned food. Not over the counter hunting rifles but military hardware. And the last thing they are interested in is talking and diplomacy.
If the Balkans are lucky it will blow over, if not, Kfor should ask for a lot more reinforcements. The Serbs still remember their wars against the Ottomans and Austria-Hungary, for them the USA is still a third rate power hiding above the clouds in their airplanes just like in 1995. They won't back down just because an American GI or a Slovenian vojacek tells them to keep it quiet. And they as sure won't listen to Belgrade. They feel betrayed by Tadic.
Problem is that the Balkan wars tend to spill over. First you have the border incidents, then nationalist para-military units doing what they do best, bosnian Serbs seeing the weakness in NATO being occupied in Kosovo and we have another Bosnian war.

[Jimbuna]

You missed a little bit at the end....and further war crimes :hmmm:

[Betonov]

War is a crime

[Jimbuna]

I can agree but it would appear we've just rounded up one of the last of the big fish and we could yet feel the need to seek out more...a very nasty business.

[Lord Justice]

They won't back down just because an American GI or a Slovenian vojacek tells them to keep it quiet.Oh but they would if the knew British SAS, Paras, Marines, Gurkha's, were made ready. ;)

[Respenus]

The (long) post by Betonov reminds me of a very poignant analysis offered by one of the characters in the game "The Last Express" (which, on a side note, I highly recommend, as it is a piece of art by any standard), that is, that war (conflict in general) is part of our blood in the Balkans. While hopefully stupidity is not a general characteristic shared by all living there (at least no more than the rest of the world), it, together with an aggressive mentality, can easily result in the horrors that the world saw in the 90s.

Just found the clip of the scene (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9N5S-1h7Yk&feature=player_detailpage#t=104s) in question. Doesn't last more than 10 seconds, yet the message is clear.

[Herr-Berbunch]

Oh but they would if the knew British SAS, Paras, Marines, Gurkha's, were made ready. ;)

Never happens at this time of the week. Government/Military Chiefs meet on a Thursday, decision made also on a Thursday, filters through commands Friday mornings and those affected find out (usually) just before lunch on a Friday ready to piss on their weekend plans. Seen it time and time again. :D

Let's hope that if we do go in we aren't left hanging around at the borders waiting for the Americans like last time - that's why the Russians beat us to the airport at Pristina - and what a find we would've had if we'd got there first. :yep:

Edit - actually rumours abound Friday lunch, it's not until the afternoon that anything is half-arsed confirmed.

[TLAM Strike]

Not counting ... some history tourism I agree
"Come to the Balkans... see the place World War One started!" :O:

[Lord Justice]

that's why the Russians beat us to the airport at Pristina - and what a find we would've had if we'd got there first. :yep:The paras were angry that day, there was a lot of tension, with the arrogance of the Russian's blocking them. :yep:

[Respenus]

"Come to the Balkans... see the place World War One started!" :O:

Well, not really (yes I did see the smiley). As much as I may bash the whole region, it does have some interesting sights to offer, both natural and man-made. Still, you'll have a hard enough time getting me south of Slovenia's border, yet allow delving even deeper into the heart of the beast. Still, I've been told people there are always friendly to Slovenians for some reasons. Perchance it's our big pockets in comparison to everyone else? :D

[Betonov]

Oh but they would if the knew British SAS, Paras, Marines, Gurkha's, were made ready. ;)

Fat chance. They'd get a beating from the SAS (provided the SAS had free hands to kick some ass), but they wouldn't stand down based only on threats. Plus, the Serbs are not dumb. If they wouldn't be infested with this nationalism cancer they'd be one of the most prominent countries in the world. They'd find a way to turn their military defeat into a political victory.
Shame really, a cancer on an otherwise strong body. Smart people with a long history.

I've been told people there are always friendly to Slovenians for some reasons. Perchance it's our big pockets in comparison to everyone else? :D

No, the natives have an honest fondness of us. Money or not. Remember when Yugoslavia was still intact, the Slovenians were the honest brokers between the nations. No one nation in Yugoslavia had any current or historical resentment nor teritorial claims against Slovenia.

[Jimbuna]

What are property prices like in the area?

[Betonov]

What are property prices like in the area?

Kosovo or the Balkans ??

[Lord Justice]

Plus, the Serbs are not dumb. I do not recall saying they were, they are your words my good fellow, I see you take quite fondly to the matter, no more funny prompts from me. As for the second you quoted, on post 18 that is not my comment, you should quote the posters name. I shouldn't fancy someone thinking it was mine. thank you. :)

[Betonov]

I do not recall saying they were, they are your words my good fellow, I see you take quite fondly to the matter, no more funny prompts from me. As for the second you quoted, on post 18 that is not my comment, you should quote the posters name. I shouldn't fancy someone thinking it was mine. thank you. :)

I know you havent. It was a general description, not a direct answer to your post.
And I still havent learned how to make double quotes, the second one was from Respensus.

[Jimbuna]

Kosovo or the Balkans ??

Anywhere/either with a pleasant climate most of the year round.

[Gerald]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-14376424

Note: Update Record, 2 August 2011 Last updated at 21:43 GMT

[Snestorm]

Look how wonderfuly multiculturalism doesn't work.
It breeds problems, and death.

[Morts]

Look how wonderfuly multiculturalism doesn't work.
It breeds problems, and death.
yeah yeah, whatever breivik

[Snestorm]

yeah yeah, whatever breivik

Thanks for re-enforcing my point.

[Betonov]

Look how wonderfuly multiculturalism doesn't work.
It breeds problems, and death.

What multiculturalism ?? We're talking about different countries here. Even in the times of Yugoslavia they were different republics. It's nationalism here that brings death and misery. Tito knew how to keep quiet nationalism and Yugoslavia was the most succesfull multicultural experiment ever. It's when nationalist jack-asses like Milosevich, Tudjman and Karadzic came to power the wars erupted.
Another from-where-ever-you-are talking out of his ass, knowing wha's the root of the problem here, thinking they have the solution to a 1000 years bloody history like they had in 1991-1995,

@Jimbuna

Climate is everywhere nice. Especially Dalmacija (Croatia).

I found this one just for taste: Croatian Istra, house 55m2, surrounding land 356m2, road, grill, 3km from coast. Only downside it has no electricity, just a generator. EUR 55 000

http://www.salomon.si/oglas.aspx/01/03/01/TU?id=2106I.2188443&rubrika=/Nepremi%C4%8Dnine/Hi%C5%A1e/Prodam/Hrva%C5%A1ka

Then there's a house being sold in my own village. All infrastructure, Alpine scenery, 175km from seaide, big house on 500m2 land, EUR 395 000

http://www.salomon.si/oglas.aspx/01/03/01/KR?id=2076I.2135258&rubrika=/Nepremi%C4%8Dnine/Hi%C5%A1e/Prodam/Gorenjska%20regija

[Snestorm]

What multiculturalism ??

Tito knew how to keep quiet nationalism and Yugoslavia was the most succesfull multicultural experiment ever.

You answer your own question. Or do you contradict yourself.

Your "succesful multicultural experiment" is a failure.

[Betonov]

You answer your own question. Or do you contradict yourself.

Your "succesful multicultural experiment" is a failure.

''our succesfull multicultural experiment'' was succesfull and try to remember that Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and so on were once one country, a tight federation of republics where one was able to travel trough freely and move anywhere he wanted within those republics. Serbs lived next-door to Bosnians, Slovenians next door to Croatians and Croatians next door to Albanians and everyone loved eachother, had weekend picnics, shared seaside apartments until some people decided to screw things up. And they succeded. The experiment was succesfull until the 1980's, even more than in Norway. The experiment failed because of some retarded individuals and not the multiculturalism.

But hey, I understand your problem grasping all this. It's hard for an extreme right winger to put some new unbiased information into their thick, empty skulls

[Snestorm]

'

The experiment failed.

These are the three Key Words of your entire rant.
The rest matters not.

[Respenus]

It should be noted it worked, as long as Tito, also known as the last Hapsburg was in charge. I'd recommend watching Death of Yugoslavia on Youtube, it shows perfectly how step by step, creeping nationalism managed to destroy the experiment. Neither I, nor Betonov are saying that things were perfect or that there were no cultural tensions under Tito. While they were usually "taken care of" by Tito and the Party by any means necessary (which I cannot condone), the general feeling was as described by Betonov. Politicians, working to advance their own position, used the genie (or better yet, Pandora's box) of nationalism to get what they wanted. That is also what they got; war, destruction and suffering for the people and fat pockets or power (or both) for themselves.

Even today, there are still buildings in the Croatian littoral that stand as a silent reminder of what happened there. No owners and no-body to tear them down. Old shelled shells of a, in the end, failed experiment. While there was never any Yugoslav nation or culture that developed naturally (outside of imposed centralism in the later years and in the Kingdom of Yugoslavia), people lived and worked together. And that is what a successful multicultural "experiment" looks like (although the question is far more complex than my sentence shows and could fill pages and pages).

An extra: Here (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-14383856)'s our boys!

[Lord Justice]

But hey, I understand your problem grasping all this. It's hard for an extreme right winger to put some new unbiased information into their thick, empty skulls Name calling?

You answer your own question. Or do you contradict yourself.

Your "succesful multicultural experiment" is a failure.

These are the three Key Words of your entire rant.
The rest matters not.Provocation?

If this continues and tends to get rather more tedious or interesting depends on the fancies of others I advise the thread be called " Neal sends more Moderators to thread after topic unrest" :oops:

[Betonov]

If this continues and tends to get rather more tedious or interesting depends on the fancies of others I advise the thread be called " Neal sends more Moderators to thread after topic unrest" :oops:

I'm from the Balkans, threats of moderators don't scare me.
There are far worse name callings on this forum than an extreme right winger.

Maybe he'll give me an infraction for real-estate salles without a permit. Jimbuna, if you're really interested I can mediate, I know the language :DL

[Jimbuna]

Name calling?



Provocation?

If this continues and tends to get rather more tedious or interesting depends on the fancies of others I advise the thread be called " Neal sends more Moderators to thread after topic unrest" :oops:

I'm from the Balkans, threats of moderators don't scare me.
There are far worse name callings on this forum than an extreme right winger.

Maybe he'll give me an infraction for real-estate salles without a permit. Jimbuna, if you're really interested I can mediate, I know the language :DL


FYI moderators are indeed monitoring this thread and as such I have just issued my first warning.

Name calling and insults to others constitutes a clear violation of the forum rules.

Can we all simply debate in an acceptable respectful manner please.

Anyone unsure of what behaviour is expected...read the FAQ & Rules at the top of this page.

[Betonov]

Ups :oops: selling real-estate to a moderator :oops: But really, I just cant stand it, I have friends down there and to see someone abuse the situation that could lead to another Srebrenica for their own provocation...

Lets just hope that cool heads will prevail down there. Mainstream Serbs are far from the antagonists in the nineties. They don't care about nationalism, just a better future and EU admitance. Like Tadic's goverment. But the cancer is still to large to be ignored. Now all we need is a Serb being killed by a Kfor unit and even the moderates will demand blood.

[Gerald]

That reinforcement is sent to the area, is a stabilization operation in order to set security and prevent an environment, which has an entrenched acceptance where there have been repeated incidents.

[Betonov]

From Slovenian news sources:

A comprimise has been agreed upon. Both sides have agreed that in the northern border posts Kosovo Serbs will be employed at customs and the ''rebels'' will tear down the baricades. It should help difuse the situation.

http://image.24ur.com/media/images/600xX/Aug2011/60727518.jpg

Borislav Stefanovic (head Serb negotiator) and a Slovenian soldier.
The gesture says it all, due to the neutrality in all Yugoslav wars after 1991 and a sense of friendship forged during the days of Yugoslavia, the Slovenians are considered an honest broker in the region and their presence can actually pacify a tense situation because, you'll never believe this, all sides go into a nostalgia moment, their feelings revert back to the time of Tito, when there was no hatred and only stability and unity. I've witnesed that effect personaly. At work we employed both Bosnians and Serbs and somehow they got along as long as there was a Slovenian present. The side effect is that they both tried to kill me with nostalgia stories :yawn: