Indeed. Don't even get me started on the economic viability of Kosovo. The term "Mafiastan" will certainly become more and more applicable to it.

Yes.Our world is a big junction of everybody's interests.If you loose something,please don't be angry at somebody.You just did not protect it properly.International political relations are not the exception.

As for the coming of dark times,I am optimistic,as always.Everything wil be all right. :)

A little OT...but I forsee someone creating a mission in SC and DW for this situation.

Ok, we may have our different views about Kosovo's independence... But lets all be happy for them, they've created their own state and are obviously thrilled about it.

As for Serbia been to blame, its 50/50 really, I didn't know about any prior attacks against Serbs before the massacres so I stand corrected on that, but Serbia had no rights to do what they did... its a war crime, plain and simple. Serbia's horrific acts opened the door to UN and NATO intervention, if they couldn't see it coming then more fool them. I agree that Kosovo has blood on its hands too, but I'm glad they've got independence, its what every small state like that dreams of.

Russia too has a lot of blood on its hands from Chechnya, I agree the Chechens aren't innocent in the argument, but what Russia did to that country/province is completely barbaric... they didn't just attack they completely decimated the area and killed an awful lot of people. The Russian Government never ceases to amaze me in its self greed and pathetic views to freedom of speech and basic human rights. I have no quarrel with the Russian people, they are a proud people... but I pity them for being ruled by such a arrogant single minded regime, whose only goal is to make itself look powerful and keep and iron grip on the population.

I would also like to say I'm no expert on political views, so feel free to correct me on anything I may have said!

The only Massacre evidence given was a mass (about 14 people) grave pointing towards mecca after the Serb reaction. Why would serbs bury genocide victims pointing towards mecca. Makes no sense.

The fact no one heard about Kosovan atrocities against serbs is the point XabbaRus is trying to make. They were a daily occurence leading up to Serb military intervention. I suggest everyone go and read a little on the regions history before saying 'the serbs got what they deserved, they commited genocide'.

And someone from a baltic state saying 'you just didn't defend it properly' well, I guess thats true in your nations case. I'm glad your confidence in NATO allows you to have your own opinion finally. So when will the Russian speaking people in the Baltic States carve their own land out? I guess NATO has a bigger gun and that is your point, the Serbs don't. very pragmatic.

Well,I am very proud of the fact,that Lithuania,Latvia and Estonia are all with NATO and European Union.I wish we never had a russian rule here,cause it brought only negative consequences to us.Occupation,massive political repressions and changed way of peoples thinking.People are still angry and harsh,because they were mistreated for 70 years,they were manipulated as some kind of toys,you can do everything with.The biggest problem of Russia was,is and will always be-they do no respect their own people,they do not care about human rights at all.

As for the russian speaking people of the Baltic States,I must say that they are quite double-faced.They are whipping U.S.A and NATO on the russian forums,affected by Putin's aggressive political propaganda on TV,and call themselves real patriots of the Baltic States and believers in western democracy at the same time here in Lithuania.

I'll be throwing my 2 cents in here shortly....

Yea? Tell that to the Turks, Austrians or Germans. :roll:

By saying "got what deserved" I was meaning the separation and division of their country and not serb possible mistreatment by albanians.They were doing really nothing useful to keep their contry in one piece.I repeat,only demonstrations,some kind of music shows and concerts under falling guided bombs.It was a circus and nothing else.

Turks have got a Kurdistan problem.And as I know,up to the present time they had been dealing with it quite effectively.Austria and Germany are both in the European Union and Schengen Treaty zone.There are no borders between two these countries,and there are no troubles for both Austrians and Germans to choose a place of living for themselves,either in Germany or in Austria.It is a concept of happy Europe in action,an implemented Jean Monnet's vision.

What could Serbia do, please tell me.

As for Baltic states and others being in the EU. Well up here in Aberdeen we have had a massive influx from the new EU members they are starting to put a strain on the local resources, forming their communities and not integrating with the local population. Now the ones I know here, my company has a load of Poles, and some Czechs, do work hard and the work they do is of good quality but they don't mix.

Also we have also got the problem of the less desirable elements of easter europe coming over, ie Mafia and organised criminals. The number of eastern european women working the streets is noticeable and since the succession of the new EU countries.

http://www.spiegel.de/international/...535923,00.html

It is worth to remark that these days the big Bertelsmann-Stiftung has released it's yearly report on how the world politically chnages, and the came to the alarming conclusion thta in more and more countries demcoracies are defect, become hollowed out and turn into hulls inside which criminal structures, family structures and oligarchies take over the state. Comfoprtably they exlcuded the Western states from such characterization (on which I disagree), but knowing quite well the widespread corruption and the influence of criminal family clans, the UCK and the Albanian mafia, I do not see a rosy future for Kosovo even if EU aid starts flowing - much of the money, the most of it, will simply disappear.

I just hope that nobody is quick now to get Kosovo into the EU. that means nothing but troubles for the EU, with Russia, with independence movements throughout europe and the world. Maybe it is true that leaving Kosovo to Serbia was no realistic alternative. But I cant see the current developement being much better.

In other words: it is the Balkans.

For German readers: the infamous role of the Us in enforcing the independence of Kosovo, degrading Slovenia (currently haunted by a state crisis over this) to a receiver of orders, pressing american interests into policies of the EU, and ignoring the sensibilities of Russia, this article gives a good summary. agaion, two old names pop up: Dick Cheney and Halliuburton, with having economic interests in a region that just years ago was under control of a guerilla that Washington labelled as a terror organization, now shakes hands with as a "freedom movement". Political unscrupulousness of the finest, in the name of kicking through the only wanted economy order tailored for the interests of the West, and especially the US.

http://www.heise.de/bin/tp/issue/r4/...310&mode=print

Yes,big levels of emigration have been an urgent problem since the expanding of European Union.That is primarily caused by unprofessional policy of our goverment,especially in social and economic segments.You see,our authorities still have Soviet way of thinking,they went to power back in 1991 and do not want to let fresh,young,european modern educated people in.That results in very low salaries,budget depending primarily on taxes,and all other negative consequences.

But situation is gradually changing,salaries are getting higher,authorities are planning to launch new tax reduction laws.I think all this earlier or later will attract all our emigrants from U.K back to their left homes.

As for Serbia,I will give you a straight answer.They should took AK's and RPG's into their hands and start a real war with NATO,up until the last soldier,start a guerilla war,and so on.Like Chechens in Chechnya.They were scared and now they are paying for it,as there is no respect for cowards both in everyday's usual life and international policy.

So...are you ready to apply for the leadership job? :D

That is not my business.That is their country and they should think how to protect it's integrity.Because nobody actually cares about constant screamings "We are good and NATO is bad",as serbs are used to scream.If you can fight for your country-fight for it,if you cannot,be prepared that somebody will grab piece of it off.