Recommended Articles
Independence in the Brave New World Order
NATO's Kosovo Colony
By Diana Johnstone, CounterPunch.org
Across this last weekend, the Western propaganda machine was working overtime, celebrating the latest NATO miracle: the transformation of Serbian Kosovo into Albanian Kosova. A shameless land grab by the United States, which used the Kosovo problem to install an enormous military base (Camp Bondsteel) on other people's strategically located land, is transformed by the power of the media into an edifying legend of "national liberation".
For the unhappy few who know the complicated truth about Kosovo, the words of Aldous Huxley seem most appropriate: "You shall know the truth, and the truth shall drive you mad."
Concerning Kosovo, truth is like letters written in the sand as the tsunami of propaganda comes thundering in. The truth is available--for instance in George Szamuely's thoroughly informative piece last Friday here on CounterPunch. Fragments of the truth sometimes even show up in the mainstream media, mostly in letters from readers. But hopeless as it is to try to turn back the tide of officially endorsed legend, let me examine just one drop in this unstoppable sea of propaganda: a column by Roger Cohen entitled "Europe's new state", published in the Valentine's Day edition of the International Herald Tribune.
Cohen's op ed piece is fairly typical in the dismissive way it deals with Milosevic, Russia and the Serbs. Cohen writes: "Slobodan Milosevic, the late dictator, set Serbia's murderous nationalist tide in motion on April 24, 1987, when he went to Kosovo to declare that Serbian 'ancestors would be defiled' if ethnic Albanians had their way."
I don't know where Roger Cohen got that quotation, but it is not to be found in the speech Milosevic made that day in Kosovo. And certainly, Milosevic did not go to Kosovo to declare any such thing, but to consult with local Communist League officials in the town of Kosovo Polje about the province's serious economic and social problems. Aside from the province's chronic poverty, unemployment, and mismanagement of development funds contributed from the rest of Yugoslavia, the main social problem was the constant exodus of Serb and Montenegrin inhabitants under pressure from ethnic Albanians. At the time, this problem was reported in leading Western media [....]
Entire article by Diana Johnstone »
A Saga of Injustice and Hypocrisy
The Absurdity of "Independent" Kosovo
By George Szamuely, CounterPunch.org
With their unfailing passion for the inconsequential and their knack for doing the wrong thing at the wrong time, NATO leaders appear determined to carve the province of Kosovo out of Serbia and grant it "independence." That they lack the physical, legal and moral power to bestow independent statehood to a part of a state that is neither a member of the E.U. nor NATO appears only to have emboldened them to use this issue to demonstrate Western resolve. Just as in the 1990s, and just as erroneously, a self-righteous West has seized on the Balkans as an opportunity to parade before the world in the unfamiliar guise of champion of democracy and national self-determination, and protector of Muslims.
Much as it did before the invasion of Iraq, the United States has said it will do whatever it wants to do -- namely, recognize independent Kosovo -- with or without U.N. sanction. Unlike Iraq, this time the Europeans intend to take an active part in the Easter egg hunt and are as determined to ignore the United Nations as the Americans. Confident that the new state of Kosovo will prove to be a reliable NATO/E.U. satellite, key European countries, and especially the ever-compliant British, promise to recognize Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence on the very day it happens.
The line from Brussels and Washington is that the status quo in Kosovo is unsustainable and that the status of Kosovo needs to be settled once and for all. Final status means "independence" and only "independence." The Serbs have been told to forget about Kosovo and all the talk of historic patrimony and to focus instead on "Europe" (the grand name the European Union has arrogated to itself). Curiously, the Kosovo Albanians are not told forget about their national aspirations and focus on Europe. Yet their claim to statehood is particularly dubious since an Albanian state already exists in Europe. There doesn't seem to be any reason to have two Albanian states [...]
Entire article by George Szamuely »
Kosovo: A New Day of Infamy for a New Century
By Srdja Trifkovic, ChroniclesMagazine.org
The grotesque charade in Pristina on Sunday, February 17, crowned a decade and a half of U.S. policy in the former Yugoslavia that has been mendacious and iniquitous in equal measure. By encouraging its Albanian clients go ahead with the unilateral proclamation of independence written at the Department of State, the U.S. administration has made a massive leap into the unknown. That leap is potentially on par with Austria’s July 1914 ultimatum to Serbia. The fruits will be equally bitter. While their exact size and taste are hard to predict right now, that in the fullness of time America will come to regret the criminal folly of her current leaders is certain. Their Balkan policy is worse than a crime: It is a mistake.
Having devoted seven News & Views columns to Kosovo over the past year I have little to add to the sordid story of Western deceit, allied with Albanian barbarity, that has culminated in the spectacle in Pristina. Suffice to say that Belgrade vs. Washington, in this particular instance, is the clearest-cut case of “white hats vs. black hats” in today’s world affairs [...]
Entire article by Srdja Trifkovic »
A postmodern declaration
By John Laughland, Guardian.co.uk
There seemed to be no immediate consequences when, in 1908, Austria annexed Bosnia-Herzegovina. Vienna was in clear violation of the 1878 Treaty of Berlin, which it had signed and kept Bosnia in Turkey, yet the protests of Russia and Serbia were in vain. The following year, the fait accompli was written into an amended treaty. Six years later, however, a Russian-backed Serbian gunman exacted revenge by assassinating the heir to the Austrian throne in Sarajevo in June 1914. The rest is history.
Parallels between Kosovo in 2008 and Bosnia in 1908 are relevant, but not only because, whatever legal trickery the west uses to override UN security council resolution 1244 - which kept Kosovo in Serbia - the proclamation of the new state will have incalculable long-term consequences: on secessionist movements from Belgium to the Black Sea via Bosnia, on relations with China and Russia, and on the international system as a whole. They are also relevant because the last thing the new state proclaimed in Pristina on Sunday will be is independent. Instead, what has now emerged south of the Ibar river is a postmodern state, an entity that may be sovereign in name but is a US-EU protectorate in practice [...]
Entire article by John Laughland »
Iraq and the Kosovo Connection
The neocon-liberal popular front, from Serbia to Iraq
By Justin Raimondo, AntiWar.com
How did we manage to mire ourselves in the midst of Mesopotamia, enmeshed in a three-sided (at least) civil war, with vanishing hopes of extrication – and the putative Republican presidential nominee hailing a hundred-year occupation?
The key to this mystery may be traced back to an earlier act of "liberation" effected through the vehicle of the Kosovo Liberation Army. Sunday's official declaration of independence by Kosovo – which will no doubt be immediately recognized by the United States and the EU nations, along with the Islamic bloc – underscores the folly of our interventionist foreign policy.
This policy was forged and made possible by an alliance – a popular front, as the lefties used to call it – of neoconservatives and liberal "hawks," and its first project was gathering support from the Right and the Left for the Kosovo Liberation Army. Chalabi and the "liberation" of Iraq came later, but it was the same sort of game, with the same players, using roughly the same moralistic lingo. Only the locale was changed: the neocon-liberal alliance remained constant, and grew stronger. By Sept. 11, 2001, this popular front was ready, willing, and able to propel us headlong into the Middle East [...]
Comments
Let me start by saying that everyone here has the right idea. down with boris gump. nikolic or kostunica, i would rather see russian bases on serbian soil than see the shitpars have any part of kosovo. god will correct this injustice to the serbian people, rosebud i feel what you are saying. But violence is the only thing those people understand. any muslim serb from bosia, and croat anyone who is not shitpar no matter what their religion, the shitpars will kill them and drive them out. please understand that this must be done to rid the sacred land of kosovo of these 15th century animals. reap what you sow EMPIRE reap what you sow.
СА ВЕРОМ У БОГА СЛОБОДА ИЛИ СМРТ
КОСОВО МЕТОХИЈА ЈЕ СРБИЈА
P.S.
Svetlana and all who post and read here, again my apoloies for a previous posting.
Posted by: BELIORAOSRBIJA | February 18, 2008 11:29 PM
Why am i sitting here watching this blog wondering when the article about the mass serb protests is going to arrive?? Serbs get your act together!!
Posted by: D.Sekulic | February 19, 2008 02:28 AM
Talking. Always talking. No more talking. We need to take action. Violent action. It will not end with the humiliation and subjugation of Serbs and Serbia.
Let God show our enemies the same mercy they have shown us.
SVE ZA SRBIJU! SVI ZA SRBIJU!
Posted by: nobody the former moderate | February 19, 2008 02:42 AM
Because, David, my day doesn't last any longer than yours, because I too have to sleep, rest, work and do something other than this each day for living, because I'm one person and not a team of people getting paychecks each month for reporting the fresh news and also because this blog is not meant to be a source of up-to-date informations, but only to fill in the gaps in western mainstream media reporting - which, in itself, requires quite a bit of time and work.
As far as I can see, the informations about the latest protests both in Serbia proper and in Kosovo-Metohija province are available in the English-language media, so I don't see enough reasons to spend another sleepless night writing about Monday's demonstrations too.
P.S. No need for apologies BeliOrao
Posted by: Svetlana | February 19, 2008 02:51 AM
Sorry Svetlana, no you and all you do is great, what i mean is serbs should start to make their voice hear and get out to the streets!! what is mean is i dont see reports on your blog because nothing is happening. I study in China and this blog is the best source of info i have found i think you mis read my comment! Sorry should have made myself more clear!!
Posted by: D.Sekulic | February 19, 2008 03:03 AM
Last night I was watching NBC news and Andrea Mitchell was reporting on the latest events in Kosovo.
The last statement that she happily made was that the U.S. will be sending millions and millions of dollars in aid to support Kosovo's independence.
Yet STILL no outrage from the American people!
Posted by: 4Cs | February 19, 2008 05:55 AM
This article is the Damn truth... especially that last page I'm highlighting.
http://www.reuters.com/article/newsMaps/idUSL1957254220080219?pageNumber=3&virtualBrandChannel=10010
Posted by: Spectacles | February 19, 2008 06:33 AM
Indeed, since the americans with no history of their own but genocide on 50 million indians and other people around the globe, has raped us and are trying to take our soul as well, there is nothing to loose but pride and dignity.
I for one are going to Serbia and unite with the notSorosinfected as we all should, no matter what, and reclaim what is ours!
Posted by: Nikola | February 19, 2008 07:15 AM
There is a Serbian Government "EU Integration Office" web site at http://www.seio.sr.gov.yu/code/navigate.asp?Id=20 which describes itself as the "European Integration Office (hereinafter: SEIO)" that "was established on 14 March 2004, as a Serbian Government service". Its address is Nemanjina 34, 11000 Beograd. Its contacts web page lists email addresses for its Director, Deputy Director, and officials in its departments.
Shouldn't we be sending email to tell the Serbian Government EU Integration Office to go back to Brussels?
Posted by: arius![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.byzantinesacredart.com/blog/nav-commenters.gif)
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February 19, 2008 07:33 AM
My apologies then, D.Sekulic, I misunderstood your comment and I'm sorry if I was rude. We are all very upset these days and it's no wonder we tend to lash out at each other too...
For awhile now, I've been feeling the same as "the former moderate" above, that we talked quite enough, but trying to make people understand has helped in no way: most Westerners (and I apologize upfront to every brother and sister in the West who not only knows the truth, but has been helping Serbs tell it), but most Westerners are raised to believe everything their media and politicians say, while firmly believing Russians, Serbs and everyone apart from Westerners are both vicious and liars, so the more we are talking to them, the more aggressive and insulting they become.
They either hate the Serbs outright, or ridicule us as whining, self-pitying, sentimental idiots whenever we try to explain why, apart from the clear-cut legal issues, is Kosovo and Metohija province so important to us. So I do believe that talking, explaining, and trying to establish a decent communication - something we have been trying to do in the past decade - with most Westerners is like charging at the windmills: they only have ears for their mainstream media and they only trust their leaders to tell them whatever they should think and believe. However disappointing this is, it is good to finally understand that fully and stop wasting time and energy in useless attempts to talk some sense into the drones.
But now I'm also noticing another trend, among the people who know the truth and wish to help: some are starting to blame the Serbian people for not doing something, anything, charging forth into Kosovo province and reclaiming their land or whatever. Even some Serbs are now feeling ashamed and eager to say they'd renounce their nation for not doing this or that, whatever they think should be done.
I tried to sign up for Slobodan-Milosevic.org forum a week ago, because one guy over there has been given free reign and is unscrupulously, in a most offensive manner lashing out at Serbs like their worst enemy, but I wasn't allowed to join the forum. A moderator simply decided not to let me in when she saw my name and email address (from Byzantine Sacred Art site).
This is not helpful, and it is not alright to blame the nation like that, simply because the people aren't doing "the right things". I understand that we are all frustrated and miserable these days, but I would expect people can get a hold of themselves and show some restraint, if not compassion for the nation that has went through hell and has just been plunged into the lowest circle of it.
However brilliant one's ideas may be, Serbian nation is not obligated to take notes and do whatever someone, however well-meaning, thinks they need to do today. Serbs will fight and they will reclaim their land, like always in the past. Let us show some patience and faith, and help them, instead of attacking them from the whole other side now, when it is the hardest.
Posted by: Svetlana![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.byzantinesacredart.com/blog/nav-commenters.gif)
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February 19, 2008 07:39 AM
It may seem that Russia is not doing anything but remember that after the bombing of Yugoslavia in 1999 it turned away from the West and joined into strategic alliance with China, a turn that most in the West didn’t pay attention to then and are not paying attention to now. The West is going to pay a catastrophic price in the future for failing in the 1990’s to bring Russia into the Western alliance. It’s already starting to pay the price but is still in denial.
America has broken with a long standing policy dating back to Woodrow Wilson to support Yugoslavia as a bulwark against German expansionism. Germany already dominates the EU and the emerging EU army. Germany’s path has been cleared by America of obstacles to its reemergence as a world power. Furthermore, in two phases America cleared the path for Iran to emerge as a world power: first, led by Jimmy Carter who policies led to the Islamic Revolution in Iran; second, led by George Bush who eliminated the Taliban and Saddam Hussein, enemies on either side of Iran. America, foolishly and stupidly, as a declining world power has cleared the way for the emergence of two world powers and for a coming titanic conflict.
Posted by: arius![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.byzantinesacredart.com/blog/nav-commenters.gif)
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February 19, 2008 10:39 AM
Dear Svetlana
I am obviously one of those who have upset you and I am sorry for that.
But please understand, it is out of real concern for the Serbian people.
They have been double crossed and cheated so often I for one do not want to watch it happen again.
Before the declaration on Sunday the Serbian government had plenty of time to plan a counter action but from reports available to me it seems that they are doing very little of real substance. This is why I am urging the Serbs to act themselves. Time is not on your side.
NATO will seal off the border between Kosovo and Serbia and literally imprison the Kosovo Serbs whilst they take away their present rights.
If that boundary is sealed the Albanians can cross the river and drive the Serbs back. Your military doesn't seem ready to help them It appears a total betrayal. I trust and pray that appearances are not the truth and that your government is prepared to aid its citizens in Kosovo. I just haven't seen it happen or read that it will happen. It looks to me as if the present government is washing its hands just as probably pre arranged with Brussels.
I guess if Serbs are happy to watch their government largely fiddle then those of us outside the country have little right to comment or complain but I know if it was England I would be pretty annoyed.
I hope that by tomorrow we have a lot more positive news and some idea of a way forward by the Serbian authorities but as of tonight it looks weak, like a startled little rabbit in a NATO headlight. If this is interpreted as criticism I am sorry.
Elizabeth
Posted by: Elizabeth | February 19, 2008 03:26 PM
Absolutely not, my dear Elizabeth, I understand you completely and I think you are a good friend - I wasn't thinking about anyone here, but about the few posters on that forum. Although they seem to wish us well, the way they are going about the prodding and prompting us to leap is, in my view, so terribly wrong and insulting, that I wish they would stop "helping" us and just shut the f. up.
While I think politicians, Serbian and all the others, are a fair game, smearing a whole nation (any nation) like that for whatever reasons is, for me, unacceptable.
Posted by: Svetlana![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.byzantinesacredart.com/blog/nav-commenters.gif)
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February 19, 2008 03:49 PM
"Yet STILL no outrage from the American people!"
There is no outrage by the American masses for several reason. First they are like sheep, blindly glued to thier televisions, praising the fact that U.S has "liberated" another race. Second, because they are part of the very power that has done all it can to undermine the East. Dont look to the West for sympathy, that time can better be used to rally the Orthodox. This affront to a sovereign nation must not stand. Since the UN will do little, Serbia must ask Russia for troops and equipment. If NATO blocks off Kosovo, they will smash thier lines.
If only Greece had any self respect, we could join you. Unfortunately the Junta fell in 1974 and my nation is not my people's, rather the West's. Believe me, Hellas would be happy to cross Skopje and take Kosovo in the name of Serbia and God! Some may call this militaristic, but I say otherwise! There is no sacrifice greater or more noble for God and nation!
Posted by: HellenicSon | February 19, 2008 04:04 PM