Saturday, May 26, 2012

Kosovo

Kosovo's Serbs Defy Belgrade, EU With Referendum

A Kosovo Serb woman with her child casts her ballot at a poling station in Kosovska Mitrovica on February 15.

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February 15, 2012

Serbs in northern Kosovo have voted in a second day of a referendum that is likely to overwhelmingly reject the authority of Kosovo's ethnic Albanian government.

The referendum, which asks voters whether they accept Pristina's institutions, was held ahead of the fourth anniversary on February 17 of Kosovo's 2008 declaration of independence, which Kosovo's Serbs and Serbia do not recognize.

The vote has no legal weight, but is likely to further complicate the EU-sponsored dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina and Serbia's efforts to eventually join the European Union.

Both the EU and Belgrade have called on Kosovo Serbs not to hold the vote.

Kosovo Serb authorities said turnout among the some 35,000 voters was more than 60 percent three hours before polls closed.

Results are expected later this week.

Compiled from agency reports

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Comment Sorting

Comments

by: Eugenio from: Vienna

February 15, 2012 21:33

"Defying someone with a referendum???" So, it's like when people want to decide for themselves what their future will be - instead of having NATO and the Albanian mafia force decisions upon them - it is called "defying" in the terminology of RFE/RL? Increadible!

In Response

by: Ruben from: NYC

February 16, 2012 16:09

There is no "defying".

Belgrade still pays their salaries and needs them to play the "bad cop" role. As usually, Tadic wants to eat the cake and still have it.

The Serbs as always get the preferential treatment in Europe. No status for them!

In Response

by: Eugenio from: Vienna

February 16, 2012 20:33

You are saying: "No status for them!" :-)))))))))). Ruben, you must joking, man .-)!! Can't you see what is happening to other EU-member states, such as Greece? First they were "offered" a "status", then they were dragged into the EU, and today they are being mobbed by the Germans into bankruptcy. One can only hope - for the sake of the people of Serbia, who have suffered enough in the last 20 years - that they will not receive a new punishment in the form of a "status".
Cheers from Vienna (in the heart of Europe - a continent sitting in a recession since 2008)!

In Response

by: vn from: Belgrade

February 16, 2012 21:09

May it be with Greek wine :).

In Response

by: Ruben from: NYC

February 16, 2012 23:17

The Greeks "were dragged into EU"? Eugenio, don't make me laugh. They used EU like their rich uncle for 20 years until the other "poor Europeans" arrived.
No one is dying to take you in. Stop crying at the door and vote No if you're brave enough.

by: vn from: Belgrade

February 16, 2012 20:57

The "defying" part lies on the Kosovo Albanians. Sooner or later, rather it be sooner, they will have to give way to reality and permit the possibility of border change or completely give up on the idea of having the whole territory of Kosovo for themselves. It is not possible to go on playing with the UNSCR 1244, while having the state of Albania standing independently right next door to Serbia. The Albanians are free to go to Albania. They are not free to mess up with the citizens of Serbia. Serbia doesn't give a damn about the status in EU if it means granting such transgressive concessions. The Albanians in Kosovo will be able to get a status in the EU only under the above stated circumstances. As for the EU fooling around with its own economy and 500 million people - to hell with such Administration.

No wonder the Big Brother USA is not doing much better either. Haven't you people got your own yards to take care of? Do all the Serbs need to play the disability part? Isn't it enough that your own people are mental retards?

Not clear enough? About the "defying part". How about the UN/NGO staff in Serbia, particularly those stationed in Belgrade, start paying taxes on salaries to the state of Serbia, and get off the state pension plans? As this evasion has been going on for about two decades, this could be a hefty contribution to our budget. Naturally, they will always have the possibility of going to prison. The only question is: ours or yours?

In Response

by: Ruben from: NYC

February 16, 2012 23:31

87 countries and counting.

Tick tock, tick tock, tick...

Of course, if the West recognizes Abkhazia and South Ossetia, then it is done overnight. But they have decided to take the risk.

I am afraid Serbia is wasting her chance for a good bargain. Time is of essence.

In Response

by: vn from: Belgrade

February 17, 2012 11:30

To: Ruben

Since when has boarding a sinking ship at a price of thousands of kilometers of territory, and staying without one's own nationals become a good bargain? I've always thought that a good bargain would be getting an excellent quality for as little money or goods as possible.

And the Serbian candidates for the EU administrative positions would be filled by the NGO dudes or governmental nitwits in Belgrade offices? Has anyone ever taken a serious look at their CVs - starting with the latest line of educational background?

Not to forget: the UN comprises of more than 87 countries. Albania is already a ready-made state. Let the Kosovo Albanians get their passports from the Finnish Ahtisari. The time is tick tocking on the side of the Serbs, I'm afraid.

Life such an agony.