PRISTINA, Serbia, Feb. 17, 2008
Kosovo Declares Independence From Serbia
Parliament Unanimously Approves Declaration Proclaiming Statehood
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Nationalistic Serbs Blame U.S.
For Serbs who consider Kosovo their historic heartland, the U.S. is blamed for supporting the breakaway province. Sheila MacVicar reports.
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People celebrate Kosovo's declaration of independence, as they gather near a sculpture spelling out, "Newborn", in Kosovo's capital Pristina, Sunday, Feb. 17, 2008. Kosovo's parliament declared the disputed territory a nation on Sunday, mounting a historic bid to become an "independent and sovereign state" backed by the U.S. and key European allies but bitterly contested by Serbia and Russia. (AP)
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Kosovar Albanians dance with an American flag in the Albanian side of the ethnically divided town of Kosovska Mitrovica, Kosovo while celebrating the declared independence of Kosovo, Sunday, Feb. 17, 2008. (AP)
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Serbia immediately denounced the declaration as illegal, and Russia also rejected it, demanding an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council.
President Bush said the U.S. would work to prevent violence after the declaration and the European Union appealed for calm, mindful of the risk that the declaration could plunge the turbulent Balkans back into instability.
"Kosovo is a republic - an independent, democratic and sovereign state," Kosovo's parliament speaker Jakup Krasniqi said as the chamber burst into applause. Across the capital, Pristina, revelers danced in the streets, fired guns into the air and waved red and black Albanian flags in jubilation at the birth of the world's newest country.
Sunday's declaration was carefully orchestrated with the U.S. and key European powers, and Kosovo was counting on swift international recognition that could come as early as Monday, when EU foreign ministers meet in Brussels, Belgium.
But by sidestepping the U.N. and appealing directly to the U.S. and other nations for recognition, Kosovo set up a showdown with Serbia - outraged at the imminent loss of its territory - and Russia, which warned that it would set a dangerous precedent for separatist groups worldwide.
Ninety percent of Kosovo's 2 million people are ethnic Albanian
most of them secular Muslims - and they see no reason to stay joined to the rest of Christian Orthodox Serbia.
Krasniqi, Prime Minister Hashim Thaci and President Fatmir Sejdiu signed the declaration, which was scripted on parchment, before the unveiling of a new national crest and a flag: a bright blue banner featuring a golden map of Kosovo and six stars, one for each of its main ethnic groups.
"From today onwards, Kosovo is proud, independent and free," said Thaci, a former leader of the Kosovo Liberation Army, which battled Serbian troops in a 1998-99 separatist war that claimed 10,000 lives. "We never lost faith in the dream that one day we would stand among the free nations of the world, and today we do."
"Our hopes have never been higher," he told the assembly. "Dreams are infinite, our challenges loom large, but nothing can deter us from moving forward to the greatness that history has reserved for us."
Thaci pledged the new nation would be "a democratic, multiethnic state" - an attempt to reach out to Serbs who consider Kosovo the cradle of their medieval culture and religion.
But he also had stern words for the Serbian government, which last week declared secession illegal and invalid, saying in the Serbian language: "Kosovo will never be ruled by Belgrade again."
Thaci on Sunday signed 192 separate letters to nations around the world - including Serbia - asking them to recognize Kosovo as a state.
Serbian President Boris Tadic rejected the independence bid immediately, declaring Sunday's proclamation "unilateral and illegal." Kosovo's 10 minority Serb lawmakers boycotted the parliamentary session in protest.
And Serbia's government minister for Kosovo, Slobodan Samardzic, said Sunday that Serbia would increase its presence in the roughly 15 percent of Kosovo that is Serb-controlled - an apparent attempt to divide the province.
Serbia's government ruled out any military response as part of its secret "action plan" drafted earlier this week as a response, but warned that it would downgrade relations with any foreign government that recognizes Kosovo's independence.
Russia's Foreign Ministry said Moscow supports Serbia's "just demands to restore the country's territorial integrity."
Russian President Vladimir Putin has argued that independence without U.N. approval would set a dangerous precedent for "frozen conflicts" across the former Soviet Union and around the world. He is pressuring the U.N. Security Council to intervene.
Before Kosovo's parliament voted, President Bush said the U.S. will work to prevent violent clashes after the independence declaration. The State Department was reviewing the development with European allies as the province sought swift recognition from the West.
"The United States will continue to work with our allies to do the very best we can to make sure there's no violence," Bush said several hours before Kosovo's parliament approved the declaration.
"We are heartened by the fact that the Kosovo government has clearly proclaimed its willingness and its desire to support Serbian rights in Kosovo," Bush said. "We also believe it's in Serbia's interest to be aligned with Europe and the Serbian people can know that they have a friend in America."
Kosovo had formally remained a part of Serbia even though it has been administered by the U.N. and NATO since 1999, when NATO airstrikes ended former Yugoslav leader Slobodan Milosevic's crackdown on ethnic Albanian separatists.
Kosovo is still protected by 16,000 NATO-led peacekeepers, and the alliance boosted its patrols over the weekend in hopes of discouraging violence. International police, meanwhile, deployed to back up local forces in the tense north.
Spontaneous street celebrations broke out anew on Sunday, with giddy Kosovars waving Albanian and American flags and dancing in the streets.
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See all 126 CommentsExcellent. Never lose hope. A character trait our liberals friends fail to understand.
Excellent KOSOVO, excellent. You''ve earned it. Be proud!!!!!!
Just like they are trying to do here.
Just like they are trying to do here.
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Posted by wesleyjl
Let''s hope not. Another Democratic society (Kosovo) and the hopes of having them joint the United Nations furthers the cause of the free world.
Now, if we can get the Middle East to follow suit, alll the better.
Posted by wesleyjl
No, that''s a trait of neocons.
Posted by poopusbuttus
Yes, a success of the Clinton administration. Too bad you neocons rip Clinton for going into Kosovo (wag the dog, Monica Missiles, etc).
''No, that''''s a trait of neocons.'' Posted by Rafterman.
ACTUALLY, you''re BOTH right!
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Posted by Rafterman1
Hey dude, I dont care if it was because of CLinton, Bush, Reagan, Carter....whatever. It''s a good sign. And, I''m all for it.
This is not about Bush bashing Rafterman. If this was solely due to Clinton, I recognize it.
THat''s the difference between your clan, and mine. We recognize, you dont because of your hatred for Bush.
I''m all about spreading democracy, you''re all about bashing Bush.
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Posted by trenticus
Are we? Where''s the source? I would like to read up on that.....
posted by poop
You are full of s h i t poop, pun intended. I have on numerous occassions posted the reasons why I hate Bush that I consider legitimate reasons. That is not "bashing", which implies I have no reason to hate Bush. But I do as my list below proves.
I have also defended Bush on occasion for the things I like that he does (support for the space program, money for Africa for example). I also slam ridiculous conspiracy theories about Bush orchestrating 9-11. But I will attribute your comments to neocon selective memories.
Like the selective memory of Republicans fighting against Clinton to deploy and fund Kosovo. Tell me, back in 1999, were you for sending Americans to Kosovo? Or was it "wag the dog" for you? If so, it is disingenuous for you to claim happiness for the success of Kosovo.
And now, once again, the reasons why I hate Bush:
WMD lies, legalized torture, secret prisons, warrantless wiretaps, more White House corruption then at any time in U.S. history, record gas prices, record oil profits, tens of thousands of dead and maimed Americans and Iraqis, the outting of a covert CIA agent for political revenge, substandard treatment at Walter Reed, the Katrina debacle, three trillion dollars added to the national debt and competent attorneys being replaced by Bush cronies in our justice system.
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Posted by Rafterman1
Like I said Dummy, I recognize freedom (whoever started that train for KOSOVO), you, do not. You hate Bush.
You''re a dummy and always will be one.
That''s the difference between you and I, as I point it out to you again:
Freedom (ME) vs. I hate Bush that drives all of my posts on here (YOU)
End of story.
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Posted by jwind11
jwind11 -- Vote for either one. They are all of the same. But hey, you made your point. We all get where you''re coming from :)
Posted by poopusbuttus
the libs wont get it
Every educated person knows that we actually don''t live in a FREE world, but by comparison with other countries its a whole lot better ... but not for long.
The Age of the Warrior shall soon take control (they are not in control yet - they are led by a corrupt government and the corporate mob). Depending on what shade of color that beast dictates, a dark trannical beast (murderous creature) shall enslave our future and the amount of suffering in the U.S. people will have to endure.
Don''t pay attention to this clown. He loves to play with words and trip over his stupidity.
Posted by poopusbuttus
the libs wont get it
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Posted by jwind11
Of course. And, do you know why? Because liberals are stupid. They are inherently unable to think outside the box.
They will always be "I''m for free handouts by the govt" type of people. They are the real disease in society.
End of story.
Posted by poopusbuttus at 11:10 AM : Feb 17, 2008
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Yes,WE KNOW !!!
We plaqued by people who talk out the butt.
Posted by mcv57
this coming from someone who said, and i quote "who is your loser excuse?" mcv57 said that,,,,can someone explain what that means?
Still haven''t figured that yet, brainless?
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Posted by mcv57
MCV57 -- We plaqued? What is this? Dude, are you from this country?
HAHAHAHAHA. YOu dummy liberal jive turkey....
You sound black? Or, are you a white trash ignorant slob.
HAHAHAHAHA. YOu dummy liberal jive turkey....
Posted by poopusbuttus
Are you from this planet?
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Posted by mcv57
MCV57DUMMY -- I can assure you that I''m very much the "White Man".....
However, that does not take away the fact that no one on here knows what the fuuck you''re talking about.
For ... all ... you ... slow ... illiterates.....
Posted by poopusbuttus
Got to be white trash, has no intelligence.
this guy is allowed to vote and breed. scary
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Posted by mcv57
yeah, that must be it.
This guy allow to live . . should have been shot in the backyard.
For ... all ... you ... slow ... illiterates.....
Posted by mcv57
what??????????????????????????????????
Posted by mcv57
good grammar
Posted by mcv57
how can an iq be slow?
HAHAHAHAHAHA
Kosovo aside, the irony in anyone equating freedom with Bush just goes to show who is the dumb one. Read a paper lately? It''s you who will never understand if you''re still flying that flag after the last 7 years. What e''er would be do without all those freedom-loving Americans goose stepping behind their government believing everything they''re told. Silly wabbit, propaganda''s for the feeble minded.
Sloowwwww, it took you an hour to figure-out how to take an I.Q test.
Posted by mcv57
you keep bringing up word processing, you telling me you are typing things in and expecting your mistakes to be corrected before it gets posted?
I don''t take the time to correct because you are not worth my time of day. Bye.
Posted by mcv57
you keep bringing up word processing, you telling me you are typing things in and expecting your mistakes to be corrected before it gets posted?
typical lib, blame their mistakes on something or someone else
Posted by mcv57
yea, typical lib response when they know their ignorance being exposed
If Bush goes along with this, then he is definitely NO better than the Dems and just as stupid as they are.
Too bad an Intel agency somewhere doesn''t "off" the terrorist Thaci just as his fellow Islamonazi was bumped off earlier this week.
Serbia gave the world one million dead, murdered by the Nazis and by the Tito we foisted on them, after gallantly resisting Hitler and rescuing American Airmen. We rewarded them with Clinton''s B-52 strikes on their capital and an invasion of their homeland simply to put the Qaedists in power. Now this.
Sometimes, even a Fascist pig like Putin is right - we''re dead wrong this time.
Like raping Serbian women, shooting down innocent Serbian farmers as they tended their flock in the fields, firebombed (where''s the hypocritical Condoleeezzza Rice???) Serbian churches - while American soldiers stood by and did NOTHING.
And what of you, ho face Pelosi? You want to send American troops home, right? Well, what about Kosovo? Oh, but that was your hero the serial rapist and draft dodger''s war, wasn''t it, Nancy. Hmmm, just go back to your crayons, your illegal hirees, and your moveon.org checks.
If there were ever an ILLEGAL war we got involved in, it was the one ironically that the Vietnam Draft Dodger got us involved in. But hey, please don''t tell that to the Nazis of the Left - or Bush''s Country Club Republicans.
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