Comments - Latest Popular Stories, Instablogs Community by Balkanbaby

Ryan

Ryan — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Bang on! I completely agree with you on your views that it is matter of time before Serbia realizes the embarrassing reality that it is nothing but a political pawn in the eyes of the destabilizing Moscow regime. I have no doubts whatsoever that Serbia realizes this even now. However, it is going with the nationalistic tide that is currently serving both Belgrade and Moscow alike.

I can say for sure that Kosovo would not be recognized by the UN as a legitimate country in the near future. The stage is set for a long drawn geopolitical game between Moscow and the West.

Mike

Mike — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 00:00:00 +0000

The three countries have very good reason to recognize Kosovo. Both Hungary and Bulgaria are within EU now that has openly recognized Kosovo. The relationship and the history between Croatia and Serbia notwithstanding, Croatia is well on its way to come under the EU fold. So all the more reason for it to recognize Kosovo.

It would interesting to see whether the Serbia can sustain itself too long in this environment. The call of the moment is Serbia takes a risk with the ultra nationalists, tell Moscow that they have had enough trouble. It’s time to move ahead and reap the benefits that post Milosevic era presents where all major nations in the world are willing to cooperate with the Serbs and contribute towards Serbia’s development.

Maximilian

Maximilian — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Serbia is cursed. It has just come out of a bloody war and tyranny. Now Kosovo suddenly happens to them. Serbia is in a situation of that of a snake that put a large prey in its mouth that it can neither swallow nor throw out. It’s stuck in a quagmire now. With Russia playing its own games using Serbia it is making things even more complicated.

Only the Serbs can exorcise themselves of this curse and for that not emotions like nationalism but good sane thinking is needed. I cannot believe that Serbians do not have the foresight to sit and think what is good for them and act accordingly.

Edward

Edward — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Ryan, I think that Serbia’s politicians and elites already know that they’re a Russian pawn. The problem though is their pride. How can you go back, take a complete U turn, on a policy which you have kept to for the previous 20 years and just say ”Yep, we were wrong”. Also, the politicians have no real need to say this because instead of trying to come up with useful but difficult policies which could improve living standards, it’s easier to blame everything on everybody else: NATO, US, UK, Albania, Croatia, Montenegro, Vatican...

Edward

Edward — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Mike, yes, Serbia is shooting itself in the foot at the moment.

Edward

Edward — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Maximillian, it’s dangerous to use words like ”curse” because that implies something of the super-natural when in fact Serbia’s problems are all very real and have all been caused by very real people. Nothing has happened just by chance or by bad luck.

I only wish to stress this point because it is something that Serbs use as an excuse too often, reverting to myths (most famously Kosovo Polje) and beliefs in national destinies- the famous saying being ”Serbs are victorious in war but lose in peacetime” for example. This is all rubbish. Problems exist because of poor leadership and poor decisions.