Even more relevant than the separation of Kosova (from Serbia) into a separate state is the separation, also in a separate state (or adding it to Kosova) of the western half of (FYRO) Macedonia - because its percentage of ethnic Albanian population is 98%, i.e. much greater than 92% in Kosova.

Kosovar, Tetovo, FYRO Macedonia

Agron, Tirana,
Well you just said it. Albanians already have a country: Albania. You actually live in its capital. So instead of breaking Serbia and creating a huge problem for Europe, Albanians better stick to Albania. As well, Kosovo was always Serbian, just read some non-Albanian history books. Actually it's were the Serb nation was created. Yes, it was under Turks and was returned to Serbia. The same way it was broken away by NATO and EU through support of KLA (I hope you know what KLA means). If Kosovo becomes independent, there will be a precendent, no matter what NATO or EU says. So other small nations will have their chance. As about Chechnya, its a part of Russia, period. And to prove otherwise NATO will have to fight with Russia. If Kosovo breaks away from Serbia, Abhazia, South Ossetia and Trans-Dniepr region will declare independence. I hope that Scotland and Wales will follow too. There is one standard, one UN and one international law, so you either support it or don't

Oleg, Toronto, Canada

This is essentially a European problem, like it or not. It's high time the continental Europeans took the initiative instead of relying on the UK and USA to do their fighting for them.

Bill , Francestown, USA NH

A lot of comments from people that don't know nothing about kosovos ancient and recent history!
Oleg...
if russians are going to back an independent ossetia than they should give independece to chechnya as well and to the dozens of non russian republics,part of their state.Kosovo is separate case,and don't forgett(learn it because i doubt you have ever heard about)that kosovo was a gift given to serbia only in 1913,in the tratty of london,so at the time england didn't brought all the serb in england but just delivered them a good piece of albanian territory inhabited by albanians,so what they are doing now is just fixin their past wrong,
Dave and the others...
Albanians are indigenous in kosovo,serbs instead arrived there thousands years later during the slaviac migrations,For at least 300 years albanians are absolute majority there,and paralels with california or ossetia is just wool that someone pulled over your eyes or that simply you are intentionaly pulling to the others.

Agron, Tirana,

Oleg when you make a comment about a country or someone giving anything away you should check the history behind it and comment on facts. Albanians and Kosovans are Illyrians, who have occupied this territory since the dawn of civilisation. Please see Encyclopaedia Britannica. In fact, no one is giving anyone anything more or less but only what’s right and what belongs to the Albanians and should never have been divided after World War I in the first place. Kosovo should indeed get independence and the Serbs should be grateful that they are allowed to stay in Kosovo as equal citizens not trying to hold on to Serbia. If anyone has to chose to leave Kosovo it should be the Serbs who colonised Kosovo not vice-versa.

Patrick, Peterborough , UK

Dave's analogy is a good rejoinder to those Americans who thought that Britain should cede Northern Ireland to the Irish Republic. To all those who found Ulster Protestants' demand on "Not one inch" intransigent, the same would apply to the USA.

The stakes in Kosovo are indeed high and how does the EU, with Nato, propose protecting Serbs in Kosovo: by drawing a green line like the UN one bissecting Cyprus?

Once the Kosovan state comes into being, the worry must be that just as the Croatians expelled 200,000 Serbs from Kryenia, so the Kosovans will expel their Serbian minority.

Anyway, how will an economically unviable state like Kosovo survive?

wilson, London, UK

How dare the UN, US, UK or anyone else insist upon the breakup of a Country, recognised by the UN, as a single entity, by giving independence to a province that has been an integral part part of that country since the 14th century. The arrogance of the West (Again!) is appalling. Where will it all end, other than in disaster, when the US and UK, meekly supported by the UN decides what constitutes a country, and, when it should be dismembered to suit the political climate of the time. Looking back over history if a civil war is just cause to dismember a country, there would be no England (let alone UK) USA, Russia, China, etc., It appears to me more so now than ever, the only jobs politicians do well is create major problems for tomorrow!

Kevin Sullivan, Roehampton, London

Kosovo is a Christian Serbian Country and if the ethnic Albainans dont like it let them go and live in Albaina. We have the same problem in N Ireland where the foreigner trys taking over the land with nothings but problems. KOSOVO IS SERBIAN full stop

James, dublin, Rep of Ireland

Let's get this straight. If California one day (soon) has a Mexican majority who want to secede from the US and form an independent national state for themselves, Washington will be quite happy to allow this?

Dave, Wrexham,

Here the solution: let Britain bring all the Albanians to UK and let them create a country near London. Kosovo isn't British or American to be given away to albanians by USA and Britain. It is necessary London and Washington must be defied to achive Serbian territorial integrity. Use your own territory to give it away!
There will be a point in future that you will reap the harvest you had sown. Next step: independent Abhazia and South Ossetia!

Oleg, Toronto, Canada