I don't like Russia and I'm sure Serbians don't. I have been there. Serbian people look up to the west before the west turn against them. It's a sad day for Serbia. This is thier land, history books backs it up. I'm pro American but this is ONE issue I don't agree with them. Long Live Serbia! from Canada with love!

John, Vancouver, Canada

If, as I've read, there were very few Albanians in Kosovo until after World War II, then the case for Kosovar independence is very weak, and countries should be very slow to even consider recognition.

Conversely, if the ethnic Hungarians and Donau Schwaben Germans in what is now northern Serbia (forcibly subjugated by Belgrade after World War I, then subjected to post-1944 Communist ethic cleansing) want to break away from the Serbian state to rejoin Hungary, then I would totally support them, as they peacefully settled – in the Middle Ages -- what was then an uninhabited frontier region. This is a materially different case than Kosovo if in fact the Albanian population there was a post-war "import".

Many European boundaries are based on military conquest, ethnic cleansing, forced migrations, and clumsy political deas rather than plebiscite or historical ethnic settlement. In this context, the Kosovo crisis (as it soon will be known) is the next chapter of a much larger drama.

Eric, Chicago, IL - USA

Searbia is trying to take what is not rightfully thiers. Kosovo is not Serbia, learning about Serbia's history was misleading and just lies. Ever since the collapse of Yugoslavia in the 90's, the Serbs where directly responsible for waiging war on all it's non Serbian neiborghs, because they were bent on dominating over all others, and sizeing teritory. The Serbs commited crimes against humanity in Bosnia, Kosovo, and Croatia. Most of the Serbian leaders acused of Genocide (among other things involving crimes against humanity) were brought to justice, and found guilty by the international war crime tribunal. It is no surprise that Serbs and Russians disaproove of Kosovo's independence, again; its all about dominance and absolut goverment control when it comes to these two countries. Congratulation to Kosovo, the newst state in the world, who paid dearly for this independance. We will forgive, but we will never forget.

Sadat, Ventnor , New Jersey

Well if recognise one nation then you must recognise another and in my opinion the two states of Abkhazia and South Ossetia should be recognised straight away.

stuart, edinburgh, uk

This time USA is supporting terror....i bet that in a few years USAF will bomb Albania in an anti-terror war...shame on you. I dont like Russia but this time i support them,only God can help serbs now., and some brilliant minds.

dan, cluj-napoca, romania

I am going to jump for a moment of the topic and ask every patriot here what kind of country is not allowing their people to drink under age of 21 but they are old enough to be trained for killing with 18? So glass of Alcohol is harder to get than to put a bullet in other man.
What is the interest of America and west in Iraq? Protecting their people from terrorists? Avganistan is under American control and yet they are producing only 90% of worlds heroin?! Don't go around and talk about killing, west is spilling blood of others for centuries and the only difference now is the way they call that act.
I hate everything that has to do with war but that is just in the nature of people. I do not see a color or a nation or a god I can only see how good person you can be.

Nemanja, Novi Sad, Serbia

I can see it now, Mexico claims every state south of Mason-Dixon line!

Cody, Columbiana, Ohio/United States

Then let the Mexicans have California and Arizona and the Irish the northern part that's not theirs and the Scottish half of UK.

Denver, Pittsburgh, PA

I fully support what Sunil of Kandy, Sri Lanka, has to say. I could not have said this better. West Europeans already have germs of a problem that they will see in not too distant future. Many countries are multi ethnic and no one should be allowed to exploit it.

Ashok Bhagat, Richmond, TX, USA

I like numbers like 7 7 9 11

Alan Ford, Berkshire, UK

The Russians have a powerful state, oil reserves, and a huge country. The have a strong interest in Serbia and do not like it when the West tries to destroy Serbia, as they did to Yugoslavia.

The West cannot throw dirt in the face of the Russians and expect no responce. Where we are weak, they will try to weaken us further. DO NOT BE SURPRISED WHEN THIS HAPPENS.

Richard Brown, Claremont, California, USA

The Sinhala Buddhist people of Heladiva will reject Kosovo Independence and fully support the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Serbia.

Its is not right for some minority to migrate en masse into someone elses homeland (from their own homeland which is on the other side of the border) hang around for a few years, breed uncontrollably then become a "minority majority" in a province (by displacing, cleansing and out numbering the original inhabitants through the aforementioned migration and breeding programs) and then trump up bogus claims of "discrimination" or "racism" and use this along with artificial numerical superiority as a justification for Independence. Nor is it right to attack the majority (who let you into their land) and cry foul when they retaliate, internationalising the conflict you created to win sympathy when things go wrong. Its like breaking into someones house, the owner breaks your legs for doing so and then YOU call the cops on him. Its wrong and unfair.

Sunil, Kandy, Lanka

Why does Britain support this but continue to deny the Scottish people the right to independence?

gòrdan`, an t-eilean sgitheanach, alba

How cheeky are the Serbian people. After what their people did, how could they still claim to be the "victim" in all this?

And for the Russians to preach on "legal and moral" grounds, they should take a look at themselves first.

Masa, London, UK

While Russia may not be able to prevent Kosovo’s declaration of independence, the effects of Russia’s opposition will accumulate over time. Kosovo has no industry, no economy to speak of; it has no healthcare or education; its infrastructure has been bombed into oblivion by NATO almost ten years ago. Vast majority of Kosovo’s “ethnic Albanian” population (mostly illegal immigrants from the neighboring Albania) are uneducated and unskilled. Kosovo will be a welfare state and the West will be picking up the tab.

Veniamin Nikolayev, Philadelphia, USA

For everyone who wants to dig from the past I suggest that you educate yourself first. Don't listen to others! Educate!
Serbia like every country on Balkan had a long and bloody history.
Don't be fooled everybody did horrible things!
So educate and you will see who killed who and for what reason.
About Albanian independence on Kosovo there is a simple reason why this is not legal and democratic.
If you have a country which was developing every region of their state and in some case minority becomes majority who is the owner of the natural and other recourses? Majority or minority?
Answer is every citizen of that state! You want to tell me that by simple overpopulation you can take control of the land you are allowed to live on? That is democracy? Or we are going back to the stone age?
I don't mind grow of any population I believe that every man born has a right to live in dignity. There are so many people spreading hate between races, faiths, and even between other nations.

Marko, Krusevac, Serbia

Hahahahahaha, once called Dardania. When did that happen? I believe that you Americans should return your country to their real owner! Native indians were there before you! Or the Turks should return Istambul or should I call it Konstantinopol. No no, lets give something back to the Italy (Roman empire) and the Mongols. Or should we all return to Africa were everything began?
Serbs were there before Albania even had their own country. I say that they were there but not called Albania. There were churches in Serbia before Albanians even accepted Islam. And you are speaking of Dardania. Before Serbs that land belonged to Visantian empire which was created with fall of Roman empire.
There were no Albanians on Kosovo until the WWII for many centuries ago.
And YES return your land to the indians!
I don't believe in TV I believe in proper knowledge and education. You would be surprised how much we don't know. But as they say 100 times you lie and it becomes a truth.
Best regards

Laza, Belgrade, Serbia

Congratulations Kosovo. Please enjoy your hard won independence, you couldn't have done it without NATO or the KLA (great bunch of guys). Please also enjoy the next 20 years without a seat at the UN and the poliical and economic isolation that will bring. You can drive every Serb out and burn every church and monastary, but Kosovo will always be Serbia.

As for the EU and US, if you hate Serbia that much, why not just carve the rest up between Hungary, Croatia and Bulgaria and then no more problems.

Boris, Melbourne, Australia

Could someone please elaborate how can terrorist get their protectorate banana state and more importantly how are they finance it once international donor coffers dry up? Prostitution, drugs, money laundering and murder…Ahh, business as usual.

Scott G., Tri-city area, Canada

Should the U.S. give the American southwest back to Mexicans since we took it from them? According to the Kosovo argument, we should give it back since it rightfully belongs to them. We all know it won't happen.

Jon Campbell, S. Carolina, USA

one day somebody will sorrow. you should know balkan story: if you are born in one state, you will die in another one.

big power make mess overthere again, unfortinately.

t.

thomas, london,

Kosovo is Srbijan? like was Croatia,Slovenia ,Bosna and Hercegovina they are just Cetniks

robert, london, uk

Kosova will become state because it's people want so, its called democracy and selfdetermination. It does not effect anyone else, its unique case and last issue that needs to be solved in process of desintergration of Yugoslavia that started in 90-ties. Who shares this view - entire free world, US, UK, France, Germany, Italy and majority of EU countries. Kosovo neighbours are in favor also, Albania, Macedonia and Montenegro.
Who is against - Putin's Russia and Milosovic's disceples. You can not really call Putin and Milosevic (and his disceples) champions of democracy, human rights and human values.
Statehood for Kosovo is the will of it's people and the will majority of the states of free world to recognize this statehood.Again democracy
People of good will around the world embrace Kosovo state and its people, they have suffered enough. Lets move into 21 century and wait medieval and cold-war rhetoric speaking serbs and russians to join the free world in their own good time.

Kujtim, Prishtina, Kosova

I dont understand what you people are thinking... If you are so interested in the balkans you have to read about the history first. Everything that happens there is because of what happen in the past. KOSOVO is serbian and no matter what happens it will allways be serbian.. the serbs will not let it go. In 1999 the so called mass graves are no where to be found? Yes the serbs were very wrong in Bosnia but lol who wasnt all 3 sides were killing each other. People the population of an area should not be the reason for indipendance.. If that was the case then think what would happen to the US, Canada and other large european countrys..

alex, toronto, canada

This seizure of Serbian territory was the transparent objective of the "humanitarian" bombing of Kosovo and the rest of Serbia. The theft of Kosovo exceeds the wrong done in giving the Sudet (Sudetenland) area of Czechoslovakia to Hitler. The fake Rambouillet talks were the "Munich" of this era. The Chamberlands leading England need to be replaced by Churchills of this era to stop the illegal destruction of national states and violations of international law.

The Serbs will do their part, as in the previous two world wars, to defend liberty, resist imperialist land grabs and stand up for themselves.

In the decade before Serbia defended itself in World War I, the Serbs overthrew one King and replaced him with a patriot. Before Serbia fought Hitler in World War II, the Serbs deposed their own government once again. The current leaders of Serbia know Serbian history, and they know they have no choice but to defend their state. The die is cast... NATO and the EU cast it.

John Bosnitch, Washington, DC

Why don't they learn proper English before putting up those ridiculous banners all over Prishtina?

Maca, Beograd, Serbia

If it comes to who goes home - where; then why don't serbs go home to Mongolia or the russian tundra? If albanians have their own country "albania", then, after the separation of Kosovo from Serbia, won't serbs still have "their" own country, Serbia? Albanians are not driving serbs out of the Balkans, they're just having a slice of what righfully belongs to them which unjustly and arbitrarily was bestowed to the glutonnous criminals of Belgrade during the "peace" treaty of Versailles.
Somebody here mentioned the pandora box... Alessandro, you're even from Italy, you should know the brutal genocide that serbian military forces inflicted to Italians living in Yugoslavian coast! At least 15 000 italian civilians perished in this "mini" holocaust immediately after the WW2. Serbs tried to do this to Slo, Cr, Bosn, Albs. They really managed to commit massive genocide, especially against albanians. Even to this day, they haven't felt remorse or regret to any of thhe catastrophes! perfect!

Zotrules, London, U.K.

I don't care what happened in 1912, and I don't care what happened in the 14th century. I care about now, and I would suggest that the Serbs and their neighbors stop whining about the injustices of the past and learn to live together in grudging tolerance.

Gregory Baker, Odenton, Maryland, USA

as for Pandora's box... Where else have you seen a country that has committed such vast crimes and genocide against its minorities? Where are these famous parallels? What other nation can possibly have such a sad history like albanians? What other nation can claim the same things? What other nation can prove these things?
The whole world has seen and witnessed through the most modern means of media and communication what serbs have inflicted upon albanians. Still, what you have seen, is nothing compared to what you may find in the archives of your countries. We are talking here about at least a hundred years of perfectly documented genocide of serbs against albanians!

Zotrules, London, U.K.

In 1913 Albanian was separated in 5 states and the history has to repair with blood and war from Serbs. Let the flag of newest independence Kosova joins the world of democracy. Do you know that Scanderbeg and Mother Teresa are Albanian? Nobody can stop the independence of Kosovo.

Pullumb, New York, USA

Continues Serb governments have tried to eliminate Kosovo Albanian population, from 1912 to 1966 over 250000 Kosovars emigrated due to unbearable pressure from former 'Cetnik' commander Rankovich. When Belgrade authorities unwillingly allowed Pristina University to open in 1970 (only after Kosovars demanded through demonstrations in 1968), Rankovich declared “We confiscated their guns you gave them the Canon (University)”. 1974 was a most important year for Kosovo Albanians first generation of Pristina University graduated and Kosovo become constitutional element of Yougoslav Federation (almost equal with other federal republics). When Tito died federal vice president was Kosovo delegate Fadil Hoxha, in 1987 Kosovo delegate (Sinan Hasani) was a president of Yougoslavia for one year on the rotating presidency. In 1985 Serb nationalist ‘Science Academy ’ found their leader, Slobodan Milosevich who priory to date has shown no interest in Kosovo. This marked the start of YU death.

Besi, London, UK, London,

Continues Serb governments have tried to eliminate Kosovo Albanian population, from 1912 to 1966 over 250000 Kosovars emigrated due to unbearable pressure from former 'Cetnik' commander Rankovich. When Belgrade authorities unwillingly allowed Pristina University to open in 1970 (only after Kosovars demanded through demonstrations in 1968), Rankovich declared “We confiscated their guns you gave them the Canon (University)”. 1974 was a most important year for Kosovo Albanians first generation of Pristina University graduated and Kosovo become constitutional element of Yougoslav Federation (almost equal with other federal republics). When Tito died federal vice president was Kosovo delegate Fadil Hoxha, in 1987 Kosovo delegate (Sinan Hasani) was a president of Yougoslavia for one year on the rotating presidency. In 1985 Serb nationalist ‘Science Academy ’ found their leader, Slobodan Milosevich who priory to date has shown no interest in Kosovo. This marked the start of YU death.

Besi, London, UK, London,

I agree wholeheartedly with Davey, Michael and Joe. The disgraceful undeclared war by NATO on Serbia brought immeasurable harm to the region. Kosovo is now an international islamic _cause celebre_ and is drawing militants from many countries to fight the infidel (European christians). Representatives of the local albanian population, many of whom are the result of immigration there after WWII from Albania, are trying to erase any evidence of Kosovo's Serbian history by destroying ancient churches and monasteries. And the precedent this independence motion sets is dreadful. By what logic can those countries who recognize Kosovo as independent refuse to do the same for Northern Cyprus, for example? I don't agree with V.V. Putin on everything, but he is right on the money on this one.

Joseph, Princeton, New Jersey

This is a disgrace. I was firmly against the NATO intervention in 1999 and the result I believe has vindicated many peoples doubts. What is Kosovo.? it is nothing but a cancerous cell in the heart of the Balkans subsisting on gun running, drug trafficking and prostitution. Can anyone explain to me how this ""country"" can support itself by legal and legitimate means. Where is the protest at the destruction of Christian churches and looting of treasures? What of the ethnic cleansing of Serbs from their ancestral homelands?
My old fashioned English sense of right and wrong tells me that the Serbs have very damn right to defend themselves against this disgraceful assault on their sovereignty. The Serbs heroically resisted Nazi aggression when it counted. Some thanks!
Mr Putin - get that airborne brigade into Pristina and show your real mettle.

Davey, ATHENS, GREECE

The indenpendence of Kosovo will cause more disruction to the region. Kosovo as an independent state will clearly become the training camp for all new Al-qaeda recruits. Also this independent establishment will assist Albanian mafia to expand their operations in Europe and further.
This arrangement will most probably encourage other ethnic groups to fight for independence and a republic of their own, such the coastal part and islands of Croatia to become part of Italy or even the Spanish state of Catalonia.

Michael , Sydney, NSW, Australia

The Albanians from what I understand already have their own country. And that country's name is Albania. What would the United States do if the majority residence of lower Texas wanted to break off and become part of Mexico? Woud the United States allow such a thing? Or lower part of California? You pick the region/country? Why not? The precedent is being set with Kosovo. It goes against the UN Charter in regards to sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Back to my example ...... If they (texans) have a majority and vote yes to tear a piece of Texas off, then who is to stop them? Anyone remember the Alamo? This is bad politics and does cause issues around the rest of the world. If the Albanians suceed, it will be interesting on what happens around the world. The only reason people think that I am reaching with my example is for one reason...It is the United States, and WE would never think of letting anyone do it to US..PERIOD.

Joe, New York,

Great Mary,

Just to let you know that Europe is ractifying its problems that caused in 1912. Everyone forgot that it used to be all Albania, its not smth we are asking others to give us, we are just proclaiming a piece of what used to belong to us.

Basha, NY,

Many people refer to the atrocities of 98-99 as justification for Kosovo's independence. They called it ethnic cleansing. However, they either forget or are unaware of the harrassment, torture and execution of Serbs by Albanians during WW2 and the decades following. Serbs were systematically driven from their homes in Kosovo. This was ethnic cleansing of the Serbs that took place as recently as March of 2004. Unfortunately the mass media in the west either downplays or does not report these facts.

The Kosovo case is not unique and the policy of support for independence is gravely misguided. I find in quite ironic that self-determination/independence is not an option for the Serbs living in Northern Kosovo and neighboring Bosnia.

Jon Campbell, S. Carolina, USA

Congratulations to EU and USA for creating ethnically purest state in the Europe. Kosovo, after independance, will surpass Croatia at number 1 spot of that shamefull list.

More than 300,000 Serbs were expelled from those "states". Yet, there are still some people who accuse Serbia of being responsible for ethnic cleansing in the region.

http://www.kosovo.net/news_pogrom.html
http://www.unhcr.org/home/PUBL/474ac8e411.pdf
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YbsHxjdD1ho&feature=related

Mirko Stojkovic, Belgrade, Serbia

Russia is democratic in name only. They still have their communist ideals.

Bryan, Houston, USA

It is not legitimate to violate international law and take a piece of one nation against its will to create another. A Mexican majority can not have independence in the South West United States no matter what they claim.

Albanian terrorists started the violence in Kosovo in order to gain control of the province. Serbia retaliated against the Albanian terrorist actions. It had every right to do so. NATO interfered simply to legitimize its further existence

Kosovo is the land where Serbs come from. Albanians only arrived centuries later as uninvited but tollerated guests. Albanians have no legitimate claim to any part of Kosovo. (Not to mention that Albanians are trying to steal parts of Montenegro as well.)

More importnatly International Law (UN Charter) adopted post WWII specifically states that no UN member state can have territory taken from it without its approval.

Vladimir, Hartford, CT, USA

May I remind Mary and all of you shiptar apologists to recall who wanted to blow up the US military base on the Eastern seaboard in the vicinity of Boston? Anybody cares to remember that? Once a terrorist, always a terrorist, regardless whether they have or don’t have the independence. By following that logic, we might as well give the independence to Alkaida.

Scott G., Tri-city area, Canada

Kosovo will be liberated from the Albanians. Probably in my lifetime. It doesn't matter what this current US administration or England wishes to recognize. Unfortunately both Clinton and McCain support the crime. Not sure about Obama, but if he supports US withdrawal from Iraq perhaps he would support our illegal occupation of the Balkans too.

Vladimir, Hartford, CT, USA

Will the EU be granting independence for the 30% + ethnic Russians in the two EU states Estonia and Latvia who form a local majority in the east of these two states seeing as self-determination outweighs Sovereignty and territorial integrity?

Princip, London,

I am the last to grieve for the fate of Serbia which aggressively conducted several wars to carve out other territories. However they didn't succeed and it is good it is so. The Kosovars are happy and they deserve to be so. But this is the first time after WWII that borders are being changes by force and this is a bad thing regardless on who started what between Serbs and Albanians.

Niksa, Zagreb, Croatia

I think the Kosovo declaration of indipendence will set a precedent that could open the Pandora's box. West-European governments are giving the opportunity to Russia to play its diplomatic cards and to claim regions that now are inside other borders. I think another solution for Kosovo would have been more sensible for everybody, even for Albanians inside Kosovo that now risk to be isolated.

Alessandro, Rome, Italy

Sunday or whatever day will be called "Kosovo's Independence Day" will be the happiest day for all Albanians around the world.

There is no reason for Serbs to say that Kosovo is theirs. Look back at '98-99 to remind yourself why this is happening today. It was because Serbs started destroying Kosovo "their cradle of culture and religion". Albanians have always lived in that area once called Dardania and it was Europe's decision many years ago to give Kosovo to Serbia that led to years of torture and undevelopment of Kosovo.
This is the year to make things right once and for all and give Albanians what they deserve, their own land.

Mary, Seattle, , WA