You wrote:

"The confrontation began at dawn on the fourth anniversary of attacks on ethnic Albanians by Serbs, which triggered the final, fruitless round of international talks on Kosovo's status."

I'm sure you mean the reverse about the March 2004 attacks.

Dan Asta, New Haven, CT, USA

Have those on the Serbian side considered what it means for Kosovo to stay part of Serbia. If the Serbians want to control Kosovo and won't give them autonomy and security then keeping them within Serbia must only elicit one response from the Albanians. That is for the Albanians to breed and acquire weapons with the hope that one day that they can over throw the Serbians and then become the ruling power of the country. The Palestinians have been planning this for years against Israel.

How do you Serbians reconcile your future with the Albanians in the same country? Do you want to fight wars periodically just so that you can control Kosovo? Do you still want to expell all Albanians from your country as well? Or was that just Milosovic's bad idea?

Paul, Canberra, Australia

Kosovo is Serbian, actually it is the cradle of Serbian civilization.
On March 17, 2004 Albanians committed atrocities against the remaining Serbs and burned down over 150 Serbian churches and monasteries dating back to 13th century. UN and NATO troops did nothing to protect Serbs.

On the other hand, Tibet was never Chinese, but since China is a powerful country nobody dares to intervene.

Ivana, Beograd, Serbia

All of the tribes of former Yugoslavia were in fact encouraged to break away from the Serbs by the Western countries. When Serbs want to break away from them it is a no-no! It's no human rights, just plain old geo politics and a land grab! Why destroy countries to make new? But when the new "Frankestein" countries under NATO protectorate such as Kosovo need to be split - then it is a reason for great concern? Why use the word principles when there is a better one - LIES! And more damn lies!

George Bogdanovich, Belgrade, Serbia

In 2004 there was pogrom conducted by Albanians on Kosovo Serbs under watchful eye of UN and NATO troops. Perpetrators have not been punished yet. Sending police to Mitrovica at the anniversary was an obvious provocation. Now NATO has excuse to use force against the remaining Serb population. All that in the name of freedom and democracy. My heart is with Serbs.

G. Retrach, New York,

yeah, serbia did some terrible things as we all know.

but two wrongs dont make a right ... you can't just breach international law in a blatant land grab to take a country's territory away from it, without consulting the country at all. Kosovo was declared an independent country without the consent of the serbs or even discussions with them.

congratulations NATO for creating the new Israel ...

rach, reading,

Armin, well said!

No-one from the former Yugoslavia wants to co-exist with Serbs. That is why they all opted for independence. Sadly Serbia used violence against each of its neighbours to grab territory. That same Serbia is only now realising what its like to have territory removed from its control even thou Kosovo is not historically Serbian.

Daniel, Sydney, Australia

Please give it a rest all ready. Isn't there enough a blood spilled over nothing. For decades Serbia has tried to kill anyone that is not a Serb and take what is not theirs. Kosovo has endured enough pain and suffering from you. After all what is precious in Kosovo that you must have at all costs. Instead of trying to cause more issues for yourselves why not look for the way to live together after all what choice do you have. It is kind of funny when Serbia who has ignored every United Nation regulation and rules now is saying that Kosovo is braking rules and so on. What rules and laws, ones that Serbia created in its own interest. Have you forgot US answer on your refusal of siege of attacks in Bosnia few years back. Let it go for sake of all, let it go.

Archie, Fort Riely , KS

Serbs are merely fighting for their rights. This sort of land grab against them is reminiscent of the pre world war 2 politics which can only lead to chaos. A nation cannot be dismembered, the kosovars need to accept Serbian nationality in a federal structure or return to Albania.

Jason, Leeds, UK

To Peter S, from Australia. That is exactly what Serbia has been doing to entire former Yugoslavia. Now that Kosovo finally has broke away from Serbia who wants nothing more but to take everything from everyone else. I think it is time to let it go. Kosovo was never Serbia and it never will be. Sooner you get that in your hard heads better of you are. The whole world is sick and tired of "poor" Serbia. What about Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia who have suffered enough from you for decades. Please do yourselves a favor and go on with your life, look how you are going to be part of EU, and quite frankly the way you are doing it now, well let just say not impressive. Good luck.

Armin O., Fort Riley, KS

Go Serbs. Independence of Kosovo is illegal. You can't take someone's land and then complain of dissent.

Peter S, Melbourne, Australia