Post by vinjak on Jan 2, 2008 18:29:09 GMT -5
Nick Thorpe , the staff writer makes some assumptions in relation to Serbian reaction in a potential indepedence (Or rather seccession) move by the Albanians.
He states for instance that an economic blockade will not have an effect on Kosovo since only 20% of its imports are from Serbia.
Firstly it has to be noted that the most important imports (Food for instance) are from Serbia. By taking into account the total value, other commodities may carry a greater share, but an economic blockade will have dire consequences for the Kosovo population, and this is a finding supported by all matter experts and the “Sources on the ground” over the past few weeks.
The writer also insists that expansion of trade with Montenegro, Albania and FYROM can compensate the loss of the Serbian market. Obviously he is not aware of the rugged terrain, the lack of infastructure and the perils involved travelling in those “Safe passages”, as he assess. Until a multitude of high ways is not constructed (And that’s not going to happen until 2014) trade could only be carried efficiently with Serbia, from which the bulk of trade is being conducted.
Recently discussing the trade situation in the Balkans with a German manager of a major European transport corporation, I was informed that if Kosovo-Serbian borders close down, that will be a financial ruin for the Albanian side and only for them. The rest of the Balkan countries have other options and Serbia being a transport hub will not experience any negative effect.
Continuing on the BBC article, another fault is being described. The inflamous water dam by which the Serbians in the North could cut off water supplies to the Albanian population in the South. The BBC writer comments that water first services the South and then it is being delivered to the North.
But he didn’t take into account two facts.
1) The North has also an excessive amount of fresh water wells
2) The North borders with Serbia and it can be supplied with fresh water, whilst the South will face great difficulty in importing water from Albania, due to the complete lack of a proper transport network.
BBC also believes that KFOR soldiers will react to any kind of violence in a speedy manner… The real question is why should KFOR soldiers die or get injured for a conflict that is beyond any reasonable doubt not associated with any real strategic interest of any NATO country involved? Moreover , the past 8 years have proved KFOR to be extremely hesitant in pursuing organized crime figures, bandints, terrorists and hate mongers, that have already proved capable of “Cleansing” most of the Serbian and non-Albanian civilian population in Kosovo.
The hard truth is that military personnel is not that eager in getting into battle so as neurotic pseudo-intellectuals boast in their homelands around the merits of international intervention and so on.
Yes it is true that ” Dramatic 2008 beckons for Balkans “, certainly not in the sense BBC sees it
news.serbianunity.net/2007/12/28/5382/
He states for instance that an economic blockade will not have an effect on Kosovo since only 20% of its imports are from Serbia.
Firstly it has to be noted that the most important imports (Food for instance) are from Serbia. By taking into account the total value, other commodities may carry a greater share, but an economic blockade will have dire consequences for the Kosovo population, and this is a finding supported by all matter experts and the “Sources on the ground” over the past few weeks.
The writer also insists that expansion of trade with Montenegro, Albania and FYROM can compensate the loss of the Serbian market. Obviously he is not aware of the rugged terrain, the lack of infastructure and the perils involved travelling in those “Safe passages”, as he assess. Until a multitude of high ways is not constructed (And that’s not going to happen until 2014) trade could only be carried efficiently with Serbia, from which the bulk of trade is being conducted.
Recently discussing the trade situation in the Balkans with a German manager of a major European transport corporation, I was informed that if Kosovo-Serbian borders close down, that will be a financial ruin for the Albanian side and only for them. The rest of the Balkan countries have other options and Serbia being a transport hub will not experience any negative effect.
Continuing on the BBC article, another fault is being described. The inflamous water dam by which the Serbians in the North could cut off water supplies to the Albanian population in the South. The BBC writer comments that water first services the South and then it is being delivered to the North.
But he didn’t take into account two facts.
1) The North has also an excessive amount of fresh water wells
2) The North borders with Serbia and it can be supplied with fresh water, whilst the South will face great difficulty in importing water from Albania, due to the complete lack of a proper transport network.
BBC also believes that KFOR soldiers will react to any kind of violence in a speedy manner… The real question is why should KFOR soldiers die or get injured for a conflict that is beyond any reasonable doubt not associated with any real strategic interest of any NATO country involved? Moreover , the past 8 years have proved KFOR to be extremely hesitant in pursuing organized crime figures, bandints, terrorists and hate mongers, that have already proved capable of “Cleansing” most of the Serbian and non-Albanian civilian population in Kosovo.
The hard truth is that military personnel is not that eager in getting into battle so as neurotic pseudo-intellectuals boast in their homelands around the merits of international intervention and so on.
Yes it is true that ” Dramatic 2008 beckons for Balkans “, certainly not in the sense BBC sees it
news.serbianunity.net/2007/12/28/5382/