Post by engers on Oct 17, 2007 9:59:47 GMT -5
17/10/2007
“…Diplomats say that Javier Solana could have gotten a wrong impression (on positive atmosphere at recent Serbia-Kosovo leaders meeting). Maybe representatives of Belgrade and Pristina did not smile, but they laughed. That was their reaction regarding the proposal of the other party…”
By Augustin Palokaj
I have heard EU’s chief of diplomacy Javier Solana for the first time that he is not optimistic about something. A born optimistic, Solana said a few days ago, “the word optimism and Middle East do not go together so easily.” This was his response to a question made by journalists about chances for finding a solution to the Palestinian crisis. However, he remains optimistic regarding Kosovo as he has always been. He tried to share his optimism on Monday with the EU Foreign Ministers in Luxembourg while they discussed Kosovo.
The delegations from Kosovo and Serbia held the second direct meeting, organised by the Troika, on Sunday evening at the EU Council building, which is Solana’s seat. Some people mind the term “Troika” as it sounds to them to be Serbian. But the diplomacy uses this term in many languages, including English.
Solana entered briefly the room where Pristina and Belgrade were explaining the details of their plans. Solana left the room positively surprised. He said that the atmosphere was better than expected. He even said that he had noticed some smiles following a long time. But diplomats say that Solana could have gotten a wrong impression. Maybe representatives of Belgrade and Pristina did not smile, but they laughed. That was their reaction regarding the proposal of the other party.
Nevertheless, the process in going on. All see it differently. Belgrade sees it as ‘the start’. “This is a good start and no start is easy,” Serb Foreign Minister Jeremic said. Serbs do not want the process to be limited. The Russians said long time ago that Kosovo’s status should not be time-limited as other crisis, such as Palestine, have been awaiting solutions. According to them, there is no crisis in Kosovo, therefore, rush is unreasonable.
New delays will take place not only because of Serbia or Russia. What happens when the deadline for determining Kosovo’s status gets closer? Activities for postponing the solution and finding excuses start. Elections are being organized in Kosovo to be used as an alibi for delaying the status for the next year.
Some senior officials from Brussels visited Kosovo and said privately that elections were set to be held so that Kosovars deal with something since the status will not be resolved. Local elections in Kosovo were postponed last year due to the status. Later, status was delayed due to elections in Serbia. Now, elections in Kosovo may be taken as an excuse to delay the status and Serbia will postpone its elections due to Kosovo’s status. So, the agony goes on. The international community pretends like negotiations are going on well. Prishtina believes that independence is very close, Belgrade believes it is convincing the world that Kosovo’s independence is not the solution.
We will have now new negotiations. New media reports. New statements from international diplomats that atmosphere is talks is positive. Kosovars will make new declarations that they will not give up independence. The Serbs will say that timeless negotiations should go on, the process should not be prejudiced because compromise may be achieved, which according to them, Kosovo should remain part of Serbia and Albanians should govern themselves. Thus, lots of smiles and laughter are awaiting us and, as an old proverb says, “who smiles the last he smiles the best!!!”
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The author is Brussels correspondent of Kosovo Albanian daily Koha Ditore
[ftp]http://www.dtt-net.com/en/index.php?page=view-article&article=3091[/ftp]
“…Diplomats say that Javier Solana could have gotten a wrong impression (on positive atmosphere at recent Serbia-Kosovo leaders meeting). Maybe representatives of Belgrade and Pristina did not smile, but they laughed. That was their reaction regarding the proposal of the other party…”
By Augustin Palokaj
I have heard EU’s chief of diplomacy Javier Solana for the first time that he is not optimistic about something. A born optimistic, Solana said a few days ago, “the word optimism and Middle East do not go together so easily.” This was his response to a question made by journalists about chances for finding a solution to the Palestinian crisis. However, he remains optimistic regarding Kosovo as he has always been. He tried to share his optimism on Monday with the EU Foreign Ministers in Luxembourg while they discussed Kosovo.
The delegations from Kosovo and Serbia held the second direct meeting, organised by the Troika, on Sunday evening at the EU Council building, which is Solana’s seat. Some people mind the term “Troika” as it sounds to them to be Serbian. But the diplomacy uses this term in many languages, including English.
Solana entered briefly the room where Pristina and Belgrade were explaining the details of their plans. Solana left the room positively surprised. He said that the atmosphere was better than expected. He even said that he had noticed some smiles following a long time. But diplomats say that Solana could have gotten a wrong impression. Maybe representatives of Belgrade and Pristina did not smile, but they laughed. That was their reaction regarding the proposal of the other party.
Nevertheless, the process in going on. All see it differently. Belgrade sees it as ‘the start’. “This is a good start and no start is easy,” Serb Foreign Minister Jeremic said. Serbs do not want the process to be limited. The Russians said long time ago that Kosovo’s status should not be time-limited as other crisis, such as Palestine, have been awaiting solutions. According to them, there is no crisis in Kosovo, therefore, rush is unreasonable.
New delays will take place not only because of Serbia or Russia. What happens when the deadline for determining Kosovo’s status gets closer? Activities for postponing the solution and finding excuses start. Elections are being organized in Kosovo to be used as an alibi for delaying the status for the next year.
Some senior officials from Brussels visited Kosovo and said privately that elections were set to be held so that Kosovars deal with something since the status will not be resolved. Local elections in Kosovo were postponed last year due to the status. Later, status was delayed due to elections in Serbia. Now, elections in Kosovo may be taken as an excuse to delay the status and Serbia will postpone its elections due to Kosovo’s status. So, the agony goes on. The international community pretends like negotiations are going on well. Prishtina believes that independence is very close, Belgrade believes it is convincing the world that Kosovo’s independence is not the solution.
We will have now new negotiations. New media reports. New statements from international diplomats that atmosphere is talks is positive. Kosovars will make new declarations that they will not give up independence. The Serbs will say that timeless negotiations should go on, the process should not be prejudiced because compromise may be achieved, which according to them, Kosovo should remain part of Serbia and Albanians should govern themselves. Thus, lots of smiles and laughter are awaiting us and, as an old proverb says, “who smiles the last he smiles the best!!!”
---------------------------------------------------------
The author is Brussels correspondent of Kosovo Albanian daily Koha Ditore
[ftp]http://www.dtt-net.com/en/index.php?page=view-article&article=3091[/ftp]