Kosovo: Russia considering “last resort” military option

[Aptrgangr]

Kosovo: Russia considering “last resort” military option, Il Vellino

August 1, 2007 on 2:44 am | In News in English, Kosovo & Metohija |

ROME, 31 lug (Velino) - Russia may unleash a deployment of troops in northern Kosovo as a dramatic last resort to retaliate against the Contact Group backing independence for the ethnic-Albanian majority in the troubled Serbian province, some Belgrade-based diplomats and analysts say.

“However unlikely the scenario sounds, Russian troops could conceivably land in Serbia, which has several military airports conveniently close to the Kosovo border, and move into the north of the province from there, demanding their chunk of responsibility in any international peacekeeping force in the province,” the respected online publication Balkan Insight said this week. “Ukraine, Hungary, Moldova or Bulgaria would probably not attempt to use weapons to prevent Russian troop transports from flying over their countries en route for Serbia,” says Aleksander Vasovic, the Serbia editor of Balkan Insight.

“It is unlikely that NATO troops would open fire on Russian columns advancing into predominantly Serbian northern kosovo, where they would be greeted by the local population as liberators,” Mr Vasovic, a seasoned Balkans observer, adds. He acknowledges, however, that such a move would “severely undermine and set back all Serbia’s hopes of joining the European Union or NATO” and that “Western investors would also probably abandon Serbia, leaving the country prey to Russian tycoons.”

But Belgrade watchers say that Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica evidently has few options but to stick close to the Kremlin. Both the Serbs and the Russians are hailing their success in stalling the efforts by the Kosovo Albanians to become independent before the year’s end. Before contemplating the military option, Moscow can influence the EU with its natural gas shipments to Europe just as it cut supplies for short periods before to express its displeasure with Ukraine and Belarus. Russian President Vladimir Putin may feel that if he gives up on Kosovo, his effort to reestablish Russia as a great power would be jeopardised, says Mr Vasovic.

Meanwhile Mr Kostunica has ruled out the possibility of Serbia forging a confederation with Kosovo, an idea reportedly floated by the EU. The Serbian leader, a moderate nationalist, told the independent Beta news agency that the idea, reported by the Belgrade daily Vecernje Novosti, was “nonsensical.”

News | Kosovo: Russia considering “last resort” military option, Il Vellino

[I-Bleed-Russian]

Kosovo isn't a country and never will be, it's a piece of land belonging to Yugoslavia, well Serbia now, and the people their are just bitching. Hatespeech removed

[Sergius]

Originally Posted by I-Bleed-Russian

...

Go away.

[I-Bleed-Russian]

Hypocrisy strikes again.

I don't believe in " Hate Speech " and I actually have some Jewish friends who hate it as much as I do, yes Jews, in fact I don't know anybody who respects or supports that law, this is the internet, there is no law in terms of speech, there are laws, justly put in place against for example pedophilia, but not speech.

[Kernunnos]

Originally Posted by I-Bleed-Russian

Hypocrisy strikes again.

I don't believe in " Hate Speech " and I actually have some Jewish friends who hate it as much as I do, yes Jews, in fact I don't know anybody who respects or supports that law, this is the internet, there is no law in terms of speech, there are laws, justly put in place against for example pedophilia, but not speech.

Keep calm. We are all anti islamic patriots her, we all want Kosovo to be again the cradle of Serbia, as it is.

Please consider that using a certain language is only useful to our enemies.

Wars are won firstly on the psychological side.

[Kernunnos]

What about a Stirpes European Nationalist Regiment (Brigade, company, platoon ...) fighting along the Russian and the serbs to give back an european land to europeans?

Wild dream?

[Monolith]

I couldn't care less about both Serbia and Kosovo, but I highly doubt that Russia will intervene in the terms other than political pressure.

[Menydh]

As if NATO had not used military force in Kosovo.

[Errigal]

Originally Posted by Ljubomir

Go away.

I agree. "I-bleed-Russian" is a pest. I really don't care what his game is. I don't think he'll add anything to our conversation.

[I-Bleed-Russian]

Originally Posted by Errigal

I agree. "I-bleed-Russian" is a pest. I really don't care what his game is. I don't think he'll add anything to our conversation.

I can add lemon cream pie, would you like some lemon cream pie?

Common people, Kosovo isn't a country.

[Sergius]

edit: deleted.

[Lucas Corso]

Originally Posted by Breha

What about a Stirpes European Nationalist Regiment (Brigade, company, platoon ...) fighting along the Russian and the serbs to give back an european land to europeans?

Wild dream?

Unfortunately yes

[Heretik]

Originally Posted by Breha

Keep calm. We are all anti islamic patriots her, we all want Kosovo to be again the cradle of Serbia, as it is.

No we wouldn't. I would burn it, plant tulips and call it The Independent State of Tulips.

Russia is again showing muscles protecting their proteges who can't resolve any problems by themselves.

IMO Kosovo shouldn't be an independent state because it would be wake up call for all sqhips around the world to claim something. But also Russia should stay away. They've done enough bad things on the balkans already.

Also, some military action would have a direct damage to croatia as our turist don't know Kosovo is about 600km from our border.

[Menydh]

Originally Posted by Katera

Russia is again showing muscles protecting their proteges who can't resolve any problems by themselves.

Could you solve them if you had the US/NATO harassing you?

IMO Kosovo shouldn't be an independent state because it would be wake up call for all sqhips around the world to claim something.

Not just for that reason, but I agree.

But also Russia should stay away. They've done enough bad things on the balkans already.

Why don't I see you saying the same about NATO/US?

Also, some military action would have a direct damage to croatia as our turist don't know Kosovo is about 600km from our border.

Are they Americans?

[Heretik]

Originally Posted by Mynydd

Could you solve them if you had the US/NATO harassing you?

They are not harrasing them. It's serbian propaganda. We were harrased until we deported Ante Gotovina to the hague. They should give their a**holes and that should resolve many problems. Then even NATO and EU would hold their side.

Originally Posted by Mynydd

Why don't I see you saying the same about NATO/US?

Well, they should also stay out of domestic problems.

Originally Posted by Mynydd

Are they Americans?

And europeans. You wouldn't believe how people are uneducated.

[Menydh]

Originally Posted by Katera

They are not harrasing them. It's serbian propaganda. We were harrased until we deported Ante Gotovina to the hague. They should give their a**holes and that should resolve many problems. Then even NATO and EU would hold their side.

If deploying armed troops in the area is not harassment, then what is it.

Well, they should also stay out of domestic problems.

And then Russia would not have to take part. Easy, eh?

And europeans. You wouldn't believe how people are uneducated.

Blame it on Thomas Cook.