BBC fallacies.. or just another propaganda piece? by Ioannis Michaletos

[Crvena zvezda]

BBC fallacies.. or just another propaganda piece

December 28, 2007 on 5:39 am | In News in English, Kosovo & Metohija |

BBC recently made an overview of the recent Kosovo developments.
Titled ” Dramatic 2008 beckons for Balkans “
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7155439.stm
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.

[Kernunnos]

Originally Posted by Crvena zvezda

BBC fallacies.. or just another propaganda piece

December 28, 2007 on 5:39 am | In News in English, Kosovo & Metohija |

BBC recently made an overview of the recent Kosovo developments.
Titled ” Dramatic 2008 beckons for Balkans “
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7155439.stm
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.

The lack of infrastructures is just a too good to be true occasions for the lobbies of Bruxelles, think, Kosove is to be rebuilt, the newsapers will title.

As ever in such cases, the powers that take part to the "liberation" then will squabble behind the curtains in order to divide zones of influences and commercial and infrastructural sectors to dominate.

[meadhbh]

I think if Kosove wants to be its own nation let it. But not yet, its no where near the shape inferstructure and otherwise that a country should be in. If it gains its freedom now then all it will be is another third world country. The apporach should be if you want to do this fine but here the things that need to be take care of first and this is how we are going to do it.

[Crvena zvezda]

Originally Posted by meadhbh

I think if Kosove wants to be its own nation let it. But not yet, its no where near the shape inferstructure and otherwise that a country should be in. If it gains its freedom now then all it will be is another third world country. The apporach should be if you want to do this fine but here the things that need to be take care of first and this is how we are going to do it.

you may as well give them no independence/ The simple fact is Kosovo will not achieve anything except becoming a Gaza like state in Europe.

[Slavni]

Originally Posted by meadhbh

I think if Kosove wants to be its own nation let it. But not yet, its no where near the shape inferstructure and otherwise that a country should be in. If it gains its freedom now then all it will be is another third world country. The apporach should be if you want to do this fine but here the things that need to be take care of first and this is how we are going to do it.

Would you like to have in Scotland some muslim state or region? You must be some protestant,when you think this way,are you? Just wait,muslims are coming to the north and west,and when you become minority in your neighbourhood,you will say /OMG,that Serbs were right/,but it will be too late,you will be too weak then,so prepare right now.

[Kernunnos]

Originally Posted by meadhbh

I think if Kosove wants to be its own nation let it. But not yet, its no where near the shape inferstructure and otherwise that a country should be in. If it gains its freedom now then all it will be is another third world country. The apporach should be if you want to do this fine but here the things that need to be take care of first and this is how we are going to do it.

yet another state run by a nice conglomerate of islamists and narcotraffickers.

Plus they will destroy an irreplaceable heritage of christian art.

These will be great damages, assuming also that extant Kosovo Serbs could hurry out to safety without personal damage ...

[Delbáeth]

Originally Posted by Slavni

Would you like to have in Scotland some muslim state or region? You must be some protestant,when you think this way,are you? Just wait,muslims are coming to the north and west,and when you become minority in your neighbourhood,you will say /OMG,that Serbs were right/,but it will be too late,you will be too weak then,so prepare right now.

I for one don't even want anything Non-Scottish in my country!

Kosovo is Serbian as Occupied Ulster is Irish.

[Menydh]

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.

It would be a terrible crime to leave the fate of the Serbian population of Kosovo in the hands of the Albanians. Over here, we are having a taste of what these Albano-Kosovars are like. Even the most politically correct media openly admits that they run the most violent and vicious organized crime gangs. Gangs which, by the way, are formed by members of the UCK (KLA, Kosovo Liberation Army).

By the way, I recall that when Britain returned Hong Kong to China, before the uncertainty of what the future held for Hong Kong once it was back in the hands of Beijing, there was a move to buy out Albania (or was it Kosovo?) to take Hong Kong people in the country. Never heared again of it and I don't suppose that any Hong Kong citizens took up the offer..

[Marcus Marulus]

Originally Posted by Mynydd

By the way, I recall that when Britain returned Hong Kong to China, before the uncertainty of what the future held for Hong Kong once it was back in the hands of Beijing, there was a move to buy out Albania (or was it Kosovo?) to take Hong Kong people in the country. Never heared again of it and I don't suppose that any Hong Kong citizens took up the offer..

It is most probably an urban legend.

[Menydh]

I doubt it. It was on all British papers back then.

[Delbáeth]

Originally Posted by Mynydd

It would be a terrible crime to leave the fate of the Serbian population of Kosovo in the hands of the Albanians. Over here, we are having a taste of what these Albano-Kosovars are like. Even the most politically correct media openly admits that they run the most violent and vicious organized crime gangs. Gangs which, by the way, are formed by members of the UCK (KLA, Kosovo Liberation Army).

Indeed. In London the Albanians are giving the Turks a run for their money on the Drug market.

[Crvena zvezda]

Originally Posted by Mynydd

It would be a terrible crime to leave the fate of the Serbian population of Kosovo in the hands of the Albanians. Over here, we are having a taste of what these Albano-Kosovars are like. Even the most politically correct media openly admits that they run the most violent and vicious organized crime gangs. Gangs which, by the way, are formed by members of the UCK (KLA, Kosovo Liberation Army).

By the way, I recall that when Britain returned Hong Kong to China, before the uncertainty of what the future held for Hong Kong once it was back in the hands of Beijing, there was a move to buy out Albania (or was it Kosovo?) to take Hong Kong people in the country. Never heared again of it and I don't suppose that any Hong Kong citizens took up the offer..

I believe your talking about a group of 3 Uighur (Turkic muslim ethnic group in western China) al-qaeda members who were in Guanatanamo. U.S. courts ruled that they should be released from Guanatanamo and be deported. The Chinese wanted them to be sent to China -- the U.S. refused because they would liekly be executed. The U.S. wanted to have them sent to Hong Kong but they refused when it was revealed hong Kong authorities would automatically turn them over to China. Finally, for a nominal sum of 50 million and a large number of weapons the Albanians took them in.

Other then that. The only thing I could see relating Kosovo/Albania and Hong Kong is the fact that Serbia has proposed the "Hong Kong" model for Kosovo.