Submitted by K. Cafayate, Dec 20, 2007 08:14

This isn't a standoff between the East and West. As Kosovo is a part of Serbia, those supporting the Albanians's quest for independence are in the wrong. Serbia desires to continue negotiations; a just solution is possible. The only arguments made by the Albanian side are to parrot what was said by Bush and other Western leaders. There is absolutely no logic in the Albanian arguments. Further, whenever Serbia or others counter their empty arguments, they resort to threatening violence. This is no surprise given the sheer devastation they have put forth since 1999, especially the 2004 pogrom against Serbs. US officials often counter with a statement like, but Milosevic lost Kosovo when he ethnically cleansed Kosovo. Well, Kosovo was never Milosevic's to lose; it was around far longer than was Milosevic. In fact, the guy is dead now. Thus, that argument doesn't hold water, nor does the argument that Kosovo is a unique case. Why is it a unique case? Was there genocide in Kosovo? Actually there was, but against the Serbs. Serbs were forced to leave. There property has been stolen. They are not allowed to return. We all remember the mass exodus of Albanians from Kosovo. Where are they now? They are back in Kosovo. Where, though, are the Serbs? They are not allowed home. I ask you then, who cleansed whom?

We Americans have a thing for freedom, but we don't like it when the word is thrown around by anyone just to trick us into supporting a cause. It clearly looks like our leaders are falling victim to this emotional disease, and will support an independent Kosovo. However, the road isn't going to be clean. Russia isn't the weak drunken state it was under Yelstin, nor are other countries in the region prepared to support an independent Kosovo. Most of all, Serbia will not recognize it. Regardless of what the Albanians think, they cannot survive if their neighbors don't support them. Finally, is Kosovo a viable country? Only if corruption and crime are viable economic assets.

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