03 June 2008 Pristina _ Kosovo is now independent and Serbia must learn to live with it, a former United States envoy and advisor to presidential hopeful Barack Obama says.
Robert Gelbard, currently an advisor to the US presidential hopeful, Barack Obama said Serbia had the possibility to change the situation in Kosovo in its interest but now there is no going back.
“Kosovo is now a sovereign state. The new Serbian government knows that it should live with Kosovo and no matter what, a dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina is necessary,” Gelbard, who represented the US government during the 1998-1999 war in Kosovo, told Voice of America.
“It is neither Russia, nor India, China or Brazil who can dictate any move on the issue,” he said reminding that both Serbian and Kosovo authorities should start talking to each other as future developments will depend on such an approach.
Kosovo declared independence from Serbia on February 17, despite Serbia’s opposition and it has been so far recognised by 43 countries, including the United States and the majority of European Union member states.
Asked what the stance of Obama is on Kosovo, Gelbard explained that he had already made his vision for both countries known.
“Obama has clearly made his stance upon Kosovo’s declaration of independence. He said that Kosovo as an independent country has a big responsibility to protect the minorities… and Serbia must strengthen its democratic institutions,” Gelbard added.
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Chinia India Russia and Brazil are not dictating.They are only recomending Serbia and Kosovo agree on a settlement , that is the same thing you said . However United States has anounced before evrey discusion that Kosovo will be made independant . Kosovo independance is not the only possible solution . It may only be the best solution for United States to keep their airbase Bondsteel in Kosovo . You must realize that Serbia and Kosovo was bombed more extensivly than any country on earth for 78 days in 1999 . With the power of the US airforce I or anyone could force Kansas and misouri to become independant states .
Comment by Eric — June 4, 2008 #
“Neither Russia, nor India, China or Brazil who can dictate any move on the issue”, but the USA can? Who does this scumbag think he is? He will be a nobody after Obama loses the election!
Comment by Dushko — June 4, 2008 #
“It is neither Russia, nor India, China or Brazil who can dictate any move on the issue,” is a partially correct statment. Neither can you Mr. Gelbard nor the country that we live in called the United States either dictate Serbia’s territory. As a very popular radio segment in Chicago says, “Mr. Gelbard who you crappin?”
Comment by Ilija — June 4, 2008 #
Gelbard at least said Serbia and Kosovo must talk Condi Rice says they have already talked and Kosovo is free . No more talking Serbia must accept reality . I have awarded Kosovo terrorists independance . I never liked any US presidents canidates position on Bosnia, Croatia, Montenegroe or Kosovo .
But Oboma claims to a man willing to at least talk , so he sounds better .Ron paul was the best on Kosovo or Iraq . but he might have been bad on other things . So I just dont know ! its best if we all make our mistakes by ourselves , we will all better about it anyway .
Comment by Eric — June 5, 2008 #
I doubt that Obama or any US president will deny the right of self-determination to the Kosovar nation.
Serbia will have to get over it, just like France got over Algeria and all the other colonizing countries did over their former colonies.
No one can understand this better than the future leader of a country that originated from 13 former colonies.
Comment by Ruben — July 15, 2008 #
Ruben…Kosovo is not a colony.
Kosovo is Serbia with an Albanian majority.
BIG difference from your analogies!
Comment by Claire — July 16, 2008 #
Ruben, sorry to say but the future leader of a country that organized from 13 former colonies will “understand” squat, just like his predecessors. The problem with America is that democratic institutions are no longer functioning in the way they were initially established. The fames are being played with new rules, changed by previous administrations to suit their supporters. Electing someone from Texas, Arkansas, Arizona, Hawaii or Alaska, for that matter, does not beget an all-knowing president. If Condie Rice’s replacement is another Clinton, for example, heaven help us! Then from the woodwork, you’ll have the likes of Bidden, Holebrook, Zimmermann, Albright, and other fools of their ilk who started all the previous wars to begin with. Here we go again, Ruben!
Comment by Michel — July 16, 2008 #