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Quote by: D Sretenovic  I`d just like to add, about the demonstrations held in Belgrade, it seems that some participators of this debate have incorrect information on that topic... There was nearly million people on the streets, not 200 000 and not have all participated in later unrest, attacking embassies and robbing shop windows. In fact, it is estimated that only about 1 000 people took part in those activities and the rest of nation condemned them sharply. It is general opinion that because of them, the world saw us yet again as barbarians, which isn` t a fair image, because, I repeat, a vast majority, including myself, came on streets just to peacefully express support for our people on Kosovo and disagreement with Albanian declaration of independence. Later on, a collective pray was organized, again for the souls of country men, in front of our biggest temple, during a ceremony called ``moleban``. Similar thing happened in the year 2000, when we had a revolution here and have overthrown Milosevic; there were some people using the circumstances again to rob and make undesired mess. But before you jump to conclusions and label something that in general has a legitimate cause, as a vandal act, think again: is it possible that if these things happened in your country, the epilogue would be at least nearly as same? |
Yes, most Serbs are great people. They too have suffered under the yolk of brutal dictatorship. And, yes, the Serbian minority in Kosovo has suffered from Kosovar and Albanian attacks. All true.
But those facts can't change history. Kosovo is an independent nation today. Serbs and Kosovo Serbs need to accept reality and work for peaceful resolution of disputes with a new sovereign nation. If the Serbian ultranationalists had treated the Kosovars, Albanians, and Bosnians with justice and humanitarian concern from the beginning, perhaps Serbia would be a geographically larger nation today. Independence movements are the price Serbs must pay for the sins of their former rulers.
Have your street protests. Demonstrate peacefully. Get out your frustrations. Then sit down with Kosovo and work out your future relationship as neighbors, not Serbian occupiers. That's the only way forward now.