Putin Says Kosovo Independence is Illegal

"President Vladimir Putin yesterday accused Europe and the United States of double standards over their support for an independent Kosovo, and warned that any declaration of statehood by Pristina would be 'illegal, ill-conceived and immoral,'" reports The Guardian. "Putin said that Russia remained utterly opposed to Kosovo breaking away from Serbia. If Kosovo's Albanian leaders ignored Russian objections and announced independence this Sunday Moscow would be forced to act, he said."

In "Europe's Approaching Train Wreck," Cato research fellow in foreign policy studies Stanley Kober writes:

"The dilemma confronting policymakers is acute. Kosovar aspirations cannot be denied much longer, but the effort to satisfy them absent an agreement with Serbia is bound to alienate the Serbs and, by extension, the Russians. And if we craft solutions that bypass existing law, we should recognize that we are creating opportunities for mischief down the road. Indeed, if we attempt to buy peace at the expense of law, we might find out we end up with neither. If the Russians (and possibly the Chinese) oppose revision of Resolution 1244 to grant Kosovo effective independence, and if the United States and its allies ignore these concerns and endorse the [UN special envoy, Martti] Ahtisaari plan [which permits Kosovo to conclude international agreements and become a member of international organizations], the reverberations will be felt well beyond the Balkans."

In BBC's HardTalk with Stephen Sakur, Cato senior fellow and former adviser to Vladimir Putin Andrei Illarionov said:

"'Putinism' would be characterized as some level of nationalism, some level of aggressiveness, first of all directed against people inside the country, and to some extent, outside the country as well."

When asked if Putinism might end with Putin's departure from the Kremlin, Illarionov responded: "I don't think so, because we are talking about the policy and philosophy of aggression against Russian people, against Russia's neighbors, against other countries in the world. It does not and should not be attributed to one particular person. This is the philosophy and ideology of a group of people, of the Corporation, of the organizations that exist in the country for a long period of time, almost for a century."

BBC NEWS | Europe | Fresh talks over Kosovo's status
West divided on resolving Kosovo | csmonitor.com
"Kosovo's Independence is the Central Thing" | Europe | Deutsche Welle | 22.02.2007

I am following this development rather intrigued. Eastern European Politics has always interested me since Putin rolled back Liberty in Russia and in essence reverted Russia's foreign policy to that of USSR lite. I can see Kosovo being the torch that lights the fire on world war 3.

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"It is the Right of the People to alter or abolish the Government"
Declaration of Independence
"Never trouble another for what you can do for yourself."
Thomas Jefferson
"If you put the federal government in charge of the Sahara Desert, in 5 years there'd be a shortage of sand."
Milton Friedman

For the first time in decades Russia has oil money. 10 years ago they couldn't afford to pay their troops, now they got the bucks. They are TRYING to reclaim some of their old 'glory,' but are just a paper tiger.

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Gun control WORKS! That's why it is so safe to walk the streets of L.A., Chicago, and D.C. at night.

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"satv" Thanks for the post. It was also on the news last night. It is more then interesting, it is down right spooky; all of Putin's activity should have given cause for a lot more concern some years ago. This again sure sounds like that old Bear is waking up again and with some of its old belicose noise! (make that growling with atomic bombs)

I believe that part of the cost of this Iraq focus has been that we are not sufficiently focused on the other dangers like "bears & dragons" in the present day world. With so much of our financial & military & diplomatic resources expended on Iraq & Middle Eastern issues, what have we missed these past 7 years in other parts of the world?

I am old enough to remember the Cuban missle crisis, and that was down right terrifying! Are we headed there again? ...pjwky

I liked it when Putin said in reference to Hillary: "The Head of State" should at least have a Head. Ya gotta LOVE that. An Ex-K.G.B. Officer saying he thinks Hillary is a worthless dumb lying female...

I noticed he didn't say anything about Obama... I wonder why? Could it be he wants something even less qualified running America, than Hillary?

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A Liberal is a Man too broadminded to take his own side in a quarrel (Robert Frost 1874-1963).

Well, Kosovo is a Country now. Lets see how Serbia and Russia deal with it.

__________________
"It is the Right of the People to alter or abolish the Government"
Declaration of Independence
"Never trouble another for what you can do for yourself."
Thomas Jefferson
"If you put the federal government in charge of the Sahara Desert, in 5 years there'd be a shortage of sand."
Milton Friedman

As a side, I'm watching the timing of this announcement. Is it just coincidence that America is in the middle of electing a new president? Just a thought. I'm wondering if they weren't hoping for a mention from one of the candidates. Obama supporters I'm looking in your direction...

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Read the interview in March 08 Playboy with Garry Kasparov, the Russian chess genius for a very good insight in to Russia and Putin. Time well spent.

...........why?

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Cussing out low class inbreds isnt uninteligent, its honest

Good typing is not inteligent its dexiteritous.

Everything you just said is total bullshit

Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-V8Ek...eature=related

Yeah, I don't see a correlation between our Elections and Kosovo seceding from Serbia.

More power to Kosovo, I guess. The bullshit they put up with from Serbs would make it a rather warranted secession.

__________________
"It is the Right of the People to alter or abolish the Government"
Declaration of Independence
"Never trouble another for what you can do for yourself."
Thomas Jefferson
"If you put the federal government in charge of the Sahara Desert, in 5 years there'd be a shortage of sand."
Milton Friedman

It was a Serb that started WWI...The E.U. has reason to fear a new War will start up.

War fears put British troops on standby as Kosovo declares 'freedom' | the Daily Mail

This crap has been going on since the late 1300's.

__________________
A Liberal is a Man too broadminded to take his own side in a quarrel (Robert Frost 1874-1963).