Should Kosovo gain independence from Serbia?
926286
First, let's get things straightened out.The situation in Kosovo has no relation [at all] to your examples stated.\n\nThis problem started at the end of World War One. Russia wins the Russo-Turk War and therefore has control over the terms of territorial loss of the Ottoman Empire. Russia [planning to make a dwarf clone of the Soviet Union in the Balkans] makes up a team of delegates [Bulgaria, Rumania, Serbia, Montenegro, and Greece] to decide the fate of the Balkans - The Treaty of Bucharest of 1913.\n\nBulgaria [initially intended to be the center of the Slavic Kingdom in the Balkans] had the largest territory by far within the Balkans, including additional Albanian territory added to its province of Macedonia (1)\n\nHowever, Western Powers feared a Soviet influenced Bulgaria would make way for a Soviet outlet into the Aegean Sea. This territory, as a result, was ceded to Greece (2).\n\nGreece also cooperated with the alliance of Serbia and Montenegro to split up Bulgaria's province of Macedonia and Albanian territory amongst themselves. Greece and Serbia nearly double their original territory(3).\n\nThese three countries outnumbered Bulgaria's and Rumania's say in the Treaty and a new center of a Slavic kingdom is settled, which is to be Serbia's YUGOSLAVIA.\n\nEthnic cleansing of the Albanians were commited by both Serbia and Greece to have a legitimate reason in controlling the territories of Kosovo and Chameria respectively (4).\n\nIn conclusion, Kosovo [which Serbia only used to drain its resources] should gain its independence to correct the end results of treaties that ceded territory to countries other than the population of its inhabitants.\n\n**** Dear third answerer,\nNote Vojvodina and that Kosovo as a province had loss of territory to Serbia and Montenegro\nhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vojvodina\n\n"honestly i've never heard of greeks commiting any crimes against albanians..."\nQuote: Joseph Jacobs, head of the US Mission in Albania (1945-1946) wrote:\n\nIn March 1945 units of Zervas's dissolved forces carried out a massacre of Chams in the Filiates area, and practically cleared the district of the Albanian minority. According to all the information I have been able to gather on the Cham issue, in the fall of 1944 and during the first months of 1945, the authorities in north-western Greece perpetrated savage brutality by evicting some 25,000 Chams - residents of Chameria - from their homes. They were chased across the border after having been robbed of their land and property. Hundreds of male Chams from the ages of 15 to 70 were interned on the islands of the Aegean Sea. In total 102 mosques were burnt down.\n\n"non-albanians in kosovo live in ww2-alike ghettos with no electical power and plumbings"\n\nCould this be Serbia's fault ????? \n****
284313
Unlikely, \njoining the EU, to them would mean they would have to concede they killed the albanains years, ago \nwhich to them is like an insult to their nation
707745
I think the Serbians may have a different opinion than yours.
1077929
Europe-as  becoming united.
994438
It will be                                              SERBIA!!!!!!!
506119
every country should be independent - watch out though if the good old usa suspect you not thinking their way they will invade your country and lock people up without trial!!\n\nshhh
644593
At some point in the future there should certainly be a referendum on the subject. I'm not altogether sure that independence would be a good thing. Small states tend to get picked on by bully boys. You know who I mean.
629763
Serbia and Montenegro \nAGUANTE ARGENTINA
125251
Starting from the battle of Kosovo 1389, finally conquered by 1482.\nThe Empire was disintegrated and fell to the Ottoman Turks, after the historic Serbian defeat at the Battle of Kosovo in 1389, and the northern Serbian territories (the Serbian Despotate) were conquered by 1459, when Smederevo fell. Bosnia fell a few years after Smederevo, and Herzegovina followed in 1482.\nhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serbia
112731
Croatia will join EU in the next round after it cleans its act up. They've had a few internal political hiccups along the way, but I think they will come out fine. Croatia will have positive economical effects, and I would say tourism will become one of its main industries. Political, will be interesting.. Especially if Serbia decides to apply for EU. Not familiar enough with Barry's theory to comment.
606754
Croatia is now a democratic modern , Euopean country..I can see no reasons why it won't be allowed to join...\n\nAbsolutely Croatia will be a full member of the EU in 2009...\n\nThey were some problems over Gotevina...but now he has been arrested and is in the Hague there are no more objections..so they will be no more delays...\n\n\nCheck the official sites for more...
266971
As a Briton, i think Australia should do what's best for itself as an independent country. \n\nI doubt there is much to gain by becoming republic other than an increase in "national pride" - something that would mean nothing to me personally.\n\nThough i would like to see an Austalian flag with it's adopted green and yellow colours and rid of the Union Jack.
1083383
They are participating under "Serbia and Montenegro" till September, after September Serbia will be a legal successor of Serbia and Montenegro. I hope they will have good luck in the World cup. By the way, only one out of 22 players is actually from Montenegro, all others are from Serbia.
1121927
By entering Kosovo, the USA gained some things.\n\n1-Flood of refugees into neighboring countries and Italy was halted. This was causing huge problems and spreading chaos through the region. Since then, the region remains relatively quiet.\n\n2-The American military gained some valuable experience in maintaining peace between hostile communities, which I am sure has been helpful in Iraq.\n\n3-American and European militaries gained the ability to work together during actual exercises beyond war games. This has been helpful as practice for the NATO coalition that is working together in Afghanistan right now.\n\n4-The International Community was able to capture and bring to justice some infamous criminals, which has gone some way to clearing the UN and US honor because of the non-response to the problems in Rwanda.\n\nIn response, America and NATO will always have to remain in Kosovo because once the forces leave the fighting will start all over again, just like in Somalia right now.
468765
Not a country yet... But in KOSOVO they LOVE America (and Clinton) Because they bombarded Serbia, and thus helped them towards Independence.\n\nKUWAITies like America too. Why? USA liberated them.
1180188
Goodness me! How perceptive you are! \n\nI agree with you! Why can't WE poor Europeans be like them? \n\nMind you, there is one small area which could be improved, don't you think? They should really make Serbian the National Language. My heart would swell with pride to hear Dubja Zbunje speak to the World about Freedom.\n\n(I think that franja also has the right idea - but SHHHHH! there is one word one musn't mention here!)
943357
Yes they certainly should, and I don't think it should be a question of being 'allowed' either. They should make the decision themselves for what they feel is best for their country without overbearing 'superpowers' breathing down their necks.