Vampire Watch: Janusz Bugajski and Macedonia and Peace in the Balkans

By David Edenden


I don't have time to go write a long article on the recent CSIS newsletter and CSIS Report on the Macedonian - Greek "name dispute" (here) by Janusz Bugajski, Director of the Lavrentis Lavrentiadis Chair; Director, New European Democracies Project; and Senior Fellow, Europe Program at CSIS. (except to say ... Edward Joseph ... you really disappoint me!)


I just want to point out that is a Janusz Bugajski is vampire and a supporter of Greek racism against its ethnic Macedonian minority.


I have written before that our friend Janusz has crusaded to de-stabilize Macedonia and thereby the Balkans.  I assumed that it was a personal quirk but now learn his adoption of the Greek position on Macedonia and Macedonians was a professional decision to market CSIS to the Greek government for funding for his project and thereby guarantee a job for himself for the foreseeable future ... pathetic. Here, he is following the well worn path of the Wilson Center.

U.S.-Greece Task Force: Transforming the Balkans

A collaborative bilateral initiative by two key policy institutes in both countries, Center for Strategic and International Studies in the United States and the Hellenic Centre for European Studies (EKEM) in Greece, will help promote this process by establishing a U.S.-Greece Task Force consisting of two Working Groups, one based in Washington D.C. and one in Athens.

The Lavrentis Lavrentiadis Chair in Southeast European Studies, established at CSIS in early 2009, serves a leading role in advancing the international policy discourse at CSIS and among its external constituencies in Washington, D.C., including the executive and legislative branches of the U.S. government and the U.S. policy, academic, NGO, and business communities. 

The Chair has been made possible by the generous support of Greek entrepreneur, Lavrentis Lavrentiadis.

Observations:


1. Western Balkans (CSIS Report 2010)


Anytime you see a report or document discussing problems or progress on the "Western Balkans" you can assume that the author, in order to get funding, from the EU/US/Nato has ignored the treatment of the ethnic Macedonians in Bulgaria and Greece (both EU and Nato members). It is ironic and a testament to the decentralized nature of the US bureaucracy that one oorganization, SETimes  funded by the Pentagon and established during the tenure or Donald Rumsfeld (here).


2. Bulgaria


I am always amazed that Bulgaria and the Bulgarian media are working hand in glove with the Greek government to bring Macedonians to their knees notwithstanding Greece's treatment of its ethnic Macedonian minority ... but derugo!


3. "Slav Macedonians"


Janusz, notwithstanding Obama's desire to pander to the Greek lobby, the US government recognizes Macedonia under its constitutional name and Macedonians in the US Census. The only qualifier and necessary is "ethnic Macedonians" when disusing the difference between Macedonians and Greeks. It is racist when you discuss Albanians and "Slavic Macedonians". The term denies our ethnic identity.

In fact, three (Edenden - should be FOUR) distinct questions will need to be dealt with in any bilateral resolution – first, the country’s actual name, such as the Republic of Northern Macedonia; second, the uses of that name in international diplomacy, foreign trade, passports and other documentation; and third the relevant adjective and noun for the language and nationality of the Slavic Macedonians and (Edenden - fourth,  the attempt by Greece to wipe "ETHNIC MACEDONIANS OF THE MAP OF GREECE.)

Vampire Alert - Janusz Bugajski in Tetevo, Macedonia

By David Edenden,

There is a special place in hell for a monster like Janusz Bugajski who walks across the block to destabilize a country ... in this case Macedonia. Bugajski wants the "what's in a name dispute" to be "acceptable for Macedonians, Albanians and Greeks". This little pathetic fascist-in-training thinks that Albanians in Macedonian need more rights (because their shit doesn't smell) while Macedonians in Greece can eat shit!

Someone ... please ... take this poser to an undisclosed location and waterboard him! (Remember, waterboarding is not torture)

Janos Bugajski's address at Tetovo tribune
IDIVIDI:

Tetevo, Macedonia May 15 (MIA) - Janos Bugajski, Director of the Washington Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) for Eastern Europe, addressed Thursdaya tribune in Tetovo, organized by the Democratic Party of Albanians (DPA).

The new government should soon recognize Kosovo, as it is in favor of Macedonia and the region's stability, Bugajski said, pointing out that Macedonia may join NATO by December if the situation develops as expected.

- DPA and Albanians may play rather significant, stabilizing role in reaching a compromise on the name issue. The name settlement should be acceptable for Macedonians, Albanians and Greeks. Macedonians should not feel insecure if the name was changed, especially if in the process they enjoyed the support of Albanians. After joining NATO and the EU there will no threats to Macedonia's survival, Bugajski said.

Go Back to Bucharest!

By David Edenden

It is too bad that the Macedonia delegation walked out of the Nato summit to protest Greece's veto of Macedonia's Nato membership. We cannot pick up our marbles and go home, because we have no marbles to play with in the first place!

Today is the first day of the Macedonia's new lobbying effort and it was a prime opportunity for the Macedonian leadership to lobby the heads of state, especially those that, surprisingly, took a pro- Greek position.

All Macedonian political parties should come together, in an informal united front, with leaders of the Macedonian Orthodox Church and leading intellectuals to develop a longterm plan. Lets all agree that MANU take the lead to help develop a consensus.

Here are my ideas! (in no particular order)

1. Stay in Iraq and Afganistan.

Macedonia's contribution to the war on terror is a major element of the pro-Macedonian position that many Republicans, such as Bush, Rice, Powell, and Eagleburger, have taken. McCain's position is unknown, but I would suggest that he would be sympathetic, based on Macedonia's contribution to the US military effort on the war on terror. If the pro- Greek Obama wins the US presidency, then Macedonia can withdraw its troops. If McCain can make a campaign issue of Obama's support of Greek racism against its ethnic Macedonian minority, then we will be in a better position.

2. Work with the US and other Macedonian allies in Nato.

Get funding for "The Joint History Project" and other projects that focus the spotlight on the Macedonian minority in Greece. The British are funding Albanian language classes for the Muslim Goranci in Kosovo, a Macedonian speaking Slavic people. Get the UK or US to help fund Macedonian language classes for the ethnic Macedonian minority in Greece. Discuss this issue with Bernard Kouchner, Foreign Minister of France. When he rejects it , because of the pro-Greek Sarkozy, then publish it. Force these guys to take a public position on Greek racism.

Ask Bush to de-classify US government contacts with representatives of ethnic Macedonians in Greece. Get former US diplomats to write a history of these contacts.

3. De-fang the "nest of vampires"!

Ask Bush to have Radio Free Europe, The International Crisis Group, The National Democratic Institute and other groups that I have, in the past labeled "a nest of vampires" to put the spotlight the plight of ethnic Macedonians in Greece.

Work with the Bush administration to see if this issue should be taken to the UN with new terms of reference for the name issue to include the rights of ethnic Macedonians in Greece.

4. More effort should be place on working with the European Free Alliance to put the rights on Macedonians in Greece before the EU parliament.

5. Telling truth to Power

The main stream media are very powerful in shaping the discussion on the "name issue". Macedonian President Crvenkovski should spend most of his time, for the next year, traveling outside Macedonia spearheading the lobby.effort He should start with meetings with Reuters, AP, the BBC, New York Times, Washington Post etc to insist that whenever the Greek concerns about Macedonia are mention (as boilerplate) such as:

Mr. Bush, addressing his NATO colleagues, praised the decision to welcome Croatia and Albania as new members, but expressed regret that Macedonia was rebuffed. Other NATO members voted against Macedonia in sympathy with Greece’s objections over Macedonia’s name, which Greek leaders argue implies territorial ambitions on the northern part of their country, also called Macedonia. New York Times, April 4, 2008

Then Macedonian concerns about Greece should also be mentioned. this is a major failing of the Macedonian lobbying effort.

The Greek civil war saw subversive attacks launched from Macedonian soil, and ended with tens of thousands of ethnic Macedonians fleeing their homes. Those Macedonians who stayed behind, like other minorities in Greece, still lack fundamental rights. Property issues have never been fully resolved. Edward P. Joseph, International Herald Tribune March 31, 2008.

6. Get Richard Gere on our side!

This is just to get the ball rolling. Think about national unity. Don't play the blame game.Macedonia Walks Out Of NATO Summit
BalkanInsight.com -
03 April 2008 Bucharest
Macedonia boycotted further sessions of NATO’s Bucharest Summit, after Greece blocked its bid to join the alliance.
“We feel a need to be with our people out of which more than 90 % wanted and wants to be a part of NATO,” Foreign Minister Antonio Milososki told media, as he announced Macedonia was pulling out of the Summit.

“Macedonia was punished not for what we did but for who we are” he added.

“We are Macedonians and always will be Macedonians.”

“The risks of any future destabilisation of the region will be the direct responsibility of Greece,” Milososki said, however reassuring that Skopje will continue to do all it can to keep the peace in the region, especially regarding Kosovo and Serbia.

The move came after NATO Secretary General, Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, announced Macedonia’s bid to receive an invitation to join the alliance was unsuccessful.

Croatia and Albania however got the green light.

Macedonia's bid stumbled because of Greece’s opposition to Skopje’s bid despite all the other 25 member countries agreeing Macedonia had met all of NATO’s requirements.

Greece had been threatening to veto the invitation if Skopje does not change its country’s name.

Athens opposes to Skopje’s constitutional name “Republic of Macedonia” arguing that it might lead Skopje to make territorial claims over its own northern province which is also called Macedonia.

Previously, in a sign of protest, Macedonian journalists walked out of a press conference with de Hoop Scheffer when they heard Skopje’s membership bid had been blocked.

He said that the country will get the invitation for joining as soon as the “name” row is resolved.

“These are difficult times for our small nation,” Milososki said, thanking United States President George Bush for his support and efforts to solve the question “up to the last minute.”

The long running “name” dispute talks under United Nations mediation intensified after it became clear that Greece was resolved to veto its smaller neighbour’s membership bid.

Previously, there were hopes among the Macedonian public that Bush would succeed in softening the Greek stance at the Summit.

Yes to Macedonians, no to "Skopians"!

By David Edenden

Am I the only one that has noticed the dangers in accepting the final proposal of “Republic of Macedonia (Skopje)" by UN mediator Matthew Nimetz.

This is not a workable compromise because it invites the Greek government and its US lobby to push for re-naming ethnic Macedonians as "Skopians", notwithstanding what is said in the agreement.

We are going to see a never ending campaign to denigrate the culture and history of ethnic Macedonians. The Macedonian government and parliament should reject this agreement now!

The failure of Matthew Nimetz to include the plight of ethnic Macedonians of Greece as part of his thinking in resolving this dispute, has put him in a box with no viable recommendation to make. He should apologize to the Macedonian people for wasting all these years in fruitless negotiations.

Here's my recommendation:

1. Mathew Nimetz should resign and replaced with Michael Dukakis!
2. Macedonia should be admitted to Nato with the FYROM name.
3. Negotiations on the name to continue for one year.
4. Status of ethnic Macedonians in Greece to be including in the "Terms of Reference".

Thank you ... I think I solved the problem.

Note: "Balkan Insight" is an offshoot of "The International Crisis Group". They are both a bunch of vampires!

Macedonia Says UN 'Name' Proposal Final:
BalkanInsight.com


28 March 2008 Skopje

Macedonia sees the latest UN proposal for a solution to the 'name' dispute with Greece as final, the country's Foreign Minister says.

'After 15 years of talks we think that this proposal is the final one,” Macedonian Foreign Minister Antonio Milososki told reporters after holding talks with political leaders on Friday.

However he refused to say whether the government had accepted the proposal.

It was offered to both Greece and Macedonia earlier this week by the United Nations mediator in the dispute, Matthew Nimetz but neither side has commented on what was in the proposal. Read more: http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/main/news/8906/

The plan is widely seen as a last ditch attempt before next week's NATO Summit in Bucharest where Greece is threatening to block Skopje's bid to join the alliance because of the unresolved 'name' row.

The upcoming summit has seen a flurry of diplomatic activity to end the dispute once and for all.

“The process for building our position regarding this final proposal will continue in the coming days,” Milososki said, adding the country's Parliament will discuss the proposal on Monday. It will be the first time the Parliament has discussed a proposed solution to the 17-year long row.

Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski said that unless a national referendum is called on the matter, the issue will be voted on in Parliament.

Media speculate that Nimetz has offered the proposed name of “Republic of Macedonia (Skopje)” which will be used exclusively among international institutions, while the more than 120 countries that have already recognised Macedonia under its constitutional name would be advised to use the new name but will have no obligation to do so.

The proposal also foresees that neither side will have exclusive use of the adjective “Macedonian.”
Greek media report that Athens has already rejected the plan and Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis has cancelled a meeting between the two countries' Premiers during Saturday's European Union ministerial summit in Slovenia.

Reports in Athens suggested there will be a meeting under UN auspices on Monday in New York where Nimetz will table a new solution.

Athens objects to Skopje’s use of its constitutional name “Republic of Macedonia” arguing it might lead Skopje to make territorial claims over Greece's own northern province of Macedonia.

Utrinski Vesnik on Macedonian Foreign Policy

By David Edenden

The following commentary, "Macedonia's Position Jeopardized," by Sonja Kramarska, appeared in the 14 November edition of the Macedonian newspaper Utrinski Vesnik.

I am not so hard on Macedonian governments because they are sleeping with vampires.

BBC Monitoring
15 November 2007

SKOPJE, Macedonia | Macedonia's international position has been seriously jeopardized. On one side we face intensive Greek pressure, on the second is Kosovo, whose unresolved status threatens to bring about a new explosion in the Balkans, and on the third, are the unfulfilled obligations toward NATO and the European Union, which may torpedo Macedonia's 15-year-old foreign policy plans.

Branko Crvenkovski

In view of this, the Macedonian leadership has the right to be concerned about the country's future and its Euro-Atlantic prospects. U.S. Ambassador to NATO Victoria Nuland has voiced the United States' concern about the stalled reforms in Macedonia and the absence of political dialogue. She clearly pointed to the criteria that Macedonia needed to meet if it wanted to shift matters to its benefit. She asked Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski to implement the May agreement that he made with Ali Ahmeti and resolve the status of the former ONA [National Liberation Army, UCK in Albanian] fighters. She asked the state leadership to develop a clear strategy regarding the country's future actions, adding that she expected [President Branko] Crvenkovski to use his authority and restart the stalled political dialogue.

However, a number of issues remain unclear. Did the U.S. ambassador to NATO come on a mission to prepare [Macedonia] for a compromise with Greece regarding our country's constitutional name? A senior official from the ruling coalition and leader of one of the parties participating in the government has said this on two occasions, and no refutation has yet come from the other participants in the talks. The party leader claims that the sole objective of Nuland's visit to the country was to advise its political leaders to start preparing the ground for a compromise with the Greeks.

If this is true, the state leadership should not keep silent. It should make public all the details regarding Nuland's visit. Nuland's post is important for Macedonia's Euro- Atlantic prospects and this gives an even greater weight to her assessments and positions about the situation in our country. If there were any warnings in this respect, it would be better to make them public sooner rather than later, because the price of the country's foreign-policy defeat can only increase afterward.

Therefore, it is disgusting and uncouth of the state leadership to clash over the interpretations of Nuland's criticism. The heated arguments exchanged last weekend [10-11 November] suggest that the distress was not so much due to the guest's slaps as it was due to the slaps to be received in public. Will somebody's popularity decrease or increase after confronting truth? What is the price of regaining consciousness and accepting reality?

It is surprising that even after the unpleasant meeting with the U.S. ambassador, the political leaders in the country have not taken any action to show that they got the message. The direct and unambiguous recommendations have failed to mobilize the country's leadership toward sprinting until April next year. Instead, a pause and a thunderous silence have ensued, with Gruevski's denials of any criticism and Crvenkovski's insistence on the opposite being the only audible sound.

Nevertheless, the public has no doubts about the collision in the country's foreign policy. Kosovo is preparing to declare unilateral independence and Macedonia lacks a strategy on how to defend itself from internal pressure and recognize the former Serbian province as an independent state. [Greek Foreign Minister] Dora Bakoyianni has been touring the European political centers and seeking (and receiving) support for her demand that Macedonia change its name if it wants to avoid Greece's veto on its NATO accession.

On top of all, the country has received negative assessments in the European Commission's report regarding its progress toward the European Union, along with a strong message that the political criteria for NATO accession are not being met either.

Urgent solutions are needed for these issues before it is too late.


[Source: Utrinski Vesnik, Skopje, in Macedonian 13 November 2007.]
"Foreign Policy Blunders"

Putin: Seize the Opportunity With Nato on Kosovo

Note:

I have never met Janusz Bugajski or Edward P. Joseph so it maybe that they are good guys who are sympathetic to Macedonians on the "Macedonian Name Issue". However, since their names have never been associated with condemnation the Greek repression of it's ethnic Macedonian minority, I doubt it.

Hey, Janusz and Ed, if I am wrong and you are really devotees of Macedonian cooking , especially polneti piperki and zelnic ... my apologies.

Putin

November 6, 2007
From: David Edenden
To: President Putin

The authors of the article below, in the Washington Post, do not wish Russia well. I have provided a point by point discussion their proposal on Kosovo with special consideration on American policy towards Russia. In summary, my position is that ... it is better to defeat Nato in Kosovo than to fight Nato at the gates of Moscow!

 Seize the Opportunity with Russia on Kosovo
By Janusz Bugajski and Edward P. Joseph
Special to washingtonpost.com's Think Tank Town
Wednesday, October 24, 2007; 12:00 AM

Janusz Bugajski

They tried to put a good face on it, but the truth is that Russian President Vladimir Putin publicly humiliated Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Secretary of Defense Robert Gates during their recent meeting in Moscow. Before even hearing the Administration's latest pitch on missile defense, Putin heaped scorn, even raising serious new objections.

Vladimir, stand firm, stand tall! Janusz Bugajski and Edward P. Joseph are vampires. They want to suck blood of Russia and make it seem as normal as ordering a "big Mac, fries and coke" at McDonald's.

You are right to assume that this missile policy, which was done without consultation with Europe, is aimed at Russia, not Iran. Even conservatives, such as Pat Buchanan, are appalled at the US foreign policy of walking across the street to spit on Russian national interests.

Edward P. Joseph

Whatever one thinks of missile defense, the dressing down of Rice and Gates marks a new low in U.S.-Russian relations. Appeals to shared values-- and those aimed at shared interests -- are falling on deaf Russian ears.

Vladimir, I understand you born at night ... but not last night. Good for you. The US appeal to shared values with Russia is a fraud that has tricked with some US pundits.

You have to point out to the western journalists that all the US "kissy kissy" public relations propaganda regarding Russia cannot mask the US policy of impoverishing Russia by pressuring European governments to boycott further Russian gas purchases.

That's a fact!

It is now clear that getting Russia's attention on the Iranian threat and a host of other issues will require action, not talk.

It is unmistakably clear that there are forces at work in the US to isolate and cripple Russia. Most Americans do not want to pick a fight with Russia because ... you know ... so many enemies, so little time.

Next time the US asks for Russian help on Iran, North Korea or "The War on Terror" sit down with them over dinner (serve some beef Stoganoff, with nice wine and vodka to chase it down) and calmly discuss the reform of the European security framework as a prerequisite for further cooperation.

Have a plan. My plan: abolish Nato as a cold war relic; establish a real EU army; beef up the OSCE.

Its a plan have yours ready!

Fortunately, Putin has created an ideal opportunity for Washington to score a victory and re-orient Moscow toward cooperation. The opportunity is Kosovo.

Unfortunately following Janusz and Ed advice is like having a barbecue in California when the Santa Ana Winds are blowing.

But our friends and Janusz and Ed live in a virtual world that is ruled by the zero sum game. If Russia loses, Nato wins. That is why they are for the independence of Kosovo and not Republic Srpska or even Darfur.

There is no other reason.

President Putin has seized the dispute over Kosovo's final status as one more means of reasserting Russia's global authority.

Janusz and Ed's zero sum game works this way: Russia (or China or India) strong, the US weak. Can't be "the sole remaining world's superpower" and push the world around, if others are also strong and do not want to be pushed around. There's the rub.

But he has overplayed his hand, snubbing not only the U.S., but the UN, whose Secretary General has endorsed a compromise plan for supervised independence of the former Serbian province, along with near-autonomy for Kosovo's Serbian minority.

Vladimir, in this poker game, you have three aces face up ... oil, gas and "the bomb". Threaten to use all three. Don't let the US bluff you. Their pot has been blown on another game (Iraq).

Janusz and Ed have no interest in the hurt feeling of Ban Ki Moon or in the UN . Their policy on Kosovo independence is a precedent for the independence of Chechnya (and why not Tartarstan) as well as Tibet and Taiwan (and why not Xinjiang - Chinese Turkestan).

There is no other reason!

So far, Putin has exploited perennial European divisions over the Balkans that put strong U.S. allies such as Britain and France against those European capitals who are either sympathetic to the Serb position or worried about a messy situation that would ensue without a UN blessing for independence.

Britain may not that upset if there is a vote for independence in Scotland (cheap bastards), but Spain would be upset to lose Catalonia and the Basque country and Cyprus would have to abandon any hope of reunification.


They are right to worry, because Kosovo does set a precedent. Those who argue otherwise are lying ... plain and simple.

But these concerns pale next to the threat that the Russian challenge poses not only for Kosovo, but for the overall Western strategy to calm the still-troublesome region. Beyond asserting Russia's voice on behalf of its client, Putin is also intent on transforming Serbia into a bulwark against European Union and NATO enlargement. Indeed, the obedient Serbian prime minister now advocates a "third way" between West and East and scorns the need for Belgrade to join NATO, raising the prospect of a fundamental reorientation away from Euro-Atlantic integration.

The overall Nato strategy is to diminish Russia ... period. Nato views the independence of Kosovo as its weapon. Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica is all talk and no action. If he wants to preserve the unity of Serbia he should mend fences with Macedonia, improve relations with Bulgaria and live and live with Montenegro.

The disunity of the Slavic Orthodox Christians in the Balkans is like little piglets trying to get the best teat of the mother pig, in this case ... the US (to its advantage).

Unity of the Slavic Orthodox Christians in the Balkans: good for Russia, bad for Nato. Visit Ohrid, birthplace of the Cyrillic alphabet and take Solzhenitsyn with you to meet with the presidents of Macedonia, Bulgaria, Serbia and Montenegro. Bring lots of vodka and ask "can't we all just get along".

Janusz Bugajski and Edward P. Joseph will hate it, which means it will be good for Russia!

 Belgrade's position has severe consequences for Europe since its grand strategy is for all the former Yugoslav states to narrow their differences through accession to the EU and NATO.

Before the collapse of the Berlin Wall, the grand Nato strategy was to keep Russia out, to keep the US in and to keep Germany divided.


The Nato strategy now is still to keep Russia out (and poor), to keep the US in and to destabilize the the Balkans and former Soviet allies so that their economies are in disarray so that US business interests can purchase companies and resources for pennies on th dollar.


See the Ukraine and Georgia and Macedonia.

But thus far not one former Yugoslav state which suffered major conflict has entered either organization.

Blame the EU for making these former Yugoslav states jump through hoops like trained dogs. This is the de Gaulle strategy regarding the admission of The UK to the EU. The process of joining the EU is humiliating and degrading.

We have EU political weasels lecturing the Balkans about human rights and all the while they ignore the rights of Macedonians of Greece and Kurds of Turkey. Pathetic!

The Nato politicians want to humiliate Russia. Don't let them.

And the most fractious of all, Bosnia, has had serious setbacks over the past year, with its Serbian and Muslim leaders engaging in incendiary rhetoric not seen since the end of the war in part because of the Kosovo issue.

In Kosovo, 95 percent of the people are ethnic Albania and want the right to form their own country According to Nato, the territorial integrity of Serbia is not sacrosanct and Kosovo can be ripped from it.

In Republica Srpska, 95 percent of the people are ethnic Serbs and want the right to join Serbia. According to Nato, however, the territorial integrity of Bosnia is sacrosanct.

Nato's push for the independence of Kosovo is destabilizing Bosnia, not to mention Macedonia. Our friends, Janusz and Ed's know this, yet continue to push it for the national interest of the US ... which is a low down dirty rotten shame.

Three key errors by the Administration have permitted Kosovo to fester to Russia's advantage.

Remember Vladimir, the zero sum game at play.

First, Washington failed to see how Russian objectives were evolving under Putin. Like many allies in Europe, Washington believed Moscow would bark its objections over plans to grant Kosovo independence, but incorrectly assumed that Russia, as in years past, would eventually fall into line with a few face-saving concessions.

Translation: The US did not realize that Putin was born with balls and was not stinking drunk most of the time like the previous Russian president. He not willing to sell the family silverware for a few bottles of vodka. Much harder to deal with ... don't you know.

Second, the White House repeated the core mistake of the early 1990s, when the Yugoslav crisis threatened to tear apart trans-Atlantic relations. It allowed disputes in Europe to postpone concerted action.

Hey boys, Janusz and Ed, concerted action requires common values. Look at Bosnia and then look at Kosovo and then give Macedonia a peak. What are the common values?

a. Territorial Integrity? (Serbia - No) (Bosnia -Yes) Kosovo (Yes)
b. Respect for people's will? (Serbia - No) (Bosnia -No) Kosovo (Yes)
c. Respect for human rights? (Greece - No ... for ethnic Macedonians)

Instead of seizing on a broad consensus among the major powers that the status quo in Kosovo had to change, and move swiftly toward supervised independence on the basis of the UN plan, persistent delays have actually deepened Europe's divisions. Each postponement signaled to Belgrade and to Moscow that the West lacked resolve, and this has enhanced Russia's assertiveness. As a result, the inevitable reckoning over Kosovo has become even more complex and conflictive.

Every taxicab driver, every hairdresser and every other member of the chattering classes in the Balkans knows that Kosovo complex. It is joined at the hip with Macedonia and has a long umbilical cord to Bosnia. It is not easy.

It would be helpful if Nato had a consensus based on human rights promotion, not national interest. Janusz and Ed, if Nato had not insisted on trying to force the Republic of Macedonia to change its name, and the Macedonians in Greece to accept cultural genocide, the Serbs of Kosovo maybe more trusting of Nato guarantees of "near-autonomy.

Nato didn't, so the Serb won't.

Third, the Administration continues to participate in utterly fruitless diplomacy. As is clear to all informed observers, there is zero possibility of a negotiated solution between Kosovo's independence-demanding Albanians (who comprise over 90 percent of the population) and Serbia (which continues to claim a territory over which it lost control eight years ago following a NATO intervention provoked by the mass expulsion of Albanians.) Another "deadline" looms, but it is likely that Russia will demand yet another extension for more "negotiations."

We can all agree that there is zero possibility that the Serbs will sign on to an agreement for Kosovo independence.

Hey Janusz and Ed, I just had a great idea. Remember the "near-autonomy" that Nato promised the Serbs in Kosovo if they just would agree to stay in Kosovo, why not promise "near-autonomy" to the Albanians in Kosovo if they would agree to stay in Serbia. I think they will agree, especially if you tell the Albanians facts of life and point to Cyprus as an example of a possible future.

How about that, I think I just solved the f***ing problem.

After the recent humiliation in Moscow, it is crucial for Washington to take the lead on Kosovo, galvanized by the understanding that what happens in the Balkans matters not only for the people of that region, but also for the West's relationship with Russia.

The US government does not have the intellectual, political or financial resources to lead Europe on the Kosovo issue. The US government cannot get Prime Minister Maliki of Iraq to return President Bush's phone calls.

Nato does not have the skill to push unilateral independence for Kosovo without the Balkans exploding from Bosnia (Republic Srpska) to Macedonia. That is a fact.

There are allies in Europe who grasp that the last chance to deal with Kosovo is rapidly approaching. And many allies also realize that Europe's energy dependence on Russia makes it more important to show mettle and unity on threats to core European security interests.

There are allies in Europe that think that Americans should not play with matches in a dry tinderbox area.

Vladimir, our friends Janusz and Ed want to test of the mettle of the Europeans as well as the mettle of Russia. If Russia falters and they succeed, Nato will come calling with demands on Russia itself.

This is where the rubber hits the road. Tell the Europeans, calmly and in private, that if the EU recognizes an independent Kosovo in the winter, then they will freeze in the dark! Tell the Americans, over a Texas barbecue, not one drop of Russian oil will leave Russian soil and the Americans will have to learn to used to gas at $5.00 a gallon.


Vladimir, stand firm, stand tall!

With American leadership the EU can be mobilized into concerted action as witnessed during the NATO interventions that ended the wars in Bosnia and Kosovo.

Send Donald Rumsfled, as a special emissary, he's free, to mobilize old and new Europe. That will really work! His motto: first Kosovo then Chechnya, then Tartarstan!

At the same time, Washington must work closely with allies to develop follow-on plans for the enhanced EU and NATO missions in the new state.

Get Paul Wolfowitz, he's free and good at developing follow-on plans.

Dealing conclusively with Kosovo is no longer simply about successful U.S.-European involvement in the Balkans. It is now about our relationship with Russia and whether Moscow acquires veto rights over Euro-Atlantic security. Vladimir Putin has created an opportunity to show the world that shared values still prevail across the Atlantic and across Europe. It's time to seize it.

Kosovo has zero to do with US national interests or Euro-Atlantic security. Its all about using Nato as a dagger against Russia.

Russia has shared values and interests with Slavic Orthodox Christians in the Balkans. This should be respected.

Yeah! You heard me right the first time!

It is natural and proper for Russia to have veto rights over actions that threaten its interests and those of its Slavic Orthodox Christian kin in the Balkans.

Deal with it.

Janusz Bugajski is Director of the New European Democracies Project at CSIS in Washington. Edward Joseph is visiting scholar and adjunct professor at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies.

Both these guys are vampires and both are evil. They may not be the devil, but they are agents of the devil.

Putin, Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night

Note:Transferred from Old Blog from Friday, April 20, 2007

Dear President Putin

I understand that soon you will be looking for a new job. I have one suggestion that I hope you will seriously consider, but first, before you leave office, consider the following actions as part of your legacy for the Russian people.

At the UN, veto independence for Kosovo. Stand firm, stand tall. Ask Solzhenitsyn to visit Kosovo Pole next week as a gesture of solidarity with the Serbs, and then Ohrid as a gesture of solidarity with the Macedonians. Consider recognizing the Turkish Cyprus as punishment for Greece’s mistreatment of its ethnic Macedonian minority.

Macedonian President Crvenkovski and Russian President Putin

Nato is a stake aimed at the heart of Russia, put a stake in Nato’s heart … it’s a vampire. Like hockey, you only win by playing offense, not defense! Tell President Bush, his poodle Blair, and especially Senator McCain, that you will put a moratorium on further co-operation between Russia and the US/EU with regard to Iran, North Korea and further gas oil exports to the US and EU. Don’t wait until next month, do it now, you won’t get a better chance. 


The moratorium would be lifted when Nato is retired, as a cold war relic, and replaced by a reformed and revitalized OSCE where Russia can wield its deserved influence. The US can then withdraw its troops from Europe and send them to Iraq! Have specific detailed plans for this reform and publicize it widely to the US/EU public. For example, all members of the OSCE would be considered associate members of the EU if they so wish. All peoples of the OSCE can work in the EU with an easily obtained work visa.

In the Russian parliament, form a special committee called the “Un-Russian Activities Committee” which would monitor the activities of foreign NGOs in Russia. Put them under oath and jail the perjurers! All committee members should be fluent in English and be evenly split between Russian patriots and those who are pro-American. When interviewing NGOs, question them in English. 


The purpose of this committee is to expose anti-Russian activities of the NGOs to their pro-American followers (useful idiots), to the Russian people and to the American people. Average Americans really do not want their country to destabilize Russia for the sole purpose of having hegemony over the world. A litmus test for these NGOs is to ask them about their activities regarding human rights for the Macedonians of Greece and Kurds of Turkey (both Nato members … hint … there are none).

Register these NGOs along with foreign newspaper owners under the “Agents of a Foreign Power Act. Have them print it prominently on their publications.

And finally, form an organization called the “Russian Council” using the “British Council” as a model. When you retire as president of Russia, be its first president. The Russian Council would promote Russian interests around the world. Start with the Orthodox Balkans and help them to resolve the schisms of their respective churches (Macedonia, Bulgaria, Serbia and Montenegro). Try to heal the split between the Orthodox and Catholic Slavs. Promote more unity between all the Slavic languages.

Don’t be like Gorbachev, playing with himself in retirement and selling his influence to the highest bidder. You still have the ability to do something good for Russia and all Slavic-speaking peoples. Do it now!

Radio Free Europe is a Nest of Vampires!

David Edenden

Here's Radio Free Europe's take on the "Grosomanidou" affair. It takes a super human strength of will for Radio Free Europe to report on the Macedonian Greek dispute without mentioning the plight of ethnic Macedonians in Greece. These people are vampires who are dedicated to sucking the life blood of Macedonians, including those in Greece, in exchange for the national interest of the US/EU. It's not a pretty sight, but there you go!

GREEK AMBASSADOR IN HOT WATER OVER NAME OF MACEDONIA
RADIO FREE EUROPE/ RADIO LIBERTY

The Greek government on July 6 summoned its ambassador to Macedonia back from Skopje to explain comments made to the "Financial Times" in which she appeared to suggest Athens might need to soften its stance in its dispute with Skopje about Macedonia's name.

A Greek Foreign Ministry spokesman, George Koumoutsakos, told local and international journalists that "at this point there is no talk of a recall" for the ambassador, Dora Grosomanidou. Grosomanidou told the July 5 edition of the "Financial Times" that "Greece has to face the new reality, as the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia has been recognized under its constitutional name by more than half of the members of the United Nations."

Since the breakup of Yugoslavia, Macedonia has been referred to within the UN and other international institutions as the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) at the insistence of Greece, which fears that Macedonia harbors unspoken aspirations to the Greek province of the same name. Among the countries that have recognized Macedonia by its constitutional name, the Republic of Macedonia, are three members of the UN Security Council: the United States, Russia, and China.

The longstanding dispute has gained prominence and strength in recent months, as Macedonia is hoping to win an invitation to join NATO in 2008. Though Grosomanidou told the "Financial Times" that "formally, there is no problem for Skopje to become a member of NATO or the EU under the name it has been registered at the UN," FYROM, the Greek government has threatened to veto Macedonia's admission (see "RFE/RL Newsline," May 23, 2007).

A recent poll published in the weekly "To Proto Thema" found that more than 80 percent of Greeks would support a veto if Macedonia sought entry under the name "Macedonia" and 61.5 percent if it tried to enter as the "Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia." For their part, Macedonians view Greece as the second-largest threat to stability in the Balkans, after the uncertainty about the future of Kosova (see "RFE/RL Newsline," June 28, 2007). AG

"Lustration in the Western Balkans"

By David Edenden

This organization, which is funded by the usual suspects, is an example of how Nato/EU subverts peace in the Balkans. The "lustration" process is designed to throw light on the communist past, but this organization excludes Slovenia and Bulgaria. With the exclusion of Bulgaria, no need to talk about the repression of Macedonian ethnicity. Also, lets not talk about Nato and EU member Greece. If there ever was a country that needs a "lustration" process, its Greece, regarding its Macedonian minority. Can't do tht because it might upset the "Greek Issues Caucus" Macedonians should not play ball with these vampires because it only serves to divide us ... it's a plot, I tell ya!

Lustration in the Western Balkans:

"The “Disclosing hidden history: Lustration in the Western Balkans” project will create a regional network of NGOs with the purpose of strengthening good governance, the rule of law, and the participation of civil society in the democratic process, via regional and local activities. Specifically, this project aims to enhance lustration legislation and practices and to extend citizen participation in the public debate on the past in the Western Balkans."

Putin, Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night

Dear President Putin

Potential NRA recruit

I understand that soon you will be looking for a new job. I have one suggestion that I hope you will seriously consider, but first, before you leave office, consider the following actions as part of your legacy for the Russian people.

At the UN, veto independence for Kosovo. Stand firm, stand tall. Ask Solzhenitsyn to visit Kosovo Pole next week as a gesture of solidarity with the Serbs, and then Ohrid as a gesture of solidarity with the Macedonians. Consider recognizing the Turkish Cyprus as punishment for Greece’s mistreatment of its ethnic Macedonian minority.

Nato is a stake aimed at the heart of Russia, put a stake in Nato’s heart … it’s a vampire. Like hockey, you only win by playing offense, not defense! Tell President Bush, his poodle Blair, and especially Senator McCain, that you will put a moratorium on further co-operation between Russia and the US/EU with regard to Iran, North Korea and further gas oil exports to the US and EU. Don’t wait until next month, do it now, you won’t get a better chance. The moratorium would be lifted when Nato is retired, as a cold war relic, and replaced by a reformed and revitalized OSCE where Russia can wield its deserved influence. The US can then withdraw its troops from Europe and send them to Iraq! Have specific detailed plans for this reform and publicize it widely to the US/EU public. For example, all members of the OSCE would be considered associate members of the EU if they so wish. All peoples of the OSCE can work in the EU with an easily obtained work visa.

In the Russian parliament, form a special committee called the “Un-Russian Activities Committee” which would monitor the activities of foreign NGOs in Russia. Put them under oath and jail the perjurers! All committee members should be fluent in English and be evenly split between Russian patriots and those who are pro-American. When interviewing NGOs, question them in English. The purpose of this committee is to expose anti-Russian activities of the NGOs to their pro-American followers (useful idiots), to the Russian people and to the American people. Average Americans really do not want their country to destabilize Russia for the sole purpose of having hegemony over the world. A litmus test for these NGOs is to ask them about their activities regarding human rights for the Macedonians of Greece and Kurds of Turkey (both Nato members … hint … there are none).

Register these NGOs along with foreign newspaper owners under the “Agents of a Foreign Power Act. Have them print it prominently on their publications.

And finally, form an organization called the “Russian Council” using the “British Council” as a model. When you retire as president of Russia, be its first president. The Russian Council would promote Russian interests around the world. Start with the Orthodox Balkans and help them to resolve the schisms of their respective churches (Macedonia, Bulgaria, Serbia and Montenegro). Try to heal the split between the Orthodox and Catholic Slavs. Promote more unity between all the Slavic languages.

Don’t be like Gorbachev, playing with himself in retirement and selling his influence to the highest bidder. You still have the ability to do something good for Russia and all Slavic-speaking peoples. Do it now!

Vampires at the Meeting

In Ontario Canada, we have the LCBO (Liquor Control Board of Ontario) which is responsible, not to control liquor, but to sell it. These guys below are not in Macedonia to make peace, but to subvert it. When Macedonia falls apart, we have to have the names of the guilty. See below.

International community welcomes Gruevski-Ahmeti meeting
Makfax vesnik:

Skopje /08/03/ 12:52

The representatives of the international community in Macedonia welcomed the Thursday's meeting of the Prime Minister Gruevski and DUI leader Ahmeti as a major step in building trust among political parties.

'We warmly welcome the March 7 meeting between Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski and DUI President Ali Ahmeti,' says the joint statement by representatives of EU, OSCE, NATO and US.

'This is a major step in building trust between the parties. We encourage continued progress in this effort by all parties to work together in a spirit of consensus. This is vital for the successful continuation of the reform process in the Parliament and State institutions.'

This was a joint statement by EU Special Representative and Head of EC Delegation Erwan Fouere, Head of OSCE Spillover Monitor Mission to Skopje Giorgio Radicati, NATO Senior Military Representative BG John Durance, and United States Charge d'Affaires Paul Wohlers. /end/"