Welcome to Kosovo: The First Jihadist State in the Heart of Europe
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Kosovo made a unilateral declaration of independence (UDI) today with recognition by Great Britain, France, Italy and Germany soon to follow under a plan of Slovenia, which currently holds the presidency of the European Union. Switzerland, Iceland and Norway will follow their lead along with Turkey, Macedonia, Albania, Montenegro, Croatia and 56 Islamic nations. However, there is some opposition within the EU itself. Spain, Greece, Romania and Cyprus are opposed to Kosovo’s UDI fearing it will strengthen secessionist movements in their own countries. The strongest opponent to Kosovo independence remains Russia.
Russia and China have blocked approval of Kosovo’s UDI by the United Nations Security Council because they object to the loss of territory by a sovereign state without its consent. Kosovo makes up 15% of Serbian land. Russia has already indicated that they may change their policy toward two breakaway regions in the former Soviet republic of Georgia if the West recognizes Kosovo's independence. Even Bill Clinton’s former U.N. Ambassador Richard Holbrooke admits American policy towards Kosovo is heading for a train wreck with Russia.
But why has the Bush Administration pushed for independence in Kosovo? How does an independent Kosovo serve American national security interests? Why are we further straining our relationship with Russia over Kosovo when we could be concentrating on Iran, Iraq and North Korea?
Kosovo not ready for statehood
United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) has governed Kosovo since 1999. Kosovo has all the makings of a bankrupt, corrupt, failed regime. Unemployment in Kosovo ranges from 50% to 70%. 60% of its trade is dependent on Serbia, which is not a friendly partner at this point. In November, the European Commission concluded that corruption is still widespread and remains a major problem. The Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) has been involved in the drug trade, the sex trade and arms trade in Europe. There is also a huge backlog of war crimes cases.
Under UNMIK authority in Kosovo over 150 churches, many dating back to the 13th century, have been destroyed in Kosovo. At the same time, more than 300 Wahhabi mosques have been built, funded by nations such as Saudi Arabia. You can watch video of one desecration here. These are not isolated incidents - the church desecration continues as part of the political strategy of the ethnic Albanians.
UNMIK efforts to suppress the Christian persecution in Kosovo have been a "complete failure," according to former diplomats. Over 200,000 Serbians have been expelled from Kosovo under UNMIK’s watch. Ethnic Albanians have committed over 7000 hate crimes, 581 Serbs have been killed (104 other minorities), 841 have been kidnapped and 960 wounded. 18,000 homes have been destroyed and 27,000 homes have been taken by ethnic Albanians. Mass graves of Serbs killed by Albanians were still being uncovered as late as 2005. Rewarding this kind of violence with full independence will only stoke the flames of ethnic separatism all over the world.
Serbian President Boris Tadic, a moderate who favors a good relationship with the U.S. and the EU said, "Serbia will never recognize the independence of Kosovo. Serbia has reacted and will react with all peaceful, diplomatic and legal means to annul this act committed by Kosovo's institutions. I appeal to all our citizens in Serbia and in Kosovo to be led by reason." Tadic wants to defend Serbia’s sovereignty through democratic means and diplomacy and has dismissed reacting with violence or war. But Tadic barely won re-election this month, 51% to 47%, by defeating a former communist favoring a hard line with Kosovo. Had Kosovo’s UDI been declared prior to the Serbian elections Tadic surely would have been defeated.
Terrorist ties and their reach to America
Remember the foiled terrorist attack against soldiers in Fort Dix, NJ? The NY Times and the rest of the MSM are probably counting on the fact that you don’t. Six radical Muslim jihadists planned to kill as many soldiers as possible at Fort Dix. Four of the six men were ethnic Albanians from Kosovo.
One of the suspects said he knew the base like the back of his hand and it would be easy for them to “get the most soldiers killed”. After the NATO bombing in 1999, the Clinton administration brought all the ethnic Albanian refugees to Fort Dix. They were issued refugee status, immediately received green cards and were eligible to apply for citizenship in one year.
Investigators said that part of their planning was captured on tape. "Who is going to take care of my wife and kids?" one suspect asked. "Allah will take care of your wife and kids,” another suspect responded. Investigators described them as disciples of Osama Bin Laden.
Agron Abdullahu, an ethnic Albanian who was here “legally” and stands accused of arming the Fort Dix suspects, carved two things in his prison cell: the initials of the KLA and a drawing of a machine gun firing on the word “FBI”. Another Albanian suspect, Eljvir Duka, wrote a note passed to another inmate stating “Now you see why we are going to sacrifice all for the sake of Allah in jihad”.
The Clinton Administration fully supported the jihad in Kosovo, which was supported, financed and co-opted by Al Qaeda. After the war, the U.S. welcomed the members of KLA and others to enter the country with few questions asked.
Kosovo’s new Prime Minister, Hashim Thaci, was the leader of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA). They financed their war effort through one of the largest heroin smuggling operations in the world and were trained in terrorist camps run by Osama bin Laden according to intelligence reports. Members of the Mujahideen were smuggled into Kosovo to join the fighting. The U.S. State Department once classified the KLA as a terrorist organization, bankrolled by Osama Bin Laden, which used terrorist tactics against Serbian and ethnic Albanian civilians. Now the U.S. State Department advocates recognition of their unilateral declaration of independence.
A Multi-ethnic Kosovo?
Retired Major General Lewis MacKenzie commanded UN Troops during the Bosnian war. He said, “The Kosovo-Albanians have played us like a Stradivarius. We have subsidized and indirectly supported their violent campaign for an ethnically pure and independent Kosovo. We have never blamed them for being the perpetrators of the violence in the early '90s and we continue to portray them as the designated victim today in spite of evidence to the contrary. When they achieve independence with the help of our tax dollars combined with those of bin Laden and al-Qaeda, just consider the message of encouragement this sends to other terrorist-supported independence movements around the world.”
I believe that history will judge President Bush kindly when it comes to the Global War on Terror. Unfortunately, his blind spot to the existing and potential dangers in Kosovo will be one of his grave missteps. What can we expect from our next President? I guess we have to Hope for the future, a future filled with Hope.
Thanks, Gideon.
I've read a lot of Steven Schwartz's pieces too. He is fair from anti-Muslim. As he points out, the muslims in Bosnia and Kosovo were Sunni and never very radical. However, Al Qaeda and the Wahabbists inflitrated the country during the wars in the 90s and have tried to gain more influence since. They are gaining influence, slowly. Unfortunately, the region is becoming more radicalized.
Proclaiming their affection for the U.S. and Flying U.S. flags next to theirs on the news today.
Isn't it a bit of a jump to condemn people even before acts have been committed. Mind you I am the kind of guy that likes to look at a crowd and guess what they are guilty of. But generally I won't accuse preemptively.
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"Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it."
-Thomas Paine: The American Crisis, No. 4, 1777
Doesn't make up for burning down a church, or killing a nun, or decapitating a priest in my book. But if you want to give them a clean slate you are welcome to do that.
And I will find you an atrocity. Especially in europe.
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"Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it."
-Thomas Paine: The American Crisis, No. 4, 1777
what other European country has expelled 200,000 people, destroyed over 150 churches and committed thousands of atrocities over the past 8 years all under the nose of 16,000 U.N. peacekeepers, I would like to know what European country that is.
And there was that little matter of hatching a terrorist plot on American soil.
And are unlikely to do so now. Its all a matter of the trend and what we can do to influence it.
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"Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it."
-Thomas Paine: The American Crisis, No. 4, 1777
were welcomed by a lot of people in the Middle East as part of tsunami relief. Many of those same places have gone back to referring to the U.S. as the "Great Satan", killing people in protest of cartoons, etc. Yes, this list of countries includes our allies, places like Pakistan.
I like seeing pro-US sentiment in Europe as much as anyone, but make no mistake about it, Kosovo is attracting Jihad elements.
The signs are out there for those willing to look.
This is the sucker punch from the back of the room that could catch us way off guard. This area of the world is such a tender box that once they light this candle the whole cake is going up and there will be nothing we can do about it.
"I wish to have no connection with any ship that does not sail fast; for I intend to go in harm's way."
John Paul Jones (letter to M. Le Ray de Chaumont,16 Nov.1778)
Just kidding. :)
--Nick
www.RightMichigan.com
"I wish to have no connection with any ship that does not sail fast; for I intend to go in harm's way."
John Paul Jones (letter to M. Le Ray de Chaumont,16 Nov.1778)
We need more of this kind of stuff. RS is where folks should be able to come and read insightful articles like this, not "your candidate is a loser and you are too for supporting him."
Thank you for bringing a serious issue to the forefront.
The greatest single cause of Atheism today is Christians who profess Jesus with their lips & then go and deny him by their lifestyle. That's what an unbelieving world simply finds..unbelievable -Brennan Manning
This probably accounts for much of the misdirected sympathy towards the KLA and other Albanian terrorists and criminals. Perhaps a good argument could be made that the United States should have intervened to stop genocide in Kosovo, but what has happened in the years since cannot be justified. Western troops have impotently stood by as slow motion genocide has happened.
Milosevic is dead and gone. At the very least, we should stop the ethnic slaughter and the desecration of ancient holy sites--even if it angers Saudi Arabia.
Tip: when you throw in remarks like that, it makes people think you have some other agenda you're carrying into this, and makes your posts less persuasive.
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"If we want to take this party back, and I think we can someday, let’s get to work." – Barry Goldwater
There is none other than what I wrote. That remark was "thrown in" because the United States intervened in Kosovo largely at the instigation of Saudi Arabia and a few other countries, and I can see no other geopolitical purpose served by our current policy there other than placating a few nations that don't have our best interests in mind let alone those of the minorities found in Kosovo.
If that made my post less persuasive, so be it.
I was just letting you know how your post came off to me, someone who's on the fence about Kosovo.
Though if you're not hoping to persuade I don't understand your goal, heh.
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"If we want to take this party back, and I think we can someday, let’s get to work." – Barry Goldwater
If you look at the OP, though, it references Saudi involvement in the establishment of Wahhabi school systems. I assumed--and that was the problem--my comment about the Saudis didn't come across as some threadjack or whatever. As far as persuasion, I gave up on that ability long ago :) Seriously, I did hope my point would be made.
Kosovo has the "Audacity of Hope" of gaining independence and joining the EU. What in bloody hell are the requirements?
Kosovo as an entity does not meet the requirements of being a third world country. Their only trading partner is Serbia, their enemy.
I can see it now $billions in money, medical, weapons, material, etcetara going into the proverbial black hole of Kosovo which is controlled by gangsters and thugs who make Al Quaida look like amateurs and they have the blessings of the USA and most of the western countries.
This is another pearl in the string of Islam's Caliphate for world dominion ruled by their Imam and governed by Sharia law. Be afraid! Be very afraid! It is happening round the world.
"Whatever evolves was first, created" - Jason Leverette, Patriot
It's amazing how many in the Republican and Democrat ranks completely switched on Serbia and Iraq. The bombing of Serbia was an abomonation.
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"If we want to take this party back, and I think we can someday, let’s get to work." – Barry Goldwater
You do know the KLA were domestic Muslim terrorists funded and affilated with the same radicals associated with Hezzbolah and Al Queda. You do know that Serbia is sovreign country and Kososvo was part of that country and the KLA wre domestic terrorists. Regardless, please tell what the vital interest of the U.S. was in bombing Serbia. How did Serbia threaten us again? I forget.
The world is full of bad people, some are even our allies. Milosevic wasn't even the top ten. Why don't we bomb all of those counries. We had absolutely no national interest in Serbia. None. All we did is almost start a war with Russia and gave teh idiot Wesley Clark some cred. To the contrary:
1) Serbia had been a great ally to the U.S during WWII;
2) Pre 9/11, the threat of radical Islam existed, but we wre blind to it. Only know people read books like Mark Steyn's America Alone and wonder what happened.
Slobo v. the KLA, either way none of our business.
The Serbs were involved in ethnic cleansing and it should of been stopped. No matter what I think of Clinton he was correct here and it showcased for all of Europe's "never again" slogan they were allowing it to happen again; right in their back yard. Then again thats what happens when all these European countries gutt their militaries.
Do your own research on Serbia atrocities. You'll be suprised. also research how Wesley Clark almost started WWIII. He sent orders to bomb the Russians. The idiot. Only to be stopped by the Brits.
Just because Madeleine Albright said, doesn't make it so. The Kosovars were just as vicious as the Serbs. In the nineties, global policing was cool because liberals were in control. It's a travesty, how Clinton's international excursions were reported as compared to Bush. A genuine travesty of truth, patriotism and professionalism.
Are you really glad there is a Muslim state in the soft underbelly of Europe financed and supported by Hezzbollah? Are you really glad that there is Sharia Law in Europe?
People will kill each other. It happens every day around the world. If we don't have critical interests there, we shouldn't be committing our forces. So I suppose you think we should have gone into Darfur?
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Underlying most arguments against the free market is a lack of belief in freedom itself. - Milton Friedman
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"If we want to take this party back, and I think we can someday, let’s get to work." – Barry Goldwater
except when Russia and the US have similar interests. Serbia has been aligned with Russia for centuries before the U.S. came into existence.
I supported (and still do) the intervention in Kosovo. However, in recent years, I have educated myself more about Jihad, and my enthusiasm for our ongoing involvement in Bosnia has waned the more I learned.
True independence will be a disaster. This is the trojan horse for the EU.
The Royal Army of Yugoslavia, led by General Draza Mihailovich (who was executed by the communists), saved and protected hundreds of American airmen that were shot down by the Nazis over Serbia in WWII.
They were also fairly neutral in the Cold War because they wanted to play both sides. They weren't "aligned" with Russia before the United States came into existence because they were too busy being occupied by the Ottoman Turks for over 500 years.
I remember thinking it was one more time we had been suckered in europe and relegating it to the back of my mind.
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"Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it."
-Thomas Paine: The American Crisis, No. 4, 1777
http://64.233.169.104/search?q=cache:o_fIjxil0qMJ:www.cfr.org/publicatio...
Not too mention all the documented evidence that Serbia atrocities were well exaggerated. In the end, research confirmed that both sided committed an equal amount of atrocities. The hundreds of thousands of mass graves were never found.
Gee, I thought the Clinton's had successfully ended all problems in the former Yugoslavia. I thought this region was their success story, and to be used as a counterpoint to President Bush's risky Iraq "gambit."
Funny how it all worked out. I guess they just kicked the can down the road for about ten years, but solved nothing. Like they always do (did) in these hard to solve foreign policy matters.
I am very proud that President Bush took the lead on recognizing the indep. state of Kosovo and even more proud when I see all those American flags flying.
The US should stand for democracy and hope around the world and today many in Fmr Yougoslav Republica are proud to call us their friends
And what about the thousands of Christian Serbs who have been kicked out of their homes and are now aliens in their own homeland? Don't they have a say?
Why is it necessary for the U.S. to be involved and choose one ethnic side over the other in a complicated region like the Balkans?
Serbia voted Milosevic out in 2000 - the people of Serbia were able to overcome the fact that he controlled the state media, the courts and assasinated his opponents. They have had multiple elections since, had a primier assassinated, and have still managed to stay democratic. They also sent Milosevic to the Hague to be tried as a war criminal.
What have the ethnic Albanians done with the terrorist leader of the KLA? He is their new Prime Minister.
Conservatism means facing the world as it is, not how we hope it will be. Conservatism is the ideology of reality.
Well researched and presented. Islamic jihad has as many faces and tactics as the countries and cultures it devours. The US/EU under the UN, Clinton and now Bush are enabling the jihadis to ethnically cleanse Kosovo of Serbs and Christians.
PC and the cult of Victimhood are the West's Achilles Heel. We have lost faith in the greatness that is Western Civilization. The islamists understand us better that we understand ourselves and are relentless in exploiting that weakness. Just another battle in a 1000 year war.
Steven Schwartz has been warning for years about the Islamist danger in the Balkans.
See, e.g., http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/013/612zec...
Thanks for the good work.