Meanwhile

Meanwhile, Serbian diplomats have reportedly signalled to the West that they would be willing to accept Kosovo's independence, but only after the Serb annexation of its northern part, mainly populated by ethnic Serbs.

EUobserver.com

Vetevendosje was right all along and I had planned for this day. Serbs have gone from "no, we are never going to give up our Jerusalem" to "ok, we'll take the mines in the north instead." This shows what the big deal was all about: territory. The crucial thing to note here is that Serbs cannot expect to keep both the churches and the mines. If they make the north theirs, then Albanians will make the rest (at minimum) theirs. It should also be noted that only about 40% of the current Kosovo Serb population lives in the north. Probably less if there an intent for more to return to their homes. The land there is barren in the middle of a heavy industrial complex and connections to Serbia are cut off by rough terrain and long distances to any significant urban centers in central Serbia. The only way north Mitrovica has been kept alive is by subsidizing governmnet emploeeys over what they would get in Serbia. Serb students from the impoverished central Serbia are also given free rides to study in the "Pristina University" in north Mitrovica. Take away these economic incentives from Belgrade and a north seperated from south will die out very soon.       

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But the text - the strongest expression of EU pro-independence feeling yet - has led to an internal struggle in the European Parliament, with many MEPs asking whether it is wise to be so blunt vis-a-vis Serbia.

EUobserver.com

Yes, it is. You'll be doing Serbia a favor if you liberate it from its ugly past.  After feeding its hegemonic frenzy a century ago it is the only right thing to do at the beginning of this one - it's way overdue.

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