I've read through this entire thread and I can't tell if this is more a debate of European history, a political forum whereby we've soundly covered most of the likely war criminals dating back several centuries or a platform to discuss the current situation in Serbia. All of which are fine, in my opinion, but I find myself out of breath, mid-thread and the lobs/jabs only get more intense with no real debate on a solution to this crisis - and it is a crisis and not just in the Balkans or even Europe.

Clearly, this is a space of good thinkers, of educated people who have well formed opinions and who passionately believe in theirs. What I am missing however, is the 'why' and the 'how' And on the popular side, I mostly agree with Dr. Trifkovic's literary pictoral of the general state of things.

'Why' the dilution of culture throughout Europe - and the world? Why the Serbs are "facing an ongoing reduction of their physical space." Why the "Western demand to accept and absorb postmodern cultural matrices in order to prove their fitness for the allegedly desirable political and economic integration into “Europe”." Why "the dwindling native populations?" And so on...

It is clear that virtually every culture on earth today is changing - becoming 'watered-down,' flattening, disappearing borders, the acceptance of a single international language (English), multi-ethnic states are the norm - not the exception, etc.. And its everywhere from the US to the jungles of South America and Malaysia, to Iceland to New Zealand and everywhere in-between. Why? Energy. And energy translates to economics.

There arent so many religious conflicts anymore, unless you consider and include their economic impact on a given dispute. All disputes today are economic; driven by an evaporating supply of light sweet crude - and soon the chase will include water. The race for a constant energy supply is on; both today and for its reliable access over the next century, hence the US military swell abroad and near oil sanctuaries.

The world is flattening at an incredible speed (largely because of access to energy/fuel). This accelerates the dilution of culture as we're more able to interact/interbreed than ever before and this trend will continue. As our world has shrunk so considerably with our ability to move freely around the world, we have enterted the sphere of the almighty world-economy. Lets face the fact these globalization trade-offs are irreversible and all of the things that we've debated in this thread - and elsewhere - will continue on a similar path. Humans won't cahnge so our path in macro terms is easy enough to predict. But we live our lives in largely micro terms. I can tell you there will be war ahead, but I don't want it in my home or within proximity. I can tell you we'll deplete our natural petroleum supply, but I can't tell you who will be the first to run out.

I believe that the formation of Europe's union was a matter of necessity. It was either 'unite' or die. There is ano argument to be had on this matter as far as I am concerned and from an economic perspective, its working. Still the point made of Europe's dwindling population is real and is a real problem. With combined birth rate and immigration not supporting an aging population, who will pay for these pensioners? The socialist governments will be bankrupt within 30 years and is the reason the yin and yang of western and eastern Europe may prove the almighty savior. If I can live down the street more cost-effectively and its safe, then why not move? Especially if its now so easy to get there. There is a tectonic shift happening in Europe and it will be interesting to see how it plays out. Serbia is its newest fault that is showing economic activity.

We (the US) have invaded Kosovo for reasons of self-interest (oil/military) and told them they can have this Serbian land (for a price, to be sure). We have broken the law in doing so and made ourselves the world leader of hypocrisy and saddened good people (Serbs) who bought into our pitch of all things good. A significant black-eye and not a single attempt at a good reason to argue our position, not that one existed in the first place (atricle 1244). And we call this freedom? Kosovo will be free as long as the Kosovars submit the US rule. And for that, I also feel badly.

'How' do we move forward from here? We can recount history all we want. Do we wish to repeat it? In the case of Serbia - I think not (violence). I don't want it for the Serbian people nor do I believe they do - theres been enough killing in their history. All of the wars and strife of days past are part of every tribe's history - and they shape us as much as our successes.

I live in Europe and have spent some time in Serbia over the past 6 months and have come to see these people in a much different light than they're pitched by many western media sources. They are warm, friendly, hospitable, tolerant people. And, they're an emerging European economy. A state coming of age where prosperity is at its fledgling state. The good people of Serbia are soon to realize a quality of life they've never before enjoyed. They'll soon be free to travel the world like the rest of us.

A return to violence is a return to isolationism. I don't believe that is the way forward for a people so long enduring a suppressive history. The light is at the end of the tunnel and its either real freedom and prosperity like they've never before known or its that damn freight train.

I like these people and I like what they stand for, in principle. How do we help them stay the current course of free-market reform and (genuine) democratization. Beginning tomorrow, what do the Serbian people do when they get out of bed and send their children off to school?

Appropriately enough for Belgium, there is a starkly surrealist aspect to this: the Walloons and the Flemish rarely inter-marry. I can't recall the exact figure (from a BBC radio programme), but it was reckoned that 95% of the population had married within their own ethic group. Surprised me.

-Jovica

"KOSOVO, A PREVENTABLE DISASTER"

Held on December 5, 2007

Charles Lynch Room, Parliament Hill, Ottawa

Ambassador James Bissett, Chairman of The Lord Byron Foundation, former head of Canada ’s Immigration Service, and former Canadian Ambassador to Yugoslavia

H.E. Dr. Dusan Batakovic, Serbia’s Ambassador in Canada

Dusan Prorokovic, MP; Deputy Minister for Kosovo and Metohija, Government of Serbia

Dr. Serge Trifkovic, Executive Director of The Lord Byron Foundation and foreign affairs editor of Chronicles: A Magazine of American Culture

http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=gMrM-P_ZjHQ&feature=PlayList&p=12F2C6F7C0D51DAC&index=2