17 Februry 2008, today, is the day upon which Kossovo declares it's Independence, the rights and wrongs of this I do not want to fully go into here, suffice to link you below to Web Information sources. This however is an ideal subject to bring up matter of National Soveriegnty in relation to Seperatist Struggles, and their aims of Secession from historic Nations. Otherwise, from Nation States as established from the time of the American and French Revolutions which give rise to the concept of Political Nationalism and thence the concept of the Nation State. In the American connection we have an example of colonies seeking their Independence from an Imperialist ''Mother Country''. Later, within context of American History we have example of Seperatist Secessionism on their own frontier with the ''Whiskey Rebellion'', see web. There is also example of an Independent Texas seceeding from Mexico but later seeking unity with the Unites States, whereas the Republic of Rio Grande had a failed secession. Texas eventually came to an end by reasons of their dreams of Independence becoming finnacially bankrupt, may be Kossvo in same situation will at a future time seek unity with Albania? Even the Mormans in their newly founded western homeland became involved in a, sometimes violent armed struggle to retain their Independence. It is however, the Secessionist Seperatism of the the Southern States which led to a civil war in which the South fought for it's rights to seperate from the Union, and establish the Confederate States of America but ultimatly failed to establish their own Independence.
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In Europe since the Middle Ages, there existed for the most part a number of Monarchies and Principalities which claimed sovereignty and ruled over within their boundaries, numerous peoples speaking a verity of languages. It was Machiavelli who advised Princes wishing to rule over other lands who advised, ''Take away their Laws and Customs but leave their Languages'', he goes on to give examples of the Bretons who he say were happy under a French Monarchy, they having been left their language but robbed of much else. Revolutionary France however was to denie the linguistic rights of it's minorities, as would other post 1797 Nation States and this contributed eventually to rise of ''Cultural Nationalism'', usually on back of Romanticism and the reclaiming of lost or denied histories. Of course this may be a generalisation, as circumstances differed and Religion, also has a great part to play in the causes and motivations of Seperatist Movements, and Secessionist struggles during the 19th century down to present times. Today Kossov's Independence brings to an end the Pan Slavic dream of Unity after centuries of being conquored and Colonised by the Habsburg and Ottoman Empires, a much sought unity to be able to stand up to larger neigbours. Further, of course Kossovan Independence brings to conclusion the last European Communist Nation State of Yugoslavia, the aim of the Third Reich but not achieved until over half a century later by the E.U. ''The Fourth Reich'' maybe? The question begs to be asked, is the reality that Kossovo is an E.U.Colony.
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The events in Kossovo today may have great reprecussions elsewhere, already Russia is stating that if it's right for Albanians of Kossovo to break away from Serbia, then do not the South Ossetians have the same right to seceed from Georgia. But what about Chechyna, Flanders and Northern Ireland et al. Ironically while Islamic Fundamentalists seek a ''World Caliphate'', whilst the non - Muslim world is well along the road to ''Balkanisation'', which is no bad thing in some cases but not all? However, in the context of what you may consider as rightfull claims to Sovereignty, what may be considered a justified Seperatist Struggle seeking to Seceed from an existing state? We for the most part would agree with Anti - Colonial Liberation Struggles, and the demands of Independence of ''Old Nations'' of Europe as of the Celtic and Baltic Peoples and of the Iberian Peninsular et al. The Flemish of Belguim would be in the right to dissolve a Union as Belguim, as they in first place where partners to such desired Union with Flanders, but that has now became undesirable. In the case of Kossovo the Serbs argue it is historically part of Serbia, a Province not a Colony nor a country. The Kossovans would argue differently and others as the E.U. would simply consider, not history or historic claims but would just be pragmatic regards the present, that speaks for itself. Kossovans today, the majority are unhappy with Serbian Rule, and as they say, have suffered Serbian Tyrrany, Oppression and Exploitation. You will be aware of the recent history of Balkan Wars and Ethnic cleansing etc, but the Serbs have for many centuries been ethnically cleansed and forced to leave Kossovan by the Albanians there. Thus to the Serbs the historical case is a justified one, and from reading that history I see that they really do have a good reason to feel aggrieved and pretty much feel really stuffed by the West and America.
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The purpose of this post is to get you think of Sovereignty, Seperatism & Secession and research and
study, then discuss and debate it amongst yourselves. To make it more personal by bringing it home, imagine that the English of Fflintshire, already I believe well over 60% of the population, rising up in a campaign for their own autonomous Assembly. The native Welsh know this would eventually lead to calls for Independence, thence English Seperatism would seek Secession and Unity with Chesire in other words England. Socio - Economically, this is almost a de facto reality right now anyway. Possibly this then becoming more of a reality if certain plans are put into effect, as this map indicates. Full information is given in a post: SAISLEBENSRAUM in THE WELSH PATRIOT Blog via http://welshpatriot.blogspot.com/ . Other than this check out the web links below which, I hope will help advance your knowledge regards matters touching on S.S &S, also help you make up your mind perhaps regards Kossovo. In this connection make special note of which countries are recognising or nor, Kossovo's Independence and come to understant why? Myself I feel kind of sad that the Pan Slav dream came to such an end, the reason why 19th Century Slav Patriots became Pan Slav Nationalists was because they knew that only as United Slavs could they become free and defend themselves from Imperial powers as the Habsburgs and Ottomans, Hitlers Germany and in our times, the European Union and America. As to why, possibly for same reasons as Hitler wanted to destroy Yugoslavia, to get at Oil in the Urals and further afield. Think on it! As this been done before, well yes, check out Panama Panama - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia In Central America, it is the second most industrialized country, behind El Salvador, although Panama is also the 3rd largest economy in Central America, ...en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panama - 124k - Cached - Similar pages , I am sure there are many other similar example.
study, then discuss and debate it amongst yourselves. To make it more personal by bringing it home, imagine that the English of Fflintshire, already I believe well over 60% of the population, rising up in a campaign for their own autonomous Assembly. The native Welsh know this would eventually lead to calls for Independence, thence English Seperatism would seek Secession and Unity with Chesire in other words England. Socio - Economically, this is almost a de facto reality right now anyway. Possibly this then becoming more of a reality if certain plans are put into effect, as this map indicates. Full information is given in a post: SAISLEBENSRAUM in THE WELSH PATRIOT Blog via http://welshpatriot.blogspot.com/ . Other than this check out the web links below which, I hope will help advance your knowledge regards matters touching on S.S &S, also help you make up your mind perhaps regards Kossovo. In this connection make special note of which countries are recognising or nor, Kossovo's Independence and come to understant why? Myself I feel kind of sad that the Pan Slav dream came to such an end, the reason why 19th Century Slav Patriots became Pan Slav Nationalists was because they knew that only as United Slavs could they become free and defend themselves from Imperial powers as the Habsburgs and Ottomans, Hitlers Germany and in our times, the European Union and America. As to why, possibly for same reasons as Hitler wanted to destroy Yugoslavia, to get at Oil in the Urals and further afield. Think on it! As this been done before, well yes, check out Panama Panama - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia In Central America, it is the second most industrialized country, behind El Salvador, although Panama is also the 3rd largest economy in Central America, ...en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panama - 124k - Cached - Similar pages , I am sure there are many other similar example..
Yugoslavia - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia The seven countries that were once part of Yugoslavia are Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Slovenia and Kosovo. ...en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yugoslavia - 135k - Cached - Similar pages
Yugoslavia - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia The seven countries that were once part of Yugoslavia are Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Slovenia and Kosovo. ...en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yugoslavia - 135k - Cached - Similar pages
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Kosovo pushes world for recognition - Europe- msnbc.com 18, 2008. PRISTINA, Kosovo - Kosovo's leaders sent letters to 192 countries Monday seeking formal recognition of independence, and suspense gripped the ...www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23219277/ - 6 hours ago - Similar pages
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Kosovo - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Kosovo (Albanian: Kosova or Kosovë, Serbian: Косово, Kosovo) is a self-declared de facto independent republic in southeastern Europe. ...en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kosovo - 199k - Cached - Similar pages
.Kossovo, a EU Colony? - L'Humanité in English 31 Mar 2007 ... As requested by the UN, Marti Ahtisaari, (ex Finnish president) has drafted a plan to determine the future status of Kosovo.www.humaniteinenglish.com/article537.html - 16k - Cached - Similar pages
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Craig Murray - Kosovan Independence Kosovo is apparently about to declare its independence from Serbia, against resistance from Serbia. I have mixed feelings about Kosovo, which is run by ...www.craigmurray.org.uk/archives/2008/02/kosovan_indepen.html - 18k - Cached - Similar pages
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Al Jazeera English - News - Nato Vows Strong Kosovo Force Spain, Romania, Slovakia and Greece fear that Kosovon independence without Belgrade's agreement could encourage other separatist movements in the region. ...english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/FF2E8E9C-5AA5-4ED2-A2F2-46B28C4710DB.htm - 67k - Cached - Similar pages
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South Ossetia - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Georgia does not recognise South Ossetia as a distinct or independent entity. ..... This page was last modified on 18 February 2008, at 07:19. ...en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Ossetia - 131k - Cached - Similar pages
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Sovereignty - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Sovereignty is the exclusive right to complete control over an area of governance, people, or oneself. A sovereign is the supreme lawmaking authority, ...en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sovereignty - 65k - Cached - Similar pages
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Separatism - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Separatism is a term usually applied to describe the attitudes or motivations of those seeking independence or "separation" of their land or region from the ...en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Separatism - 66k - Cached - Similar pages
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Secession - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Secession (derived from the Latin term secessio) is the act of withdrawing from an organization, union, or political entity. It is not to be confused with ...en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secession - 67k - Cached - Similar pages
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Afterthoughts: Kossovo has it's own flag, but did you see that anywhere during their Independence day celebrations, no! What you did see 1000's of Albanian flags, the West has done it again, gone and meddled in other peoples affairs. Of course they did this in the Middle East after WW I, and we have been left with the consequence of that, picking up the pieces. Least of all, do keep in mind that Western Governments remember well the Russians closing down Gas supplies to the Ukrain, so now do you get the picture. Meanwhile Darfur, no the European Goverments and American Government does'nt give a damn, does it. Meanwhile 80% of Bosnian youth would rather live in the west along with everyone else, why?
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Gethin.
