ANALYSIS-Russia ready for re-match over Kosovo

SLATINA, Serbia, Feb 12 (Reuters) - When the Russians tangled with the West over Kosovo nine years ago, they bit off more than they could chew and eventually backed down.

A far more confident Russia now is poised for a re-match on behalf of its Serb ally, after Kosovo Albanians declare the province independent of Serbia on Sunday.

Russia Warns West on Kosovo Independence

Russia warned the West on Tuesday against recognizing a unilateral declaration of independence by Kosovo, saying it could set off a chain reaction of secessionist movements in Europe and around the world.

Could an Independent Kosovo Sustain Itself Economically?

Would an independent Kosovo be able to survive on its own? The World Bank hopes the country would be able to support itself through its coal deposits. Some economists are not convinced it will be that easy.

Serbia will declare unilateral independence Kosovo invalid

Serbia would declare as invalid a unilateral declaration of independence by Kosovo as Belgrade considered such a move illegal, Associated Press (AP) quoted a statement issued after a meeting between Serbian president Boris Tadic and prime minister Vojislav Kostunica

EU prepares for Kosovo independence

-- A European Union official said Monday it is "likely" the union will authorize a "security and justice" force for Kosovo this week, ahead of an expected declaration of independence by the state's newly elected leader.

OSCE may stay in Kosovo with narrower mandate

Finnish Foreign Minister Ilkka Kanerva said on Monday he was optimistic Europe's main election watchdog will be able to stay in Kosovo, perhaps with a narrower mandate, if the region declares independence.

EU to launch Kosovo mission before independence

The European Union is set to complete authorization of a big supervisory mission in Kosovo this week, just before the territory is expected to declare independence from Serbia, diplomats and EU officials said.

Yugoslav time capsule

Feb. 11 - As Kosovo prepares to declare independence, a psychiatric hospital in the province maintains the same ethnic mix that was Yugoslavia.

Stimlje mental institution is the only institution in Kosovo where Serbian is the first language, ahead of Albanian.

Stuart McDill reports.

John McCain Is He Even Eligible To Be President?

“No person except a natural born citizen,

shall be eligible to the office of President”

John McCain was born August 29, 1936 in Panama

Serbia braces for Kosovo independence

However this comes down in the next couple of weeks, the potential for a truly ugly military confrontation between Russia, the UN, and NATO is very possible here.

Let's hope that cool heads prevail; but given the historical geopolitical instability of the whole region (coupled with its vast mineral wealth), we could be in for some nastiness once Kosovo declares its independence.

Russia warns as Kosovo independence looms

Kosovo is expected to declare independence from Serbia next Sunday, but a top Russian official warned that Europe could open a "Pandora's box" if it recognized the move over Belgrade's objections.

Russia Sees `Hell of a Problem' in Kosovo Statehood

Russia warned that statehood for the breakaway Serbian province of Kosovo would unleash separatist movements elsewhere, pouring fuel on ethnic conflicts around the world.

Kosovo called Pandora's box

British general holds key to Kosovo's future

A British general given the key task of preventing bloodshed in Kosovo has warned of the "high stakes" involved as the province prepares to declare independence from Serbia this week.

Kosovo to proclaim independence on Feb. 17

The Kosovo parliament will adopt a statement of intent to proclaim independence on Feb. 17, just ahead of a meeting of EU foreign ministers, and the proclamation will take effect in early March, local media reported on Saturday.

Tadic supports pavarisa e kosoves

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHA

The Kosovo tug-of-war

With Kosovo on the verge of declaring independence from Serbia, ending years of political limbo, Mark Tran looks at the likely impact of the move

Power shortages haunt disputed province

Kosovo awaits nod on independence

Kosovo’s leaders are ready to declare independence on February 17 but are awaiting the final go-ahead from Brussels and Washington to make the historic parliamentary vote that Sunday afternoon, officials in Pristina, the provisional capital, say.

Let's Avoid Another Kosovo Crisis

Small events in the Balkans have a way of getting out of hand, as Emperor Franz Joseph might once have remarked.