Belgrade, 13 October 2006 - In the last few weeks, Serbian daily "Glas" in its section called "Polemics", published scholars' and other important public figures' views on solving the Kosovo issue. A summary of the most interesting responses is below:

Partnership with the USA

Dr. Srda Trifkovic and Dr. Michael Pravica think that Serbia must establish partnership with the US, and put the prevention of Kosovo independence issue into the context of the "Global War against Terrorism" since that would be acceptable to the rest of the world.

"The world does not care about justice, truth, history and conscience but it does care about its own interests, and that is the war on terrorism. In this context, a good move would be starting to do that through the American Council for Kosovo and Metohija as soon as possible" they said.

Dorde Joncic believes that it is possible for Serbia to get the support of western countries, especially the United States, but also of Germany and France.

Nikola Jancic from Sweden suggests that in changing the minds of the western government, the Serbian Diaspora around the world needs to get involved. Diaspora needs to get involved and open the roads through which the "truth" about "Kosmet" will get to the ears of the people.

Rely on Russia

Branko Brankovic, a former diplomat, believes that Serbia must rely on Russian support. "Since Russia always had strategic interests in the Balkans, it should be invited by Serbia to open military bases in Kosovo, especially in its northern parts" he said.

EU Membership

Academic Kosta Mihajlovic believes that "EU membership opens perspectives that will minimize the ethnic tensions in Kosovo, and that is a pre-requisite for solutions to the other problems".

Division of Kosovo along ethnic lines

Historian Cedomir Antic notes that the division of Kosovo at this moment the most favorable solution for Serbia because "the only long term solution in the region would be the agreement between Serbs and Albanians and decision on establishing changed but firm borders between Kosovo and Serbia, as two independent countries. This way we will succeed in preserve at least a piece of Serbia within Serbia, have full sovereignty and stop Presevo and Bujanovac from seceding, and above all stop the northward expansion of Albanians".

Mass protests

According to Dr. Milovan Mitrovic and Dr. Drago Pantic, participation of Serbs in public protests will show the world that they are very decisive on their stand that Kosovo is an indivisible part of Serbia. Along with all the diplomatic efforts, it will send a strong message that the views of the population and Serbia's leadership are in complete sync when it comes to Kosovo issue.