As I understand it,the ethnic albanians are decended from these Turks.
Actually ancient Albanians gave us an interesting phrase. King Pyhrrus launched a series of attacks against S. Italy centuries ago. He was successful, but on seizing victory on one occasion, his army suffered catastrophic losses that it lead him to remark, "a few more victories like this and I will be ruined". This led us to the term "phyrric victory", or a victory that comes at such a great cost it resembles defeat.
But truedog, I think to say that this hatred goes back 600 years and thus is not our business is a cop-out. This is now, not then. And if every nation relied upon that justification, then Europe would have every reason to launch itself back into continental warfare. Russia and Poland could go back to war. France and Germany could justify a resumption of their long-standing conflicts over Alsace-Lorraine and the Saar.
But the real concern is that the Balkans could erupt into a battle between the concept of a greater Serbia or greater Albania, either of which could destabilize the delicate balance between muslim and orthodox ethnicities in the region. The Greeks and Turks have enough problems getting along as it is.
Serbian oppression of its Albanian minority has opened the door for radical islamic elements to find favor there as the old Ottoman-Eastern Orthodox religious wounds are re-opened by reckless and nationalistic leaders interested only in asserting their own power.
We didn't have the KLA thugs as a major influence or Muhadjideen running loose through the region until Milosevic decided to stir up the ancient hatreds and mistrusts. The KLA was a fairly insignificant organization until two years ago as Milo turned up the heat on Kosovar Albanians.
Just my opinion.
Regards,
Ron |
