Comments on: Serbian Protestors Set Fire to US Embassy http://diplomacy.foreignpolicyblogs.com/2008/02/21/serbian-protestors-set-fire-to-us-embassy/ A Great Decisions 2008 Blog Fri, 09 Jan 2009 22:39:31 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=wordpress-mu-1.0 by: Ilhamy http://diplomacy.foreignpolicyblogs.com/2008/02/21/serbian-protestors-set-fire-to-us-embassy/#comment-242 Tue, 26 Feb 2008 22:34:59 +0000 http://diplomacy.foreignpolicyblogs.com/2008/02/21/serbian-protestors-set-fire-to-us-embassy/#comment-242 Inform and educate the masses. Timely sharing of information is crucial in improving such situations. This is not an easy task, it starts with being aware what is going on, understand it and studying the different outcomes and preparing for them. If it is important, than the organizations that have a stake in the situation need to do their job, keep in touch, understand and learn and be proactive to minimize/control the damage and if a win-win situation can not be achieved, then the next best solution be implemented. Situations like this do not erupt without a "long" build up, sensing change and being aware and educating people and highlighting the benefits of taking one coarse of action than another is the responsibility of the leaders and stake holders. Inform and educate the masses.
Timely sharing of information is crucial in improving such situations.
This is not an easy task, it starts with being aware what is going on, understand it and studying the different outcomes and preparing for them.
If it is important, than the organizations that have a stake in the situation need to do their job, keep in touch, understand and learn and be proactive to minimize/control the damage and if a win-win situation can not be achieved, then the next best solution be implemented.
Situations like this do not erupt without a “long” build up, sensing change and being aware and educating people and highlighting the benefits of taking one coarse of action than another is the responsibility of the leaders and stake holders.

]]> by: jeffreydexter http://diplomacy.foreignpolicyblogs.com/2008/02/21/serbian-protestors-set-fire-to-us-embassy/#comment-214 Sat, 23 Feb 2008 16:57:30 +0000 http://diplomacy.foreignpolicyblogs.com/2008/02/21/serbian-protestors-set-fire-to-us-embassy/#comment-214 Matt, I agree, a civil protest might have helped win mild support to their cause as opposed to their chaotic intrusion into the embassy which in turn has drawn ire from the international community. Ilhamy, I just reviewed the homepage for the American Embassy in Serbia. Whereas there are travel advisories and the announcement for the evacuation of non-essential staff up now, I do not see much of a warning or raised readiness level in their previous news briefs. That's not to say Ambassador Munter did not hold private discussions with his staffers. Matt, Ilhamy, What actions might you suggest the United States, NATO, and/or the UN could do to help ameliorate the current situation? Matt,

I agree, a civil protest might have helped win mild support to their cause as opposed to their chaotic intrusion into the embassy which in turn has drawn ire from the international community.

Ilhamy,

I just reviewed the homepage for the American Embassy in Serbia. Whereas there are travel advisories and the announcement for the evacuation of non-essential staff up now, I do not see much of a warning or raised readiness level in their previous news briefs. That’s not to say Ambassador Munter did not hold private discussions with his staffers.

Matt, Ilhamy,

What actions might you suggest the United States, NATO, and/or the UN could do to help ameliorate the current situation?

]]> by: Ilhamy William http://diplomacy.foreignpolicyblogs.com/2008/02/21/serbian-protestors-set-fire-to-us-embassy/#comment-212 Sat, 23 Feb 2008 13:58:31 +0000 http://diplomacy.foreignpolicyblogs.com/2008/02/21/serbian-protestors-set-fire-to-us-embassy/#comment-212 I have not read about the level of readiness of our Embassy after the announcement of Kosovo's independence. Were the European Embassies reinforced to protect its US grounds? We knew how emotional these people are and we need to help them recognize we are serious and they should think twice before attacking US Embassies. I have not read about the level of readiness of our Embassy after the announcement of Kosovo’s independence.
Were the European Embassies reinforced to protect its US grounds?
We knew how emotional these people are and we need to help them recognize we are serious and they should think twice before attacking US Embassies.

]]> by: Matt http://diplomacy.foreignpolicyblogs.com/2008/02/21/serbian-protestors-set-fire-to-us-embassy/#comment-200 Fri, 22 Feb 2008 00:35:16 +0000 http://diplomacy.foreignpolicyblogs.com/2008/02/21/serbian-protestors-set-fire-to-us-embassy/#comment-200 I'm a Serbophile, and its a dark day for Serbdom. Much of the sympathy that Serbs could have gained from showing dignified outrage at having part of its country taken away from it has been squandered by the display of thuggery and criminality in Belgrade, and more importantly the government's willful failure to contain it. A narrative that could have focused on an historical injustice and a dangerous precedent for the international system has been superseded by cowardly and drunken violence on the streets of Belgrade. Bas steta! I’m a Serbophile, and its a dark day for Serbdom. Much of the sympathy that Serbs could have gained from showing dignified outrage at having part of its country taken away from it has been squandered by the display of thuggery and criminality in Belgrade, and more importantly the government’s willful failure to contain it. A narrative that could have focused on an historical injustice and a dangerous precedent for the international system has been superseded by cowardly and drunken violence on the streets of Belgrade. Bas steta!

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