The Possibility of Independence in Vojvodina

[Kempenzoon]

Well we West Europeans also have our problems with each other but we don't take it as far as those that are now beyond the unnatural Oder-Neisse border.

It depends on how far you go in things.

If you say the French can keep French Flanders, the small region close to Calais, where the native people speak the Flemish language in France ... I don't think many Flemish will mind that.

If you say though that the French can keep Brussels because after all, it hasn't been "Flemish" culturally or traditionally for at least a hundred fifty years ... that's when the going gets tough. To clarify, the current Flemish population in Brussels is less than 5% of the city. At the time Belgium came into existance, one hundred eighty years ago, that was still about 65%. Or it could be even higher, I don't remember the exact number, but it was well over half. Using the logic used here, we should just roll over then and let the French have it. Or am I reading too much into your post?

I don't think that historical claims should be entirely ignored.

I also find it a bit discourteous to compare Slavs to Jews. But I agree with the general message in your post, they really should try to settle their conflicts a bit more civilised though.

[The Lawspeaker]

I don't remember the exact number, but it was well over half. Using the logic used here, we should just roll over then and let the French have it. Or am I reading too much into your post?

You are reading too much. Those areas should be handed over back to us (Netherlands or Flanders- as it depends on whether Flanders would sue for reunification or independence) and if there are any places where French used to be the language and which now turned Dutch-speaking we should hand over to Wallonia/France. When it comes to the Belgian problem I think that France and the Netherlands (and Germany and possibly even Luxembourg) should get involved and see to it that the division of what used to be Belgium is taken care off in an orderly fashion and those areas that switched hands should be handed over to their original owners- and when it comes to the new people they will have to be respected in their rights but understand that the language of the administration will become Dutch (or French for those areas that used to be French-speaking) and if both parties AND the people involved would agree with it parts of Luxembourg will be returned to Luxembourg, the East Cantons returned to Germany, Flanders re-united with the Netherlands (or independent) and Wallonia will become French (or independent). Brussels however will have to be handed over to Flanders- it used to be Flemish-speaking and no exception will be made. For the time being a bi-lingual administration would do just fine. But let us at least carry out such a dissolution in a civilized manner as there is no need for a vechtscheiding (as we call it in the Netherlands)- a portmanteau for "fighting divorce" (for our foreign readers).

I also find it a bit discourteous to compare Slavs to Jews. But I agree with the general message in your post, they really should try to settle their conflicts a bit more civilised though.

It's a group that behaves (and has always, throughout their history) behaved extremely discourteous and as such I can find no reason to sweeten the pill.