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The Balkans
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Emerging States and Unrepresented Peoples | Kosovo
2008 | 2007 | Archived Articles 2008
The Slow Birth of a Nation (April 24, 2008)
Kosovo, the self-proclaimed European nation, has one of the world’s worst trade balances and suffers from 75 percent youth unemployment. The problematic economic situation slows down the building of the new country but does not constitute the only factor hampering its development. The author warns that the clan-based political structure and corrupt political leaders endanger the establishment of a constitutional nation. (Der Spiegel)A Postmodern Declaration (February 19, 2008)
This Guardian article highlights the artificial nature of the new self-declared country Kosovo. The EU plans to appoint an International Civilian Representative with the ability to "correct or annul decisions by the Kosovo public authorities." NATO has 16,000 troops on the ground and the new country shelters a US military camp. The author argues that this postmodern state will in practice be nothing more than a "US-EU protectorate."2007
Birth of a Nation: But Will Kosovo Spark Another Balkan Crisis? (December 11, 2007)
International mediators have failed to reach a negotiated solution about Kosovo's future, leaving the UN, the EU, Kosovo and Serbia, at a stalemate. Serbia does not want to give up Kosovo any less than Kosovo wants to stay with Serbia. Apart from the sovereignty issue, the UN protectorate also has some very pressing problems, such as massive unemployment, corruption and poverty. (Independent)Cold War Deja Vu in Kosovo (December 6, 2007)
In early 2007, Kosovo's independence seemed inevitable as both the US and the EU made it clear they would support a declaration of independence. But, after almost a year, independence appears less likely as Russia is opposing Security Council recognition of Kosovo. Moscow has many reasons to back Serbia, says this Los Angeles Times article. Russians share a cultural bond with the Serbs and they want to reassert their regional authority. But most importantly, Moscow is afraid of Kosovo creating a precedent for the Chechnyans and other Russian minorities.'Peace in Kosovo Was Never More than a Ceasefire' (November 19, 2007)
Former guerilla leader Hashim Thaci won Kosovo elections which means he could be Kosovo's next prime minister. But less than half of the people of Kosovo turned out to vote, with the ethnic Serbs boycotting the election altogether. Thaci has said he will declare independence on December 10, the day set for the mediators to give recommendations to the UN regarding the future of the UN protectorate. But independence will not come easy, as the Russians will veto it in the Security Council. (Der Spiegel)The Dismantling of Yugoslavia (October 2007)
This Monthly Review article tells the story of a dismantled Yugoslavia, where not only internal problems, but also external political pressure, especially from the US, tore the country apart. According to the article, the US - acting through NATO - legitimized the military interventions in Bosnia and Kosovo by calling them "humanitarian interventions." At the time, the Security Council did not approve the interventions, but it later provided the US with an ex post facto legitimacy. The authors argue that Western media and politicians have simplified the history of the Balkan civil wars, portraying the wars as a battle between good and evil, while neglecting the role and interests of the US.US and EU are Ready to Recognize Kosovo Independence (September 24, 2007)
Kosovo will declare itself independent if talks with Serbia reach a dead-end by December 2007. The US and the EU have said they will support independence, even though some EU members fear that Kosovo could set a precedent for Turkish Cypriots, ethnic Hungarians in Romania and Slovakia, in short - all the ethnic minorities in Europe and Russia. The Kremlin resists Kosovar independence and prefers to keep the issue inside the UN Security Council where Russia could use its veto. At the same time, Serbian politicians say they will never accept Kosovo's independence, since the region is the cradle of Serb civilization. (International Herald Tribune)Patience Runs Thin as Kosovo Albanians Await Independence (June 24, 2007)
This International Herald Tribune article reports that discussions on the future of an independent Kosovo are at an impasse. The article warns that the unlikelihood of a UN agreement anytime soon is having repercussions in Kosovo, which include violence and the rise of politically extreme groups and is threatening the region's fragile stability. The US and Europe assured Kosovo Albanians that they will have their own country, but Serbia insists that the territory should remain its province. Meanwhile, Russia says it will not let the UN impose independence against the Serbs' will.UN Offers Plan for Kosovo's Independence (January 27, 2007)
The United Nations mediator Martti Ahtisaari is privately discussing his recommendations for the final status of Kosovo with the main actors of the Contact Group. His proposals would allow the region to declare independence from Serbia, but would be subject to continued international supervision. Subject to Security Council approval, the former province could have the right to enter into some international agreements and join world organizations as a sovereign state as well as eventually having its own army. NATO troops are set to stay, whilst another international organization with executive powers over the new state will replace the UN mission there. (New York Times)
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