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For the past century, Kosovo, the Balkan region of enormous historical, cultural and religious importance to the Serbian people, has been a Serbian province.
Although Kosovo has been largely autonomous during this period, the province's political arrangement has infuriated a vast majority of the people of Kosovo, who, as ethnic Albanians, have little in common with Serbia's Slavic majority.
With the support and approval of the United States, Kosovo declared its independence on Sunday, a move that could throw the Balkans into yet another state of instability.
Most observers and political analysts point to the recent re-election of Boris Tadic, the progressive, pro-Western presidential incumbent, as a sign Serbia and its population are eager to discard the radical nationalism that characterized the country during the 1990s and embrace economic growth and political reconciliation. However, it would be a mistake to underestimate the importance of Kosovo to the Serbian people.
It is plausible to suggest, in the coming days, Boris Tadic's liberal government, which has been lukewarm on the Kosovo people's independence, could collapse due to public dissatisfaction with the government's inability to retain Kosovo.
With a power vacuum created, Tomislav Nikolic, an ultra-nationalist who narrowly lost to Tadic in the recent election, and his Serbian Radical Party would be primed to step into power. Nikolic, who has been in favor of sending Serbian military and police forces back into Kosovo, likely would order a military intervention in Kosovo, sparking yet another armed conflict in the Balkans...
Although Kosovo has been largely autonomous during this period, the province's political arrangement has infuriated a vast majority of the people of Kosovo, who, as ethnic Albanians, have little in common with Serbia's Slavic majority.
With the support and approval of the United States, Kosovo declared its independence on Sunday, a move that could throw the Balkans into yet another state of instability.
Most observers and political analysts point to the recent re-election of Boris Tadic, the progressive, pro-Western presidential incumbent, as a sign Serbia and its population are eager to discard the radical nationalism that characterized the country during the 1990s and embrace economic growth and political reconciliation. However, it would be a mistake to underestimate the importance of Kosovo to the Serbian people.
It is plausible to suggest, in the coming days, Boris Tadic's liberal government, which has been lukewarm on the Kosovo people's independence, could collapse due to public dissatisfaction with the government's inability to retain Kosovo.
With a power vacuum created, Tomislav Nikolic, an ultra-nationalist who narrowly lost to Tadic in the recent election, and his Serbian Radical Party would be primed to step into power. Nikolic, who has been in favor of sending Serbian military and police forces back into Kosovo, likely would order a military intervention in Kosovo, sparking yet another armed conflict in the Balkans...
Day of Infamy
QUOTE
Kosovo Separatists Declare Independence
by Nebojsa Malic
Serbia did not have to wait long to be "rewarded" for the narrow re-election of Europhile president Boris Tadic; precisely two weeks after the runoff vote, the EU and the Empire made their move. On Sunday, February 17, the Albanian provisional government of the occupied province of Kosovo declared independence, and requested international recognition. By Wednesday, it had come from Washington, London, Paris, Rome, Berlin and several other countries. Fittingly, the very first government that recognized the "Republic of Kosova" was the puppet regime of Afghanistan.
The Serbian legislature immediately passed an act annulling the Albanians' declaration, while the separatist leaders were indicted for rebellion. Russia and China refused to recognize the renegade regime, as did Spain, Romania, Cyprus, Slovakia, Sri Lanka, and Indonesia, among others. Many countries are sitting on the fence still, unwilling to anger the Empire but unsure how supporting a forcible partition of Serbia would serve their interests.
Jubilant Albanians partied the entire day Sunday. In Serbia, however, angry demonstrators stoned the embassies of the U.S. and current EU chair, Slovenia (also the first republic to secede from Yugoslavia, in 1991). Dozens were reported injured in clashes with the police, as the Serbian government appealed for calm.
Both the government and the opposition in Serbia have explicitly ruled out military action to defend Kosovo, intending to prove the merits of their case by a show of responsible restraint. They are dancing a fine line between the anger of their people and the perception in the West that the restraint is, in fact, impotence. Guided by this misperception, U.S. and EU diplomats sent cheery messages of "friendship" to Belgrade, even as Serbia began recalling ambassadors from Western capitals...
by Nebojsa Malic
Serbia did not have to wait long to be "rewarded" for the narrow re-election of Europhile president Boris Tadic; precisely two weeks after the runoff vote, the EU and the Empire made their move. On Sunday, February 17, the Albanian provisional government of the occupied province of Kosovo declared independence, and requested international recognition. By Wednesday, it had come from Washington, London, Paris, Rome, Berlin and several other countries. Fittingly, the very first government that recognized the "Republic of Kosova" was the puppet regime of Afghanistan.
The Serbian legislature immediately passed an act annulling the Albanians' declaration, while the separatist leaders were indicted for rebellion. Russia and China refused to recognize the renegade regime, as did Spain, Romania, Cyprus, Slovakia, Sri Lanka, and Indonesia, among others. Many countries are sitting on the fence still, unwilling to anger the Empire but unsure how supporting a forcible partition of Serbia would serve their interests.
Jubilant Albanians partied the entire day Sunday. In Serbia, however, angry demonstrators stoned the embassies of the U.S. and current EU chair, Slovenia (also the first republic to secede from Yugoslavia, in 1991). Dozens were reported injured in clashes with the police, as the Serbian government appealed for calm.
Both the government and the opposition in Serbia have explicitly ruled out military action to defend Kosovo, intending to prove the merits of their case by a show of responsible restraint. They are dancing a fine line between the anger of their people and the perception in the West that the restraint is, in fact, impotence. Guided by this misperception, U.S. and EU diplomats sent cheery messages of "friendship" to Belgrade, even as Serbia began recalling ambassadors from Western capitals...
This post has been edited by Slade: 22 February 2008 - 06:57 AM
Reason for edit:: Please do not copy and paste full articles.
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