The page one article “EU faces thorny choice on Kosovo” (June 29) raises some thorny issues. Depending upon how the world responds to the Kosovo final status conundrum - “phased independence” over the next few years for the Kosovar Albanian majority (the UN plan), or “substantial autonomy” for the province (Belgrade’s position) - the decision has grave implications for the resurrection of violence between Serbs and Albanians and for the Balkans in general.
What to do? This is clearly not the time for “old” thinking, which seems to have dominated the discourse over Kosovo thus far, with threats and counter-threats, talk of Russians holding EU foreign policy hostage, and the like.
Why not reframe the plan presented last January by Martti Ahtisaari, the UN special envoy, to allow Serbia to retain dejure sovereignty over Kosovo, but allow the Albanians to have defacto sovereignty through a leasing agreement with Belgrade. This, plus all the protections for human rights of Serbs and other minorities in Kosovo, with the European Union working assiduously to get Serbia as well as Kosovo into “the Club” where, once again, both would be members of the same overarching framework, might do the trick, at least until other, longer term procedures are worked out to the satisfaction of all concerned.
Dennis J.D. Sandole, Arlington, Virginia
Who is partitioning Kosovo?
Terminology is all! Note how Edward Joseph, in his op-ed column, “It’s time for some brinksmanship” (Views, June 29), favors quick “independence” for Kosovo and opposes its “partition” by a subsequent “secession” of the northern Mitrovica Serbs.
It is, of course, the province’s Albanians who would be seceding, hence partitioning, or, put more bluntly, dismembering Serbia. As for northern Mitrovica, its inhabitants would be electing not to secede but to remain a part of Serbia. After all, Security Council Resolution 1244, which ended NATO’s aerial bombardment, reaffirms Kosovo as an integral part of Serbia.
Joseph would also have us believe that the beleaguered Serbs left in an “independent” Kosovo will be protected by NATO. But the ethnic cleansing of most of the province’s Serbs, Roma and other non-Albanians took place under the noses of NATO troops. These same troops were powerless to stop the murderous anti-Serb riots of March 2004. Moreover, NATO failed to persuade the province’s Albanians to allow the return of those they expelled.
An independent Kosovo is a recipe for a state fit only for Albanians.
Yugo Kovach, Twickenham, England
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Where is Albania dont Albanians rule ALbania, So Serbia residents that want Albanian laws could move to Albania and be in charge of evreything . whats stopping them .
Comment by eric — July 2, 2007 #
Absolutely right on Eric. Why did Albaniens move to country of Serbia that they hate and left Albania-country that they love. Most of those hardliners came ilegally anyway but they can go back and be happy. Those peace loving Albaniens can stay and contribute to democratic Serbia. Ofcaurse those peace loving are in danger of losing their lives if they speak.
Comment by Ruby — July 9, 2007 #