On March 28, 2008, Canada and most of the world recognized Kosovo’s — formerly part of Serbia — unilateral declaration of independence.
I have heard many conflicting opinions about the justice in Canada’s recognition of Kosovo. At first I remained in favour of Kosovo.
Serbia hasn’t been completely innocent this whole time and Kosovo isn’t the first territory to split from them. Serbia, formerly part of Yugoslavia, has also had Bosnia, Herzegovina, Montenegro and Croatia split from its republic.
Why did they all leave? Is it poverty? An oppressive government? Is it the fact that the area has been war-torn? Were the citizens discriminated against? I mean, there has to be something to explain why so many people are averse to being Serbian.
There is a side, however, that shows Serbia in a different light. After the Second World War, Eastern Europe was divided between socialism and communism.
In Albania, there were thousands of people wanting to escape an oppressive communist regime. In 1947, Yugoslavia, in good faith, opened the borders to these Albanians and allowed them entry into Kosovo. More than 70,000 Albanians settled in Kosovo, which is considered the heart of Serbia. Between 1947-2008 the population of Albanians in Kosovo skyrocketed from 70,000 to two million people.
In 1999, the Albanians in Kosovo broke the pre-existing peace in Serbia and sought to gain independence and take the land for themselves.
The Kosovo Liberation Army, an Albanian rebel group, began to kill innocent Serbians, burn down churches (Serbs are primarily Christian orthodox whereas the Albanians are primarily Muslim) and destroy the ancient ruins in Kosovo. They murdered, committed sacrilege and desecrated a great amount of Serbian history in their attempt to take away land that was once offered to them as a means of escape.
Now there must be an element of truth to both stories. No one is blameless. Serbia retaliated in an attempt to thwart Kosovo’s plans of independence, as well to protect the innocent millions who were merely living in their homeland. Kosovo was first Serbian land. Inter-ethnic tensions have been an issue in Kosovo as it was within all of Yugoslavia.
I wish Kosovo hadn’t attempted its second declaration of independence because in its first attempt only Albania recognized its independence. The issue is still undecided for me.
What changed this time and why did the world suddenly take notice? I don’t know but I hope that the countries that accepted Kosovo’s independence, including ours, considered both sides before making their decision and didn’t just base it on politics (deposits of natural gas and oil have been discovered in Kosovo).
I hope they are pleased with their decision, because now Canada has opened a lot of doors. Russia and Serbia, who are both unsupportive of the split, will probably be on poor terms with us. Serbia has pulled their ambassador from Ottawa. Locally, the recognition has encouraged the Sovereigntists in Quebec. I suppose you get what you give.
by Yvonne Tristani, Gr. 12, M.M. Robinson
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Shame on Canada!! and Shame to those countries who recognized kosovo. Shame to those who violated international law.
Comment by Jevic — May 13, 2008 #
To the kid with the perspective . Goverments are like gangs of criminals . taking from their own people or from others what ever they want . The United States is a superpower . This seems to have made them believe they can do anything because nobody can prevent it . It is our job to stop goverment crime by electing good people .
You are right in being suspecious of Oil or gas . I guess there is a pipeline and United States wants a airbase so they can protect their pipeline . Oil and gas usually mean high profits or easy money . easy money is what evreybody seems to want and it is the reason for most crime .
Comment by Eric — June 5, 2008 #
you are wrong when you believe the whole world reconizes Kosovo . Canada and the United States even with some of the big european countries are not the whole world . although they like to think of themselves as the most important part of the world . Countries that believe Serbia and Russia are more right and more honest are Indonesia ,Brazil, Chinia , Israel, Argentinia , India , and at least a 100 other countries . So you a smart Canadian to question your goverments action .
Comment by Eric — June 5, 2008 #