2008 Woodie Awards
International community must rally to support new republic
Josh Bays
Issue date: 3/3/08 Section: Opinion
On February 17, the U.N.- and NATO-administered region of Kosovo declared formal independence from Serbia. The first countries to recognize Kosovo's new sovereignty were the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Norway, Denmark and Turkey.
Conspicuously absent from this list were Russia, China, Serbia, Spain, and Romania, all of whom have a stake in keeping Kosovo dependent. Recently, Russia has gone so far as to threaten removing its diplomats from any nations recognizing the nascent state. Spain, among others, refuses to recognize Kosovo's independence because it does not want to embolden the efforts of separatist movements in its own territory.
After a long history of persecution and degradation, the people of Kosovo deserve their self-determination and freedom. To begin with, Kosovo is not, and never has been, an integral part of the Serbian state in any sense - be it political, ethnic or economic. While the population of Serbia is comprised primarily of ethnic Serbs, 92 percent of Kosovo is secular Muslim Albanian.
Throughout Kosovo's long history, control over its mountainous terrain and embattled populace has traded hands numerous times in accordance with the political whims and fortunes of its stronger neighbors.
Before the 20th century, Kosovo was a part of the Turkish Ottoman Empire. Subsequently, it became part of the Kingdom of Serbia, was later occupied by Bulgarian and Austro-Hungarian troops, and then was made a province of communist Yugoslavia. When communism collapsed, and the multi-state conglomerate of Yugoslavia dissolved, the Balkans were engulfed in a series of civil wars. Kosovar Albanians were subjected to a campaign of ethnic cleansing by Serbian forces under Slobodan Milosevic - a campaign that was only halted by U.S.-led NATO air strikes.
All nations that would call themselves defenders of liberty share the responsibility to support Kosovo in this crucial period. Whether it comes in the form of financial support, military protection or diplomatic pressure the world needs to come together to help a fledgling democracy develop. If an international consensus is reached then even the nations sitting on the sidelines will be forced to take a stand.
The U.S. has both a moral obligation and a strategic incentive to support Kosovo. The Republic of Kosovo could potentially become a strong Muslim ally to the U.S. at a time when America needs this most. Kosovo remembers how the U.S. came to its defense in the late 90s against Milosevic's war machine. That is why, on the day Kosovo announced its independence, its citizens rallied in the streets carrying not only Kosovar flags, but American flags, as well. For the time being, however, expect China, Russia and Spain to continue their policy of self-important indignation.
Conspicuously absent from this list were Russia, China, Serbia, Spain, and Romania, all of whom have a stake in keeping Kosovo dependent. Recently, Russia has gone so far as to threaten removing its diplomats from any nations recognizing the nascent state. Spain, among others, refuses to recognize Kosovo's independence because it does not want to embolden the efforts of separatist movements in its own territory.
After a long history of persecution and degradation, the people of Kosovo deserve their self-determination and freedom. To begin with, Kosovo is not, and never has been, an integral part of the Serbian state in any sense - be it political, ethnic or economic. While the population of Serbia is comprised primarily of ethnic Serbs, 92 percent of Kosovo is secular Muslim Albanian.
Throughout Kosovo's long history, control over its mountainous terrain and embattled populace has traded hands numerous times in accordance with the political whims and fortunes of its stronger neighbors.
Before the 20th century, Kosovo was a part of the Turkish Ottoman Empire. Subsequently, it became part of the Kingdom of Serbia, was later occupied by Bulgarian and Austro-Hungarian troops, and then was made a province of communist Yugoslavia. When communism collapsed, and the multi-state conglomerate of Yugoslavia dissolved, the Balkans were engulfed in a series of civil wars. Kosovar Albanians were subjected to a campaign of ethnic cleansing by Serbian forces under Slobodan Milosevic - a campaign that was only halted by U.S.-led NATO air strikes.
All nations that would call themselves defenders of liberty share the responsibility to support Kosovo in this crucial period. Whether it comes in the form of financial support, military protection or diplomatic pressure the world needs to come together to help a fledgling democracy develop. If an international consensus is reached then even the nations sitting on the sidelines will be forced to take a stand.
The U.S. has both a moral obligation and a strategic incentive to support Kosovo. The Republic of Kosovo could potentially become a strong Muslim ally to the U.S. at a time when America needs this most. Kosovo remembers how the U.S. came to its defense in the late 90s against Milosevic's war machine. That is why, on the day Kosovo announced its independence, its citizens rallied in the streets carrying not only Kosovar flags, but American flags, as well. For the time being, however, expect China, Russia and Spain to continue their policy of self-important indignation.
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