Kosova

 

I am back after a long and well deserved break. There hasn't been much new to say anyway. Russia did say no to the resolution proposal last week, but that was for the fifth time. Russian stance is that whatever Serbia does not accept, neither will Russia. That's when the diplomatic smart asses came up with the idea of Prishtina and Belgrade discussing without a time-frame resolution.

Another smart ass proposed (ahem, didn't propose but would not stand in the way either) ceding northern Kosovo to Serbia in exchange for independence. Little does he know that that route would be an open invitation for reopening a series of other conflicts in the Balkans.

It would be foolish on the side of Russia to think that it can block independence. But it has its own points, and it has made them. One key thing that is missing from the discussion about Russia's motives, though, is  is the original one, that it wants its satellite territories to be able to have a UN recognized independence of its own through some kind of horse trading with the West on Kosovo later on. This would mean Kosovo declaring independence without UN approval, as have the satellite territories already done.

This is where Europe has gotten totally obfuscated. It need not be. It seems that Russia is willing to allow for EUMIK to replace UNMIK. If that's possible, let's get that done so at least the money keeps flowing. Then Prishtina will announce independence according to the plan explained in the video below and the major European powers will recognize that independence. Can we move on now?
        

Technorati tags: kosova, kosovo, status