A rush in Kosovo International Herald Tribune Saturday, February 12, 2005
Gareth Evans, in a strong endorsement of moving Kosovo toward early independence ("It's time to talk independence for Kosovo," Views, Jan. 25), says that if the Albanians' "frustration" isn't taken care of in the coming months they may resort to violence, plunging the region into turmoil. But aren't Serbs and Croats in neighboring Bosnia-Herzegovina also frustrated and suffering economic despair? They would all opt out of the dysfunctional federation if they could. The difference is that the Kosovar Albanians continue to smuggle arms into the province and veterans of the Kosovo Liberation Army are still ready and willing to fight again. Evans's plan for early independence would empower Kosovar Albanians bent on violence and make matters worse. Kosovo is not ready. . Nowhere in Evans's commentary is there mention of UN Security Council Resolution 1244, which formed the basis for the end of NATO's war against Yugoslavia, establishing the UN administration in Kosovo and calling only for substantial autonomy for the province within that state. . Evans cavalierly urges a revived "contact group" to move forward on independence with or without agreement from Serbia, Russia and, astonishingly, with or without the Security Council's approval. Evans does not state the possibility that, in rushing to independence, under Albanian intimidation, international peacekeepers would be phased out and the former KLA members who now make up the Kosovo Protection Corps would be phased in. Naively, Evans trusts appointed foreign judges, "parties" and monitors to protect the non-Albanian minorities. Evans does not address the likelihood that Albanians in the Presevo Valley in Serbia, in Macedonia and even in Montenegro would jump on the independence bandwagon. . Even with Evans's suggestions, a thin international presence would not be able to contain an armed nationalist tide bent on the creation of "Greater Albania." Belgrade and its battle-tested army would likely take action. Bosnian Serbs may bolt from Bosnia-Herzegovina or perhaps Albania itself would become involved in Kosovo in support of its ethnic kin. In my opinion, Evans's plan for Kosovo is a recipe for renewed chaos. . Because of its past support of the KLA, the United States bears heavy responsibility for helping to resolve the Kosovo issue peacefully. The Bush administration should not attempt to stampede the international community into early independence for Kosovo. . Wes Johnson, Athens . .http://www.iht.com/articles/2005/02/11/opinion/edlet.html Srpska Informativna Mreza srpski_put@antic.org http://www.antic.org/ Srpska Informativna Mreza sim@antic.org http://www.antic.org/