Europe Lacks Leadership On Kosovo
Worse than a crime, a political mistake
(Ignacio Gil Vazquez, Washington Post) Wednesday, February 27, 2008
The independence of Kosovo, quickly recognized by the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom and France, is worse than a crime. It is a political mistake. Here are five reasons why:
First, it alienates Serbia, already in a fragile balance between the hopes of becoming a European Union member and the bloody dreams of a Greater Serbia. Did you see the U.S. Embassy in Belgrade burning? A new pro-western government has withdrawn its ambassadors from the most important European capitals just days after winning the elections with a pro-European approach. Serbs can picture themselves knocking on Brussels' gates but getting their doors slammed into their faces.
Second, this independence blessed by Washington and friends gives bad ideas to many. Serbs from unstable Bosnia-Herzegovina are already demanding their own right to unite with Serbia. It is only a matter of time before Kosovars from neighbor Macedonia will declare a Big Albania.
Third, it gives Russia an excuse to intervene in Georgian affairs, pushing Ossetia and Abkhazian separatists to break down with Georgia. This could mean another round of Caucasian unrest. What a gift for Putin!
Four, creating a new state based in ethnic criteria is dangerous. Why not a Kurd state in northern Iraq?
Five, it violates the United Nations' own procedures. This institution has been kept aside. Surely, when blood will be spilled again in the Balkans, someone will claim for a new UN peace mission. What irony!
In sum, the Kosovo mistake shows the lack of a real European leadership. Solana and his band in Brussels are, again, below any standards. Is anyone working yet in Washington, DC? Already packing in the State Department?
Nations that forget their failures end up repeating them.
Ignacio Gil Vázquez is the managing editor of Spain's second largest circulation newspaper, El Mundo.
