Speaking of Kosovo’s “uniqueness”: Part 1
First in a series of compilations of international news quotes showing why the “uniqueness” of Kosovo – a key argument by the proponents of its independence -- is a senseless mantra.
(Compiled by the KosovoCompromise Staff) Monday, September 24, 2007
Erdal Safak (Turkish Press), 22 September 2007
"I don't know if it was inspired by the example of Czechoslovakia or encouraged by Kosovo, but Ankara's policy on the Cyprus issue is clearly changing (...) When I was about to finish this article, the Devil whispered in my ear, ‘Kosovo, or northern Iraq?' Even former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger has started to favor splitting Iraq into three. Please consider the Devil's warning."
http://www.turkishpress.com/news.asp?id=195227
Mario Tabone-Vassalo (Malta Times), 23 September 2007
How can the EU, on the one hand, support an independent Kosovo because the majority there want it, and deny the same to the Taiwanese? If anything, territorially, the Kosovo enclave is much more complicated. Should we be taking part in the filthy market which has seen shifting allegiances, currently at some 170 for China and 24 for Taiwan, or should we espouse clear principles? Should we go Machiavellian or for credibility?
http://www.timesofmalta.com/core/print_article.php?id=275297
Jan Slota (Ceske Noviny), 23 September 2007
Jan Slota (leader of SNS party) said repeatedly in the past months that Slovaks should take a lesson from the fate of Kosovo and prevent ethnic Hungarians inhabiting southern Slovakia from gaining political autonomy.
This would be the first step toward full independence, Slota said.
"There will be no quiet in Slovakia unless all citizens of Slovakia consider Slovakia its homeland, Slota said.
The plan of U.N. envoy Martti Ahtisaari that wants to establish independence of Kosovo under supervision proves that various standards are used when demands of various countries are considered, Slota said.
"I am speaking about two, three standards. Something is right in Kosovo, in the Basque Country it is in the opposite way and in Latvia in the other way round. Do we have democracy or ten democracies?" Slota said.
