Diplomatic improvisations as substitutes for legal basis in Kosovo, experts warn
The expected endgame of eight-years-long political limbo in Kosovo is more likely to be solved by a series of diplomatic improvisations than actions based on the international law, amid the obvious and irreconcilable stances taken by the major Western powers and Russia.
(KosovoCompromise Staff) Monday, December 10, 2007
Just two weeks ahead of yet another crucial episode in lasting political shootout between Washington and Moscow, this time within the frameworks of the United Nations Security Council, sides seem to be drifting towards fresh diplomatic disputes, threats and accusations rather than unified stance on ways to solve the last in a series of regional crisis, with dangers of renewed violence looming over the heads of troubled Balkan nations.
Kosovo train wreck, as western analysts describe the upcoming debate in the UN Security Council, is set to arrive to New York on Dec. 19, as ambassadors of that 15-member body prepare to discuss the report by Contact Group's "Troika" on 120 days of negotiations between Belgrade and Pristina.
However, the ambassadors still have to reach common ground on format of the session, as Belgrade, backed by Russia and China, want the Security Council to play by the book, meaning that Pristina institutions have to be represented by the chief of UNMIK. Britain, and to some extent U.S. are advocating the idea that Kosovo Albanians should represent themselves.
"Obviously, the Security Council will not agree on future moves regarding the status of Kosovo...We're looking towards the period of diplomatic improvisations which should open the way for deployment of the European missions in Kosovo", said Charles Kupchan of Council on Foreign Relations (CFR).
Kupchan also warned that western plan of independence for Kosovo outside the UN might turn out to be a rather worrisome precedent which will be welcomed by a number of separatist movements worldwide, including Chechnya and several other regions in the former Soviet Union.
In addition to the diplomatic confusion, with clear goals but rather fishy ways to achieve them, Western diplomats said that the only question before the Security Council meeting would be whether Russia has changed its position on Kosovo's status.
If not, they said, a pack of Western nations led by the U.S. would move the issue outside the UN and move towards the implementation of the plan drafted by former Finish President Martii Ahtisaari.
But, Russia had already clarified the position, launching an initiative aimed towards the new negotiations between Belgrade and Pristina, as the only legal tool to end decade long dispute and move the region away from the threats of renewed violence.
