Seven ways to resolve the Kosovo crisis

Seven ways to resolve the Kosovo crisis

1. Formal partition: This would allow northern Kosovska Mitrovica and the predominantly Serbian municipalities of Zvecan, Zubin Potok and Leposavic to be a part of Serbia, whilst the rest of Kosovo is independent according to the Ahtisaari Plan.  The concern here is that Serbs in enclaves in the Albanian part of Kosovo would be isolated, but the Ahtisaari Plan contains provisions that would address this problem.
2. Creation of a Serb entity: As partition is strongly opposed by the United States and European Union, perhaps a Serbian entity could be established within Kosovo.  This would allow the territory of Kosovo to remain whole, but would give Serbs a greater sense of autonomy and unification than under the Ahtisaari Plan.  The entity would comprise northern Kosovska Mitrovica, Zvecan, Zubin Potok, Leposavic as well as Strpce, Novo Brdo, Gracanica and other Serbian areas.
3. Review of the situation: The situation could be reviewed after a specified period, or even at defined intervals, with a set of specified options available depending on the outcome of the review, eg. to maintain the current level of supervision, to reduce the level of supervision, or in extreme circumstances, reinstate Kosovo as an international protectorate.  This would theoretically open the way for new negotiations.  Such a review offering various outcomes would to some extent make independence conditional upon certain standards being achieved.
4. A temporary solution: Bearing in mind that the status quo of Kosovo was considered to be unsustainable, Kosovo could be given a temporary status until the parties reach an agreement as to what its final status should be.  This would allow for negotiations to be reopened.  Perhaps the supervised independence as defined by the Ahtisaari Plan could be regarded as a temporary solution until a final status agreed by both parties is found.
5. Interim status: Essentially a temporary solution, but this time with Kosovo being an autonomous region of Serbia, rather than independent.  This would allow Kosovo to have a defined status whilst the search for a mutually acceptable solution continues.
6. Annulment of unilateral independence: The international community could annul the unilaterally declared independence of Kosovo, thus enabling it to continue under UNMIK as a protectorate.  Alternatively, Kosovo could be designated a EU protectorate, with EULEX receiving authorisation from the UN Security Council to replace UNMIK.
7. An international conference: A conference could be called with the aim of resolving the current crisis, and negotiating the status properly.  It would involve Belgrade and Pristina, a wide selection of experts, and representatives from the UN, EU and Contact Group. 

• If Kosovo were to become autonomous within Serbia - even if only temporarily - this would imply that the unilaterally declared independence would be annulled.  An annulment would be necessary particularly if new negotiations were to be opened.  If no annulment could be obtained, then Serbia with the support of those countries that do not recognise independence, could implement its proposal for substantial autonomy.  If those countries then formally recognised Kosovo as a part of Serbia according to this plan, then Kosovo would have two statuses (ie. It would be independent according to the Ahtisaari Plan as well as an autonomous region within Serbia according to the General Agreement on substantial autonomy).  As a territory cannot have more than one status, and in such circumstances there would be a risk of serious conflict, the international community would be forced to open new negotiations.
• An annulment of independence, although perfectly legitimate because its declaration violates international law and does not have UN authorisation, carries the risk of a violent anti-Serb backlash by Albanians against Kosovo's Serbs.  If an annulment were ever to take place, strong measures would have to be taken to ensure the security and safety of the Serbs.

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