Serbia and Kosovo- one and the same?

East European countries, especially the former Soviet blocs have always intrigued me. I have been sort of following the news about former communist countries and their current progress (towards an EU membership?) in the democratic world that we exist (or are made to believe we exist?)

I have been keeping tabs on the upcoming Serbian election and the fate of Kosovo. So far, seems like Kosovo will be declared independent-might I say, USA wants it like that?

Here is a blast from the past, people…

Both Serbs and Albanians have tried to gain power over Kosovo throughout the 20^th century. The former soviet regime-Yugoslavia deemed Kosovo an autonomous province

of Serbia in 1974. After the death of Josip Broz Tito in the ‘80s, the then Yugoslav President, struggle for independence has been an issue of contention (and violence).

Kosovo has been UN administered since 1999. NATO bombings drove out the Serbian army in 1999. This was a bloody year, when the Serbian army puppets of the Slobodan Milosevic, then president, exercised an ethnic cleansing of Kosovo Albanians. Several fled to Albania, Macedonia and Montenegro. When NATO intervened with continuous bombings, Milosevic withdrew his troops and about 750,000 Albanian refugees returned home and about 100,000 Serbians fled Kosovo, in fear of retaliation.

Milosevic is held responsible and is indicted (1999) for human genocide by the international war crimes tribunal in The Hague. He died in March 2006 due to heart failure without a verdict.

Current…

Serbians consider Kosovo historically significant. They do not want to let go of their cultural ties, yet. A meeting between Serbian and Kosovan leaders (about Kosovo’s status) in November 2007 ended in failure. In the upcoming Presidential election in Serbia, Kosovo is the most significant issue. Of the 9 candidates, 2 of them are strong contenders—

Tomislav Nikolic

• He is the ‘stand-in’ for the Serbian Radical party leader- Vojislav Seselj, who is on trial at The Hague.
• A radical nationalist, leaning more towards Russia’s support.
• Opposses Kosovo’s independence, threatening to cut off ties with any country or organization that recognizes an independent Kosovo.

Boris Tadic

• Current President, pro-european.
• Opposses Kosovo’s independence but wants to accelerate Serbia’s path to EU membership (if that requires Kosovo’s freedom, so be it).

EU membership-the future?

EU membership is seen as a forward step to prosperity, modernity and democracy-more so for the former communist countries. Not quite so for the Serbian, so far. Ironically, Serbian Prime Minister, Vojislav Kostunica has warned the West and EU about severing ties and not signing the ‘stability and association’ past, regarded as the first step towards EU membership.

Really, who is at the receiving end here? Will Russia guide Serbia towards democracy (I want to LOL here) and modernity (improve living standards, decrease unemployment rate, put an end to ethnic violence??)

USA and most of Europe support Kosovan independence. But Russia, Cyprus, Slovakia, Spain, Greece and Romania remain stubborn opposers.

Serbia a long way to go if integration into EU is what is desired. Kosovo remains a prime issue. Also, Serbia has been unsuccessful in the capture of war criminals Radovan Karadzic and Ratko Mladic (a whole another can of worms I don’t want to un-can here).

Finally…

All that I discussed above is mostly not my opinion. I’m not Serbian or Albanian, hell, I’m not even European! I don’t know what is right for Kosovo or how ethnic Albanians or Kosovan Serbs feel. In reality I’m not even sure or convinced if EU membership or declaring Kosovo independent is the start in the right direction for Serbian citizens.

Will Russia be the ally Serbia thinks she is? Urging Serbia towards EU membership simply a power trip and gratification for EU?

The Presidential election, 2^nd week of February will decide Serbia’s future.

Please do leave your comments, as radical or hardcore it may be.