We shall overcome...

 

 

Tempers are certainly raging high in Serbia – the breakaway republic carved out of former Yugoslavia. It finds itself in the grip of a fear – that Kosovo, province dominated by ethnic Albanian – one of its important body parts is likely to be amputated and granted Statehood. These fears have been aggravated by the recent United Nations report on the need to accord self-rule to Kosovo.

The recent developments and the prospect of Kosovo gaining a Statehood with it’s own flag, anthem, army, constitution and the right to apply for membership in the international organisations has led the Serbian Parliament send a strong signal to the global community that the nation would not compromise over its southern province. Addressing a rally on the occasion of Serbia’s National Day, the President Vojislav Kostunica declared, “Kosovo’s Independence would represent a dangerous precedent and violence against a democratic European nation.”

He further warned the world that “no matter what, it will not be an accomplice to such violence,” Kostunica said. “If anyone dares seize Serbia’s territory, it must take into account that it takes full responsibility for such violence.” With such categorical stance adopted by the Serbians – with total disregard to the demographic composition of Kosovo (90% are ethnic Albanians), the stage is set for another protracted battle over this vexed issue. Kosovo has been a U.N. protectorate since 1999 after the NATO bombing had stopped the ethic war between the Serbians and the Albanians.

This clearly means that the problem will have to be resolved by the UN Security Council, where Russia is expected to side with the Serbian viewpoint and veto any move to declare Kosovo independent. The crux is that the big global powers will continue to use the region to test and tune their own political skills and the matter is likely to remain unresolved for years to come. Serbia will have to fight for its Independence.