Overview

Happy Independence Day!  This Briefing examines the birth of the world’s newest country – Kosovo.  On Monday, February 18, 2008, Kosovo unilaterally declared its independence from Serbia.  Needless to say, Serbia isn’t happy that parts of its country are running like rats from a sinking ship, so it has enlisted the support of Russia to ensure that Kosovo doesn’t get recognized in the UN or other international bodies.  The implications of this independence, on both Russian relations with the West and separatist movements worldwide, ensures that this topic has the far reaching impacts that will  make it last a long time in extemp – and make a for a more interesting speech.

Key Terms and Figures

Boris Tadic: President of Serbia.  Very opposed to Kosovo’s independence. Says he would have negotiated autonomy with them, but doesn’t believe that they had the constitutional right to unilaterally withdraw from Serbia.  Has removed its ambassador from the US in protest of the withdrawal.

Russia:  Though foreign minister Sergei Lavrov has pledged to support Serbia in its opposition to Kosovo, he has two primary reasons for this support: first, it gives them more influence in eastern Europe; and second, Kosovo’s independence potentially legitimates separatist movements worldwide – an issue for Russia in both Chechnya and Dagestan.  This opposition is especially powerful because Russia can use its veto power at the UN to prevent Kosovo from joining the organization.

Western Response:  Most Western nations have supported the separation of Kosovo.  Supports of Note include UN veto holders the US, UK and France, as well as Germany, Australia and a litany of other nations.

Pristina: Capital of Kosovo.

Major Issues

Serb Response in Kosovo:  Needless to say, this move hasn’t been popular with the Serbian population of Kosovo.  Fearing that they may be discriminated or oppressed by the majority Albanian population in retaliation for the atrocities committed by Serbia in the 90’s, Kosovar Serbs are protesting their sudden change of nationality.  Some of the most notable protests include arson against border posts – symbolically suggesting the border between Kosovo and Serbia does not exist – and resignation from local positions of authority – many Serbians in the Kosovo police force resigned their commissions and say they are now taking orders directly from Belgrade, the capital of Serbia. This immediate violence and conflict suggest a rocky road ahead for Kosovo, and may prompt further ethnic violence if the new government cracks down on Serbs.  This violence would hurt Kosovo’s formal recognition in the world and could lead to harsh international response.

Secessionism: Along with Russia, six EU nations – Spain, Greece, Slovakia, Bulgaria, and the Republic of Cyprus – have all decided to not recognize Kosovo’s independence.  All nations cite fears of ethnically based separatist movements existing within their borders.  They fear that the global recognition of Kosovo will tell the Basques, Turkish Cypriots, Catalans, etc. that they will be supported if they choose to declare independence from their mother countries.  Considering many of the recognized terrorist organizations are directly related to ethnic separatism – ETA, real IRA, LTTE, etc. – such a precedent is not only worrisome to nations looking to protect the integrity of their boarders, but further blurs the line between terrorist and  freedom fighter.  If ethnic groups have the right to unilaterally secede, do they have the right to take up arms against a nation that forcibly denies that independence?  This question will need to be resolved quickly by international bodies.

Neo-Cold War:  With the majority of the West supporting Kosovo and Russia standing I direct opposition, this conflict symbolizes the rebirth of Cold War style politics in Europe and abroad.  Specifically, because Russia has stabilized its economy trough fossil fuels, it wants to reestablish the influence it had during the Cold War.  This has mostly been seen through their support of Iran, as well as their strong arm politics towards the former Soviet States – e.g., their constant threats to cut fuel to the Ukraine.  Because, the west has a fairly unified stance on this, and it is an issue which will most certainly be a tense point between the two powers.  In a speech this can be used to suggest that Kosovo could be the flash point that sets off other flash points between the nations – less agreement on Iran, missile defense, etc.  Moreover, this element can be used in any speech about Russian-(insert random western nation’s) relations.

Potential Questions

How should Serbia respond to Kosovo’s declaration of independence?

Should the UN recognize Kosovo?

What can the West do convince Russia to support Kosovo’s independence?

Will Kosovo lead to other separatist movements?

Will the new Kosovo treat ethnic Serbs fairly?