By: William J. Kole
AP Writer
A stalemate continued this week in Vienna, Austria between Serbia and Kosovo, over Kosovo's fight for independence. The Prime Minister of Kosovo, Agim Ceku, declared Thursday that unless Serbia gave them their indepence between now and December 10th they would formally declare themselves independent, and ask that other countries recognize their statehood. However, the Serbian Prime Minister, Slobodan Samardzic refused to release Kosovo, with its 90% Albania population, from its borders. He states the "he offered kosovo's ledership broad autonomy" that would result in its having " 'more powers than ever in its history'." This is not pleasing to Ceku who says his people will settle for nothing less than complete independence. The United Nations had previously set up a plan for Kosovo's Independence, however, when it came time to vote on the plan Serbia and Russia vetoed the attempt. Yesterday's talks proved insufficient for any kind of resolution between Kosovo, who will accept nothing less than independence, and Serbia, who has already said they would not recognize any formal, "unilateral" declaration of independence.
The issue here is the looming fear of an outbreak of war between the two sides, and which side the international community will take if that happens. Remember that in 1999 the UN and NATO stepped in on Kosovo's behalf against the military actions of Serbia on a separatist movement by ethnic Albanians (Kole). However, we can clearly see where Russia stands in the equation as well. Could this lead to a war involving more countries than just Kosovo and Serbia? Never the less, talks will continue next month between the two sides at the U.N. General Assembly held in New York City. It is hoped that an arrangement will develop in order to keep the region out of another bloody conflict. However, with both sides not budging on the issue it is highly doubtful that anything will be solved, and we may just see an independent declaration from Kosovo before the December 10th deadline.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,,-6886150,00.html
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