Mediators Prepare Kosovo Report

http://www.reuters.com/article/newsMaps/idUSL0691829920071206
By: Matt Robinson

After four months of talks, U.N. mediators will be taking their report on Kosovo to the Security Council, in an effort to resolve the tension between the seceding province and Serbia. Kosovo's ethnic Albanians say they will formally declare independence shortly after December 10th if their needs are not met by the United Nations. In an effort to maintain some semblance of peace in the Balkans, the United States and almost all 27 members of the European Union are support a break between the Serbia and Kosovo. However, one world power that is not an ally to Kosovo's fight for independence is Russia. Although the UN will review the report, and more than likely support the secession, Russia is almost certain to demand more talks between the two governments. Serbia is equally reluctant to give recognition to its "breakaway province," since it considers the land to be the nation's "religious heartland." Serbia has promised to place various economic sanctions on Kosovo, and break diplomatic ties with any state that supports or recognizes Kosovo's independence. NATO also plans to send 1,600 additional combat troops from Italy and Britain as a precautionary measure to unrest in the region.

This is another slippery topic similar to the Israeli/Palestinian conflict in the Gaza strip. How does one resolve a conflict in which both parties are unwilling to compromise in their wants? Also, what happens when one ethnic group breaks away with the U.N.'s backing? Will such events set off a chain reaction in such an unstable region? I do not know the answer to these questions, however, they did come to my mind will reading this article. My fear is that such an event will make the area more volatile with higher tension from the "big countries" of the area. Also, in a similar report I read shortly after this, Serbia has already threatened war if the rumors of a separate state come true.