[mark502inf]

Kosovo expects independence in 2005, but with Russia and China both holding veto power in any UN resolution, that is not going to happen. This means the US will have to take a side. Which side it will be? I would say against Kosovo in light of foreign policy on Taiwan and Kurds in Iraq.

Good article & nice analysis by you. I think there's more time than 2005 as talks will not begin quickly and will likely drag on.

I also think that solutions short of independence can work--some sort of enhanced autonomy & an extended international military presence with no major Serb government or military presence in the province.

Oddly, the very guys the Serbs hate most--Haradinaj & Thaci--are the ones most likely & able to sell a status short of independence. Unlike President Rugova who--while widely respected--is known for his pacifist stands, Thaci & Haradinaj are war leaders who are much more likely to be heeded if they accept a status short of independence and renounce further violence. And both are savvy enough to look at things like Security Council realities and act accordingly.

[Jacob Kell]

"I also think that solutions short of independence can work--some sort of enhanced autonomy & an extended international military presence with no major Serb government or military presence in the province."

So in other words have the Belgrade govenment resonsible for only some areas of Kosovo policy. Like in what areas? Federal laws? Foreign policy? Have Kosovo be responsible for the majority of it's matters?

"Oddly, the very guys the Serbs hate most--Haradinaj & Thaci--are the ones most likely & able to sell a status short of independence. Unlike President Rugova who--while widely respected--is known for his pacifist stands, Thaci & Haradinaj are war leaders who are much more likely to be heeded if they accept a status short of independence and renounce further violence. And both are savvy enough to look at things like Security Council realities and act accordingly."

Maybe, but we should never be quick to trust them. How do we know that they won't stab us in the back someday, at least if they think it serves their interests? At least Rugova is completely trustworthy. I think that we should just have Belgrade and Pristina work out some sort of compromise that both sides can more-or-less live with. THat seems to be the only possible kind of solution for this kind of situation.