Posted on 10/31/2006 2:32:45 PM PST by kronos77
PRISTINA, Kosovo All expectations are that, in the next few months, Kosovo will claim an internationally sanctioned independence, concluding a titanic struggle by the United Nations and Western governments to close a chapter that began with its bloody ethnic war.
But it is unlikely to be the conclusion the United Nations hoped for, after having invested seven years supervising the enclave at a cost of about $1.3 billion a year. That is because it seems increasingly evident that the West will need to retain far greater responsibilities than it wanted.
"I think the EU is going to be in for a bit of a shock," said Anthony Welch, coordinator of a UN-commissioned review of Kosovo's future security needs. "I think their role is going to have to be a little more hands-on. And it is going to cost a lot."
Kosovo has remained under UN control since the province was prized away in June 1999 from Yugoslav security forces accused of committing atrocities against the majority Albanian population. Its sovereignty remains in limbo: While Kosovo is formally part of Serbia, the six nations overseeing the negotiations on its future say it cannot return to Belgrade's rule.
At this point, the parameters of an imposed settlement are clear, according to officials responsible for planning the succession to the UN mission.
With Russia openly opposed to Kosovo's independence - Moscow says that would set a precedent for other breakaway states - officials say it is unlikely that a UN resolution will grant the province full statehood. Instead a resolution may allow other countries to recognize Kosovo as they wish.
(Excerpt) Read more at iht.com ...
"PEACE WITH HONOR" Mr. NIXON?
Wast wants out and they want it badly, but not to look like loosers.
Meh, just had it back to Serbia and apologize for getting involved. 9/11 proved Milosovich was right.
I'm a big supporter of the Serbs who got shafted by the Clintonistas, the hideously corrupt UN and Europe. Kososo was where Madelaine Halfbright toasted champagne with the KLA terrorists leader.
Yup, run the worthless Albanians out of Kosovo.
Give Serbia a huge appology and stay the hell
out of their legitimate business.
The Serbs are good folks...can't say same for the other guys.
During the next war -- I hope we're on the CORRECT side..
Semper Fi
"The Americans are not heavily invested in Kosovo but would be expected to pay some of costs of establishing a more independent state."
Unfortunately, TROP Bush Administration will positively leap at the chance to pick our pockets to support the exerable Albanian Mohammadens to show our dear friends in the Middle east just how much we love their dog vomit religion. Alas, the Democrats would spend twice as much.
Whether Kovoso is independent of Serbia or the other way around is not very high on anyone's list of priorities. In fact, who cares?
If you want to win the war on terror, you should care.
Didn't Krintong say we'd be outta Kosovo within six months?
I was thinking about the Balkans the other night, when Letterman was asking O'Really how long we should have troops in Iraq. If Bill had a brain as big as his ego, he might have answered: "one day less than we'll need to keep troops in the Balkans".
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