Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, on one hand we have the defendant – the Serbians. On the other side we have the plaintiff – the Albanians. The Albanians in Kosovo are working towards fully gaining independence from the Serbians and Serbia, but Serbia will not budge because this mom believes that Kosovo is hers, and hers alone.
From the 12th to the 14th century, the capital of Medieval Serbia was in Kosovo, according to Encyclopedia Britannica. Basically what Jerusalem is to Israel, Kosovo is to Serbia – sacred. There is extensive history between Serbia and Kosovo. Battles were won, battles were lost, but in the end Kosovo belonged to Serbia. The Serbians refuse to let go of that vital part of their history.
Presently in Kosovo, the Albanians largely outnumber the Serbians, and there are many conflicts between the two ethnicities, most of which revolve around religion (as do most world conflicts). Just because Kosovo is filled with Albanians does not validate the decision to sever Kosovo from Serbia. The Albanians already have their own country.
Kosovo’s independence from Serbia is an issue of nationalism, but predominantly it is an issue of power and money. Take a look at where the support for Kosovo’s independence is coming from. What does the United States have to gain through its support of Kosovo? What does Russia have to gain through its support of Serbia?
Currently in Kosovo, there is a United States Army base called Camp Bondsteel. In November 2005, Alvaro Gil-Robles, the human rights envoy of the Council of Europe, described the camp as a “smaller version of Guantanamo.”
When Kosovo is fully recognized as an independent country, which unfortunately will happen, it will be dependent on other countries such as the United States for economic support. This will ultimately give the United States power over Kosovo and a strong connection into the Balkans, which is what Russia has been working towards as well. Perhaps another Cold War in the making?
Russia supports Serbia because Russia has always wanted to have a strong presence in the Balkans. Now that the United States may have that edge, if you will, Russia is upset. Who wants to deal with a distressed, vodka-drinking, nuclear-power-toting Russian? Could this turn into the Third World War? Serbia caused the First World War with the assassination of Austrian King Franz Ferdinand, so it’s safe to say that Serbians are forces to be reckoned with.
In an article in USA Today titled “U.S. extends recognition to Kosovo,” President George W. Bush states that the United States is committing $334 million in U.S. assistance to Kosovo this year. Where is that money going to come from? Why invest so much in tiny little Kosovo when we have so many unsolved problems in our own homeland?
If Kosovo is going to separate from Serbia and become independent, then Basque should be allowed to separate from Spain, Flamenco from Belgium, Northern Ireland from England, Corsica from France, etc. The solution to all of their problems is to separate and sever all ties. Actually, is it not the goal of the United Nations to bring Europe together?
Ladies and gentlemen of the jury please deliberate.
Ivana Karapandzic is a senior theater arts major and a contributing writer for the Daily Forty-Niner.
