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Serbia and Kosovo (another perspective)

According to various news reports and media sources across the globe >> the recent move by the US (and other supportive/collaborative super powers) to oversee the assured success of a so-called supervised 'Independence for Kosovo' is said to be a breach and a gross mismanagement of International Law. Russia and Spain are amongst the first nations in Europe to have protested against this imposed form of 'territorial independence'. Other nations such as Romania, Bulgaria, Greece and Cyprus - who are currently facing similar separatist issues like Serbia - have cautiously protested against this imposition by refusing to recognise the new, make-shift state of Kosovo. (please note the extract on Territorial Integrity and The 'Helsinki Final Act' toward the end of this page).

This particular breach of International Law is alarming, and indeed quite disastrous when considering the future stability of national 'integrity' in terms of territorial, historic and ethnic ownership for nations with large populated areas of increasing migrants and multi-ethnic cultures. Allowing such a global imposition of military force (amongst peace-keeping comrades) to be applied against any nation under the guise of 'sanctioned independence' (for any communities or residents who may periodically claim prejudices or discrimination, disadvantages of general rights and welfare, and/or endured hostility within their places of residence) - - may well open the flood-gates and set about a precedence (in the near future) for scores of biased, illegitimate or even unjust claims for 'Independence' by any groups whose numbers suddenly assume a majority rule (at some stage) in their adopted or host nations. The implications are far-reaching, while the potential negative repercussions of such a breach can easily spiral out of control - - consequently, no nation (currently secure or otherwise) will be confidently safeguarded against any potential or majority 'takeover' bids in future.

Ironically, the inhumane acts of war perpetrated upon Kosovo residents by the previous Serbian Government (and its militia) seems to have furnished local migrants and neighbours alike with an uncanny opportunity to claim independence on Serbian territorial lands. But why should the average, local citizens of Serbian ancestry or descent be held accountable for the atrocious acts of war carried out by their former government ? Why should they now be liable or be punished by having their ancestral lands taken from them ?

Alarm bells are ringing - with seemingly little attention being paid (by those external residents or communities living in more peaceful, more secure nations & regions). Territorial conflicts and ethnic/cultural divisions are significantly extending well beyond the Asian and Arabic regions - - once again, resurfacing in the heart of Europe. Religious/ethnic discords and territorial/historical challenges are increasingly sprouting across Europe - at an alarming rate, in recent times. For example, for decades now the world has had to contend with similar disputes and ongoing struggles relating to all that is Greek or Hellenic in nature:

a) Ethnic Greek-Cyprus vs the Un-recognised 'illegal division and occupancy' of the northern land mass by the Turkish Government and its invading Military;

b) Greek Macedonia vs the disputed naming of FYROM by a number of Balkan states (claiming historical & ethnic ownership); and

c) the recent circulation of some educational texts in western societies claiming Crete as and apparently 'independent nation' (now is that a misprint, a major oversight or simply a massive exercise in savvy propaganda, I wonder?).

True, many are tired or simply uninterested in hearing about land rights and territorial disputes (or what is loosely and incorrectly termed by the uniformed - as foreign 'squabbles' and regional tit-for-tats). Unfortunately, it's far more serious than that.

In terms of Kosovo - once again, we enter yet another phase in the division of national territories in a land formerly known for centuries as Yugoslavia (aka the 'Land of the South Slavs' or The Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenians). The 1980s uprisings & 1990s Balkan wars brought about a harrowing split of the former Yugoslavian states, creating further adopted 'unions' (Montenegro, Bosnia-Hertzegovina and Macedonia) - and now more divisions: Serbian land compartmentalised into smaller territory by the creation and sanction of the make-shift state of Kosovo. Where will it end, what limits will apply to territorial boundaries in the future (with such a breach); and which conventions, acts or regulations might be haphazardly revised on occasion to suit the fleeting interests or biases of each super power that comes along (somewhere down the track)? Major conflict of interests, increased violations and contraventions, and a diminishing level of duty of care (across all fronts and territories) is rife and brewing on a grand scale at present. The 'big guns' don't appear to be such great managers of politics and humanitarian issues afterall - despite their noted intentions of peace-keeping. There will always be two opposing sides to every story and every tragedy.

Where do we draw the line (on a global & international level) - if such a breach of territorial claims and disputes is allowed to succeed? Being somewhere "long enough" or having "greater numbers and vested interests" or somehow feeling disadvantaged by the majority (and then wanting exclusive recognition) - - is not excuse enough to claim independence, segregation or division of a previously united nation (historically speaking). Especially when -vast centuries' of legitimate rule and occupancy has prevailed. Celebrating and recognising one's cultural identity or ethnic community does not infer a license to rule - and should never equate to any form of 'take-over', despite any uprisings and disunities (that may rage from time to time). Celebrating multi-ethnic communities & respecting diversity are exactly that > a formal recognition and respect by all residents and locals alike of the non-indigenous and migrant generations. Not grounds for chaos and uprisings. Enough with the wars and the inexcusable loss of life (in masses) - enough with compartmentalising lands and regions like incidental pawn chips! But even more importantly - enough with the biases and nepotism; the barrage of competing/conflicting interests; the savvy forms of propaganda; and the misinformation of sorts that often leads to a lack of public awareness (across the globe) regarding today's many troubling foreign affairs issues. The everyday citizens (locals and indigenous alike) should not have to suffer or pay for the actions of former governments or for the brash decisions of current leaders and super powers. The words 'sorry' (for example) or the formal apologies of any future authorities will never compensate for the loss of life and land, nor for the strife and suffering of today's struggling locals and everyday people.

What some ex-patriots and Serbian descendants are talking about:

a) Voyvodina and Sandzak are municipalities that border Serbia and Montenegro, which apparently have also periodically debated their 'independence' over the last decade. What is the likelihood that these municipalities will reconsider their independent positions if this current breach (and new precedent) is allowed to follow through? And if they were to succeed - what state or territory might next appear on the agenda (open season for independence claims)? For an image view of the map which details these municipalities, visit >> http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/01/Sandzak01.png/702px-Sandzak01.png

b) There is also talk (or concern rather) of the US apparently wanting to seize control of freighting oil across of the Caspian Sea via route of Kosovo. Sounds rather convenient - in terms of newly adopted allies.

c) The Serbain/Kosovo region is apparently quite rich in untapped minerals and other environmental resources - which are indeed attractive economic/trade features for any occupants and potential leaders of this particular territory.

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Serbia blames US for crisis in Balkans
(Feb 25, 2008)

"The United States must annul the decision to recognise a false state on the territory of Serbia," Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica said.

"It must reaffirm UN Security Council resolution 1244, which guarantees Serbia's sovereignty and territorial integrity .

"Continuation of the policy of force will deepen the crisis that undermines the foundations of world order and threatens peace and stability in the Balkans."

>> http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=256943

Kosovo declares independence
(February 18)

Many of the neighboring nations "fear [this] independence will unsettle a region still rife with inter-ethnic tension more than a decade after the end of the Balkan wars."

Within the EU, countries such as Greece, Romania and Bulgaria which are close to Serbia, or which like Spain and Cyprus have their own separatist problems, have said they would not recognise Kosovo.

An estimated 120,000 Serbs live in Kosovo, which is home to some of the most important shrines of the Serbian Orthodox faith. More than 220,000 others have left since 1999 . [many say due to relentless intimidations, following the territorial divisions in the 1990s]

Belgrade is imploring Serbs in Kosovo to stay put as an act of defiance ...

>> http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,23231324-5012770,00.html

Q: Why are the locals & indigenous citizens suddenly being ousted, intimidated and bullied out of their own territories and birthplaces by the presiding super powers ? Sounds familiar. Matters of displacement, influx of refugees, and the traumatic sense of homelessness - - are nothing new (in this unstable, warring world of ours) but those who influence or sanction such things - are.

Q: And what's happened to the basic territorial policies implemented by the UN in which the Security Council endeavours to conscientiously aim at "reaffirming respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity, political independence and unity" of all nations ? Seems some contradiction is now at play - given this quote actually relates to African nations, and not Serbia.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

According to excerpts from Wikipedia >>

Territorial integrity is the principle under international law that nation-states should not attempt to promote secessionist movements or to promote border changes in other nation-states. Conversely it states that border changes imposed by force are acts of aggression.

In recent years there has been tension between this principle and the concept of humanitarian intervention under Article 73.b of the United Nations Charter "to develop self-government, to take due account of the political aspirations of the peoples, and to assist them in the progressive development of their free political institutions, according to the particular circumstances of each territory and its peoples and their varying stages of advancement"[1] Territorial integrity and humanitarian intervention collided in the Kosovo War.

The 'Helsinki Final Act' >> The Act's "Declaration on Principles Guiding Relations between Participating States" (also known as "The Decalogue") enumerated the following 10 points:

I. Sovereign equality, respect for the rights inherent in sovereignty
II. Refraining from the threat or use of force
III. Inviolability of frontiers
IV. Territorial integrity of States
V. Peaceful settlement of disputes
VI. Non-intervention in internal affairs
VII. Respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief
VIII. Equal rights and self-determination of peoples
IX. Co-operation among States
X. Fulfillment in good faith of obligations under international law

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