Every village should have its independence

What could be the link between Kosovo and Bosnia-Herzgovina these days? Something different than war? The answer is independence.

If Kosovo is going to proclaim independence on December 10th, some regions in the north of the newly independent country with a Serb majority would also do this. And there is even more. Some fear that the Republika Srpska (RS) in Bosnia-Herzegovina could also do this. The RS is the northern part of Bosnia-Herzegovina, with a Serb majority. Officially autonomous, but backed by Serbia and more with a tendance to Serbia, this is considered somewhat as one of the poorest regions of the Balkans.

So, the move of independence of Kosovo would cause much more than expected. First of all, if the RS in Bosnia-Herzegovina would also declare independence, it would create a mayor problem for the poor state-structure of Bosnia-Herzegovina. What would the Bosniak-Croat federation in Bosnia do? I think that the ghost of the Dayton peace agreements is fleeing from this place. The independence of the RS would also mean that Bosniaks (muslims) wouldn't be able anymore to move to their places of origin in the RS. After the civil-war, Bosniaks fled from the Serb-occupied territories, or were simply killed. Dayton meant that there was a right to go back to their region. I don't think an independent RS would be keen on proceeding this law...

Normally, the US would back an independence of Kosovo. Not immediatly, but somewhere in January 2008. Some 20 of the 27 member states of the EU would also do this. Greece, Spain, Slovakia and some other countries are protesting against the future independence of Kosovo. And of course, Russia, that has more historical ties with Serbia, remains against independence. One thing is to take literally: the independence of Kosovo could mean new conflicts in the region. Although maybe not violent, Kosovo could cause a big shock in international diplomacy and in diplomatic relations, and not only between members of the EU or transatlantic countries...

There is much to do...there is less to remain...I hope that decisions of any kind will be taken with much respect and knowledge. There are made too many mistakes in the past in this region.

Image of a country that isn't yet officially a country...

Last Saturday, November 17th, elections were held in Kosovo. Although they passed very democratically, the big issues about Kosovo remain. Will they declare independence or will they not? Virtually all Kosovans are very much in favour of this independence, which they believe, is backed by the EU. But there is a snake in the hole: not all countries of the EU are in favour of quick independence. And of course, you have the Russian government, who will not allow a break-up of a region they consider as a historical part of Serbia. Maybe this is the mayor problem; stating that Kosovo is a legal part of Serbia, or that it is...how shall I state it...an independent country that isn't really independent. The issue remains difficult and unsolved. But for how long?

I will not choose a side before my article is written. I want to keep all options open and considerable for publication. My main business, when visiting Kosovo next month, will be the (economic) livability of this tiny region. But as you may expect, economy is very tightly linked to politics, society, journalism, ethnicity and much more issues. Kosovo is a densily connected network of different parameters. I will have lots of work to investigate and to take a closer look to this country...that isn't yet officially a country.

Christophe

Kosova, II

Hi all,

Almost definitive: from the 22nd of December until the 29th I will be in Kosova. After some days of planning and looking after bus services and possible hotels, I think I've created a good travel plan.

The 22nd I will leave Brussels by bus with destination Belgrade, Serbia. Normally, I will reach Belgrade the next day close to noon.
A next step will mean; looking for a bus to Kosovska Mitrovica (for the specialists; the diveded city where one half of the river shore is Serbian and the other Albanian, the two linked by a guarded bridge...) and drive another 6 hours to reach it. Approximate hour of arrival in Mitrovica: 7PM.
Then it is just a one-hour drive to Prishtina. Hopefully I can do this by bus, otherwise I have to look after a taxi. Possibly I have to go from the Serbian part of town to the Albanian to catch another bus to Prishtina. But that are problems for later...
Hopefully I can stay in the Velania area in the capital Prishtina. It would be a good 'basecamp' to start some travels in the country.

Skopje

Maybe this will be too difficult, so I have to travel via Skopje. Maybe this would be easier, because I know that there are at least two trains a day to Prishtina from here and different buses. And I know Skopje a little (see 'September 2007'). BUT, travelling to Skopje by bus is more expensive, and it means that I have to change buses in Frankfurt. By expercience, I know that changing Eurolines-buses can be a rather tricky situation.
We'll see. I will get there, of that I'm sure.
The next problem will be language...I don't speak Albanian, only a few words, and I think that two or three sessions won't be enough to learn it. I hope the knowledge of English in Pristhina -at least in Prishtina- will be good enough. I've heard that this can't be a problem.

I will stay in contact, probably one of these plans can still change.

Christophe