http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/07/AR2008020703 594.html?referrer=emailarticle
The Washington Post
A Warning on Kosovo
Friday, February 8, 2008; Page A18
I must dispel any false impressions left by the Feb. 5 editorial "
<http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/related/topic/Serbia?tid=informline>
Serbia's Step Forward," particularly that the presidential election between
<http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/related/topic/Boris+Tadic?tid=informline>
Boris Tadic and
<http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/related/topic/Tomislav+Nikolic?tid=inform
line> Tomislav Nikolic was a choice between
<http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/related/topic/Europe?tid=informline>
Europe and
<http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/related/topic/Russia?tid=informline>
Russia or a referendum on a separation by
<http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/related/topic/Kosovo?tid=informline>
Kosovo.
Mr. Nikolic made a point of keeping open Serbia's eventual orientation
toward the
<http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/related/topic/European+Union?tid=informli
ne> European Union, though any E.U. countries' recognition of Kosovo would
harm our relationship. Likewise, Mr. Tadic recently signed a major
Serbian-Russian energy pact.
Both maintained that Kosovo will remain part of Serbia. Serbs may disagree
on the exact response should America recognize an illegal declaration of
independence , but there is no doubt that we will defend our people and our
national territory. If Albanian separatists try to impose their illegitimate
authority on my flock and use force against Serbian government institutions
in Kosovo, stepped-up violence, not of our choosing, would result. We hope
prudence will suggest that continued dialogue is the better path to
reconciliation.
ARTEMIJE
Bishop of Ras and Prizren
Kosovo and Metohija
Serbia
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