Nations Ponder Whether to Accept Kosovo Sovereignty
Posted on: Sunday, 24 February 2008, 00:00 CST By The Associated Press MADRID, Spain (AP) - Afghanistan was among the first to recognize Kosovo's independence, leaping at the chance to acknowledge a majority Muslim nation in Europe. Taiwan did too, hoping Kosovo would reciprocate and poke a thumb in the eye of archrival China. But Spain, with a worried eye on its own breakaway movements, said it would never affirm Kosovo's sovereignty. The response to Kosovo's declaration of independence has as much to do with history and local politics as it does with heartfelt feelings for Kosovo and its people. Rising violence and Russia's fierce opposition could push fence- sitters to shy away. The question is: Will the turbulence compel supporters to roll back timetables for naming ambassadors and opening consulates in the new state? "It's understandable that some nations will want to wait and see how things develop before appointing an ambassador, or opening an embassy," said Alan Boyle, an international lawyer and academic at the University of Edinburgh, in Scotland. "Recognizing a state is a policy decision, but establishing diplomatic ties is a separate - and often political - decision," Boyle said. "One doesn't always follow the other: the U.S. recognizes Cuba, but doesn't have diplomatic links." Some were adamant that a rollback on recognition was impossible, regardless of pressure from Serbia or Russia. In Germany, a spokesman for the Foreign Ministry said rescinding recognition of Kosovo was "unimaginable." Five days after unilaterally declaring independence from Serbia, nearly two dozen countries have recognized Kosovo - including major powers like the United States, Britain and France - and many more say they are planning to do so in the future. On Friday, Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaci brushed aside concerns that his nation's statehood might not stand the test of time. "Everything is clear. We have massive recognition," he said in an interview with The Associated Press. "Kosovo is an independent state - sovereign and democratic." But with Moscow firmly opposed to what it sees as a slap from the West, and violence erupting in Serbia and in Kosovo's ethnic Serb enclave, it is too early to say who will ultimately win the recognition game. On Thursday, rioters set the U.S. Embassy in Belgrade ablaze, and Moscow has said it would block U.N. recognition of the breakaway region. (c) 2008 Telegraph - Herald (Dubuque). Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved. Source: Telegraph - Herald (Dubuque)
