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Saturday, February 23, 2008 - http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/53215 Getting Kosovo Right By Michael Averko The not so moderate (on former Yugoslav matters involving Serbs) Daniel Serwer will moderate an upcoming Dmitri Simes-Frank Wisner panel discussion on Kosovo in Washington D.C. (details below) This advertised event comes after the policy of some nations to recognize an independent Kosovo. Since that decision, there appears to be enhanced debate on whether Kosovo should be independent. Such exchanges should have been more evident before deciding to recognize an independent Kosovo. The level of Western mainstream discussion on Kosovo often props some particulars over valid others. In this situation, the pro-Kosovo independence side has had the upper hand. To avoid a certain scenario, another form of this commentary was submitted and emailed to a number of individuals engaged in such events. Hopefully, Wisner will not be the aggressively more efficient panelist in advocating his views. Simes tends to reflect a realist way of looking at international affairs. There should be no cave in like: yes, the 1989 "Serb crackdown" made the situation in Kosovo difficult, blah, blah, blah, without mentioning what happened between the Tito implemented autonomy years 1974-89 (enhanced Albanian nationalist violence in Kosovo against non-Albanians) and before. Note the overall English language mass media coverage pertaining to this point. The flash point of the problem is typically presented as when Kosovo's autonomy was rescinded in 1989. This is somewhat akin to saying that the USSR attacked Nazi Germany without mentioning the latter's earlier attack on the former. While not having a cheery perspective of Slobodan Milosevic, there should be an honest appraisal of him without misrepresentations. A case in point being how his 1989 Kosovo Polje speech was butchered into something he did not say. His speech was clearly in support of a multi-ethnic state at peace with itself. On the matter of not being so cheery, how about some earnest criticisms of the repackaged Kosovo Liberation Army leadership in Pristina? Let us see some firm comparisons on how Pridnestrovie (Trans-Dniester) has a better case for independence than Kosovo; vis-a-vis history and human rights. Again noting how such comparisons are rarely reviewed by English language mass media. The pro-Kosovo independence Wisner has been getting a good deal of carte blanche. This is not a good example for some Western media/academic elites to have as they critique Russian media. Selected pundits at such a high profile gathering should be obligated to best express the involved positions. Why the following is not a better plan than the one advocated by the US government is difficult to understand? An edited excerpt from prior commentary of mine: Allowing Kosovo great autonomy as a continued part of Serbia can hypothetically include the province having full United Nations membership (like Belarus and Ukraine during Soviet times) and International Olympic Committee representation (like non-nations Puerto Rico, British Virgin Islands and Hong Kong). This scenario appears to come closest to simultaneously matching the conflicting Albanian and Serb desires. For consistency and fairness sake, Republika Srpska (the predominately Serb portion of Bosnia) would be offered the same option (in Republika's Srpska's instance, a continued affiliation with Bosnia). Based on the existing circumstances, the whereabouts of Ratko Mladic and Radovan Karadzic (two Bosnian Serbs leaders wanted by an overly politicized legal body, who are thought to be residing in either Republika Srpska and-or Serbia) is not a valid counter-argument against Republika Srpska's inclusion. The dubious trio of Hasim Thaci, Ramush Haridnaj and Agim Ceku are considered acceptable leaders for Kosovo. Like Kosovo, Republika Srpska's territory was part of former Yugoslavia. Unlike Kosovo, Republika Srpska has the status of a republic and shows itself capable of governing a multi-ethnic land at peace. **** EVENT: Kosovo: What Next? U.S. Institute of Peace, 9-11 AM, February 26, 2008, Washington D.C. Speakers: Ambassador Frank Wisner, Special Representative of the Secretary of State to the Kosovo Status Talks Dimitri Simes, President of the Nixon Center Daniel Serwer, Moderator, U.S. Institute of Peace Media Inquiries: Please contact Ian Larsen (+1.202.429.3870) or Lauren Sucher (+1.202.429.3822) in the Office of Public Affairs and Communications. RSVP: To RSVP, please send your name, affiliation, daytime phone number, and name of the event to Jasenka Jocic at: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
