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The Wshington Times
Letters to the editor
25 February 2008
Kosovo's troubling example
The creation of Kosovo ("Kosovo throngs celebrate secession," Foreign, Feb.
17) has raised many disturbing questions for the international community and
has highlighted the divide between — and indeed, further divided — member
states of the United Nations and the European Union. An independent Kosovo
has been created in violation of international law. There is no U.N.
mandate. Its creation is thus illegal.
The creation of Kosovo was not and is not supported by Serbia, its immediate
neighbor, or by Russia, arguably its closest powerful nation. Thus, this
fledgling nation finds itself in a very precarious position. Many nations
decried the shameful, catastrophic and illegal invasion of Iraq, undertaken
in violation of international law and without U.N. sanction, which has had
tragic consequences for Iraq in particular and for international law and
human rights in general. Where is that indignant outcry now? How can we
expect Serbia to respect international law when we do not? Indeed, if Serbia
decided to invade Kosovo tomorrow, how could we possibly fault it?
This action by members of the international community, namely the United
States, United Kingdom, Germany and France, also has validated the creation
of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. It has given incentive to any
other potential "breakaway provinces," including those areas occupied by the
Kurds, the Basques and many other minority groups that claim oppression and
a desire for their own homeland. Paradoxically, while very active in
supporting the fledgling state of Kosovo, the international community has
demonstrated feeble support for a truly independent state of Palestine. When
will we see the same disdainful attitude that is directed at Serbia directed
at Israel?
The actions of the United States, United Kingdom, Germany and France have
weakened the very idea of international law, have weakened the authority of
the United Nations and have seeded further discord between member states of
both the United Nations and the European Union — three big mistakes. The
Balkans are, and indeed always have been, a worrying flashpoint in the
region. The last thing this region needed was yet another excuse for its
nations to go to war with one another. They have been provided with exactly
that.
RORY E. MORTY
Giessen, Germany
