It has become difficult to determine what folks in Pristina really think from what they say when talking about Kosovo.
Example: The American Ambassador to Pristina talks of the “amazing results” in the south with some Serbs there voting in last year’s local elections and thus taking “their” place in “their” local governments. He suggests that Serbs in the north too will recognize they are “the first victims of the parallel structures” and will eventually do the same when freed from the influence of Belgrade. Does he really mean that we should take as a model process of change one where the dominant powers (Kosovo government, KEK, EULEX, ICO, police) intimidate and bully – through use of force, electricity cuts and neglect – already isolated communities till they submit to that power or face a return to the state of nature? When he claims that the establishment of a new North Mitrovica municipality under Pristina’s control “is part of a solution to end wanton abuse of power, systemic corruption, and to ensure that the people of North Mitrovica have a voice in their government,” does he really believe that right now there are not local institutions – albeit mostly Serbian ones – that are fully functioning with legitimacy in the eyes of their constituents? Does he really believe that the ICO’s “municipal preparation team” for north Mitrovica can actually gain the assent of the local population to “solve the problems people face in daily life” when KEK cut off the power and the Quint and its agents constantly attack the local institutions while refusing to engage with them to in fact improve daily life? Does he really think they will rise to his call to “take their destiny into their own hands, just as people in Gracanica and Strpce did” and accept that they can improve their lives “through participation in Kosovo institutions?” Or is he just speaking for effect, to provide reassurance to the Albanians and continued US cover for an EU policy apparently going nowhere but still letting Washington off the hook?
When the Kosovo Prime Minister suggests that the “decade-long chaos [in the north] must be ended” does he really expect us to take seriously the notion that rule by Pristina equals “no chaos?” When the Prime Minister suggests he is not advocating the use of force in the north but only “expanding presence” of EULEX in the north “along with strengthening the Kosovo police in that part as the main part of the strategy for the north,” does he really expect us to overlook that this would mean seeking to pacify the north through the presence of foreign and Albanian police? He says that the strengthening and expansion of the security forces should not be seen as a hostile move because they would be committed to avoiding confrontation. Shall we believe that he is taking about adding to the number of Serb KPS in the north who will with their EULEX colleagues do community policing? Or is he really suggesting sending Albanian KPS members including special units supported by EULEX to “strengthen” rule of law and “empower legally elected local authorities” by imposing Kosovo rule and those elected in Pristina-led elections sure to be boycotted by the local Serbs?
With rejection of the EUSR’s northern strategy by the local Serbs and Belgrade, Pristina and its supporters have increased pressure on Belgrade. They have also retreated to use of the language of “law and order” and “democracy” to justify imposition of Kosovo institutions in the north even without the mandate provided by UNSCR 1244. This seems indicative of some degree of desperation and possibly self-delusion. Whatever the case, it is dangerous to think that fundamental differences over status can be resolved through simply ignoring reality or perhaps some “non-confrontational” police action. The southern Serbs have been “convinced” because they had no choice but to act as if they trust the Albanians and internationals to do the right thing and make decentralization work. The northerners are not in the same bind. The only way to peacefully resolve the status of the north is through dialogue with the Serbs on reaching practical accommodations on practical issues or within the context of an overall negotiated agreement on the final status of Kosovo.
The problem is that no one in Kosovo has AUTHORITY! The oldest investor in albania: 15 years!
ReplyDeleteGalluci you are criticizing, but not offering any concrete solution to this matter. The issue is being pending for too long and some steps need to be initiated, without the language of hate or doubtfulness.
ReplyDeleteDear Sera: I beg to differ. The "solutions" I suggest are clear. Reach agreements through dialogue and negotiations. Work within the context of UNSCR 1244. Reach practical accommodations with the communities involved, in the north with the Kosovo Serbs.
ReplyDeleteLargely unknown to the public and the press, the drafting of a plan B to the UDI : the partition of Kosovo along ethnic lines : Serbs south of the Ibar will be relocated to the North and the remodelling of the international mission with the UN again back in the docks. These subjects were on the table during Kermabon's last visit to Belgrade.
ReplyDeleteKey members of the EU who have accepted the UDI are getting tired of new authorities in Pristina and will gradually change their attitude.
This UDI is a major international blunder not to say a grave strategic mistake, thanks to the US....
M. Gallucci,
ReplyDeleteYour views and opinions about Kosovo are well documented and interesting. I remember your time as administrator in Mitrovica.
Without unnecessary lack of respect, how do you reconcile your proposition to find an agreement through dialogue and negotiations while the administration you serve (or served) has pursued and pursues a policy of "fait accomplit" in the Balkans and especially in Kosovo ?
Do you honestly believe any US diplomat can be trusted as an honest peace broker in an area where its administration trampled all internationally recognized laws and diplomatic customs ?
What exactly do you expect like a possible compromise or solution brokered by the UN after the massive spoliation Serbs where forced to stomach ? The UN never proved able to enforce its own resolutions, let alone 1244.
What would you say of a doctor who - after having diagnosed you with the wrong illness - has amputated you of an arm and leg (without anaesthesia) and still declares himself available for further help and relief ?
Either way a Frankenstein monster has been artificially created and it will take a lot more than talks, dialogues and compromises to deal with it....
Dear Verneuil: My views are my own and not those of any organization. My position remains that fundamental political problems -- such as the status of Kosovo -- must be resolved through negotiations. The only other options are frozen conflict and war. The NATO intervention over Kosovo could perhaps have been avoided by all parties having looked to negotiated outcomes from the very start of the breakup of Yugoslavia.
ReplyDeleteDear M. Gallucci,
ReplyDeleteI commend your constructive approach. After so many years of smoke screen & gun boat diplomacy, this call for renewed dialogue is rather refreshing.
Times are ripe for a new UN initiative.
US, UK, Germany and France policies are discredited for their “parti pris”. Albanians will prove them in the near future they have ridden the wrong horse.
EULEX is doomed for failure, at least as long as M. Feith is in the docks.
Belgrade is desperately trying to overcome the devastating effect of the economic crisis and to deal with the wounds left by 10 years of sheer madness. Yet its democratically elected leaders are unwilling to yield under international pressures.
Provisory leaders in Pristina are in total disarray due to the sheer incompetence, negligence and short sighted views of its leaders more concerned about eating the cake out, siphoning international aid and running their private business’s.
With traditional supports waning, the province is heading slowly but surely towards economical, political and security collapse, as in Bosnia by the way.
Ok new negotiations are needed. But this time let us pressure the regional actor’s into negotiations without a predetermined outcome like in Rambouillet and too much outside interferences.
The UDI in itself should not be taken for granted, that alone should prove a smart levy and incentive for renewed talks.
Dear M. Gallucci,
ReplyDeletereferring to your : "The NATO intervention over Kosovo could perhaps have been avoided by all parties having looked to negotiated outcomes from the very start of the breakup of Yugoslavia".
As active or former diplomatic staff with antennas everywhere we all know to well that all regional parties were in fact negotiating. As for the negotiations of Rambouillet, we are too aware they were a makeshift of diplomacy, the outcome being predetermined. The document was drafted in such way (with inclusion of a last minute clause we all knew was the red line set by Milosevic and the Serbians - that is liberty of transit and stationing throughout all Serbia - a de facto military occupation). Like for Slovenia, Croatia and Bosnia, Milosevic was ready to let Kosovo go. The contacts between M. Richard M. Miles services in Belgrade and Jovica Stanisic were unequivocal about the fact.
This alone gives a the sense of desperation and mistrust of the Serbs with their leadership which never hesitated to bargain and relinquish its interests.
First allow me to thank the author; excellent analysis again. Having also served in Mitrovica region (2000-2002) I can only agree with you. The sad thing is that the political decision makers do not recognize the feed back from field level.
ReplyDeleteThe fact on the ground is that northern part of Kosovo is integrated to Serbia like it always has been, as well those pats south of Ibar river, which are not ethnically cleansed by Kosovo Albanians. Between ethnic groups a huge operation of international community is going on with its foggy ideas.
After "humanitarian intervention" and billions of squandered euros Kosovo is a quasi-state with good change to become next “failed” or “captured” state. Today’s Kosovo is already safe-heaven for war criminals, drug traffickers, international money laundry and radical Wahhabists – unfortunately all are also allies of western powers.
From my viewpoint the only way to get sustainable solution to Kosovo is through real negotiations between local stakeholders. To get start of real talks US should freeze or withdraw its recognition of Kosovo UDI; otherwise it takes too long time for Kosovo Albanians to find out that some negotiated outcome – be it cantonization, partition or whatever agreed - could be better than status quo. (About possible solutions “Dividing Kosovo – a pragmatic solution to frozen conflict” http://arirusila.wordpress.com/2008/10/03/dividing-kosovo-a-pragmatic-solution-to-frozen-conflict/ and Cantonisation – a middle course for separatist movements http://arirusila.wordpress.com/2008/09/17/cantonisation-%e2%80%93-a-middle-course-for-separatist-movements/)
Of course if US wants keep one frozen conflict more in world and if EU is ready to squander more billions of euros for its capacity building efforts nothing needs to be done. (More e.g. in my recent post "Kosovo: Two years of Quasi-State“ in http://arirusila.wordpress.com/2010/02/20/kosovo-two-years-of-quasi-state/)