Further Fragmentation for Former Yugoslavia
Kosovo is expected to declare its intention of independence this weekend.
BELGRADE, Serbia, Feb. 15, 2008 — -- Nearly nine years after the end of the Balkan war that tore apart former Yugoslavia, Kosovo Albanians are on their way to gaining an independent state.
It's the final step in the dismantling of the former Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.
The redrawing, once again, of Balkan borders will increase tensions between Russia, which opposes the move, and the United States and the European Union that both back an independent Kosovo.
According to the plan of the U.N. mediator Martti Atisaari, Kosovo's independence will be gradual and take place "under international supervision."
On Sunday, the Kosovan Parliament is expected to approve a plan that would set in motion total independence by March. The writing of a constitution would soon follow.
A transition period of four months would then begin to prepare for the transfer of powers now exercised by the U.N. Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), which has administered the province since 1999.
Serbs still don't know what they will do this weekend.
"I will take my wife and daughter to Serbia proper, but I will not go before hearing the announcement of independence on TV … because I still refuse to believe in it. I will wait until the last moment," Drago Krstic, a Serb from Mitrovica region, said in a telephone interview. "Then, I will return home as soon as possible, in order to defend my house."
The United Nations, the government of Kosovo and representatives of the European Union must also agree on the exact powers to be given to the European mission: 2,000 police officers and legal experts will oversee the initial functioning of an independent Kosovo's police, justice and customs organizations.
In the absence of a new U.N. resolution, the United States and EU countries are looking to U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to gradually reduce the number of UNMIK officials to make way for EULEX, the EU mission.
On the other side, Serbia and its ally Russia will oppose the proclamation of independence as illegal.
Both Serbia and Russia claim to have secret plans ready in case the West recognizes Kosovo's independence. Neither have said what those plans might be.
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