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Global rift over Kosovo widens
19/02/2008 08:46 - (SA)
Brussels - The US, Australia and the European Union's biggest powers quickly recognised Kosovo as an independent nation on Monday, widening a split with Russia, China and some EU members strongly opposed to letting the territory break away from Serbia.
The rift was on view at the UN Security Council on the second day of an emergency session to discuss the declaration of independence on Sunday by Kosovo's ethnic Albanian majority.
The council meeting ended on Monday without agreement on a resolution or joint statement, reflecting the deep divisions among the five veto-wielding permanent members.
Ethnic Serbs rallying in northern Kosovo angrily denounced the United States and urged Russia to help Serbia hold on to the territory that Serbs consider the birthplace of their civilisation. Protesters also marched in Serbia's capital, and that nation recalled its ambassador to the US to protest American recognition for an independent Kosovo.
Despite the clamouring of Serbs to retake Kosovo, Serbia's government has ruled out a military response.
Strained relations
But the dispute is likely to worsen already strained relations between the West and Russia, which is a traditional ally of Serbia and seeks to restore its influence in former Soviet bloc states. The Kremlin could become less likely to help in international efforts important to the US and its allies, such as pressuring Iran to rein in its nuclear programme.
Still, for Washington the declaration of independence by Kosovo vindicated years of dogged effort to help a land achieve its dream of self-determination after years of ethnic conflict and repression by Serbia.
Speaking in Tanzania, US President George W. Bush declared: "The Kosovars are now independent" - and Washington formally recognised Kosovo as an independent country soon afterward.
Germany, Britain and France also gave their heavyweight backing, saying they planned to issue formal recognitions.
Kosovo's prime minister thanked Washington for its support.
"Thank you President Bush, thank you American government and American people. The people of Kosovo will be always grateful to you," Hashim Thaci told reporters in Pristina shortly after meeting representatives of France, Britain, the US and Turkey.
Russia, China can veto UN seat
But Russia, Serbia's key ally, and emerging global power China remained adamantly opposed to Kosovo's independence, warning of the danger of inspiring separatist movements around the world, including in their own sprawling territories.
As veto-wielding Security Council members, Russia and China both have the power to block any attempt by Kosovo to gain a seat on the international body.
Serbia vowed to fight to the end against any UN recognition.
"The so-called Kosovo state will never be a member of the United Nations. Serbia will use all diplomatic means at its disposal to block Kosovo's recognition," Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic said.
- AP
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