(Note: I think that there is an American saying which says that even a broken watch is correct once every 12 hours. So please spare us the ad hominems about the authors of this piece – what matters is not who they are/were but what they say; or, if you prefer, that even they are saying what they say. In other words, recognizing Kosovo is something which even a patented nutcase like Bolton has second thoughts about. VS)
By John Bolton, Lawrence Eagleburger and Peter Rodman
The Bush administration has indicated its readiness to recognize a unilateral declaration of independence by ethnic Albanians in Kosovo, a province of the Republic of Serbia that since 1999 has been under United Nations administration and NATO military control.
Such a declaration may take place as early as February. American recognition would be over Serbia’s objections, without a negotiated solution between Serbia and Kosovo’s Albanians, and without modification by the United Nations Security Council of Resolution 1244, which reaffirms Serbian sovereignty in Kosovo while providing for the province’s “substantial autonomy.” U.S. recognition may be joined by that of some members of the European Union, which has been under heavy diplomatic pressure from Washington, though several EU states and a number of countries outside Europe have said they would reject such action.
Attempting to impose a settlement on Serbia would be a direct challenge to the Russian Federation, which opposes any Kosovo settlement not accepted by Belgrade.
We believe an imposed settlement of the Kosovo question and seeking to partition Serbia’s sovereign territory without its consent is not in the interest of the United States. The blithe assumption of American policy — that the mere passage of nine years of relative quiet would be enough to lull Serbia and Russia into reversing their positions on a conflict that goes back centuries — has proven to be naive in the extreme.
We believe U.S. policy on Kosovo must be re-examined without delay, and we urge the Bush administration to make it clear that pending the results of such re-examination it would withhold recognition of a Kosovo independence declaration and discourage Kosovo’s Albanians from taking that step.
Current U.S. policy relies on the unconvincing claim that Kosovo is “unique” and would set no precedent for other troublespots. Of course every conflict has unique characteristics. However, ethnic and religious minorities in other countries already are signaling their intention to follow a Kosovo example. This includes sizeable Albanian communities in adjoining areas of southern Serbia, Montenegro, and especially the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, as well as the Serbian portion of Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Recognition of Kosovo’s independence without Serbia’s consent would set a precedent with far-reaching and unpredictable consequences for many other regions of the world. The Kosovo model already has been cited by supporters of the Basque separatist movement in Spain and the Turkish-controlled area of northern Cyprus. Neither the Security Council nor any other international body has the power or authority to impose a change of any country’s borders.
Perhaps the most troubling aspect of the current policy is the dismissive attitude displayed toward Russia’s objections. Whatever disagreements the United States may have with Moscow on other issues, and there are many, the United States should not prompt an unnecessary crisis in U.S.-Russia relations. There are urgent matters regarding which the United States must work with Russia, including Iran’s nuclear intentions and North Korea’s nuclear capability. Such cooperation would be undercut by American action to neutralize Moscow’s legitimate concerns regarding Kosovo.
If the U.S. moves forward with recognizing Kosovo, Moscow’s passivity cannot be taken for granted. It may have been one thing in 1999 for the United States and NATO to take action against Yugoslavia over the objections of a weak Russia.
Today, it would be unwise to dismiss Russia’s willingness and ability to assist Serbia. On an issue of minor importance to the United States, is this a useful expenditure of significant political capital with Russia?
Our Kosovo policy is hardly less problematic for our friends and allies in Europe. While some European countries, notably members of the EU, may feel themselves obligated to join us in recognizing Kosovo’s independence, a number of those countries would do so reluctantly because of Washington’s inflexibility and insistence. No more than the United States, Europe would not benefit from an avoidable confrontation with Russia.
Even if Kosovo declared itself an independent state, it would be a dysfunctional one and a ward of the international community for the indefinite future. Corruption and organized crime are rampant. The economy, aside from international largesse and criminal activities, is nonviable. Law enforcement, integrity of the courts, protection of persons and property, and other prerequisites for statehood are practically nonexistent. While these failures are often blamed on Kosovo’s uncertain status, a unilateral declaration of independence recognized by some countries and rejected by many others would hardly remedy that fact.
The result would be a new “frozen conflict,” with Kosovo’s status still unresolved. The risk of renewed violence would further impede Kosovo’s development. Moreover, heightened tensions might require reinforcing the U.S. presence in Kosovo when we can least afford it due to other commitments.
Serbia has made great strides in democratic development and economic revitalization since the fall of the regime of Slobodan Milosevic. Current policy with respect to Kosovo risks complete reversal of these gains. Faced with a choice between Western partnership and defense of their sovereign territory and constitution, there is little doubt what Serbia would decide.
The current positive trend could falter in the face of political radicalization and possible internal destabilization. Serbia’s relations with countries that had recognized Kosovo would be impaired. Serbia would inevitably move closer to Russia as its only protector.
We do not underestimate the difficulty and complexity of the Kosovo question nor do we suggest the status quo can endure indefinitely. As with thorny questions elsewhere, viable and enduring settlements should result from negotiation and compromise. Such an outcome has been undermined by a U.S. promise to the Kosovo Albanians that their demands will be satisfied if they remain adamant and no agreement is reached with Belgrade. Such a promise cannot be justified by the claim, often heard from proponents of independence, that the Albanians’ “patience” is running out, so independence must be granted without delay. This is nothing less than appeasing a threat of violence.
A reassessment of America’s Kosovo policy is long overdue. We hope a policy that would set a very dangerous international precedent can still be averted if that reassessment begins now. In the meantime, it is imperative that no unwarranted or hasty action be taken that would turn what is now a relatively small problem into a large one.
John Bolton is former permanent U.S. representative to the United Nations. Lawrence Eagleburger is former U.S. secretary of state. Peter Rodman is former assistant secretary of defense for international security affairs.
that saying: “even a stopped clock is right twice a day”
i well remember eagleburger saying contrarian things about yugoslavia (to use a shorthand term) in the 90s, and his fellow establishmentarians not liking it.
on the other hand, it is VERY STRANGE INDEED to hear john “i’m right, you’re wrong, let’s bomb” bolton advocating wary, measured steps in regards a political problem. (i know you asked us to hold the ad-homs, but crikey i can’t help it)
I can hardly believe this is the same John Bolton who was screaming foul about Iran and its “nuclear ambition.” Is this guy a chameleon or what? This can not be the same person, can it? I would have thought that he would be all for provoking Russia at every opportunity.
VS, do you know who the intended audience was for this essay? Is this how the ideologues communicate among themselves? Is there a real debate within the administration as to what stance the US should take? And is this how they work out their differences?
@petey – heck! these ad hominems were also the first thing which crossed my mind when I saw the name “Bolton” ;-))
@anonymous: my mistake, I forgot to add the link to the original piece:
http://www.washingtontimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080131/COMMENTARY/288472699
So this is a public statement, not an internal discussion.
My only explanation for Bolton & Co’s position is that they hate Muslims even more than they hate Serbs and that in their twisted minds being opposed to the unilateral secession of Kosovo from Serbia somehow amount to being ‘piously’ anti-Muslim. I know, this is stupid. But so are these guys…
It sure seems that they are worried about the precedent throughout the middle east and the Balkans and even Europe as a whole.
Well, if they are worried about the precedent which such a development would create I can only commend them for it. The fact is that if Kosovo is allowed to secede and many or most countries in the world recognize this in direct violation of the relevant UNSC Resolution this would just kill an already comatose system of international law. It is one of the saddest and most frightening developments of the last two decades that respect for international law has been eroded to such a degree that it now has become fashionable to openly advocate its violation. It took WWII and decades of efforts to create the legal instruments to try to make the world a marginally less barbaric place and now all these efforts and sacrifices are being voided for petty political reasons. Truly a disgrace for a planet presumably striving to civilize itself.
I would take Bolton’s urging of caution regarding Kosovo to indicate that even the neocons think we are vulnerable and that the US/NATO are in no position to face a new challenge in the Balkans. They probably realize they have their hands tied trying to handle the empire’s other commitments.
-AA
@AA: that is quite possible, indeed. Though I do not expect the Serbs or, even much less so, the Russians to do anything right now. They realize that 1) an independent Kosovo is no viable to begin with and 2) that Kosovo will become everybody’s problem as soon as it becomes obvious that it will be a haven for crime and terrorism like the short lived independent Chechen “Republic of Ichkeria”.
I expect the Serbs to simply cut off most of Kosovo (while keeping ties with the few small Serbian areas left) and just let that ‘toxic fruit’ rot until its ‘stench’ changes the equation and the ‘international community’ comes to its senses.
“it now has become fashionable to openly advocate its violation.”
spot-on
Bolton on video about the same matter:
John Bolton: Kosovo will spark islamic extremism in Europe
-AA
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