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| Yes | 63% | 146 votes | Total: 230 votes | |
| No | 37% | 84 votes |
Yes
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Add to FavoritesCertainly, The Independence of Kosovo has opened a floodgate where other ethic groups and peoples looking for self-rule, semi-autonomy or even complete independence will push their cause ever more strongly as they have seen that it can be done through the example of Kosovo.
However, the key difference is that Kosovo has many extenuating circumstances and was approved and committed to a UN and EU backed independence plan and has long waited patiently without resorting to violence. That in itself is a significant factor in the decision by many nations to recognize Kosovo. But the threat still remains, Russia is seeking to make sure that Kosovo does not gain recognition and might even commit it troops to do so.
Many regions around the world are facing the same dilemma that Kosovo faced, such as the region trying to break away from Russia or the proposed "Kurdistan." Many of these people were already seeking independence before the Kosovo situation so the fear of many nations is that by recognizing Kosovo, they would be backed into a situation where they will have to also try to dissuade the general populace seeking independence elsewhere in the world.
Such situation is what Russia and Turkey is involved in. Russia fears that by recognizing Kosovo, it will face a internal disorder as the regions trying to break away from Russia will be enbolded further and that it will loose it Ally in the Baltic region (Serbia and others) and a more US friendly presence will dominate the region. Turkey fears that its recognition of Kosovo will result in even more increased activity among the Kurdish populace seeking a more semi-autonomous or even independent rule.
All of these factors certainly plays a role and Kosovo's success will go to further reinforce the desire of these people to be free and independent as a distinct ethnic group. This was certainly a victory for these pro-self-rule provinces seeking independence and in the days to come, we will see how far Kosovo's independence will go or even if they will remain independent for long... due to Russia's most recent statements.
Learn more about this author, Ebey Soman.
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No
During the 1990's, Russia's "Iron Curtain" collapsed. One after another, Eastern European nations became autonomous. Some, like Poland and Hungary, did it with peaceful movements. Others, like Romania and Yugoslavia, broke up through acts of war. From 1991-2000, Croatia and Serbia fought a brutal conflict that accumulated over 500,000 deaths and thousands more displaced. Violence didn't work the first time.
Last week, the U.S. Embassy in Kosovo was burned. Several people were found dead. Croatians haven't learned from their bloody past. With NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) troops still occupying the province, political-related violence has flared up again. Since 9/11, the Kosovo mission took a back seat due to Afghanistan and Iraq. However, with the mid-1990's classic "Behind Enemy Lines", ethnic hostilities are an incident away from exploding to all-out conflict.
During the tragic Balkan War, Serbia became ruler of Yugoslavia. Their armies and militias massacred or exiled whole populations of Crotians. In 1995, over 8,000 Muslim corpses were found in an enclave called Serbrenica. After the West sent military aid to Croatia, the tide turned and Serbian militias and civilians felt the wrath of Muslim vengeance. Serbian president, Sloban Milosovec refused to end the war. NATO warplanes bombed army positions and ground troops routed forces in a brief offensive. Later on, Milosovec was captured. He died in prison before being executed for numerous accusations of genocide.
Since the war's end, NATO occupation has maintained a fragile peace. Occasional outbreaks of violence have failed to produce war. However, with the demonstrations of last week, Serbia has forgotten what it had. It has forgotten that they ruled everyone. Their leaders have always craved power of a Greater Serbia. On the other side, Croatian Muslims are realizing that being the aggressor may work this time. But, Western nations are resisting their campaigns in fear of an Islamic-ruled government evolving.
In the former Yugoslavia, violence has been used to influence policy. With the recent difficulties, it's looking to be used as that for a second time. Let us all hope that Iraq and Afghanistan aren't a disease that spreads.
Learn more about this author, Marcus Brooks.
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