Will Kosovo inspire other independence movements worldwide?

Yes

7 of 15

by Roberto Alvarez-Galloso

• 

Write now Print Invite a writer™ Add to Favorites RSS Feed Contact this writer

There was a time in which big countries were better and that any attempts at Independence from Smaller Countries or Entities would result in disaster or bring about the dissolution of the home country. Yet current events like what is occurring in Kosovo proves that there are times when smaller entities may have to find a way towards independence. There are places that are less well known yet they want to become independent. In order to understand the phenomenon which was initiated by the dissolution of the Cold War Blocs [which included the independence of Montenegro and the impending independence of Kosovo], it would serve the interest of the reader to examine areas that want self rule according to continent.

I. The Americas

In the American Continent, there are many entities that are seeking self rule and/or independence as a way of preserving their national identity. They are looking at the events in Kosovo and elsewhere. One example is Quebec which is French Speaking and has a fear of being encircled and eventually absorbed by the English Speaking areas around it. There are people in Quebec who believe that Independence is the way to be self sufficient economically, politically, and to be able to maintain the French Identity of Quebec.

For the people in the United States of America who are feeling threatened by the rising Latin Community and have the nerve to make false accusations about the death of the USA by the Latin Community had better take a look at what is happening in the USA. Of course, the event is occurring in English in majority of cases. Vermont, Hawaii, Alaska, Texas, South Carolina, Ohio, Michigan, and the Pacific Northwest of Washington and Oregon want their independence. Vermont with the Movement for the Second Republic of Vermont and Vermont Commons are educating the people of Vermont on the need for independence in the face of an Administration and Oligarchy in Washington DC that is full of ideologues and warmongers. Ohio has a movement called the Ohio Republic, Texas has the Free Texas Movement with the radio station in the internet Radio Free Texas, and South Carolina wants a Christian Republic. Hawaii wants the restoration of the Kingdom of Hawaii for the indigenous people, Alaska wants to be free from Washington, and Michigan wants to determine its own destiny. Washington, Oregon, and British Columbia wants to unite and form the nation of Cascadia.

There are more movements such as the Nation of Aztlan [who are Mexican Americans who dream of forming their own state on the border with Mexico using territory that was taken from Mexico during the Mexican War of the 1840's]. The African American Revolutionary People's Party was an organization in Ohio that wanted an African American Communist Republic in Ohio. One area went further with Lakota Oyate declaring independence from the USA. Lakota Oyate is the area of the Lakota Tribe where North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, and Wyoming are located. Lakota Oyate declared its treaty with the USA null and void and are trying to consolidate their independence. They appear to have received their inspiration from Kosovo. No wonder that the Republicans and Democrats in Washington are opposed to Kosovo's Independence.

Bolivia is also receiving a breath of fresh air from Kosovo. The Province of Santa Cruz [one of the richest in Bolivia] is in the process or declared its independence from Bolivia in order to protest against Evo Morales attempting to take more power in his hands. One of the leaders of Santa Cruz said that he was moved toward independence after he saw segments of the New Constituent Assembly in which one of the members said "Vote for Morales or you are Santa Cruz" and then decapitating a dog saying "This dog is from Santa Cruz". Only time will tell what will happen if Kosovo arrives at the American Continent. It is surreal that Evo Morales support Independence Movements in Spain [Galicia, Basque Country, and Catalonia] and he is facing Santa Cruz in its desire for independence.

II. Europe

There are Independence Movements in Europe such as Scotland, Flanders, Galicia, Basque Country, Wales and Catalonia which could be inspired from Kosovo as well as the Trans Dniepster Region in Moldova [the Trans Dniepster Region declared its independence from Moldova in 1991]. Russia has separatist movements inside its borders such as Chechenya, and the Russian Far East [with its large indigenous population]. It is for this reason that Russia does not want an independent Kosovo.

III. The Middle East

We cannot forget the Kurds and their desire for Kurdistan. Kurdistan could receive inspiration from Kosovo but they are going ahead and taking steps towards independence. In the Sports Area, Kurdistan has Kurdish Football Clubs such as Kurd Stars FC, and Ararat FC as well as the Kurdistan Olympic Committee. The Kurds also have their own radio and television such as Kurdistan Satellite Television.

IV. East Asia and the Pacific

There are other movements such as the movement for Independence in Aceh, and Papua in Indonesia although they appear to have died down since the tsunami. In New Zealand, there are a group of Maoris who want their independence and are inspired by Kosovo.

While there are Independence Movements that would take an eternity to talk about, [and taking into account that I live in North America] I am of the school of thought that Kosovo is a stimulus for Independence Movements inside North America especially the United States of America.

Learn more about this author, Roberto Alvarez-Galloso.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.