US government exercises double standards again

The US government proudly displays its
double standard policies to the whole
world. This time the selective approach
to international issues touches upon the
recognition of small republics. Having
recognized Kosovo, the US administration
looks right through the similar right of the
republic of South Ossetia. The US
Department of State continues to emphasize
the uniqueness of the “Kosovo phenomenon.”

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has recently released a statement on South Ossetia. Speaking about a possibility for this Caucasian republic to declare independence, Mrs. Rice strongly rejected a similarity between its sovereignty and the Kosovo problem.

While on her way to Brussels, Belgium, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice was asked by a journalist if she thought that South Ossetia’s independence was inevitable.

Full story:
http://english.pravda.ru/world/americas/06-03-2008/104390-usa_double_standards-0

The Kosovo precedent

Amid the kerfuffle around Kosovo’s declaration of
independence, few have paused to note what an
extraordinary document it is. It is so hedged with
conditions, obligations and reservations, so replete
with commitments to consult, honor and obey the
province’s international patrons, that it is also a
declaration of dependence.

Its last paragraph begins: “We hereby affirm, clearly, specifically and irrevocably, that Kosovo shall be legally bound to comply with the provisions contained in this declaration, including, especially, the obligations for it under the Ahtisaari Plan” (my italics; that’s U.N. Special Envoy Martii Ahtisaari). You can almost hear the Western advisor dictating over the Kosovar draftsman’s shoulder.

The reality on the ground will, of course, be rather different from the words on paper. The Kosovar Albanians have taken an important stride toward self-government. On Sunday night, they had something to celebrate on the streets of Pristina.

I would not like to be a Kosovar Serb living in one of the enclaves south of the Ibar River in the years ahead. The position of the Serbs north of the Mitrovica bridge over the Ibar is a different story. Despite NATO’s temporary closing of the border between them and Serbia, their daily social, economic and cultural integration with Serbia will continue.

Full story:
http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-oe-ash21feb21,0,6880108.story

Serbs set border checkpoints on fire to protest Kosovo independence

KOSOVSKA MITROVICA, Kosovo — Thousands of
Serbs chanting “Kosovo is Serbia” marched Tuesday
to a bridge dividing them from ethnic Albanians while
others torched U.N. border checkpoints and cars to
protest Kosovo’s declaration of independence.

NATO troops later closed down the roads leading to the checkpoints, cutting off the only link between northern Kosovo and Serbia, said Besim Hoti, a U.N. spokesman. The move appeared to be due to fears that the reduction of U.N. control of the border could allow Serbian militants to return to fight in Kosovo, a land Serb nationalists consider the cradle of their state and religion.

Smoke billowed from two checkpoints separating Kosovo from Serbia and flames engulfed several U.N. vehicles set ablaze in protest against Kosovo’s weekend proclamation of independence and anger over international recognition of the new nation.

Full story:
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=138048&src=110

Serbians Pray for Kosovo