New-born Kosovo celebrates the anniversary of its independence on Tuesday, and it is appropriate to assess the state of its growth and development. The one-year old is energetic, showing signs of maturing, and there is every reason to believe that it can grow into a happy, productive, and honorable adult. There are, however, many challenges ahead. It is too soon to tell how well Kosovo will meet these challenges.
The declaration of independence did not set off the catastrophe that
many had predicted—and some had hoped. Kosovar Albanians were happy,
peaceful and respectful. The political leadership of Kosovo was
dignified and appealed to the higher instincts of the peoples of
Kosovo. The world watched admiringly, struck by the contrast between
the Kosovars and the hooligans who were running the streets of
Belgrade, torching embassies and McDonald’s restaurants.
The international community has been supportive, if more sluggish that had been hoped. More than fifty states have recognized Kosovo as independent. Serbia and Russia have not—no one expected them to. Of greater concern is the recalcitrance of the members of the European Union who have withheld recognition. Their conduct not only discourages constructive Serbian action moving toward the vision of a unified Europe, defined by western ideals; it also undercuts the vision itself, threatening to undercut the most significant foreign policy commitment of the EU so far.
The Foreign Ministry of Kosovo has been mostly passive, rather than taking up the baton of lobbying for recognition, preferring to leave this important aspect of Kosovo’s future in the hands of the internationals, even as Kosovo strives to show that it can do without the “help” of international tutelage. It has, after a long delay, put up a respectable website with basic information on diplomatic recognition, embassies and consulates and links to tourism information. Despite the power of Kosovo’s music, sports, theatre and film to build support in foreign countries, however, the Ministry of Culture still has no web presence in English—or any other popular international language.
Hashim Thaci and Fatmir Sejdiu honor Kosovo’s statehood by their poise and discipline. Thaci has turned the Prime Minister’s office into a real Prime Minister’s office, exercising control over the ministries, which were allowed to do their own thing in previous governments. This kind of centralized political control can backfire if it bottles up decisions that need to be made or if it results in the wrong decisions, but the control and the coherence in policy that it makes possible is a prerequisite to effective government.
Ramush Haradinaj has emerged as the clear voice of the Opposition. This also is a good thing. Democracy requires an effective Opposition as well as an effective Government. Haradinaj is one of Kosovo’s most talented leaders, every bit as determined and disciplined as Thaci. It remains to be seen, however, whether he can forge an effective coalition with other major centers of political power outside the Government. It also remains to be seen whether he can articulate a competing vision for economic development. He has been nearly silent on specific ideas for this, Kosovo’s number one problem. There is not much that either he or Thaci can do about Mitrovica. He should spend less time talking about Mitrovica and more time talking about how Kosovo’s government and private sector can create jobs.
On the economic front, the two most important priorities are to get Kosovo C built and to get the road from Prishtina to Durres finished. Both projects will create many jobs if they are accelerated. Once they are completed, they will contribute significantly for Kosovo to make a successful place for itself in the international economy—Kosovo C because it will permit Kosovo to become a net exporter of electricity, the road because it will provide Kosovo’s industry and merchants better access to international markets—through friendly territory.
Deferring the elections was a good idea. It gives the Government more time to show what it can accomplish and then to be held accountable based on a real record. It gives the Opposition more time to build a viable coalition and to articulate respectable alternative policies on the things that matter most in the daily lives of Kosovo’s peoples: jobs, economic development, and energy.
Everyone in political leadership had said the rights things about welcoming Kosovo Serbs into real partnership in shaping the future of their country. These efforts should be continued and intensified. If the words are backed up by action on the part of all Kosovar Albanians, the corrupting influence of Belgrade, which wants to sacrifice the future of Kosovo’s Serbs to win debating points in international politics, will diminish, as Kosovo’s Serbs pursue their self interest and become real partners in defining the prospects for their own country.
February 17 can be a day for celebrating real accomplishments. It also should be a day for redoubling efforts to mark the path for concrete future achievements domestically.
The international community has been supportive, if more sluggish that had been hoped. More than fifty states have recognized Kosovo as independent. Serbia and Russia have not—no one expected them to. Of greater concern is the recalcitrance of the members of the European Union who have withheld recognition. Their conduct not only discourages constructive Serbian action moving toward the vision of a unified Europe, defined by western ideals; it also undercuts the vision itself, threatening to undercut the most significant foreign policy commitment of the EU so far.
The Foreign Ministry of Kosovo has been mostly passive, rather than taking up the baton of lobbying for recognition, preferring to leave this important aspect of Kosovo’s future in the hands of the internationals, even as Kosovo strives to show that it can do without the “help” of international tutelage. It has, after a long delay, put up a respectable website with basic information on diplomatic recognition, embassies and consulates and links to tourism information. Despite the power of Kosovo’s music, sports, theatre and film to build support in foreign countries, however, the Ministry of Culture still has no web presence in English—or any other popular international language.
Hashim Thaci and Fatmir Sejdiu honor Kosovo’s statehood by their poise and discipline. Thaci has turned the Prime Minister’s office into a real Prime Minister’s office, exercising control over the ministries, which were allowed to do their own thing in previous governments. This kind of centralized political control can backfire if it bottles up decisions that need to be made or if it results in the wrong decisions, but the control and the coherence in policy that it makes possible is a prerequisite to effective government.
Ramush Haradinaj has emerged as the clear voice of the Opposition. This also is a good thing. Democracy requires an effective Opposition as well as an effective Government. Haradinaj is one of Kosovo’s most talented leaders, every bit as determined and disciplined as Thaci. It remains to be seen, however, whether he can forge an effective coalition with other major centers of political power outside the Government. It also remains to be seen whether he can articulate a competing vision for economic development. He has been nearly silent on specific ideas for this, Kosovo’s number one problem. There is not much that either he or Thaci can do about Mitrovica. He should spend less time talking about Mitrovica and more time talking about how Kosovo’s government and private sector can create jobs.
On the economic front, the two most important priorities are to get Kosovo C built and to get the road from Prishtina to Durres finished. Both projects will create many jobs if they are accelerated. Once they are completed, they will contribute significantly for Kosovo to make a successful place for itself in the international economy—Kosovo C because it will permit Kosovo to become a net exporter of electricity, the road because it will provide Kosovo’s industry and merchants better access to international markets—through friendly territory.
Deferring the elections was a good idea. It gives the Government more time to show what it can accomplish and then to be held accountable based on a real record. It gives the Opposition more time to build a viable coalition and to articulate respectable alternative policies on the things that matter most in the daily lives of Kosovo’s peoples: jobs, economic development, and energy.
Everyone in political leadership had said the rights things about welcoming Kosovo Serbs into real partnership in shaping the future of their country. These efforts should be continued and intensified. If the words are backed up by action on the part of all Kosovar Albanians, the corrupting influence of Belgrade, which wants to sacrifice the future of Kosovo’s Serbs to win debating points in international politics, will diminish, as Kosovo’s Serbs pursue their self interest and become real partners in defining the prospects for their own country.
February 17 can be a day for celebrating real accomplishments. It also should be a day for redoubling efforts to mark the path for concrete future achievements domestically.
Mr. Perritt is Professor of Law at the Chicago-Kent College of Law and author of Kosovo Liberation Army: The Inside Story of an Insurgency . You can find more about his work in Kosovo at operationkosovo.kentlaw.edu.
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