New Kosova Report

Columns

Why Kosovo Needs Extensive Security after Independence

NATO peacekeeper

Security in the Balkans is seen as essential with regards to the overall stability of the region, including Europe. This is why, the international community cannot afford itself the lavishness of not watching out for possible cycles of violence in the area in the near future. The most probable scenario for such a prediction to come true is the period between December this year and early 2008, when Kosovo’s status is expected to be decided upon, very likely by a declaration of independence and recognition from the United States of America and some European countries.

Currently, Serbia has been preparing ‘plans’ on how to deal with the situation of post-independence Kosovo, namely on what actions to take the day after independence. So far, calculations show that it is very probable for the Northern part of Kosovo, inhabited by a majority of Serbs, to cause massive unrests, which might be followed by huge demonstrations and blockade of important roads segments, just to name some. Even though these actions seem quarantined and under control as a result of KFOR’s presence in the country as well as Kosovo security forces, such as the Kosovo Police Service, they should be taken seriously and used for planning on how to deal with possible similar future developments. Kosovo will find itself in desperately requiring international security presence in the country following declaration of independence. This is for a number of reasons, primarily to secure its internal stability.

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Serbs assault KFOR troops in Kosovo

Salih Shala

Several Kosovo Serbs scuffled with NATO peacekeepers Friday in an incident the top United Nations official in Kosovo said was orchestrated by Belgrade.

During an official top visit by UNMIK chief Joachim Ruecker in the ethnic Serbian village of Gorazhdevc in western Kosovo ethnic Serbs clashed with French KFOR soldiers, leaving several injured and forcing the top officials to flee out of the chaos with a military chopper.

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Serbian threats of war over Kosovo

Salih Shala

By Salih Shala

Once again, a threat of war and occupation casts its shade over the Balkans. This time, it’s Serbia who’s on the offensive threatening to re-launch their war against Kosovo’s Albanian population which started back in early 1998.

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Why economics can't grasp Serbia ruling Kosovo again

Fatos Radoniqi

Mr. Radoniqi

By Fatos Radoniqi

Serbia has always maintained that Kosovo should remain under its rule. This, they argue, should happen for several reasons. Among others, they often claim that Kosovo would be better off economically if it remained a part of Serbia. In this short essay I will attempt to explain why this cannot be the case.

To say that Kosovo is better off economically if it remains part of Serbia is based on at least two very flawed assumptions.

Assumption 1: Kosovo’s economic welfare is important to Serbia

This is far from credible, to say the least. Why?

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Twelve answers to arguments against independence

Arianit Dobruna

Graffiti in Prishtina

There have been several arguments against Kosovo independence. Most of them were initially heard in Belgrade and then spread to the capitals or the media that are against Kosovo independence.

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