Kosovo, a land of 1.8 million people, has been under United Nations protections since 1999 after NATO intervened to halt Slobodan Milosevic’s repression of the province’s ethnic Albanians, who make up about 95 per cent of its population. Ever since NATO's bombing campaign forced Mr. Milosevic to halt his violent crackdown, the question had been whether the region would eventually break away.
In their push for independence, Kosovo’s leaders was supported by the European Union and Washington. But the idea was vehemently opposed by Serbia and its ally Moscow. Serbia, which has long regarded Kosovo as its medieval heartland, argued that a unilateral declaration of independence would breach international law and spur secessionist movements across the world.
In July 2010, the United Nation's highest court ruled that Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence did not violate international law. But in its decision, the International Court of Justice avoided saying that the state of Kosovo was legal under international law, a narrow and carefully calibrated compromise that could allow both sides to declare victory in a dispute that remains raw even 11 years after the war there ended.
Political analysts said the advisory opinion, passed in a 10-to-4 vote by the court judges, is likely to spur other countries to recognize Kosovo's independence. Of the 192 countries in the United Nations General Assembly, so far only 69, including the United States and a majority of European Union nations, have recognized Kosovo.
Kosovo's declaration of independence from Serbia on Feb. 17, 2008, marked the culmination of a showdown between Serbia and the West in which the United States and a majority of European nations said Serbia's violent repression of Kosovo's majority ethnic Albanians under a former Serbian president, Slobodan Milosevic, had forfeited Serbia's right to rule the territory.
Mr. Milosevic, the former Serbian leader, revoked Kosovo's autonomy in 1989 and fiercely repressed ethnic Albanians, who make up most of its population. Some turned to armed rebellion. NATO intervened in 1999 to halt Mr. Milosevic's violent response to the rebels. After the war ended, the United Nations administered Kosovo for eight years, during which time it lingered in a legal limbo.
The continuing tension in the Balkans serves as a reminder of just how challenging and long-lasting the American enterprise of nation-building really is. Even after the fighting is long over — and there are still about 1,480 American troops in Kosovo as part of a 9,900-member international force — the project is not really done.
Question:
after reading the background information, this week our UN issue is from DISEC ( Disarmament and International Security) therefore, after reading and searching more information about the issue, please think and prepare to show on Saturday's Workshop!
1. What do you think UN can do more efficiently for the conflict in the Kosovo?
2. In your opinion, what do you think other EU countries should do, or what America or China, Russia should response to the conflict?
3. Do you think Kosovo should stay under Serbia government or should it be independenced? Why?
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