--- In Questo indirizzo email è protetto dagli spambots. È necessario abilitare JavaScript per vederlo., "Miroslav Antic" wrote:
<http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/841600/posts>
NATO Split Opens Window for Tensions in Kosovo
STRATFOR
NATO Split Opens Window for Tensions in Kosovo
Feb 12, 2003
Serbian authorities put police and army units patrolling the border
with Kosovo on a state of alert Feb. 12. Belgrade said the move was
in response to reports claiming that "terrorists" in Kosovo are
planning to move into southern Serbia, and it follows the recent
arrests of seven ethnic Albanians in that area.
However, Serbia's order is more likely a politically motivated
response to the Kosovar parliament debate over a sovereignty and
independence declaration during the past week. The declaration
reportedly has the support of at least one-third of parliament
members. Although the assembly speaker took the motion off the
parliamentary agenda Feb. 12, sources told Belgrade's Radio B92 that
it could be put back on very soon.
As the motion was being debated, Serbian Prime Minister Zoran
Djindjic said that his country's forces should return to Kosovo. But
that possibility was discounted as unworkable by Fabio Mini,
commander of KFOR, the NATO-led international force responsible for
establishing and maintaining security in Kosovo.
The growing tension between Serbia and Kosovo coincides with a
widening split within the NATO alliance and inside the U.N. Security
Council over Iraq. With NATO and the United Nations distracted and
divided, Albanian nationalists in Kosovo and perhaps Macedonia -- as
well as the government in Serbia -- have an opportunity to make
incremental gains in their positions. Both sides are also patient,
however, so the tensions are unlikely to break out into conflict
soon. Nevertheless, they will create an unneeded distraction for
Europe on its southern flank.
--- End forwarded message ---
<http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/841600/posts>
NATO Split Opens Window for Tensions in Kosovo
STRATFOR
NATO Split Opens Window for Tensions in Kosovo
Feb 12, 2003
Serbian authorities put police and army units patrolling the border
with Kosovo on a state of alert Feb. 12. Belgrade said the move was
in response to reports claiming that "terrorists" in Kosovo are
planning to move into southern Serbia, and it follows the recent
arrests of seven ethnic Albanians in that area.
However, Serbia's order is more likely a politically motivated
response to the Kosovar parliament debate over a sovereignty and
independence declaration during the past week. The declaration
reportedly has the support of at least one-third of parliament
members. Although the assembly speaker took the motion off the
parliamentary agenda Feb. 12, sources told Belgrade's Radio B92 that
it could be put back on very soon.
As the motion was being debated, Serbian Prime Minister Zoran
Djindjic said that his country's forces should return to Kosovo. But
that possibility was discounted as unworkable by Fabio Mini,
commander of KFOR, the NATO-led international force responsible for
establishing and maintaining security in Kosovo.
The growing tension between Serbia and Kosovo coincides with a
widening split within the NATO alliance and inside the U.N. Security
Council over Iraq. With NATO and the United Nations distracted and
divided, Albanian nationalists in Kosovo and perhaps Macedonia -- as
well as the government in Serbia -- have an opportunity to make
incremental gains in their positions. Both sides are also patient,
however, so the tensions are unlikely to break out into conflict
soon. Nevertheless, they will create an unneeded distraction for
Europe on its southern flank.
--- End forwarded message ---