POSTED RESPONSE TO A COLUMN IN THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE
The issues here are more complex than the writer indicates.
First, Kosovo is nothing but one more basket-case, uneconomic mini-state, just what the region does not need.
Second, this declaration has broken international law in having a conquered, occupied province declare independence.
There are sound reasons for law against such practice, and the issue is going to be raised again in the case of Iraq.
Third, the troubles between Serbs and Albanians in Kosovo do not end with this act. A large minority of the province is Serb.
Fourth, the US glee at this - it was undoubtedly working behind the scenes to achieve this and it granted rapid recognition -only pokes Russia in the eye, hardly a sound practice in foreign policy if you want a more peaceful world.
Altogether a blunder, just as almost everything under Bush in foreign affairs has been.
