The Hindu Business Line : Redrawing borders in the Balkans

Kosovo could become a dreadful precedent for Europe, and its
declaration of independence could send a dangerous signal
to ethnic minorities in many European countries.
It seems there is an agenda to redraw the borders of the Balkans in order
to institute lasting economic policies that benefit Anglo-American and Franco-German interests.

Mohan Murti

My first visit to Belgrade, the gorgeous capital city of Serbia, was just two weeks ago (February 11 and 12). I was here on an analytical mission for new investment project on behalf of a large multinational. We found the Serbs to be a simple, soft-spoken, honest, hard-working people; with wages a tenth of that in West Europe; utility costs exactly one-third of the European overheads — just the right recipe a booming investment destination can offer.

Just as we returned content with our Serbia mission, the map of Europe had to be redrawn. Kosovo declared its independence from Serbia on Sunday, February 17. And, investment plans were put on ice. Other foreign investors too might turn their back on Serbia because of the political instability and this year could be said to have already been lost.

Many Western countries are now on the verge of recognising Kosovo as Europe’s newest country, but Serbia and its allies Russia and China regard the declaration as illegal. And many countries with their own separatist groups, from Spain to Sri Lanka, are reluctant to set a precedent by recognising this new state.

Serbia is recalling its ambassadors from all those countries that recognise Kosovo. In the past few days, relations between Serbia and EU have hit rock bottom.

Indian Position

While progressive nations are taking clear positions on the issue, the Government of India is taking shelter behind studying the “serious legal issues” and has come out with an ambiguous stand on Kosovo’s unilateral declaration of independence.

It’s a shame that on such a vital issue as the sovereignty of countries with minority populations and the challenge to a basic principle of international law, India has been blurred, imprecise and not spoken up, boldly.

Kosovo

It wasn’t the first time the leaders of Kosovo declared independence. In1990, ethnic-Albanian lawmakers called for statehood when Belgrade dissolved the province’s assembly. The difference on February 17, 2008 was that it came with the unfettered support of the US and many European Union countries. But the reaction has been a mix of jubilation — for ethnic Albanians, and outright anger — demonstrated by the tens of thousands of Serbs who protested in Belgrade, last week.

Recognition of the independence of Kosovo Province is a dangerous precedent that raises questions about the sacred sanctity of borders. Kosovo has never been a state entity. It has always been an integral part of Serbia, ever since the time of the old medieval kingdom. We are, therefore, witnessing real territorial rape now.

What is troubling is the alacrity with which the US, the UK, Italy, Germany, and other countries that should know better, are encouraging this destabilising move, in defiance of international laws and customs.

The last time European nations prematurely recognised breakaway Balkan states, they helped fan the flames of civil war in the 1990s. It appears some lessons have to be learned more than once.

Divide and Rule

Divide et impera was the strategy imputed to administrators of vast empires, including the Roman and British, who were charged with playing one tribe against another to maintain control of their territories with a minimal number of imperial forces. This has been part of the objective of British and American foreign policy all along.

Kosovo could become a dreadful precedent for Europe, and its declaration of independence could send a signal to ethnic minorities in many European countries. If the European Union recognises the secession of one ethnic group, it may have to do so repeatedly in the future.

While Denmark, Austria, Germany, France and the UK hold similar positions on Kosovo’s independence, six EU countries that have minority conflicts of their own are opposed to Kosovo’s secession from Serbia. They fear that their separatist groups could choose to emulate developments in the Balkans.

The Muslim Pomaks

Bulgaria’s Turkish minority too could choose to do the same. About 700,000 Turks live in Bulgaria, and they even form a majority in many cities and regions in the country’s north. In southern Bulgaria there are about 200,000 Muslim Pomaks of Slavic origin.

Magyars in Székely Land

Romania, a country of 22 million, has minorities of 1.4 million ethnic Hungarians, or Magyars, and hundreds of thousands of Roma. The Hungarian minority is now pushing even harder for separation into Székely Land.

Basques and Catalans

In Spain, the Basque separatists see Kosovo’s declaration of independence as a precedent and as new fuel for their cause.

About 7.2 million people live in the Catalan region in northeast Spain, which has the country’s strongest economy. Catalonia has had autonomous status since the 18th century.

Turkish Cypriots

A barbed-wire fence marks the border between northern and southern Cyprus. United Nations troops monitor the line of demarcation. Already, the need to emulate Kosovo and seek public recognition for sovereignty for the north, is brewing.

Turks of Western Thrace: The Greeks now view the Balkans with concern. As a direct neighbour, they too would be affected by a re-ignited conflict in the region of Western Thrace.

Hungarian Minority

Ethnic Hungarians represent about 10 per cent of the Slovak population, living predominantly in the country’s south. On the whole, the ethnic groups in Slovakia, including many Roma, live in relative peace with one another. Now, Slovakia fears that its Hungarian minority could rebel.

Misleading the Masses

It is clear now that there is an agenda to redraw the borders of the Balkans in order to institute lasting economic policies that benefit Anglo-American and Franco-German interests.

It is no sin to question motives, especially when circumstances call for it, but it is a sin and a crime to mislead the masses.

As developments in the Balkans unfold, the Anglo-American and Franco-German political stance will become clearer.

(The author is former Europe Director of CII. He lives in Cologne, Germany. Feedback may be sent to mohan.murti@t-online.de)