Monday, February 18, 2008

Kosovo Declares Independence as Taiwan Watches

Recognize this scenario? A small US-allied state declares independence. Its large neighbor, a regional power, objects and conspires to keep it out of the UN, while a bordering nation declares that the newly-independent state's freedom is illegitimate and it is forever part of its sacred national territory.

The parallels aren't perfect, but they exist, and Taiwan's leadership is tracking events as Kosovo declares independence today:

"From today onwards, Kosovo is proud, independent and free," Prime Minister Hashim Thaci said in an address to parliament.

The move was immediately condemned by Serbia and its ally Russia. But the United States is expected to quickly recognize the new state, as is most of the European Union, in return for an agreement by Kosovo's leaders to submit to European Union supervision.

Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica said his country, which regards Kosovo as the cradle of its civilization and home to some of its most treasured Orthodox churches and monasteries, would never recognize the unilateral declaration.

"For as long as the Serbian nation exists, Kosovo will remain Serbia," Kostunica said in a nationally televised address from Belgrade, Serbia's capital. "We do not recognize the forced creation of a state within our territory."

Russia appears determined to prevent Kosovo from obtaining U.N. membership and took part in a closed-door emergency session of the U.N. Security Council on Sunday. "We expect the U.N. Mission in Kosovo and NATO-led Kosovo Force to take immediate action to fulfill their mandates . . . including voiding the decisions of the Pristina local government and adopting severe administrative measures against them," the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Russia, like China towards Taiwan, opposes this move. The article notes that other European nations which host separatist movements -- Spain, for example -- are also questioning its wisdom. China too -- "deeply concerned" according to Reuters:

"China expresses its deep concern about Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence," Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said in a statement posted on the government Web site (www.fmprc.gov.cn).

"All along China has deemed negotiations between Serbia and Kosovo to reach a mutually acceptable plan as the best way to resolve the Kosovo problem," the central government said on its Web site (www.gov.cn).

China was "deeply worried about the grave negative impact" Kosovo's unilateral declaration would have on the region, it said, adding that the international community should create "positive conditions" for peace and stability.


As the article notes, China faces "separatist" moves in Tibet and Xinjiang. Yes, like those 'separatist' moves in India during the Raj, in Holland under the Nazis, and Poland under Soviet occupation. It's bad enough to adopt China's point of view in reporting stuff -- do we have to use its jargon as well (and here too)? Tibet is a state occupied by a foreign power, not some 'separatist' enclave. Reuters also reports that Taiwan is trying to build relations with Kosovo -- which is declaring independence for the second time (the 1991 attempt didn't stick) -- just like Taiwan plans to...

In addition to monitoring how Kosovo manages to get a UN seat despite the fact that Russia has a Security Council veto, Taiwan needs to pay attention to how Kosovo handles its ethnic Serb population, less than 10% of the nation, but passionately opposed to independence and committed to the idea that the new state is part of an existing one. As the Economist notes:

One of the biggest problems now is going to be dealing with Kosovo's Serbian minority which rejects independence—the leadership of Serbia tell them to ignore independence. They will probably do so. In May, Serbia will vote in local elections. This will be a big test. What would, or could, Kosovo's authorities do when Serbs hold these polls in other parts of Kosovo? Much will become clear in the next few days. Some of Kosovo's power comes from Serbia. Will that be cut? Will Serbia close the border to Kosovo-Albanians and anyone doing business with them?

No doubt China will be carefully monitoring how Russia and Serbia handle this issue as well. With NATO troops on the ground in Kosovo (some protecting ethnic Serbs), clearly there are some big differences in how the Powers are handling the latest addition to the international community.

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

Obviously there is no Mark Ma in Kosovo

Anonymous said...

According to some net sources, Kurdistan is watching Kosovo closely too. I certainly Taiwan should be watching this very closely.

Apologies for being off-subject here..
Have you spotted this one yet? I vaguely recall some mention of the subject previously
http://cominganarchy.com/2008/02/01/paying-for-w

Tommy said...

I wonder how long it will be for China to get over its opposition to the move. After all, if they don't recognise Kosovo, then you can bet the ROC will. Although, I wonder if the KMT would pass up the chance for fear of "provoking China".

corey said...

Thomas, I'm sure Taiwan is already thinking about one of its lucrative deals of aid to Kosovo, especially since Kosovo will more than likely face a few sanctions in the months to come. Russia, and Serbia, have the power to cut off a lot of supplies to Kosovo, but Taiwan has been known to spread its wealth for influence in other countries.

I'd think Taiwan will get in their before China...especially since China has a lot to lose by this event (they wouldn't really want to support another Independence movement while trying to quell their own).

Anonymous said...

It will be interesting to see what formal steps the big guys use to attempt nullification of the Kosovo independence. Well worth watching if you are in Taiwan and other independence seeking countries.

Anonymous said...

This gives me a bittersweet feeling...

I am happy to see self-determination in another country, and how everything is slowly working out for them (despite opposition).

But at the same time I am ashamed and disappointed in my own country and my own people. Why aren't people here proud of what they are like the people of Kosovo? Why are we afraid of standing up for themselves? I am ashamed of Taiwan, and how my own people don't see the big picture (Can you imagine the people of the USA voting for the Mexican Democrats? Or the Canadian Republicans? No...but here in Taiwan people are too short sighted and blinded by the Chinese religion, ignoring the big picture and voting themselves into oblivion)

Maybe there hasn't been enough ethnic violence in Taiwan. Maybe we'll lose this time, and get absorbed into China. Maybe in 100 years this (fallen Chinese government escapes to Taiwan) will happen again, and more Taiwanese people will be killed...and maybe then we'll have learnt our lesson.

Hell, it took Korea countless invasions before they built up their own identity and nationalism...

*sigh*

Anonymous said...

Taiwan has to take advantage of the situation and recognize Kosovo, which I think they will. Certainly, it will gain more international attention for Taiwan's similar situation.

Tommy said...

Taiwan has already congratulated Kosovo, according to this morning's papers. And, of course, the PRC had to make a response to that to the nature of: "You have no right to congratulate them since you are not a country."

Well, guess what. The congratulation has happened all the same.

Anonymous said...

Good Luck for Taiwan, they need to watch this Kosovo situation closely. Maybe Taiwan could even get Kosovo to recognize Taiwan.

Boyd Jones said...

One key difference is that the Kosovo people have become battle honed having waged a guerrilla war against the Serbs. Fighting for independence. Not sure the Taiwanese are up for that though.

Anonymous said...

What is most revealing in Kosovo's claim for independence is which way the geo-political cards really fall.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, mostly authoritarian states and close allies to China and Russsia, and those states with restive separatist movements, (as well as Serbia's close neighbors, who do business with them) have come out against Kosovo.

Taiwan chose to join the great democratic champions and congratulate Kosovo. Again, not suprising.

Anonymous said...

You can’t be a Real Country unless you have a beer and an airline–it helps if you have some kind of a football team, or some nuclear weapons, but at the very least you need a beer. —Frank Zappa

Does Kosovo have a beer?

E.Michael Liu said...

once again the west shows its true colors, they recognize Kosovo in aheartbeat but poor taiwan have been fighting for years and they still will not recognize her, what a shame.

Raj said...

once again the west shows its true colors, they recognize Kosovo in aheartbeat but poor taiwan have been fighting for years and they still will not recognize her

How can they recognise Taiwan when constitutionally it still lays claim to China? The only opportunity to do so would be if there was a similar unilateral declaration of independence or change in the Constitution, but that won't happen for obvious reasons.

As for double-standards, well yes. What do you expect? Serbia is a pathetic state which few countries care about - China is a hugely important country. Ask yourself how many countries recognised Chechnya as an independent state.

Anonymous said...

There were a bunch of college students that after seeing the KMT and friends win over 3/4ths of Taiwan's legislature and the harm to Taiwan's democracy, decided they were going to walk from Taiwan's southernmost point to Taipei... mainstream media isn't really giving it more than passing coverage. 逆風前進 Check it out. It's quite moving.

channing said...

I think that we're forgetting that Kosovo has been torn by years of ethnic conflict and other forms of oppression within the Balkan area. Taiwan does not face ethnic cleansing, nor has it been shelled and looted by war.

What Kosovo has gone through is entirely different and it serves as a pie-in-the-sky model for independence activists to fawn over. Surely, these activists don't want Taiwan to descend into social chaos and warfare for the sake of a moon-shot chance at international recognition?

Anonymous said...

as to Mark's question whether Kosova has its own beer...yes it does!! it's called "Birra e Pejes". damn tasty, believe me!!

Genc