Geopolemics.com

Countries: Serbia
Posted on Wednesday, August 25, 2010 - 01:13 PM
	The Serbs are still traumatised by the loss of Kosovo, which has an indelible link to its past. But then loss is what defines Serbian identity. It was the loss of its very independence in 1389 to the Ottoman Turks that saw in five centuries of servitude until 1878, when the Russians came to the rescue. This is why the Serbs are Russophiles to this day. Kosovo asserts its independence Russia has refused to recognise the independence of Kosovo, as have China and Spain. Each of them of course has separatist provinces aspiring to break away. But many states have. Kosovo is expecting more countries to recognise its independence before the UN General Assembly meets on September 14. Its Prime Minister, Hashim Thaci, has said. Thaci told a government meeting: "We have received official signals for new recognitions even before the UN General Assembly meeting. I’m convinced of the complete success of our state at the UN General Assembly, with great international support. We will have even the support from countries that have not yet recognised us, who have confirmed they will do so during the General Assembly." Thaci said he expects more states to recognise Kosovo before and after the UN General Assembly meeting after the International Court of Justice, ICJ, advised on 22 July that Kosovo’s 2008 declaration of independence did not violate international law. His comments on August 12th came after the Serbian President, Boris Tadic, said he had sent 55 diplomats to other countries to ask them not to recognise Kosovo. Tadic has written to nations under pressure to recognise Kosovo, explaining Belgrade's position urging them not to change their stance. The Vecernje Novosti noted the ICJ did not rule on the right to secession and self-determination. Among the countries that the daily says are under pressure are Slovakia, Romania, Spain, Greece and Cyprus, Caribbean and Central American countries, some members of the Non-Aligned Movement, and former British and French colonies. The Serbian government said it had not revealed the names of Tadic's emissaries, "for diplomatic reasons". Meanwhile in Bucharest, Romanian Foreign Minister Teodor Baconschi stated his country is not being subjected to any pressure to change its position on Kosovo. "Romania will not change its already well known stand after the opinion of the International Court of Justice, ICJ," he said. "It is a matter of principle. Our Serb friends are very much aware of Romania's stand. We appreciate the common sense of the Serbian authorities in their official responses after the announcement of the advisory opinion of the ICJ," said Baconschi in an interview published by Vecernje Novosti. Note: To read more, click here

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