Critical Analysis 2

Kosovo’s Independence: Not a Good Idea

Kosovo is being pressured to join NATO and the European Union, but all parties involved in this process will most likely not benefit from this move. Kosovo is apart of Serbia, which already has shown disapproval of Kosovo being recognized as its own nation. The United States politicians disagree where Kosovo’s independence will truly benefit any party involved (Wood). If anything, Serbia will feel alienated, the European Union will have a learning curve in accepting this new nation, the United States won’t benefit from its independence because they can’t allocate enough time towards helping the nation develop, and Kosovo’s economy is far too weak to support itself. It would be a waste of time for Kosovo and all other parties involved to insure the nation’s independence for the sake on maintaining their respective relationships and economies.
This problem started in 1999 when Serbia was still apart of Yugoslavia. NATO ordered an air raid on Serbia to force them to sign a peace treaty; this treaty effectively signified the end of the war and NATO’s offer for Serbia to join (Haney). Velimir Ilic, Serbia’s minister of infrastructure, denounced the rest of Europe due to these actions (Wood). Serbia didn’t fully comply with NATO’s offer because their pride was broken. NATO still demands apologies for Serbia’s numerous war crimes (Wood). The country was bombed and somewhat emasculated; if Kosovo is taken away from them, the rest of Serbia could turn violent.

Aside from Serbia’s discourse, Kosovo wouldn’t be able to support itself due to its poor economy if it were to become independent. Kosovo still has several momentary woes that make it arguably one of the poorest countries in the world. They are very far behind the rest of world in simple necessities such as coal, electricity, oil, and education. 49 percent of the country that has not gone throughout the education system is illiterate. Kosovo relies primarily on its neighbors, Macedonia and Montenegro (“Kosovo Monthly Economic Briefing). Macedonia is Kosovo’s largest importer and exporter of goods. If Kosovo were to declare its independence, Macedonia would most not side with Kosovo even though they have strong economic ties; Macedonia would fear the rest of Serbia.

Furthermore, the United States, one of Kosovo’s primary allies, wouldn’t be able to help it very effectively. The United States is one of Kosovo’s primary advocates, but it is very distracted right now in its own issues with Iraq. The worst case scenario is that Kosovo breaks free from Serbia and they can’t settle peacefully. Serbia, having long-established relations with its neighbors more so than Kosovo, will rage a war against Kosovo. Kosovo doesn’t have the military firearms or the manpower in order to support itself during wartime. Kosovo would try to call upon the United States, but they are in Iraq and wouldn’t be able to lend soldiers to Kosovo for battle. They would then call upon the rest of Europe that would give only limited help because they are also adding the United States. Although this idea may sound implausible, it sounds more realistic than Serbia amicable acknowledging Kosovo’s independence.

If Kosovo cannot sustain itself now under Serbia, then it cannot possible sustain itself if it were an independent nation. Kosovo would be financially busted, burden the world, and risk war. The United States cannot follow up on their promises to help Kosovo because they are too preoccupied and Serbia has too strong of a history of malice towards other nations. Although the concept of a free nation is appealing, Kosovo’s time is not now. Kosovo should accept NATO and the European Union’s offer to become its own nation a few years after Operation Iraqi Freedom is finished in order for the U.S. and the rest of Europe to better accommodate Kosovo’s needs.

Works Cited

"Kosovo Factsheet." Infoplease.Com. 19 June 1999. 23 Sept. 2007 .

"Kosovo Montly Economic Briefing." 23 Sept. 2007 .

Wood, Nicholas. "Serbs See Rift with West If Kosovo Gains Independence." The New York Times 16 Sept. 2007. 16 Sept. 2007 .