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October 6, 2008 6:49:06 AM CDT

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Kosovo Breaks Free track this thread

Started by K Schwartz; Last updated Feb 27, 08 11:05 AM CST by K Schwartz | View history

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Kosovo Breaks Free

"This declaration reflects the will of the people." -PM Hashim Thaci

A declaration of independence by Kosovo is "not an issue of if, but when," said a Kosovan government spokesman, while an adviser to the Serbian prime minister vowed on state television that the nation would defend its territory "using all means." The "when" turned out to be Feb. 17, 2008. Serbia declared it a "false state," while the EU immediately divided over the issue of recognition.

Stories

Stories 21 - 38 of 38

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  • February 2008

    • US, EU States Recognize Independent Kosovo

      Reuters  |  Feb 18, 08 11:41 AM CST

      US, EU States Recognize Independent Kosovo

      (Newser) - The US and major European states recognized Kosovo as an independent state today, reports Reuters. Condoleezza Rice issued an official statement several hours after President Bush jumped the gun by saying in a speech in Africa that Kosovo is "now independent." His Secretary of State said later: "We congratulate the people of Kosovo on this historic occasion." More »

    • Kosovo Independence Splits EU

      BBC  |  Feb 18, 08 6:11 AM CST

      Kosovo Independence Splits EU

      (Newser) - A meeting of EU officials today to discuss Kosovo is likely to reveal deep-seated divisions within the European Union. While Britain, France and Germany are expected to recognize the newly independent Kosovo immediately, other states like Cyprus, Greece, Romania and Spain worry about the message such recognition will send to their own restive separatists, BBC reports. More »

    • The Serbs Aren't Too Happy

      Times (UK)  |  Feb 18, 08

      Protesters took to the streets in key Serb centres across the Balkans today to vent their anger at Kosovo's declaration of independence, as Moscow called for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council to oppose the move.

    • Kosovo Declares Independence

      BBC  |  Feb 17, 08 10:30 AM CST

      Kosovo Declares Independence

      (Newser) - Kosovo's parliament declared independence from Serbia today by a unanimous vote, the BBC reports. "We have waited for this day for a very long time,” said PM Hashim Thaci, before reading the declaration, which promised respect for the Serbian minority. Serbia’s PM, meanwhile, slammed the US and other western nations for their plans to recognize Kosovo, saying they had created a “false state.” More »

    • EU Force Set for Kosovo on Eve of Independence

      BBC  |  Feb 16, 08 9:39 AM CST

      EU Force Set for Kosovo on Eve of Independence

      (Newser) - As Kosovo stands poised to declare independence from Serbia, the European Union is preparing to send a civilian police and justice mission to help enforce the rule of law in the fledgling country. The US and most of the EU support Kosovar independence; Serbia and Russia oppose it, but will not intervene with the EU mission, BBC reports. More »

    • Serbia Softens Threats Over Kosovo

      Guardian (UK)  |  Feb 15, 08 5:43 PM CST

      Serbia Softens Threats Over Kosovo

      (Newser) - After earlier threatening to sever ties with countries recognizing an independent Kosovo, Serbia softened somewhat today in announcing it would merely pulls its ambassadors in those nations, the Guardian reports. Kosovo is likely to make official its break from Serbia—a move that worries the province's ethnic Serbs—on Sunday, and diplomatic recognition from EU states and the US would soon follow. More »

    • The Bid Is a Unique One

      Christian Science Monitor  |  Feb 15, 08

      As Kosovo prepares to be Europe's newest state on Sunday %u2013 supported by the United States and most of Europe %u2013 it is doing so without United Nations Security Council approval, the guarantor of legality among nations. Russia calls Kosovo independence illegal, a "Pandora's Box," in the words of Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. Serbia, a UN member, says Kosovo succession violates its ancient, sovereign territory. Cyprus and Romania cite a dangerous precedent in allowing minority groups to split willy-nilly.

    • Serbia, Russia Blast Kosovo Independence

      Guardian (UK)  |  Feb 14, 08 1:09 PM CST

      Serbia, Russia Blast Kosovo Independence

      (Newser) - Serbian and Russian leaders today lambasted Kosovo's imminent declaration of independence from Serbia, the Guardian reports. Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica declared the move illegal, and said his government won't cooperate with European efforts to keep Kosovo running. Russian President Vladimir Putin blasted as "immoral and illegal" Western nations' plans to recognize the province's independence. More »

    • Serbian Government May Collapse Over Kosovo

      Associated Press  |  Feb 5, 08 9:40 AM CST

      Serbian Government May Collapse Over Kosovo

      (Newser) - Serbia's coalition government approached collapse today, only days after voters gave a new mandate to pro-Western president Boris Tadic. His reelection has led to a face-off with his PM, who opposes his intention to sign a new EU trade agreement. The PM sees EU overtures as a ploy to trick Serbs into letting Kosovo secede. One minister told the AP that the government could collapse within 48 hours if Tadic signs as expected Thursday. More »

    • Pro-West Tadic Wins in Serbia

      BBC  |  Feb 3, 08 5:05 PM CST

      Pro-West Tadic Wins in Serbia

      (Newser) - Pro-West Serbian President Boris Tadic won a second-round reelection today that many saw as a referendum on Serbia’s entry into the European Union. He nabbed more than 50% of a vote that drew Serbia's highest turnout in 7 years. In defeat, challenger Tomislav Nikolic warned the EU not to blackmail Serbia over integration. Nikolic ran as a nationalist, urging tight relations with Moscow. More »

  • January 2008

    • Serbia's Future Depends on Kosovo

      Guardian (UK)  |  Jan 21, 08 11:11 AM CST

      Serbia's Future Depends on Kosovo

      (Newser) - On the verge of declaring independence, Kosovo is the key in this year’s Serbian election, the Guardian reports. Tomislav Nicolic, a Russian-aligned Serbian nationalist, won the first round of the presidential elections last night, defeating moderate incumbent Boris Tadic 39% to 35%. Seven other candidates, many pro-Western, are out of the race, which will be decided in a Feb. 3 run-off. More »

    • Polls Close in Tight Serbian Election

      BBC  |  Jan 20, 08 2:44 PM CST

      Polls Close in Tight Serbian Election

      (Newser) - Polls have closed in Serbia in a tight presidential race between a Euro-friendly incumbent and a pro-Russian nationalist, the BBC reports. Neither pro-Western Boris Tadic nor rival Tomislav Nikolic—or any of seven other hopefuls—is expected to win a first-round majority. The election, which has sparked debates about Kosovo independence and Serbia's EU ties, will likely go to a February runoff, AFP reports. More »

  • December 2007

    • UN Fails to Break Kosovo Deadlock

      AFP  |  Dec 20, 07 9:01 AM CST

      UN Fails to Break Kosovo Deadlock

      (Newser) - The United Nations Security Council failed yesterday to break the deadlock in negotiations between Serbia and Kosovo, with one ambassador warning that "the status quo is unsustainable." The US and European Union are both arguing that the two parties remain irreconcilable and that further negotiations are worthless. Kosovo is now set to make a unilateral declaration of independence from Serbia in a matter of weeks. More »

    • Serbs Threaten Kosovo War

      Times (UK)  |  Dec 7, 07 8:23 AM CST

      Serbs Threaten Kosovo War

      (Newser) - Serbia has prompted fears of renewed violence in the Balkans by threatening to go to war to prevent Kosovo from breaking away. After a four-month effort to resolve issues failed, Kosovo is set to declare its independence as early as Monday. In response, an adviser to the Serbian prime minister vowed on state television that the nation would defend its territory "using all means," reports the Times of London. More »

  • November 2007

    • Kosovo Talks Collapse as Deadline Looms

      BBC  |  Nov 28, 07 9:12 AM CST

      Kosovo Talks Collapse as Deadline Looms

      (Newser) - The last, desperate round of talks between Serbia and Kosovo ended in a stalemate in Austria today, reports the BBC. With no compromise likely before the UN-imposed deadline of Dec. 10, Kosovo looks set to declare its independence unilaterally. The US and EU have signaled that they will support the breakaway province, but today the Serbian president promised to "annul" any declaration of an independent Kosovo. More »

    • New Ex-Reb Prime Minister Vows Kosovo Independence

      Los Angeles Times  |  Nov 18, 07 5:54 AM CST

      New Ex-Reb Prime Minister Vows Kosovo Independence

      (Newser) - A one-time rebel leader promising independence from Serbia surged to victory in yesterday's parliamentary elections in Kosovo. Prime Minister-elect Hashim Thaci, formerly a head of the Kosovo Liberation Army, vowed as he cast his ballot that he will declare Kosovo independent "immediately" if United Nations mediation fails to deliver independence by Dec. 10, reports the Los Angeles Times. More »

  • October 2007

    • Russia's New Weight Tips Global Scales

      Christian Science Monitor  |  Oct 4, 07 12:22 PM CDT

      Russia's New Weight Tips Global Scales

      (Newser) - Vladimir Putin's Russia is charging back into the international spotlight, the C hristian Science Monitor reports, challenging European and US policies on a variety of issues. Putin has thrown a wrench into Kosovo’s all-but-assured independence from Serbia, backing Belgrade’s efforts to keep the province. Russian planes recently violated Norwegian airspace, and the Kremlin has stalled on sanctions for Iranian uranium enrichment. More »

  • September 2007

    • US, EU Will Back Kosovo Secession

      New York Times  |  Sep 25, 07 12:42 PM CDT

      US, EU Will Back Kosovo Secession

      (Newser) - The Bush administration and the EU will support an independent Kosovo with or without a UN-backed plan. Serbs and Kosovo Albanians will conduct a last round of negotiations on the breakaway country's status before a Dec. 10 deadline. If that deadline passes, Kosovo will declare independence and the US and EU will immediately recognize it, the