Kosovo's Impending Independence: The Legacy of Nonviolence For Europe's Newest State

NATO’s military intervention and the reestablishment of indigenous Kosovar authorities led to retaliatory actions by former KLA members against those that had previously helped Belgrade’s military campaign. Many Serbs and other ethnic Kosovar minorities fled, and a cycle of revenge attacks began against those Serbs that chose to stay. NATO and Kosovo political authorities intervened to maintain ethnic harmony, and to punish transgressors. Chief on the political agenda of the newly established Kosovo civil authorities was to restore ethnic tolerance. A tall order given the bitter history of the region, but nevertheless one that needs to be undertaken given Kosovo’s political future as an independent European state.

The results of Serbia’s Presidential elections on February 4, 2008, has removed the last political uncertainty surrounding Kosovo’s future. A public announcement by Kosovo’s current Prime Minister and former KLA leader, Hashim Thaci, was released one day later announcing Kosovo’s future http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/02/05/opinion/edthachi.php. Kosovo will formally announce its independence in the next few days in a carefully orchestrated series of announcements with the European Union. Kosovo independence will be recognized by the U.S., most European nations, but not for the moment Russia, Serbia, China and other nations concerned about the precedent it sets. Kosovo will have finally achieved its political independence, but without the approval of its Serbian minority or Belgrade. This does not bode well for Kosovo’s future; but, given the political realities in both Serbia and Kosovo, it was unavoidable.

Kosovo’s independence is a direct result of NATO’s intervention to prevent another humanitarian crisis in a territory of the former Yugoslavia. While Kosovo’s independence will emerge from violent political events stemming from Belgrade’s brutal military crackdown and the KLA’s military resistance, it would be unfair to view Kosovo’s independence through the prism of violent events dating from 1999. It was the nonviolent campaign led by Ibrahim Rugova, Europe’s Gandhi, from 1989 to 1999 that established the foundation for Kosovo’s independence as a modern nation state. The nonviolent campaign garnered sufficient international goodwill to prevent another round of ethnic cleansing in Kosovo. The brave effort to establish a parallel political, economic and social system from 1989 to 1999 should not be forgotten. It inspired many dedicated to Gandhian nonviolent ideals and gave Kosovars direct experience in self-governance.

An independent Kosovo will face many challenges as it deals with continued opposition from its Serbian minority, and political obstacles from Serbia itself. The current Kosovo leadership led by Prime Minister Hashim Thaci will be wise to follow the nonviolent principles promoted by Rugova, and seek peaceful solutions to challenges that lie ahead. In this way, Kosovo’s independence can win the respect and support of those currently dissatisfied with NATO intervention and the political solution imposed on Serbia. Critics pointing out that Kosovo’s Muslim population will provide a safe haven for Islamic radicals need to be assured that the Kosovars’ traditions of religious tolerance and nonviolent politics will be maintained. It will be tempting for Thaci to overstate the role of the KLA in achieving an independent Kosovo, and respond aggressively to Serbian nationalist challenges to Kosovo’s independence. Such rhetoric will alarm others and be a magnet for those that believe in violent soloutions to political problems.

A modern independent Kosovo that promotes nonviolent ideals will be an asset to a Europe that promotes peaceful solutions to conflicts where Islamic radicalism is a growing factor. In this era of heightened concern over terrorist threats by Islamic radicals, it is important to promote traditions of tolerance and nonviolence in newly established states like Kosovo. The knowledge and experience of nonviolent solutions to ethnic conflicts that have a religious flavor is there in Kosovo. It’s important for Kosovo leaders to utilize that experience rather than fall back on images of violent resistance to oppression. So rather than Kosovo looming as an internal threat to European stability, an independent Kosovo may provide the all important key to improved relations with the Muslim world.

For more of the author's articles on Kosovo visit: http://www.american.edu/salla/Art-Pax.htm

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