Eu Muddle Over Independence

By Janusz Bugajski
Wolfgang Ischinger, the EU representative in current talks on final status, is in a muddle over Kosova. With increasing frustration visible over the absence of EU unity, some Union delegates may be seeing the mirage of a “third way” between statehood and non-statehood.
The German diplomat indicated that talks on Kosova’s status will not focus on “labels” such as independence, but on the type of “internationally supervised status.” Ischinger evidently prefers “strong supervised status” which the majority of Kosovars are unlikely to object to if this means a strong NATO and U.S. presence.
Ischinger dismissed Kosova’s insistence on independence, claiming, “the independence label is worth nothing” and asserting that Kosova will “continue to rely on foreign aid.” Independence may mean little to somebody who takes his own country’s independence for granted. But it is surely undignified to belittle the sacrifices of people who have struggled and died for independence for several generations.
EU representatives should remember the enduring importance of national identity and independence. For example, Ischinger needs to ask himself why German soccer fans do not cheer the Italian team if the latter are playing better football? Or why are the French so concerned about their loss of culture and cuisine in competition with American imports?
Independence is a vital component of national dignity and equal stature. Paradoxically, only countries that become independent acquire the confidence to surrender elements of their sovereignty to international institutions. And ultimately, neither the EU nor NATO accept dependencies or supervised entities into their midst. EU representatives should be aware of the principles on which their own Union is based.
A little humility from the German diplomat would also be welcome, with the reminder that after its own World War Two traumas Germany was highly dependent on foreign aid, especially through the U.S.-led Marshall Plan for reconstruction and development.
There are one of two logical explanations for Ischinger’s statements. First, Ischinger may think he can fool the Serbs and the Russians by avoiding the word independence in any final settlement. However one calculates the collective intelligence of the current governments in Belgrade and Moscow, one should certainly not exaggerate their collective stupidity.
To his credit, Ischinger did underscore that Serbia’s offer of autonomy for Kosova would also lead nowhere. But his statements beg the question: if he opposes both autonomy and independence, then what does he support? Is he pushing for Kosova’s permanent dependence on international organizations? And is he suggesting that the EU should impose a quasi-colonial political solution on Kosova? It is difficult to imagine that such a prospect will be acceptable in London, Paris, or even Berlin.
The second explanation for Ischinger’s avoidance of the “i” word is his growing frustration with the EU and its diverse foreign policies. He may believe that by shrouding the process in verbal mystery the Kosovars will accept something less than independence. While independence with supervision is acceptable to citizens until the new country can stand on its own feat, supervision without independence is a recipe for even greater instability.
Some reports also claim that Ischinger rejects the Ahtisaari proposal as the basis of discussions over Kosova’s future. If true, such assertions by the EU delegate contradict the overall Union position and weaken the credibility of a plan that strikes the most effective balance between supervision and statehood.
The Europeans have a few short few weeks to decide what is right: whether to go back to the UN Security Council after the current talks fail or whether to recognize Kosova’s independence shortly after it is declared. Dithering and linguistic manipulation will simply make the Union into a laughing stock.
Meanwhile, Russia’s stance does not appear to be wavering and Moscow has evidently not struck any deals with Washington in return for its acquiescence on Kosova’s status. Indeed, Moscow is strengthened by EU indecision and any trans-Atlantic divergences over the Balkans.