It will be interesting to see what the political divorce of Kosovo from Serbia (both formerly a part of Yugoslavia) will mean for the Balkans and the world as a whole.
Russia, Spain and Greece (among others) have not recognized Kosovo as of yesterday.
But, both the United States and my father's country of Turkey recognized the world's newest country this week.
Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan announced that Ankara was formally recognizing Kosovo's independence on Monday.
And, the sentiment extends to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (which is currently only recognized by Turkey).
Turkish Cypriot President Mehmet Ali Talat, who would presumably like to see his country recognized soon, said:
"I salute the independence of Kosovo," Talat said (published in "The Turkish Daily News") "I ask that those who object to the independence of Kosvo take into consideration that no people can be forced to live under the rule of other people."
The Republic of Cyprus, which is referred to as Greek Cyprus in Turkey, has not recognized Kosovo's freedom.
Peter Finn of "The Washington Post" reported today that ethnic Serbs in Kosovo set two border posts on fire in northern Kosovo.
There have been long-standing tensions between Serbs and Kosovar Albanians since the Ottoman Turks, who were Muslim allies of the Albanians, defeated Christian Serbs in Kosovo in 1389, some 600 years before the Fine Young Cannibals topped the pop charts with "She Drives Me Crazy."
(As a Turkish-American, who has been caught in the middle of crossfires with Armenian-Americans and Greek-Americans as well as some fervent, radical Turkish-Americans, I know one can only take ethnic strife so seriously!).
At any rate, I wish Kosovo well, and though they are our ethnic brothers given the situation with Kurdish unrest in southeastern Turkey, I can sympathize with the Serbs as well. But, somehow I don't think I'd enjoy being in the Balkans right now though it is presumably a happier place than most parts of Baghdad.........
Useful Links:
http://www.turkishdailynews.com.tr
http://www.washingtonpost.com
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice
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