Let the Kosovars decide

I’m getting calls and emails asking what should happen now in response to the Council of Europe trafficking and other allegations against Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaci.

My answer:  a serious judicial investigation is in order, one led by internationals, but beyond that let the Kosovars decide.

I am already on the record advocating a serious investigation, so I have no objection to the Council of Europe passing a resolution Thursday asking for one.  I can’t comment more specifically since I’ve only found the draft, which I suppose might not be identical to the final version.  If the idea is an EU Lex-led investigation, I hope Pristina, Tirana and Belgrade will all pledge and implement full cooperation.

Lots of folks would like to tell Prime Minister Thaci to tough it out, or to resign, or to step aside.  Not me.

He has vigorously denied the accusations.  We’ll see a first reaction among a constituency that has favored him in the January 9 re-run of the voting in five municipalities where there were apparent ballot irregularities.  If that is done properly, the electoral commission will certify the results and the government formation process will begin.

At that point the Kosovar political system will have to decide whether it wants a government led by Hashim Thaci to initiate talks with Belgrade or prefers to look for other leadership.  The internationals, especially the U.S. Embassy in Pristina, are used to telling the Kosovars what to do, and the temptation will be great.  It should be resisted.

This is a critical moment for Kosovo’s political institutions.  Pushing one way or the other could generate a serious backlash, or allow politicians to duck their responsibilities, ruining an opportunity for them to take a responsible and wise decision.  Interfering with democratically elected politicians as they grapple with a political crisis will not help the immediate situation or strengthen the Kosovo institutions.

All of what I write above assumes that no further evidence on the truth or falsity of the allegations against the Prime Minister emerges.  The assertions in the Council of Europe report are hearsay and guilt by association–no American court would be much interested in them, though the police might well look for further evidence.

Hashim Thaci has the right to be regarded as innocent until proven guilty in a proper court, not in a Council of Europe parliamentary inquiry which he was apparently given no opportunity to rebut.   Serbian President Tadic has already said he is prepared to talk with Thaci, despite the accusations. The question now will be whether the Kosovars want Thaci to represent them.  Patience and restraint would be my counsel to the internationals.