Roadblocks with more than one significance

Herewith an interview I did for Bekim Greicevci of Kosovo’s Daily Express on the situation in northern Kosovo (you can play the Kosovo band Gillespie, subject of a nice piece on PRI’s The World yesterday here in  DC, while reading):

Gillespie – E Di (Official Video)

Gillespie | Myspace Music Videos

1. Kosovo Government took a decision to establish control over border crossings along Kosovo’s northern border with Serbia. What is your opinion on Government’s decision?

There is no question in my mind about the right of a sovereign state to control its own borders, but Belgrade has not recognized Kosovo’s sovereignty.  That is the underlying problem that needs to be resolved.  It will not be solved quickly or easily.  Nor will it be solved by unilateral actions or the use of force.  Belgrade’s acceptance of Kosovo’s customs documents would be a good first step in the right direction and ameliorate the situation in the north.

2. EULEX refused to help Kosovo authorities to establish the control at Northern border crossings. Kosovars are very unhappy with the EU Mission. What is your comment on EULEX and its position about the North?

EULEX reflects division within the EU, in particular between the five non-recognizing states and the 22 recognizing states.  As control of the border is a sovereign function, it should surprise no one that the five non-recognizing states do not want to be responsible for establishing sovereign controls there.

3. Belgrade and some EU officials have called for the situation in the North to return to what it was before July 25. Kosovo Government says there is no turning back. In your view, how can this be resolved?

While I understand those who may not want to help Kosovo establish sovereign controls on the northern border, I find it hard to understand those who want a return to the previous situation.  Belgrade cannot claim that UN Security Council resolution 1244 gave either Serbian officials or local hoodlums the right to control what it regards as the boundary between Kosovo and Serbia proper.   That responsibility clearly should lie with the Kosovo institutions.  The status quo ante should not be restored.

4. Taking into account the statements by Serb high officials during past months advocating the change of borders do you think that Serbia’s final goal is partition of the North from Kosovo?

I think there is no question but that Belgrade’s goal is partition.  It has been for a long time.  Partition is a grave danger to peace and security throughout the Balkans, as it may precipitate problems in Macedonia, Bosnia, southern Serbia and Sandjak.  Belgrade needs to get back to the Ahtisaari plan, read it carefully and specify precisely what more it wants than what is already provided there for the north.

5. How do you see the role of the international community, namely the United States and the European Union regarding latest developments in Kosovo?

Washington and Brussels would like to see this problem resolved quickly and peacefully, with no partition.  It is not clear whether those goals are all compatible.  They are going to need to work hard to convince Pristina not to make unilateral moves and Belgrade to give up on partition.

6. The international community is calling for discussions in the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia facilitated by the EU.  After the events in North, what chances does this dialogue have? The Serb chief negotiator Borislav Stefanovic is everyday calling local Serbs not to remove the roadblocks in the North.

You make peace with your enemies, not with your friends.  Borko Stefanovic is not being helpful, but you still have to talk with him.  I imagine he has some complaints about things that are said in Pristina, too.  The EU-facilitated dialogue is the only show in town—it is important to try to make it a success.  The Americans will look for a peaceful and mutually acceptable outcome and back it fully.

The Europeans have the ultimate leverage:  control over Belgrade’s EU candidacy and the date for starting negotiations.  Stefanovic, or one of his bosses, needs to worry that those northern Kosovo roadblocks might become obstacles on Serbia’s path to EU membership.