"Serbia forming diplomatic front on Kosovo"

A senior U.S. analyst says Serbia and Russia are creating a diplomatic front aimed at blocking recognition of Kosovo. Prof. Charles A. Kupchan, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, has expressed his belief that Serbia is trying, with the aid of Russia and other countries, to form a diplomatic front in order to oppose the recognition of Kosovo’s unilateral independence and deny it membership in international institutions. "Serbia forming diplomatic front on Kosovo" “I believe that Belgrade is planning to follow up its energetic resolve by initiating a battle on several fronts, in an attempt to change what happened several weeks ago,” Kupchan told the BBC. “They are now mentioning that they could address the UN General Assembly, and then the International Court of Justice which is expected to rule on this issue,” Kupchan said, commenting on Serbia's intention to launch an initiative for the UN General Assembly to seek the Court’s opinion as to whether Kosovo’s unilateral declaration of independence was in keeping with international law. Asked whether this was Belgrade's actual strategy or purely an integral part of the election campaign, the analyst said that "both" would be closer to the truth than "either one or the other." “I believe that what we have here are really genuine efforts to reverse the situation resulting from the declaration of the independence, and to form a diplomatic coalition that would be in favor of such efforts,” he underlined. In Kupchan’s opinion, Belgrade’s efforts are more than just political posturing for the benefit of the domestic electorate. Stressing that it was very difficult to separate domestic politics from sincere foreign policy manoeuvring, the analyst warned that it would be very difficult, if not impossible, for Serbia to overturn the Kosovo independence declaration. “One issue that, I think, will continue to play a part is partition. The northern part is still factually, both politically and physically, a part of Serbia, and it will be very difficult for the international community to change that state of affairs. And, at least as far as I can see, that’s an area where Serbia could ultimately succeed in gaining what it wants,” he predicted.

"Serbia forming diplomatic front on Kosovo"

“I believe that Belgrade is planning to follow up its energetic resolve by initiating a battle on several fronts, in an attempt to change what happened several weeks ago,” Kupchan told the BBC.

“They are now mentioning that they could address the UN General Assembly, and then the International Court of Justice which is expected to rule on this issue,” Kupchan said, commenting on Serbia's intention to launch an initiative for the UN General Assembly to seek the Court’s opinion as to whether Kosovo’s unilateral declaration of independence was in keeping with international law.

Asked whether this was Belgrade's actual strategy or purely an integral part of the election campaign, the analyst said that "both" would be closer to the truth than "either one or the other."

“I believe that what we have here are really genuine efforts to reverse the situation resulting from the declaration of the independence, and to form a diplomatic coalition that would be in favor of such efforts,” he underlined.

In Kupchan’s opinion, Belgrade’s efforts are more than just political posturing for the benefit of the domestic electorate.

Stressing that it was very difficult to separate domestic politics from sincere foreign policy manoeuvring, the analyst warned that it would be very difficult, if not impossible, for Serbia to overturn the Kosovo independence declaration.

“One issue that, I think, will continue to play a part is partition. The northern part is still factually, both politically and physically, a part of Serbia, and it will be very difficult for the international community to change that state of affairs. And, at least as far as I can see, that’s an area where Serbia could ultimately succeed in gaining what it wants,” he predicted.