"Unilateral recognition of Kosovo terrible idea"

A unilateral recognition of Kosovo's independence would be a very bad idea, a U.S. congressman said Monday. In a commentary published in the Washington Times, Dan Burton (R) underscored that the solution for the southern Serbian province must be in keeping with the accepted international principles. "Unilateral recognition of Kosovo terrible idea" "This is a terrible idea," said Burton in his article entitled "Negotiating for peace in Kosovo." "To start with, our policy is in contravention of international laws and will create a dangerous precedent. Also, there is no reason to suppose an independent Kosovo would be a viable state, either economically or politically," he said. "Terrorist and organized crime influences, already rampant in Kosovo, would be granted a consolidated haven for their operations," Burton pointed out. Burton warned that the independence of Kosovo might cause ethnic conflicts in neighboring regions with large ethnic Albanian populations, in Serbia, Montenegro, Macedonia and even in Greece, could flare up. "Perhaps most damaging, an imposed separation of Kosovo from Serbia would send a message to other trouble-spots, not just in the Balkans, that state borders are up for grabs," he said. "Instead of an imposed preconceived outcome, any viable solution for Kosovo must result from give-and-take negotiations between Serbia and the Kosovo Albanians, balancing Serbia's legitimate concern for its sovereignty and the Albanians' legitimate right of self-governance," Burton wrote in The Washington Times. The solution "must be consistent with accepted international principles, including guarantees of both the territorial integrity of states as well as of human rights and self-determination." Burton said. The international community "must not impose a solution on either of the parties, or bow to threats of violence if one of the parties' demands is not met," the congressman said.

"Unilateral recognition of Kosovo terrible idea"

"This is a terrible idea," said Burton in his article entitled "Negotiating for peace in Kosovo."

"To start with, our policy is in contravention of international laws and will create a dangerous precedent. Also, there is no reason to suppose an independent Kosovo would be a viable state, either economically or politically," he said.

"Terrorist and organized crime influences, already rampant in Kosovo, would be granted a consolidated haven for their operations," Burton pointed out.

Burton warned that the independence of Kosovo might cause ethnic conflicts in neighboring regions with large ethnic Albanian populations, in Serbia, Montenegro, Macedonia and even in Greece, could flare up.

"Perhaps most damaging, an imposed separation of Kosovo from Serbia would send a message to other trouble-spots, not just in the Balkans, that state borders are up for grabs," he said.

"Instead of an imposed preconceived outcome, any viable solution for Kosovo must result from give-and-take negotiations between Serbia and the Kosovo Albanians, balancing Serbia's legitimate concern for its sovereignty and the Albanians' legitimate right of self-governance," Burton wrote in The Washington Times.

The solution "must be consistent with accepted international principles, including guarantees of both the territorial integrity of states as well as of human rights and self-determination." Burton said.

The international community "must not impose a solution on either of the parties, or bow to threats of violence if one of the parties' demands is not met," the congressman said.