Jo negociata. Vetëvendosje.

I have a friend who works in Kosova/o. Her status on facebook at the moment is 'living history'. Undeniably. The events in the region over the weekend are truly historic. And most of the Kosovars are happy, celebrating, enjoying the independence they believe they've deserved. Danes of Kosovar origin travelled there last week and one can only imagine what it must be like to seek refuge from tyranny in one's home country - and then be able to return and see the dream one fled for come true.

But I have my worries. 10 per cent of the population in Kosova/o are not happy with independence. Their feelings of freedom is connected to that of dependence on Serbia - and they must fear for their future in a self-governed Kosova/o. The region has been under UN control since 1999 and is still heavily dependent on help from EU, OSCE and the UN. Some initiatives have been truly democratic, some processes have honoured the intention to create a democracy impenetrable by nationalistic forces on either side. But my visits there in 2005 made me worry about minority protection and equality. UNMIK failed gracelessly in the attempt to consolidate dialogue and cooperation between the new nation's ethnic groups. By now, the Kosovar Serbs have migrated to the north - closest to Serbia.

(Picture of the list of missing persons - in January 2005 there were still over 3000 missing, disappeared during the violent conflict in 1999)

I fear that Kosovar Albanians have benefitted from a guilty conscience that Europe has offered them - for not interfering earlier back in the late 90s. I fear for the protection of the 10 per cent - including Roma, Serbs and Turks - who have not been objects of this guilty conscience and to whom many Kosovar Albanians feel no sympathy or democratic obligation. I anxiously follow the developments of history...