AtD asks the right questions......of History

[Mark Kohut]

Since Sunday, countries have lined up to recognize Kosovo -- or not. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice extended formal U.S. recognition three days ago. Britain, France and Germany have acknowledged Kosovo. The 57-country Organization of the Islamic Conference supports independence for the predominantly Muslim region. But Russia, a traditional ally of Serbia, moved swiftly to say it would support Belgrade's efforts to restore territorial integrity and cautioned that Kosovo risked "a new conflict in the Balkans." China also has condemned the declaration, saying it sets a dangerous precedent for separatist movements. Spain, which has had to contend with sometimes violent Basque secessionists, also denounced Kosovo's move. Romania and Cyprus called Kosovo's secession illegal. Today, Venezuela's Hugo Chavez chimed in, calling an independent Kosovo a sign of U.S. interference and the potential cause of wider conflict, recalling the crisis in the Balkans that triggered World War
 I -- the death of Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo at the hands of a separatist assassin.
       
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