Why we should not recognise Kosovo

THE reaction of our newspapers to the declaration of independence by Kosovo has been almost uniformly positive. The attitude seems to be that as a small nation, we should welcome the emergence of this new ‘state’.

Common to almost all the coverage is a cursory analysis of the motives of those countries that have chosen not to recognise this unilateral declaration.

So the Cypriots are concerned about the Turkish north of the island, the Spanish are worried about the Basques and the Catalans, and so forth.

However, nobody seems to have thought it worthwhile to examine the motives of those countries supporting the ethnic Albanians in their separatist ambitions — the US, Germany, France and Britain in particular.

Kosovo cannot survive without a massive input of aid from the so-called international community. In return, it has offered itself as a convenient foothold in the Balkans for the strategic interests of the US and NATO. Already, the territory is the site of Camp Bondsteel, the largest US military base constructed since the Vietnam war.

It is no coincidence that the western powers were in like a flash on Monday last to recognise the independence declaration. The fact that it is necessary to trample all over international law to achieve this strategic aim doesn’t seem to be a consideration.

I find it disquieting that the Government appears to be slavishly following the lead of the big powers in this matter. I urge the cabinet not to recognise this illegal state.

Tom O’Donoghue

Dromineer

Nenagh

Co Tipperary