Bush: 'History will show Kosovo independence was right'

US president George Bush said today that despite Russia’s opposition, history would show the independence of Kosovo was “the correct move” and would bring peace to the region.

“There’s a disagreement but we believe as many other nations do that history will prove this to be the correct move,” Mr Bush said in brief remarks in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, before his departure for Rwanda as he continued his Africa tour.

Rebuffing Serbia and Russia, the US moved quickly yesterday to extend formal recognition of Kosovo as an independent, sovereign state.

Mr Bush insisted the US had been very clear to Russia all along on its position. He said the US supported Kosovo’s independence because it would bring peace.

He urged Kosovo to uphold its agreement to protect the rights of minorities and promised that the US would work with other nations to bring about a smooth and peaceful transition to independence.

Asked about the timing of the declaration and whether there was any effort to smooth things over with Russia, Mr Bush said: “We worked with the European nations. This strategy was well-planned.”