By Dr. Jorgji KOTE*
The indictment that the Special Prosecutor for Kosovo filed against President Hashim Thaci, the former Speaker of the Assembly, Mr. Veseli and others has provoked a real political and diplomatic Tsunami for Kosovo; with major serious effects that will be felt for a long time there in its political stability, the Euro-Atlantic integration, dialogue with Serbia and in other aspects.
Under these circumstances, what is first and foremost required is self-restraint; besides, one needs to divide “ the wheat from the chaff”, because no one is denying, criminalizing or undergrading the glorious war of the Kosovo Liberation Army. However, while not prejudicing the innocense of those accused, it should be clear that each and every politician should appear to justice, when necessary; this is the essence of the rule of law.
Secondly, caution is also needed; the point of concern here is a Euro-Atlantic Court for Kosovo in the Hague, sponsored by the USA and the EU; therefore, one should not try and stain its reputation; neither should they involve others with conspiracy theories, plots and so on. Likewise, there is no “ peace abort” or undermined dialogue with Belgrade, the opposite holds true.
Thirdly, official Pristina should never become “ a bone of contention” between the USA and the EU. It terribly needs the WESTERN Alliance, but together, not divided and without compromising the interests to the detriment of shared values. Hence, what is needed in Pristina an all-inclusive Euro-Atlantic policy, both “in spirit and in letters”; it is also short – sighted and even dangerous to use the international agenda to satisfy or accommodate the narrow daily party interests.
Fourthly, this “Tsunami” will inflict serious damages to the public image and perception for Kosovo abroad; although even now it was not good, due to negative domestic developments and diplomatic failures. Moreover, if the Court proceedings start, they are likely to take a long time, since the charges in this case are much more serious than those for former Prime Minister, Mr. Rramush Hajredinaj and others.
Fifth, it would be extremely hard, not to say impossible to have other states recognize Kosovo; the problem is how to prevent the further derecognition campaigns; as to its membership to international organizations, at least for the time being there could be hardly any talk on that.
Sixth, these developments would as they say “ pump water to the mill” of the Serbian and Russian diplomacy, adding to the possibility of turning Kosovo into a “ frozen conflict” They would very easily say “ hey, look, it is not us, but the USA/EU Court in the Hague that has filed such an indictment; besides, they have failed to reach a lasting deal for many years”!!!
Seventh, however, apart from its profound shock, this Tsunami does also offer large opportunities for Kosovo politics; but with no rush and haste. For the time being, the early elections do not offer any genuine lasting solution; in fact, it would be better for all political forces to sit down together to forge the lacking social and political unity and cohesion. Only in this way the political establishment in Pristina would be able to overcome the “ Post Tsunami shock waves” with the least possible collateral damages. Make no mistake, without a truly good governance at home, there is no chance for a productive foreign policy; in fact, the worst evil in the last 12 years lies inside and not outside Kosovo.
Unfortunately, after the proclamation of its independence, most of the efforts in Pristina were focused on elections, possible coalitions, internal loggerheads and others such alike; they have considerably eroded the reliability and efficiency of Kosovo’s foreign policy and diplomacy. Suffice to see how many Prime Ministers were changed in the last 10 years; the culminating point was in March, when they ousted the “ Kurti “ Government without being able to govern even for the first 100 days!!
Eight, haste is the worst advisor especially now that Serbia with Vuçiç after the latest parliamentary elections and ahead of the upcoming dialogue with Pristtina there have solidified their political and diplomatic positions in all respects; but, unlike Kosovo leaders, who still debate whether to side with the USA or the EU, the Serbian diplomacy knows how to “ graze fodder ” not only in the EU and USA, but also in the Russian, Chinese and other “stalls”. Thereore, before Kosovo leaders would rush to Washignton or Brussels, they should instead work on enacting a joint political platform; this would be a tremendous help to them to replace the harmul personal political protagonism with solidarity and collective action in Pristina and abroad.
Ninth, the statements by Prime Minister Edi Rama during his official visit in Pristina on 29-30 June were both necessary and on time; moreover that in the recent years, instead of being a factor of unity and cohesion, official Tirana and PM Rama in person have become a source of divisions and tensions; in January, he did even file a legal claim against his counterpart, Mr. Hajradinaj; therefore, it was the proper thing to withdraw it recently.
However, notablly in his conclusive Press Conference in Pristina Airport, PM Rama mostly spoke out with emotions, rage and frustration rather than with an institutional logic, policies and diplomacy. His sharp-tongued accusations against the Specialist Court in the Hague and even the EU were ill-placed; as the Albanian saying goes “ the sharp vinegar spoils its own pot” Even worse, his stances came in sharp contrast with the positions held insofar by both the USA and the EU; thus, he reminded us what happens when as they say “ the tail becomes heavier than its hatchet”. Even more harmful was when Mr. Rama used harsh terms refering to Albania’s dictatorial past to attack international justice. Moreover, when the lamentable state of the Albanian justice is common knowledge; equally unacceptable was to label the opponents of the idea of “ Mini-Schengen as enemies and traitors; in fact, even his long statement on Mini-Schengen was irrelevant; given the strong opposition in Kosovo and in Albania, PM Rama neglected the folk advice “ never talk of rope in the hanged man’s house”
Tenth, it is utterly important that the upcoming political attitudes both in Prishtina and in Tirana should bear well in mind the numerous geo-political changes that have occurred in the last 20 years in Europe and worldwide, with new dynamic balances and interests; in particular, the strengthening of the international role played by Russia, China, Turkey and others alongside the weakening of the Western Alliance; most of these developments are not favourable for Kosovo. Accordingly, in political and diplomatic terms, one cannot talk and act in the same way as 20 years ago./argumentum.al
*Former senior diplomat in Tirana, Berlin and Brussels . Member of the Council of Albanian Ambassadors
Publicist and book author
© Argumentum
