:
Kosovo's President Ibrahim Rugova gave a speech where he said he had two key political priorities: (1) integration of ethnic minorities into Kosovo (that means primarily Kosovar Serbs and Gypsies); and (2) preparing political and institutional foundations for internationally recognized independence. Is this another call for Kosovos independence from Serbia? You betand it is a significant one. Serbia and Kosovo are engaged in a series of delicate negotiations on the subject. Kosovar Albanians say they will settle for nothing less that full independence. That wasnt supposed to be part of the package behind NATOs 1999 Kosovo War. It remains to be seen what kind of diplomatic fig leaf of federalism (nominal control) Serbia will accept. (Austin Bay)