IHT: Kosovo - Behind the scenes, EU splits over Kosovo - by Stephen Castle
Kosovo - Behind the scenes, EU splits over Kosovo - by Stephen Castle
Confronted by Kosovo's declaration of independence, a divided European Union on Monday agreed to differ over the legitimacy of Europe's newest nation. Britain, France, Italy and Germany said they would grant recognition, and the United States did as well. After several hours of tortuous negotiation, EU foreign ministers averted open conflict over the principle established by Kosovo's independence, issuing a statement noting that the decision on formal recognition lay with national capitals. Once again, the issues of identity and land raised by the long, violent dissolution of the old Yugoslavia split the nations of Europe. And Kosovo's status has assumed global significance because of the precedent independence could set for separatist movements elsewhere.
