Serbian Unity Congress

16th Annual Convention and

2st Serbian Business Conference and Trade Show

Chicago, October 26 - 29, 2006

 

DAYS OF SERBIAN BUSINESS AND CULTURE

 

 

KOSOVO AND METOHIJA PANEL

REPORT

By

Jasmina Vujic

 

Prior to introducing the panel the chairman, Dr. Vojin Joksimovich, explained that regretfully Dr. Sanda Raskovic-Ivic and Dr. Aleksandar Simic, adviser to the Prime Minister, who originally accepted the invitations but couldn’t come because of the Constitution Referendum in Serbia. Vuk Jeremic, who represented President Tadic at the Convention, also excused himself because of the Referendum.

 

Joksimovich introduced the following panelists: Doug Bandow, Washington-based political writer and commentator and Special Assistant to President Reagan; Ms. Eleonora Karamyants representing Joseph Grieboski, Founder and President of the Institute on Religion and Public Policy; Aleksandar Mitic, Director of CD Rom Kosovo 2006—Making a Compromise, promoted by the 4S Institute in Brussels where he serves as the chief analyst; Ms. Bogdana Koljevic, Ph.D student of Philosophy at the New School University in New York and writer, editor, translator an reviewer of Belgrade-based Nove Srpske Politicke Misli (NSPM); and John Bosnitch, Communications Consultant handling public relations, speech writing and coaching, legal counseling, journalist and political lobbying in Tokyo. Prof. Raju Thomas, Allis Chalmers Distinguished Professor of International Affairs at Marquette University in Milwaukee, wrote the paper for the purposes of the Panel.

 

Joksimovich delivered brief introductory remarks first by virtue of quoting an excerp from  reporting of the American journalist, Russell Gordon, who is currently in Kosovo. He says: “I can say with accuracy that life for a Serb in Kosovo today is terrifying, expecting to be attacked, in Albanian dominated areas even waiting to die. One hopes at best one will be allowed to flee alive.” Second, Joksimovich formulated a list of the questions as a guide for the panelists: (a) Why is the Bush administration perpetuating flaws of the Clinton’s Balkan policies?; (b) Why must Serbia learn to live with a solution for Kosovo independence as Ambassador Polt suggested?; (c) Could the UN Security Council be bypassed by the U.S. and the EU?; (d) Can the international community ignore high probability of a domino effect following the Kosovo precedent?; (e) Why is the EU treating Serbia worse than post-WWII Germany?; (f) Should Serbia come-up with Plan B than entirely relying on Euro-Atlantic integrations?; (f) Is there a win-win solution?

 

Two Illinois congressional candidates: Kevin White and Peter Roscam addressed briefly  the audience and promised their support for the Serbian issues if elected. Brief summaries of individual presentations follow. 

 

Doug Bandow: U.S. policy in Kosovo has demonstrated a disconnect between Washington and reality since the very beginning.  Today the Bush administration appears to be committed to declaring victory and getting out.  However, the presumed "solution" of independence would set a dubious precedent:  the Western alliance would bow to threats of violence to dismember a sovereign nation.  Such a policy would have implications around the world, including in the U.S., if at some future point disaffected Hispanics become a majority in southern California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas.  The allies need to step back from the brink and insist on real negotiations between ethnic Serbs and Albanians designed to find a workable solution that meets the needs of both communities.