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Separatism and
terrorism
versus
Insurgency and Independence
Jagmohan Singh
 One
man's meat is another man's poison is never truer than in the case
of a new born country. The independence of Kosovo has thrown up
diagonally opposite views ranging from the ‘congratulatory note’ to
the threat of ‘not allowing Kosovo to ever become a member of the
international community and the United Nations’. This is an endless
debate and each politician’s and commentator’s view depends on which
side of the fence he is.
The Serbian president has vowed revenge and has said, “Serbia has
reacted and will react with all peaceful, diplomatic and legal means
to annul this act committed by Kosovo's institutions.”
Though Serbia's main ally, Russia, soon threw its considerable
weight behind Serbian president Tadic's message by calling a special
meeting of the United Nations Security Council
to discuss the issue
late Sunday, but failed to secure backing for its call to declare
Kosovo's declaration "null and void." However it was able to
neutralise some countries
like New Zealand, whose Prime Minster,
Helen Clark said that, "We neither recognize nor not recognize.”
Nonetheless, the balkanisation of the Balkans is a fait
accompli and the generations of Kosovar Gastarbeiter
–guest workers now have a home and their days of statelessness are
over.
 China
said that “Kosovo's unilateral act can produce
a series of results that will lead to seriously negative influence
on peace and stability in the Balkan region and on the realization
of building a multi-ethnic society in Kosovo, and called on the two
sides of Serbia and Kosovo to continue to seek a proper solution
through negotiation within the framework of international law.”
In the same strain, Sri Lanka said that the unilateral declaration
of independence by Kosovo could set an unmanageable precedent in the
conduct of international relations, the established global order of
sovereign states and could thus pose a grave threat to international
peace and security. It sounded like the Devil citing the Bible, to
read Sri Lanka’s exhortation that, "This action by Kosovo is a
violation of the Charter of the United Nations, which enshrines the
sovereignty and territorial integrity of member states."
Australia followed the United States in recognising Kosovo with the
Liberal Prime Minister Kevin Rudd saying that, "The sorry history of
Kosovo means that we've got to do whatever we can do to ensure the
citizens of that part of the world are protected into the future.”
Taiwan put the position in perspective by unambiguously declaring
that "Self-determination is a right recognized by the United
Nations, and it is the people who are masters of their nation's
future and in no way should the independence of one nation be denied
by another.
How hopeful Tamils feel can be gauged from this response from the
Tamil daily Sudar Oli, which editorially asserted that “Kosovo’s
independence is a historical necessity, an unavoidable event.
Colombo was aware that if Kosovo - with 4,200 sq miles and a
population of two million - could be independent, 'Tamil Eelam' -
with 7,500 sq miles and a population of four million - would have a
stronger case for seeking autonomy.”
 The
Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov sounded devastated
at
the continuous breaking of
Russia and said that this dangerous development has the potential to
rake up conflagrations elsewhere. He said, “Basques may demand
secession from
Spain,
Tiroleans could secede from
Italy
and Hungarians from Romania. North Caucasians may demand secession
from
Russia,
and Bavaria may insist on independence from the Federal Republic of
Germany.” He forgot to add Tamil Eelam from Sri Lanka; Kashmir,
Punjab and the north-eastern states from
India.
The Kosovo declaration has come as a harbinger of hope for peoples
and nations aspiring for statehood and they see it as a precedent
which they can follow in the years to come.
"I
salute the independence of Kosovo. No people can be forced to live
under the rule of another," said Mehmet Ali Talat, leader of the
Turkish Cypriots.
Kosovo is "a lesson in how to resolve conflicts of identity and
membership, peacefully and democratically," said Miren Askarate,
spokeswoman for the Basque regional government in northern Spain.
Renewed hope for Sikhs:
Sikh organizations that have been advocating sovereignty for the
Sikhs could not hide their sentiments when Kosovo unilaterally
declared independence. Mainstream Sikh organizations were oblivious
of the development and were reveling in their blissful ignorance.
Shiromani Akali Dal (Presidium) led by Daljit Singh applauded the
release of Kosovo from Serbia, and said that it would strengthen the
cause of various ethnic groups struggling for independence.
Appreciating the recognition of Kosovo as a separate nation by the
United States, he appealed to it to support other minorities
including the Sikhs.
 Daljit Singh has commended the
political role of guerilla warrior turned Prime Minister Hashim
Thaci and said that no one takes to arms unless forced to do so for
survival and resistance. "It would be wise to grant
independence to struggling ethnic nations rather than continue
bloodshed and disharmony
said Daljit Singh and Kanwarpal Singh, who too are insurgent-turned political activists.
Dal Khalsa greeted the people of Kosovo for their hard earned
independence and said that the present development provides hopes to
the Sikhs. “Despite a multitude of barriers, Kosovars remained
steadfast to their ideal and peacefully pursued for independence,
without being threatened or scared away. It was this spirit from
which our community has a lot to learn” said Kanwarpal Singh, the spokesperson
of the party..
Further from
Punjab, two British parliamentarians, Lord Ahmed and Elfyn Llywd,
who have formed the group, Parliamentarians for National
Self-Determination congratulated the people of Kosovo on their
formal independence. They pledged full support to Kosovars in the
coming years. The cause of freedom, dignity and the rule of law have
been served and Kosovo's success will offer hope to those other
nations and peoples who continue to pursue their own fundamental
freedoms.
 While most countries would have been content at calling the Kosovars
as terrorists, prior to their independence, this group had hosted a
public meeting of Kosovo representatives in the Houses of
Parliament,
Westminster in December 2007 in order to highlight the legitimacy
and justice of their struggle.
It
was refreshing to hear from David Miliband, the Foreign Secretary
who while speaking on Radio 4 on 19th February, soon
after Kosovo’s declaration of independence said that "seeking
self-determination as part of a UN process……. and eventual
resolution of the dispute. If we'd tried to sit on that aspiration,
if we'd tried to deny it, I think we'd have far more instability and
danger". Whether he would say the same for
Kashmir and the Sikhs is another matter. Presently, the same Radio
station seems to be adversely concerned about “British Sikh funding
Sikh insurgency in their homeland Punjab”
 British Member of Parliament
Lord Ahmed was categorical that “other intractable conflicts around
the globe may be similarly addressed by the UN and the international
community in a serious effort to secure peaceful outcomes in
accordance with international law.”
Pratap Bhanu Mehta, while writing in The Indian Express on
developments in Kosovo has said that Kosovo has set a dangerous
precedent in international law and that “every unsavoury separatist
was gloating.” Can we recall what
India did when it smashed and grabbed
Sikkim not very long ago?
Also how it annexed a number of north-eastern states in 1948 and how
it reneged on promises to Sikhs and Kashmiris?
Howsoever unsavoury it may be, those who commit tyranny like
Slobodan Milosevic, Indira Gandhi et al should be ready to
taste that poison which is meat for the seekers of the right to
self-determination.
5
March 2008
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