During the past half century, Albanians’ history has been one of unmitigated suffering: in Albania itself during the Communist era and then in former Yugoslavia with the horrific saga of oppression, slaughter and ethnic cleansing.
The worst may be over but the Albanians still are not masters their own destiny. Kosovo remains under UN control while in Macedonia, where they account for between a quarter and a third of the population, there is still uncertainty about the future. The NATO-brokered Ohrid peace agreement signed a year ago between the Macedonian government and ethnic Albanian political parties has significantly improved the lot of the Albanian minority, but their struggle for equality is far from over. Most difficult of all for Albanians to accept, they will not be allowed in the foreseeable future to come together as a single nation state. The UN, NATO and the EU are determined not to allow the partition of Macedonia and Kosovo along ethnic lines or their union with Albania.
Nonetheless, there has to be considerable satisfaction that there is progress on the horizon, not least in the place that suffered most: Kosovo. When its Prime Minister Bajram Rexhepi predicted last month that the province would be independent within three years, he was probably right. It seems that the powers that be — the triumvirate of UN, NATO and EU — are thinking along the same lines. Just a few days ago, Carl Bildt, the UN’s Balkans envoy, said that the UN is to discuss Kosovo’s future status. At the same time, the man who heads the UN’s civilian administration in the province, Michael Steiner, was busy ruling out the partition of Kosovo, its division into cantons, or any return to Serbian rule; the future had to be a multiethnic state and society.
Clearly, the issue is heating up — and independence is the logical outcome. Other than partition or a return to Serbia, the only other alternative (and the UN’s and EU’s preferred option) if for Kosovo to become the third partner in a new Yugoslav federation. But the likelihood of such a federation is fading fast thanks to the contestant bickering between the other two potential partners, Serbia and Montenegro.
But encouraging though this must be to Kosovars, there has to be a note of caution. The corruption and downright lawlessness that mars Albania already taints the province; it would be sad if it were to follow the mother country in its political development as well. Politics in Albania does nothing for the well-being of the country, dominated as it is by the personal ambitions of two men, Fatos Nano of the Socialist party and Democratic Party leader Sali Berisha. Last week Nano was appointed prime minister for the fifth time — an appointment that bodes little good for the country’s prosperity, even though there is also a new, and seemingly non-partisan, president. It is the prime minister, however, who counts.
Albania provides a warning for Kosovo. With its personality cults that rob it of political stability and sound government, it is what Kosovo must not become. Stable institutions, the rule of law and personal security are what Kosovo needs. If they are not there, Kosovo’s future, even as an independent state, will be a dismal one.
