PEACE & SECURITY | Creating a more stable world
18 February 2008
United States Recognizes Kosovo as Independent State
Rice congratulates people of Kosovo for historic decision
Washington –- The United States welcomes the commitments Kosovo made in its declaration of independence to accept a special U.N. implementation plan and to embrace multi-ethnicity as part of good governance. The Kosovo parliament declared the nation’s independence February 17 in Pristina.
“The United States has today formally recognized Kosovo as a sovereign and independent state,” Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said February 18 in a statement released in Washington. “We congratulate the people of Kosovo on this historic occasion.”
Rice is traveling with President Bush on a five-nation state visit to Africa.
Bush has agreed to establish formal diplomatic relations between the United States and Kosovo, Rice said. “The establishment of these relations will reaffirm the special ties of friendship that have linked together the people of the United States and Kosovo.”
In announcing its independence February 17, the Kosovo government said it was accepting the terms, in full, set down by U.N. Special Envoy Martti Ahtisaari in 2007 to build a democratic and multi-ethnic Kosovo that will be independent, subject to a period of international supervision.
Kosovo, a nation of 2 million, has been a U.N. protectorate since 1999 and is policed by 16,000 NATO-led security forces. Kosovo had remained a part of Serbia even though it was under U.N. administration.
Ahtisaari recommended that Kosovo be granted internationally supervised independence in 2007.
“In light of the conflicts of the 1990s, independence is the only viable option to promote stability in the region,” Rice said. “The United States supports the Ahtisaari Plan and will work with its international partners to help implement it.”
The unusual combination of factors found in the Kosovo situation, Rice says, is not to be found elsewhere, adding that “Kosovo cannot be seen as a precedent for any other situation in the world today.”
At the same time, Rice said that the United States reaffirms its friendship with Serbia, an ally during two world wars.
“We invite Serbia’s leaders to work together with the United States and our partners to accomplish shared goals, such as the protection of the rights, security, culture, and livelihood of the Serb community in Kosovo,” Rice said.
The United States formally joined with major European states February 18 in recognizing Kosovo independence. France and Britain led European nations earlier.
U.S. Representative Howard Berman, acting chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, added his support to the administration’s recognition of the nation of Kosovo.
“I am proud to welcome this new member into the community of sovereign states, and I congratulate the people of Kosovo on this historic day,” Berman said. “Now the hard work begins. Much remains to be done to ensure that Kosovo’s transition is successful.
“The challenges ahead include tackling high unemployment and bolstering the country’s weak economy, strengthening political institutions and the rule of law, and preserving security throughout the region,” he said.
