[ Serbia ]

In a B92 opinion piece, William Montgomery explains why so many voters in Serbia casted their vote for T. Nikolic (extremist views, but also frustration with the EU and US policies in Kosovo, with the socio-economic situation and the quarrels between DS and DSS), but why B. Tadic won the second round of the presidential elections (fear of isolation such as in the 1990s and wish to become part of the EU). These opposite tendencies in Serbian politics led to a government crisis which becomes apparent in Kostunica's refusal to sign the agreement on political and economic co-operation with the EU - although this agreement does not mention Kosovo (cf. the Standard) and would ease the Schengen visa procedures for Serb citizens.

As the expected date approaches on which Kosovo's Assembly is to declare independence, tension in Serbia and Kosovo rises.

“We have set a date but the reason for of not announcing it is that we are continuing to look for support and recognition from other EU countries. Since we have 100 countries backing us and supporting us, we can now move forward and I can say that this weekend will be the last one before Kosovo declares independence,” said Hashim Thaci, Prime Minister of Kosovo

“We are immediately going to oppose this decision (the announcement that Kosovo will declare independence) and we are going to use all legal and diplomatic instruments in terms of defending our position, the territorial integrity and sovereignty of our country. I am repeating again, we are going to react, not make war,” said Boris Tadic, Serbian President. (source: Russia Today)

And analysts wonder whether Kosovo will be a viable state economically. According to an article by Norbert Rütsche on n-ost (12.2.2008), the Kosovars do not need to fear possible Serbian sanctions on the import of goods and electricity, as they can use alternative supplies from Macedonia, Albania, or Montenegro. Nevertheless, insecurity remains over the reactions of Serbs and Kosovo-Serbs to the independence declaration... and over the fact whether Kosovo-Albanians will have to party in the dark, as Kosovo is subject to huge electricity shortages these days...