I am Serbian-American, but I speak as an American, not as a Serb, when I say America and other Western nations have made a grave mistake supporting the independence of Kosovo. Not only is Kosovo illegal under international law, but the U.S. is also helping establish a dangerous Islamic state in the heart of Europe as we fight the war on terror.
The Kosovo Liberation Army that fought the regime of Slobodan Milosevic was hailed as a heroic force by the American media, but nothing could be further from the truth. A recent Washington Times article stated the "KLA was among the first international terrorist groups linked to al-Qaida in the late 1990s. Western intelligence agencies observed its members training at al-Qaida terror camps a decade ago and more."
Just as America supported the mujahedeen in Afghanistan during the 80s and paid dearly for it, I fear the same may happen with Kosovo. Former members of the KLA are now in the highest positions in the new government of Kosovo. Kosovo is extremely poor, with 50 percent unemployment and an illegal sex and drug trade. This hotbed of discontent lends itself to terrorism. Kosovo is pro-West now, but as riots in 2004 showed, Albanians were quick to turn on the NATO troops there to protect them.
Serbians and Americans are on the same side in the war on terror. An independent Kosovo will allow former KLA members now in government to oppress the Christian Serbian minority.
