American meddling in Europe and Kosovo

The Kosovo debacle is a shinning example of just how much Europe is not really free...

There was a great hope for people like me that a greater role for Europe on the international stage after the ratification of the Lisbon treaty would mean Europe drawing the line on international law, especially against the United States. Here, there will not be an argument as to the illegality of “Kosovo independence” for the view of UN Resolution 1244, but the Americans continued willingness to violate international law – and the willingness of some European leaders to place their best interests last in favor of American interests. Kosovo – and the divisions it has caused in Europe are indicative of how much we need to put a stop to American meddling in Europe!

But – the Kosovo debacle being thrust on Europe by the United States and proceeding tampering in the EU presidency indicates that we have a long way to go to ensure real independence for Europe. The Americans continue to take advantage and maintain the chaotic order of international relations for the benefit of the US. There could be real progress in creating some order in the international system, except the Americans would like the international order to remain chaotic, as it is more shapeable to American preferences using the Morgenthau- Machiavellian realist theories and paradigms that dominate American foreign policy.

Europe could have played a role in creating a better legal order, but that potential role has been marred by the Kosovo debacle, including acceptance of the illegal “independence” by most European nations. In the background, we have the revelation of American meddling in the Slovenian EU presidency, in which the American State Department demanded that the “Kosovo independence” and a European Union police mission be a part of the Slovenian agenda for its presidency.

The arm-twisting against European nations to recognize the Kosovo independence declaration was even felt in Italy by the normally pro-Europe Romano Prodi government:

QUOTE: “This was not the Prodi government’s preferred outcome until George W. Bush visited Italy and Albania last summer to advocate independence for Kosovo. It looked too difficult to say no to the United States and split with the United Kingdom, France and the Germany, who were more inclined to influence, and not impede, Kosovo’s independence while keeping it less than absolute.” From: Serbian Ambassador Leaves As Rome Recognises Kosovo- Corriere.

Most importantly was the American meddling in the EU presidency. In the article, published in EUbusiness on 29 January, 2008 discloses how the now disgraced Slovenian political minister Mitja Drobnic had met with US Assistant Secretary of State Daniel Fried. Fried demanded that Slovenia be the first to “recognize Kosovo independence.” We get further details of the Americans’ meddling of the EU presidency in an article in the 22 February addition of The Slovenia Times, during the height of the Kosovo crisis, of the December meeting in Washington – as well as the Slovenian Foreign Ministry’s outrageous reaction to the so-called “leak:”

QUOTE: …talks between Foreign Ministry official Mitja Drobnič and US State Department officials on December 24th 2007, it was suggested to Drobnič what Slovenia’s priorities should be during its six-month presidency and who should be the first country to recognize Kosovo as an independent state.

What are troubling are the Slovenian Foreign Ministry’s reaction to the “leak” and the even more disturbing reaction by Slovenia’s diplomatic corps, which actually placed into question the whistleblowers’ loyalty to both their nation and its interests. This reaction is indicative of just how much some, especially East European nations, place American interests above their own, and believe that serving American interests are Europe’s interests. This article also reports of the calls for the resignation of Slovenia’s foreign minister, Dimitrij Rupel:

QUOTE: “Dr Rupel, who immediately ordered an investigation into the leak, did not deny the existence of the document nor its content, while a Foreign Ministry statement characterized those who had leaked the document as ‘neither loyal citizens of Slovenia nor worthy of being called diplomats.’ Slovenia’s diplomatic corps was also critical of the leaking and publication of the document. ‘This would not have happened if it were not for the dishonesty of some Foreign Ministry employees who seemingly are no longer interested in doing something constructive for their country,’ a petition signed by 339 diplomatic staff members stated. In the meantime, Prime Minister Janez Janša denied that anyone is trying to tell Slovenia how to preside over the EU, while the foreign minister tried to assert that the leaked document had not harmed Slovenia’s relationship with the USA, although it had caused ‘some minor tension.’ “ (emphasis mine).

Rather than trying to mend fences with the obvious damage to the credibility to European intuitions that this American meddling and their own complicity has cause – the Slovenian Foreign Ministry went after the brave whistleblower, who was suspected to be Ambassador Marjan Šetinc. The authorities of Slovenian Foreign Ministry seized Ambassador Šetinc’s computers and found his phone records connected to the Dnevnik daily, which first published the reports of American meddling. In reality, Ambassador Šetinc is a hero for both the freedom and independence of Slovenia and for Europe. Perhaps Šetinc’s brave example demonstrates that Slovenia has traded the Soviet master for the American master – like many European leaders have been doing for decades!

This blog and the Yellow Stars' site will always champion an independent Europe that is free of the American chain - even when some European leaders don't!


Cited articles and further reading on US-led Kosovo debacle:

Slovenian diplomat quits after report of US meddling in EU presidency – EUbusiness- http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1201627027.03

The Headaches of Diplomacy - The Slovenia Times - http://www.sloveniatimes.com/en/inside.cp2?uid=C1A2AA8A-99D8-366C-5532-47A31BCB63CC&linkid=news&cid=BEAF1BF5-A047-2FFA-3BC2-D2EA2CC627CE

Slovenia under US influence? – Courier International - http://europe.courrierinternational.com/eurotopics/article.asp?langue=uk&publication=31/01/2008&cat=POLITICS&pi=1

When Americans believe to Control Europe… Young European Federalist - http://www.taurillon.org/When-the-Americans-believe-to-control-Europe

Serbian Ambassador Leaves As Rome Recognises Kosovo- Corriere - http://www.corriere.it/english/articoli/2008/02_Febbraio/22/serbia.shtml