Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2004-03-30-Speech-2-212"
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"en.20040330.6.2-212"2
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"Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, let us not beat about the bush. The possibility of this happening was known to anyone who has followed the situation in Kosovo over the past year. From the huge mountain of reports and media reports, the same old image emerges: no real prospects, increasing hopelessness, growing social-economic problems and the UNMIK, which is considered increasingly less as a liberator and more as an occupier, being part of the problem and not part of the solution.
I too find it far too easy only to point at the extremists. Of course, they are behind the attacks – which are also in my opinion sickening – on Serbs, their villages and their churches, but feelings of disappointment and distrust, but also aggression, are widely spread among the population. That is why I would like to repeat here the appeal Parliament made in its last report on this region, and addressed to the Commission and Council: give an outline of what the options for the future are and make it clear what, according to the European Union, the different scenarios are, but do not take too long about it.
I have to admit that I myself am in favour of the proposals of the so-called independent Kosovo Committee of more than two years ago, in which a case was made for conditional independence. In that respect, the Kosovars who are behind those attacks have done their people a huge disservice. If the Kosovars themselves are unable to keep their own extremists under control, there is no hope of fulfilling the most important condition for independence, which is respect for minorities.
I am sorry to have to say this, Mr Roche, but what you are saying is more of the same and the policy you advocate has led to these problems. As I see it, the status quo – doing what we are doing now – is no longer an option at present. However, the message of this Parliament to the Kosovars and the Kosovan authorities should also be clear: let your people not be taken hostage by a few criminal troublemakers. Be brave in your rejection; say much more clearly than you have done to date that this is unacceptable, but also take this one brave message to your people: Kosovo must be tolerant, or else Kosovo will cease to be."@en1
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