Ottawa remains silent on the recognition of Kosovo’s self-declared independence. Prime Minister Harper is in a tricky position here. Canada has its own minority that could unilaterally declare its independence. Official recognition of Kosovo could set a precedent for a future Quebec-separatist campaign. The international recognition that Kosovo has received has encouraged the separatist movement which has been waning over the past few years. International recognition may now supersede the need for national referendum.
Albanians in Canada agree that Kosovo is like Quebec, but in the opposite sense. They say Kosovo’s independence shouldn’t raise fears about Quebec. Canadian Serbs say Kosovo is to Serbia as Quebec is to Canada, and cannot unilaterally separate. This dilemma is at the root of the Canadian government’s slow reaction. Liberal Party leader Stéphane Dion, a Quebecer himself, wants Canada to recognize Kosovo but dismisses the arguments of Quebec separatists.
After some deliberation and hand-wringing, Canada will likely recognize Kosovo as it did Montenegro in 2006. There are more important issues preventing Quebec from separating, such as the fact that much of Quebec is native land and they are not likely to go quietly.
- BROWSE / IN TIMELINE
- « The Beard is Out
- » If Kosovo, Why Not Vermont?
COMMENTS / 4 COMMENTS
Michael added these pithy words on 19 Feb 08 at 7:10 pmMaybe the one paying attention to analogies should have been the Serbs? From what I’ve heard, the Quebecois haven’t done much pushing for independence since the Canadian Supreme Court ruled that they could be independent—under conditions.
Curzon added these pithy words on 20 Feb 08 at 1:59 amThat’s the most idiotic serious idea I’ve heard so far this year. When Quebec has hundreds of thousands of persons killed by Canadian forces, millions displaced, deliberate destruction of infrastructure, the region’s culture desecrated and its churches and museums burned to the ground, and a multinational airbombing campaign followed by a UN peacekeeping force, THEN I would be very willing to entertain the idea of Quebec independence.
Michael added these pithy words on 21 Feb 08 at 8:02 pmWhat’s idiotic, the notion of Quebecois independence, the notion of allowing them independence under conditions or the notion that Quebec’s history has any bearing on the Kosovo debate?
Canadian added these pithy words on 19 Mar 08 at 4:17 pmHey, why don’t we give the newly immigrated Albanians in Canada there own independence.
SPEAK / ADD YOUR COMMENT
Comments are moderated.
