National self determination

Since WW I the US has tried to balance the concept of national self determination as articulated by President Woodrow Wilson with the real politic need to maintain the nation state system. The tension between the right of a state to maintain its territorial integrity and the right of peoples to self determination has caused a lot of diplomatic policy headaches. For most of recent history, the US has come down on the side of the stability of nation states, particularly when the states have been sympathetic to US foreign policy goals. With its rapid recognition of the new state of Kosovo following a unilateral declaration of independence by the Kosovars, the US has moved in the other direction. One can make the case that this was the right decision given that an independent Kosovo was probably inevitable following the US/NATO intervention in a Serbian civil war in the 1990’s. The US claims that this is a “special case” and does not create any precedents. US Special Envoy to Kosovo Frank Wisner argues that “Kosovo is a unique case”. Not everybody agrees. Russia has refused to recognize an independent Kosovo, supporting their Slavic brothers in Serbia. Spain and Greece have also said that they will not recognize Kosovo fearing an empowering precedent for their restive Basque and Turkman minorities. Israel is also trying to decide how they will deal with the problem. Statements by some Palestinian Authority ministers suggesting that the PLO should also unilaterally declare independence and pressure the international community for recognition have caused consternation on the part of those who hope for a negotiated two state solution. Others in Palestine and the international community have begun to be more vocal in advocating disbanding the PLO altogether, turning the whole problem over to the Israelis and pressing for one man, one vote. Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert labeled this "the South African solution". This is the worst case scenario for Israelis, as demographics would mean the end of the “Jewish State”. For this to happen Palestinian politicians would need to voluntarily give up their power; not something politicians do easily. However, as the post Annapolis negotiations continue to drag on with no signs of progress, an “out of the box” solution becomes more and more likely. Stay tuned.