The second major historical event this week is the declaration by Kosovo of independence. A great milestone for the people of Kosovo, but it is the reactions of other nations that is the most remarkable, and perhaps precedent setting.

In the United States we often forget that we are not the only nation the has broken away from their parent country, infact the changing of the status of countries and of borders is really very common. The remarkable part of the American revolution was not the seperation from England, but the establishment of a republican system of government at the same time. Infact, gaining independence is almost a universal theme for the countries of the Americas. The now famous Monroe Doctrine was in fact part of the growing recognition of the indepentent governments and nations of South America as they broke away from Spain. World War I and II both redrew the maps of nations on an immense scale, including the now independent Kosovo which was Made a part of Yugoslavia.

So what is different here? The speed of Kosovo's recognition by a large and influential number of nations and the protection it enjoys from the same. The United States fought for several years AFTER its Declaration of Independence before receiving that recognition. The South American countries were effectively independent for over 20 years before the Monroe Doctrine and American recognition was given. India petitioned for independence from England for decades. There would have been no thought of recognition of Kosovo ten years ago, in the middle of the Serbian civil war. But at that time Kosovo gained the protection of NATO to stop the warfare and has since then been operating indepently under that protection. The speed of Kosovos recognition is because it is simply a formal recognition of the status that already exists, and will allow them to take over, in time, the protection of themselves, relieving the NATO coutries of that burden.

But not every country agrees. Notably Russia has loudly protested. China is probably not to happy either. Both nations have provinces that are or are seeking independence. If Kosovo can declare independence, why not Checnya? Why not Taiwan or even a liberation of Tibet? how about the Kashmir which is being fought over by Pakistan and India. Or perhaps the strongest case of all...Kurdistan. The Kurds in northern Iraq would not even fly the Iraqi flag because of resentment towards the former government. They also have a large ethnic population under the control of neighborring Turkey. They have put forward proposals of both independence and American Statehood with mixed support.

Checnya...is landlocked within Russia, completely surrounded and outside of anyone elses ability to assist or acknowledge. Tibet is to small and China to large for anyone to seriously press for their independence. The Kashmir is ethnically divided. Don't look for changes in these areas soon.

The Kurds...I don't know why it hasn't been considered more strongly. It was a part of Iraq, sure. But borders change, and always have in that region. if they want an independent state, and it would be stable, then I think it should be encouraged. But thats just me. And Tawain? Our recognition should have come years ago. We already treat them as independent, negotiate with them, they have their own defense forces, a stable government. They are an independent state in every sense. If we are willing to recognize Kosovo then why not Taiwan? Yeah, I know...China. But the precedent has been set more strongly then ever.