Re: [Marxism] Letter fromSerbiansocialistssupportingKosovarself-determnation

["Paula" <Paula_cerni@xxxxxxx>]

Michael wrote:

> Well, as I explained, I thought in some detail, in my last post, the UN
> authority (UNMIK) that has ruled Kosova for the last 9 years has had
> MUCH more power than the EU authority, whose mandate is more specific
> (see my last post).

Perhaps, but the UN is not an outside power in the way the EU is. The UN is 
not a major imperialist power in its own right. It does not seek regional or 
global hegemony for itself. The EU does, and its new role in Kosovo 
increases *its* influence in the region.

> Even when they did pick on Serbia, in 1999, I do not believe as you do
> this was to get at Russia. I do not share your view that most capitalist
> countries that have some kind of economic interest outside their borders
> are "imperialist." I'm not even sure about Russia - frankly, it looks
> more like a huge Gazprom Inc to me.

And Gazprom Inc looks like a good example of monopoly capitalism to me. The 
rise of Russian power has been a major development in recent years and is 
now a key factor in world politics, especially so in Europe. It should be 
central to our analysis of this issue.

> But whatever about all that, Serbia is not a state of Russia. Serbia is
> the centre of the Balkans. The EU wants Serbia in and NATO wants Serbia
> in. Yet by supporting independence for Kosova, they drive Serbia more
> into Russia's arms. This is not a 'strategic gain" at all.

But Serbia is, at present, in Russia's sphere of influence. Driving it 
further into Russia's arms is a small price to pay for slicing a strategic 
portion off that sphere and establishing direct control over it. Russia's 
reaction makes it quite clear whose gain this is.

It's a very dangerous game and the people of the Balkans might end up losing 
the most.

Paula 


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