Kosovo independence far riskier than independence for Transdniestria

US Senator Joseph Lieberman, who wants Kosovo to become independent from Serbia is quoted for saying "The United States of America and the Kosovo Liberation Army stand for the same human values and the principles ... Fighting for the KLA is fighting for human rights and American values." (Washington Post, 28 Apr. 1999).

The KLA forces, so loved by Lieberman, many of whom were trained in Osama bin Laden's terrorist camps are now the government of Kosovo and for the past ten years, consistently carried out attacks on Christians. The KLA is also engaged in sex slavery, prostitution, murder, kidnapping and drugs. These are the same values that America shares, according to Senator Lieberman?

If independence is granted to Kosovo Albanians, who achieved their majority through dubious and illegal means, it would mean the complete eradication of Serbia's culture, language and religion from their holiest of land and create another mini-Afghanistan in the heart of Europe.

Far from any re-affirmation of American values, it is clear that Kosovo independence is a risky bet on an unknown future. It is a far less riskier bet to back the independence aspirations of the people of Transdniestria, also in Europe but with a much stronger European identity and re-affirmation of traditional Western values than the jihadists in Kosovo.
Transdniestria is strongly Christian. Since it declared independence in 1990, its government has rebuilt and re-opened churches and monasteries closed in Soviet times. In the past, it has at various times been part of Poland, Lithuania, Russia and Ukraine. These influences are strong.

Kosovo has been a part of Serbia for a thousand years. In contrast, Transdniestria is not a traditional part of Moldova. For most of its history, Moldova's border ended at the Dniester river: Right where Transdniestria begins.

Kosovo today has become a haven for crime and government-sponsored violence.
In contrast, no proof of weapons smuggling, arms production or other crimes has ever been shown in the case of Transdniestria. OSCE and European Union officials state that there is no evidence that Transdniestria has ever, at any time in the past, trafficked arms. Research published by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) indicates that Transdniestria is not involved in arms production or trafficking. The situation has been summed up by OSCE mission spokesman Claus Neukirch who cautioned: "There is often talk about sale of armaments from Transdniestria, but there is no convincing evidence."
Not so in Kosovo, where there is plenty of hard proof of the criminal nature of the KLA-led regime.

Kosovo's jihadist leaders have attacked ethnic minorities, who live in fear for their lives should Kosovo be granted independence. In contrast, Transdniestria has three official languages and even the Moldovan minority in Transdniestria prefers independence instead of unification with Moldova.
Kosovo is not a socially coherent society at peace with itself. Transdniestria is.

If certain US Senators are eager to mint new independent states in Europe, look to Transdniestria first and not to Kosovo.
Anything else is a risky bet on the future.

American commentator Stella Jatras is the wife of a career military officer. While stationed in Moscow, where her husband George was the Senior US Air Attaché, she was assigned to the Political Section of the US Embassy. Her foreign policy analysis has appeared in the Los Angeles Times, Washington Times, Washington Post, Arizona Republic, Stars and Stripes and many other major newspapers and magazines.