The day the war ends in Kosova

April 21, 1999
Issue 

The day the war ends in Kosova

The day the war ends in Kosova will be a great day for all Slavs. A new age of peace will return to the Balkans, and our television sets will resume normal programming.

Unfortunately, as so often happens in war, there are sure to be fewer Serbs and Kosovars than there were before. (And fewer people, just like a small family, are less likely to argue over who gets what.) No matter: there's sure to be enough of the Balkans to go around for everyone.

If tempers flare up, I'm sure NATO troops can be prevailed upon to stick around to play a mediating role .. doing what they do, mediating.

What a day it will be, the day the war ends in Kosova! Church bells will ring and the faithful will attend the mosque to give thanks. Halleluiah! God (and maybe Bill Clinton) is great!

The day after the war ends in Kosova is the day that Serbia grabs the best parts of Kosova in the name of the new Yugoslavia. If the Kosovars are a bit put out by this, they'll have to realise that you've got to give and take in this world. In a word: compromise for the sake of peace — and besides, who went and lost their best and brightest in a bloody war that no body wanted? (At least I think no one wanted it.) Get real, the old Kosova no longer exists!

Anyway ...

On the third day after the war ends in Kosova the new state is born. Perhaps it would be a bit premature to refer to it as a state. "Nation in waiting" sounds good. The Kosovan "entity" is better. The southern "territories" has a certain appeal. Whatever the nomenclature, it's sure to have much promise while NATO goes and finds someone to run it.

VOICE: Just don't mention Cambodia.

The international community will no doubt call on the UN to administer the new whatever. The UN is well experience in situations like this. In Cambodia ...

VOICE: I told you not to mention Cambodia!

... the UN recently played a key role.

On the fourth day after the war ends in Kosova the refugee camps and their inhabitants in Albania and Macedonia are sent home to the new whatever — at least what's left of it.

On the fifth day after the war ends in Kosova, NATO rests.

By Dave Riley

You need Green Left, and we need you!

Green Left is funded by contributions from readers and supporters. Help us reach our funding target.

Make a One-off Donation or choose from one of our Monthly Donation options.

Become a supporter to get the digital edition for $5 per month or the print edition for $10 per month. One-time payment options are available.

You can also call 1800 634 206 to make a donation or to become a supporter. Thank you.