Kosovo Declares Independence

As I type this, the PM of Kosovo just finished reading the official "Declaration of Independence" for Kosovo. The CNN live news-feed is now showing the streets of Prishtina packed with people, waving flags, dancing, setting off firecrackers, whistling and cheering their Independence Day, February 17, 2008.

The excitement of this day has many celebrating... it even has my heart pounding. Earlier I was on the phone to a colleage in another town of Kosovo and I could barely hear her over the noise outside her apartment on the streets. The loud honking of car horns were ringing out over the cheers of the thousands of people crowding the streets, waving flags (including American flags) as they celebrated the day they've been waiting for for a long time.

She also described the new flag to me that was being placed all over town. It's navy blue with the shape of Kosovo in yellow in the middle with 6 white stars on top. Hopefully this new flag and it's departure from all previous colors associated with Kosovo will be a symbol of a breaking free of past tensions and perhaps the start of healing between the difference ethnicities. A new beginning.

It's now 3:53 and they've begun the official signing the Declaration of Independence. A historic moment in the history. The birth of a nation is not something you see every day! (Actually I'm a bit envious of my colleagues who are living there and get to celebrate with their friends.)

Ironically, just as I typed that I received an email from the US Consulate warning US citizens to avoid such gatherings:

"Following Kosovo’s February 17 declaration of independence, the U.S. Office in Prishtina reiterates its longstanding guidance to American Citizens to avoid large crowds or demonstrations. Local celebrations, both official and unofficial, are expected to be large, and could pose security risks for on-lookers and participants."

Oh the joys of living in the Balkans....

On another note, to be honest, this day, while totally exciting for many, carries mixed feelings for me. I am personally aquainted with several people in one of the Serbian enclaves, especially with one dear family that I spend a lot of time with. I remember the mom sharing with me her concern in tears about her family and fear about the future. I imagine today is not a happy day for her or her family. I imagine that the mood, in contract to the jubulence in Prishtina, is markedly somber and perhaps a bit apprehensive in those Serbian enclaves today.

The PM expressed quite elloquently, though, that independent Kosovo will be multi-ethnic with equal rights for all groups. Perhaps that this sentiment will make it past the leaders and on to the streets, among the locals. May all parties now be able to move beyond the tragedy and bitterness of the past, to bring healing and reconciliation to an area of the world that has seen so much hurt over generations--on all sides. Some may call me naive, but that is my desire for the people of Kosova, the country. My personal prayer for them, though, goes quite a bit deeper: that they come to know the One who can make them truly free and be reconciled to Him.

In the meantime: Congratulations - Gëzuar pavarësia.