Kosovo declares independence

MOSCOW (RIA Novosti political commentator Ivan Zakharchenko) - The parliament of rebellious Kosovo, a province of the former Yugoslavia, has passed a declaration of intent to become an independent state. Kosovo's independence will become official in March, after it adopts a Constitution, state symbols, and about 30 laws. Serbia has not controlled Kosovo since 1999, but Kosovo's independence will be relative because it will actually become a protectorate of the European Union (EU). It will receive the EU's economic assistance and host 16,000 NATO soldiers and 1,800 EU policemen. Their task will be to curb rampant crime, guarantee European order, and protect local Serbs. Nobody knows how long this will last and what the outcome will be. Not all European countries are rushing to recognize Kosovo's independence. At a session of the UN Security Council held behind closed doors, only five out of its 15 members backed the cessation of the province from Serbia.