The European Union runs into roadblocks in its plans for Kosovo
WHEN the Austro-Hungarian empire declared war on Serbia in July
1914, few could have imagined that the result would be the
demise not only of the Habsburg empire, but also of the Russian
and Ottoman ones. Nobody believes that Serbia's challenge to the
European Union over Kosovo will be anything like as dramatic;
most Serbs want to join the EU, not destroy it. Yet 100 days
after Kosovo declared independence, Serbia has done a lot better
than anybody expected in thwarting the EU's plans for it. Serbia
still regards Kosovo as a province, but the ethnic Albanians,
who constitute over 90% of its 2m people, declared its
independence in February. So far 41 countries have recognised
Kosovo, including America and 20 of the EU's 27 members. But
five of these are microstates like Nauru and the Marshall
Islands. And such big hitters as Brazil, China, India and Russia
have not recognised the new country. Nor have Spain, Egypt or
even most Muslim countries. Si