I was looking at the statements released by Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama regarding the announcement of Kosovo’s independence. (In full text after the jump)

Both speak to the need for protection of minorities, the need for peaceful actions going forward and the need to work within the European context. That said, there are some interesting differences between the two statements that I’m sure will not be lost on a number of voters concerned with this issue who live in Ohio and Pennsylvania, let alone leaders in the rest of the world.

First and most notable is the Clinton reference to “Kosova” and the Obama reference to “Kosovo.” Arguments differ, but suffice to say “Kosova” is considered the pro-Albanian reference while “Kosovo” is the historical name of the region dating back centuries. This may seem subtle to some, but speaks volumes to those who follow the issue.

Obama goes further on two fronts---he says point blank that he believes Serbia should be part of the European Union. Clinton does not. He also stresses that Kosovo’s vote for independence is in no way a precedent for anyone else in the region or around the world.

Now, be warned, I’m just comparing the statements, not overall policies, so it is possible I’m missing something here.

Beyond that, Hillary stresses that Bush didn’t do enough and Obama honors the service of Americans who served and still serve in the Balkans. (Again just statements…I doubt that either campaign would take issue with either of these things)

Read for yourself and decide what you think, but don’t underestimate the importance of both of these statements in terms of campaigns looking at major ethnic groups in important states in the coming days.



CLINTON:

I welcome the historic declaration of Kosova independence issued today in Pristina. I urge our friends and allies and around the world to join the United States and European Union countries in promptly recognizing an independent Kosova.

This is a historic step that will allow the people of Kosova to finally live in their own democratic state. It will allow Kosova and Serbia

to finally put a difficult chapter in their history behind them and to move forward. Resolving this issue has taken too long and has held both of these proud peoples back from pursuing a better European and Euro-Atlantic future. It is time now for all of us to look ahead and to focus on the challenge of building an independent Kosova and supporting a democratic Serbia in an integrated Europe.

I want to underscore the need to avoid any violence or provocations in the days and weeks ahead. Kosovars and Serbs have seen too much violence and too many provocations in the past. It is time to focus on improving the lives of people living in both countries and the integration of these countries into the West.

In recognizing the independence of Kosova, I want to stress the high importance that I attach to full protection of the rights of all minorities in Kosova, especially the Serbs, and to safeguard Serbian cultural and religious heritage sites in Kosova. The international community must stand firm on these points.

I remain concerned about the deterioration of the situation in neighboring Bosnia and urge the Bush Administration to pay more attention to this issue, so that it does not once again become a major threat to European stability.

I regret that is has taken so long for us to reach this historic juncture and that the Bush Administration has not always given the issues of Kosova, Serbia’s democratic future, and the Balkans the attention they deserve. This has helped contribute to the complicated and risky situation on the ground in the Balkans that we still face today. I look forward to working with the democratic leaders in this region and will once again make the full integration of the Western Balkans into Europe and the Euro-Atlantic community the priority it should be.



OBAMA:

Today's announcement of independence by the leadership of Kosovo ends a chain of events that began with the bloody break-up of the former Yugoslavia

. Kosovo's independence is a unique situation resulting from the irreparable rupture Slobodan Milosevic's actions caused; it is in no way a precedent for anyone else in the region or around the world.

"Kosovo's independence carries with it important responsibilities. The international community has devoted enormous resources to Kosovo's political, economic and social development for nearly a decade, with results not always meeting expectations. I hope that Kosovo's government and people act with urgency to ensure that Kosovo becomes a positive example of democratic governance and the rule of law. All the people of Kosovo, be they of Albanian, Serb or other origin, must be able to live in a free, tolerant and prosperous society where minority rights and religious sites are fully protected, and the people of Kosovo have a stake in one another's success.

"Serbia and its people have also suffered terribly over the past two decades. Serbs deserve a more peaceful, prosperous, and hopeful future. This month's re-election of President Boris Tadic was a critical step in moving Serbia

closer to the goal of full integration into the democratic West, including membership in Euro-Atlantic institutions that can help bring more stability and prosperity to the people of Serbia.Serbia ultimately belongs in the European Union. The EU and

Serbia should rapidly deepen their ties, a move that would help demonstrate to the Serb people that they are indeed genuinely part of the West.

"I honor the service of all Americans, military and civilian, who have worked so hard to bring peace to the Balkans. The United States must continue to work with our European allies on behalf of the security and prosperity of the entire region. I am convinced that, with our support, Serbia and Kosovo can emerge as models of democratic and economic growth, and their people can know a bright future."

February 18, 2008 at 11:38 AM | Permalink