One of the schizophrenic elements of Kosovo's declaration of independence from Serbia today is evident above. The popular perception, signalled by the flags in the streets, is that the US is their main patron -- which also made Albania one the few places outside of sub-Saharan Africa that George Bush can visit.
Leave aside that Kosovo was Bill Clinton's operation, which Republicans at the time opposed. The new official Kosovo flag, shown in parliament above, is an obvious nod at the European Union. Because the country will in effect be a protectorate of the EU -- not the USA -- for a long time. The flag thus represents a greater realism than the streets.
Photos: AFP and AP
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