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Serbia recalls ambassador following Kosovo independence declaration
Serbia has ordered the immediate recall of its ambassador from Washington, as countries around the world recognise Kosovo’s new independence.
- Agencies
- Published: 10:23 February 19, 2008
New York: Serbia has ordered the immediate recall of its ambassador from Washington, as countries around the world recognise Kosovo's new independence.
Serbian President Boris Tadic told the U.N. Security Council that unless it stopped Kosovo's independence, it would tell the world that no country's sovereignty and borders were safe, adding that envoys will be recalled from countries that do acknowledge Kosovo's move.
This comes amid widespread recognition from European countries and most recently, the United States. "The United States has today formally recognised Kosovo as a sovereign and independent state. We congratulate the people of Kosovo on this historic occasion," U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said.
Recognition was a relief for Pristina, which had nervously awaited the West's expected blessing of its secession, but a black day for Serbia, which vowed never to concede the loss of a spiritual homeland steeped in myth.
Russia has voiced support for its ally Serbia by refusing recognition. Moscow has vowed to prevent Kosovo from ever winning a U.N. seat. But, the West has told Russia not to interfere in what they insist is a "European issue".
Elsewhere around the globe, states with their own restless minorities are hesitant or strongly critical of Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence, including Spain, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Sri Lanka and China.
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