Changes

In January 2008, the former U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. [[John Bolton]], former U.S. Secretary of State Lawrence Eagleburger and former Assistant Defense Secretary Peter Rodman warned in a joint statement that Western recognition of Kosovo independence would create "an avoidable confrontation with [[Russia]]" and "turn what is now a relatively small problem into a large one."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2008/jan/31/warning-light-on-kosovo/|title=Warning light on Kosovo|publisher=[[The Washington Times]]|date=2008-01-31|accessdate=2008-08-29}}</ref> On 17 February 2008, the Prime Minister of Kosovo, former KLA commander Hashim Thaci, declared independence from Serbia.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/18/world/europe/18kosovo.html?ex=1360990800&en=579b01366cbc2ea5&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss Kosovo Declares Its independence From Serbia]</ref>

In January 2008, the former U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. [[John Bolton]], former U.S. Secretary of State Lawrence Eagleburger and former Assistant Defense Secretary Peter Rodman warned in a joint statement that Western recognition of Kosovo independence would create "an avoidable confrontation with [[Russia]]" and "turn what is now a relatively small problem into a large one."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2008/jan/31/warning-light-on-kosovo/|title=Warning light on Kosovo|publisher=[[The Washington Times]]|date=2008-01-31|accessdate=2008-08-29}}</ref> On 17 February 2008, the Prime Minister of Kosovo, former KLA commander Hashim Thaci, declared independence from Serbia.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/18/world/europe/18kosovo.html?ex=1360990800&en=579b01366cbc2ea5&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss Kosovo Declares Its independence From Serbia]</ref>

U.S. President [[George W Bush]] announced that he would disregard the 1999 peace agreement and support an independent Kosovo protected by NATO. Russia and Serbia condemned this [[unilateral]] action. Russian President [[Vladimir Putin]] described the recognition of Kosovo independence by the United States as "a terrible precedent which will de facto blow apart the whole system of [[international relations]] developed not over decades but over centuries.".

U.S. President [[George W Bush]] announced that he would disregard the 1999 peace agreement and support an independent Kosovo protected by NATO. Russia and Serbia condemned this [[unilateral]] action. Russian President [[Vladimir Putin]] described the recognition of Kosovo independence by the United States as "a terrible precedent which will de facto blow apart the whole system of [[international relations]] developed not over decades but over centuries."

==Geography==

==Geography==

On November 17, 2007, Kosovo held parliamentary and municipal elections. These elections were deemed free and fair by international observers. The PDK gained 34.3% of the vote, the LDK gained 22.6%, the New Kosovo Alliance (AKR) won 12.3%, the Democratic League of Dardania (LDD) won 10%, and the AAK won 9.6%. Smaller minority parties also made some small gains. These elections led to a coalition between the LDK and the PDK and to the elevation of Hashim Thaci as Prime Minister of Kosovo. At the behest of Serbian leaders in Belgrade, virtually all Kosovo Serbs again boycotted the vote.  

On November 17, 2007, Kosovo held parliamentary and municipal elections. These elections were deemed free and fair by international observers. The PDK gained 34.3% of the vote, the LDK gained 22.6%, the New Kosovo Alliance (AKR) won 12.3%, the Democratic League of Dardania (LDD) won 10%, and the AAK won 9.6%. Smaller minority parties also made some small gains. These elections led to a coalition between the LDK and the PDK and to the elevation of Hashim Thaci as Prime Minister of Kosovo. At the behest of Serbian leaders in Belgrade, virtually all Kosovo Serbs again boycotted the vote.  

In June 2008, UN Secretary General Ban decided to "reconfigure" UNMIK and reduce the size of the UN presence in Kosovo, effectively ending the UN's role as administrator of Kosovo and welcoming EU deployment of its Rule of Law Mission (EULEX). As Ban stated in his report to the Security Council, "UNMIK will no longer be able to perform effectively the vast majority of its tasks as an international administration.". The EU will gradually assume increasing responsibility in the areas of policing, justice, and customs throughout Kosovo.  

In June 2008, UN Secretary General Ban decided to "reconfigure" UNMIK and reduce the size of the UN presence in Kosovo, effectively ending the UN's role as administrator of Kosovo and welcoming EU deployment of its Rule of Law Mission (EULEX). As Ban stated in his report to the Security Council, "UNMIK will no longer be able to perform effectively the vast majority of its tasks as an international administration." The EU will gradually assume increasing responsibility in the areas of policing, justice, and customs throughout Kosovo.  

The Kosovo judicial system started adapting to the new legal charter on June 15, 2008. Supreme Court judges and prosecutors, district court judges, and municipal court judges already appointed by the SRSG will continue to serve in their posts until the expiry of their appointment. After the transfer of rule of law functions to the Government of Kosovo, the Kosovo Judicial Council (KJC) will propose to the President of Kosovo candidates for appointment or reappointment as judges and prosecutors.  

The Kosovo judicial system started adapting to the new legal charter on June 15, 2008. Supreme Court judges and prosecutors, district court judges, and municipal court judges already appointed by the SRSG will continue to serve in their posts until the expiry of their appointment. After the transfer of rule of law functions to the Government of Kosovo, the Kosovo Judicial Council (KJC) will propose to the President of Kosovo candidates for appointment or reappointment as judges and prosecutors.  

In the rampage and terror that took place in Kosovo and Metohija on March 17 and 18, a total of 954 people were injured; 170 Serbs suffered serious injuries at the time. 61 KFOR members and 65 international police officers were also injured during the events. Ethnically, six towns and nine villages were completely cleansed. After March 17, Serbs were no longer in Pristina; there were no Serbs in Ferizaj, Gjilan, or Gjakova.

In the rampage and terror that took place in Kosovo and Metohija on March 17 and 18, a total of 954 people were injured; 170 Serbs suffered serious injuries at the time. 61 KFOR members and 65 international police officers were also injured during the events. Ethnically, six towns and nine villages were completely cleansed. After March 17, Serbs were no longer in Pristina; there were no Serbs in Ferizaj, Gjilan, or Gjakova.

It all started with an accusation, a claim that has never been proven, that the Serbs were guilty of drowning three Albanian boys in the Ibar River, which took place on March 16 in the afternoon. An international investigation launched by UNMIK could not prove that, as Albanian media reported at the time, Serb bandits with dogs chased Albanian boys and forced them into the cold river. An avalanche of lies was launched, a manipulated crowd took to the streets and on March 17 Kosovo was "set on fire.".

It all started with an accusation, a claim that has never been proven, that the Serbs were guilty of drowning three Albanian boys in the Ibar River, which took place on March 16 in the afternoon. An international investigation launched by UNMIK could not prove that, as Albanian media reported at the time, Serb bandits with dogs chased Albanian boys and forced them into the cold river. An avalanche of lies was launched, a manipulated crowd took to the streets and on March 17 Kosovo was "set on fire."

According to estimates by international organizations, between 50,000 and 70,000 Albanians were on the streets of Kosovska Mitrovica, Caglavica, Prizren, Kosovo Polje, Ferizaj, Peja, Gjilan, Pristina on that day... The riots continued on March 18, affecting Obilic, the village of Svinjare, and the Monastery of Devič.

According to estimates by international organizations, between 50,000 and 70,000 Albanians were on the streets of Kosovska Mitrovica, Caglavica, Prizren, Kosovo Polje, Ferizaj, Peja, Gjilan, Pristina on that day... The riots continued on March 18, affecting Obilic, the village of Svinjare, and the Monastery of Devič.

As part of its commitment to the Ahtisaari Plan, the Kosovo Government rapidly enacted, after independence, laws on minority protection, [[gay rights]], decentralization, special protection zones for Serb cultural and religious sites, local self-government, and municipal boundaries.  

As part of its commitment to the Ahtisaari Plan, the Kosovo Government rapidly enacted, after independence, laws on minority protection, [[gay rights]], decentralization, special protection zones for Serb cultural and religious sites, local self-government, and municipal boundaries.  

The Kosovo Assembly approved a constitution in April, and it entered into force on June 15, 2008. ICR Feith certified that the constitution was in accordance with the Ahtisaari Plan. At the time of certification, ICR Feith also congratulated Kosovo on a modern constitution that "provides comprehensive rights for members of communities as well as effective guarantees for the protection of the national, linguistic and religious identity of all communities.".

The Kosovo Assembly approved a constitution in April, and it entered into force on June 15, 2008. ICR Feith certified that the constitution was in accordance with the Ahtisaari Plan. At the time of certification, ICR Feith also congratulated Kosovo on a modern constitution that "provides comprehensive rights for members of communities as well as effective guarantees for the protection of the national, linguistic and religious identity of all communities."

==Further reading==

==Further reading==