The Kosovo Independence Act

[Vit Caçeir]

(Seeing as Priština will be declaring its independence within a few hours, I figured it was about time I finally get this into the Hopper.)

WHEREAS the ethnic Albanian majority of the Balkan region of Kosovo have governed themselves on some level or another for decades, and

WHEREAS the Kosovars have peacefully protested for their independence from the Republic of Serbia since 1999, and

WHEREAS this resulted in ethnic warfare and attempted cleansing of ethnic Albanians in the Kosovo region by former Yugoslav leader Slobodan Milošević, and

WHEREAS the Kosovars have peacefully and democratically governed themselves, with the help of the United Nations, since 1999, and

WHEREAS the Kosovars have, like the Talossans 28 years ago, peacefully announced their independence,

THEREFORE the Ziu enacts that the Kingdom of Talossa recognizes Kosovo as sovereign and independent from the Republic of Serbia, with all the rights and responsibilities of all other independent states under international law. The government of the Kingdom of Talossa shall extend its recognition of Kosovo to the Kosovar government (through a written letter or some equivalent medium) and his Majesty’s best wishes to the newly independent republic.

Uréu q'estadra så: Éovart Caçeir, LRT

[Sir Alexandreu Davinescu]

I have strong, strong reservations about this act that are based on basic fairness and efficiency.

It seems extraordinarily unfair for us to be engaging in this sort of legislation. "Recognition" legislation includes recognition of genocides and unjust wars, recognition of small breakaway countries, and so on. These sorts of bills are almost entirely cosmetic, and demonstrative of favoritism. Larger countries engage in them because they have the luxury of fully-paid legislators whose job it is only to pass these laws. If you take a look at the actual rosters of bills that pass through Congress, for example, you will see that a majority of them are actually cosmetic bills such as these. They name airports, recognize things, and so on. They have all kinds of time and energy for these sorts of things - probably more than they should, actually.

But we are a very small country. We have a small number of legislators, although it is larger relative to our population. And these legislators pass laws in their spare time, since our current budget has no provision for salaries. And so I oppose every wasted minute, because those minutes, trickling out through veins severed by "recognition" legislation, are the lifeblood of this nation. Every minute we spend writing and debating and passing nonsense bills like these are minutes that can be better spent on a thousand different things: learning our language, fixing mistakes in functional legislation, recruiting more Talossans, and so on. These bills seldom even provide much controversy (which can and often has drawn more activity from citizens), since most of them are relatively "harmless."

Further, it seems as though to recognize one means we must recognize them all. We cannot very well dismiss this and then allow another, since that implies favoritism which is probably going to be unjust. Recognize Burma? Okay. Recognize Kosovo? Okay. And so on. Everyone will be producing pet causes every term, and the problem will only grow.

I am not anti-Kosovo. I applaud those proud and noble people and strongly condemn the ethnic cleansing that was perpetrated upon them. But I am more pro-Talossa than I am anti-Kosovo. Talossa must come first for Talossan legislators.

I am not stating I will oppose this act, yet. But I would like my concerns addressed.

[Vit Caçeir]

agbdavis said:

"Recognition" legislation includes recognition of genocides and unjust wars, recognition of small breakaway countries, and so on.

First off, let me just say that I caught your reference to the Ottoman-Armenian Genocide Debate a few months back. Yeah, I thought that was a huge waste of time, too.

agbdavis said:

These sorts of bills are almost entirely cosmetic, and demonstrative of favoritism. Larger countries engage in them because they have the luxury of fully-paid legislators whose job it is only to pass these laws.

In most cases, yes I would agree with you. Bills like the "We don't like the war going on in Mexico, but not enough to actually do anything about it Act" or the "A bunch of people were killed by the Ottomans a century ago, and we just spent three weeks and one billion dollars to say it Act" are generally a waste of time, energy, and money for all governments.

agbdavis said:

And so I oppose every wasted minute, because those minutes, trickling out through veins severed by "recognition" legislation, are the lifeblood of this nation.

Again, in most cases regarding "libraries, airports, genocides, etc." I would agree with you.

agbdavis said:

These bills seldom even provide much controversy (which can and often has drawn more activity from citizens), since most of them are relatively "harmless."

And it is good that they are not controversial?

agbdavis said:

Further, it seems as though to recognize one means we must recognize them all.

Not necessarily.... it's not like you have new countries *VIABLE* popping up every day.

agbdavis said:

Everyone will be producing pet causes every term, and the problem will only grow.

It didn't happen when RUMP proposed a bill that made Talossa the only nation to recognize Somalialand in the 36th Cosa.

Again, as stated before, in most cases I would agree with you that the "recognition and naming of stuff" type bills are political bee-es. However, if you've been following the Kosovo independence process at all over the past few months (which it wouldn't surprise me if you didn't, seems like I'm the only one in North America who did. Everyone else was too worked up about Miley Cyrus and her seat belt), you'd know that this has caused a large amount of controversy between the CIS and NATO, and that Balkan politics have quickly become one of the centrepoints of international news (minus the U.S.). As a fellow Derivatist, I'm rather surprised that you want to "sit out" of this who matter.

Additionally, attempting to open up relations with a newly founded nation-state could be just what Talossa needs to get in on international politics. The Kosovar public has warmed up to nations quick to recognize their independence, as the A.P. has reported US, UK, French, and German flags (the nations already recognizing Kosovo) alongside Albanian and Kosovar flags in the initial celebrations. What if Talossa were to become one of those nations the Kosovars, who already hold a significant role in international politics, warmed up to and called their brothers? Although maybe not likely, it's an interesting possibility.

I understand your concerns with Talossan legislators putting Talossa first, and I agree that Talossa should be our first priority. I do not believe, however, that it should be our only priority. Feel free to disagree, that's just where I stand on it.... and seeing as it's 5.00 am, I'm retiring to bed.

[Sir C. M. Siervicül]

edwardwadas said:

It didn't happen when RUMP proposed a bill that made Talossa the only nation to recognize Somalialand in the 36th Cosa.

Only to find out through S:reu Ventrutx's publication of the National Archives that Talossa had actually recognised Somaliland more than a decade earlier, in the 19th Cosa (19 RZ 36, p. 207 of L'Anuntzia). Talossa has also recognised Chechnya and endorsed independence for Québec, and was among the first countries to recognise the Baltic states. I wouldn't be surprised to learn that Talossa has already recognised Kosovo, and we've just lost the records.

[Deleted]

Well... I'm sure the Alaskan Republicans would love to hear about how easy it is for us to recognize right to independence. Or those pushing for Texan independence. Same with Vermont.

Anyway, I remained in the middle on this act. I'm waiting to be convinced on either side.

Edit: I confused the Alaskan Republicans with the Alaskan Ind. Party.

[Deleted]

edwardwadas said:

agbdavis said:

"Recognition" legislation includes recognition of genocides and unjust wars, recognition of small breakaway countries, and so on.

First off, let me just say that I caught your reference to the Ottoman-Armenian Genocide Debate a few months back. Yeah, I thought that was a huge waste of time, too.

I disagree, appeasing the Turkish government and not recognizing the events that have occurred so they don't have to have that word on their resume is pretty much how I see people's inability to comprehend the importance of recognizing this event.

[Vit Caçeir]

vitooliver said:

I disagree, appeasing the Turkish government and not recognizing the events that have occurred so they don't have to have that word on their resume is pretty much how I see people's inability to comprehend the importance of recognizing this event.

It's not that I think the Turks shouldn't recognize what happened, it's not that at all. Additionally, I think their stance on the event is foolish, they should admit that history happened, apologize for their legal predecessor's mistakes, and move on with life.

However, I don't think that it should take United States Congress to tell us that history happened. Like this whole Roger Clemens steroids nonsense, in my opinion there are better institutions besides a nation's legislature to deal with such things.

[Deleted]

I disagree withthe above notion. I think it is important to honor those who were killed in the genocide, and to do so, being at the host country has not stepped up, it is right for other governments to take a stand.

But, onto the Act at hand, perhaps passing an act that would send their government a letter saying we recognize them would be more on key.

[Owen Edwards]

I think a direct action associated with an official recognition would be a good thing, definitely.

[Vit Caçeir]

vitooliver said:

But, onto the Act at hand, perhaps passing an act that would send their government a letter saying we recognize them would be more on key.

That was my intention with "extending the Kingdom's best wishes", but you're right, I should have made that more clear in the bill. It was added.

owenfsf said:

I think a direct action associated with an official recognition would be a good thing, definitely.

I agree but apart from the letter and *hoping* to get a response, what else would you recommend? I'd like to improve this bill, and do everything possible to ensure that it reaps success, and I'm open to any and all recommendations.

Additionally, it has been noted that Taiwan and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (two "unrecognized states" somewhat similar in legal status to Talossa) have both recognized Kosovo. The Kosovar government is expected to respond to this, stating whether they consider Northern Cyprus and Taiwan as independent or not. If they are declared independent by Kosovo, I'd recommend learning from their example and seeing what steps they took to open diplomatic relations.

EDIT: Clarification

[Owen Edwards]

Well unless someone here speaks Albanian, proper relations will be difficult - we can hardly ring their foreign ministry for a chat without the proper impressive credentials and asking them to speak English.

A letter, with contact details and a brief background, seems best.

[Vit Caçeir]

owenfsf said:

Well unless someone here speaks Albanian, proper relations will be difficult

This is a granted point. While I would think that the Kosovar government would have some English speakers, it would be appropriate for us to have Albanian speakers, but seeing as most members of Talossan government have actual lives, learning Albanian certainly wouldn't be easy (and I don't think there is a Rosetta Stone Programme for said language). I'd be more than willing to try to get a basic understanding of the language as quickly as humanly possible and seek out proper translators, however.

owenfsf said:

A letter, with contact details and a brief background, seems best.

Agreed, it's an excellent start. If they respond, we can go from there.

[Sir Alexandreu Davinescu]

I noticed you clarked this bill... I don't know if you were intentionally clarking it early, but you should be aware that you are way too early. Organicity requires it spend ten days under discussion.

[Sir C. M. Siervicül]

edwardwadas said:

This is a granted point. While I would think that the Kosovar government would have some English speakers, it would be appropriate for us to have Albanian speakers, but seeing as most members of Talossan government have actual lives, learning Albanian certainly wouldn't be easy (and I don't think there is a Rosetta Stone Programme for said language). I'd be more than willing to try to get a basic understanding of the language as quickly as humanly possible and seek out proper translators, however.

By coincidence, you could start with the poem posted by Dréu in the poetry thread.

[Breneir Itravilatx]

S:reu Caceir,

I thank you for bringing forth this legislation. The newest nation on Earth needs as many friends as she can get currently. Will this bill be clarked for April?

Breneir