Madam, - The conclusion of your Editorial of November 20th was exemplary: "the time for indecision is past since there is no realistic alternative to Kosovan independence". Every single political leader of the 90 per cent majority Albanian population wants independence immediately.
The real danger now is delay by the international community in recognising independence. Such stalling is quite likely to be the next EU compromise in response to Serbian government tactics to keep postponing Kosovo's final status.
It is very disturbing to hear calls by international officials to the Kosovars "not to rush into a declaration of independence". They could hardly be accused of "rushing". They have been waiting for eight years under a UN protectorate. Before that, they endured 10 years of passive resistance under a Serbian regime of brutal repression which culminated in the killing of approximately 10,000 people, mainly civilians.
Kosovo cannot develop as things stand. It has been unable to gain access to international financial institutions, fully integrate into the regional economy or attract the outside political support it needs to address its widespread unemployment and poverty. Council of Europe observers called the turnout for the recent election in Kosovo "alarmingly low", adding that it revealed "a profound dissatisfaction among the population".
Prompt recognition of declared independence, in accordance with the UN-sponsored Ahtisaari guarantees for the Serbian minority, is the only way that may yet avoid further widespread violence in the region. - Yours, etc,
VALERIE HUGHES, Cabra, Dublin 7.