February 17, 2008 (LPAC)--As expected, on Feb. 17 the Parliament of Kosovo unanimously approved a declaration of independence from Serbia, immediately provoking protest from the Serbian government, and from Russia which called for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council. The UNSC began meeting early this afternoon to consider Russia's request that the declaration be annulled, but is not expected to issue any statement or resolution until a more formal meeting occurs on Feb. 18.

American statesman Lyndon LaRouche commented today that rather then becoming independent, Kosovo is declaring itself "a colony of Great Britain," whose Foreign Office had loudly declared that Kosovo's prior status was "unsustainable," and called the independence move "an important development." Britain is expected to formally recognize Kosovo's independence when European Union Foreign Ministers meet in Brussels tomorrow, along with France and Germany. But that meeting is expected to be contentious, as there are several members that don't intend to recognize Kosovo as an independent nation, fearing it will encourage separatist movements in their own countries.

LaRouche underscored that Kosovo has effectively become an administrative entity of the European Union. The EU will now be overseers of Kosovo--its EU administrator can cancel legislation, thereby replacing the role of the United Nations. Therefore, LaRouche warned, any European nation that wants to maintain its sovereignty today, will have to declare its independence from the EU. He added that with its actions, Russia is providing the opportunity for countries to do just that.

Russia's Foreign Ministry issued a statement today warning that Kosovo's declaration of independence violates Serbia's sovereignty as well as the UN Charter and threatens to "escalate tension and ethnic violence in the region, a new conflict in the Balkans." It warned other nations not to support separatism by recognizing Kosovo.

The EU intends to send in a 2,000-person team of "administrative experts" to replace what has been the UN's role in managing the province. Britain has placed 600 Welsh Guards on alert, and according to spokesmen, they are prepared to fly to the Balkans "at a moment's notice" to help preserve order in Kosovo, if needed.