The Turks of Kosovo and the Protection of Minority Culture at the Local Level

Abstract

It has become apparent that the interim administration in Kosovo has chosen to consolidate a democratic regime with its well-known, classical institutions. What makes this a problem, is the fact that such a democratic regime in Kosovo, based on the will of the majority, may generate new epicentres of conflict between communities which have long been engaged in hostilities. Possibly, democracy may survive in such a deeply divided society with the introduction of a political model, which relies upon sharing political power between the communities involved. However, a clear cut power-sharing or a consociational model, which contains political procedures such as an ethnic veto, is not a remedy, since it may deepen the Albanian recalcitrance and again exasperate ethnic conflict. In those circumstances, the call by the Turkish community for the restoration of its former constitutional status, has not been heeded by the UNMIK authorities. Yet, despite its attitude, which Turks find disturbing, and its constant refusal to accept changes that will amend their political status, UNMIK has succeeded in providing them with sound political procedures at municipal level by introducing some tolerable institutions of ethnic veto, which will enable them to avoid the encroachments of a foreign culture.