February 18, 2008 - 14:32 AMT
Joseph Grieboski: Kosovo independence proclamation illegal
Recognition of Kosovo's independence by the international community will establish a dangerous precedent throughout the world.

"Proclamation of Kosovo's independence is illegal. It's a violation of the international law, UN regulations and Resolution 1244 (which clearly determines Kosovo as part of Serbia), and creates a dangerous precedent for secession of other territories, including Iraqi Kurdistan," said Joseph K. Grieboski, President of the Nobel Peace Prize-nominated Institute on Religion and Public Policy,

"This move can provoke international destabilization," he said.

"Recognition of Kosovo's independence by the international community will establish a precedent for Abkhazia, South Ossetia, Nagorno Karabkah, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Tibet and Taiwan, which will demand recognition," he said, RIA Novosti reports.

The Kosovo parliament proclaimed independence on Sunday. Serbia described the move as a forceful and unilateral division of its territory.