The USA's unilateral decision to recognise Kosovo's independence , no matter what the UN's resolution, European Union's, or the bilateral Serbian-Albanian talks will conclude within the next few months only stregthens Europes perception that the US is demanding total obedience to America, and seeking to stifle any criticism from Europe by means of blackmail, with statements such as "Europe needs America, but America does not need Europe".

This is my whole point, it is NOT a shared view. The US goverment outspokenly states that NO MATTER WHAT the Europeans or the UN or the Albanian-Serbian talks decide, they will proclaim Kosovo independent.

As the sole remaining superpower in the world, the United States is establishing a unipolar world order

sole remaining superpower

Russia's public position is that it will oppose any solution for Kosovo that is not accepted by Serbia. This cynical stance has the aim of locking Serbia's leaders into their intransigence, isolating the Balkan country from the European Union -- which has offered it the prospect of membership -- and making the former heart of Communist Yugoslavia dependent on Moscow.
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To its credit, the Bush administration has refused to be cowed by the Russian tactics. Instead, officials have made clear that the new negotiations will be limited to 120 days and that regardless of their result the United States will seek recognition of an independent Kosovo. This will require not suasion over Mr. Putin but careful diplomacy with European governments, which must be persuaded to recognize Kosovo without a U.N. resolution. Britain, France and probably Germany can be counted on; the harder work lies with such nations as Cyprus, Greece, Spain, Romania and Slovakia, some of which worry about possible separatist claims in their own countries.

TIRANA, Albania (CNN) -- Setting up possibly another showdown with Russia, U.S. President George W. Bush has said "the time is now" to grant independence to the Serbian province of Kosovo and called on Moscow not to slow down the process.

"I happen to believe it's important to push the process along," Bush said Sunday at a joint news conference with Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha.

"The question is whether or not there's going to be endless dialogue on a subject that we have made up our mind about. We believe Kosovo ought to be independent." [The Albanian PM is also a strong supporter of independence.]
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Bush said the G8 supported Kosovo's independence, but "discussions were all aimed at determining if there is a way to make this acceptable to Russia."

"Obviously they're not there yet ... I'm worried about expectations not being met in Kosovo and therefore we'll push the process."

A vote on Kosovo's independence is before the United Nations Security Council, on which Russia holds a veto-wielding seat.

Bush said Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice would pursue the issue through diplomacy with Moscow along with America's European allies.

But the diplomacy surrounding the issue seemed a bit fuzzy when Bush was asked about his call for a deadline on U.N. action on Kosovo.

"First of all, I don't think I called for a deadline, I thought I said (timetable)," Bush said.

Responding to the reporter, who could not be heard, Bush responded, "I did, what exactly did I say? I said deadline? OK ... Then I meant what I said."

Many Albanians had been hoping for Mr Bush to give a boost to the Kosovan push for independence. Settlement terms drawn up by the special UN envoy, Martti Ahtisaari, have been with the security council since March following more than a year of fruitless negotiations between the Serbian government and the Kosovan Albanian leadership.

Western leaders are keen to resolve the crisis but cannot agree a formula with Moscow, which backs Serbia's argument that Kosovan independence would strip it of 15% of its territory and flout international law, as well as creating a dangerous precedent for secessionists worldwide.

The west argues that Kosovan independence offers the sole prospect of stability and progress in the Balkans and that the establishment of the new state is merely the last act in the protracted drama of the disintegration of Yugoslavia.

"Sooner rather than later you've got to say enough's enough. Kosovo's independent," Mr Bush announced at a press conference in Tirana, the Albanian capital.

But his pressure for a quick decision was countered at the weekend by Mr Putin, who emphasised that there was no change in Moscow's pro-Serbian position.

Western officials are exasperated by the Russian refusal to countenance independence and are worried that the fragile peace in the UN-administered province could collapse, with Albanians going on the rampage and enacting anti-Serbian pogroms if the status issue remains unresolved.

recognise Kosovo's independence , no matter what the UN's resolution, European Union's, or the bilateral Serbian-Albanian talks will conclude within the next few months

Having said and agreed upon this, it is unwise and frivolous for a president, of any counrty, to determine the result before it is agreed upon. If Russia vetoes , the United States should abide, in accordance to the UN's charter. If Russia vetoes, Mr. Bush can say that he wished the Security Coucil voted otherwise, but stop considering Kosovo's independence undisputed.