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Show PACE EDITOR 5 Monday, March 3, 2008 Marc Dotson, rtf cant believe that our of senate just its TOES GET ,1 Lj .. vy . M - HAVE Of THREE 011!; Cy 11 Running , 8 THE ALLOWING SEMESTffl fo itThe J0dfiTUStSTgreat xlt- MOW myenTiRS-Cooe&e- 586-548- tubbc-T-O PtfAE. To VO TH& WORK SUUSA SENATORS.. o mgiM inm. We applaud the administration for opening up and showing the public that planning is under way regarding transgender and other diversity issues at SUU. The Thursday press conference announcing the current effort marks the first time administrators have initiated discussion on the subject that has garnered national attention since transgender student Kourt Osborn raised housing-polic- y concerns in December 2007. On Feb. 21, we called on the administration to unveil a fair and cogent transgender housing CARTOON BY JOHN CHRISTIAN Kosovo sets policy. We appreciate the complexity of creating not only a fair housing policy but also university-wid- e changes to ensure transgender and other diversity issues are properly addressed. Taking on the broader issue that began with housing is a large and praiseworthy endeavors and we support the administrations cautious , Kosovos decision to declare independence was a bad idea. The U.S. decision to recognize it was worse and not because it prompted a crowd of angry Serbs to torch the U.S. Embassy in position by provoking violence against the regions Serb minority, roughly 10 percent of the population. The United States, preoccupied with Iraq and Afghanistan, mostly stood by and allowed the KLA to reemerge through intimidation and force. Belgrade. Even if the pint-siz- e chunk of the Balkans does not degenerate Then in January 2006, Rugova died of lung cancer. And in into failed statehood like Sudan or Somalia, it almost certainly will elections last November, the KLA regained power, seeming just remain in its current perilous condition and become a European as intolerant as ever. The new prime minister, Kashim Thaci, who bastion of criminality and human trafficking. Recognizing Kosovo hid out in the woods with Albanian guerrillas in the late 1990s, also sends a bizarre message to separatist movements around the not only was involved in terrorist acts as a KLA leader but is also world: If you resort to violence, the West might support you; if known for his ruthlessness. So why, out of all the groups in the world that are seeking youre peaceful, you havent got a prayer. That was certainly the message to Ibrahim Rugova and his independence (the Tibetans, the Kurds, the Tamils and others), do Democratic League of Kosovo. the Albanian Kosovars deserve to be singled out and accorded this Rugova, a former professor of literature who used to hand out prize? stones from his rock collection to visiting dignitaries (the more he Apparently, in the wake of last years elections, many Western liked you, the better the rock), formed his movement in late 1989 to leaders feared that violence might erupt in Kosovo unless offer peaceful resistance to Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic. independence was granted soon. As such, Washingtons recognition Milosevic had rescinded Kosovos autonomy of the newly named Krsova once again gives and clamped down on its majority Albanian the impression that the Kosovars are being all rewarded solely because they might othei wise population as part of his murderous plan to carve a Greater Serbia from the ashes of the turn violent. Other independence-mn.de- d in former Yugoslavia. But for nearly a decade, minorities will realize that if they reiy on Rugova received no support from Western peaceful tactics, they will risk being ignored. The poisonous impact of this whole episode countries, which largely ignored the region. The Dayton Agreement of 1995, ending the on Serbian politics seas underscored by the made no bloody war in embassy attack in Belgrade. Kurds, mention of Kosovo. moderate Serb politicians, Although Tamils Kosovo Not until the Albanian-ru- n including President Boris Tadic, swiftly Liberation Army (KLA) came on the scene in condemned the violence, even they now Albanian 1997 with a guerrilla campaign and terrorist feel compelled to emphasize nationalist Kosovars attacks against Serbian troops and civilians themes. Those who spearheaded the peaceful did the Clinton administration begin to pay overthrow of Milosevics murderous regime attention to Kosovo, inadvertently rewarding are now in danger of being accused of the KLA and its terrorist violence. The facilitating the countrys dismemberment. And KLA deliberately sought to provoke Serbian resentment over the forced relinquishment of Mark Kramer Kosovo is bound to simmer foi many years reprisals, and Milosevic, with his usual obtuse and stoke regional tension. brutality, readily obliged. As the fighting escalated, the United States and other NATO Another risk is that Kosova, the poorest region in Europe, will countries agreed to take military action to halt Milosevics campaign become a failed state and possibly a terrorist haven. Its economy of ethnic cleansing. But instead of dispatching ground troops, would have stopped functioning long ago withoul life support from President Clinton decided to rely solely on air power. The KLA in the U.N., the European Union and the United States. effect became NATOs boots on the ground. So when Milosevic Even if Kosovar officials were economic wizards, they would agreed in June 1999 to withdraw Serbian forces from Kosovo, the have a hard time meeting popular expectations, which have soared KLA, empowered by NATOs pixie dust, filled the vacuum. For with independence. the next 15 months, the KLA-le- d Moreover, the ethnic divide will likely intensify. The prospect of government alienated most of the 2.5 million people in Kosovo Albanian and Serbs alike further violent clashes between Seihs and Albanians seems all too by engaging in violence, extortion and other abuses, including by all real, and Thacis government may respond with ethnic cleansing. accounts widespread drug and gun running. Having recognized Kosovas independence with almost no public In October 2000, the situation finally seemed to improve when debate, Washington and its friends in Western Europe should be on protesters across Serbia overthrew Milosevic, and Rugovas party then guard. won overwhelmingly in Kosovos parliamentary elections, far Be careful what you wush for. eclipsing the KLA and paving the way for Rugovas emeigence as Maik Kramer is director of llanard Universitys Cold War president. Rugova sought close ties with the United States, and for a while U.S. officials provided him with valuable economic and Studies Program and a senior fellow of Harvard's Davis Center for was published Friday in Russian and Eurasian Studies. His op-cdiplomatic support. But the KLA refused to disappear and sought to weaken Rugovas The Washington Post. approach. Of all the possible changes suggested Thursday, SUU Vice President of Student Services Donna Eddlemans mention of creating gender-neutra- l, housing is indeed the most radical. Such an action would indeed be precedent-settin' as Eddleman said Thursday. This possible policy change shows that the administration is considering what would be best for SUU and not just blindly following what other campuses have done or what policies are deemed g, acceptable. , "So why, out of the groups the world that are seeking independence (the Tibetans, the and others), the do the deserve to be singled cut and accorded this prize?" Bosnia-Herzegovin- a, As the discussion continues, we hope it will be as open and tolerant as possible. As SUU President Michael T. Benson said in his statement read at Thursdays press conference: A public university campus is about the free exchange of ideas and about respecting the beliefs and practices of others ... The opinions expressed above are the collective perspective of the University Journal Editorial Board. The editorial board meets every Monday and Thursday at 1 p.m. in room 176C of the Sharwan Smith Center. Readers are also welcome to comment online at suunews.com. Editor in Chief McKenzie Romero SuuNEWs.com Editor Matthew Montgomery Associate News Editor Samantha Arnold Accent Editor Angie Smith Opinion Editor Marc Dotson Sports Editor Justine Pruitt Copy Desk Katie Hawkes, Tim Chappell Art Editor Richard Payson Photographers Eric Poole and Laura Watkin Reporters Dana Bell, Sydney Brake, Sean Miles PERKINS d 586-775- 0 586-775- 0 586-775- 0 586-548- 8 586-548- 8 Li 586-548- 8 Would you run for SUUSA office? UCjLa CJuL 586-775- 9 586-775- 7 586-775- 7 Advertising Chad Carter Designer Frank Imler Office Manager Rachel Dotson Operations Manager John S GholCston 586-775- 9 586-775- 8 Ad 586-775- 8 865-822- 6 I 586-775- 1 The bnnersitv Journal is published everv Monday and Thursday of the academic year by and for the student body of Southern Utah University It is advised by professional faculry and staff m the universitvs Communication Department The views and opinions expressed in the Journal are tln.ac of individual writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of the institution, faculty, staff or student body m general The University Journal is dcs gnated a public forum and is free from external censorship or advance approval of content. Tne Journal is free to develop editorial policies and news coverage with the understanding that students and student organizations speak only for themselves. Administrators, faculty staff or other agents shall not consider the student medias content when making decisions regarding die media s funding Grievances. Any individual with a grievance against the Journal should direct such problem First to the editor. If unresolved, that grievance should then be directed to the operations manager. Any grievance not resolved at that level is referred to the Media Advisory Committee. The Journal is distributed free of charge to individuals for the first copy Additional copies may be purchased for 25 cents each. University Journal'. SLU Sharwan Smith Center, Room 176C Mailaddicss Umversiry 7 Journal, 351 W University Blvd , Cedar City, Utah 84720 FAX (435) address1 journaKasuu edu. , .A A Genna Goodwin Kylee Chalk Freshman Clark Jolley Junior Marketing Undeclared Panama City, Fla. Hurricane Freshman Management ' St. George I would have to say no because I dont care enough about I think being in SUUSA office would be a great opportunity. Itwould give one more of a say as to what goes on. Doing so would make me more involved and give me an opportunity to work with a diverse group of people. school. Its a fact. PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER PLEASE RECYCLE THIS COPY 2008 SUU University Journal A. i k.. a A lyssa Wray Edward Larson Sophomore Junior Outdoor Rec. Blanding Nursing Cedar City No, Im too busy. Av- -f. , t, J&. A, A- - & At y. - glory-hungr- y pig with charisma and great amazing talent at tricking people." Share your response at suunews.com. a. Yes! I am a ,4 |