Kosovo's big decision: eagle or no eagle?

Posted By David Bosco Friday, February 8, 2008 - 4:16 PM Share

By most accounts, Kosovo will declare independence on February 17th. The province's leadership claims that 100 states are ready to recognize it, and experts are even selecting a new flag. It's not an easy business.

[D]esigns based on Albania's flag, the black double-headed eagle on a red background that flutters above graves of Kosovo Liberation Army guerrilla fighters throughout the breakaway province, would not be considered. The flag is synonymous in Kosovo with the Albanian community and is the first choice of many Kosovars....But officials were adamant that Kosovo's flag would not resemble Albania's. "We will not have the flag of any other country," said Fadil Hysa, the government adviser tasked with heading the Symbols Commission. "It cannot have an eagle," he added.

At least Kosovo gets to choose its own flag. Poor Bosnia had its flag chosen by international bureaucrats.

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