Peace versus Justice in Kosovo and the Balkans

Carla Del Ponte - the chief prosecutor of the Hague's War Crimes Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia has apparently stated - to Serbian media, no less - that Kosovo's independence should be delayed because it may interfere with the running of the Tribunal.

A classic illustration of the age-old debate: PEACE vs. JUSTICE.

On one hand, many suggest that pragmatism must win out - and when the opportunity arrives to bring peace one must do so with full vigor, whilst others suggest that the pursuit of peace is secondary to the pursuit of justice. In this case, the "justice" is getting the final four suspects and indictees to the Hague for trial --- all said to be hiding out in Serbia. "Peace" - being Kosovo's independence and formal legal separation from Serbia.

"U.N. war crimes prosecutor Carla del Ponte is urging the Security Council to put off deciding the future of Kosovo until top Balkans war crimes suspects are in custody. From U.N. headquarters, VOA's Peter Heinlein reports the prosecutor noted increasing Serbian cooperation with efforts to bring top fugitives to The Hague for trial."

I think it is also sadly a result del Ponte thinking a little selfishly about her "baby" --- she has unquestionably been the driving force behind the War Crimes Tribunal, and wants to see it wrap up its prosecutions ASAP. I think she's missing the big picture personally.

I'm inclined to believe the peace versus justice debate is a false dichotomy, based on misunderstandings of what "peace" and "justice" mean. Once we have better - more holistics - definitions to work with, the debate becomes moot. Peace and justice are two sides of the same coin.