Russian talking heads are correct here. The Democrats have to make sure "that Kosovo blemish" is put to bed well before the 2008 presidential cycle, or several of the Clintonites vying for office will look the terrorist stooge *to the mainstream US public" on the history there *for the first time*.
Russia has pretty valid arguments in opposing Kosovo indipendence, and can not agree to such. Expect China, Turkey and Arab OPEC countries to also block Kosovo indpendence if the Democrats force a 'cut and run' from Iraq, leaving Kurdish and Shia seperatists a free hand to transform the region, destabilising the Arab Gulf.
Should be an interesting two years as the Democrats try to avoid reality for as long a possible.