Abstract: Addresses concerns regarding the future status of Kosovo and analyses five possible alternatives: protectorate, partition, full independence, autonomy within a democratic Yugoslavia and conditional independence. The chapter recommends conditional independence as the future status of Kosovo, arguing for a constitutional regime that: (1) ensures respect of all Kosovo citizens’ rights to determine their future, (2) incorporates the role of the international community in providing external security and internal rights protection, (3) ensures full and equal political participation of all Kosovo citizens, (4) guarantees a wide set of internationally protected minority rights and (5) assures minority representation in the police, judiciary, and the government.

Keywords: autonomy, government, independence, international community, minority rights, participation, status, Yugoslavia,