In last Thursday's Wall Street Journal (03/27/08) a small article on the front page caught my eye. The article, titled "Freedom's Ring: Kosovo Covets A Dialing Code", is about how the newly independent country of Kosovo (formerly of Serbia, which is formerly of Yugoslavia) is quite adamant about getting an international dialing code. Right now they share it with Serbia.
At this time the only way to get an international dialing code is not by calling AT&T but by joining the United Nations. This might not seem like a big deal, it is when you have to wait to join the U.N. and your newly formed country's credibility hinges on getting all the T's crossed and I's dotted as fast as possible. Why does this matter to the new Kosovars?
Imagine something as little as an International Dialing Code being just as important as the Kosovar national flag, Kosovar national anthem, or the Kosovar Independence Day. All symbols of national identity, yet if one wants to call the Kosovar Parliament, they still have to dial a Serbian phone number. So much for true independence?
Yet, these new Kosovars are willing to endure just about anything for the opportunity of getting an International Dialing code. The WSJ story mentions an incident of Anton Berisha, chief telecom regulator of Kosova, along with his daughter and aunt came under gunfire by people he believes are part of a Serbian telecommunications company that lost a mobile phone license auction to a Slovenian company. That was not all, two weeks after the gunfire; attackers assaulted Mr. Berisha again, with one firing an RPG (Rocket Propelled Grenade) at him and his security detail, luckily it caused no grave damage or injuries.
So, for the foreseeable future, if you find yourself in Kosovo and want to order some of the local cuisine from the Pristina Grand Hotel Cafe in Pristina (Kosovo 's Capital) then dial the Serbian International Dialing Code of 381 plus the number (38-20211).
There you have it, when people tell you not to sweat the small stuff. Always remember in Kosovo's case, the small stuff is what countries are made of.
So sweat away!!!
Let's tag this with:
Dave Guerra, Kosovo, Kosovo Independence, Pristina, Kosovar, Telecom, Anton Berisha, International Dialing Code, United Nations,Wall Street Journal,Sweat the Small Stuff,Pristina Grand Hotel Cafe
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