Earlier this month, a UN envoy, Martti Ahtisaari, presented a sensible plan for the future of Kosovo. The small Serbian province has been administered by the UN since 1999, when NATO went to war to defend its ethnic Albanian majority. Ahtisaari’s proposal would effectively grant Kosovo independence, but with strict limits, extensive international supervision and protection for the ethnic Serbs and other minorities who live there.

The plan has been attacked by all sides. Kosovo’s Serbs, and their allies in Belgrade, say they will never recognise an independent Kosovo. Kosovo’s Albanians will accept nothing less. Kosovo’s Albanians have failed to live up to standards of human rights and democratic governance laid down by the UN. That is why their independence must be conditional. Kosovo’s European stewards have repeatedly delayed decisions on independence, hoping the Serbs’ anger would cool. It has not.

The US and Europe should press the Security Council to quickly endorse the Ahtisaari plan. The international community and NATO — having invested so much in Kosovo — must continue to stay deeply involved. It would not be surprising if, after seven years, interest has flagged. But without more outside help, there is little hope for building a peaceful democracy in Kosovo.