Kosovo in the International Arena

Pei N.

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Kosovo in the International Arena

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Abstract

Kosovo is located in the southern province of the Republic of Serbia in Western Balkans (see Appendix One). The administrative capital is Pristina and the province is separated into thirty municipalities. Kosovo's last official census in 1991 registered its approximately two million population to be composed of eighty-two percent ethnic Albanians, ten percent Serbs and eight percent Montenegrins, Croats, Turks, Gypsies, Muslims, and others. The nature of the state contested involves disputes between the two main ethnic groups: Serbs and Albanians. These two groups share a long history as residents in the same territory and are commonly referred to as Kosovars, although they differ in their ethnic roots, languages, religious affinities, customs, and culture. Religion was never the centerpiece of the conflict between the two groups, yet over the years, has been manipulated by politicians for ideological purposes.

Keywords: Balkans, UNMIK, NATO

The nature of the state contested involves disputes between the two main ethnic groups.
From the lens of the stakeholders.
The security and safety of the Kosovo Serbs - also a major concern.
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) began air strikes in March 1999 without UN approval.
The role of UNMIK:
Why is Kosovo relevant to international politics?
Any legal change in Kosovo's final status would require a UNSC resolution.
Kosovar Serbs and Albanians must be realistic in their demands.

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[...] Kosovo will not survive without assistance from the international community and strengthened trade relations with its neighbors. Any legal change in Kosovo's final status would require a UNSC resolution and the Permanent Five members have shown implicit interests in Kosovo. The US is strongly advocating for the independence of Kosovo while Serbia is dependent on Russian patronage. Both Russia and the US have the power to veto any resolution of the UNSC and forestall negotiations. Alternatively, they could offer incentives to Belgrade and Pristina to come to a negotiated agreement as soon as possible. [...]

[...] “Conflict History: Kosovo.” International Crisis Group. Updated March September 2007. < http: country="58"> “Kosovo State of the Environment Report.” UNMIK. Updated June September 2007. < http:> [xii] “Conflict History: Kosovo.” International Crisis Group. Updated March September 2007. < http: country="58"> [xiii] “Conflict Background” North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Updated 25 June October 2007. [xiv] Judah, Tim. Kosovo War and Revenge. 2nd Ed. New Haven & London: [...]

[...] Kosovo remains an important matter to be solved in order to maintain regional stability within the Balkans. Kosovo's independence could prevent the rise of terrorist activities and organized crimes within the region with shared intelligence and enforcement from neighboring states. As a small state, Kosovo's security hinges on Belgrade's acceptance and mutual security assurance with its neighbors. The authorities must collaborate to bring the perpetrators of violence to justice through investigation, prosecution, and conviction under the rule of law. There are also socio-economic concerns dealing with infrastructure, international trade, monetary issues, adequate legislature, freedom of travel, and returning and reintegration of the refugees into the society that must be coordinated if Kosovo gains its new status. [...]

[...] [iii] Malcolm, Noel. Kosovo: A Short History. New York: New York University Press, 1998: Introduction xxx. Malcolm, Noel. Kosovo: A Short History. New York: New York University Press, 1998: 325. Kupchan, Charles A. “Independence for Kosovo.” Foreign Affairs, 84:6 November/December 2005: 14-20. “UNSC debate on Kosovo: PV. 5522.” United Nations. New York September October 2007. < blackboard > [vii] “Rejecting independence for Kosovo, Serbia's President offers compromise at UN News Centre September October 2007. < http:> [viii] Kupchan, Charles A. “Independence for Kosovo.” Foreign Affairs, 84:6 November/December 2005: 14-20. [...]

[...] It will be in Serbia's interest to resolve the issue of Kosovo to ensure integration into the EU by next year. NATO's initial presence in Kosovo was to launch an aerial campaign against Milosevic to stop Serbian attacks on Albanians. Now, its new mission under KFOR is to bring the refugees back to their homes and provide substantial participation as a multinational force for security presence and to unify command and control.[xix] NATO's long-term commitment has expanded from a security force to becoming a humanitarian agency that provides aid to refugees in the region. [...]

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